NFL Power Rankings, Week 10: Chiefs, Eagles score big-time wins
By Grant Tuttle
9. Seattle Seahawks (5-3)
Last Week: 7 (-2)
Yikes. Seattle had a chance to prove that they were not just a team built on hype and then they fell on their face against the Ravens. In a game that was never close, their leading rusher ran for 16 yards and Geno Smith threw for 157 yards and a pick. It seems to me that the Seahawks are one of the "We are a quarterback away" teams. In next year's draft, they could be one of the teams that surprises and takes a quarterback in the first round. It's been abundantly clear that Geno Smith is a game manager and nothing more, no matter how nice the redemption story was.
10. San Francisco 49ers (5-3)
Last week: 10 (-)
(BYE WEEK)
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)
Last Week: 13 (+2)
In a close one, the Steelers beat the Titans on Thursday night. Once again, we are left with questions about where they belong on this list. They are very mobile because of their playing style. They have a talented defense that has statistically been suspect. They have a talented offense that has been downright bad. What do you do with this team, other than chalk it up to another winning season for Mike Tomlin?
12. Cleveland Browns (5-3)
Last Week: 12 (-)
Cleveland is the team that is always in the game and is capable of winning ugly ones. I like what the Browns can do defensively, but offensively they are limited. Every week it becomes more and more clear that the Deshaun Watson of old is not coming back and that they invested heavily in a mid-tier-at-best quarterback. The Browns are winning games but if they hope to have any shot at their division or at a Wild Card spot, they will need better offensive execution. Whether that can happen is questionable at best.
13. Buffalo Bills (5-4)
Last Week: 11 (-2)
I think that the Super Bowl dreams are over. The Bills have a brutal schedule in the coming weeks and at this point, it would not stun me if they went .500 or had a losing season. No one is ready to say it, but the Bills have a lot of work to do this offseason, and they may have messed up by not being sellers at the trade deadline. It's over for this season.
14. Houston Texans (4-4)
Last Week: 14 (-)
The Texans have some great things going for them. If they continue on this path, they may be in the upper echelon by 2025. They have young talent all over the field and while they are inconsistent, they look tremendous at times. This week, they found a way to come out on top in a shootout with the Tampa Bay Bucs. C.J. Stroud showcased why he, not Bryce Young deserved to be the first pick of the draft.
15. Los Angeles Chargers (4-4)
Last Week: 18 (+3)
A win over the Jets is a step in the right direction but this team is underperforming. The Chargers are not a threat to the Chiefs, Ravens, or Bengals at this point. Los Angeles is not a winner this year and has a lot to fix before it will be considered one.
16. Atlanta Falcons (4-4)
Last Week: 16 (-)
Atlanta needs to move on from Arthur Smith. How can you excuse what he does? He consistently underutilizes his stars and outsmarts no one in his game planning. The Falcons are mediocre at best and it's not because they don't have talent. The Falcons need new leadership as they enter the next phase with their young players.