By Andrew Miller
Week 10 Power Rankings
1) New Orleans Saints
Ladies and Gentleman, your new Super Bowl favorites. This team showed me this week that they are the most creative, dynamic, and unselfish offense in the whole league. The defense is also becoming more of what we thought they can be. There run defense is nasty, even without Marcus Davenport. The Saints are in real good shape, I just wish they would play more man to man instead of zone. One more thing: Drew Brees is not the MVP, this is a running football team now dependent on how well Sean Payton can create greatness from Drew Brees and Kamara. Still playing out of his mind football though.
2) LA Rams
This game exposed the game plan for beating the LA Rams: play surgical offense and keep the ball out of Todd Gurley’s hands. If you do that, then you have a chance. It just so happens that the Rams played the perfect team to beat them. Last I checked, Sean McVay is still the Head Coach, Wade Phillips is the DC, and Gurley is still the presumptive Offensive MVP (should be MVP), this team will be fine. The only worry I have is that this team has legit problems stopping big plays from being game-changing plays, they give up too many 50 yard plays for my liking. They need Talib back because whatever happened to Peters is legit terrifying if you are a Rams fan.
3) Kansas City Chiefs
Another day another 3 TD game for Mahomes and the scariest offense in the sport. I think we are watching the assergence of Kareem Hunt as a possible superstar in this league. While the other teams ahead of them can slice and dice anyone they face, the Chiefs can just chop you in half over and over again. I trust no team more in this league to get 7. The only thing stopping me from having them number 1 is that their defense is simply okay outside Dee Ford.
4) New England Patriots
This offense is unstoppable. They are able to consistently get 7 yard gains and 30 yard games at will. Much like the Saints, an all time great QB is now playing through their running game except their only real RB has been sidelined. This team is playing without Gronk and Sony, yet are still performing at an elite level. Most importantly for the Patriots, the defense is stepping up to serviceable. As a person who has been the “Patriots hater” of the year. I may be eating crow now.
5) Carolina Panthers
This team impresses me more and more each week. Part of me really wants to put them ahead of the Saints because I secretly think this may just be the best team in the South. I think this team is incredibly star-driven with both sides playing lights out until garbage time. I think Cam Newton is way more of an MVP than Drew Brees, and I do not think it is close. Every playmaker on the offense can score on any touch, defenses beware.
6) Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite all the Le’Veon drama, this offense is chugging along just fine. Much like the Chiefs. they can just hammer you away until you beg for mercy. They can be up 20 like that. The defense is also really impressing me. There may be no pass defense, but you try running the ball against Tuitt, Hayward, and Hargrave. Those three could each bench 5 WCBN members with no problem and take up about double the average space of a WCBN member. I think this team can do some real damage, and are firmly in contention with the Patriots and Chiefs for best team in the AFC. Where’s all the Mike Tomlin haters now?!
7) Chicago Bears
I know it was against the Bills and Trubisky only played below average, but I don’t care. I LOVE THIS TEAM. This team has everything I want except a wide receiving core. Trubisky might be the best running QB in the sport, including Watson. The defense still looked dominant (again against Nathan Peterman and the Bills) even without Khalil Mack, with Leonard Floyd finally coming into his own. Expect Tarik Cohen to bounce back because he is a force in the pass game. This team WILL win the NFC North barring injuries. Chicago fans will still call for Trubisky’s head.
8) LA (San Diego) Chargers
Color me impressed with their win over the Seahawks. I just saw nothing other than good defense that really stood out to me. Everyone on offense looked...fine. That’s not how they should be playing when they are in the playoff hunt, even with a shot for the Division. I hope this is an outlier because when this team gets Bosa back the defense will be an elite unit. I just hope the offense catches up.
9) Houston Texans
The league leader barely scraped by against the Broncos by the skin of their teeth and a dominant defense. This team can make noise, but this game proved that the 2 game stretch of good O Line play was just a fluke, granted they played Von Chubb. I have no doubt this team will win the division, but I now have doubt about them in the postseason. If you can’t block, how are you ever supposed to get any production out of Lamar Miller.
10) Minnesota Vikings
This is more indicative of my feelings for the Bears than of the Vikings, who I think will be in the playoffs, and a dangerous voice in it. The offense looks amazing, and Dalvin Cook seems to be officially back and like the teams before, they can score a lot of points. I just still question this defense and their O-line play. With a decent pass rush Kirk Cousins will be in trouble, and moving forward this WILL be a problem for them. Their secondary’s issues are seeming better but I am not convinced they are solved. I think at the end of the day the Vikings are a good team, who’s best year was last year. Danielle Hunter; however, is my new man-crush.
11) Philadelphia Eagles
I have faith that this team will figure it out, and against the sickening division rival Cowboys this week, expect this to be the Eagles’ second half coming out party. Carson Wentz is about to prove how last year was no fluke, and with Golden Tate now on squad, this team can now be more creative than ever. Watch out, because with a week off to incorporate the new pieces and get people healthy, the Eagles may prove that they can beat anyone.
12) Cincinnati Bengals
The perennially second Wild-Card team Bengals are back at it again after a BYE and a Ravens loss. Unfortunately for the Bengals, AJ Green will be out for 2 crucial games against the Saints and the Ravens, but the good news is that the Ravens don’t seem in it, and the rest of the Wild-Card picture seems scarce, unless the Broncos all of a sudden heat up and the Jags find a way to get rid of Bortles.
13) Washington Football Team
This team is showing who they really are. They are a team you cannot trust to score points and are reliant on aging Adrian Peterson and Alex Smith. I’m sorry this team is not built to win. Their defense is carrying them in games because the Bama Bros on the D Line are playing exceptional football. This is an overachieving team that still may make the playoffs.
14) Miami Dolphins
No team won an uglier game all year than the Dolphins this past Sunday. They are in this slot purely because of record. I can’t in good conscience trust a team with Brock Osweiler as QB. I think this team could very well lose every game moving forward. If they don’t give the ball to Kenyan Drake more I will scream.
15) Atlanta Falcons
Huh, their offense can thrive, even though they aren’t very creative. The Falcons can somehow reach the playoffs this season. They only play 2 teams with a winning record and both (Panthers, Saints) are in their division. This team is still in this. I just don’t trust the defense to not blow games for them, and holding Washington to 14 doesn’t impress me.
16) Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson is a god. Yes, they lost to a good Chargers team, but they almost beat them exclusively because of what Wilson is able to do. This team will do nothing special, but has eked their way into playoff consideration based on their leader. Watch out for the New Baby Boomers in Seattle’s Secondary, Tedric Thompson looks legit.
17) Baltimore Ravens
I thought this year was different, but it looks as though the Ravens are heading towards a 7-9, 8-8 team for the same reasons as the last two years: lack of puss rush, and no explosive playmakers. Crabtree and John Brown does not a team make. Hopefully they figure it out during their BYE week, but it may just be too late.
18) Green Bay Packers
This gives me no joy. Aaron Rodgers can only do so much on his own. This team is just impressive. They give up a lot of points, and the offense is too basic to do anything about catching up. This may be the year Mike McCarthy loses his job or at least play calling duties. This team needs to figure out some identity outside Aaron Rodgers (FREE AARON JONES!!!!). I think they need to build around Jaire Alexander because already he is a top 6 CB in football.
19) Tennessee Titans
This is how the Titans win games. Stop the run and control pace of play. Mariota may have fumbled twice, but he played his best game all season and showed real signs of guts out there. Harold Landry is the bend king of the NFL. The Titans may not make the playoffs, but they are a hard team for anyone to play.
20) Detroit Lions
The Lions looked pathetic on Sunday, even though their defense played really well against a really good Minnesota offense. The offense just couldn’t get going on account of Danielle Hunter owning a permanent residence in the Lion’s backfield. The Lions will not contend, the season is now about improvement. Show progress from your players. Show that Hand, Tabor, Davis, Johnson and Golladay are legitimate building blocks.
21) Jacksonville Jaguars
Blake Bortles. Great Defense. Nothing has changed.
22) Dallas Cowboys
I think it is okay to admit that Dak Prescott is a bad QB. Until Monday night I had always thought he was okay, but now I think he is the problem, and opposing teams know that. The reason that Zeke is playing only okay is because they know Dak won’t be able to take advantage of their single coverage. Let’s call this the Bortles/Fournette Conundrum. The Cowboys are in trouble and nothing would make me happier than Jerry reaching on a QB in this years draft.
23) Indianapolis Colts
This team is coming off a BYE which allows Jack Doyle and TY Hilton to get fully healthy. This team will continue to be a headache for me. The best garbage time team takes on Jacksonville in a true test to see if Andrew Luck is truly back and that Bortles is truly bad (HINT: Both are true).
24) Denver Broncos
This team is just on autopilot right now. Waiting for a decent team to fall in their lap. I think the whole team has lost some confidence and fight since the Demaryius Thomas trade. I think the defense is just getting tired of not contending, and except for the development of Lindsay and Sutton, there isn’t much else to play for.
25) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
We have now reached the final stage of Fitzmagic. After winning surprising games, being bad, then being bench, then taking over for the “franchise QB”, Fitzmagic is now in the stage of playing great football and putting up a lot of points, while losing every single game. Have fun Tampa Bay.
26) Cleveland Browns
New coach, same Browns; treading water waiting for next year. Only this time they only have 1 pick in the first round. Baker is playing well, so is Chubb, so is Njoku, Peppers isn’t, Myles Garrett is A top 5 defensive player, they got rid of Hue Jackson. In my book, that’s a wrap on a successful Browns season. Better luck next year
27) San Francisco 49ers
I love the Nick Mullins story as much as anyone else. However, every play he made was to a WIDE open receiver. This game proved three things to me, Kyle Shanahan is a genius, CJ Beathard sucks, and Nick Mullins will be an OC in 8 years. The defense is playing better. I wish I could cure an ACL tear for this team.
28) NY Jets
This team is becoming a dumpster fire. They cannot take care of the football game and the turnover problems Darnold had in college seem to be substantiated in the NFL. Granted his O Line and whole team are terrible. I hope they can figure something out, but their defense next year can be special
29) Arizona Cardinals
This team was on a BYE. Not much to say. Keep Josh Rosen healthy. Don’t kill David Johnson.
30) NY Giants
Another BYE week so I can’t go off on Eli again. I like how they didn’t sell during the trade deadline because the players they have will have more value in the offseason. JUST FIND A NEW QB I DON’T CARE IF HERBERT DECLARES OR NOT.
31) Oakland Raiders
This team played bad, Derek Carr played bad, but it was a short week. I don’t know what else to say about a team that has clearly given up on this year.
32) Buffalo Bills
Their defense should make it impossible for them to be this low. That is how bad their offense is, and how bad their QB and receivers, and lineman, and even Shady are. This team may be one of the worst offensive rosters ever. No Joke. If I was a fantasy player, every week, play the defense playing them. I hate this placing because the people of Buffalo deserve more. But they have Nathan Peterman so this is where we stand.
image credit: https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/11/04/nfl-rams-saints-week-9-analysis-final-score/
Week 10 Power Rankings
1) New Orleans Saints
Ladies and Gentleman, your new Super Bowl favorites. This team showed me this week that they are the most creative, dynamic, and unselfish offense in the whole league. The defense is also becoming more of what we thought they can be. There run defense is nasty, even without Marcus Davenport. The Saints are in real good shape, I just wish they would play more man to man instead of zone. One more thing: Drew Brees is not the MVP, this is a running football team now dependent on how well Sean Payton can create greatness from Drew Brees and Kamara. Still playing out of his mind football though.
2) LA Rams
This game exposed the game plan for beating the LA Rams: play surgical offense and keep the ball out of Todd Gurley’s hands. If you do that, then you have a chance. It just so happens that the Rams played the perfect team to beat them. Last I checked, Sean McVay is still the Head Coach, Wade Phillips is the DC, and Gurley is still the presumptive Offensive MVP (should be MVP), this team will be fine. The only worry I have is that this team has legit problems stopping big plays from being game-changing plays, they give up too many 50 yard plays for my liking. They need Talib back because whatever happened to Peters is legit terrifying if you are a Rams fan.
3) Kansas City Chiefs
Another day another 3 TD game for Mahomes and the scariest offense in the sport. I think we are watching the assergence of Kareem Hunt as a possible superstar in this league. While the other teams ahead of them can slice and dice anyone they face, the Chiefs can just chop you in half over and over again. I trust no team more in this league to get 7. The only thing stopping me from having them number 1 is that their defense is simply okay outside Dee Ford.
4) New England Patriots
This offense is unstoppable. They are able to consistently get 7 yard gains and 30 yard games at will. Much like the Saints, an all time great QB is now playing through their running game except their only real RB has been sidelined. This team is playing without Gronk and Sony, yet are still performing at an elite level. Most importantly for the Patriots, the defense is stepping up to serviceable. As a person who has been the “Patriots hater” of the year. I may be eating crow now.
5) Carolina Panthers
This team impresses me more and more each week. Part of me really wants to put them ahead of the Saints because I secretly think this may just be the best team in the South. I think this team is incredibly star-driven with both sides playing lights out until garbage time. I think Cam Newton is way more of an MVP than Drew Brees, and I do not think it is close. Every playmaker on the offense can score on any touch, defenses beware.
6) Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite all the Le’Veon drama, this offense is chugging along just fine. Much like the Chiefs. they can just hammer you away until you beg for mercy. They can be up 20 like that. The defense is also really impressing me. There may be no pass defense, but you try running the ball against Tuitt, Hayward, and Hargrave. Those three could each bench 5 WCBN members with no problem and take up about double the average space of a WCBN member. I think this team can do some real damage, and are firmly in contention with the Patriots and Chiefs for best team in the AFC. Where’s all the Mike Tomlin haters now?!
7) Chicago Bears
I know it was against the Bills and Trubisky only played below average, but I don’t care. I LOVE THIS TEAM. This team has everything I want except a wide receiving core. Trubisky might be the best running QB in the sport, including Watson. The defense still looked dominant (again against Nathan Peterman and the Bills) even without Khalil Mack, with Leonard Floyd finally coming into his own. Expect Tarik Cohen to bounce back because he is a force in the pass game. This team WILL win the NFC North barring injuries. Chicago fans will still call for Trubisky’s head.
8) LA (San Diego) Chargers
Color me impressed with their win over the Seahawks. I just saw nothing other than good defense that really stood out to me. Everyone on offense looked...fine. That’s not how they should be playing when they are in the playoff hunt, even with a shot for the Division. I hope this is an outlier because when this team gets Bosa back the defense will be an elite unit. I just hope the offense catches up.
9) Houston Texans
The league leader barely scraped by against the Broncos by the skin of their teeth and a dominant defense. This team can make noise, but this game proved that the 2 game stretch of good O Line play was just a fluke, granted they played Von Chubb. I have no doubt this team will win the division, but I now have doubt about them in the postseason. If you can’t block, how are you ever supposed to get any production out of Lamar Miller.
10) Minnesota Vikings
This is more indicative of my feelings for the Bears than of the Vikings, who I think will be in the playoffs, and a dangerous voice in it. The offense looks amazing, and Dalvin Cook seems to be officially back and like the teams before, they can score a lot of points. I just still question this defense and their O-line play. With a decent pass rush Kirk Cousins will be in trouble, and moving forward this WILL be a problem for them. Their secondary’s issues are seeming better but I am not convinced they are solved. I think at the end of the day the Vikings are a good team, who’s best year was last year. Danielle Hunter; however, is my new man-crush.
11) Philadelphia Eagles
I have faith that this team will figure it out, and against the sickening division rival Cowboys this week, expect this to be the Eagles’ second half coming out party. Carson Wentz is about to prove how last year was no fluke, and with Golden Tate now on squad, this team can now be more creative than ever. Watch out, because with a week off to incorporate the new pieces and get people healthy, the Eagles may prove that they can beat anyone.
12) Cincinnati Bengals
The perennially second Wild-Card team Bengals are back at it again after a BYE and a Ravens loss. Unfortunately for the Bengals, AJ Green will be out for 2 crucial games against the Saints and the Ravens, but the good news is that the Ravens don’t seem in it, and the rest of the Wild-Card picture seems scarce, unless the Broncos all of a sudden heat up and the Jags find a way to get rid of Bortles.
13) Washington Football Team
This team is showing who they really are. They are a team you cannot trust to score points and are reliant on aging Adrian Peterson and Alex Smith. I’m sorry this team is not built to win. Their defense is carrying them in games because the Bama Bros on the D Line are playing exceptional football. This is an overachieving team that still may make the playoffs.
14) Miami Dolphins
No team won an uglier game all year than the Dolphins this past Sunday. They are in this slot purely because of record. I can’t in good conscience trust a team with Brock Osweiler as QB. I think this team could very well lose every game moving forward. If they don’t give the ball to Kenyan Drake more I will scream.
15) Atlanta Falcons
Huh, their offense can thrive, even though they aren’t very creative. The Falcons can somehow reach the playoffs this season. They only play 2 teams with a winning record and both (Panthers, Saints) are in their division. This team is still in this. I just don’t trust the defense to not blow games for them, and holding Washington to 14 doesn’t impress me.
16) Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson is a god. Yes, they lost to a good Chargers team, but they almost beat them exclusively because of what Wilson is able to do. This team will do nothing special, but has eked their way into playoff consideration based on their leader. Watch out for the New Baby Boomers in Seattle’s Secondary, Tedric Thompson looks legit.
17) Baltimore Ravens
I thought this year was different, but it looks as though the Ravens are heading towards a 7-9, 8-8 team for the same reasons as the last two years: lack of puss rush, and no explosive playmakers. Crabtree and John Brown does not a team make. Hopefully they figure it out during their BYE week, but it may just be too late.
18) Green Bay Packers
This gives me no joy. Aaron Rodgers can only do so much on his own. This team is just impressive. They give up a lot of points, and the offense is too basic to do anything about catching up. This may be the year Mike McCarthy loses his job or at least play calling duties. This team needs to figure out some identity outside Aaron Rodgers (FREE AARON JONES!!!!). I think they need to build around Jaire Alexander because already he is a top 6 CB in football.
19) Tennessee Titans
This is how the Titans win games. Stop the run and control pace of play. Mariota may have fumbled twice, but he played his best game all season and showed real signs of guts out there. Harold Landry is the bend king of the NFL. The Titans may not make the playoffs, but they are a hard team for anyone to play.
20) Detroit Lions
The Lions looked pathetic on Sunday, even though their defense played really well against a really good Minnesota offense. The offense just couldn’t get going on account of Danielle Hunter owning a permanent residence in the Lion’s backfield. The Lions will not contend, the season is now about improvement. Show progress from your players. Show that Hand, Tabor, Davis, Johnson and Golladay are legitimate building blocks.
21) Jacksonville Jaguars
Blake Bortles. Great Defense. Nothing has changed.
22) Dallas Cowboys
I think it is okay to admit that Dak Prescott is a bad QB. Until Monday night I had always thought he was okay, but now I think he is the problem, and opposing teams know that. The reason that Zeke is playing only okay is because they know Dak won’t be able to take advantage of their single coverage. Let’s call this the Bortles/Fournette Conundrum. The Cowboys are in trouble and nothing would make me happier than Jerry reaching on a QB in this years draft.
23) Indianapolis Colts
This team is coming off a BYE which allows Jack Doyle and TY Hilton to get fully healthy. This team will continue to be a headache for me. The best garbage time team takes on Jacksonville in a true test to see if Andrew Luck is truly back and that Bortles is truly bad (HINT: Both are true).
24) Denver Broncos
This team is just on autopilot right now. Waiting for a decent team to fall in their lap. I think the whole team has lost some confidence and fight since the Demaryius Thomas trade. I think the defense is just getting tired of not contending, and except for the development of Lindsay and Sutton, there isn’t much else to play for.
25) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
We have now reached the final stage of Fitzmagic. After winning surprising games, being bad, then being bench, then taking over for the “franchise QB”, Fitzmagic is now in the stage of playing great football and putting up a lot of points, while losing every single game. Have fun Tampa Bay.
26) Cleveland Browns
New coach, same Browns; treading water waiting for next year. Only this time they only have 1 pick in the first round. Baker is playing well, so is Chubb, so is Njoku, Peppers isn’t, Myles Garrett is A top 5 defensive player, they got rid of Hue Jackson. In my book, that’s a wrap on a successful Browns season. Better luck next year
27) San Francisco 49ers
I love the Nick Mullins story as much as anyone else. However, every play he made was to a WIDE open receiver. This game proved three things to me, Kyle Shanahan is a genius, CJ Beathard sucks, and Nick Mullins will be an OC in 8 years. The defense is playing better. I wish I could cure an ACL tear for this team.
28) NY Jets
This team is becoming a dumpster fire. They cannot take care of the football game and the turnover problems Darnold had in college seem to be substantiated in the NFL. Granted his O Line and whole team are terrible. I hope they can figure something out, but their defense next year can be special
29) Arizona Cardinals
This team was on a BYE. Not much to say. Keep Josh Rosen healthy. Don’t kill David Johnson.
30) NY Giants
Another BYE week so I can’t go off on Eli again. I like how they didn’t sell during the trade deadline because the players they have will have more value in the offseason. JUST FIND A NEW QB I DON’T CARE IF HERBERT DECLARES OR NOT.
31) Oakland Raiders
This team played bad, Derek Carr played bad, but it was a short week. I don’t know what else to say about a team that has clearly given up on this year.
32) Buffalo Bills
Their defense should make it impossible for them to be this low. That is how bad their offense is, and how bad their QB and receivers, and lineman, and even Shady are. This team may be one of the worst offensive rosters ever. No Joke. If I was a fantasy player, every week, play the defense playing them. I hate this placing because the people of Buffalo deserve more. But they have Nathan Peterman so this is where we stand.
image credit: https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/11/04/nfl-rams-saints-week-9-analysis-final-score/
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