It's rarely clean or easy around here, but when it comes to the Power Rankings, we aim to right wrongs and get everything as correct as we can, even if that means swabbing down the entire deck every few weeks. The Colts, Packers, Chiefs and Lions all went down. A rarity in Top 10 history for four teams to all lose in the same week.
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense thumped an (at the time) one-loss Indianapolis Colts team. The Carolina Panthers surprised the national audience by taking one on the road in Green Bay. And despite their struggles in years past to do so, the Buffalo Bills got a win over the Kansas City Chiefs. We're talking all of that and more in this week's Power Rankings.
The Top 10 is an indication of the Power Rankings and not necessarily a Top 10 poll of voters etc.
1. Buffalo Bills (6-2)
The Bills looked the part in a heavyweight fight against the Chiefs on Sunday, defeating their rivals 28-21 to move to 6-2 on the season. The offense appeared as competent as ever, rolling to 404 yards and scoring four touchdowns in the win. Buffalo’s running game was efficient, and the team also created explosives in the passing game. On the defensive side of the ball — where there have been some questions — the Bills stopped a Chiefs offense that has played incredible football in recent weeks. A huge scalp.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
Patrick Mahomes (58.7 grade vs. Buffalo) had one of the least efficient passing games of his career, completing 15-of-34 pass attempts for 250 yards and an interception against the Bills on Sunday afternoon, as the Chiefs were downed 28-21 at Highmark Stadium. The defense struggled to slow down a Bills offense that averaged 6.3 yards per play, as Buffalo once again got the edge in the regular season. The Chiefs now sit at 5-4, and their grip on a 10th straight AFC West title is in peril.
3. Los Angeles Rams (6-2)
In their last three games, the Rams have a +66 point differential and are absolutely tearing through anyone in their path. The Saints presented themselves as victims this week, and the Rams took care of business, putting the game out of sight before halftime. Matthew Stafford (91.7 grade; 2nd) threw four touchdown passes in the game and now has 21 on the year, the most among quarterbacks. It’s not just the offense that sits fifth in EPA per play that’s rolling. The defense is a top-two unit in EPA per play allowed.
4. Detroit Lions (5-3)
It looked as if everything was going to be business as usual for the Lions when they scored on their first possession of the day, but the Vikings caused the upset, winning 27-24 on the road to leave the Lions at 5-3 in an increasingly tight NFC North. The Lions’ offense, which sits 10th in EPA per play, wasn’t at its best, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry against a Vikings defense that looked rejuvenated. This might be one of the worst performances we’ll see from the Detroit rushing attack in some time.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
The Week 9 bye may have just come at the wrong time for an Eagles team that was beginning to build a head of steam on offense for the first time this year. The Eagles were second in offensive EPA per play in their last two games, and Jalen Hurts’ 89.5 overall PFF grade was second among quarterbacks. The defense got a little stronger this week, with the Eagles trading a 2026 third-round pick to the Dolphins for edge defender Jaelan Phillips. The Super Bowl champions return to action in Week 10 with a tough trip to Lambeau Field to take on the 5-2-1 Green Bay Packers.
6. Denver Broncos (7-2)
It was the Broncos who stood tall in the battle of two teams with great defenses and middling offenses, defeating the Texans 18-15. Bo Nix (71.4 grade; 20th) and the offense sputtered before coming alive in the fourth quarter, and rookie running back RJ Harvey (68.9 grade; 26th) now has five touchdowns in his last three games. When all else fails, the defense remains one of the league’s best, and the Broncos are now 7-2.
7. Green Bay Packers (5-2-1)
At some point, questions will have to be asked over the Packers' validity as real contenders. Their 5-2-1 record is as good as any in the NFL, but the Packers have continuously failed to ease concerns against inferior opponents, losing 16-13 at home to the Panthers in Week 9. The defense has held up its end of the bargain in close games, ranking 13th in EPA per play allowed. However, Jordan Love (61.5 grade) and the offense seem to run out of steam. And without tight end Tucker Kraft (78.1 grade; 6th) — who has arguably been the most important skill player on the team in 2025 but is now out for the season — this offense could appear a lot different down the stretch.
8. Baltimore Ravens (3-5)
The Ravens were handed an excellent runway for the return of Lamar Jackson against a struggling Miami Dolphins team teetering on the edge of real implosion with the trade deadline looming. Jackson waltzed back into the lineup, tossing four touchdowns on an 87.8 overall PFF grade, as the Ravens cruised to a 28-6 win and registered a season-high 0.366 EPA per passing play. The Ravens are now 3-5 and officially enter the playoff bubble, strengthening their defense ahead of the deadline by trading a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick to the Titans for edge defender Dre’Mont Jones (64.5 grade; 63rd).
I left off teams with a much better record because this is about power rankings and not a ballot or survey.
9. Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
Good lord, what a performance by the Seahawks on Sunday night, who defeated the Commanders 38-14. The Seahawks were cruising by halftime, leading 31-7 after yet another near-perfect passing performance from Sam Darnold, who compiled a 92.6 grade in the win. The Seahawks are now 6-2 and are starting to put the rest of the NFL on notice.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
The Buccaneers were on a bye week in Week 9, creating the perfect window for the injury-affected team to get just a little bit healthier. Running back Bucky Irving (60.1 grade; 44th), who’s missed the last four games with foot and shoulder issues, will hopefully return to the lineup, while edge defender Haason Reddick (58.9 grade; 79th) and receiver Chris Godwin (56.8 grade) could also be nearing comebacks. The Buccaneers are safe atop the NFC South at 6-2 and have a 88% chance of making the playoffs. However, the opportunity to build some momentum as a healthy team over the next few weeks will go a long way.
—————————
These are teams that without much argument could be in the Top 10:
New England
Indianapolis
Pittsburgh
LA Chargers
San Francisco