Last week in parentheses:
1. Ravens (2) - Kind of an uneven win for Baltimore, but to this point they've been the most complete team with the best resume. They deserve the top spot. They have a solid Seattle team coming to town.
2. Chiefs (1) - Can't overreact to one game, especially with arguably the best QB in the game having the flu. Their defense continues to look great, though they need someone in the receiving room to step up. A trip to Germany to play Miami on deck.
3. Jaguars (4) - This team keeps winning despite Lawrence not playing that great. They are a lot more well-rounded than people seem to give credit for, though they could use a pass rusher. Not sure they want the bye given how well they're playing.
4. Bengals (9) - This team is back. Burrow is back. They look to be the dangerous team they've been over the years. Burrow looks fully healthy, their running game is getting better, and the defense is continuing its bend-don't-break philosophy. They need to try and avoid a letdown Sunday night against Buffalo in The Jungle.
5. 49ers (3) - This team needs the bye, as well as Deebo and Williams back. Purdy has made some mistakes, though he's not the main problem. The defense looks a little out of sorts. That said, they are still the best team in the NFC at this point.
6. Cowboys (5) - Great game out of the bye week, though they dropped a spot due to the Cincy surge. They gotta prove it against the best teams, and they will have an opportunity visiting division-rival Philly in a big NFC match-up.
7. Lions (6) - Obviously a lot better of a game than last week. This team is pretty well-rounded. Their defense has been one of the better surprises of the season. Probably a decent time for the bye week though.
8. Eagles (7) - They keep looking not that impressive, but finding ways to win. May seem harsh for the team with the best record in the league, but they look too vulnerable outside of the trenches. They can make a big jump with a statement win against Dallas though.
9. Dolphins (8) - They let the Patriots hang around for a little too long, but the return of Ramsey is more than welcomed. Much like Detroit, they need to show themselves against a legit contender. They get a chance to do that in Germany against the Chiefs.
10. Seahawks (10) - They got another solid win against a decent Browns squad. Problem is they seem to become stagnant on offense after starting games well. They visit Baltimore this week in what should be a good test for them.
11. Bills (11) - Eh, fine I guess. A month of mediocre football for this team. That said, they're right in the mix in a competitive conference. They love major regular season match-ups, so they are live to win in Cincinnati this weekend.
12. Jets (15) - May seem like a jump after squeezing by the lowly Giants, but they should have won that game by more. They have a ceiling with Wilson, but they look like they could be a playoff team with that defense. Prime time game at home against the Chargers on deck.
13. Saints (16) - If this team can start to get a little more consistency offensively, they should be able to win their division and host a playoff game. The defense is pretty solid despite a so-so game this past weekend. They have the Bears coming to town this weekend, giving them a chance to go over .500.
14. Steelers (12) - This team can hang in games because of its playmaking on defense, but man these guys are limited offensively. I don't think who plays QB matters at this point -- Pickett is not very good, and their weapons are what they are. Short week at home against a Tennessee team feeling good about itself this Thursday.
15. Browns (13) - Defense is formidable, but the offense just seems to limited -- with or without Watson. Chubb was too big of a loss for this team to overcome, most likely. They have a good correction game opportunity against Arizona at home, though.
16. Rams (14) - They can move the ball and play good defense, but their offensive line deficiencies are really starting to show. The Cowboys d-line will expose a lot of o-lines, but that was particularly bad. They gotta win in Green Bay to keep their season afloat.
17. Vikings (18) - They lost Cousins unfortunately before trying to trade him. So they're looking pretty bad heading into the rest of the year. They still have a shot in Atlanta, I think, though.
18. Titans (19) - This team seems to be a lot better on its home field. Will Levis may have given them the downfield spark they need at QB. Wonder if they go back to Tanny. Big game Thursday in Pittsburgh.
19. Chargers (20) - Defense still looks pretty crappy, but good for them to get a comfortable win. Pretty rare for them. Now they need to go get another in the Meadowlands on Monday Night against the Jets.
20. Falcons (17) - They just have too many holes on the roster, unfortunately, even with all their young, talented pieces. They are in the division hunt, but it's gonna be tough. They maybe got a break with Cousins-less Minnesota coming to town.
21. Bucs (21) - This begins the string of stagnant rankings. They played tough, but seemed outmatched. This team has played generally well, but they just don't have much talent. Very low ceiling. Interesting game against a similar team in Houston this weekend.
22. Texans (22) - Pretty bad loss coming out of a bye against a winless team, but you kinda expected it, ya know? Very similar to the team above them, they just don't have much to work with. Though Stroud has been generally awesome. Home game against Tampa with a chance to get back to .500 this weekend.
23. Patriots (23) - They lingered enough, before a few mistakes cost them. Record is a little worse than what they actually are. They will have a nicer schedule down the stretch, and that starts with Washington at home this week.
24. Raiders (24) - The defense has been way better than I thought it would be. The offense has been a little worse. This team wasn't expected to do much, so can't be surprised with their record thus far. They should be able to win at home against the G-Men this weekend.
25. Packers (25) - This team is what it is -- pretty bad QB, inconsistent defense, not many weapons. That said, they shouldn't lose by 2 TD's at home to a mediocre Minnesota team. They gotta beat the Rams at home this week (unless they're tanking of course).
26. Commanders (26) - They were plucky against a top 10 team, but unfortunately this team is so hot and cold. Mostly cold lately. They have roster deficiencies and an extremely volatile quarterback. They have a shot in Foxborough this week though.
27. Colts (27) - Last of the "stagnant stretch". Team is starting to regress to what it truly is. They seem to have some exciting young players, but just way too many holes overall roster wise. A lot of losses coming unfortunately, though they may have a shot in Carolina this weekend.
28. Broncos (30) - They ended the pathetically long drought, though they looked pretty bad offensively once again. Their defense is taking quite a turn though, for the better. They're lingering, may be a tougher out than we all thought. They can get healthier over the bye.
29. Giants (28) - It's pretty difficult to get negative passing yards in a game, but that's not that shocking for this team. Yikes. They still could've won, mainly because the defense continues to improve. A trip to Vegas this weekend.
30. Panthers (32) - Carolina finally put a decent game together, though it was a little ugly at times. They have a lot of issues, but maybe they can start to put something together down the stretch. Opportunity for two in a row with the Colts coming to town.
31. Bears (29) - Rough game in primetime. Obviously they are limited at QB, but their defense continues to be pretty sucky as well. They have a pretty tough test in New Orleans this week.
32. Cardinals (31) - Amazing cover this week, and overall a decent showing against the best team in the league currently (IMO). But this team may be starting to lose a little bit of fight. Maybe they can keep it close in Cleveland this weekend.
