Each week of the NFL season, The Baltimore Sun will rank all 32 NFL groups. The rankings will take note of not simply weekly efficiency, accidents and roster depth, however how effectively every workforce measures up as Super Bowl contenders.
Here are the rankings heading into Week 10:
Super Bowl favorites
1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-0, No. 2 final week)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (6-2, No. 3)
3. Buffalo Bills (6-2, No. 1)
There’s a brand new No. 1 this week. With a 29-17 win over the Texans on Thursday evening, the Eagles moved to 8-0 for the primary time in franchise historical past and solidified their standing because the workforce to beat within the NFL. Playing in his hometown of Houston, quarterback Jalen Hurts delivered certainly one of his most effective outings of the season, finishing 21 of 27 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns, together with a go-ahead 17-yard rating to large receiver A.J. Brown within the third quarter. Outside of Baltimore, the Eagles might need probably the most balanced offense within the NFL, rating third in passing effectivity and fifth in dashing effectivity, based on Football Outsiders’ DVOA. Their solely weak spot could be on protection. With rookie nostril sort out Jordan Davis sidelined, Texans rookie working again Dameon Pierce rushed for 139 yards on 27 carries, together with a 36-yard burst that featured a number of damaged tackles. Davis’ huge presence within the center is essential for Philadelphia, which is permitting 3.9 yards per carry with the previous Georgia star on the sphere (70 makes an attempt) versus 6 yards per carry with him off the sphere (112 rushes). The Eagles nonetheless lead the league in turnovers (18), however they’ll must be extra stout up entrance come playoff time in the event that they need to make a deep run.
In the AFC, the highest two groups stay unchanged, however there’s a refined shift in energy happening. While the Bills appeared susceptible in a 20-17 loss to the Jets, the Chiefs rallied for a 20-17 win over the Titans in time beyond regulation. The greatest distinction Sunday was the play of the 2 star quarterbacks, as Josh Allen completed 18-for-34 for 205 yards with two interceptions in his worst recreation of the season. To make issues worse, he’s being evaluated for an elbow harm that would have an effect on his efficiency the remainder of the season even when he doesn’t miss any video games. Patrick Mahomes, in the meantime, put collectively maybe the very best recreation of his younger profession, throwing for 446 yards and a landing and dashing for 63 yards and the game-tying landing and 2-point conversion within the remaining minutes of regulation. He’s the primary participant within the Super Bowl period to place up such a stat line, and the Chiefs wanted each little bit of it to beat a wonderful Titans protection that was capable of strain Mahomes with out blitzing.
With the margin so skinny between Buffalo and Kansas City, quarterback play might determine a possible postseason rematch. Right now, it’s benefit, Chiefs. While Allen nonetheless makes the occasional head-scratching play, Mahomes has demonstrated a real mastery of the place that ought to put him atop the MVP dialog alongside Hurts.
The flawed contenders
4. Baltimore Ravens (6-3, No. 4)
5. Minnesota Vikings (7-1, No. 5)
6. Miami Dolphins (6-3, No. 7)
7. Dallas Cowboys (6-2, No. 6)
For all of the love the Eagles have acquired for his or her undefeated begin, the Ravens might simply be proper there with them. In Monday evening’s 27-13 win over the Saints, Baltimore turned the third workforce within the final 20 seasons to carry a double-digit lead in 9 straight video games to start the season, based on ESPN Stats and Information, becoming a member of the 2011 Packers and 2009 Saints. They misplaced three of these video games, however they’ve rebounded to win three straight and solidify themselves as a severe Super Bowl contender. Without prime receiver Rashod Bateman, star tight finish Mark Andrews and working backs J.Ok. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, the Ravens nonetheless moved the ball effectively on offense Monday, dashing for 188 yards and finishing passes to 10 receivers. They’ve rushed for 150 yards or extra in eight straight video games, the third longest streak within the final 40 seasons and simply three video games away from tying the mark set by the 2018-19 Ravens. Lamar Jackson has not performed at an MVP degree in current weeks, however he’s nonetheless captaining an offense that ranks third in general effectivity, based on Football Outsiders’ DVOA. The protection appears to be rounding into form, too, with newly acquired linebacker Roquan Smith making a right away influence together with his means to blitz, defend the run and drop into protection. We’ve but to see the very best model of the Ravens, and so they nonetheless have a projected 88.5% probability of profitable the AFC North, based on ESPN. They seem like the largest risk to the Bills and Chiefs.
The Dolphins are proper behind the Ravens when it comes to groups you don’t need to play come January. We’re far sufficient into this season to consider that Miami’s offense is a authentic risk with coach Mike McDaniel calling the performs and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa executing them at a excessive degree. Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are robust to defend in their very own proper with their game-breaking pace, however they’re downright unguardable in McDaniel’s scheme. They mixed for 12 catches for 228 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday’s 35-32 win over the Bears, whereas Tagovailoa averaged 10.1 yards per try. The protection might find yourself being the Dolphins’ downfall, nonetheless, even with star move rusher Bradley Chubb now within the fold. Miami let Justin Fields rush for 178 yards, probably the most by a quarterback in a single recreation within the Super Bowl period, and allowed three landing passes on simply 28 makes an attempt. The Bills’ loss to the Jets opened the door for a possible AFC East title, however the Dolphins aren’t going to win a shootout each week if their protection retains struggling.
As far because the Vikings are involved, there’s nonetheless a lot to show. A ten-point fourth-quarter comeback led to a 20-17 win over the Commanders and a dancing, shirtless Kirk Cousins on the airplane experience house, however Minnesota has but to beat a workforce with a profitable document this season. This subsequent stretch of video games — at Buffalo, adopted by house video games vs. Dallas, New England and the Jets — will present precisely the place the Vikings stand among the many prime contenders.
The wild playing cards
8. Seattle Seahawks (6-3, No. 8)
9. Cincinnati Bengals (5-4, No. 10)
10. San Francisco 49ers (4-4, No. 9)
11. New York Giants (6-2, No. 11)
12. New York Jets (6-3, No. 18)
13. Los Angeles Chargers (5-3, No. 13)
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5, No. 15)
15. Tennessee Titans (5-3, No. 12)
16. New England Patriots (5-4, No. 17)
A giant commerce normally wants a 12 months or two earlier than it may be pretty judged, however it’s protected to say the Seahawks received the Russell Wilson deal. Not solely is Geno Smith the higher quarterback this season, however the gamers and picks Seattle received in return for his or her longtime starter have been a important a part of a profitable workforce. Shelby Harris added a sack in Sunday’s 31-21 win over the Cardinals and has been one of many league’s highest-graded inside defenders, whereas tight finish Noah Fant broke out with 5 catches for 96 yards. Left sort out Charles Cross additionally seems to be like a strong constructing block, a part of a standout rookie class that has carried Seattle to an inconceivable perch atop the NFC West. Kenneth Walker III has supplied a spark since taking up because the lead again, dashing for 521 yards and 7 touchdowns prior to now 5 video games. Seattle just isn’t solely having fun with success within the current, profitable 4 straight, however is about up for constant success because of its younger core. It’s been a masterful job by normal supervisor John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll.
Each week appears like a brand new alternative for the Jets to fall again to Earth, however they only preserve profitable. The newest triumph, 20-17 over the Bills, is proof of idea for coach Robert Saleh that robust protection and mistake-free soccer may be an efficient profitable system. After throwing three interceptions towards the Patriots, second-year quarterback Zach Wilson accomplished a career-high 72% of his passes and didn’t flip the ball over, permitting the Jets’ dashing assault to do a lot of the work with 174 yards. The protection has been the true star of the present, sacking Allen 5 instances and forcing two interceptions as rookie Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed performed lockdown protection on receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. It helps to have a authentic star up entrance, as Quinnen Williams leads all inside defensive linemen with a career-high seven sacks this season. Wilson may maintain this workforce again from being a authentic AFC contender, however the items are there for the Jets to probably finish a 12-year postseason drought.
Not performed but
17. Cleveland Browns (3-5, No. 21)
18. Los Angeles Rams (3-5, No. 14)
19. Washington Commanders (4-5, No. 16)
20. Denver Broncos (3-5, No. 22)
21. Atlanta Falcons (4-5, No. 19)
22. Chicago Bears (3-6, No. 25)
23. Arizona Cardinals (3-6, No. 23)
24. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6, No. 28)
25. Green Bay Packers (3-6, No. 20)
26. New Orleans Saints (3-6, No. 24)
Just once you thought it couldn’t get any worse for the Packers, they rating only one landing towards the league’s worst protection in a 15-9 loss to the Lions. Two-time reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers threw three interceptions, all of which got here deep in Detroit territory, whereas Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon mixed for simply 59 yards on 20 carries. Rodgers was really the main rusher Sunday with 4 carries for 40 yards. Not buying and selling for a large receiver on the deadline seems to be inexplicable, contemplating the uphill climb that awaits. Green Bay will probably be underdogs in its subsequent three video games — vs. Dallas, vs. Tennessee, at Philadelphia — which could elevate the drum beat for Rodgers to take a seat in favor of younger backup Jordan Love, who the Packers drafted within the first spherical in 2020. It’s not loopy to assume this could be Rodgers’ final 12 months in Green Bay, whether or not he decides to retire or drive his strategy to one other workforce. Maybe it’s time to plan for the long run.
The basement
27. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6, No. 26)
28. Detroit Lions (2-6, No. 31)
29. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6, No. 30)
30. Carolina Panthers (2-7, No. 29)
31. Indianapolis Colts (3-5-1, No. 27)
32. Houston Texans (1-6-1, No. 32)
After firing coach Frank Reich earlier this week, the Colts made the stunning resolution to rent former Indianapolis heart and ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday because the interim, handing a dropping workforce to a first-time NFL coach. Saturday, a 14-year NFL veteran who final performed in 2014 with Green Bay, has by no means coached above the highschool degree, going 20-16 because the coach at Hebron Christian Academy in Dacula, Georgia. Colts proprietor Jim Irsay mentioned Saturday is “fully capable” of the function and expressed hope that the previous offensive lineman might do effectively sufficient to land the full-time place regardless of having no earlier expertise. Not solely does the transfer buck typical knowledge, however it’s a slap within the face to extra certified assistants who’ve spent years working for such a chance. The Colts are clearly wanting ahead to rebuilding in 2023 after benching beginning quarterback Matt Ryan for second-year professional Sam Ehlinger, however the gamers and coaches nonetheless have to come back to work each week and attempt to win. Putting a novice in cost solely makes issues that a lot harder for everybody.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com