NFL Week 10 Power Rankings

So what did we learn this week in the NFL? Well, Daunte Culpepper may be an upgrade at QB for the Lions but he's no savior. The Browns defense doesn't believe in bend but don't break (it just breaks). The Titans and Giants know how to win the tough games. And that the Atlanta Falcons are for real.

The playoff picture is still wide open, considering that teams like Indianapolis and Minnesota are starting to make their charge while teams like Buffalo and Dallas are falling apart week by week. Should make for some fun games in the weeks ahead. And no more bye weeks!

1. Tennessee (9-0) - When the rushing attack could only muster up, Kerry Collins stepped up with 289 yards through the air. Good sign. (Next @ JAX)
2. Pittsburgh (6-3) - Tough loss to IND but even with injuries, they almost won. Mewelde Moore has come up big for them. (Next vs. SD)
3. Baltimore (6-3) - They've won 4 in a row. And forced 4 INT from Houston. Schedule is tough rest of the way though. (Next @ NYG)
4. New England (6-3) - Defending conference champs are looking like it. Defense really playing well despite Rodney Harrison on IR. (Next Thurs vs. NYJ)
5. Indianapolis (5-4) - Uh oh, this team may have awaken. Another Manning comeback and a defense that thrives on the turnovers. (Next vs. HOU)
6. NY Jets (6-3) - Yeah, they only beat the Rams but the way they dominated from start to finish had to scare their future opponents. (Next Thurs @ NE)
7. Miami (5-4) - 3 wins in a row but only beating the hapless Seahawks by 2 points cannot please the Big Tuna and company. (Next vs. OAK)
8. Denver (5-4) - The Cleveland defense was bad but Jay Cutler and the offense was also that good. Now if they could play defense. (Next @ ATL)
9. San Diego (4-5) - Didn't look impressive vs. KC but a win is a win. And with Denver just one game ahead, look for a charge - pun intended. (Next @ PIT)
10. Jacksonville (4-5) - Playing the Lions had to help with confidence. But playoffs look bleak for them unless they run the table. (Next vs. TEN)
11. Buffalo (5-4) - They've lost 3 in a row and looked bad doing it. And in the AFC East, they can't afford to fall any further behind. (Next Mon vs. CLE)
12. Cleveland (3-6) - The Brady Quinn era has begun. Meanwhile, there's a feeling the Romeo Crennel era is coming to an end. (Next Mon @ BUF)
13. Kansas City (1-8) - They stood toe to toe with SD until the end and Tyler Thigpen is turning into a solid QB before our eyes. (Next vs. NO)
14. Cincinnati (1-8) - Something tells me that the bye week did them some good. Chance for them to right this ship in final 7 games. (Next vs. PHI)
15. Houston (3-6) - As long as Sage Rosenfels is the QB here, it spells trouble. He makes David Carr look like Dan Marino. (Next @ IND)
16. Oakland (2-7) - There are no words to describe just how bad the situation is here. "The doormat" of the AFC comes close. (Next @ MIA)


1. NY Giants (8-1) - The Super Bowl champs are playing like it. Still hard to believe the only loss is to Cleveland of all teams. (Next vs. BAL)
2. Tampa Bay (6-3) - Had the bye week to rest up. And for an aging but amazing defense, that means they'll be ready to go. (Next vs. MIN)
3. Atlanta (6-3) - You have to be impressed with this team. Shut down the Saints offense while their offense scored at will. (Next vs. DEN)
4. Carolina (7-2) - May have taken a step back on offense. Delhomme's 4 INT and 77 yds passing can't happen again. (Next vs. DET)
5. Arizona (6-3) - The Kurt Warner rebirth continues. They still need a running game but I'm just being picky. (Next @ SEA)
6. Washington (6-3) - Had the hot 4-1 start but 2-2 since. We'll see if the bye week helped them regain that magic. (Next vs. DAL)
7. Chicago (4-5) - Almost beat TEN even with Grossman at QB. They can shut down the run. The pass is a different story. (Next @ GB)
8. Minnesota (5-4) - They did not move up because of Gus Frerotte. They moved up because of Adrian Peterson. (Next @ TB)
9. Philadelphia (5-4) - Watching Donovan McNabb is fun again. But this team is now 0-3 in the NFC East. Forget the playoffs. (Next @ CIN)
10. Green Bay (4-5) - They probably should have beaten MIN. But again, the problem for this team is lack of a running game. (Next vs. CHI)
11. Dallas (5-4) - Romo is coming back which is good. But taking on WAS off the bye week won't be an easy first game back. (Next @ WAS)
12. New Orleans (4-5) - The offense needs some help from its defense. Forcing Brees to score 35 each game just isn't fair. (Next @ KC)
13. San Francisco (2-7) - Loved the fight they showed vs. Arizona. And Shaun Hill is a huge upgrade from O'Sullivan. (Next vs. STL)
14. Seattle (2-7) - Seneca Wallaca played admirably in relief. But Hasselback is coming back, and that means hopes for a win are too. (Next vs. AZ)
15. St. Louis (2-7) - Right when it looked like they were gonna turn the season around, Steven Jackson goes down to injury. Ouch. (Next @ SF)
16. Detroit (0-9) - Daunte Culpepper tried but even he can't turn around this team in one game. They aren't gonna win this season. (Next @ CAR)