NFL Week 10 Power Rankings

Take one look at the NFL standings and it's clear to see that in the 7 weeks left, there's gonna furious race to the playoffs. While a few teams have all but clinched their spots with their hot starts, others are starting to sizzle and fizzle. Oh, and of course, some teams who started awful are still awful, but even that'll make the race for the top draft pick exciting. There weren't too many drastic changes to the Power Rankings this week but don't let that stop you from checking them out.

1. New Orleans (9-0, Last Week: 1) - Not sure what has happened to Drew Brees. After an electric start, he's thrown more INT than TD in the last 4 games. The defense continues to bend but not break but I've got a feeling they're gonna break soon enough. NEXT @ Tampa Bay

2. Minnesota (8-1, LW: 2) - The Vikings did what they had to do against the Lions. Keeping them to 10 points and winning easily. Big question now is if Brett Favre can keep this pace up or if he will falter like he did with the Jets last season down the stretch. NEXT vs. Seattle

3. Arizona (6-3, LW: 6) - Seems weird to congratulate the Cards on winning a home game but with the way they've been playing at home, it's an accomplishment. Defense had trouble against the run, which shouldn't bode well as they next face Steven Jackson. NEXT @ St. Louis

4. Dallas (6-3, LW: 3) - Not a good loss by the Cowboys. Their offense had been so good lately but then were simply stymied by the Packers. The rush attack never got going but the Tony Romo to Roy Williams connection seems to be working now. NEXT vs. Washington

5. Philadelphia (5-4, LW: 5) - Really can't figure this team out. They have one of the best offenses in the NFL but they're so inconsistent. And now, they have no real threat of a run game with Westbrook out, putting more pressure on McNabb and the pass game. NEXT @ Chicago

6. Atlanta (5-4, LW: 4) - I guess you can call it a sophomore slump now. Matt Ryan has thrown more INT in 9 games (12) than he did all of last season (11). And with the chance of Michael Turner being out for a few weeks, they may be counting on him even more. NEXT @ NY Giants

7. NY Giants (5-4, LW: 8) - They didn't even play and yet, they moved up in the Power Rankings and the NFC East standings. The bye week came in the midst of a 4-game losing streak though so there's no telling which direction they'll go once they hit the field again. NEXT vs. Atlanta

8. Carolina (4-5, LW: 9) - I don't know what John Fox did or said but it's working. This is a whole new team, running the ball like wild and getting after the quarterback. But the biggest change is that Jake Delhomme is throwing the ball to his team and not the other. NEXT vs. Miami (THURS)

9. Green Bay (5-4, LW: 10) - After being embarrassed by the Bucs, the Pack rebounded nicely with a quality home win against the Cowboys. It was a boring game to watch but I doubt they care as they kept the turnovers low. Kept them in the playoff hunt. NEXT vs. San Francisco

10. San Francisco (4-5, LW: 12) - Not sure if the Niners really won the game over the Bears or Jay Cutler lost it for the Bears. Either way, a win is a win and kept the Niners alive in the division. Still not impressed with Alex Smith though at quarterback. NEXT @ Green Bay

11. Chicago (4-5, LW: 7) - Remember when this team was 3-1? Now, they've gone 1-4 in their last 5 and are showing no signs of turning it around. Cutler has been just awful and Matt Forte, while gaining yards, is not getting them through the run game. NEXT vs. Philadelphia

12. Washington (3-6, LW: 13) - Maybe Jim Zorn is a better coach than we think. Facing one of the better defenses in the league and without RB Clinton Portis, the Redskins scored 27 points and played an all-around great game. But he'll still be fired at season's end. NEXT @ Dallas

13. Seattle (3-6, LW: 11) - What's to say? This team just can't seem to put it together. Matt Hasselbeck and the offense have the talent to take over a game but don't. And the defense hasn't been playing nearly up to potential, especially the names they have. NEXT @ Minnesota

14. St. Louis (1-8, LW: 15) - They are clearly playing better football than the first 7 games. They gave New Orleans a real run for their money and thanks to Steven Jackson, their offense is something to worry about now. Could be a spoiler in last 7 weeks. NEXT vs. Arizona

15. Tampa Bay (1-8, LW: 14) - They didn't play bad at all against Miami. In fact, they almost pulled of the victory. Josh Freeman clearly looks like the QB of the future right now and having Kellen Winslow as a target is really helping him progress. NEXT vs. New Orleans

16. Detroit (1-8, LW: 16) - There must be some kind of curse on this team. Seems like no matter what players they bring in, they are just terrible. And you can't point to one position either. It's all phases of the game. But a good chance to win game number two this week. NEXT vs. Cleveland

1. Indianapolis (9-0, LW: 1) - They didn't exactly play well but thanks to Bill Belichick, it was enough to win. Peyton Manning clearly is what keeps this team a winning team. The current defense though may be what keeps this from an AFC Championship.. NEXT @ Baltimore

2. Cincinnati (7-2, LW: 2) - Seeing the Bengals at 7 wins isn't surprising. It's only surprising because it's only Week 10. And in a game that the offense couldn't punch it in the endzone, the defense did a masterful job of keeping the Steelers to just four field goals. NEXT @ Oakland

3. New England (6-3, LW: 4) - Thanks to their coach, they are not 7-2 and on top of these Power Rankings. Clearly, their offense can carry them to a victory against just about anyone. But their defense definitely needs work, especially if they face Indy again. NEXT vs. NY Jets

4. Pittsburgh (6-3, LW: 3) - They were playing at home against a division rival and boasting one of the best pass offenses in the NFL. And yet, all they could muster up was 12 points via 4 field goals. The health of Troy Polamalu is the most important thing right now. NEXT @ Kansas City

5. San Diego (6-3, LW: 6) - Don't look now but the Chargers are starting to click on all cylinders. The offenese has both a run and pass game and the defense is keeping some good offenses to minimal damage. And now, thanks to Denver's collapse, are tied at the top of the AFC West. NEXT @ Denver

6. Houston (5-4, LW: 7) - If the Texans are going to make the playoffs, this is the year. They have the offense that can score with any team and the competition around them isn't as strong as in previous years. Need to come out of bye week ready to stop Chris Johnson. NEXT vs. Tennessee (MON)

7. Denver (6-3, LW: 5) - Losing to Baltimore and Denver is one thing. But losing to a Washington team that has been struggling to score all year is a real disappointment. And now, Kyle Orton is out and Chris Simms is in. These are tough times in Denver right now. NEXT vs. San Diego

8. Baltimore (5-4, LW: 9) - Hard to give any credit to the Ravens for their win over the Browns. They didn't have to do much to win and haven't been playing well lately anyways. Next three games will give team to prove just how good (or bad) they are. NEXT vs. Indianapolis

9. Miami (4-5, LW: 8) - They should have beaten the Bucs by a much bigger margin, hence the drop. But the news is not good for the Dolphins with Ronnie Brown down to injury. Guess it's time to see how good Ricky Williams is without his comrade. NEXT @ Carolina (THURS)

10. Jacksonville (5-4, LW: 11) - Injuries have really hurt the Jags on defense but doesn't seem to matter because they are playing bad offenses. The Jets didn't give them much of a challenge and now next, they get the Bills. They are in great shape for playoffs and yet, not a great team. NEXT vs. Buffalo

11. Tennessee (3-6, LW: 12) - No thanks to Bud Adams and his "birds", the Titans are running wild. Vince Young may not be the reason behind the recent surge but he sure has played well. It'll be interesting to see just how well they finish the season after such a bad start. NEXT @ Houston (MON)

12. NY Jets (4-5, LW: 10) - The Jets have tons of problems and need to figure them out soon. The offense has been anemic, especially the running game that should open up the passing game. And the defense that was supposed to be so strong looked pedestrian against JAX. Next @ New England

13. Buffalo (3-6, LW: 13) - And we have our first coaching casualty of the season. No surprise that Dick Jauron was let go, especially with the team on the verge of another 7-9 season or worse. Thing is, Jauron wasn't the problem. It's the personnel he has. NEXT @ Jacksonville

14. Kansas City (2-7, LW: 15) - Don't mistake their jump up one spot as a signal that they are getting better. In fact, they are the same mediocre team that began the year. And now, they've lost their Dwayne Bowe, their best WR for 4 games. Yikes. NEXT vs. Pittsburgh

15. Oakland (2-7, LW: 14) - Someone had to win that game and someone had to lose. Not surprising that it was the Raiders who lost. JaMarcus Russell still can't manage an offense and Tom Cable still can't coach. This team is an absolute train wreck. NEXT vs. Cincinnati

16. Cleveland (1-8, LW: 16) - It's going from bad to worse for the Browns. Actually, maybe worse to worser. Despite a good showing from the defense, the Brady Quinn-led offense couldn't move the ball. Too bad they don't play the Bills again this season. NEXT @ Detroit.