2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 12

November 23, 2021November 23, 2021 Chris McGlynn Football, NFL, Power Rankings Arizona Cardinals, Football, NFL, NFL Power Rankings

Another week, another massive shake up. As is the norm in 2021, the top three teams in my power rankings from a week ago all lost. Colt McCoy outplayed Russell Wilson, the Chiefs defense dominated the Cowboys and the Texans upset the Titans. All in a week’s work for the NFL these days.

Once again, the top of these rankings, and the middle of these rankings for that matter, are murky at best. There are 19 teams with three to five losses on the season. That is ridiculous. Parity rules at this point and no one seems poised to dominate.

That being said, we are seeing a few teams heat up again as they prepare for the stretch run. The outlook for the Patriots, Chiefs and Colts feels very different than it did a few weeks ago. Same can be said for the Browns, Raiders and Bills. All in all, the NFL is a mess. Here is my best attempt at sorting it all out.

1. Arizona Cardinals: 9-2 (Last Week: 4)
Won 23-13 at Seattle
Arizona is 9-2, 6-0 on the road and 4-0 in the NFC West. Considering that we spent the entire offseason talking about how it would be the best division in football. Most importantly, they have won two of three games without Kyler Murray. Colt McCoy put on a show while the Cardinals defense shut down Russell Wilson. I’ve also guaranteed my No. 1 team cannot lose next week because Arizona is on a bye.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-3 (Last Week: 5)
Won 30-10 vs. New York
Tampa Bay bounced back after back-to-back losses heading into their bye week. Tom Brady looked sharp, spreading the ball around to a nearly full complement of receivers. On the defensive side, the front seven bothered Daniel Jones all night long, recording a pair of interceptions in a dominant showing. This is the version of the Buccaneers we need to see going forward. They cannot afford too many more slip ups given how tight things are atop the NFC.

3. Green Bay Packers: 8-3 (Last Week: 1)
Lost 34-31 at Minnesota
Excuses are much harder to come by this time around. Losing to the Chiefs on the road without Aaron Rodgers could be explained away. And while Rodgers is dealing with a toe injury, he still accounted for 385 yards and four touchdowns through the air. It was Green Bay’s defense that cost them as the secondary could not contain Justin Jefferson. With injuries continuing to pile up for the Packers, it is fair to be a bit worried about how much longer this team can stay in true title contention.

4. New England Patriots: 7-4 (Last Week: 6)
Won 25-0 at Atlanta
The rest of the NFL should be at least a little bit scared given the recent run of results New England has cobbled together. Bill Belichick and company are winners are five straight and seem to be getting stronger, particularly defensively. It was the Patriots third straight game allowing seven points or fewer. They blanked the Falcons on Thursday night, racking up four sacks and four interceptions while only allowing 2.5 yards per carry. No one wants to face this team right now.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: 7-4 (Last Week: 9)
Won 19-9 vs. Dallas
Are the Chiefs back to their old ways? It is hard to say. Honestly, this doesn’t feel like the 2020 Chiefs at all. They looked much better. While Patrick Mahomes is not quite back to MVP form, he is now taking care of the football. More importantly, the defense has done a complete 180 from its early-season performances. Chris Jones played a major role on Sunday with 3.5 sacks. Kansas City is unquestionably heating up though and should be a factor in the chase for the AFC’s top spot come playoff time.

6. Dallas Cowboys: 7-3 (Last Week: 3)
Lost 19-9 at Kansas City
Which Cowboys offense is going to show up on Thanksgiving? Dallas’ offensive production has taken wild swings in recent weeks since Dak Prescott’s return to the starting lineup. The Cowboys laid an egg against the Broncos in Week 9, before shelling the Falcons in Week 10. That pendulum swung all the way back in Week 11 with an underwhelming outing in Kansas City. Held without a touchdown, Dallas could not protect Prescott or run the ball consistently. The Cowboys definitely have some questions to answer on offense.

7. Los Angeles Rams: 7-3 (Last Week: 7)
Bye Week
This bye week finally gives the Rams a chance to process adding Odell Beckham Jr. and losing Robert Woods. They had to rush OBJ’s preparations for their Monday Night Football matchup with the 49ers. A full week off should see this offense look a bit sharper. They will need to be. Los Angeles heads to Green Bay for a clash of top NFC teams. The Packers are coming off a loss and will be looking to rebound. A third straight loss for the Rams, even against a good team, is going to turn up the heat on Sean McVay and Matt Stafford.

8. Tennessee Titans: 8-3 (Last Week: 2)
Lost 22-13 vs. Houston
Is Tennessee really the second-best team in the league? I asked this question last week and I got a resounding answer in Week 11. The Titans are clearly not the No. 2 team in the league. With A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, Ryan Tannehill imploded. The former Texas A&M quarterback threw four interceptions in an ugly game. Tennessee is still trying to find its identity without Derrick Henry and things will get better with Brown and Jones back on the field. Until then, the Titans need to run the ball more. There is no reason Tannehill should be throwing it 52 times in a game.

9. Indianapolis Colts: 6-5 (Last Week: 14)
Won 41-15 at Buffalo
Wow. The Colts picking up a road win against a talented Bills team felt unlikely heading into the weekend. Far from impossible, but certainly not expected, evidenced by the Bills being seven-point favorites. I’m sure some felt good about Indy’s chances of scoring the upset, but I don’t think anyone anticipated it going like this. Jonathan Taylor ripped off five touchdowns in an otherworldly performance. That will certainly grab headlines, and rightfully so, but the defense deserves some praise. They forced four turnovers, setting up the offense with a short field on several occasions. A huge showdown with the Buccaneers awaits.

10. Baltimore Ravens: 7-3 (Last Week: 10)
Won 16-13 at Chicago
Another ugly game for the Ravens, but this one went in their favor. With no Lamar Jackson, who missed out due to illness, Tyler Huntley made his first career start. He played like you would expect, holding the ball too long and trying to make a lot of plays with his legs. Thankfully, the defense stepped up, knocking Justin Fields out of the game and doing just enough to slow down Andy Dalton. This is obviously not how John Harbaugh will want to play consistently, but winning without your starting quarterback is always an accomplishment.

11. Los Angeles Chargers: 6-4 (Last Week: 11)
Won 41-37 vs. Pittsburgh
I wasn’t expecting a shootout, but that’s what we got on Sunday night. Los Angeles’ defense played one of its worst games of the season, blowing a 17-point second-half lead, actually allowing Pittsburgh to take a late lead. Thankfully, Justin Herbert was up to the challenge, amassing 382 yards passing and three touchdowns through the air while picking up another 90 yards rushing. Austin Ekeler did his part too with four scores and 115 yards from scrimmage. The Chargers will be happy to pick up the win and see their offense in top form, but it would be nice to see the defense handle a very one-dimensional offense better.

12. Buffalo Bills: 6-4 (Last Week: 8)
Lost 41-15 vs. Indianapolis
It might be time to panic in Buffalo. The Bills have now lost two of their past three. That’s not usually a huge concern, but when they come against the Jaguars and by 26 at home to the Colts, that’s a different story. So far this season, Buffalo has only beaten one team with a winning record. A lack of a consistent run game is hurting the offense while the defense this week simply had no answer for Jonathan Taylor. There isn’t much time to figure things out as the Bills face the Saints on Thanksgiving night.

13. Minnesota Vikings: 5-5 (Last Week: 15)
Won 34-31 vs. Green Bay
The outlook for the Vikings is very different now than it was two weeks ago. Minnesota took down Green Bay behind a big day from Justin Jefferson and Kirk Cousins. It was a game where the Vikings simply needed to keep scoring as the Packers offense showed no signs of slowing down. Minnesota won because it had the ball last, but after being on the wrong side of so many of these results, it was due for a bit of good luck.

14. Cincinnati Bengals: 6-4 (Last Week: 17)
Won 32-13 at Las Vegas
Coming off a bye and heading on the road, Cincinnati took care of business. Given the high score, you might think Joe Burrow went off, but it was the ground game that really shined. Joe Mixon had his most rushing yards since Week 1 as the Bengals dominated the time of possession. It also helped that the defense came up with a pair of turnovers. A rematch with the Steelers is next.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: 5-4-1 (Last Week: 13)
Lost 41-37 at Los Angeles
Ben Roethlisberger turned back the clocks and put together a vintage performance. 273 passing yards and three touchdowns to go with no turnovers kept the Steelers in the game despite an uncharacteristically poor night from their defense. For as good as Roethlisberger played, Justin Herbert was even better. He had 472 yards of offense and three touchdowns. Austin Ekeler accounted for four scores as well. All is not lost for Pittsburgh, but the defense will need to play a lot better against the Bengals.

16. Cleveland Browns 6-5 (Last Week: 16)
Won 13-7 vs. Detroit
Cleveland looks broken. Baker Mayfield is struggling to play through a litany of injuries and looked awful against the Lions. Unfortunately, the injuries keep building for the Browns, as Jarvis Landry joins the walking wounded. Thankfully, the hapless Lions, led by Tim Boyle with Jared Goff out, did not offer much of a challenge. Other than a 57-yard scamper from D’Andre Swift, Cleveland’s defense played extremely well. There is a chance the Browns can keep winning on the back of Nick Chubb, especially with Kareem Hunt set to play in Week 12, but this team desperately needs a week off. That won’t come until after a meeting with the Ravens.

17. Philadelphia Eagles: 5-6 (Last Week: 19)
Won 40-29 vs. New Orleans
Quietly, the Eagles are in the mix for a wildcard spot in the NFC. Jalen Hurts is impressing as a run-first quarterback and the defense continues to come up with big plays. Darius Slay celebrated another touchdown, which was a huge momentum shift heading into halftime. Controlling the clock and limiting big plays on defense is a winning formula. An important divisional game against the Giants is on the docket.

18. New Orleans Saints: 5-5 (Last Week: 12)
Lost 40-29 at Philadelphia
Once again, why is Trevor Siemian starting over Taysom Hill? Hill just signed a big contract extension and Siemian is not playing very well, yet Hill continues to ride the bench. It is truly a baffling situation considering that Hill has spent his whole career in New Orleans while Siemian spent the 2020 season on the Titans practice squad. Two more interceptions from Siemian and another disappointing performance from the Saints defense led to a third straight loss. These are missed opportunities in winnable games for New Orleans.

19. San Francisco 49ers: 5-5 (Last Week: 20)
Won 30-10 at Jacksonville
This is a very important win for the 49ers. San Francisco was widely expected to win, but just ask Buffalo what happens when you roll into Jacksonville unprepared. Coming off a big win on Monday Night Football against a division rival, this game had the potential for an emotional let down. Instead, Jimmy Garoppolo played efficiently, taking care of the football, while Deebo Samuel starred as a runner. He accounted for 79 of the 49ers’ 171 yards on the ground. They face a red-hot Vikings team in Week 12.

20. Las Vegas Raiders: 5-5 (Last Week: 18)
Lost 32-13 vs. Cincinnati
Talk about a gut punch. Las Vegas came out flat and never got a chance to get going offensively. The defense could not get off the field either as Cincinnati ran the ball early and often. The 47 plays the Raiders ran offensively were a season-low. Penalties and turnovers were the final nail in Vegas’ coffin. Three straight losses for the Raiders changes the outlook as the focus shifts from winning the AFC West to just trying to stay in the playoff race.

21. Carolina Panthers: 5-6 (Last Week: 21)
Lost 27-21 vs. Washington
Not quite the homecoming he had hoped for. Ron Rivera and Taylor Heinicke spoiled Cam Newton’s return to Carolina. Newton played well with three total touchdowns, but could not lead a game-winning drive with his team trailing by six. It is the defense that really deserves the scrutiny, surrendering 190 yards on the ground and failing to rattle Heinicke. For a unit that made a big deal out of being the No. 2 defense in the league, this was a disappointing showing. This is a setback, but Carolina will get a chance to bounce back in Miami.

22. Denver Broncos: 5-5 (Last Week: 22)
Bye Week
Denver had a very busy bye week, signing Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick to contract extensions. It was a wise move by the team as both players have had solid seasons despite inconsistent quarterback play. While that helps them in the long term, the Broncos need a boost in the short term. Their upcoming schedule includes matchups with the Chargers and Chiefs. That could very well decide their season. Being 7-5 and 2-1 in the division is very different from being 5-7 with no divisional wins.

23. Miami Dolphins: 4-7 (Last Week: 26)
Won 24-17 at New York
Certainly not as impressive a performance as shutting down Lamar Jackson, this was an important win for the Dolphins as they look to continue their mid-season turnaround. Tua Tagovailoa put together a strong stat line, with 277 yards and a pair of touchdowns. It might have been against the worst pass defense in the league, but it gives the ‘Fins young quarterback a platform to build on. Three straight wins are great, but Miami has a much tougher test against Carolina coming up.

24. Washington: 4-6 (Last Week: 27)
Won 27-21 at Carolina
Is Washington gearing up to run the table? It seems unlikely, but so did beating the Buccaneers and Panthers in back-to-back weeks. Reinforcements should be on the way too with Logan Thomas in line to return in Week 12. Taylor Heinicke played some of his best football of the season while he got a huge boost from his run game. Washington ran it a whopping 40 times for 190 yards. Given how the Seahawks have been playing of late, a third-straight win feels within reach.

25. New York Giants: 3-7 (Last Week: 23)
Lost 30-10 at Tampa Bay
There was a brief moment where the Giants seemed like they were going to hang tough with the Buccaneers. Adoree’ Jackson’s interception set New York up inside the 10-yard line. Daniel Jones flipped a pass to Andrew Thomas of all the possible receivers he could have hit. Things went way downhill from there. Despite Jones getting hammered for most of the night, Tampa hit him nine times, Jason Garrett did not run the ball much. 13 rushes as a team is not good enough, especially with the Bucs teeing off in the pass rush. There are a lot of jobs on the line down the stretch in New York.

26. Atlanta Falcons: 4-6 (Last Week: 24)
Lost 25-0 at New England
Welcome to rock bottom. It is a wonder the Falcons have four wins this season with how inconsistent this offense has been this year. Atlanta has lost three of four, lowlighted by back-to-back losses where it managed three points combined. In truth, pretty much this entire offense is not performing well. Matt Ryan has struggled, but his protection is poor and the surrounding skill position players are underwhelming. New England limited Kyle Pitts and Ryan really had nowhere else to go with the ball. Considering he was playing with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley this time last year, it is easy to point to where things went wrong.

27. Seattle Seahawks: 3-7 (Last Week: 25)
Lost 23-13 vs. Arizona
We are hurtling toward a massive shake up in Seattle this offseason. Pete Carroll seems to be losing his touch, Russell Wilson is almost definitely going to want out and the defense is simply not championship caliber. Wilson’s return has done next to nothing to move the needle on offense. He is likely not at 100% with his finger, but getting outplayed by Colt McCoy is embarrassing. Keep in mind, this game was in Seattle. The Seahawks’ playoff hopes are on life support. Monday Night Football in Washington feels like a must-win.

28. Chicago Bears: 3-7 (Last Week: 28)
Lost 16-13 vs. Baltimore
It is easy to point to losing Justin Fields as the reason the Bears lost, but in truth, the offense fared better with Andy Dalton under center. There were no excuses either with Baltimore in a similar boat as Tyler Huntley made his first career start. In the end, Chicago’s anemic offense is to blame. Matt Nagy’s job security has to be at an all-time low.

29. Houston Texans: 2-7 (Last Week: 31)
Won 22-13 at Tennessee
Tyrod Taylor does it again! The Texans quarterback looked much better in his second week back from injury. Two rushing touchdowns led the way for the offense that did not really produce much else. Thankfully, they didn’t need to. Houston’s defense was on another level, picking off Ryan Tannehill four times and adding a fumble for five forced turnovers on the afternoon. Obviously, that is an unsustainable rate, but ball security and opportunistic defense is always a recipe for success.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-8 (Last Week: 29)
Lost 30-10 vs. San Francisco
Losing this year is not really a concern for the Jaguars. They are supposed to be bad with a rookie quarterback and a first-time NFL head coach. However, there are a few red flags. This was Trevor Lawrence’s third game in a row without a touchdown. His development is the only benchmark for success that this season should be measured by. He hasn’t had much help either with a defense lacking playmakers outside of Josh Allen and a run game that sputtered to 54 yards on the ground. Every team has growing pains, but it would be nice to see growth instead of just pain.

31. New York Jets: 2-8 (Last Week: 30)
Lost 24-17 vs. Miami
I guess this was an improved performance. The defense is still not playing well, but 24 points is the fewest New York has allowed since Week 1. There are a few reasons for optimism though. Elijah Moore continues to ball out, totaling 156 yards of offense and a long touchdown to get the Jets back into the game. Despite the injury, Michael Carter also seems like a dynamic dual threat back. New York should get Mekhi Becton and Zach Wilson back soon as well. It will be interesting to see if the young talent on this offense can grow together over the final seven games.

32. Detroit Lions: 0-9-1 (Last Week: 32)
Lost 13-7 at Cleveland
Good news. Jared Goff is not as bad as you thought! Tim Boyle is significantly worse. Without D’Andre Swift, this would’ve been one of the worst offensive performances in recent memory. On the bright side, the defense played fairly well, limiting the Browns to just two scoring drives. Just keep scouting the top players in the 2022 draft and have fun rooting for the Rams to fail so you get a better draft pick.

Follow the Aftermath via email to get every article delivered right to your inbox. Enter your email in the text box to subscribe. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 11

November 16, 2021November 16, 2021 Chris McGlynn Football, NFL, Power Rankings Football, Green Bay Packers, NFL, NFL Power Rankings

Welcome to the NFL’s new normal. Top teams are upset on a weekly basis, Hall of Fame quarterbacks crumble against mediocre defenses, and no one has any idea who is good and who is bad. In a word, the NFL has achieved parity. Every week, chaos is bound to wash over the NFL, sending a shockwave through these power rankings.

Just a quick recap, the Eagles coasted past the Broncos, who beat the Cowboys last week. Meanwhile, the Cowboys shelled the Falcons, who topped the Saints a week ago. Two weeks ago, the Saints beat the Buccaneers, who have now lost two straight after a truly stunning defeat in D.C. Add in the new-look Rams falling flat against the previously downtrodden 49ers and you have a pretty clear picture of the mess that is the NFL right now. Even the teams that are 8-2 have some pretty clear question marks.

With all of that in mind, here is my best attempt at ranking the league’s teams.

1. Green Bay Packers: 8-2 (Last Week: 1)
Won 17-0 vs. Seattle
Defense wins championships and it seems like the Packers defense is rounding into form. Russell Wilson was clearly shaking off some rust, but he had never been shutout before Sunday. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers made his return to the field and didn’t look great. He had no touchdowns and an interceptions. A.J. Dillon plunged in for a pair of short-yardage touchdown runs to seal an important victory. Even with Aaron Jones set to miss a week or two, the Packers should be in good shape to keep winning with a strong defense and reliable run game.

2. Tennessee Titans: 8-2 (Last Week: 4)
Won 23-21 vs. New Orleans
Is Tennessee really the second-best team in the league? Honestly, I don’t know. They sit at 8-2, but these two wins without Derrick Henry have been anything but convincing. The Titans got a bit of help from the refs with a questionable roughing the passer call and the Saints nearly tied the game in the closing minutes. In the end, the defense made a few big plays when the game was on the line. Mike Vrabel has built a gritty team. It doesn’t have to be pretty if they just keep winning.

3. Dallas Cowboys: 7-2 (Last Week: 6)
Won 43-3 vs. Atlanta
Talk about bouncing back. Dallas put a horrendous offensive performance in its rearview mirror with a thrashing of Atlanta. The Cowboys led 7-3 at the end of the first quarter, then outscored the Falcons 29-0 in the second quarter to put the game to bed. Dak Prescott played efficiently and the defense played lights out, holding Atlanta to just 214 yards of offense and forcing three turnovers. As of right now, the loss against Denver looks like an anomaly, but they can’t afford too many more duds like that.

4. Arizona Cardinals: 8-2 (Last Week: 2)
Lost 34-10 vs. Carolina
There is only so much magic the Cardinals can work with a depleted offense. The combination of Colt McCoy and Chris Streveler totaled 143 passing yards to go with an interception and four sacks. Defensively, the Cardinals had no answer for Christian McCaffrey, who finished with 161 yards of offense. This is one that you can probably just throw out when evaluating Arizona, but the offensive line still struggled against an elite defense. That is a red flag.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-3 (Last Week: 3)
Lost 29-19 at Washington
Tampa Bay fell flat once again, this time coming off their bye week. Tom Brady played his worst game of the season and the Buccaneers defense got pushed around all afternoon. While Brady’s two first-quarter interceptions made life difficult, the bigger issue was definitely the defense’s inability to get off the field. Washington held the ball for 39 minutes of game play, leaving the Bucs with very little opportunity to get into a rhythm. Tampa’s 47 plays were easily the fewest they have run all season. Bruce Arians has some serious work to do in order get this club back on track.

6. New England Patriots: 6-4 (Last Week: 8)
Won 45-7 vs. Cleveland
Oh no. The Patriots are back. Maybe not to the high-flying days of Tom Brady leading the league’s No. 1 offense, but this New England side is starting to resemble those early 2000s teams that won three Super Bowls in a four-year span. I’m not saying the Pats are going to win a title this year, but smashing the Browns definitely underlines this team’s potential. I know they have lost four games this season, but three of those four came by six points or fewer. With four straight wins, Bill Belichick has this team trending in the right direction.

7. Los Angeles Rams: 7-3 (Last Week: 5)
Lost 31-10 at San Francisco
You can take the quarterback out of Detroit, but you can’t take the Detroit out of the quarterback. Matt Stafford continues to come up well short in big moments for the Rams. For the second straight week, Los Angeles got whipped in primetime as their big offseason acquisition floundered. This week though, he might have an excuse. His receivers could not catch anything on Monday night. Stafford’s second interception went right through the hands of Tyler Higbee. Without any semblance of a running game and a defense that could not stop a nosebleed, much less Elijah Mitchell, L.A. looked completely overmatched. Sean McVay has a lot of questions to answer on the other side of their bye week.

8. Buffalo Bills: 6-3 (Last Week: 9)
Won 45-17 at New York
Buffalo clearly did not dwell on its stunning Week 9 loss to the Jaguars. The Bills jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. They led 38-3 heading into the fourth quarter. Josh Allen played well and got plenty of help from the ground game. Four different players recorded a rushing touchdown in this one. Similarly, four different defensive players intercepted Mike White in a dominant performance. Buffalo clearly showed that its floor is very low, but this was a good reminder that they also have a very high ceiling.

9. Kansas City Chiefs: 6-4 (Last Week: 14)
Won 41-14 at Las Vegas
It is important not to overreact after just one game on the heels of about a month of lackluster play, but we saw the Patrick Mahomes of old on Sunday night. He shredded the Raiders secondary for 406 yards and five touchdowns in a resurgent performance. What’s more, Kansas City ran the ball enough to keep Las Vegas honest. The Chiefs averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, so there is room for improvement, but this was a good sign of things to come. Kansas City cannot afford a let down though with Dallas up next.

10. Baltimore Ravens: 6-3 (Last Week: 7)
Lost 22-10 at Miami
Goodness this was ugly. Miami bottled up Lamar Jackson as the offense spun its wheels all night long. The Ravens could not adjust to the consistent pressure Brian Flores sent throughout the game. Defensively, Baltimore held Jacoby Brissett in check, but gave up way too many big plays in big moments. With the Browns losing and the Steelers tying this week, this would have been a huge opportunity for the Ravens to build some separation in the division. Instead, Baltimore must rethink its offensive approach against blitz-heavy defenses.

11. Los Angeles Chargers: 5-4 (Last Week: 10)
Lost 27-20 vs. Minnesota
Reminder: the Chargers are a young team and there are going to be some growing pains. Justin Herbert turned in an uneven performance, with a touchdown, an interception and just 195 yards passing. Defensively, Kirk Cousins generally had his way with the secondary and Minnesota chewed up clock on the ground. This loss does not undo wins over the Chiefs or Browns, but Los Angeles is clearly not a true Super Bowl contender yet.

12. New Orleans Saints: 5-4 (Last Week: 11)
Lost 23-21 at Tennessee
Question time. Why is Trevor Siemian starting for the Saints? Taysom Hill went 3-1 as a spot starter for New Orleans when Drew Brees got hurt, in ahead of Jameis Winston. Now, Hill is back to his gadget player role, despite receiving a monster extension this offseason. I understand it was primarily for salary cap purposes, but it still makes me wonder what has changed since last year. Considering this loss came by two points on the road against a good team while the Saints were missing their best player, the sky is not falling. However, after two straight losses, it is fair to wonder if a change at quarterback is necessary.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers: 5-3-1 (Last Week: 12)
Tied 16-16 vs. Detroit
If nothing else, we learned that Mason Rudolph is not the Steelers quarterback of the future. He managed a meager 4.8 yards per attempt and finished with a QBR of 36.7. There is plenty of blame to go around though, as Pittsburgh coughed up two fumbles in overtime to halt two potential game-winning drives. Meanwhile, the defense gave up 229 yards rushing. All the way around, it is a wonder the Steelers did not lose this game. They desperately need Ben Roethlisberger back in Week 11.

14. Indianapolis Colts: 5-5 (Last Week: 17)
Won 23-17 vs. Jacksonville
Perhaps we should just chalk this up to divisional games being difficult. However, the Colts did not play well and let the Jaguars hang around way too long in this one. Carson Wentz was pedestrian at best and no one other than Jonathan Taylor really produced much. If not for a special teams touchdown early in this game on a blocked punt, there is a good chance Indianapolis loses this game. Like I said, divisional games are wonky and often lead to unexpected results. Hopefully, the Colts can raise their play because a visit to Buffalo is up next.

15. Minnesota Vikings: 4-5 (Last Week: 19)
Won 27-20 at Los Angeles
At long last, Minnesota built a late lead and hung onto it. Kirk Cousins aired it out and Dalvin Cook put in a ton of work. The defense deserves a ton of credit for making life difficult on Justin Herbert, sacking him twice and intercepting him. Controlling the clock on offense and limiting big plays on defense is a winning formula for this side.

16. Cleveland Browns 5-5 (Last Week: 13)
Lost 45-7 at New England
What to make of the Browns? On the heels of a blowout win against Cincinnati, Cleveland drove right down the field for an opening-drive touchdown. Then, the Browns surrendered 45 unanswered points as Baker Mayfield struggled mightily before exiting with a knee injury. D’Ernest Johnson did his best to carry the load, racking up 157 yards of offense, but Cleveland looked lifeless on both sides of the ball. The sign of a great team is consistency, which goes a long way towards explaining the Browns’ 5-5 record. This team cannot string together performances right now.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: 5-4 (Last Week: 16)
Bye Week
It was a good week for the Bengals. The Ravens, Browns and Steelers all did not win. Now Cincinnati needs to take advantage. Joe Burrow and company have flashed the potential to be one of the best teams in the AFC, but are coming off back-to-back losses to the Jets and Browns. With a bye week to regroup, the Bengals now have a chance to prove they are a legitimate playoff team and not just another middle-of-the-road side.

18. Las Vegas Raiders: 5-4 (Last Week: 15)
Lost 41-14 vs. Kansas City
It seems like the on-going circus around the Raiders has finally caught up with them on the field. First, Jon Gruden was fired (technically, he resigned, but let’s read between the lines) for some horrible emails containing racist, homophobic and misogynistic language. Then, Henry Ruggs was arrested after killing someone while driving drunk, going 156 miles per hour with a loaded gun in the car. Most recently, Damon Arnette was released following a series of social media posts containing death threats while he brandished firearms. And that was all before they went into a rivalry game with the Chiefs. Needless to say, Las Vegas fell flat. Patrick Mahomes pulled apart the Raiders secondary and the offense did not score after halftime. Rich Bisaccia has a tough task ahead of him.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: 4-6 (Last Week: 22)
Won 30-13 at Denver
Philadelphia put together a complete game as it ran all over Denver’s defense. The Eagles racked up 214 yards on 40 carries and got stronger as the game went on. With the game tied at 10 midway through the second quarter, Philly outscored Denver 20-3 the rest of the way. Given how much chaos has occurred in the NFL this season, the Eagles are just one game back of a playoff spot. They will face another wildcard contender in Week 11 as the Saints come to town.

20. San Francisco 49ers: 4-5 (Last Week: 25)
Won 31-10 vs. Los Angeles
Kyle Shanahan clearly has Sean McVay’s number. San Francisco has notched five straight wins over Los Angeles, with Monday’s being the most impressive, and perhaps important, yet. The 49ers ran the ball 44 times to amass a time of possession of over 39 minutes. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford never looked comfortable and the Rams could not hold onto the ball. Two early interceptions, including a pick-six, coupled with an 11-minute scoring drive set the tone for the game. L.A. never recovered. San Francisco will have a chance to build on this win in Jacksonville.

21. Carolina Panthers: 5-5 (Last Week: 24)
Won 34-10 at Arizona
Even though he did not start, there is no doubt Cam Newton provided a huge emotional boost for the Panthers. Super Cam scored on his first two offensive snaps in his return to Carolina. The defense certainly benefited from facing Colt McCoy instead of Kyler Murray, but still impressed nonetheless. The Panthers tallied four total sacks and only allowed 169 yards of offense. It was the type of stifling performance that makes you think that Carolina could be a real problem down the stretch if Newton can get into form and provide some kind of stability on offense.

22. Denver Broncos: 5-5 (Last Week: 18)
Lost 30-13 vs. Philadelphia
Denver followed up an impressive road win over the Cowboys with a lopsided home loss to the Eagles. Make it make sense. The biggest difference was the run game. After allowing just 78 yards to Dallas, Philadelphia rumbled for 214 yards on the ground. After falling behind, the Broncos could not continue to run consistently, which is where they found a decent amount of success earlier in the game. Still at .500 and only a game back in the AFC West, Denver is in the mix, but results like this make it hard to believe in the long-term potential.

23. New York Giants: 3-6 (Last Week: 21)
Bye Week
This was a tough week for the Giants. Not because of anything they did. Hopefully, they finally got healthy. Saquon Barkley, Sterling Shepard, Kenny Golladay and more have missed enough time already. No, unfortunately, every other team in the NFC East won, which pushes New York back into the divisional basement. Joe Judge and Daniel Jones have a lot to prove in the second half of the season.

24. Atlanta Falcons: 4-5 (Last Week: 20)
Lost 43-3 at Dallas
Last week, I said that Matt Ryan was putting together a Jekyll and Hyde type season. He turned it up a notch in Week 10. After an impressive win over the Saints in which he had 343 yards and a pair of touchdowns, Ryan went 9-for-21 passing for 121 yards and two interceptions. He was pulled late in the third quarter with the team trailing by 40. Atlanta is still just a half game back of the Panthers for the NFC’s final wildcard spot at the moment, but it is hard to think of this group as a playoff team.

25. Seattle Seahawks: 3-6 (Last Week: 23)
Lost 17-0 at Green Bay
So, Russell Wilson didn’t exactly fix the offense. The veteran quarterback struggled mightily, finishing 20-of-40 throwing for 161 yards and two interceptions. He simply did not look sharp, nor did he have much time to throw. Green Bay hit him five times, including three sacks. On the bright side, the defense limited Aaron Rodgers and kept Seattle in the game until late on. Unfortunately, things will not get much easier with the Cardinals up next.

26. Miami Dolphins: 3-7 (Last Week: 28)
Won 22-10 vs. Baltimore
Don’t look now, but the Dolphins are on a win streak. Brian Flores blitzed the hell out of Lamar Jackson, mostly from his secondary, holding the former MVP in check. In fact, this has to go down as one of the most impressive defensive performances of his tenure. However, questions must be asked of Flores’ handling of his quarterbacks. Tua Tagovailoa was deemed injured and unable to start the game. Yet, he was active as a backup. Jacoby Brissett exited with an injury, thrusting Tagovailoa into the game. Brissett never returned despite being cleared to play. So if Tagovailoa was too hurt to start, why was he left in when Brissett was able to come back? Miami’s quarterback situation continues to be an enigma.

27. Washington: 3-6 (Last Week: 29)
Won 29-19 vs. Tampa Bay
Add the Washington Football Team to the list of teams that act as kryptonite to Tom Brady. Washington intercepted the future Hall of Famer twice in the first quarter to build an early lead. However, the real key was a 10-plus minute touchdown drive in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Washington remained committed to the run despite only managing 2.8 yards per carry. Now, Ron Rivera must prepare for an emotional reunion with his former team in Cam Newton’s first home game since returning to the Panthers.

28. Chicago Bears: 3-6 (Last Week: 26)
Bye Week
Maybe a week off will allow Matt Nagy and Bill Lazor to finally build an offense that suits Justin Fields’ skill set. The rookie quarterback has had the typical ups and downs that come with the transition to the NFL. However, the Bears have been unable to unlock their best offensive player in Allen Robinson and often leave Fields in tough situations. Chicago’s defense is usually good enough to win games. If the offense can find a bit more consistency, the Bears could be a factor down the stretch.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-7 (Last Week: 27)
Lost 23-17 vs. Indianapolis
Jacksonville nearly followed up one upset with another. Trevor Lawrence was strip-sacked after making it into Colts territory on the team’s final drive, ending hopes of another massive win, but there are some positives to take away. The defense seems to have taken a much-needed step forward. Carson Wentz did not find much success through the air, but ultimately, the Jaguars could not slow down Jonathan Taylor. Now, if Urban Meyer could find a way to help Lawrence develop, Jacksonville would be in a good place.

30. New York Jets: 2-7 (Last Week: 30)
Lost 45-17 vs. Buffalo
It is ridiculous to think about, but how warm is Robert Saleh’s seat getting right now? New York’s defense has been almost unprecedentedly bad, allowing 417 yards per game and just shy of 33 points per game, both the worst marks in the league. Saleh was formerly the defensive coordinator for the 49ers, so this was supposed to be his forte. I don’t expect the Jets to fire him after just one season, but it would be good for the unit to show progress in the second half of the year.

31. Houston Texans: 1-7 (Last Week: 31)
Bye Week
Houston largely sat out the trade deadline and now sits at 1-7. An extra week to get Tyrod Taylor back to full health likely bodes well for the offense. With very little expectation and already having won a game to avoid the dreaded winless season, there really does not seem to be much to play for in Houston.

32. Detroit Lions: 0-8-1 (Last Week: 32)
Tied 16-16 at Pittsburgh
This might be the most Lions way to break a 12-game losing streak: an ugly tie in a game where Detroit probably should have won, but couldn’t quite get over the hump. Jared Goff is clearly not the quarterback of the future, but with a mediocre quarterback class coming up, how the Lions address the position will be interesting. Dan Campbell has this team competing hard, but at some point, that is not going to be enough any more.

Follow the Aftermath via email to get every article delivered right to your inbox. Enter your email in the text box to subscribe. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 10

November 9, 2021 Chris McGlynn Football, NFL, Power Rankings Football, Green Bay Packers, NFL, NFL Power Rankings

I give up. I have no idea what to do with these rankings. Week 9 turned the NFL’s hierarchy on its head with a slew of upsets. Many of the things we thought we could count on fell apart. Matt Stafford reverted to Detroit form against a Derek Henry-less Tennessee squad. Meanwhile, Dak Prescott returned only for Dallas’ offense to bottom out against a Denver side that just traded away Von Miller. To top it all off, it turns out Jacksonville had the better Josh Allen on Sunday as they shocked Buffalo.

Which team is the best in the NFL right now? I don’t know if there is a clear cut answer to that question. Green Bay lost without Aaron Rodgers, but it also beat previously undefeated Arizona the week before. Speaking of the Cardinals, they cruised by the 49ers without Kyler Murry or DeAndre Hopkins. Perhaps you could say the Buccaneers, but they just lost to a team led by Trevor Seimian in Week 8. Those Saints turned around and lost at home to the Falcons this week. Maybe it is the Titans, fresh off a win over the Rams. However, they could not really move the ball much, finishing with 194 yards of offense. Most of their scoring was led by the defense, which does not feel sustainable.

All of this is to say, I don’t know right now. I cannot remember a time where the league has felt so wide open. There are no elite teams in the NFL and the list of true contenders feels both very long and very short at the same time. Anyway, here is my best guess at how everyone stacks.

1. Green Bay Packers: 7-2 (Last Week: 3)
Lost 13-7 at Kansas City
Let’s start with something potentially controversial. I’m actually not talking about Aaron Rodgers here. That shouldn’t be controversial. He lied. Plain and simple. He also should be adhering to league protocols. No, the controversy is about moving a Packers team coming off a loss to No. 1 in the rankings. I look at it this way. Green Bay lost by six points in a game where Mason Crosby missed a field goal and another blocked. Jordan Love also made his first career start and looked nothing short of terrible. If the Packers defense can play at that level and get Rodgers back under center, this team is going to be just fine and looks to be the best in the league.

2. Arizona Cardinals: 8-1 (Last Week: 4)
Won 31-17 at San Francisco
Kliff Kingsbury deserves credit here. Without Kyler Murray or DeAndre Hopkins, the Cardinals went on the road for a divisional game and won comfortably. Colt McCoy played great while the ground game picked up 163 yards. Defensively, Arizona limited San Francisco to just 39 yards rushing and forced three turnovers. This team is deeper than I think people realize and definitely deserve contender status. There is a reason the Cardinals are the only one-loss team in the league.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-2 (Last Week: 5)
Bye Week
I toyed with moving the Buccaneers down. Their two losses this season came against the Rams and Saints, who flopped as home favorites in Week 8. New Orleans simply seems to have this team’s number. I don’t think anyone should be too worried about this team’s long term outlook. The amount of talent they have on both sides of the ball is close to unrivaled. A week off should give Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown a chance to get healthy, which will only make this offense more potent down the stretch.

4. Tennessee Titans: 7-2 (Last Week: 8)
Won 28-16 at Los Angeles
Who could’ve seen this coming? I certainly did not. With Derrick Henry out, it was the defense who stepped up, intercepting Matt Stafford twice, including a pick-six from Kevin Byard. The other interception gave Ryan Tannehill the ball inside the five yard line. Perhaps even more significant, the five sacks the Titans racked up set a new season high. If the Titans can consistently generate a consistent pass rush, it will take a lot of pressure off the offense. Life without Henry was a bit rough running the ball, as Tennessee averaged 2.7 yards per carry. It will take some time for them to adjust.

5. Los Angeles Rams: 7-2 (Last Week: 1)
Lost 28-16 vs. Tennessee
Goodness, that was ugly. Apparently, taking Matthew Stafford out of the Motor City did not eliminate those horrific outings from his repertoire. Stafford posted a 17.6 Total QBR complete with a pair of interceptions and five sacks. Los Angeles did not find the end zone until the game was well out of reach in the fourth quarter. Given how well the Rams have played up to this point this year, I don’t think this is anything to panic about, but a good reminder that Stafford is capable of tanking the team’s game plan when he is out of sync.

6. Dallas Cowboys: 6-2 (Last Week: 2)
Lost 30-16 vs. Denver
Do we start the quarterback controversy conversation in Dallas? I’m joking obviously, but Dak Prescott did have an abysmal day against the Broncos. He didn’t get much help from his receivers, with drops from just about everyone on the field. However, it was clear Prescott was having an off day. The defense was not at its best either, giving up a host of big plays to Teddy Bridgewater in the passing game. Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon also combined for 191 yards on the ground. This is one where it might be best to just burn the film and move on.

7. Baltimore Ravens: 6-2 (Last Week: 11)
Won 34-31 vs. Minnesota
Where in the world would the Ravens be without Justin Tucker and Lamar Jackson? Jackson didn’t have his best game as a passer with two interceptions, but his three passing touchdowns and 120 yards rushing should more than make up for that. Meanwhile, Tucker made his second game-winning kick of the season, this time in overtime. It is really hard to understand how Baltimore did not run away with this, out gaining Minnesota 500 to 318 on offense. Some of that can be accounted for with the Vikings’ 98-yard kick return touchdown, but still, the Ravens had 23 more first downs! A win is most important, but maybe the defense needs to step up a bit.

8. New England Patriots: 5-4 (Last Week: 12)
Won 24-6 at Carolina
Don’t look now, but the Patriots have won three straight and have early 2000s Patriots vibes. This team has a strong running game and a talented defense leading the way. Mac Jones threw the ball just 18 times, but he really did not need to do much with his defense holding the Panthers to just six points. It would be good to see him take better care of the football following an interception and a lost fumble in this one, but he unquestionably outplayed Sam Darnold. Not hard to do, but still important. New England faces another big matchup with Cleveland up next.

9. Buffalo Bills: 5-3 (Last Week: 6)
Lost 9-6 at Jacksonville
Clearly, the Manning Cast curse is alive and well. A week after making an appearance on Peyton and Eli’s Monday Night Football watch party, he had one of the worst games of his career in a loss to the hapless Jaguars. It is clear Allen needs some help from his run game. He managed 50 yards with his legs, but the combination of Zack Moss and Devin Singletary accounted for just 22 yards on the ground. This game was all kinds of ugly, but this is not the first time we’ve seen the Bills offense sputter. It is something Sean McDermott and Brian Daboll need to resolve as the year rolls on.

10. Los Angeles Chargers: 5-3 (Last Week: 13)
Won 27-24 at Philadelphia
It one was too close for comfort. As we’ve seen though, making the East Coast road trip is not easy. Just ask the Raiders. Coming out with a win in the most important thing, but it was also really good to see Justin Herbert get back on track. He completed 32-of-38 passes for 356 yards and three total touchdowns. It would be nice to see the defense play a bit better, particularly against the run. That could be the Chargers’ Achilles heel the rest of the way.

11. New Orleans Saints: 5-3 (Last Week: 7)
Lost 27-25 vs. Atlanta
Will the real New Orleans Saints please stand up? I feel like this is not even the first time I’ve called for this in 2021. New Orleans’ maddening inconsistency struck again on Sunday. One week after frustrating Tom Brady with two late-game interceptions, the Saints surrendered 343 yards and two touchdowns to Matt Ryan. What’s more, the Falcons could not run the ball, so there was no reason not to play the pass. It didn’t matter though as Ryan simply carved up the secondary. Trevor Seimian played fine, but it is fair to wonder if Taysom Hill will take over soon.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers: 5-3 (Last Week: 17)
Won 29-27 vs. Chicago
Well, it wasn’t without drama, but the Steelers picked up another crucial win in exciting fashion. Chicago’s 65-yard field goal as time expired fell well short, which pushed Pittsburgh back into the AFC North race. Ben Roethlisberger played well and led the game-winning drive when it mattered. There is certainly room for improvement as Najee Harris finished with 2.8 yards per carry and Ray-Ray McCloud fumble on a punt return was returned for a touchdown to shift momentum big time. The Steelers seem to be like cockroaches. You just can’t kill them.

13. Cleveland Browns 5-4 (Last Week: 15)
Won 41-14 at Cincinnati
Talk about a bounce back. After a string of lackluster offensive performances with Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in and out of the lineup, the Browns exploded for 41 points with help from all three phases of the game. Cleveland turned to the big play with a 70-yard touchdown run, a 60-yard touchdown pass and a 99-yard interception return in the same game. The sustainability of that success will be tested against the Patriots in Week 10, but the Browns’ outlook is much brighter than it was a week ago. Clearly, Odell Beckham Jr.’s services were not missed.

14. Kansas City Chiefs: 5-4 (Last Week: 16)
Won 13-7 vs. Green Bay
It is hard to believe this is still the same Chiefs offense that averaged nearly 31 points per game over the first six games of the season. In their past three, they have averaged 12. Patrick Mahomes looks a bit lost right now, with no signs of getting back to his previous MVP form. Credit to Steve Spagnoulo for blitzing the hell out of Jordan Love in his first career start, but Kansas City will need more from Mahomes and company on offense in order to make a real playoff run. A pivotal Sunday night matchup with the Raiders is up next.

15. Las Vegas Raiders: 5-3 (Last Week: 10)
Lost 23-16 at New York
There are too many distractions in Las Vegas. No, not the casino and nightlife kind. The Raiders said goodbye to their second former first-round draft pick in as many weeks as they released Damon Arnette on Monday. When you consider that Mike Mayock has spent his first round picks on Clelin Ferrell, Jonathan Abram, Josh Jacobs, Damon Arnette and Alex Leatherwood, it is a wonder this team has a winning record. Hopefully, this was just a blip as the team continues to navigate a tumultuous season, but things won’t get any easier with the Chiefs visiting in Week 10.

16. Cincinnati Bengals: 5-4 (Last Week: 9)
Lost 41-16 vs. Cleveland
The NFL is a what have you done for me lately league. While the Bengals win over the Ravens is still impressive, following it up with a blown lead against the Jets and a blowout against the Browns really puts a damper on things. Joe Burrow seems to be pressing and the offensive line is clearly not a strength for this team. On the other side of the ball, Cincinnati gave up way too many big games to be successful. All is not lost, but a reality check after a hot start now has the Bengals needing to respond. This feels like a very good time for a bye week.

17. Indianapolis Colts: 4-5 (Last Week: 17)
Won 45-30 vs. New York
Don’t let the final scoreline fool you, this one was never in doubt. Indianapolis ran all over the Jets to the tune of 260 yards and three touchdowns. Carson Wentz played great as well. The Colts feel like a solidly middle of the road team. They beat the teams they are supposed to, but lose to the teams they are supposed to as well. We will see if Frank Reich can change the narrative in the second half of the year. Jacksonville is up next coming off a very surprising upset.

18. Denver Broncos: 5-4 (Last Week: 23)
Won 30-16 at Dallas
This would have gone down as the most improbable result of the weekend if not for the stunner the Jaguars pulled off. The Broncos seemed down and out following a string of offensive struggles and trading away one of the franchises’ most iconic defensive players. Instead, they beat the brakes off the Cowboys for three and a half quarters before finally taking their foot off the gas. Teddy Bridgewater had one of the best performances of his career, airing the ball out nicely and taking care of the football. That Broncos backfield is starting to look like a two-headed monster as well. This definitely changes the team’s outlook moving forward.

19. Minnesota Vikings: 3-5 (Last Week: 19)
Lost 34-31 at Baltimore
What to make of the Minnesota Vikings. On one hand, this was their fifth loss by seven points or fewer on the season. Those losses are against the Bengals, Cardinals, Browns, Cowboys and Ravens, all of whom have winning records. However, the Vikings also lost to Cooper Rush last week and blew a 14-point lead this time around. Pressure is mounting for Mike Zimmer to get this defense trending in the right direction. It wouldn’t hurt for Kirk Cousins to do a bit more as well.

20. Atlanta Falcons: 4-4 (Last Week: 25)
Won 27-25 at New Orleans
Matt Ryan continued his Jekyll and Hyde season with a masterclass on Sunday. He has had some rough games, but he is quietly putting together a solid season. What’s more impressive is who his supporting cast is. Atlanta’s starting running back is a gadget player and its receiving corps is full of unproven youngsters and role players. The offensive line is far from a strength either. This win keeps the Falcons in the wild card conversation in the NFC, but the schedule is definitely not the easiest the rest of the way.

21. New York Giants: 3-6 (Last Week: 26)
Won 23-16 vs. Las Vegas
New York’s defense played well enough to win once again, but this time the offense actually did enough to allow it to happen. The Giants forced three turnovers, including a pick-six and held the Raiders to just one touchdown. Despite the win, the Giants offense still looks like a major work in progress. Daniel Jones passed for just 110 yards and lost a fumble. Thankfully, Devontae Booker carried the load with 21 carries for 99 yards. New York has a week off before a showdown with the Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: 3-6 (Last Week: 22)
Lost 27-24 vs. Los Angeles
Though it was a loss, I think the Eagles offense showed signs of progress against the Chargers. Jalen Hurts was very efficient passing, even if he only did it 17 times. Jordan Howard continued his career renaissance as well with 71 yards and a score. It is far from perfect, but Nick Sirianni is clearly experimenting with what works best for Hurts’ skillset. Unfortunately, the defense still has a long way to go. Justin Herbert picked apart the secondary for 356 yards and two touchdowns. There is a reason most mock drafts have Philadelphia selecting defensive backs.

23. Seattle Seahawks: 3-5 (Last Week: 24)
Bye Week
He’s back! Russell Wilson has been cleared to return for Week 10’s showdown with the Packers. It remains to be seen if his opposing counterpart will be Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love. Either way, the Seahawks should be a much more competitive team with Wilson back in the fold, particularly given that the defense stepped up in his absence. It might have been against the Jaguars, Saints and Steelers, but they stepped up nonetheless. There is basically no margin for error left for Seattle though, especially given how well the Rams and Cardinals are playing. The Seahawks still have a lot of work to do to reach the postseason.

24. Carolina Panthers: 4-5 (Last Week: 20)
Lost 24-6 vs. New England
Another team struggling through mediocrity, Carolina turned in an absolute dud. The offense in particular continues to struggle. Sam Darnold had another horrid week when facing Bill Belichick, throwing three interceptions, completing fewer than 50 percent of his passes and posting a woeful Total QBR of 3.0. Whether in the draft or free agency, it seems more than likely the Panthers will be looking for another quarterback to compete with Darnold for the starting job next season.

25. San Francisco 49ers: 3-5 (Last Week: 18)
Lost 31-17 vs. Arizona
Kyle Shanahan is officially on the hot seat. Facing a team missing its starting quarterback and No. 1 receiver, the 49ers gave up 31 points and did not mount much of a challenge. Often championed for his ability to use running backs interchangeably, Shanahan’s offense suddenly cannot run the ball effectively. As a team, San Francisco managed just 39 yards rushing. Given all the defensive talent, there is definitely cause for concern. The 49ers need to turn things around quickly to save their season.

26. Chicago Bears: 3-6 (Last Week: 21)
Lost 29-27 at Pittsburgh
Dropping the Bears five spots feels harsh given that it was a close loss, but when the Broncos, Falcons and Giants all win, it is hard not to move them down. Justin Fields continues to show signs of improving and the running game once again showed up strong. Unfortunately, it was the defense that could not find a way to slow down Ben Roethlisberger and company. Particularly on the Steelers’ go-ahead drive, the Bears defense looked disjointed and unprepared for a two-minute drill. With hopes of a playoff berth rapidly dwindling, Chicago will no doubt begin to search for a new coach to develop Fields.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-6 (Last Week: 29)
Won 9-6 vs. Buffalo
At long last, fans in Jacksonville finally got to witness a win. The Jaguars only other win this season came in London. It wasn’t pretty, but the defense turned back the clocks to 2017 with a stellar showing. Josh Allen made Josh Allen’s life a living nightmare. While the defense was dominant, the offense left a lot to be desired. Trevor Lawrence averaged just 4.5 yards per attempt and Jacksonville couldn’t even crack 80 yards rushing. While a win is great, there are still quite a few issues to iron out for this team.

28. Miami Dolphins: 2-7 (Last Week: 30)
Won 17-9 vs. Houston
Miami spoiled Tyrod Taylor’s return with a strong defensive performance, complete with three interceptions and five sacks. The Dolphins needed the defense to play at that level too, because the offense was struggling. Jacoby Brissett threw two picks in relief of an injured Tua Tagovailoa while the running game mustered a paltry 1.9 yards per carry. It takes a little bit of the pressure off for now, but Miami still has a lot to prove this year.

29. Washington: 2-6 (Last Week: 27)
Bye Week
Washington feels like a team on the brink. It could either try to rally coming off a bye week to salvage the season and maybe get back into the playoff race or tank the rest of the way with hopes of securing a high draft pick to find a new quarterback. This team has taken a major step backwards in several other areas as well, namely the run game and pass rush. Antonio Gibson is clearly in the midst of a sophomore slump while Chase Young and company have not been able to replicate their heroics from 2020. Those two things do not bode well for an offense already starting a backup quarterback and lacking proven playmakers outside of Terry McLaurin. At least Logan Thomas should be close to returning from injury in Week 10.

30. New York Jets: 2-6 (Last Week: 28)
Lost 45-30 at Indianapolis
The whole Mike White thing was fun while it lasted. The Western Kentucky product exited with a forearm injury early against the Colts and that seemed to end any chances of the Jets keeping up. The Colts gashed Gang Green’s defense for 260 yards and three scores while Carson Wentz pulled apart the secondary like cotton candy. For a defensive mastermind, Robert Saleh has some questions to answer about how overmatched his defense has been this season. New York is dead last in points allowed per game.

31. Houston Texans: 1-7 (Last Week: 31)
Lost 17-9 at Miami
The list of one-win teams has been whittled down to just one. Houston lost its seventh straight uninspiring fashion. Tyrod Taylor struggled mightily in his first game since Week 2. The offensive line continues to be a problem as well. This is what was expected of the Texans this year though. It doesn’t make it any easier to watch.

32. Detroit Lions: 0-8 (Last Week: 32)
Bye Week
Well at least the Lions didn’t lose this week. Their chances of getting a top-two pick also skyrocketed this week with wins by the Jaguars and Dolphins. I would expect an ugly game against the Steelers in Week 10.

Follow the Aftermath via email to get every article delivered right to your inbox. Enter your email in the text box to subscribe. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 9

November 2, 2021 Chris McGlynn Football, NFL, Power Rankings Football, Los Angeles Rams, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Power Rankings

Just when you think you know what is going to happen in the NFL, the league throws you a massive curveball. Three backup quarterbacks led their teams to victories, as Mike White shocked the Bengals, Trevor Siemian beat the Bucs and Cooper Rush humbled the Vikings. We also had a massive NFC showdown to kick off the week on Thursday night as the 1972 Dolphins were finally allowed to pop their champagne.

With no undefeated teams left, the rankings see a sizable shakeup. As if that wasn’t enough, trades and injuries changed the outlook of several teams moving forward. Let’s see how the league stacks up through eight weeks.

1. Los Angeles Rams: 7-1 (Last Week: 2)
Won 38-22 at Houston
In addition to a big win over the Texans, the Rams added Von Miller to bolster its pass rush. Sitting at 7-1 with an offense capable of putting up tons of points, Los Angeles went all in for this season. As for the game on Sunday, L.A. led 38-0 heading into the fourth quarter before clearly taking its foot off the gas. Houston scored three touchdowns to make it seem a bit closer. It will be interesting to see if the Rams have any other areas they want to bolster before the deadline passes. They are running out of draft picks to make it happen though.

2. Dallas Cowboys: 6-1 (Last Week: 4)
Won 20-16 at Minnesota
No Dak, no problem. Kind of. Cooper Rush did just enough to win the game, but it was the defense that really won the day. Dallas held Minnesota under 300 yards of offense and limited Kirk Cousins to a single touchdown drive. That is really impressive, especially when you consider that the Cowboys lost the turnover battle 2-0. Finding different ways to win when you are not at full strength is the sign of a good team. Thankfully, Dak Prescott should be back for Week 9 against the Broncos.

3. Green Bay Packers: 7-1 (Last Week: 7)
Won 24-21 at Arizona
Aaron Rodgers loves proving everyone wrong. Without his top three wide receivers, the reigning MVP tossed two touchdowns to knock off the previously undefeated Cardinals. It was far from his most efficient performance, but it was good enough to get the job done, with a little help from Rasul Douglas. Green Bay keeps pace with the Rams and Cardinals atop the NFC and seems to be ready for another deep postseason run. The Packers will only get better when its full complement of receivers return and David Bahktiari gets back on the field.

4. Arizona Cardinals: 7-1 (Last Week: 1)
Lost 24-21 vs. Green Bay
This was a really tough loss for the Cardinals, especially considering how it ended. A.J. Green apparently ran the wrong route on Arizona’s final offensive play, which led to a pass whizzing right past an oblivious Green and into the waiting arms of Rasul Douglas. An incompletion could have set up a game-tying field to force overtime or another chance to win the game in regulation. While it was a disappointing finish, it is also clear that the Cardinals are capable of competing with some of the top teams in the league. A rematch with the 49ers is up next.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-2 (Last Week: 3)
Lost 36-27 at New Orleans
I turned to my wife while watching this game and said, “I would love it for the Buccaneers to get into a position to win and for Tom Brady to throw a pick-six to end it.” Low and behold, that actually happened, so I will be buying some lottery tickets this week. Tampa continues to struggle with New Orleans in the regular season. Even without Jameis Winston, the Bucs defense could not shut down the run game. Penalties also continue to crush Tampa, especially on defense. Sean Payton got creative to take advantage of their aggression up front. For Brady, this was one of the worst fourth quarters we’ve seen him play in some time. He was staring down throws and forcing the ball into double coverage, leading to two crippling interceptions. Tampa Bay still leads the division, but this changes the outlook for how the NFC South will be decided.

6. Buffalo Bills: 5-2 (Last Week: 6)
Won 26-11 vs. Miami
Buffalo picked up the win, but some of the same issues that have plagued this offense in recent years reared their head again. Josh Allen accounted for more than half the team’s rushing yards and the passing game did not produce any big plays. Cole Beasley had Buffalo’s longest reception, which went just 20 yards. Thankfully, the defense bullied an overmatched Dolphins offense. Miami managed just 68 yards on the ground and Tua Tagovailoa threw a late interception to set up the Bills’ final touchdown. There is definitely no reason to panic, but this was far from the cleanest game we’ve seen from Sean McDermott’s side.

7. New Orleans Saints: 5-2 (Last Week: 13)
Won 36-27 vs. Tampa Bay
Just as we all expected, the Trevor Siemian-led Saints hold off Tom Brady and the Buccaneers to pick up a critical division win. Sean Payton put on a master class in creative play calling to take the pressure off Siemian and find some big plays to spark the offense. The defense finished the job with a pick-six to put the game out of reach. Unfortunately, Jameis Winston is likely out for the rest of the year and Taysom Hill is still questionable to play in Week 9. It could be another defensive battle featuring a heavy dose of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram if Siemian remains the starter against the Falcons.

8. Tennessee Titans: 6-2 (Last Week: 8)
Won 34-31 at Indianapolis
Tennessee won the battle, but may have very well lost the war. Derrick Henry will potentially miss the rest of the season after fracturing a bone in his foot. While Henry was not as effective in recent weeks, he is still crucial to everything the team does offensively. The Titans rank fourth in run percentage and eighth in play action percentage. Unless Adrian Peterson turns back the clocks big time, this offense is going to change dramatically. Thankfully, the Titans held on to beat the Colts in overtime and build a three-game lead atop the weakest division in the league. That should buy them a bit of wiggle room to reinvent themselves.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: 5-3 (Last Week: 5)
Lost 34-31 at New York
Time to cool the hype. Cincinnati blew an 11-point lead in the final five minutes against Mike White and the Jets of all teams. White, making his first NFL start, lit up the Bengals secondary for 405 yards and three touchdowns. Part of the issue is Cincinnati’s inability to run the ball and Joe Burrow’s struggles with ball security in the fourth quarter. Joe Mixon managed just 33 yards on 14 carries for a whopping 2.4 yards per attempt. Meanwhile, Burrow threw his fifth fourth-quarter interception of the season, tied with Taylor Heinicke for the most in the league. The Bengals are much closer to being contenders than in years past, but still have a few areas for improvement.

10. Las Vegas Raiders: 5-2 (Last Week: 12)
Bye Week
Las Vegas’ position in the AFC suddenly looks much better than it did a week ago, and the Raiders didn’t even play! The Chargers and Bengals took unexpected losses, while the Titans lost Derrick Henry indefinitely. The Raiders are tied for the fewest losses of any AFC team. Still, there is a long way to go and a lot of work to do. That starts at MetLife Stadium against the Giants in Week 9.

11. Baltimore Ravens: 5-2 (Last Week: 9)
Bye Week
Somehow, the loss to the Bengals looks even worse now after they turned around and lost to the Jets. Hopefully, Baltimore spent the week off getting healthier and gelling a bit with some of the talent returning to the starting lineup. The Ravens have had to paper over so many injuries this year with backups and free agent signings, so it is fair to wonder what an additional week of prep will allow to finally get on the same page. The Vikings are up next.

12. New England Patriots: 4-4 (Last Week: 19)
Won 27-24 at Los Angeles
Statement made. New England finally picked up a quality win. Bill Belichick seems to have Justin Herbert’s number. In two games against the Patriots, the former Oregon star is 0-2 with two touchdowns, four interceptions and a completion percentage of 50. With wins over the Texans and Jets up to this point, it was fair to wonder if the Patriots were really capable of knocking off an above average team. Now, the Pats are back to .500 and very much in the wildcard conversation. There is still room for improvement after giving up 163 yards on the ground, but this was a really good sign for New England.

13. Los Angeles Chargers: 4-3 (Last Week: 10)
Lost 27-24 vs. New England
So much for revenge. The Chargers’ hot start has fizzled a bit with losses to the Ravens and Patriots bringing them back down to Earth. Justin Herbert is not taking care of the football, highlighted by a pick-six and the defense is not generating much pressure. There is still a silver lining in the form of the ground game. Josh Jackson’s 75-yard run inflates some of the numbers, but Los Angeles still had 88 yards on 19 additional carries. Had Los Angeles not been playing from behind, it would have been good to see them lean on that run game more to take some pressure off Herbert and the defense. L.A. looks to bounce back in Philly this week.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers: 4-3 (Last Week: 17)
Won 15-10 at Cleveland
Stories of the Steelers’ demise have been slightly exaggerated. The offense is as dysfunctional as expected, but Pittsburgh’s defense continues to step up. Cleveland narrowly eclipsed 300 yards of offense and went 3-for-12 on third- and fourth-down conversions. T.J. Watt also recovered a Jarvis Landry fumble in the fourth quarter to end a Browns drive. Offensively, it continues to be ugly, but Ben Roethlisberger and Najee Harris are getting the job done. Prepare for another defensive struggle as Pittsburgh hosts Chicago on Monday Night Football.

15. Cleveland Browns 4-4 (Last Week: 11)
Lost 15-10 vs. Pittsburgh
While there is no doubt this season has been a disappointment for the Browns so far, it is amazing to see how much the expectations for this team have changed in recent years. It wasn’t that long ago that Tyrod Taylor was starting for a Cleveland team fresh off a winless season. Credit to the front office for building a much more competitive roster, but now it is time for the results to follow. Getting healthy should certainly help, but the front office might want to consider trading for a receiver at the deadline.

16. Kansas City Chiefs: 4-4 (Last Week: 14)
Won 20-17 vs. New York
Kansas City managed the always impressive feat of winning a game while also making you feel way worse about the outlook of the team. Patrick Mahomes struggles yet again, completing 60 percent of his passes with a touchdown and an interception. He should have had more turnovers, but was bailed out when the Giants jumped offsides on a late pick. I suppose the bright side is that the defense played better. New York was nowhere near full strength, missing Kenny Golladay, Saquon Barkley and losing Sterling Shepard in the contest. Beating that team by just three at home does not inspire much confidence though. The schedule gets much tougher for the Chiefs with the Packers, Raiders and Cowboys on the docket.

17. Indianapolis Colts: 3-5 (Last Week: 16)
Lost 34-31 vs. Tennessee
Indianapolis feels better than its record, but it is time for the Colts to start winning some of these close games. Indy has lost one-games against the Rams, Ravens and now Titans. Frank Reich’s crew has led in the fourth quarter of each of those games as well. This latest loss will most definitely be pinned on Carson Wentz. The veteran quarterback threw two very costly interceptions, leading to a pick-six and the game-winning field goal. Reich might want to consider running the ball a bit more. There is no reason Wentz should be throwing it 51 times in a game, even in overtime.

18. San Francisco 49ers: 3-4 (Last Week: 18)
Won 33-22 at Chicago
It took a little while to get going for the 49ers offense. The Bears led 13-9 at halftime, holding Jimmy Garoppolo and company to three field goals. San Francisco scored 24 points over the final 21 minutes of game time to pull off the win, with Garoppolo rushing in two scores. Elijah Mitchell continues to look like a gem as he racked up 138 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, the 49ers did just about everything well, except stopping Justin Fields scrambling. The rookie quarterback went over the century mark on just 10 carries, including a highlight-reel scamper to pull Chicago within one after a missed extra point. Things get much tougher as the Cardinals are up next.

19. Minnesota Vikings: 3-4 (Last Week: 15)
Lost 20-16 vs. Dallas
This was nothing short of laughable. Facing the Cowboys without Dak Prescott at home, the Vikings were set up to perfectly control the game and pick up a much-needed win to get over .500. Did I mention they were coming off a bye? Instead, the offense fell flat, managing just one touchdown. Kirk Cousins was nothing short of mediocre, totaling 184 yards passing. The defense gave up a last-minute touchdown and the offense could not respond with under a minute remaining. This is an embarrassing loss for Mike Zimmer.

20. Carolina Panthers: 4-4 (Last Week: 21)
Won 19-13 at Atlanta
Carolina went from having questions at quarterback to having a problem at quarterback very quickly. Sam Darnold had a pedestrian day before exiting with a concussion in the fourth quarter. In fact, following an impressive start, Darnold has failed to top 207 yards passing in his past four outings. P.J. Walker has not looked much better in his limited snaps this year. Thankfully, the Falcons’ offense is even more inept and the Panthers’ defense made a few big plays when it mattered. Stephon Gilmore picked off Matt Ryan in his team debut while the front seven recorded three sacks and nine quarterback hits. Unfortunately, Carolina still feels much worse than a .500 team.

21. Chicago Bears: 3-5 (Last Week: 20)
Lost 33-22 vs. San Francisco
Chicago was much more competitive, but still managed to pick up another double-digit loss. Justin Fields flashed his incredible wheels, specifically on his ridiculous 22-yard touchdown scramble that should have tied the game, but Cairo Santos missed the extra point. Khalil Herbert saw a heavy workload again, but was not as effective as he had been in previous weeks. Unfortunately, after a really strong first half, the defense fell apart down the stretch. The season is far from over, but the Bears need to turn things around quickly.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: 3-5 (Last Week: 23)
Won 44-6 at Detroit
This felt like a huge trap game for the Eagles on the road against a Lions team desperate for a win and fresh off a close game with the Rams. It turns out Philadelphia was totally prepared for this matchup. Jalen Hurts, Jordan Howard and Boston Scott each topped 50 yards rushing as the Eagles racked up 236 as a team. Hurts was impressive on his 14 pass attempts and the defense teed off on Jared Goff. Josh Sweat led the way as Philly sacked Goff six times. Darius Slay capped it all off with a scoop-and-score against his former team. Now, Nick Sirianni needs to figure out how to build on this momentum heading into a showdown with the Chargers.

23. Denver Broncos: 4-4 (Last Week: 22)
Won 17-10 vs. Washington
Winning but moving down? Well, that’s what happens when you trade away one of the best defensive players in franchise history and the offense looks lackluster in the effort. I actually think the Broncos were smart to move on from Von Miller given his contract situation and the return they netted. However, there is no doubt they were better when he was on the roster. It is also clear the offense needs a jolt. The defense did a great job pressuring Taylor Heinicke, racking up five sacks, and Justin Simmons picked him off twice. Still, Denver is averaging 16.2 points per game over the past five games. It is hard to win with that type of scoring output.

24. Seattle Seahawks: 3-5 (Last Week: 26)
Won 31-7 vs. Jacksonville
This was exactly the get-right game Seattle needed following two tough primetime losses. Geno Smith played turnover-free football and completed a sterling 20-of-24 passes. He threw for two touchdowns and added another on the ground. Travis Homer capped it off with an onsides kick return for a touchdown, something I haven’t seen since Hines Ward in the Pro Bowl back in 2005. There is definitely still room for improvement offensively, as the Jaguars actually outgained the Seahawks by 80 yards. A much-need bye week awaits.

25. Atlanta Falcons: 3-4 (Last Week: 24)
Lost 19-13 vs. Carolina
Things are looking bleak in Atlanta. Calvin Ridley stepped away early Sunday to focus on his mental health. It was evident right away how much the Falcons missed him. Matt Ryan finished with a meager 146 yards passing and a pair of interceptions as the offense stalled over and over again. The defense didn’t do them too many favors either, allowing Carolina to convert on 10-of-17 third-down plays. The Panthers also dominated time of possession. The Falcons ran 22 fewer plays on Sunday. Arthur Smith needs to get creative without a bellcow running back or a true No. 1 receiver.

26. New York Giants: 2-6 (Last Week: 25)
Lost 20-17 at Kansas City
How much longer can we continue to allow the injuries facing the Giants be the excuse for why they don’t win? I understand it is uncontrollable, but Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay and Sterling Shepard all carry significant injury histories. Them missing a few games felt inevitable this season. Clearly though, this offense is not built to handle missing all of them at the same time, which is understandable. At least the defense played well to keep things close. Dave Gettleman’s tenure seems close to ending as the Giants offensive line continues to flounder.

27. Washington: 2-6 (Last Week: 27)
Lost 17-10 at Denver
In a battle of two of the worst offenses in the NFL, Washington managed to come up second best. It was the fourth game this season where Washington failed to top 16 points. Taylor Heinicke looks overmatched, Antonio Gibson has clearly regressed and this receiving corps is underwhelming. On the bright side, Washington’s defense is finally starting to show signs of its 2020 form. Four sacks on Sunday tied a season high and gives the team seven in the past two games. Thankfully, a bye week is next.

28. New York Jets: 2-5 (Last Week: 32)
Won 34-31 vs. Cincinnati
I am beyond perplexed by the Jets. Following a 41-point thumping against the Patriots in which Zach Wilson suffered a knee injury, Mike White steps in for his first NFL start and leads them past the previously 5-2 Bengals. Make it make sense. New York now owns two very impressive wins this season over Tennessee and Cincinnati. Unfortunately, the Jets have been nothing shy of lifeless in their five losses. Robert Saleh needs to find a way to carry over this performance and build some momentum into a Thursday night matchup with the Colts.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars: 1-6 (Last Week: 28)
Lost 31-7 at Seattle
The wait to win in the United States drags on. Seattle stomped the Jaguars in a game defined by missed opportunities. Jacksonville went 1-for-4 on fourth down and outgained Seattle, but struggled to get points on the board. In fact, the Jaguars’ list of drives is just pathetic. They went punt, punt, interception, downs, downs, punt, downs, punt, touchdown, end of game. Trevor Lawrence managed just 4.4 yards per attempt on 54 throws. This team is just incredibly dysfunctional at this point.

30. Miami Dolphins: 1-7 (Last Week: 30)
Lost 26-11 at Buffalo
Well, I guess this is an improvement over the last time Miami faced Buffalo. The Dolphins were shut out 40-0 in that one, so it was hard to do much worse. Unfortunately, the offense sputtered behind a hapless offensive line and the defense had no answer for Josh Allen. For a team that expected to build on a 10-6 season, it is a bit shocking to see them with more losses already in 2021 at the midway point. I wish I could say Miami could just tank for a draft pick, but they don’t even own their own first-round selection. This is not a fun situation to be in.

31. Houston Texans: 1-6 (Last Week: 31)
Lost 38-22 vs. Los Angeles
The final score looks better than this game actually was. Houston trailed 38-0 heading into the fourth quarter. Los Angeles is a talented team and should have won comfortably, but that is embarrassing. The Texans could have at least been competitive. With Deshaun Watson unlikely to move before the trade deadline, it is hard to find too much to be optimistic about at this point. Houston should definitely be major sellers on Tuesday.

32. Detroit Lions: 0-8 (Last Week: 29)
Lost 44-6 vs. Philadelphia
Oh Detroit. Just when it seemed like the Lions were making strides, they reminded everyone that they are the worst team in the league. A drubbing against the Eagles of all teams is not what was expected following a solid showing against the Rams. Jared Goff has been terrible and the infrastructure around him has to be one of the worst in the league. Detroit’s receiving corps is full of players that would not see the field on most other teams. The running game has been incredibly disappointing as well. The Lions knew they were headed for a long rebuild, that’s why they traded away Matt Stafford, but there are a ton of holes to fill on this roster.

Follow the Aftermath via email to get every article delivered right to your inbox. Enter your email in the text box to subscribe. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 8

October 26, 2021October 26, 2021 Chris McGlynn Football, NFL, Power Rankings Arizona Cardinals, Football, NFL, NFL Power Rankings

Week 7 felt like a changing of the guard. Cincinnati and Tennessee pulled off two massive wins that shake up the outlook of the AFC. Elsewhere, bad weather took the spotlight in primetime, the Jets reached a new level of ineptitude against Bill Belichick and Tom Brady set a new milestone with his 600th career touchdown pass.

Needless to say, the power rankings look very different this week once again as it feels like the tier of elite teams shrinks even further. Arizona remains at the top as it continues to delay the popping of champagne bottles in South Beach. With the NFL trade deadline approaching, it will be interesting to see what moves could be coming as we draw closer to the midway point.

1. Arizona Cardinals: 7-0 (Last Week: 1)
Won 31-5 vs. Houston
Smoking the Texans does not make you a contender, but it does send a clear message that this team is focused. It would have been easy to play sloppy against an inferior team. Arizona looked to be headed that way following a safety and a field goal to go down 5-0. Far from an insurmountable hole, but not an ideal start. Instead, the Cardinals rattled off 31 unanswered points. Zach Ertz is already paying dividends and Kliff Kingsbury’s commitment to running the ball makes life easier on everyone.

2. Los Angeles Rams: 6-1 (Last Week: 2)
Won 28-19 vs. Detroit
Perhaps it was the emotions of having to go up against a former team for Matthew Stafford or a former quarterback for the Rams, but this was not the type of performance we expected. The Lions have challenged a number of talented teams this year, so maybe we just write this off as a down week. Los Angeles still got the win and Stafford posted incredible numbers. The only red flag would be the lack of a running game, as the Rams finished with just 47 yards on the ground.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-1 (Last Week: 3)
Won 38-3 vs. Chicago
Talk about all out domination. Tampa beat the brakes off Chicago on both sides of the ball. The defense put the offense in good positions to succeed and Tom Brady was efficient. This game was over by halftime, with the Buccaneers leading 35-3. Four sacks and five forced turnovers highlights just how well the defense played. Justin Fields had absolutely no chance. A very productive run game is also a really good sign. Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones and Ke’Shawn Vaughn each averaged more than five yards per carry. Establishing that ground attack will only make this offense better and take the pressure off the defense.

4. Dallas Cowboys: 5-1 (Last Week: 5)
Bye Week
It is good to be atop the NFC East. Washington and Philadelphia lost again, which now means the entire division is at 2-5 behind Dallas. Being four games up in the loss column in late October is pretty impressive. Hopefully, with a week off, Dak Prescott is back to 100 percent after suffering a calf injury in Week 6. There is also a chance that Michael Gallup returns to action in Week 8. A road game in Minnesota won’t be easy, but Dallas also has some cushion even if they stumble.

5. Cincinnati Bengals: 5-2 (Last Week: 8)
Won 41-17 at Baltimore
Welcome to the contender conversation Cincinnati. Joe Burrow put himself on the MVP shortlist as well with a statement game. His 416 passing yards set a new career high as he found his favorite college target early and often. Ja’Marr Chase went over 200 yards as he continues to run away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Perhaps even more impressive was the defense. Baltimore could not run the ball outside of Lamar Jackson. The Bengals sacked Jackson five times as well and recorded eight tackles for loss. This team looks to be more well-rounded than initially expected and are a legitimate challenger for the AFC North crown.

6. Buffalo Bills: 4-2 (Last Week: 6)
Bye Week
So the loss to Tennessee looks a bit better following the Titans’ dismantling of the Chiefs. Still, Buffalo needs to recapture the defensive form we saw over the first five weeks of the season. The Bills allowed just 12.8 points per game heading into that matchup before surrendering 34 points. On the bright side, Sean McDermott and company get to ease back into things against the reeling Dolphins in the midst of quarterback trade talks. I don’t know if we should expect another shutout, but I think the Bills will be heavy favorites.

7. Green Bay Packers: 6-1 (Last Week: 7)
Won 24-10 vs. Washington
One of the most underrated storylines of the NFL season has been the development of the Packers defense. Green Bay ranks in the top 10 in yards per game, points per game and forced turnovers. Following the Week 1 blowout, the Packers have allowed more than 22 points just once and have won five straight. If you are looking for a concern with this team, it might be the lack of production from Aaron Jones. He has just two touchdowns since his four-score outburst in Week 2. Sunday was also the fourth game in which he averaged less than four yards per carry. That feels like the only missing piece for Green Bay at the moment.

8. Tennessee Titans: 5-2 (Last Week: 14)
Won 27-3 vs. Kansas City
How on Earth did this team lose to the Jets? Tennessee sweeps through the two participants in last season’s AFC Championship Game. Beating the Bills was a clear sign of the Titans’ potential, but thrashing the Chiefs was a reminder that this team is capable of winning without relying solely on Derrick Henry. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year still played well on a heavy workload, but Ryan Tannehill threw for a pair of touchdowns and the defense balled out. They sacked Patrick Mahomes four times and forced three turnovers. Tennessee appears to be rolling heading into a divisional showdown with Indianapolis.

9. Baltimore Ravens: 5-2 (Last Week: 4)
Lost 41-17 vs. Cincinnati
For the first time all season, Baltimore looked like a team leading the league in players on the injured reserve list. Joe Burrow absolutely shredded the secondary, eclipsing 400 yards passing and tossing three touchdowns. The Ravens also had no answer for Ja’Marr Chase. The bottom line right now is that Lamar Jackson needs more help. He was sacked five times and rushed for 74 yards more than anyone else on the team. This is a really good time for a bye week.

10. Los Angeles Chargers: 4-2 (Last Week: 9)
Bye Week
Time for some revenge. 2020 was clearly a rebuilding season in Los Angeles with a rookie quarterback taking over and adjusting to the NFL. Still, anytime you lose 45-0, that sticks with you. That’s what New England did to this team a year ago. Justin Herbert and the offense has made some major strides since then and the Chargers defense is much healthier. I am eager to see if L.A. has a little extra juice in Week 8.

11. Cleveland Browns 4-3 (Last Week: 11)
Won 17-14 vs. Denver
This was a gutsy win for the Browns. Without Baker Mayfield, Jack Conklin, Nick Chubb or Kareem Hunt, the defense stepped up big time and shut down the Broncos. Cleveland held Denver’s ground game to 41 yards on 2.9 yards per carry. Give D’Ernest Johnson credit for showing out as well with 146 yards and a score on the ground in relief of Chubb and Hunt. Hopefully, the Browns can use the extra days of rest to heal up ahead of a matchup with the Steelers.

12. Las Vegas Raiders: 5-2 (Last Week: 13)
Won 33-22 vs. Philadelphia
Quietly, the Raiders move atop the AFC West with this win. Derek Carr played well, completing an outrageous 31-of-34 passes, and the defense came up with a pair of key fumble recoveries. The post Jon Gruden era has gotten off to a good start, even if the two wins came against lower quality competition. As long as Josh Jacobs’ injury is not serious, Las Vegas should feel pretty good about where it stands nearing the midseason point.

13. New Orleans Saints: 4-2 (Last Week: 12)
Won 13-10 at Seattle
Well that was ugly. New Orleans emerged from Seattle with a scrappy three-point win that featured very little offense. Thankfully, Alvin Kamara was ready to work. He didn’t do much as a rusher, finishing with 51 yards on 20 carries. However, he racked up 128 yards through the air on 10 catches with the team’s lone touchdown. On the other side of the ball, the Saints surrendered one big play on D.K. Metcalf’s 82-yard touchdown. After that, they were close to lights out. New Orleans benefitted from a pair of missed field goals though. This offense needs to be more productive.

14. Kansas City Chiefs: 3-4 (Last Week: 10)
Lost 27-3 at Tennessee
Steve Spagnuolo’s seat is only getting hotter. However, the offensive struggles took centerstage this week. The last time Kansas City scored three points or fewer was Week 15 in 2012 when it was shut out by the then Oakland Raiders. Brady Quinn was quarterbacking the team in that game. Tennessee also seems to have Kansas City’s number winning five of the past six matchups. Andy Reid has a really tough task ahead of him as he looks to rejuvenate this offense while figuring out how to hide the clear deficiencies within his defense.

15. Minnesota Vikings: 3-3 (Last Week: 15)
Bye Week
The general consensus on the Vikings right now is that they are better than their record would indicate. Their three losses came against the Bengals, Browns and Cardinals, having been outscored by only 11 points in those three contests. However, they also topped the Lions and Panthers by a combined eight points. Hard to really gauge how good this team truly is at this point. Week 8 offers an opportunity to make a statement, facing the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. A week off should allow Dalvin Cook to get back to full strength after dealing with an ankle injury earlier in the season. That could be a key difference maker in what should be a close game.

16. Indianapolis Colts: 3-4 (Last Week: 22)
Won 30-18 at San Francisco
Suddenly, the Colts don’t feel as far out of the playoff picture. With back-to-back wins, Indianapolis is now just one game under .500 and one game back of the Browns for the final wildcard spot in the AFC. There is still a long way to go, but Carson Wentz should have Colts fans feeling a bit more optimistic. Outside of a terrible interception (or fumble, it’s hard to tell), Wentz played really well. He didn’t have the gaudiest of numbers playing in an atmospheric river, but he tossed two touchdown passes. Thankfully, he also has Jonathan Taylor to hand off to. A tough test against the Titans is up next, but the Colts are trending up.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-3 (Last Week: 19)
Bye Week
Is there a path to the playoffs for the Steelers? It would almost certainly be as a wild card, but this upcoming three-game stretch will go a long way in determining if that is possible. Pittsburgh faces Cleveland, Chicago and Detroit, all winnable games, before finishing the season against the Chargers, Bengals, Ravens, Vikings, Titans, Chiefs, Browns and Ravens. That is a brutal final two months. If Pittsburgh is anything other than 6-3 following Week 10, I don’t think they have any shot of reaching the postseason.

18. San Francisco 49ers: 2-4 (Last Week: 17)
Lost 30-18 vs. Indianapolis
I really wanted to drop San Francisco even lower, but it was hard to figure out who to drop them behind. It was an ugly week for a lot of the NFL’s middle of the road teams. Unfortunately, the 49ers were unable to handle the adverse weather conditions. Four turnovers in the rain is slightly understandable, but both teams have to play in the elements. That turnover battle ended up being crucial in determining the outcome Even in a disappointing loss, there are still some positives. Elijah Mitchell and Deebo Samuel both reached the century mark. Still, being 2-4 is not a good look for a team expected to bounce back following a dismal 2020 season.

19. New England Patriots: 3-4 (Last Week: 23)
Won 54-13 vs. New York
Few things match Bill Belichick’s hatred for the New York Jets. Despite leading 31-7 at halftime and knocking Zach Wilson out of the game, Belichick refused to call off the dogs, as the Patriots scored 23 more points in the second half, including 20 in the fourth quarter. Mac Jones took care of the football and Damien Harris had a big day. Make no mistake, New England isn’t good, their only wins are against the Jets and Texans, but the Patriots are still more than capable of blowing out a hapless opponent.

20. Chicago Bears: 3-4 (Last Week: 16)
Lost 38-3 at Tampa Bay
Beating the Bucs always felt like a longshot, but it would have been nice if the Bears had been even remotely competitive. Justin Fields continues to struggle behind an overmatched offensive line, accounting for five of Chicago’s six turnovers. The defense did not offer much resistance either, allowing five touchdowns in the first half. On the bright side, Khalil Herbert continues to look like a quality find in the draft with his second straight game of at least 97 yards rushing.

21. Carolina Panthers: 3-4 (Last Week: 18)
Lost 25-3 at New York
That was rough. Sam Darnold got pulled in the midst of a horrible outing and the quarterback play somehow got worse. Darnold and P.J. Walker combined for 19-of-39 passing for 144 yards passing and an interception. Carolina could not run the ball either, finishing with 56 yards on 3.3 yards per carry. The defense played decent, but could not make enough plays to make up for such a dud offensively. Trade rumors involving Deshaun Watson to the Panthers are certainly going to intensify.

22. Denver Broncos: 3-4 (Last Week: 21)
Lost 17-14 at Cleveland
This was an embarrassing loss for the Broncos. The Browns were about as shorthanded offensively as we’ve seen with Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and more sidelined. Another disappointing showing from Teddy Bridgewater and the offense made that obsolete. In the midst of this four-game losing streak, Denver is averaging just 16 points per game. The Broncos have beaten three teams with a combined four wins. The heat is definitely rising on both Vic Fangio and Bridgewater.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: 2-5 (Last Week: 20)
Lost 33-22 at Las Vegas
Philadelphia suffered another loss in which the offense went MIA for much of the game. After scoring a touchdown just four minutes into the first quarter, the Eagles did not put points on the board again until the fourth. Jalen Hurts continues to struggle with accuracy, finishing just 18-of-34 passing. He made some plays with his legs, but the ground game was not as effective after Miles Sanders left with an injury. Nick Sirianni needs to make some progress with this offense. At least the Dolphins lost again.

24. Atlanta Falcons: 3-3 (Last Week: 26)
Won 30-28 at Miami
If we are going to bash the Broncos for beating up on the league’s basement dwellers, we have to do the same to the Falcons. Wins over the Giants, Jets and now Dolphins, all by one possession, are far from impressive. A last-second field goal from Younghoe Koo delivered this latest victory. On the bright side, Kyle Pitts had the best game of his young career so far, totaling 163 yards receiving. Still, Atlanta has done little to inspire confidence in its ability to hang with the better teams in the league.

25. New York Giants: 2-5 (Last Week: 27)
Won 25-3 vs. Carolina
What in the world just happened? The Giants turned things around big time following last week’s 34-11 drubbing by the Rams. For the first time all season, the defense that inspired so much confidence in this team’s future down the stretch finally showed up. Carolina had a horrible day offensively, which was at least in some part due to a very disruptive front seven. New York tallied seven tackles for loss and six sacks, destroying Joe Brady’s offensive game plan for the week. This is a massive step in the right direction for Joe Judge and company.

26. Seattle Seahawks: 2-5 (Last Week: 24)
Lost 13-10 vs. New Orleans
Seattle really misses Russell Wilson and Chris Carson. Outside of an 84-yard catch-and-run by D.K. Metcalf, the Seahawks could do basically nothing offensively. Still, they should have won this game. The defense stepped up and limited the vertical passing game for the Saints. Unfortunately, Jason Myers missed two field goals, which proved to be the difference in the game. Thankfully, the Jaguars are up next.

27. Washington: 2-5 (Last Week: 25)
Lost 24-10 at Green Bay
What happened to the team that legitimately challenged the Buccaneers in the playoffs? Taylor Heinicke looks lost in the offense without anyone other than Terry McLaurin to rely on. The defense showed some signs of its 2020 form, with three sacks and strong showing against the run, but have not replicated the wrecking crew that struck fear into the hearts of opposing quarterbacks everywhere. Getting healthy will certainly help, with Dyami Brown, Curtis Samuel, Cam Sims, Logan Thomas and Brendan Scherff all out against the Packers. Perhaps a reeling Broncos team will be the cure to what ails Washington.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars: 1-5 (Last Week: 28)
Bye Week
Is it possible the Jaguars could win two in a row? Jacksonville still has not won on U.S. soil since Week 1 of 2020. However, the Jags face a banged up Seahawks team that has lost five of its past six games. A week off to reflect on his first six games in the NFL could be good for both Trevor Lawrence and Urban Meyer. A second straight win would greatly change the outlook of this franchise and this season.

29. Detroit Lions: 0-7 (Last Week: 32)
Lost 28-19 at Los Angeles
For a little while, it looked Detroit was about to pull off the ultimate upset. Had Jared Goff and the Lions managed to beat Matt Stafford and the Rams, social media would have had a field day. Instead, Detroit records another hard-fought loss. L.A. outscored Detroit 11-0 in the fourth quarter as Goff sealed the win for his former team with an interception in the end zone. The Lions feel really close to breaking through. A home game against the Eagles could finally see this losing streak end.

30. Miami Dolphins: 1-6 (Last Week: 31)
Lost 30-28 vs. Atlanta
Another loss is tough to swallow, but Tua Tagovailoa was definitely not the issue. He did have two interceptions, but also tossed four touchdowns while completing 32-of-40 passes for 291 yards. Unfortunately, it was the defense that could not come up with a big play when they needed it. I expect Miami to look better down the stretch, but hopes of a playoff run are officially dead.

31. Houston Texans: 1-5 (Last Week: 30)
Lost 31-5 at Arizona
If you think about it, the Texans actually improved by two points this week from the week before. Yeah, it is hard to find much to be positive about if you are a Texans fan. Well, I’m going to try to find a way regardless. Houston is scoring more points per game than the Jets. Wow, this is harder than I thought. Oh, the team has a first-round pick for the first time since 2017, when the franchise selected Deshaun Watson. More first-round picks could be on the way with a Watson trade rumored to be imminent.

32. New York Jets: 1-5 (Last Week: 29)
Lost 54-13 at New England
I hate supporting this team. Giving up 50-plus points while losing the rookie quarterback is the worst-case scenario for the Jets. Now, Joe Douglas is trading draft picks to acquire a 36-year-old backup because the team never really had a contingency plan for if Zach Wilson got hurt. Oh, and to top that all off, this all happened against the Patriots. Because of course it did. At least the Seahawks lost. Maybe two more top-15 picks will get the Jets to look even remotely competitive. Questions have to be asked of Robert Saleh as well. Coming off a bye week, New York once again looked wholly unprepared for its opponent. That is unacceptable. I know this team is young and the coaching staff is young, but it would be good if we could see they were actually learning something in all of these abysmal losses.

Follow the Aftermath via email to get every article delivered right to your inbox. Enter your email in the text box to subscribe. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Aftermath

When sporting news breaks, we cover the fallout.

Power Rankings

2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 12

2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 11

2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 10

2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 9

2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 8

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: