1. Buffalo Bills (Previous Rank: 2)
The Bills showed their utter dominance on Sunday on both sides of the ball. They marched into Arrowhead and completely embarrassed their successors in last year’s AFC Championship. Josh Allen was the main character of this game and is a sure-fire MVP candidate, obliterating a poor Kansas City Chiefs defense for 374 total yards and four total TDs. They will look to stay atop the AFC on Monday night against Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Previous Rank: 1)
Tom Brady looks like he’s in his 20s, not his 40s, as he had, believe it or not, another career game. He ended with 411 passing yards and five TDs. Tom got the Bucs offense firing on all cylinders, as they keep running through opponents with their insane barrage of weapons. They look to keep it up this Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
3. Arizona Cardinals (Previous Rank: 4)
The Cardinals keep on winning. Not as pretty this week but they did just enough, with some help from DeAndre Hopkins, to finish off the San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals defense was huge in this as the offense struggled early. They kept rookie QB Trey Lance to a measly 192 passing yards and safety Budda Baker added an interception to his stat line. The Cardinals look to remain undefeated this week as they take on the Browns in Cleveland.
4. Los Angeles Rams (Previous Rank: 6)
The Rams had a nice bounce back win against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. WRs Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods combined for an astounding 242 yards. While the defense picked up two more interceptions, one off Russell Wilson and another off Geno Smith. The Rams will look to improve to 5-1 this week against the New York Giants.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (Previous Rank: 9)
Wow, what a game! The Chargers took down the Browns this past Sunday in a massive shootout, ending in a 47-42 Chargers win. QB Justin Herbert is the real deal as the sophomore quarterback continues to light up defenses. He ended with a vigorous 427 total yards and five total TDs. The Chargers look ready to overtake the Chiefs in the division as they improve to 4-1 as Kansas City falls to 2-3. They will try and gain more ground this Sunday as they take on the scorching hot Baltimore Ravens.
6. Dallas Cowboys (Previous Rank: 8)
The Cowboys look rejuvenated under a healthy Dak Prescott. The offense is dominating in both the pass and rush game as they took care of a depleted and injured Giants team in a 44-20 blowout. Trevon Diggs continues to look like the runaway defensive player of the year as he gains his sixth INT in five games. The Cowboys are dominant on both sides of the ball making them a dark horse Super Bowl contender. They look to gain even more division ground this week against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
7. Baltimore Ravens (Previous Rank: 7)
When the Ravens needed him most, QB Lamar Jackson put his team on his back and mounted a 19-point comeback to beat the Colts. Jackson had a successful night as he ended with a career high 442 passing yards to go along with 62 rushing yards and four TDs. This single handedly slipped him into the MVP conversation. His main target in the game was TE Mark Andrews who also had a career night ending with 147 receiving yards, 11 receptions and two TDs. The Ravens look to continue this production this week against another phenom QB Justin Herbert and the Chargers.
8. Green Bay Packers (Previous Rank: 3)
Simply put the Packers should not have won this game. In a weird game where there were five missed field goals, each of them to end the game, the Packers ended it on the sixth. Davante Adams had himself a casual 11 receptions, 206 yards and touchdown, as he was a big part in the Packers win. They did not play their usual Packers football but did enough to get the job done. They will face the Bears in Chicago this week.
9. Cleveland Browns (Previous Rank: 10)
The Browns did not come away with the win but nonetheless they played great on Sunday. In an all-time classic and for sure game of the year contender, QB Baker Mayfield threw for 305 yards and two TDs while the Browns RB duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt combined for 259 yards and three TDs. The Browns are once again this year no joke, they will look to continue their powerful offensive attack this week against an undefeated Cardinals team.
10. Kansas City Chiefs (Previous Rank: 5)
The Chiefs defense is absolutely abysmal this season, and after this week, ranks bottom three in the league. They were embarrassed by the Bills in their home stadium this past Sunday, while QB Patrick Mahomes continues his struggles adding another two interceptions to his now six this year. If the Chiefs want any hope of climbing back in the division race or even into the playoff race, they MUST tighten up on defense. They will look to get back to 500 this week against Washington
11. Tennessee Titans (Previous Rank: 17)
The Titans looked great on offense this past Sunday. Derrick Henry had another 100+ yard game on the ground, while adding three TDs to his stat line. He looks primed for another possible 2000 rushing yard season and is leading the league this season so far with 640. The defense also played solid and ended up picking off QB Trevor Lawrence. They take on AFC’s best, Buffalo, on Monday night.
12. New Orleans Saints (Previous Rank: 16)
Jameis Winston had himself another very all-around good game, ending with 305 yards and four TDs. The Saints played well torching a very depleted Washington defense for 33 points. RB Alvin Kamara had another Kamara like game ending with 71 rushing yards, 51 receiving yards and two TDs. It was an overall good win for the Saints who are now 3-2 and look ready to compete for a playoff spot. They have a bye this week.
13. San Francisco 49ers (Previous Rank: 12)
The Niners defense played exceptionally on Sunday, holding a high-powered Arizona offense to a measly 17 points. The offense is still moving reasonably slow under their rookie QB Trey Lance. Although he did manage to keep them in the game while putting up a respectable 281 yards altogether. They will look to get him more comfortable with the offense this week on their bye.
14. Cincinnati Bengals (Previous Rank: 14)
The Bengals showed this Sunday why they should be taken seriously this season. They took the Super Bowl contending Packers and pushed them all the way to overtime. Under another very impressive game from rookie WR Ja’Marr Chase who ended with six receptions, 159 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Bengals hope all is well with Joe Burrow who was taken to the hospital after the game and evaluated for a throat contusion. The Bengals will hope to have him back this week against the winless Lions.
15. Minnesota Vikings (Previous Rank: 18)
The Vikings edged out a close one against the Lions on Sunday. They were down their starting RB this week with Dalvin Cook being out, but boy did Alexander Mattison fill in nicely. He finished the game with an immaculate 153 total yards and a TD, propelling his team to victory. This is the second week in a row where their defense also looked really good. They will look to get back to 500 this week against a diminishing Carolina Panthers team.
16. Chicago Bears (Previous Rank: 23)
The Bears defense came to life in this one as they handed Derek Carr and his Raiders their second straight loss. The defense held the Raiders to less than double digit points while picking him off once and sacking him three times. Rookie QB Justin Fields seems to be fitting in nicely as his decision making was good in this one, he finished with 111 passing yards and a touchdown. The Bears have now won two in a row and seem to be picking up some momentum after a slow start to the season. The Packers stroll into town next as they try to make it three in a row.
17. Carolina Panthers (Previous Rank: 15)
The Panthers drop their second game in a row as they desperately await the return of star RB Christian McCaffery. Sam Darnold looked atrocious in this one coughing up three interceptions to an at-best average Eagles secondary. McCaffery will look to provide a spark to the offense as they drop their second in a row. Although RB Chuba Hubbard was a nice replacement rushing for over 100 yards this week. Carolina will look to rebound this week against the Vikings at home.
18. Seattle Seahawks (Previous Rank: 11)
Things could get ugly in Seattle real fast, as star QB Russell Wilson went down with a finger injury on Thursday and looks to miss some significant time. Not to mention Seattle’s secondary is bottom five in the league giving up 365 passing yards to Matthew Stafford and his receiving group. Seattle must find a viable starter, whether that be Geno Smith or a free agent, if they want any chance to compete for the playoffs. They also must sharpen up on defense. They’ll travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers on Sunday night.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previous Rank: 24)
The Steelers showed improvement on Sunday putting up 27 and a solid Broncos defense. QB Ben Roethlisberger showed flashes of his past self, ending the game with 253 passing yards and two TDs. The defense was able to hold the Broncos to 19. The Steelers look to build on this win after three straight losses, the Seahawks roll into town this week on Sunday Night Football.
20. New England Patriots (Previous Rank: 20)
The Patriots barely beat a Davis Mills-led Texans team that lost 40-0 in the previous week. That being said, they did come away with a win, but the defense must play better if they want a legitimate shot at the playoffs. QB Mac Jones added another 234 yards and a TD to his rookie campaign as he led the Patriots down the field for the game winning field goal at the end of the fourth quarter. They will seek their second straight win on Sunday against the 4-1 Dallas Cowboys.
21. Denver Broncos (Previous Rank: 21)
The Broncos defense let a diminishing Big Ben throw for over 250 yards and two TDs on them. If the Broncos want to stay competitive in the highly talented AFC West they must stay sharp on the defensive end. While QB Teddy Bridgewater did everything he could to keep them in the game, it was simply not enough. They will try to not lose their third straight this week against the division rival Las Vegas Raiders.
22. Philadelphia Eagles (Previous Rank: 26)
The Eagles look much sharper on the defensive end this season, and that was on full display this Sunday against the Panthers. Jalen Hurts also seems to be the answer at QB for them as he ended with 228 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns. The Eagles are staying alive in a Cowboys dominated NFC East. They will look to pull off an upset against the former Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night.
23. Las Vegas Raiders (Previous Rank: 13)
The Raiders have done a full 360 since their 3-0 start of the season. Putting aside the loss and controversy of former head coach Jon Gruden the team has looked lost, as they drop their second straight to Chicago. QB Derek Carr looked average at best this week and the whole team was off, due in large part to their head coach’s media scandal. Nonetheless they will look to put the distractions to the side and compete this Sunday against the Broncos.
24. Indianapolis Colts (Previous Rank: 22)
The Colts played well on Monday night, all they had to do was close out the game, but unfortunately, they could not as they let up a 19-point second half comeback to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. The Colts need to be better on defense as they gave up an insane 500 scrimmage yards to Lamar. Their 1-4 start was not what most fans expected but they will try to salvage their season this Sunday against the Texans.
25. Washington Football Team (Previous Rank: 19)
The Football Team dropped their third game of the season Sunday and once again the defense was disastrous. Their defense has been very disappointing so far, a complete opposite of what they were last season. They seem to be giving up an extraordinary amount of points each game. QB Taylor Heinicke has played well so far but they will have no chance at competing for a playoff spot unless the defense improves significantly. They get the Chiefs at home this week.
26. Atlanta Falcons (Previous Rank: 28)
The Falcons picked up their second win of the season in London against the Jets. Kyle Pitts had himself a huge breakout game as he started to look more comfortable in the league, he ended up with nine catches for 119 yards and a TD. The Falcons have quietly been a very competitive team this season, what’s holding them back is their defense. The defense continues to struggle even against weak offensive teams like the Jets. They
will look to improve on it during their bye week.
27. Houston Texans (Previous Rank: 32)
The Texans were a field goal away from going into overtime against a solid Patriots team. QB Davis Mills did a full turnaround from last week as he had himself a career game, ending with 314 yards and three TDs. The Texans will look to gain QB Tyrod Taylor soon. They will take on the Colts this week.
28. Miami Dolphins (Previous Rank: 27)
The Dolphins’ season is sinking fast, as they get blown out 45-17 against the Bucs. The defense, which seemed strong last season especially in the secondary, looks abysmal this season. While the Dolphins still have no answer at the quarterback position they hope that sophomore QB Tua Tagovailoa can be the answer when he returns from his injury. If not, they are in for a very long season. They take on the winless Jaguars this Sunday as they hope to get their season back on track.
29. Detroit Lions (Previous Rank: 30)
The Lions might be one of the best 0-5 teams you will ever see. They have competed in close matchups in four out of their five losses. You can see this team has a lot of heart and a very passionate new head coach in Dan Campbell. This is a team you cannot take lightly as a few upsets are definitely not out of the question for them this season. They look to gain their first win this Sunday against the Bengals.
30. New York Jets (Previous Rank: 29)
Zach Wilson looks like he is starting to gain some sort of rhythm with another overall solid game on Sunday morning, leading the Jets in a close game against the Falcons. The defense needs to play at a higher level if they want any more success this season. They will look to get some rest and come back better after their bye week.
31. New York Giants (Previous Rank: 25)
There may be no team with worse luck than the Giants. Losing star RB Saquon Barkley, starting QB Daniel Jones and his number one weapon WR Kenny Golladay all in one game. The Giants are now down about half their starters on offense and are relying on Mike Glennon to lead the offense. It is a rough time for New York football fans. They will host a formidable Rams team this Sunday.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (Previous Rank: 32)
Simply put, the Jaguars are not a good football team. First overall pick Trevor Lawrence has shown flashes of great potential but has not been nearly as good as where the Jaguars need him to be, in order to win games. Their defense ranks bottom five in the league and they are getting stomped on by the entire NFL. They’ll try again against Miami on Sunday morning in London.
Photo Courtesy of Jeffrey Barnes
