Top 10 NFL teams week 10

NFL Top 10 Teams, after week 10

Some things change, some things stay the same with the top teams in the NFL. As the season goes on, you see a bit of shuffling as the games become even more important. There MIGHT be two teams that the media has already put in the Superbowl, but even if you go with that, there are a lot of teams fighting for the chance to get to the playoffs. So let’s count down the top 10 teams of the NFL, as of the end of week 10, going into week 11.

Before I begin, I need to make one addition. Because there were so many 6-3 teams, it was tough for me to decide how to rank them, and because of that, one team had to be left out of the top 10. Rather than ignore them, I decided to add them on this week, making them the 11th best team in the NFL. So we will start there:

#11 Baltimore Ravens (6-3)

In the land of the 6-3 teams, this one probably ranks at the bottom. Why? When I look at the quality wins, I only see one, that being their win over Miami. I know the Dolphins are not the best team around, but they are quality this year. For the Ravens to beat them means something, but losing to the Steelers, Titans and Colts hurt. And with games against FIVE tough teams, it may be hard for the Ravens to make it to the playoffs. Imagine playing the Giants, Eagles, Redskins, Steelers and Cowboys, and tell me what you think?

#10 Atlanta Falcons (6-3)

Nobody saw this team rising the way they have this year, and it is possible that the Falcons can see the post season. With a 6-3 record, they have quality wins over Green Bay and Chicago, but some may argue the strength of that division. With losses to Tampa Bay, the Panthers and the Eagles, they are going to have a tough time winning their own division. They’ll get a chance since they play both Tampa Bay and Carolina again, with Denver also on the schedule. It’s possible we could see them in post season, so watch out.

#9 Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)

The Steelers have had a rough year so far, losing to some of the better teams of the NFL, but also winning a couple as well. Wins over the Ravens and Redskins are big feathers in the Steelers chance to make a solid run in the playoffs. The problem isn’t whether they get in or not, it’s where they will be seeded. Losses to the Giants, Colts and Eagles make them touchable, and with games against the Patriots, Cowboys, Ravens and Titans will test these guys to decide if they are one of the three best AFC teams, or one that just limps in at the end.

#8 Arizona Cardinals (6-3)

This is one of those stories that you kinda root for, with the sudden success of these guys. Granted they come out of an uber-soft division, but they still have to win. They have quality wins over the Bills and the Cowboys, but also quality losses to the Jets, Redskins and Panthers. We’re going to see how good they are when they play the Giants, Eagles and the Patriots. If the Cardinals were an AFC team, they’d be a lock to the playoffs, but because they are in the NFL, that is not guaranteed. We’re hoping that this is a good team, instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop…and the Cardinals end up outside looking in.

#7 New England Patriots (6-3)

We know injuries are a major factor of why this team is where they are now, but the same can be said for many other teams. While the Pats have wins over Denver and Buffalo, both of those teams have taken a fall lately. With losses to Miami and the Colts, we see that this is a team that can be beaten. Many teams would love to have revenge on the Pats for their past success, and with games upcoming against the Dolphins, Steelers, Cardinals and Bills, every game might as well be either an AFC Championship or a Superbowl.

#6 Washington Redskins (6-3)

The Skins are slipping, after once being at the top of the NFC. In a very competitive conference, the margin for error is paper thin for any team. With key losses to the Giants and the Steelers, they can still rest on the fact that it takes the cream of the crop to beat them. Their wins over the Cardinals, Cowboys and Eagles are very credible, and we certainly would have had them higher if not for that loss to the Rams. But the Redskins’ schedule does not get easier by any means. They must face each of their division foes once more, and also face the Ravens. Playoff team? Maybe, if they can handle their business.

#5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)

I actually should have put this team even higher, but the strikes against this team the number of losses. Granted they lost to Denver and Dallas, but most will say those are quality losses. But of the 6-3 teams, the Buccaneers have defeated more quality teams than anyone else. This includes Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay and Carolina. If they can take care of business, they are easily in the NFC playoffs. They must face Atlanta and Carolina again, but we could see a 10-win season for Tampa Bay before it is all over…perhaps more than 10 wins. This is a pretty good team that will make a mark in the NFC this year.

#4 New York Jets (6-3)

I never thought I’d put the Jets as the best 6-3 team in the NFL, which is very odd. But in a year where the AFC is wide open, the Jets have just as good a chance at winning as anyone else in the AFC. Ok, so the pitiful Oakland Raiders beat them, I know, but they do have a quality loss to the Patriots, and have quality wins over the Dolphins, Cardinals and Bills. This is a team that may find themselves in control of the AFC East if they can beat the Patriots. And with remaining games against decent AFC teams, they have a strong shot into the playoffs. However, we can’t ignore the game vs. the Titans coming up, and they still have to beat the Patriots, Dolphins and Bills once more. I didn’t say it was easy, but the Jets seem to have the best shot at making this work and surprising the NFL.

#3 Carolina Panthers (7-2)

This is going to be interesting because the Panthers almost gave the Raiders the game last week, so you wonder how good this team REALLY is. Of their two losses, one came to Tampa Bay, and the Panthers have quality wins over the Bears, Falcons and Cardinals. But when you look ahead, they have a very tough road. They face the Falcons again, as well as Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Denver and the Giants. Five tough games, and this from a team that struggled against the Raiders…the jury is still out on these guys, but they do have great offensive weapons. We just don’t want to be flipping coins to decide if they will win or not.

#2 New York Giants (8-1)

I actually wanted to put the Giants at #1 because to me, their schedule has been much harder. They barely escaped the Eagles, but as they say, a win is a win. Putting aside the loss to the Browns, the Giants have had a tough road, and have won nearly every game. But the Giants have a very, VERY hard road ahead of them. They face the Ravens next, then the Cardinals. After that, they face divisional foes Redskins, Eagles and Cowboys, in that order, before facing the Panthers and the Vikings. Can ANY team get through that kinda schedule? A slide could put the Giants right out of the playoffs, so they must take great care the next several games. We don’t envy the Giants at all.

#1 Tennessee Titans (9-0)

Yes this is still the number one team by default, but I will give them a little more credit than last week. While the Titans have defeated the Bears and Packers and Ravens, they have yet to beat a team that is making a serious run into the playoffs. Against my #11 ranked Ravens, they win by 3. Against unranked Green Bay, a 3 point win in overtime and against unranked Chicago, a 7 point win. Wins nevertheless, but ones that let you know that this team is not made of steel.

The Titans play the Jaguars, in what could be a close game, even with a sub par team as the Jags. After that, they play the Jets before getting some super soft cream puffs in the Lions, Browns and Texans. Then they end the season against the Steelers and the seemingly improving Colts. Can they go undefeated…sure. Will they? No.

Their schedule isn’t as tough as the Giants and I really wanted to put the Titans in #2 but I cannot fault the Titans for winning the games on their schedule. They did exactly what they were supposed to do…win. And right now, they are the only team in the NFL with a perfect record. So they deserve the top spot…for now.

We’ll see how things shape up in a few days, see ya then!