10. Houston 6-4 Previous Rank 9: The Texans had the Lions on the ropes on Sunday night football, intercepting Jared Goff five times, but they simply couldn’t put the Lions away.
Houston led 23-7 at the half and wouldn’t score again for the remainder of the contest, while also giving up 19 unanswered points in the second half. This game was the definition of the tale of two halves.
The Texans take on the Cowboys in the battle of Texas on Monday Night Football at 8:20 P.M. at AT&T Stadium.
Playoff Outlook: The Texans have opened up a 3-game lead in the weak AFC South.
9. Minnesota 7-2 Previous Rank: 8
Minnesota snuck by Jacksonville 12-7. The Jaguars were without starting QB Trevor Lawrence in this one, and it showed on offense.
The Vikings defense held the Jaguars to 143 yards. John Parker Romo hit all four field goals in his Viking debut, with his longest being from 45-yards out.
Sam Darnold struggled in this game, throwing three interceptions for the Vikings. He now has five picks in his last two games.
The Vikings travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Nissan Stadium.
Playoff Outlook: Currently the 1st Wild Card in the NFC. Point Differential +64. This team started out 5-0 and has slipped since then.
8. Philadelphia 7-2 Previous Rank: 10
The Eagles did what everybody else has been doing to the Cowboys week in and week out, they destroyed them 34-6. Jalen Hurts was 14-20 for two touchdowns with one interception. Hurts also ran two in from one and eight yards out. Dallas was held to a dismal 146 yards.
The Eagles have a much more intensified game when they host the Commanders on Thursday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field in the City of brotherly love.
Playoff Outlook: Currently lead the NFC East until it’s up for grabs Thursday against the Commanders. Winners of five straight. Differential Points +72. The current strength of their schedule is the 32nd hardest. The Eagles have the toughest schedule down the stretch facing 4 current playoff teams.
7. Green Bay 6-3 Previous Rank: 6
Green Bay had a well needed bye to get key players healthy especially starting quarterback Jordan Love.
The Packers now travel to Soldier Field to take on the division rival Bears at 1:00 p.m. Sunday in the windy city.
Playoff Outlook: Currently holding the last NFC wild Card. This team has been up and down but can be explosive at times. They are currently 4-1 over their last 5.
6. Washington 7-3 Previous Rank: 3
Washington lost a tough one to a very impressive Steelers team.
The Commanders were held to 242 total yards and only had the ball 23 minutes and 49 seconds compared to the Steelers 36 minutes and 11 seconds.
Washington has no time to cry about this one, as they face the Eagles on the road for Thursday Night Football at Lincoln Financial Field on Amazon Prime at 8:20 p.m. for the division lead.
Playoff Outlook: Currently a Wildcard but will be playing for the division this week.
5. Pittsburgh 7-2 Previous Rank: 7
The Steelers survived a final drive by the Commanders and won 28-27. Russell Wilson, who has rejuvenated his career in the past month, was 14-28 for 195 yards and three touchdowns.
Wilson hit newcomer Mike Williams from 32 yards out on what turned out to be the game winning touchdown.
The Steelers held rookie of the year (ROY) contender Jayden Daniels to zero touchdowns in the win as well.
The Steelers host division rival Baltimore on Sunday at 1:00 P.M. at Acrisure Stadium.
Playoff outlook: A winner of 4 straight and +69-point differential. They battle this week for the division. They currently have the 26th hardest schedule.
4. Baltimore 7-3 Previous Rank: 5
The Ravens found themselves in a shootout with the Bengals on Thursday night football and had to stop the Bengals going for two points with seconds remaining to win 35-34.
Lamar Jackson was 25-33 for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Baltimore outscored Cincinnati 21-13 in the 4th quarter to pull away.
The Ravens have a huge test this week as they travel North to take on Pittsburgh and the terrible towels Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium.
Playoff outlook: Currently hold a wild card but will battle this week for the division.
They have +65 point differential and have the 17th hardest schedule. The Ravens are 4-1 in their last 5.
3. Buffalo Bills 8-2 Previous Rank: 4
The Bills shot out to a 10-0 lead before the Colts scored 13 unanswered points. Then the Bills found themselves in a game and battled to a 30-20 win.
Taron Johnson got it going on a 23-yard pick-six. The Bills won this game by forcing four turnovers, Josh Allen was 22-37 for 280 yards zero touchdowns and two interceptions.
Allen has now thrown four interceptions in three games after not having thrown any in the first seven games of the season.
Cook and Allen both had rushing touchdowns in the second half as well which helped put this one away for Buffalo.
The Bills host the undefeated Chiefs Sunday at 4:25 p.m. at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park New York.
Playoff outlook the Bills are clearly the cream of the AFC East and should wrap it up soon as they have a five-game lead.
The Bills are + 97 in point differential and have the 18th hardest schedule. The Bills are winners of 5 straight.
2. Detroit 8-1 Previous Rank: 2 The Lions survived five interceptions by quarterback Jared Goff and still pulled off a victory with a Jake Bates 52-yard field goal at the buzzer.
Goff threw two touchdowns in the second half to get the lions back in the game. Jake Bates tied the game on a 58-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.
The Lions take on the Jaguars Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Ford Field in the Motor City.
Playoff Outlook: Currently lead the tightly contested NFC North. Point Differential +116 which is the league high? Their current schedule of strength is 19th. Lions have won six straights.
1. Kansas City 9-0 Previous Rank: 1
The Chiefs once again escaped defeat as they blocked a 35-yard field goal by Denver that would have given the Broncos the victory.
The Chiefs won 16-14 and have now won 15 straight dating back to last season.
This game was a defensive struggle, and it helps when the Chiefs have a great special teams unit.
Chiefs Punter Matt Ariaza who boomed four punts for 213 yards for an average of 53.3 yards per kick. Longest of 64 with one inside the 20 and two touchbacks.
Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker had three field goals with his longest kick being from 36-yards.
The Chiefs travel to Buffalo to take on the 8-2 Bills on Sunday at 4:25 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park NY.
Playoff outlook: The Chiefs are chasing a three peat for the Super Bowl and a perfect season so far this year. They have + 58-point differential. They have a 3-game lead in their division. They currently have the 20th hardest schedule left this year.
