The NFL by no means stops sudden. Just when the playoff image begins to take form, a presumed contender flops or a group that is on demise’s doorstep resuscitates its season.
Sunday’s motion began with the San Francisco 49ers reasserting themselves as a top-tier identify contender with a demolition of the Jacksonville Jaguars in Duval. Up in Baltimore, the Ravens rolled over the Cleveland Browns for 3 quarters earlier than gagging it away in an epic meltdown that may price them in a decent department race.
Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Chargers have been bullied by means of the Detroit Lions, the Dallas Cowboys pantsed the tanking Giants, and C.J. Stroud’s very actual MVP marketing campaign took off with an disillusioned win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Here’s the place every group stands after Sunday’s Week 10 motion:
32. Carolina Panthers (1-8): Can we relegate the Panthers? The selection of soccer atrocities they dedicated on Thursday evening calls for an inquisition.
31. New York Giants (2-8): Every snap Tommy Devito takes is a step nearer to Caleb Williams or Drake Maye for the Giants. Not a foul comfort prize for a season from hell.
30. New England Patriots (2-8): The Mac Jones redemption technology as a 49ers backup might be a excellent tale, however McCorkle’s time in New England is over. The former first-round pick out is a damaged, defeated signal-caller, and Bill Belichick must put on lots of the blame.
29. Atlanta Falcons (4-6): The Falcons have been 4-3 and promptly misplaced to Will Levis, a fresh-off-the-plane Josh Dobbs, and the Cardinals. They are who we concept they have been.
28. Arizona Cardinals (2-8): Ryan Poles and the Bears’ brass may had been Kyler Murray’s largest fan Sunday. The Cardinals superstar quarterback returned and led Arizona to its moment win of the season, leaving Carolina with the worst file within the NFL via 10 weeks. The Bears are in pole place for the No. 1 pick out as we input the house stretch.
27. Tennessee Titans (3-6): Will Levis has proven promise, however the rookie and his mayo espresso would possibly not be a fix-all for Tennessee’s damaged roster.
26. Green Bay Packers (3-6): After 3 many years with a Hall of Fame quarterback on the helm, the Packers now to find themselves in a spot maximum franchises widespread all too frequently: Quarterback purgatory.
25. Chicago Bears (3-7): There are a large number of unhealthy groups within the NFL, and the Bears are no doubt one in all them. But as we parse throughout the pack of unhealthy, the Bears can no less than tout a protection this is taking part in higher and the predicted go back of Justin Fields. The arrow is pointing up … for now.
24. Los Angeles Rams (3-6): Props to Sean McVay for doing so much with Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald, Puka Nacua, and now not a lot else. The Rams compete for 3 quarters earlier than the loss of ability catches as much as them.
23. Denver Broncos (3-5): For all of the jokes, Russell Wilson has been quietly taking part in some environment friendly soccer this season. He is not the superstar he as soon as used to be, however he and Sean Payton appear to discovered their groove midway via Year 1 in their organized marriage.
22. New York Jets (4-5): Imagine being a member of the Jets’ entrance place of business observing Josh Dobbs ball out whilst you publicly make stronger Zach Wilson. Embarrassing approach to flush a season with a championship protection down the drain.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5): Just like that, the Bucs are a half-game out of first position within the NFC South. If all issues are equivalent, I’d moderately watch Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans on Wild Card Weekend than Derek Carr and the bones of what Sean Payton left in New Orleans.
20. New Orleans Saints (5-5): Are we positive Jameis Winston is not a greater quarterback than Derek Carr?
19. Las Vegas Raiders (5-5): These ratings will handiest replicate my emotions at the Antonio Piece Raiders. It cannot be overstated how a lot that locker room hated Josh McDaniels.
18. Washington Commanders (4-6): Anyone who thinks Sam Howell is not the man in Washington hasn’t been paying consideration. The former Tar Heel can sling the rock. Washington is in a excellent rebuild place with their quarterback of the longer term already in position.
17. Indianapolis Colts (5-5): I do not understand how the Colts are .500, however I do know that taking part in Mac Jones on Sunday helped.
16. Seattle Seahawks (6-3): Boye Mafe is among the maximum underrated avid gamers within the NFL. The second-year linebacker has now recorded a sack in seven consecutive video games for the Seahawks. Another draft to find for John Schneider and Pete Carroll.
15. Los Angeles Chargers (4-5): I will be able to’t wait to listen to how the Chargers’ 41-38 loss to the Lions used to be Justin Herbert’s fault.
14. Minnesota Vikings (6-4): The Vikings have gained 5 video games in a row, Josh Dobbs is taking part in out of his thoughts, and they’re about to get Justin Jefferson again. Scrap the rebuild. What an not likely turnaround within the Twin Cities.
13. Buffalo Bills (5-4): I’m anxious the Bills are damaged past restore. At least for this season.
12. Cleveland Browns (6-3): Deshaun Watson went 14-for-14 for 139 yards and a landing in the second one half of of the Browns’ comeback win over the Ravens. It’s the most productive he has regarded in a Browns uniform. I wish to see extra of that earlier than I will be able to carry Cleveland from “Frisky Team With A Good Defense” to the (*5*) class. It’s a good construction, regardless that.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3): Pittsburgh has been outgained in each and every recreation this season, and but, Mike Tomlin has them at 6-3. You cannot battle destiny.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3): Trevor Lawrence has extra turnovers than touchdowns this season. The Jags want the “generational talent” to begin taking part in adore it in the event that they need to succeed in their ceiling.
9. Cincinnati Bengals (5-4): A loss to a red-hot C.J. Stroud would possibly not shake my religion within the Bengals. This is the 3rd directly season they have got began 5-4. I be expecting a equivalent end because the remaining two.
8. Houston Texans (5-4): After beating the Bengals, there is no excellent argument for C.J. Stroud to not be within the thick of the MVP dialogue. I’m purchasing all of the Stroud-DeMeco Ryans inventory.
7. Dallas Cowboys (6-3): Dallas has crushed the Giants (two times), the Jets, the Patriots, the Rams, and the Chargers. The Cowboys have misplaced to the Eagles, 49ers, and Cardinals. Not a sterling resume for a group that fancies itself a Super Bowl contender.
6. Baltimore Ravens (7-3): The Ravens have misplaced seven video games with Lamar Jackson as their starter within the remaining two seasons. Per ESPN’s win chance, that they had no less than a 75 p.c probability to win in every of the ones video games. That cannot proceed to be a pattern in Charm City.
5. Miami Dolphins (6-3): The Dolphins are plus-109 of their six wins in opposition to groups underneath .500. They are minus-49 of their 3 losses that got here in opposition to above-500 groups. ‘Fins are electrical, however they wish to display they are able to beat the cream of the crop to be taken critically as a identify contender.
4. Detroit Lions (7-2): Dan Campbell and the Lions may have single-handedly ended Brandon Staley’s run with the Chargers. At least, Detroit’s 41-point, 533-yard efficiency must be the overall nail in his LA coffin. The Motor City Kitties are for actual and are are living to get the highest seed within the NFC.
3. San Francisco 49ers (6-3): The 49ers’ protection gave the impression of their protection once more in a throttling of the red-hot Jaguars. Put the phrase out that the 49ers are again.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2): The Ravens, Bengals, and Jaguars all misplaced in Week 10. Even at the bye, Patrick Mahomes cannot forestall successful.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-1): Philadelphia has misplaced the Super Bowl, World Series, and Taylor Swift within the remaining 12 months. That’s a tricky scene, however the Birds are in a excellent place to redeem the City of Brotherly Love if they are able to keep wholesome.
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