Was a win at Arrowhead enough to catapult the Bills over the undefeated Cardinals in this week’s NFL power rankings? Lamar Jackson continues to prove the naysayers wrong with a heavy load of injuries on both sides of the ball. Are the Cowboys a legit Super Bowl contender in the NFC? Do the Chiefs have serious concerns in their secondary?
Check out this week’s NFL Power rankings
- Arizona Cardinals– The last undefeated team in the National Football League’s pivotal fourth down stop of rookie Trey Lance at the goal line sent a message throughout the Wild, Wild NFC West division that their defense is to be reckoned with on the addition of J.J. Watt. Kyler Murray has so many weapons at his disposal – as the Cardinals will have a nice road test at Cleveland this week against a Browns’ defense that just gave up 40 plus to the Chargers.
- Buffalo Bills– With the number one ranked defense in the league and number one ranked offense, what else needs to be said? Josh Allen has a viable number two option opposite of Stefon Diggs in Emmanuel Sanders and Dawson Knox has been one of the most consistent tight ends in the league, with an 117 yard performance at Arrowhead.
- Los Angeles Rams– You still have to respect Desean Jackson’s speed and the emergence of Robert Woods this past week, with 12 receptions for 150 yards gives, Matt Stafford and company another option on the outside.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers– The Goat (Tom Brady) threw for over 400 yards and five touchdowns, and didn’t play in the last 10 minutes of the game. Yes, it was against the Dolphins ,who have their own offensive woes, but 400 yards can’t be undermined in today’s NFL. The addition of Richard Sherman will help fill some holes in Todd Bowles’ defense.
- Dallas Cowboys– This team doesn’t seem to be an accident waiting to happen – like years past. Dak Prescott is a top-5 quarterback in the league. Trevon Diggs leads the team, and NFL, in interceptions and would get my vote for defensive player of the year right now. Is the NFC East race already over?
- Green Bay Packers– Mason Crosby nearly cost his team a win in Cincinnati Sunday, but was able to redeem himself in OT – making the Packers 2-0 on the season against the AFC North. Davante Adams is literally tripled team in coverages for over 50 percent of his snaps and still is leading the league in receiving yards.
- Baltimore Ravens- “Are you not entertained” Lamar Jackson completely obliterated the Colts’ defense Monday night for a career-high 442 passing yards, in a game the Ravens trailed by double digits in the fourth quarter. Mark Andrews single-handedly won millions of people fantasy football matchups (including myself) with his 11 receptions for 147 yards and two scores. Is the pocket passing narrative out the door, yet?
- Los Angeles Chargers- Justin Herbert is a complete stud in LA – accounting for five touchdowns and nearly 400 yards passing in their week-five wi over Cleveland. Herbert’s Chargers may indeed be the best team in the AFC West. Yes, that includes the Kansas Chiefs. The 26 points scored in the 4th quarter were the most points a team has scored in a single quarter in 8 years! As Arnold Schwarzenegger famously says, “Let’s Go Chargers”.
- Cleveland Browns- The Browns have the best dual-rushing attack in all of football, steer headed by Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Baker Mayfield has proved to be a franchise quarterback and long-term solution in Cleveland. Injuries have been a point of emphases on offense, with Jarvis Landry being put on IR. Something to keep an eye on is that the Browns’ defense gave up 493 yards to Justin Herbert. If you thought that was bad, Kyle Murray and company head to the “Dawg Pound” Sunday.
- Kansas City Chiefs- The Chiefs aren’t the best team in the AFC. That title belongs to a team that marched into Arrowhead and laid an old school beating on their home turf in the Buffalo Bills. There’s a lot of season left to unfold, but the Chiefs’ defense has been atrocious. Pat Mahomes has made some uncharacteristic mistakes on his reads in Cover-2 matchups. I still wouldn’t want to see them come January.