Power Ranking the NFL's Top 10 Teams After Week 10
by Sam Cox | by Tyler Doty
We're over halfway through the NFL regular season. The contenders have separated themselves from the pack, and there are some surprising names near the top of our power rankings after Week 10.
1. New England Patriots
Offensive EPA: 54.25 (8th)
Defensive EPA: -11.65 (12th)
Tied for the best record in the NFL and being led by MVP favorite Drake Maye, the Patriots have won seven in a row since their 1-2 start. A road win against the Buccaneers in Week 10 was particularly impressive, with TreVeyon Henderson breaking out in a big way.
A road game against Baltimore is the only major challenge on New England’s remaining schedule. They are poised to be the AFC’s top seed.
2. Seattle Seahawks
Offensive EPA: 31.32 (10th)
Defensive EPA: -35.99 (5th)
Seattle has won seven of its last eight games. The defense has excelled against the run, and the Sam Darnold-led offense should be even more potent with the addition of Rashid Shaheed.
In fact, Seattle is the best team when combining pass efficiency on offense and defense, per PFF. It would be good to see more from the running game, but this team is elite.
3. Los Angeles Rams
Offensive EPA: 57.46 (7th)
Defensive EPA: -48.87 (3rd)
Tied with their division rivals at 7-2, the Rams are also cruising with seven wins from eight games before they face the Seahawks in Week 11. Matthew Stafford is a legitimate MVP contender, and the defense doesn’t have any notable weaknesses.
The remaining two games with Seattle will go a long way to deciding the Rams’ seeding. Keep an eye on games to come against the Falcons, Buccaneers, and Lions, too.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
Offensive EPA: 89.67 (2nd)
Defensive EPA: -11.06 (13th)
Even at 5-4, the Chiefs couldn’t go much lower than this. The offense is humming with Rashee Rice back in the fold, and they are one of the hardest defenses to pass against in the league.
With Patrick Mahomes leading a dynamic offense and a more than solid defense, the Chiefs deserve to be taken seriously as a Super Bowl contender. Andy Reid and co. won’t be worried about being a lower seed.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
Offensive EPA: 25.71 (12th)
Defensive EPA: -16.45 (11th)
A gutsy, hard-to-watch win over the Packers on Monday Night Football was a reflection of this Eagles team. They’re not short of grit, but as their EPA marks show, they are a far cry from the elite two-way monster of 2024.
The 7-2 record flatters the defending champions. They are going to drop plenty of games before the end of the season but should still finish with 11 or 12 wins thanks to three routine wins in the final four weeks.
6. Denver Broncos
Offensive EPA: 13.37 (13th)
Defensive EPA: -70.17 (2nd)
Just as Philly’s Week 10 win was a reflection on their overall performance, so was Denver’s Week 10 win over the Raiders. The offense was stagnant, and error ridden. The defense carried the team.
Despite being 8-2, it’s hard to take Denver seriously as a contender with inconsistent Bo Nix has been. The defense would need to be inch-perfect for this Broncos team to come out of an AFC featuring Josh Allen, Mahomes, and Lamar Jackson.
7. Indianapolis Colts
Offensive EPA: 110.21 (1st)
Defensive EPA: -29.84 (8th)
The Colts came thudding back down to Earth with their Week 9 loss to the Steelers. Week 10 was nervy, as overtime was required to beat the Falcons.
The gutsy trade for Sauce Gardner shows Indy is all in on this year. Numerous metrics indicate this is a historically good offense, but it’s only a middling defensive group, whether the ball is in the air or on the ground.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Offensive EPA: 13.23 (14th)
Defensive EPA: -29.26 (9th)
Injuries to Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin, and Mike Evans have forced the Bucs to adapt their offense. Baker Mayfield has dug them out of trouble on multiple occasions, but it’s worth questioning how sustainable that is.
The defense is seventh in expected points contributed, though recent losses to Detroit and New England provoke some concern. Going on the road against the Bills and Rams in the next two weeks, Tampa Bay is likely to be 6-5.
9. Buffalo Bills
Offensive EPA: 80.66 (3rd)
Defensive EPA: 7.72 (19th)
Buffalo has gone 2-3 over its last five. It’s been a peculiar run, with a win over the Chiefs and losses to the Falcons and Dolphins. Sunday’s loss to Miami was particularly alarming and was yet another sign that the Bills should’ve made major moves to improve its defense at the trade deadline.
Only the Giants and Bills are worse against the run. Allen’s receiving options are much less dynamic than other elite quarterbacks have at their disposal.
10. Green Bay Packers
Offensive EPA: 65.09 (6th)
Defensive EPA: -6.59 (14th)
It’s back-to-back losses for the Packers. Sitting 5-3-1, there’s no guarantee they will win the division with the Lions and Bears looming at 6-3.
Injuries have taken their toll on the Packers. Tucker Kraft’s absence massively alters their offense for the remainder of the season, and rookie wideout Matthew Golden missing Monday night’s loss.
