2026 NFL Power Rankings: How all 32 teams stack up for Week 10
As the outdated sports activities cliché goes, “the next game is the most important one.” But that is not true for all 32 teams on the midpoint of the 2026 NFL season.
The NFC North is the primary division in NFL historical past to have each group not less than three video games over .500 via Week 9. And on the opposite finish, the NFC South made historical past as the primary division with each group two video games beneath .500 via Week 9. So, the intradivisional matchups down the stretch can be essential in these divisions. And do not forget in regards to the race for the No. 1 decide, which may come all the way down to a Chargers-Dolphins matchup in Week 16.
In addition to the 1-32 rankings, we requested our NFL Nation reporters to select a very powerful recreation remaining for every group. Their picks ranged from matchups with postseason implications to ones which may have an effect on a group’s draft standing.
To type the 1-32 checklist, our energy panel of greater than a dozen NFL analysts evaluates how all 32 teams stack up in opposition to each other. Here are a pair highlights from this week’s rankings:
The Packers have received 5 of their previous six video games, together with a 45-27 win over the Patriots on Sunday. Green Bay is amongst 4 NFC North teams within the prime 11 of those rankings, and it ought to keep there given the efficiency of its passing assault. Christian Watson and Matthew Golden now rank third and fourth within the NFL, respectively, in receiving yards. They’re the primary duo to every rank prime 4 within the league in receiving via Week 9 or later since Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for the 2022 Dolphins.
Speaking of dominant passing assaults, the Texans climbed 5 spots in our rankings after 100-plus-yard performances from Kayshon Boutte and Tank Dell in Week 9. Granted, they confronted the winless Chargers. But Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud has eclipsed 300 passing yards in three of his previous 5 video games. He ranks seventh in Total QBR this season.
Let’s get into the total checklist, beginning with the identical No. 1 group from last week.
Jump to a group:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Vikings 23-6
Week 9 rating: 1
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 16 at the Broncos
Any recreation from the Bills’ gauntlet between Thanksgiving and Christmas could possibly be the selection, particularly the street journey to New England in Week 13. But the one matchup that might decide the Bills’ possibilities of home-field benefit all through the playoffs, and probably pressure the street to the Super Bowl to cross via the Buffalo winter, is the Christmas Day rematch of last season’s playoff loss. That recreation marked the fifth time in NFL historical past that the dropping group in a postseason recreation didn’t punt as soon as, per ESPN Research. — Nick Suss
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Raiders 38-17
Week 9 rating: 2
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 12 vs. the Seahawks
The 49ers have an actual likelihood to earn the NFC’s No. 1 seed, so each week issues the remainder of the way in which. But this recreation represents an ideal alternative to stake an early declare to the NFC West. San Francisco is 3-0 in division video games to this point, and a win right here would make it troublesome for the Seahawks to catch up. And whereas the Rams additionally lurk (and meet the 49ers once more in Week 14), San Francisco must put the defending champions away earlier than it may possibly fear about anybody else. — Nick Wagoner
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Ravens 33-10
Week 9 rating: 3
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 14 vs. the Steelers
The Jaguars play at Chicago in Week 13 in a matchup of two of the NFL’s greatest offensive playcallers, however the Steelers recreation is extra important due to AFC playoff seeding implications. The Jaguars have higher than a 98% likelihood of creating the playoffs, per ESPN’s Football Power Index, so a victory over the Steelers may earn them the next seed in a tiebreaking situation. It additionally would give the Jaguars a season sweep of the AFC North for the second time in franchise historical past (2017). — Michael DiRocco
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Buccaneers 27-24
Week 9 rating: 5
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 16 vs. the Packers
The Bears want to realize floor of their division after early losses to the Vikings and Packers. Chicago’s dwelling rematch with Green Bay on Christmas Day carries important tiebreaker implications and is the primary of three straight NFC North video games to finish the common season. The Bears can be in good place to defend their division title if they’ll decide up two NFC North wins over their subsequent six video games, starting with the Lions on Thanksgiving earlier than the Dec. 25 matchup with the Packers. — Courtney Cronin
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Panthers 26-21
Week 9 rating: 4
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 16 vs. the Bills
A road game against the Steelers (6-2) on Black Friday is shut, however as issues form up proper now, this Bills matchup may have loads to say about home-field benefit within the AFC if each teams do their half between at times. The Broncos have already got a win over the Jaguars and have break up the season collection with the Chiefs. The Broncos have confronted the Bills in every of the previous two postseasons — a Denver win at dwelling final season and a wild-card loss in Buffalo within the 2024 playoffs. — Jeff Legwold
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Jets 35-12
Week 9 rating: 6
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 12 at the Bills
If the Chiefs need any shot of incomes the AFC’s prime seed, which would come with a first-round bye and home-field benefit within the postseason, they will must go on the street and beat certainly one of their greatest rivals. A win over the Bills on Thanksgiving evening would additionally increase the Chiefs’ odds of passing the Broncos to win the AFC West crown. The Chiefs have performed their greatest this season when at Arrowhead Stadium, averaging 30.0 factors per recreation. — Nate Taylor
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Falcons 34-17
Week 9 rating: 10
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 14 vs. the Chiefs
The Bengals are favored in each remaining regular-season recreation, based on the FPI. The solely recreation that’s near 50-50? A house recreation in opposition to Kansas City. After final week’s outcomes, Cincinnati has a plus-1.2-point differential in a recreation that carries the very best matchup high quality (92.6 ranking). The Bengals consider their Super Bowl aspirations aren’t a pipe dream. A late-season win in opposition to a well-known rival could possibly be what they should bolster their perception into actuality. — Ben Baby
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Bills 23-6
Week 9 rating: 7
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 10 at the Packers
If the season ended after Week 9, all 4 NFC North teams would make the playoffs. For the Vikings, that makes each divisional recreation crucial. They put themselves in nice place by defeating the Packers and Bears in consecutive weeks to open the season earlier than losing to the Lions in Week 8. So a very powerful recreation is all the time going to be their subsequent NFC North matchup. That occurs to be subsequent week. The Packers are taking part in significantly better than they did in Week 1, once they coughed up 22 fourth-quarter factors to Minnesota. — Kevin Seifert
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Cardinals 17-3
Week 9 rating: 8
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 12 at the 49ers
The Seahawks already lost to the 49ers in October. That means a season sweep by their division rivals would give the head-to-head tiebreaker to San Francisco, which already has a 2½-game lead within the NFC West standings. The Seahawks can be coming off their bye once they head to Levi’s Stadium, so QB Sam Darnold and the 5 different starters they played without Sunday — left deal with Charles Cross, left guard Quenton Nelson, large receiver Rashid Shaheed, defensive deal with Leonard Williams and edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu — may all be again. — Brady Henderson
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Dolphins 19-9
Week 9 rating: 9
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 10 vs. the Patriots
International video games are uncommon for the Lions, who have not performed outdoors the U.S. since 2015. And this matchup in Munich is a homecoming of types for WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, whose mom is German and who has spent appreciable time within the nation. This contest additionally marks Detroit’s first recreation in Germany and the primary time it’s the designated dwelling group for a global recreation, so that is actually an enormous deal. “You kind of need that extra story to tell,” NFL Germany GM Alexander Steinforth informed ESPN. “You need that extra link into the market to have a really meaningful impact, and that’s Amon-Ra St. Brown.” — Eric Woodyard
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Patriots 45-27
Week 9 rating: 14
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 12 at the Rams
How can it not be one of many remaining NFC North video games, you ask? Yes, next Sunday against the Vikings is big. So is Week 16 at the Bears. So is Week 18 against the Lions. But given the chance that a kind of different teams will win the NFC North, the Packers would possibly want to verify the Rams do not catch them for an NFC wild-card spot. As damaging as a loss to a division group can be, so would a loss to a different NFC group they could want the head-to-head tiebreaker in opposition to. — Rob Demovsky
0:57
Rex Ryan blown away by ‘extraordinary’ Jordan Love this season
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Commanders 20-13
Week 9 rating: 12
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 12 vs. the Packers
The Rams’ second-half schedule is filled with important matchups, however the first is in Week 12. Although the Rams have received three video games in a row to get above .500 for the primary time this season, they’ve accomplished it in opposition to teams that presently have dropping information. Los Angeles nonetheless has each video games left in opposition to the 5-4 Seahawks, however these are so late within the season (Weeks 16, 18) that both group would possibly not be in rivalry. The FPI presently offers the Rams a 37.9% likelihood of creating the playoffs, so a head-to-head matchup in opposition to the Packers is also a tiebreaker for a wild-card spot. — Sarah Barshop
Week 9 consequence: Bye
Week 9 rating: 13
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 10 at the Bengals
For the second time in as many video games, the Steelers are going through an AFC North opponent with first place within the division on the road. Quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals enter the rematch on a heater, whereas the Steelers can be well-rested after a bye and beat Cincinnati by a area objective in a high-scoring Week 3 game. With two video games in opposition to the ailing Ravens additionally on the Steelers’ schedule, a win in opposition to the Bengals would go a protracted technique to securing the division title — and incomes a top-four playoff seed. — Brooke Pryor
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Packers 45-27
Week 9 rating: 11
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 13 vs. the Bills
It was tempting to select Week 10 against the Lions in Munich primarily based on how poorly the protection performed in a surprising blowout loss to the Packers at dwelling Sunday. But the Patriots are 3-0 within the AFC East, so welcoming Josh Allen & Co. to city may in the end decide in the event that they nonetheless have a shot on the division crown. The Patriots have not received back-to-back AFC East titles since 2017-18. — Mike Reiss
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Eagles 19-11
Week 9 rating: 15
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 17 vs. the Cowboys
The Cowboys are actually the one group within the NFC that appears to have an opportunity to catch the Giants. That may make this recreation crucial for both the division crown or playoff seeding. If the Giants go 3-6 the remainder of the way in which, that might get them to 8-8-1. Is Dallas able to attending to 9 wins? It’s no surprise the oddsmakers have the Giants at -220 and Cowboys at +255. As Giants proper deal with Jermaine Eluemunor mentioned Sunday evening, “As long as we handle our business, it’s our division. We earned that right.” — Jordan Raanan
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Saints 23-22 (OT)
Week 9 rating: 16
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 18 at the Bengals
The Browns have not confronted the Bengals this season, however each teams are firmly within the AFC playoff image. That offers the regular-season finale an excellent chance of holding tiebreaker implications for the AFC North, wild-card spots or general playoff seeding. Cleveland has a 2-1 document within the division, together with dwelling wins over the Steelers and Ravens. And regardless of their latest struggles, the Browns have performed the Bengals shut over time. Quarterback Joe Burrow has a 4-6 document in opposition to Cleveland. — Daniel Oyefusi
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Chargers 44-22
Week 9 rating: 22
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 10 vs. the Browns
The Texans try to complete the 2026 season like how they ended 2025, once they began gradual and nonetheless obtained into the playoffs. A loss to the Browns may imply their season is unofficially accomplished, as they’re presently 3-4 in opposition to AFC opponents. Making the postseason would grow to be troublesome because of tiebreakers, and dropping head-to-head to a group within the wild-card hunt additionally would not be preferrred. With the Jaguars at 6-2, there’s virtually no manner for the Texans to achieve the playoffs by profitable the AFC South. — DJ Bien-Aime
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Bears 27-24
Week 9 rating: 18
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 11 at the Lions
The Bucs play within the NFC South, the place a 3-6 document is appropriate if not celebrated. But falling to 3-7 out of the bye would create a deeper gap than Tampa Bay wish to handle. Detroit is stacked however beatable. After this recreation, Tampa’s schedule is weak; the Bucs face only one group (Rams) that presently has a profitable document over the ultimate seven weeks. It can be good for them to enter that stretch inside putting vary of a playoff berth. — Jeremy Fowler
(*32*)
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Broncos 26-21
Week 9 rating: 17
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 10 at the Saints
The Panthers have misplaced three consecutive video games. And whereas they’re nonetheless in rivalry for one other NFC South title, they should proper the ship instantly. That can be a problem with a makeshift secondary and a struggling offensive line. The Panthers have not received in New Orleans because the 2022 regular-season finale. It’s time to finish that skid or face the results of falling behind within the division race. Running again Chuba Hubbard must proceed to be the mannequin of consistency to offer Carolina a leg up on the Saints. — Mike Kaye
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Colts 27-23
Week 9 rating: 23
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 17 vs. the Giants
Quarterback Dak Prescott mentioned each recreation the remainder of the way in which is a “must-win” for the Cowboys, and he may not be incorrect contemplating their document. But as an instance the Cowboys handle to string collectively some wins and discover themselves within the NFC East chase because the path to a wild-card bid is simply too packed. That places the Week 17 rematch with the Giants within the crosshairs as a possible winner-take-all assembly. From 2011 to 2013, the Cowboys confronted de facto NFC East title recreation in every regular-season finale and misplaced them all. They would like to have that form of alternative this season. — Todd Archer
2:43
Stephen A. trolls Michael Irvin for selecting Miami over Cowboys
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the 49ers 38-17
Week 9 rating: 20
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 12 at the Browns
This would be the Raiders’ final recreation earlier than their bye week. It may additionally decide how they deal with their quarterback scenario for the remainder of the 12 months. If the Raiders get not less than 5 or 6 wins earlier than their weeklong break, and Kirk Cousins retains taking part in strong soccer, they may persist with the veteran signal-caller to capitalize on their playoff window. However, if the Raiders lose to the Browns, they may begin Fernando Mendoza for the ultimate 5 video games to guage the No. 1 decide. — Ryan McFadden
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Jaguars 33-10
Week 9 rating: 19
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 10 vs. the Chargers
The Ravens’ embarrassing tailspin would hit a brand new low if they cannot beat the winless Chargers on “Monday Night Football.” Baltimore has misplaced three consecutive video games by 20-plus factors for the primary time in group historical past. The Ravens traded for QB Jacoby Brissett to maintain them in playoff rivalry in case Lamar Jackson (right thumb) can return late within the season. But it could be troublesome to have a lot religion of their fading postseason possibilities — 2.7%, based on ESPN Analytics — if Baltimore turns into the primary group in 12 years to lose in primetime to a group that is 0-8 or worse. — Jamison Hensley
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Bengals 34-17
Week 9 rating: 21
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 10 vs. the Chiefs
Yes, that is the Falcons’ subsequent recreation. But Atlanta may actually use a win heading into its Week 11 bye. The NFC South is principally deadlocked with all 4 teams having three wins. Atlanta doesn’t wish to fall to 3-7, which it was final season en path to lacking the playoffs for an eighth straight 12 months. The Falcons have misplaced 4 of their previous 5 video games and are simply 1-3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season. A win Sunday may provide a metaphorical antacid to a nauseous fanbase. — Marc Raimondi
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Rams 20-13
Week 9 rating: 25
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 10 at the Giants
With their present document, the Commanders are shortly operating out of time to stay round within the NFC East. Because they tied the Giants last month, they may earn the tiebreaker with a win. Of course, they’d nonetheless must win just a few different video games down the stretch to make the playoffs. But they’d be alive mathematically. The larger difficulty is that in the event that they fall to 2-6-1, coach Dan Quinn’s seat will grow to be white scorching. The third-year coach must be significantly better after a 5-12 document in 2025. — John Keim
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Seahawks 17-3
Week 9 rating: 24
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 10 vs. the Rams
With Gardner Minshew II anticipated to overlook the remainder of the season with a right UCL injury, rookie quarterback Carson Beck ought to make his NFL debut Sunday. It’s a bit sooner than most anticipated Beck to see the sphere, however circumstances dictated his debut greater than something. This will give the Cardinals’ brass an opportunity to see what they’ve in Beck within the high-pressure scenario of an NFC West recreation adopted by a trip to Kansas City. — Josh Weinfuss
Week 9 consequence: Beat the Browns 23-22 (OT)
Week 9 rating: 26
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 17 at the Falcons
It’s clear there is no front-runner within the NFC South proper now, and with a backloaded divisional schedule, the Saints’ playoff possibilities would possibly come all the way down to Week 17 or Week 18 (versus the Buccaneers). It’s a toss-up as to which recreation is extra vital, however Atlanta is the Saints’ greatest rival and already beat them in humiliating trend in primetime. New Orleans would badly like to show the tables close to the top of the season. — Katherine Terrell
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Chiefs 35-12
Week 9 rating: 28
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 11 at the Chargers
Broadway vs. Hollywood, sans glitz. This is all about draft place. The Chargers, the one winless group, are the front-runner for the No. 1 decide. The Jets may have two picks within the prime 5 — theirs and the Colts’ alternative. The Jets have already got misplaced to 1 winless group (Dolphins, 0-5). Could it occur once more? That form of double whammy could be an excessive amount of for possession to abdomen. In 2020, the Jets received a late-season recreation in L.A. (Rams) which may have price them the prospect at drafting QB Trevor Lawrence. The Jets’ coach was Adam Gase, now the Chargers’ QBs coach. Cruel symmetry? — Rich Cimini
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Giants 19-11
Week 9 rating: 27
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 14 vs. the Colts
With little hope of a turnaround, the main focus shifts partially to the 2027 draft. The Eagles are presently in line to select No. 5 general. The Colts, additionally 2-7, are projected to select No. 4 — although that decide would go the Jets. Their December matchup will assist determine which group has the upper choice in what is predicted to be a talent-heavy 2027 draft. The Week 13 game against the Cardinals (3-6) may additionally have an effect on draft positioning. — Tim McManus
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Cowboys 27-23
Week 9 rating: 29
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 10 vs. the Dolphins
The Colts have grow to be a prepare wreck in latest weeks, dropping 5 straight and searching like a group with bleak short- and long-term outlooks. But here is some excellent news: They are literally favored in opposition to Miami! While the Colts have an underwhelming schedule the remainder of the way in which — 4 of their subsequent 5 opponents have dropping information — who is aware of if Indy can be a favourite in any of its remaining video games. Additionally, beating Miami would take the Colts out of the dialog for the league’s worst group, not less than for the time being. — Stephen Holder
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Schefter to McAfee: Colts but to obtain a suggestion they like for Jonathan Taylor
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Lions 19-9
Week 9 rating: 31
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 16 vs. the Chargers
The Dolphins aren’t taking part in for a playoff place in 2026, so extra vital at this level of the season is their draft place. As the draft projections presently stand, the Dolphins are scheduled to play just one group projected to select larger than them — and it simply so occurs to be the group that employs their former head coach. Whether or not Mike McDaniel will nonetheless be the Chargers’ offensive coordinator by Week 16 stays to be seen, but when the Chargers proceed to lose video games at this charge, their matchup with Miami may decide who picks atop the 2027 draft. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Week 9 consequence: Bye
Week 9 rating: 30
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 14 vs. the Colts
The backside has fallen out for the 2-7 Colts, who’re unloading gamers. The Titans have not been significantly better; their solely win got here over Indianapolis in Week 6. Of course, Tennessee will wish to full the season sweep by beating the Colts at dwelling, but it surely may price the group priceless draft positioning. The Titans’ roster is desperately in want of game-changers, so the sooner they’ll decide, the higher. However, it is equally vital for the younger Titans roster to learn to win video games, particularly in opposition to a divisional foe. — Turron Davenport
Week 9 consequence: Lost to the Texans 44-22
Week 9 rating: 32
Most vital recreation of the second half: Week 16 at the Dolphins
At this level, the Chargers are taking part in for draft place, so, in fact, their most vital recreation is in opposition to the group on their schedule closest to dethroning them for the No. 1 decide in 2027. Right now, projections say the Chargers will get the No. 1 decide 53% of the time in the event that they lose to Miami in Week 16, however solely 21% of the time in the event that they beat the Dolphins. — Aaron Schatz