With dominant performances in each of the three games since Tom Brady’s return from suspension, the New England Patriots ascend to the top spot in this week’s NFL power rankings from our expert panel.
As always, our panel includes NFL editor Craig Battle, associate editor Geoff Lowe, and staff writers Donnovan Bennett and Mike Johnston.
| Rank | Team | Previous | |
| 1 |  |
As good as Tom Brady has been since returning from suspension, the Patriots’ commitment to the running game makes this offence the most dangerous in the league. Even if an opposing defence can shut down the dominant duo of Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, they’ll get smashed in the grill by LeGarrette Blount barrelling down the middle of the field. (GL) |
2 |
| 2 |  |
Just a ridiculous defensive effort on the road against one of the league’s most dynamic attacks. The only dark cloud hanging over this team is Russell Wilson’s health and how that affects his production moving forward. His rushing stats have been non-existant. (CB) |
3 |
| 3 |  |
Dak Prescott can erase all talk of Tony Romo stepping back into the lineup with a win over the Eagles Sunday night, a game that gives the winner an upper hand in the race for the NFC East title. (GL) |
4 |
| 4 |  |
The 1972 Dolphins can celebrate once again as there are no more undefeated teams. The six sacks given up (three via blitz pressure) revealed the team’s Achilles heel—the offensive line. (DB) |
1 |
| 5 |  |
The Broncos stopped a two-game skid by ruining Brock Osweiler’s life Monday night. It’s an old-school formula—play stout D and run the ball down your opponent’s throat—but it’s working. (CB) |
8 |
| 6 |  |
Sunday’s win was a great one for the defence, which caused fits for Sam Bradford and the Vikings’ offensive line all day. But the Eagles still struggle to protect Carson Wentz, who may have had his worst game of the season. (GL) |
12 |
| 7 |  |
Great balance and a still-great home-field advantage—the Chiefs are 3-0 at home this season. This team could be headed for the type of finishing kick we saw last season when they rattled off 11 straight victories in their last 11 games. (CB) |
10 |
| 8 |  |
No need to panic, Packers fans. Green Bay is 4-2, with their only losses coming to 5-1 teams. And with the Vikings’ loss, they’re just a game out of first in the NFC North. (DB) |
11 |
| 9 |  |
Always nice to see the Jaguars on the schedule for an essential default win. The record looks great, but the caveat is they’re giving up a ton of yards. That trend could easily catch up with them as their competition stiffens in the coming weeks. (CB) |
13 |
| 10 |  |
Questionable play calling late coupled with poor execution cost them what should’ve been an easy win over the Chargers. Tevin Coleman’s hamstring injury hurts them. (MJ) |
5 |
| 11 |  |
Big Ben’s absence was felt, but more troubling for the Steelers is the fact that they’ve allowed an average of 162 yards rushing in losses to Philadelphia, Miami and New England. The good news is they have a bye week and are still atop the surprisingly weak AFC North. (DB) |
9 |
| 12 |  |
There’s no shame in taking a tie after getting shut down by the Seattle defence, and their own unit did a fine job against Russell Wilson and Co. But the Cardinals still missed a major opportunity to make some headway in the NFC West. (CB) |
14 |
| 13 |  |
Playing LeSean McCoy, who was clearly far from 100 percent, against the Dolphins may prove a costly mistake. Shady’s been an early-season MVP candidate and missing him for an extended period of time may doom the Bills. And Rex Ryan. (GL) |
6 |
| 14 |  |
It was ugly in London against the Rams, but a win’s a win. What’s shocking about the Giants is how futile their offence has been with so many dangerous weapons: New York managed just 232 total yards of offence against L.A., and Eli Manning continues to struggle. (GL) |
16 |
| 15 |  |
Do we underestimate the greatness of Matthew Stafford? His 27,8990 passing yards are the most by any payer in his first 100 games. Stafford now has five game-winning TD passes in the final 30 seconds of a game, the most since the 1970 merger. (DB) |
17 |
| 16 |  |
Nothing gets a team feeling better than the Browns on their schedule. Where would Cincy be without Hail Mary–juggling catch artist A.J. Green? He already has three 150-yard receiving games this year. (DB) |
18 |
| 17 | |
Washington may look back on Sunday’s last-minute loss to the Lions as the one that got away after outplaying Detroit in nearly every facet of the game. (GL) |
7 |
| 18 |  |
As much as it sucks for the Falcons, the Chargers were due a by-the-skin-of-their-teeth victory after losing two sure-things early in the season. Things are looking up for this team across the board. (CB) |
20 |
| 19 |  |
It seems mean to pile on Brock Osweiler at this point but his play really has been abysmal. He’s the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 200 yards or fewer in three games (where at least 40 passes were attempted) in a single season, per the Elias Sports Bureau. (MJ) |
15 |
| 20 |  |
Typical Saints loss. Drew Brees played well enough to win but the defence can’t stop anything when they need to. (MJ) |
19 |
| 21 |  |
Overcame an early 14-point deficit to stomp on the lowly 49ers. Jacquizz Rodgers has been a revelation filling in for Doug Martin and Charles Sims. (MJ) |
24 |
| 22 |  |
Jay Ajayi has been a revelation for the Dolphins, revitalizing an offence that looked lost when run solely through Ryan Tannehill. The most impressive part? According to Pro Football Focus, Miami’s offensive line hasn’t even been run blocking all that well, yet Ajayi has 418 yards in his last two games including 10 broken tackles and 4.4 yards after contact against Buffalo. |
28 |
| 23 |  |
It’s amazing what Andrew Luck can do when he gets a little protection—he went 27 for 39 for 353 yards, three touchdowns and no picks. (MJ) |
26 |
| 24 |  |
Tennessee was beginning to look like a dark horse in the AFC South but their pass rush couldn’t get going against a subpar Indy offensive line. (MJ) |
21 |
| 25 |  |
They need to go on an historic post-bye win streak to even get back into the playoff conversation. (MJ) |
25 |
| 26 |  |
Case Keenum continues to submarine whatever slim chances the Rams have of winning, and Jeff Fisher continues to refuse to play Jared Goff. On a certain level, he’s protecting his team’s future investment. On another, he’s throwing in the towel. (CB) |
22 |
| 27 |  |
The Jets have a quarterback controversy of the worst kind. Without a legitimate option behind Ryan Fitzpatrick after Geno Smith’s season-ending knee injury, Todd Bowles has no other choice but to go with Fitzmagic after the QB called out coaches and management after Sunday’s comeback win. (GL) |
29 |
| 28 |  |
The Ravens had six yards rushing against the Jets, the lowest in franchise history. They lost to Ryan Fitzpatrick. This is rock bottom. (DB) |
23 |
| 29 |  |
“I’m pretty shocked. It’s frustrating.” That’s what Allen Robinson said after the Jags were embarrassed by Oakland, falling to 2-4. (MJ) |
27 |
| 30 |  |
So much for that QB controversy. Brian Hoyer is out 6-8 weeks after he broke his forearm, Jay Cutler has been cleared to play. But can Cutler improve on his early-season performance? (DB) |
30 |
| 31 |  |
Silver lining to San Fran’s 34–17 loss at home to Tampa: Colin Kaepernick’s QBR doesn’t look that bad because he chewed up 84 yards on the ground. But that’s the only one. (CB) |
31 |
| 32 |  |
The Browns lost another game and another QB to injury. Rinse and repeat. This could literally be the caption for this team every week this season. (DB) |
32 |