Top 5
1. Arizona Cardinals (7-0)
Previous Rank: #1
Another week, another win for the Cardinals. Arizona beat down the bottom-feeding Texans 31-5 on Sunday to advance to 7-0 for the first time since 1974 when the franchise was still based in St. Louis. The Cardinals had a close call in a 34-33 win over the Vikings in week-2 and a one possession win over the 49ers in week-5, but despite that, Arizona has won their seven-games by an average of 15.9 points.
Things become more difficult for the Cardinals as they prepare to host Aaron Rodgers and the 6-1 Packers Thursday night in primetime. Green Bay has been one of the hottest teams in the NFL since their 38-3 loss to the Saints in week-1. Thursday Night Football is must-see television this week.
The Packers have Rodgers and that makes them a dangerous opponent, but leading receiver Davante Adams has been added to the COVID-19 list and his participation in Thursday’s game is in question. The Green Bay defense has been respectable and they’ll need to step up big time if Rodger’s top-target is out.
2. Buffalo Bills (4-2)
Previous Rank: #2
No change in the No.2 spot and some people might have a problem with it. The Bills didn’t play in week-7 and our last memory of Buffalo is the team’s 34-31 road loss to the Titans on Monday Night Football. I’m choosing not to hold that against the Bills. In my opinion, the Titans are a good football team. Tennessee is hitting their stride and Buffalo was one Josh Allen slip away from winning a road game in primetime.
The Bills are still very good on both sides of the ball and arguably the best team in the AFC, despite the head-to-head loss to the Titans.
Buffalo’s next three games are against the Dolphins, Jaguars and Jets. That’s three more wins to get to 7-2 before hosting the Colts on Nov. 21.
3. Los Angeles Rams (6-1)
Previous Rank: #3
I’ll agree, these power rankings are getting a little monotonous. I also had the Rams in the No.3 slot last week and here they are again.
The Rams sputtered in the first half against the Lions on Sunday, but rallied to a 28-19 win to advance to 6-1. Their lone blemish remains the team’s 37-20 loss to Cardinals earlier this month. That loss looks much better now that the Cardinals are 7-0.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-1)
Previous Rank: #4
I’m not going to spend much time talking about the Bucs because they did exactly what everyone thought they were going to do to the Bears. Much like the Cardinals blowout win over the Texans, the Bucs did the same thing to Chicago and embarrassed them 38-3.
One of the many reasons the NFL is so great is because anybody can beat anybody on any given Sunday. Despite that, there isn’t a glaring test on the Bucs’ schedule until a home meeting with the Bills on Dec. 12. Before then, the Bucs hit a stretch that includes a bye week and games against the Washington Football Team, Giants and Falcons. All of those are games the Bucs should win.
5. Green Bay Packers (6-1)
Previous Rank: NR
You knew the Pack would eventually make a top-five appearance and here they are. Like I mentioned earlier, Green Bay has been on an absolute heater since getting blown out by the Saints. After the loss, Aaron Rodgers told everyone to “relax” like he’s done in the past, and he was right. The Packers have won their last six-games, and they’ll go for a seventh Thursday night in Arizona.
It’s highly unfortunate the Packers could be without star wide receiver Devante Adams on Thursday. Whether you have a dog in the hunt or not, this is the type of matchup where you want both teams to be at full-strength. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get lucky and Davante will test negative twice within 24-hours of kickoff. That’s what its going to take for him to be able to suit up.
With or without Devante, this is a game you have to see. A Packers win would really shake things up.
Bottom 5
28 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Bye Week
Previous Rank: 28
29 – Miami Dolphins: 30-28 (L) vs. Falcons
Previous Rank: 31
30 – New York Jets: 54-13 (L) at. Patriots
Previous Rank: NR
31 – Houston Texans: 31-5 (L) at. Cardinals
Previous Rank: 30
32 – Detroit Lions: 28-19 (L) at. Rams
Previous Rank: 32
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