This week’s rankings saw some shuffling amongst the teams. Here’s my latest Top 10 teams rankings:

1. Green Bay Packers (4-0)
Despite being on a bye week, the Packers are taking over my number one spot this week up from third. The tremendous play of Aaron Rodgers and the emergence of the Packers defense this season put them now as my Super Bowl favorites. The togetherness of the team is clearly showing and Rodgers is having fun playing football again, which is a bad sign for the rest of the league. This team has played without the likes of Davante Adams, Allen Lazard and Christian Kirksey Even with these injuries, the Packers still find themselves undefeated. If this team gets completely healthy, they will be a bigger problem for the league than they already are.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)
After a shocking loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chiefs have dropped a spot. The Chiefs were overdue for a loss as they haven’t had one since last November. Derek Carr and the Raiders put nearly 500 yards on this Chiefs’ defense. Even with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback that is a big task to overcome. It just seemed like an off game for the Chiefs and there is no need to overreact yet.

3. Seattle Seahawks (5-0)
Coming off a last-second win against the Minnesota Vikings, the Seahawks are dropping one spot this week. The Seahawks won another close game thanks to the play of Russell Wilson, who is in the MVP talks this season. The combination of Wilson and receiver DK Metcalf is slowly becoming one of the best QB/WR tandems in the league. Despite a great offense, the Seahawks defense is still a cause for concern and could be the downfall for this team. If the defense can get itself sorted out, they would be a hard team to write off down the stretch.

4. Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
The Ravens beat up on rookie Joe Burrow and the Bengals in week five 27-3. The Ravens moved up one spot this week. With people starting to question Lamar Jackson in the big-time games, they still powered their way through a sub-par Bengals squad. The versatility of the Ravens offense will carry them through the season. On the other side of the ball, the Ravens are still one of the top defenses in the league. The Ravens’ ability for one side of the team to carry them to a win is very important for them going forward.

5. Tennessee Titans (4-0)
Playing the second Tuesday night game in 70 years, the Titans laid a beat down on the Buffalo Bills 42-16 and moved up two spots. The Titans had the biggest COVID-19 outbreak in the NFL so far, shutting down team facilities for almost two weeks. In spite of that, the Ryan Tannehill-led Titans took down a hot Bills team. Bills quarterback Josh Allen was playing at MVP level up to this point but the Titans shut him down. The game was summed up in one play where Derrick Henry of the Titans tossed Josh Norman off him. The Bills were just completely overpowered and this Titans team is easily going to be a contender.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-0)
The Steelers defeated an Eagles team that would not lie down 38-29. The biggest performance of the day was from rookie wide receiver Chase Claypool, also known as Mapletron, who had four touchdowns on the day. It seems Ben Roethlisberger has found another favorite target and this air attack is becoming one of the best Ben has had throughout his career. The selflessness on offense is causing a no-drama start to the season, unlike past years. But it was another week of the Steelers playing down to their competition. Defensively, the Steelers’ pass rush has been great, but the secondary has been poor. The Steelers have been giving up third and long consistently this season and if that continues they will not be able to beat the likes of the Ravens, Chiefs and Titans.

7. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
The Bills had a terrible Tuesday night experience getting blown out against the Titans. The Bills dropped three spots Josh Allen seemed to shrink along with the whole Bills team in week five. The Titans had not practiced for two weeks and still performed at an amazing level. It showed flashes to Allen’s performances in his prior seasons which may be concerning for the Bills. The Bills have a tough schedule for the rest of the year. They will have to prove that they belong with the top teams in the league.

8. Los Angeles Rams (4-1)
The Rams beat a dysfunctional Washington Football Team in week five 30-10 to stay at the number eight spot. The Rams pass rush hit home this week with eight sacks. They still have one of the top defenses in the league that has the ability to carry them through games. Jared Goff and the offense had a good week with a balanced attack. I am still not completely sold on Goff, especially after that big contract he got. If Goff can just be a game manager, the defense will ensure the Rams can definitely make the playoffs and maybe win a wild card game.

9. New Orleans Saints (3-2)
The Saints had a slow start on MNF but prevailed in overtime against the Chargers 30-27. They remain at the number nine spot. It was a great game to watch from a neutral standpoint, but the Saints still don’t look like the Saints of old. Brees is still struggling to some degree and the absence of wide receiver Michael Thomas (benched due to altercation in practice) was telling. Alvin Kamara is showing he is worthy of his new contract by being effective both on the ground and in the air. Herbert of the Chargers made the Saints defense work for this game. The Saints won the game by holding the Chargers to a turnover on downs. The NFC South is one of the more competitive divisions in the league right now. The Saints are my pick to win the division but I would not be shocked if they fizzle out.

10. Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)
The Raiders played a great game against the defending champion Chiefs. Due to this performance and previous performances they break into my top 10 spot. The Raiders forced Mahomes first turnover of the season. This game was a shootout offensively and surprisingly the Raiders outlasted the Chiefs. This is another big-time win for the Raiders, who are trying to stand with the big dogs of the AFC. This is by far Derek Carr’s best season in years and he now has reliable offensive weapons. They are definitely a team to watch as the season goes on.

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