NFL power rankings Week 10 change as Bears, Lions, Packers win again

November 9, 2026

For years, some have advocated that the NFL do away with its system of rewarding division champions with a home NFL playoff game, arguing that the team with the better record should host in the postseason.

The NFC North and NFC South division races are giving that argument more fodder in the 2026 NFL season.

Entering the NFL Week 9 Monday Night Football game tonight, the NFC North’s Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers are a combined 25-8, with the worst team 6-3 on the season.

The NFC South, on the other hand, with the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons, is a combined 12-22, with the best teams in that division 3-5.

If the NFL playoffs began today, all four NFC North teams would be in the postseason, but the 7-2 Bears would have to play at the 3-5 Panthers in the first round. Does that sound fair to you? Those division races could continue to make a compelling case for a change in NFL playoff format this season.

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Check out how we rank the NFC North teams and the NFC South teams in our latest NFL power rankings through Sunday’s NFL Week 9 games, with the Vikings set to host the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football today. Previous ranking in parentheses.

32. Los Angeles Chargers (32)

How rough has it been for the Chargers? Los Angeles ended a 37-drive touchdown drought in the fourth quarter of this game, the second-longest touchdown drought in NFL history. Ouch. LA is 0-8.

NFL Week 10: At Baltimore Ravens (Nov. 16)

31. Miami Dolphins (31)

The 1-7 Dolphins are now 0-4 at home this season, one of four teams yet to win a game at home. The nine points were a season low for Miami.

NFL Week 9: Lost to Detroit Lions, 19-9 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: At Indianapolis Colts (Nov. 15)

30. Tennessee Titans (30)

The Titans exit their bye with a 1-7 record, with two of their next three games against the Jaguars. They also have the Cowboys and the Commanders in the next four weeks.

NFL Week 9: Off

The Eagles (2-7) pushed their streak to seven straight losses. They tried Joe Milton at QB against the Giants. He went 18-for-34 for 169 yards.

NFL Week 10: Off

28. Indianapolis Colts (29)

Make that five straight losses for the 2-7 Colts, who have so many trade rumors surrounding the team. Will Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor make it to next week in Indianapolis?

NFL Week 9: Lost to Dallas Cowboys, 27-23 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: Miami Dolphins (Nov. 15)

27. New York Jets (27)

The 2-7 Jets have now lost four straight games. This one wasn’t close as New York only got four field goals from Jason Sanders. It’s appearing to be another lost season for the Jets.

NFL Week 9: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs, 35-12 (Nov. 8)

26. Washington Commanders (26)

Washington (2-5-1) continues to struggle offensively and now finds itself three games behind the 5-2-1 Giants, making Thursday Night Football’s game a must-win for Jayden Daniels and the Commanders.

NFL Week 10: At New York Giants (Nov. 12)

25. Atlanta Falcons (23)

The Falcons (3-6) had a long flight back after their loss to the Bengals in Madrid. Is Michael Penix Jr. really the long-term answer at QB for Atlanta?

NFL Week 9: Lost to Cincinnati Bengals, 34-17 (Nov. 8 in Madrid, Spain)
NFL Week 10: Kansas City Chiefs (Nov. 15)

24. Arizona Cardinals (21)

The Cardinals (3-6) led the Seahawks, 3-0, after scoring with 9:23 left in the first quarter. They didn’t score again. Trey McBride and Budda Baker deserve better.

NFL Week 10: Los Angeles Rams (Nov. 15)

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20)

The bad news? The Buccaneers saw a two-game win streak end as they fell to 3-6 on the season. The good news? They are just a half-game behind the 3-5 Panthers and 3-5 Saints in the NFC South.

NFL Week 9: Lost to Chicago Bears, 27-24 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: Off

22. Carolina Panthers (19)

Three straight losses have dropped the Panthers to 3-5 and into a tie for first in the NFC South. It’s pretty easy to tell which division is the worst in football.

NFL Week 10: At New Orleans Saints (Nov. 15)

21. New Orleans Saints (25)

The Saints improved to 3-5 on the season by stopping the Browns on a 2-point conversion in overtime. Every team in the NFC South now has three wins.

NFL Week 10: Carolina Panthers (Nov. 15)

20. Houston Texans (24)

C.J. Stroud had five touchdown passes as the 3-5 Texans destroyed the Chargers. Houston will take it, but can the Texans get more from their run game?

NFL Week 9: Beat Los Angeles Chargers, 44-22 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: At Cleveland Browns (Nov. 15)

19. Baltimore Ravens (18)

Is Jacoby Brissett the answer at QB for Baltimore (4-5) after injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley? Can he play defense, too? The Ravens have been outscored 104-33 in their past three games.

NFL Week 9: Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars, 33-10 (Nov. 5)
NFL Week 10: Los Angeles Chargers (Nov. 16)

18. Las Vegas Raiders (17)

The Raiders are now 4-5 after Kirk Cousins threw three interceptions in the loss to the 49ers. Would it really hurt to give Fernando Mendoza a shot as the starting QB now?

NFL Week 9: Lost to San Francisco 49ers, 38-17 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: Seattle Seahawks (Nov. 15)

17. Dallas Cowboys (22)

The 4-5 Cowboys can get back to .500 for the first time since they were 2-2 with a win over the 49ers in Week 10. Easier said than done after barely edging the Colts.

NFL Week 9: Beat Indianapolis Colts. 27-23 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: San Francisco 49ers (Nov. 15)

16. Cleveland Browns (14)

The Browns went for 2 in overtime against the Saints and failed to convert, falling to 5-4 on the season and losing ground in the AFC North race. Cleveland is 3-0 at home and plays its next four games at home.

NFL Week 9: Lost to New Orleans Saints in overtime, 23-22 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: Houston Texans (Nov. 15)

15. New England Patriots (13)

The Patriots (5-4) put in a very disappointing effort at home against the Packers, with Drake Maye having three passes intercepted. It’s hard to win when you lose the turnover battle, 4-0.

NFL Week 9: Lost to Green Bay Packers, 45-27 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: Detroit Lions (Nov. 15 in Munich, Germany)

14. Los Angeles Rams (16)

The 5-4 Rams have suddenly won three in a row ahead of their rematch with the Cardinals. After Arizona, Los Angeles has the Packers, Chiefs and 49ers on the schedule.

NFL Week 9: Beat Washington Commanders, 20-13 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: At Arizona Cardinals (Nov. 15)

13. Seattle Seahawks (15)

No Sam Darnold, no problem? With so many teams struggling with backup QBs, the Seahawks (5-4) have to be pleased to have Drew Lock on their roster.

NFL Week 9: Beat Arizona Cardinals, 17-3 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: At Las Vegas Raiders (Nov. 15)

12. Green Bay Packers (12)

The Packers lost Josh Jacobs to an injury in this one and still had 32 carries for 129 yards. If Green Bay (6-3) can keep running the ball like that, it could be very tough to beat.

NFL Week 9: Beat New England Patriots, 45-27 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: Minnesota Vikings (Nov. 15)

11. New York Giants (11)

The Giants (5-2-1) rushed the ball 31 times for just 80 yards and still handed the Eagles a seventh straight loss. New York is in control of the NFC East.

NFL Week 9: Beat Philadelphia Eagles, 19-11 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: Washington Commanders (Nov. 12)

10. Detroit Lions (10)

The Lions are 6-2, with a 4-game win streak. We know their offense is explosive, but it might be the defense that determines if this team can win the NFC North.

NFL Week 9: Beat Miami Dolphins, 19-9 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: New England Patriots (Nov. 15 in Munich, Germany)

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) looks on during warmup ahead of the game between Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (9)

The Bengals are 6-2 and have won four games in a row. Joe Burrow is putting up MVP numbers. Cincinnati’s Week 10 game against the Steelers will be must-see TV.

NFL Week 9: Beat Atlanta Falcons, 34-17 (Nov. 8 in Madrid, Spain)
NFL Week 10: Pittsburgh Steelers (Nov. 15)

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (8)

The Steelers (6-2) have a four-game win streak coming out of their bye week, with the AFC North lead on the line against the Bengals. Pittsburgh has the rest advantage with Cincinnati flying back from Madrid.

NFL Week 9: Off
NFL Week 10: At Cincinnati Bengals (Nov. 15)

7. Kansas City Chiefs (7)

The Chiefs are 6-2 after bouncing back with a win over the Jets. It’s pretty clear that this team is tough to beat when Kenneth Walker III gets going.

NFL Week 9: Beat New York Jets, 35-12 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: At Atlanta Falcons (Nov. 15)

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (6)

The Jaguars are now 6-2, with a big lead over the 3-5 Texans in the AFC South. Jacksonville has won five out of its last six games and looks like a contender in the AFC.

NFL Week 9: Beat Baltimore Ravens, 33-10 (Nov. 5)
NFL Week 10: At Tennessee Titans (Nov. 15)

5. Denver Broncos (4)

The Broncos have now won five straight games, the longest current win streak in the NFL. Six of Denver’s seven wins have been by seven points or less.

NFL Week 9: Beat Carolina Panthers, 26-21 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: Off

4. Chicago Bears (5)

The 7-2 Bears have now won four straight and look like serious NFC North and NFC contenders. Of course, everyone in the NFC North is a contender right now.

NFL Week 9: Beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27-24 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: Off

3. Minnesota Vikings (3)

The 6-1 Vikings face the 6-1 Bills on Monday Night Football on Nov. 11. Have some popcorn ready for that one.

NFL Week 9: Buffalo Bills (Nov. 9)
NFL Week 10: At Green Bay Packers (Nov. 15)

What changed? NFL power rankings Week 9

2. San Francisco 49ers (2)

The 49ers are now 7-1 overall and 5-0 at home ahead of their Week 10 game against the Cowboys. San Francisco’s defense had five takeaways against Las Vegas.

NFL Week 9: Beat Las Vegas Raiders, 38-17 (Nov. 8)
NFL Week 10: At Dallas Cowboys (Nov. 15)

1. Buffalo Bills (1)

The 6-1 Bills take on the 6-1 Vikings on Monday Night Football today. Not a bad way to end the NFL games this week.

NFL Week 9: At Minnesota Vikings (Nov. 9)
NFL Week 10: At New York Jets (Nov. 15)

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL power rankings Week 10 change as Bears, Lions, Packers win again

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