The San Francisco 49ers were at the top of my rankings in each of the last three weeks. Even as injuries mounted, it seemed like head coach Kyle Shanahan had built a machine efficient enough to withstand them.
All of this finally caught up to the 49ers on Sunday in Atlanta. Then, in the Sunday nightcap, on the other side of the country, another undefeated team lost when the Seahawks dominated the Kansas City Chiefs.
So that leaves a team without blemish – and shakes up my top 10:
Record: 4-2-1
Previous ranking: N/A ↑
JJ McCarthy (right) helped lead the Giants to an upset win Sunday in Houston. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Super Bowl odds: +9000
Head coach John Harbaugh‘s “tough love” approach helped the Giants become a legitimate playoff contender in his first season. Look no further than his running back handling Cam Skattebo and the second-year pro’s response to his coach’s pragmatic approach as evidence of the cultural shift taking place in New York. Skattebo went from zero carries last week to 17 for 124 yards and a touchdown this week at Houston.
With the quarterback JJ McCarthy Also thriving in the blue-collar environment after being sidelined in Minnesota, the Giants’ old-school methods produce positive results for players who adhere to the team-first philosophy.
Who stood out: Receiver Malik Nabers has recorded at least 100 receiving yards in four straight games, tying Odell Beckham Jr. (2014) for the second-longest streak in Giants history, trailing only Beckham’s six-game streak in 2015.
Record: 4-2
Previous ranking: N/A ↑
Jared Goff and the Lions escaped a hard-fought division battle against the Packers with a victory. (Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Super Bowl odds: +2100
Head coach Dan Campbell got the Lions back into shape as playoff contenders. Despite their flaws, the Lions’ tenacity and courage allowed them to achieve victories by controlling the game with their offense and protecting their dismal defense with a well-executed “stay away” strategy.
Who stood out: Jared Goff’s 14 touchdown passes without an interception through his first six games this season are tied with Russell Wilson (2019) for the most in NFL history.
Record: 5-2
Previous ranking: 9 ↑
Another week, another game-winning field goal from Andre Szmyt in the final moments of a Browns game. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Super Bowl Odds: +15,000
It hasn’t been easy for the Browns, but the quarterback Deshaun WatsonThe late-game heroics helped the Browns move into first place in the AFC North. Watson had his fifth game-winning drive of the season, while finishing with over 300 passing yards. Kicker André Szmyt completed another practice Sunday in Nashville to beat the Titans.
Although Watson’s efforts through 60 minutes were a roller coaster, the three-time Pro Bowler regained his composure as the leader of a disjointed team making an expected playoff push.
Who stood out: Wide receiver KC Concepcion’s 129 receiving yards in the first half are the most in a first half by a Browns rookie since at least 1950.
Record: 5-2
Previous ranking: 10 ↑
Caleb Williams earned the win after an impressive primetime performance last Thursday against the Patriots. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Super Bowl odds: +1400
Head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams are starting to cook, with several key playmakers feeling more comfortable in their roles. Wide receiver Luther Burden III showcases his catch-and-run skills with another receiver Rome Odunze and tight end Colston Loveland making plays as the designated chain movers on the perimeter.
As By André Swift continues to shine as an RB1 with Kyle Monangai Sidelined by injuries, the Bears’ balanced but explosive offense gives them a chance to defeat any NFC heavyweight.
Who stood out: Caleb Williams became the first Bears quarterback to throw for at least 300 yards in consecutive games since Mitchell Trubisky in 2018.
Record: 5-2
Previous ranking: 7 ↑
The Broncos are hoping Bo Nix’s performance against the Cardinals is a sign of things to come. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Super Bowl odds: +1900
It took the head coach Sean Payton a few weeks to get the quarterback Bo Nix back in rhythm, but the third-year pro is starting to split opposing defenses into a dual threat on the perimeter. Although his effectiveness needs to improve, Nix’s arrogance gradually returns as he finds his rhythm under the guidance of his original host.
As the Broncos continue to rack up wins while their QB1 rediscovers his game, last season’s AFC runner-up re-emerges as a dark horse contender.
Who stood out: Bo Nix’s 62-yard touchdown against the Cardinals is the longest rushing touchdown ever by a Broncos quarterback, surpassing Tim Tebow’s 40-yard rushing touchdown in 2010.
Record: 4-2
Previous ranking: 5
Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars will return from their bye week at home against the Colts in Week 8. (Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Super Bowl odds: +1300
The bye week gave the Jaguars an opportunity to re-evaluate their offense and defense. More specifically, they will have had the opportunity to develop a plan that will maximize Travis Huntertwo-way playmaking skills.
Who stood out: The Jaguars have gone 23 straight games without allowing a runner to go 75 yards or more, tied for the third-longest streak since 1966. Only the 49ers have had longer streaks: 27 games from 2021-23 and 26 games from 1989-91.
Record: 5-1
Previous ranking: 2 ↓
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are no longer undefeated this season after facing a dominant Seahawks defense. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Super Bowl odds: +850
A disappointing performance on the road against the Seahawks could have revealed the Chiefs’ biggest weaknesses to the world. The offense couldn’t get anything going and didn’t have any explosive plays Sunday night in Seattle.
That said, most of the time, QB Patrick Mahomes and R.B. Kenneth Walker can mask many flaws with a dangerous 1-2 punch that forces opponents to make tough choices when defending an offense that can produce big plays on the ground or through the air.
Who stood out: Mahomes has now thrown an interception in two straight games and in three of his last four.
Record: 6-1
Previous ranking: 1 ↓
Injuries finally caught up with the 49ers against the Falcons, who made life quite difficult for Brock Purdy. (Getty Images)
Super Bowl odds: +580
After losing a road game with four turnovers, the 49ers need to get back to basics. That means QB Brock Purdy lead an effective offensive effort and RB Christian McCaffrey and T.E. George Kittle opening the way.
San Francisco’s defense is capable of strangling opponents with a series of violent defenders attacking the ball at every turn, so I expect the 49ers to bounce back from a hiccup to reemerge as the best team in the NFC.
Who stood out: Running back Christian McCaffrey joined Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as the only player in NFL history with at least 70 rushing touchdowns and 30 receiving touchdowns during his NFL career.
Record: 5-1
Previous ranking: 4 ↑
Even in their bye week, Josh Allen and the Bills are taking a big step forward after the top teams failed in Week 7. (Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Super Bowl odds: +700
If the Bills can improve their dismal defense coming out of their bye week, QB Josh Allen & Co. are ready to battle for the AFC top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Who stood out: Allen leads all quarterbacks with 17 total touchdowns this season.
Record: 6-0
Previous ranking: 3 ↑
Justin Jefferson (left) and TJ Hockenson (right) have fought their way to the top of my rankings, along with the rest of the undefeated Vikings. (Getty Images)
Super Bowl odds: +1700
Like it or not, the Vikings are the last undefeated team in the league, thanks to a stifling defense and an opportunistic QB-led offense. Kyler Murray it works well together.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has learned to manage the game, taking a complementary approach that prioritizes winning over an impressive score and stat line. Murray only managed 150 passing yards and a touchdown pass against the Colts, but he got the job done.
Who stood out: According to Next Gen Stats, the Vikings defense blitzed on 85.2% of Daniel Jones’ dropbacks, the highest blitz rate by a defense in a game in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016).
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