Each team has now played at least eight games which means the true halfway point for each team has now officially been reached. Now that we have had a shot to see these teams play at least half of the season we can go back on our preseason expectations for each team and update them based on their current play.
In an all-around odd year, the NFL has been no different from seeing teams such as the Dolphins looking like playoff contenders to the entire NFC East being below .500. This is why we play the games because we never know what is going to happen in any given game.
Since not all of the teams match their preseason expectations this seems like the logical time to go back and revise them based on where they currently are.
Without further ado let’s get into the latest edition of the NFL power rankings.
Rank Pittsburgh Steelers (8-0)
1 Prev. (1 ⏤)
Week 9 Result: 24-19 W against Dallas
Updated Expectation: Win AFC North
Pittsburgh may be undefeated, but their wins have been far from pretty. In their most recent game, they narrowly escaped defeat against the injured Dallas Cowboys and if that is the way they continue to go then a division win could be a stretch. Let’s just assume that game was a fluke (it probably was) they have a tough road ahead of them Ravens, Bills, Colts and Browns. While it may not be the toughest schedule, that is the draw the AFC North got. The Steelers have a very good shot to move forward and win the division as the currently have a two game lead over the Ravens, while it is entirely possible for them to lose more than two it makes sense to go with the odds and say the Steelers are favorites to win the division as of now.
Rank Kansas City Chiefs (8-1)
2 Prev. (2 ⏤)
Week 9 Result: 33-31 W against Carolina
Updated Expectation: Win AFC West and get Playoff Bye
If the season ended today the Chiefs would be the number two seed in the AFC and would not have earned a bye, however, with seven games left they could easily win more than the Steelers and get that number one spot. The Steelers don’t have the toughest second half schedule but have five or six games that could be seen as losses, the Chiefs have four so based on schedule strength and divisional games the Chiefs have a better chance. The biggest issue is that the Chiefs play to their competition which could mean more losses, however, even if they play poorly as long as they get wins that is what matters.
Rank Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
3 Prev. (4 ↑1)
Week 9 Result: 24-10 W against Indianapolis
Updated Expectation: Number one Wild Card Spot
The season is not even close to over so making up a two-game deficit that they currently face to Pittsburgh is completely possible. They still face Pittsburgh later in the season and if they lose that then the chances seem even slimmer, but even when their team isn’t playing the best they have still beaten the teams they are supposed to. The problem is that they have not played great against the elite teams in the league, over the next five weeks they play three potential elite teams, if they could win all of those including one against Pittsburgh then the division is still up for grabs. While it’s possible, making up two or maybe even three games over eight weeks is tough and the wild card seems much more likely.
Rank New Orleans Saints (6-2)
4 Prev. (7 ↑3)
Week 9 Result: 38-3 W against Tampa Bay
Updated Expectation: Win NFC South and Contend for NFC #1 Seed
The Saints may have started this season kind of slow losing two of their first three but since then they have been on fire winning five straight games. In their most recent game, everything came together both offensively and defensively to defeat their biggest contenders 38-3. Now they are 6-2 with a one game lead over the Buccaneers and if they do end up finishing with the same record then they will own the tiebreaker therefore winning the division. Now they are tied for the best record in the conference with a relatively easy remainder of the schedule, the expectations are now set and Brees and the Saints should be able to live up to them.
Rank Green Bay Packers (6-2)
5 Prev. (6 ↑1)
Week 9 Result: 34-17 W against San Francisco
Updated Expectation: Win NFC North and Championship Game Appearance
When you have relatively the same team as the previous season then the expectations are similar and that is no different for this team. The Packers made the championship game last season and that is where current expectations are for them. While playoff football is completely different than regular season football what is still pretty certain is a division win. Before the season started, the Vikings were the biggest threats to the Packers, but with them struggling the Packers seem to almost have it locked up. Sure, the Bears are in the fight but with their lack of offense they have virtually no chance to contend for a top division spot. There are still issue with the Packers mainly on the defense, but if they don’t win the division it will be a shock.
Rank Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
6 Prev. (3 ↓3)
Week 9 Result: 44-34 L against Buffalo
Updated Expectation: Win NFC West
The NFC West is no doubt the top division in the NFC and there is a legitimate chance they are the best division in the NFL so a division win cannot be taken for granted. The Seahawks should be one of the best teams in the NFL and while their record does show that, their defense kind of negates that point. Russell Wilson has led this offense to be the highest scoring in the league, but the defense has been responsible for both of their losses right now. When you’re in a division where three teams sit over .500 and your team does not have a great defense then it can be tough to win the division, but Russell Wilson is playing as good as ever, if any QB can do it, he can.
Rank Buffalo Bills (7-2)
7 Prev. (8 ↑1)
Week 9 Result: 44-34 W against Seattle
Updated Expectation: Win AFC East and at least One Playoff Game
The AFC East turned into a division where a Patriots win was not certain for the first time in nearly two decades. Of course, the Pats did not win every season, but it felt like they were always the favorites. Now without Brady the division was up in the air and the clear choice felt like the Bills to win the division. Since the Bills were already expected to win the division by most people, we took it another step, win a playoff game as well. The Bills made the wild card last season, which was great as a franchise, but they have not actually won a game since 1995. Now the division is not even locked up at this point, but even if they don’t get the division, the playoffs seem certain. Winning a playoff game would be huge and even with their inconsistencies, the Bills have the talent to do so.
Rank Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)
8 Prev. (5 ↓3)
Week 9 Result: 38-3 L against New Orleans
Updated Expectation: Number One Wild Card Spot
The hot and flashy pick before the season started was that the Buccaneers were going to win the division with Brady as QB. That is still possible, but after two losses to the Saints that becomes tougher each and every week. They will need the Saints to lose at least two games compared to their one if they want a chance to take the division. The Bucs still have some tough games ahead of them so winning the division could be out of the picture but making the playoffs should not be. With a QB as old as Brady, the time to win is now, if not now then it could be a while before they go again. The division would be great but making the playoffs is a necessary step to making the Super Bowl.
Rank Tennessee Titans (6-2)
9 Prev. (10 ↑1)
Week 9 Result: 24-17 W against Chicago
Updated Expectation: AFC South Win and Championship Game Run
As stated earlier, when you have a similar team to the previous season then expectations are similar if not greater. The Titans had a deep playoff run last season in large part to the great play of Derrick Henry and now they should be in a similar spot. They should be but they are not; the defense has numerous issued to work out and the offense doesn’t seem to be as explosive as last season. Winning the AFC South is where a championship game run will start, if the Titans can get the first playoff game at home, they will be much more likely to win then if they have to go on the road in the playoffs.
Rank Miami Dolphins (5-3)
10 Prev. (14 ↑4)
Week 9 Result: 34-31 W against Arizona
Best Case Scenario: Wild Card Berth
How many people could have realistically said that the Dolphins would be in line to make the playoffs one season after finishing 5-11, not many. Well, one season after having the worst defense in points allowed per game, they now have the number four ranked defense which has helped carry them to a 5-3 record and tied with the Colts, Browns, and Raiders in terms of record. The plan all along with the trades last season was to make it so they would eventually be a “dynasty” and make deep playoff runs, but to expect it this early was crazy. While the second half of the season may bring unpleasant results, it could also bring a playoff berth which they would take ten times out of ten. They have some tough games ahead, but with the way their defense has been playing, the playoffs are in their sight right now.
Rank Arizona Cardinals (5-3)
11 Prev. (15 ↑4)
Week 9 Result: 34-31 L against Miami
Best Case Scenario: Wild Card Berth
The Cardinals are in a similar situation with the Dolphins, they weren’t supposed to make the playoffs, they were still one or two years away. Those plans got thrown out the window though after some offseason moves and now, they sit in a good position to make the postseason. Kyler Murray has progressed exactly how they had hoped, and he is on the verge to leading the Cardinals to a playoff berth. As of right now they have the sixth playoff spot in the NFC, but their upcoming games are not easy. If they can win enough to sneak into the playoffs, then this season will be seen as a success.
Rank Indianapolis Colts (5-3)
12 Prev. (11 ↓1)
Week 9 Result: 24-10 L against Baltimore
Updated Expectation: Make the Postseason
Bringing in Philip Rivers was supposed to elevate this offense to the next level and to go along with their defense make them one of the best teams in the AFC. Well, their defense has been very good, but the offense has not been on par with them. The next couple of weeks will ultimately determine their fate though. In their next six games they play the Titans twice, the Texans twice, the Packers and the Raiders. This is basically a gauntlet for them and will decide whether they make the playoffs as a division winner, wild card team, or miss the playoffs all together. The defense for the most part has been giving them every opportunity to win, now it’s up to the offense to come together and take them to the playoffs.
Rank Las Vegas Raiders (5-3)
13 Prev. (15 ↑2)
Week 9 Result: 31-26 W against Los Angeles Chargers
Updated Expectation: Make the Postseason
A new city meant a new start for the Raiders and what better way to start then make the postseason in the first season in a new city. The Raiders have the offensive ability to do so, but do they have the defense and the consistency. The Raiders have been such an up and down team this season, winning some tough games and losing games they should have won that it’s impossible to know what you’re getting from them. They have a favorable schedule the rest of the way to earn a playoff spot, but if the consistency issues are not worked out then they could be in for a rude awakening.
Rank Los Angeles Rams (5-3)
14 Prev. (12 ↓2)
Week 9 Result: Bye
Updated Expectation: Make it Back to the Playoffs
Two seasons ago the Rams were in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, then last season they completely underwhelmed and missed out on the playoffs. They did finish 9-7 last season, but after a season where they made the Super Bowl, 9-7 is not good to go along with missing the playoffs. The key in their Super Bowl season was a great offense to go with a decent defense, they don’t have that but now they have a great defense to go along with a decent offense. The team has all the weapons on the offensive end, they just have not put everything together yet. The Rams have a rough next two weeks, but after that all the games look winnable, if their offense can come together than a playoff return should happen.
Rank Cleveland Browns (5-3)
15 Prev. (16 ↑1)
Week 9 Result: Bye
Updated Expectation: End their Playoff Drought
Okay, this may be the same expectation that this team had before the season, but it still reigns true. This is a team who has dealt with so many hardships over the course of this century and millennium, making the playoffs this season will help take some of that pain away. Last season they had a very similar team and it looked like they let they hype get to them and in turn ended up missing the playoffs. This season they are trying to rectify that mistake, the only problem is, they struggle beating the elite teams. The Browns have five wins on the season and three losses, only one of those wins came against a potential playoff team and two out of the three losses came to elite teams in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The remainder of the schedule isn’t the hardest, but if they let those good teams get in their head then they could miss out once again.
Rank Chicago Bears (5-4)
16 Prev. (13 ↓3)
Week 9 Result: 24-17 L against Tennessee
Best Case Scenario: Find a Way to Enter the Postseason
The Bears are simply just not a good offensive team, this is what will be their kryptonite for the remainder of the season. With the defense that they have they should easily make the playoffs, especially after getting Nick Foles in free agency. Nick Foles was brought over to step up as the starter if anything happened to Trubisky and he did, for a week. To be fair, the offense is not loaded with weapons, but Foles has not played well and that could be what keeps them out of the playoffs. This defense is attempting everything they can to help the team make the playoffs, but it isn’t helping. The Bears play the Packers twice during the season, they need the offense to pick up the play if they want any hope.
Rank San Francisco 49ers (4-5)
17 Prev. (17 ⏤)
Week 9 Result: 34-17 L against Green Bay
Updated Expectation: Play Spoiler in December
With the amount of injuries that the 49ers have suffered, the playoffs seem more like a dream right now and that may be true. Even with all of that though, they are only one game below .500 so the playoffs could still very much be in reach. Their schedule doesn’t lighten up over the remainder of the season, but they could be spoilers for other teams in the league. With seven teams making the playoffs it is still possible, but in their next seven games they play five teams with over .500 records. Making the playoffs will be tough, but you could at least lower some team’s playoff standings or knock teams out by playing tough come December.
Rank Philadelphia Eagles (3-4-1)
18 Prev. (18 ⏤)
Week 9 Result: Bye
Updated Expectation: Win the NFC East
Okay, this was the expectation before the season started, but the NFC East has been such a dumpster fire right now that they need to lock down the division earlier rather than later. The Cowboys look out of the game with all of their injuries, the Football Team has not been playing well, so the biggest competition are the Giants. The Eagles do not have an easy road ahead of them, but they play the Giants next week and even this early in the season that could potentially decide the division. Win the game and get it over with, the road does not get easier.
Rank Minnesota Vikings (3-5)
19 Prev. (22 ↑3)
Week 9 Result: 34-20 W against Detroit
Updated Expectation: Sneak into the Playoffs
Minnesota started this season off dreadfully and though they still have a lot of problems to work out, they have started winning the games they need to win. If they can carry this momentum throughout the remainder of the season, then the playoffs are still a possibility. Two wins in a row bode well for them and they have a favorable schedule from here on out, now they just need the play from their offense and defense. The Vikings inch closer and closer each and every week so if they can make it to late December close then they can hope for some spoiler teams to sneak in there.
Rank Atlanta Falcons (3-6)
20 Prev. (24 ↑4)
Week 9 Result: 34-27 W against Denver
Updated Expectation: Finish .500
Atlanta could easily be fighting for a playoff spot right now and though they are not out of contention it should have been a lot easier. Atlanta has blown an incredible amount of games earlier in the season which have put them in this current position, now they are finding a way to win these games which is putting them one step closer to the playoffs. The road to the playoffs or even .500 will not be easy, they still have two games against the Saints and the Buccaneers and that could be the end of the playoff dream. While not making the playoffs would be a huge disappointment, the next best thing would be giving the team hope and finish .500 or as close to it as possible.
Rank Cincinnati Bengals (2-5-1)
21 Prev. (21 ⏤)
Week 9 Result: Bye
Updated Expectation: Don’t get Double Digit Losses
Even with taking Joe Burrow with the number one pick, there were still issues that should have held this team back. Yes, they don’t have the best record right now, but they have been in almost every single game they have played in. With only one more win they will have done better than they did in 2019, so that is good, but they are looking to do even better. Defeating double digit losses is the next task and it won’t be easy with the Steelers and Ravens to face, but outside of those two teams it could be done. The Bengals made this a little easier on themselves by getting a tie earlier in the season, if they can finally close out games then single digit losses is a legitimate possibility.
Rank Carolina Panthers (3-6)
22 Prev. (25 ↑3)
Week 9 Result: 33-31 L against Kansas City
Updated Expectation: Finish in Third Place in the NFC South
The Panthers are coming off a game where they almost upset the defending champs, that bodes well for this expectation, but don’t get too confident. The biggest issue is that they are now tied for last place in the South with the Falcons and the Falcons are only looking better and better as a team. Finishing in last place would not be the worst thing for the Panthers, but the fact that they have had a good season minus the record will hurt if they do finish in last place. The Panthers have a couple tough games ahead of them, but if they can muster up a few wins and finish in third then they should take that.
Rank New England Patriots (3-5)
23 Prev. (23 ⏤)
Week 9 Result: 30-27 W against New York Jets
Updated Expectation: Don’t Finish with a Losing Record
Things have not been easy for New England this season; from losing Tom Brady to having a number of players opt out they are looking to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008. While it will take a little bit for people to get used to the Patriots not making the playoffs, you cannot finish below .500, that will make this season a failure. It was always going to be a tough season, but there is still a chance it can be saved a little bit. Next week is a big game and there are some rough games near the end of the season, but not only are the Patriots still trying to make the playoffs, Cam Newton is playing for a job next season. If Newton can help them finish .500 or above, then it will not be seen as a failure.
Rank Houston Texans (2-6)
24 Prev. (28↑4)
Week 9 Result: 27-25 W against Jacksonville
Updated Expectation: Don’t Tank for Draft Picks
Tanking for draft picks seems like a great idea when it’s been a rough season and there could be key departures in the offseason, but not for the Texans. I mean, if they want to tank then do you, but you don’t have those picks, the Dolphins do. Tanking does nothing good for you right now, but you know what does, get the young players in the game. There is still a chance that this season gets salvaged, but with each and every week it looks like they step farther back even if they win. Now is the time to get ready for the future and by playing young players that is how you get there. If they turn into losses they do, but don’t tank just to tank, play the young talent and see what happens.
Rank Denver Broncos (3-5)
25 Prev. (19 ↓6)
Week 9 Result: 34-27 L against Atlanta
Updated Expectation: Avoid Double Digit Losses
Denver is not a bad team, but they have dealt with so many injury issues that it would be okay to mistake them as a bad team. They’ve played as hard as they possibly could, just with the injuries they have suffered there was no way that they were going to be able to compete with most teams in the league. That does not mean that this season is a complete loss though, if they could manage single digit losses even with all the injuries then it becomes a good sign for next season. There are rough games including the Saints and Chiefs, but they only need two wins, if they can muster up the strength there is a good chance they can do it.
Rank Detroit Lions (3-5)
26 Prev. (20 ↓6)
Week 9 Result: 34-20 L against Minnesota
Updated Expectation: Double Digit Losses and New Head Coach
To fans, Matt Patricia should have been on the hot seat for a while, well, he is finally there and if they don’t end this season on a hot note then he will be gone. The Lions don’t have the most talented roster, but the biggest problem is that they don’t seem to ever get better. The offense is underwhelming, the defense is not good, and this has been a theme in the Patricia era. In his first season they went 6-10, last season 3-12-1, sure, with one more win they do better than last season but is that impressive? If Patricia wants any kind of chance to keep his job than he at least needs to find seven wins, otherwise it is hard to see him with the team come next season.
Rank Los Angeles Chargers (2-6)
27 Prev. (27 ⏤)
Week 9 Result: 31-26 L against Las Vegas
Updated Expectation: Avoid Double Digit Losses
The Chargers are a good offensive team, when it comes to getting yards, the issue they have is putting the ball in the endzone. Okay, that has not been nearly as much of an issue as it was earlier in the season, now the problem lies in the defense in close games. In reality, the Chargers have a chance to be 8-0 right now as all of their losses have been one score games, but they have an issue closing teams out. Whether closing the team out occurs on the offensive side or defensive side (defensive recently) they need to find a way to start winning some of these close games. They have been in every single game they have played, and this season has shown some good signs of things to come, but without closing out games, wins will never happen.
Rank New York Giants (2-7)
28 Prev. (30 ↑2)
Week 9 Result: 23-20 W against Washington
Updated Expectation: Daniel Jones Improves
For the Giants it really doesn’t matter what their win-loss record is over the final seven games as long as their future QB improves and shows he belongs in this league. Daniel Jones has really not even looked good in any game this season, he’s looked decent, but that will not cut it. It’s evident that the protection is lacking in New York, but that does not excuse this poor effort by Jones. In no way am I saying he is the future if this team, but the Giants have picked him to be the future so he will need to improve before the end of the season whether that comes in wins or losses.
Rank Washington Football Team (2-6)
29 Prev. (29 ⏤)
Week 9 Result: 23-20 L against New York Giants
Updated Expectation: Win at Least One more Game
Kyle Allen is down and now things look like they are going to Alex Smith, could Smith lead them to a win or more, possibly, but they have not been playing well. They had a dominant win against Dallas two weeks ago and followed that up with a tough loss to the Giants. They don’t necessarily have an easy schedule the rest of the way so it could mean that they will go winless from here on out. It’s very possible they win a game, but how will Alex Smith look. Even bigger though, if Alex Smith struggles will Haskins get a chance to start again. The Football Team is a mess from a personnel stance so another win could be asking for a lot, but let’s see.
Rank Dallas Cowboys (2-7)
30 Prev. (26 ↓4)
Week 9 Result: 24-19 L against Pittsburgh
Updated Expectation: Don’t Lose the Division
The Cowboys almost upset the undefeated Steelers and honestly that might be the best part of their remaining season. It’s not that they have a tough remaining schedule (it’s not easy) but it’s that you can’t be the worst team in the worst division. Of course, injuries are a huge reason to why this team is as poor as they are, but that will not excuse anything if they finish behind the Football Team and the Giants. Injuries suck but they are part of the game, prove that last week was not a fluke and win a couple of games in the last seven games to finish better than fourth or this truly will be a failure of a season.
Rank Jacksonville Jaguars (1-7)
31 Prev. (31 ⏤)
Week 9 Result: 27-25 L against Houston
Updated Expectation: Lose the Rest of the Way
Gardner Minshew has not played bad this season, but when you have a chance to get a franchise QB you go for it. The Jaguars would still need the Jets to get a win in order to even have a shot to get Trevor Lawrence but if they get that opportunity you know they will take it. Drafting Lawrence will not up and fix this team’s problems, in fact, they need to fix the other issues before they attempt to get a franchise QB or it could severely hurt the development of Lawrence.
Rank New York Jets (0-9)
32 Prev. (32 ⏤)
Week 9 Result: 30-27 L against New England
Best Case Scenario: Lose Out and Get Rid of Gase
Every team would love to have a franchise QB, but for all of the issues that was stated for the Jaguars getting him, copy and paste that to the Jets. Darnold may not be having the season that Minshew is having, but that does not mean go and get a QB. Franchise QB’s are hard to find so they will if they get a chance, but other issues may have to be addressed before the QB position. One of those is the head coach spot filled by Adam Gase. Gase was below average as Miami’s head coach, but as the Jets he has been awful. After going 7-9 last season he could realistically go 0-16 this season, if he has a job next season, I’d be shocked.