NFL Pecking Order: Week 10

By Charlie Portelli

After each week in the NFL I will do a segment called “NFL Pecking Order” breaking down what I view as the top ten teams in the NFL at that time. Unlike most other sites or blog lists ranking NFL teams on a week by week basis, I look at the big picture. Most other lists are flawed because they only look at wins and losses, more specifically on recent wins and losses. For example, if a team is 1-2 with two road losses to tough teams, it is not always correct to rank them behind a 2-1 or even a 3-0 team with less impressive wins. Like I said, I will look at the teams with a big picture perspective in mind. This should be a very interesting segment this year because the teams in the league are so close. To me, there is not an enormous gap between the teams I rank 3-5 and the teams I rank 8-10, and even the teams I leave outside the top 10. With that said, lets rank the top ten NFL teams heading into week 10 starting with number 10.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-3, AFC NORTH) Last week: 9

The Bengals drop back to number 10 on this list after an overtime loss to the Dolphins on the road Thursday night on national television. The Bengals were riding a four game winning streak heading into the game and even after the loss, sit at a comfortable 6-3 atop their division. The Bengals were being predicted to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl by many after Andy Dalton's recent surge of success. Pump the brakes. Dalton is an average QB in this league. With the roster that the Bengals have, Dalton could help this team reach that goal but I do not see this team making a deep run into the playoffs with Marvin Lewis as their head coach. Lewis is a good coach and a likable one as well, but in my opinion will keep this team "stuck in the mud" if you will. His voice is growing old in Cinci. The Bengals will be a playoff team for the third year in a row but any more than that is stretching it for me.

9. Green Bay Packers (5-3, NFC NORTH) Last week: 7

The Packers drop in this weeks Pecking Order for one obvious reason; Aaron Rodgers' broken collarbone. The Packers have also dealt with several other key injuries but the injury to Rodgers has the NFC North wide open now. The Packers, Bears, and Lions are all tied with 5-3 records. The Packers are hoping for a quick recovery from Rodgers. I am thinking that their goal would be to welcome back Rodgers for their Thanksgiving shootout with the Lions. Until then, coach McCarthy should find a way to tread water behind a growing running attack with Eddie Lacy and James Starks. It is essential now more than ever to work Starks in in order to keep Lacy fresh for what promises to be a fight for the division to the finish.

8. Carolina Panthers (5-3, NFC SOUTH) Last week: Unranked

The Carolina Panthers make their debut this week in the NFL Pecking Order and steal the Lions spot.  The Lions were on bye last week but the nod goes to the Panthers as they continue to impress. They have won 4 in a row which is never an easy thing to do in this league. Those 4 wins all happened to be blowouts. The Panthers coaching staff looks to be finally figuring their team out. Cam Newton is playing selfless football for the first time in his career which has helped this team immensely. They also have a surplus of good running backs with the athletic Deangelo Williams, bruising goal line back (who can catch the ball out of the backfield as well) Mike Tolbert, and now welcome back Jonathon Stewart who will keep legs fresh in the backfield. Their front 7 is among the best in the game, first round pick  DT Star Lotulelei has been a force in the middle and backing him up is the best young linebacker in the game, Luke Kuechly. Watch him play, he is all over the field. Best thing about this is we are going to really see who this Panther team is in the second half of this season. They play at San Fransisco and then home against the Patriots over the next two weeks and also play the Saints twice. If they maintain their health like that have thus far, they have a shot at the playoffs despite their difficult remaining schedule.

7. New England Patriots (7-2, AFC EAST) Last week: 8

The Patriots looked more like the Patriots of old while putting up 55 points on the Steelers last week. Unfortunately, the Steelers are not what they used to be. The Steelers defense has been bad week in, week out but it was a great sign for the Patriots nonetheless. Brady made the best of what he had early, but now has Gronk back. He also has WR Danny Amendola back (until he gets hurt again). The running game has been the most impressive thing in New England thus far thanks to RB Stevan Ridley. They will also have RB Shane Vereen back soon as well, whom the Patriots love because of versatile style. Belichick is the greatest coach of all time because of his ability to make adjustments. He knows how to win in more than one way. He built a running attack this year in order to beat the Broncos. The recipe to beat Peyton Manning is to play man to man on defense, and to run the football on offense in order to keep Peyton off the field.

6. New Orleans Saints (6-2, NFC SOUTH) Last week: 4

The Saints suffered a loss to the Jets on the road last week and drop to 6 in the NFL Pecking Order. The Jets have a nice defense and all with one of the best front four's in the league, but the Jets have to win those kinds of games on the road. Graham is not healthy and is not on the field as much as he normally is, Colston missed the game, and Sproles exited the game in the first series with a concussion. The Saints offense is predicated on creating matchup issues and those three are their best at doing just that. The Saints should be fine but their defense is not looking as stout as before, the secret is out, teams can run on the Saints.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0, AFC WEST) Last week: 6

I am putting stock into the Chiefs win last week over the Bills, even with undrafted rookie QB Jeff Tuel starting under center. The Bills are actually a competent team in the NFL and they were at home. The Bills have an extremely underrated defense, they rank 2nd in the league in QB sacks, and anytime I see that stat, I love it.  It seemed to me that the Chiefs were just begging to lose coming into this one with their bye week on the horizon but after getting down early, they stormed back to win, by 10 points no less. Their truest of test are yet to come as they still have not faced an elite opponent. Their best win is still a narrow victory over the embarrassing Cowboys. I still believe the Chiefs will win 1 of their 2 games against the Broncos this season.

4. Indianapolis Colts (6-2, AFC SOUTH) Last week: 5

The Colts had a very impressive win over the Texas on the road Sunday Night. While I do think that their efforts were aided by the fact that Texans head coach collapsed and was rushed to the hospital at halftime, it was still a great comeback. The Texans had the game won but the unfortunate incident occurred and took the life out of the team, but the Colts still had to make the plays, which they did. They were able to outscore the Texans 24-3 in the second half of the game. The Colts are minus a key player in WR Reggie Wayne down the stretch, which hurts this team badly. QB Andrew Luck has his work cut out for him.

3. Seattle Seahawks (8-1, NFC WEST) Last week: 1

The Seahawks drop back to the third slot this week after eking out a win over the lowly Buccaneers at home. This marks two weeks in a row that the Seahawks have struggled against inferior opponents. This week is more concerning considering the fact that they were at home. The Seahawks were down 21-0 at half and to their credit, they were able to come back and win this game, which says a lot about QB Russell Wilson's resiliency. I love this team going forward but they just look like a tired and unhealthy team that is desperately in need of their bye week which unfortunately for them is not until week 12 after games at Atlanta next week and then home to Minnesota.

2. San Fransisco 49ers (6-2, NFC WEST) Last week: 3

The 49ers are coming off of a bye week but are moving up to the 2 slot this week. I have been high on this team all along and since their rocky start they have righted the ship behind coach Jim Harbaugh. They have a huge game this Sunday as they welcome the streaking Panthers to town. No one has been talking about the 49ers lately and believe me, that is fine with them. While they certainly do not want to look forward, you can bet your ass they have week 14 circled on their calender for when the Seahawks visit Candlestick (49ers home field). The 49ers might not be able to win in Seattle but the story is likely different in San Fransisco.

1. Denver Broncos (7-1, AFC WEST) Last week: 2

The Broncos are also coming off of a bye week and they move up as well and claim the top spot on the Pecking Order. They have shown their deficiencies but remain an outstanding team. Their defense has become soft but they have time to get that in order because they still show tons of speed. Head Coach John Fox is not currently with the team due to some health concerns but defensive coordinator and former NFL head coach steps in on an interim basis. QB Peyton Manning needed the bye week to rest his ankles and is hungry for a Super Bowl ring in Denver.