As the Eagles and Chiefs get ready for a Super Bowl rematch at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night, they’re both better than they were last season. That’s scary.
The Eagles seem to still be trying to find their rhythm, yet stand atop the NFL at 8-1. Their defense has been in the middle of the league, but they clearly have the personnel to stop anybody, especially up front. They figure to be a force coming out of their bye week as they use the second half of their season to ramp up for the playoffs.
The Chiefs are coming off a bye, too, which was a helpful reset for Patrick Mahomes. They’re 7-2 despite Mahomes ranking outside the top 10 in passer rating. He has never ended a season in that spot and almost certainly will rally over the next two months.
Kansas City is winning in large part because of its defense, which is second in points allowed (15.9 per game), third in sacks (31) and 11th in opponent passer rating (84.5). This could be the best defense the Chiefs have had in more than two decades.
Matchups like this are what the NFL needs — and probably what Mahomes needs. Much like Michael Jordan was fueled by fending off rivals, Mahomes knows that Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow and others will be trying to knock him off the throne for the rest of his career. He’s 28, and the Chiefs have him signed through 2031, so it’s going to be compelling television.
Other teams have tried to pry their way into the elite tier, but the Eagles and Chiefs are the only members of that club. This is the game of the season.
† It’s still so early in the season that the playoff field can change drastically from week to week, but there are some big surprises in and out going into Week 11.
In the AFC, the Steelers, Browns and Texans are the wild cards, while the Bengals, Bills and Chargers are chasing. Prediction: The Bengals, Browns and Texans get in. The Bengals and Texans have game-changing quarterbacks, and the Browns have an elite defense.
In the NFC, the Lions are the No. 2 seed, the Saints are fourth because they lead their division and the Vikings hold the last wild card — all surprises to varying extents. Prediction: All three hold their spots. There are no significant threats to displace them.
† The Bills no longer can be taken seriously as contenders. Windows close extremely fast in this sport.
† The Seahawks, Browns, Texans, Cardinals and Lions won Sunday on field goals as time ran out, setting an NFL record for the most last-second victories in one day.
Here are the power rankings after 10 weeks:
1. Eagles (8-1)
They haven’t played at full throttle yet and still stand atop the league.
2. Chiefs (7-2)
They’re still the kings of the AFC until proven otherwise.
3. 49ers (6-3)
The 49ers got back on track with an emphatic win over the Jaguars.
4. Dolphins (6-3)
The Dolphins are 10-2 at home over the last two seasons.
5. Lions (7-2)
Their next major test doesn’t come until Week 17 against the Cowboys.
6. Ravens (7-3)
Even with three losses, they have an NFL-best plus-113 point differential.
7. Cowboys (6-3)
Dak Prescott is third in the NFL in passer rating at 105.1.
8. Browns (6-3)
It’s hard to find a flaw in their defense, and that’s promising for the playoffs.
9. Bengals (5-4)
Their next three opponents are the Ravens, Steelers and Jaguars (19-9 combined).
10. Jaguars (6-3)
Trevor Lawrence played his worst game since his rookie season while losing to the 49ers.
11. Seahawks (6-3)
The Seahawks are 15-11 since trading Russell Wilson for a haul from the Broncos.
12. Steelers (6-3)
Mike Tomlin’s next win will tie him for 14th all time.
13. Texans (5-4)
They’re good; C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans could vault them to great.
14. Bills (5-5)
They can no longer be taken seriously as contenders.
15. Vikings (6-4)
New QB Josh Dobbs has a 101.4 passer rating in his first two games with the Vikings.
16. Chargers (4-5)
The Chargers are 29-29 with no playoff wins in Justin Herbert’s starts.
17. Saints (5-5)
Quarterback Derek Carr gets a week off to heal during Saints’ bye.
18. Raiders (5-5)
They’ve won two straight under Antonio Pierce, but the Dolphins are next.
19. Broncos (4-5)
The Broncos started 1-5 and now are one game out of the playoff field.
20. Buccaneers (4-5)
They’re still right there with the Saints and Falcons in the sad NFC South.
21. Colts (5-5)
The rebuilding Colts are on the cusp of the playoff field.
22. Jets (4-5)
Zach Wilson is hands down the worst quarterback of the 2021 draft class.
23. Falcons (4-6)
Watch them closely: None of the Falcons’ remaining opponents has a winning record.
24. Titans (3-6)
The Titans are 0-5 on the road this season after losing in Tampa.
25. Rams (3-6)
Matthew Stafford is back, and this is the Rams’ last chance to make a run.
26. Packers (3-6)
Jordan Love is 26th in passer rating, barely ahead of Mac Jones.
27. Commanders (4-6)
They’re going through yet another season as the NFL’s most nondescript team.
28. Bears (3-7)
With the Lions (twice), Vikings and Browns coming up, the Bears could be 3-11 quickly.
29. Cardinals (2-8)
Kyler Murray could win too many games for the Cardinals to draft his replacement.
30. Patriots (2-8)
The Patriots look like the most quarterback-desperate team in the NFL.
31. Giants (2-8)
Their last two losses were by a total of 56 points.
32. Panthers (1-8)
Next step for Bryce Young: Prove he’s definitively better than Tyson Bagent.
