1. Philadelphia Eagles<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/USATSI_25379893_168402708_lowres-1024x673.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSay what you want about the defending champs, but despite not playing their best football through the first eight weeks, the Eagles<\/a> are 6-2 and lead the NFC East. Jalen Hurts and the pass game finally got going after dealing with tons of criticism, and then that helped get the struggling run game going. Once this team is firing on all cylinders, they will be very tough to beat. They now have a playoff pedigree, too, so they know how to win big games.<\/p>\n2. Los Angeles Rams<\/h3>\n![\"week](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/09\/week-5-wide-receiver-rankings-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Rams<\/a> defense continues to impress, and they are becoming a championship-caliber unit. When you couple that with a Super Bowl-winning QB in Matthew Stafford and a Super Bowl-winning coach in Sean McVay, you suddenly have yourselves a true contender. They won a huge game in Week 7 overseas, and did it without their best offensive player and one of the best players in the league, Puka Nacua. They were able to rest in Week 8 with their bye and come out and beat down the Saints<\/a> in Week 9.<\/p>\n
\nIs the Cardinals’ move to Jacoby Brissett permanent? We know Brissett is starting in the Monday Night Football matchup, but there are whispers that Kyler Murray may be living on borrowed time<\/a> in Arizona.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\n3. Denver Broncos<\/h3>\n![\"Bo](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/01\/Bo-Nix-Broncos-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBeing able to battle back with a no-quit attitude and win games like the Broncos<\/a> have this season is exactly why this team is scary. They may be down, but they are never out. Bo Nix is incredibly dynamic, and although they have struggled at times defensively, overall, they still are one of the top units in football. They lead the league in sacks, and that seems to be a factor for them every week.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
4. Buffalo Bills<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/09\/USATSI_27032182_168400545_lowres-1024x685.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The Bills<\/a> limped into their bye week with two straight losses in games they were expected to win. The defense couldn\u2019t stop the run, and therefore couldn\u2019t get off the field, which meant MVP Josh Allen was stuck on the sidelines. They fixed that issue in Week 8 against one of the best running teams in the league, and in Week 9, they beat the surging Chiefs<\/a> in a huge game. Of course, having Josh Allen gives them a chance to win any game, which is why, regardless of them being in second place in their division, they are ranked ahead of the team that leads the division.<\/p>\n5. Kansas City Chiefs<\/h3>\n![\"Chiefs](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/11\/USATSI_21980782-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWatch out AFC, because here come the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes has gone from having no weapons offensively early in the season to now having arguably the most weapons he has had in the past five seasons. With Rashee Rice back, everyone else becomes better, and there may not be a defense in the entire league that has the personnel to slow down all four wide receivers and Kelce.<\/p>\n
6. Indianapolis Colts<\/h3>\n
![\"Daniel](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_27309792_168419650_lowres-1024x657.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The Colts<\/a> are now 7-2 after their tough loss against the Steelers<\/a> in Week 9. Thanks to Daniel Jones\u2019 resurrection and RB Jonathan Taylor being a touchdown machine, this team is still one of the best in the AFC. The defense does give up too many points, but they also get after the quarterback and force plenty of turnovers, which is a winning recipe.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
7. Detroit Lions<\/h3>\n
![\"detroit](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/09\/USATSI_27084456_168400545_lowres-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The defense has been dealing with injuries, and they have been getting lit up in the passing game because of it. Still, when this team is healthy, they are very tough to beat, especially because of how well-balanced the offense is with Goff slinging it around and the tremendous ground game with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. The biggest issue for the Lions<\/a> is that they play in a highly competitive division that has four teams that are capable of making the playoffs.<\/p>\n8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/h3>\n![\"Baker](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27426675-1024x651.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAre they lucky and good, or just really darn good? The Buccaneers<\/a> have been winning close games, led by Baker Mayfield, who has a flair for the dramatic in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter. He has played most of the season with his best offensive weapons injured, and still, the Bucs have one of the best records in the league. Although there is no team that they can\u2019t beat, there are teams that are better on paper.<\/p>\n9. Green Bay Packers<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27494234_168419650_lowres-1024x625.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
This is a team that hasn\u2019t played its best football since the first couple of weeks of the season, yet they are finding ways to win games that they have no business winning. Micah Parsons has finally started showing just how dangerous he can make this defense when he is healthy. The loss to the Panthers<\/a> in Week 9 is one that they can\u2019t afford to lose.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
10. New England Patriots<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27379282_168419650_lowres-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Say what you want about the defending champs, but despite not playing their best football through the first eight weeks, the Eagles<\/a> are 6-2 and lead the NFC East. Jalen Hurts and the pass game finally got going after dealing with tons of criticism, and then that helped get the struggling run game going. Once this team is firing on all cylinders, they will be very tough to beat. They now have a playoff pedigree, too, so they know how to win big games.<\/p>\n The Rams<\/a> defense continues to impress, and they are becoming a championship-caliber unit. When you couple that with a Super Bowl-winning QB in Matthew Stafford and a Super Bowl-winning coach in Sean McVay, you suddenly have yourselves a true contender. They won a huge game in Week 7 overseas, and did it without their best offensive player and one of the best players in the league, Puka Nacua. They were able to rest in Week 8 with their bye and come out and beat down the Saints<\/a> in Week 9.<\/p>\n Is the Cardinals’ move to Jacoby Brissett permanent? We know Brissett is starting in the Monday Night Football matchup, but there are whispers that Kyler Murray may be living on borrowed time<\/a> in Arizona.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Being able to battle back with a no-quit attitude and win games like the Broncos<\/a> have this season is exactly why this team is scary. They may be down, but they are never out. Bo Nix is incredibly dynamic, and although they have struggled at times defensively, overall, they still are one of the top units in football. They lead the league in sacks, and that seems to be a factor for them every week.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Bills<\/a> limped into their bye week with two straight losses in games they were expected to win. The defense couldn\u2019t stop the run, and therefore couldn\u2019t get off the field, which meant MVP Josh Allen was stuck on the sidelines. They fixed that issue in Week 8 against one of the best running teams in the league, and in Week 9, they beat the surging Chiefs<\/a> in a huge game. Of course, having Josh Allen gives them a chance to win any game, which is why, regardless of them being in second place in their division, they are ranked ahead of the team that leads the division.<\/p>\n Watch out AFC, because here come the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes has gone from having no weapons offensively early in the season to now having arguably the most weapons he has had in the past five seasons. With Rashee Rice back, everyone else becomes better, and there may not be a defense in the entire league that has the personnel to slow down all four wide receivers and Kelce.<\/p>\n The Colts<\/a> are now 7-2 after their tough loss against the Steelers<\/a> in Week 9. Thanks to Daniel Jones\u2019 resurrection and RB Jonathan Taylor being a touchdown machine, this team is still one of the best in the AFC. The defense does give up too many points, but they also get after the quarterback and force plenty of turnovers, which is a winning recipe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The defense has been dealing with injuries, and they have been getting lit up in the passing game because of it. Still, when this team is healthy, they are very tough to beat, especially because of how well-balanced the offense is with Goff slinging it around and the tremendous ground game with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. The biggest issue for the Lions<\/a> is that they play in a highly competitive division that has four teams that are capable of making the playoffs.<\/p>\n Are they lucky and good, or just really darn good? The Buccaneers<\/a> have been winning close games, led by Baker Mayfield, who has a flair for the dramatic in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter. He has played most of the season with his best offensive weapons injured, and still, the Bucs have one of the best records in the league. Although there is no team that they can\u2019t beat, there are teams that are better on paper.<\/p>\n This is a team that hasn\u2019t played its best football since the first couple of weeks of the season, yet they are finding ways to win games that they have no business winning. Micah Parsons has finally started showing just how dangerous he can make this defense when he is healthy. The loss to the Panthers<\/a> in Week 9 is one that they can\u2019t afford to lose.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n2. Los Angeles Rams<\/h3>\n
\n
\n3. Denver Broncos<\/h3>\n
4. Buffalo Bills<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n5. Kansas City Chiefs<\/h3>\n
6. Indianapolis Colts<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n7. Detroit Lions<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/h3>\n
9. Green Bay Packers<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n10. New England Patriots<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n