1. Philadelphia Eagles<\/h3>\n![\"Philadelphia](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/05\/USATSI_25379804_168402708_lowres-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSay what you want about the defending champs, but despite not playing their best football through the first 10 weeks, they 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
2. Los Angeles Rams<\/h3>\n![\"Puka](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27549114-1024x676.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson-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.<\/p>\n
\nThe Giants just fired Head Coach Brian Daboll. Could this mean a huge trade in the offseason<\/a>?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\n3. Denver Broncos<\/h3>\n![\"Broncos](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Broncos-Receiver-Trade-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. Kansas City Chiefs<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/USATSI_24304389_168419650_lowres-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWatch out, AFC, because here come the Chiefs<\/a>. 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 5 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>\n5. New England Patriots<\/h3>\n![\"TreVeyon](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27546825-1024x741.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDrake Maye and the Patriots<\/a> are playing some of the best football of any team in the NFL right now. The defense has improved; they finally got a run game going, and they currently sit in first place in the AFC East, which no one saw coming when the season began. Head coach Mike Vrabel has this team believing, and they have a very easy schedule that they can take advantage of on their way to a playoff berth<\/p>\n6. Detroit Lions<\/h3>\n
![\"Detroit](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/Detroit-Lions-Looking-To-Avenge-Playoff-Loss-To-Washington-Commanders-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>\n<\/p>\n
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/h3>\n![\"Baker](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27546182-1024x743.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-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>\n8. Green Bay Packers<\/h3>\n![\"Sunday](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/09\/Sunday-Night-Football-Bets-1024x768.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThis 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
9. Buffalo Bills<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27546930_168419650_lowres-1024x697.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Bills<\/a> defense still cannot stop the run, and the offense has been inconsistent this season. Their week 10 loss to Miami<\/a> was embarrassing, and they have fallen further behind the Patriots in the division.<\/p>\n10. Indianapolis Colts<\/h3>\n![\"Jonathan](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Jonathan-Taylor-Week-6-Running-Back-Rankings-1024x682.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThanks 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
Honorable mentions: Seattle Seahawks<\/a> and Los Angeles Chargers<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
Say what you want about the defending champs, but despite not playing their best football through the first 10 weeks, they 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
2. Los Angeles Rams<\/h3>\nPhoto Credit: Cary Edmondson-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.<\/p>\n
\nThe Giants just fired Head Coach Brian Daboll. Could this mean a huge trade in the offseason<\/a>?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\n3. Denver Broncos<\/h3>\nPhoto 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. Kansas City Chiefs<\/h3>\nPhoto Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWatch out, AFC, because here come the Chiefs<\/a>. 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 5 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>\n5. New England Patriots<\/h3>\nPhoto Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDrake Maye and the Patriots<\/a> are playing some of the best football of any team in the NFL right now. The defense has improved; they finally got a run game going, and they currently sit in first place in the AFC East, which no one saw coming when the season began. Head coach Mike Vrabel has this team believing, and they have a very easy schedule that they can take advantage of on their way to a playoff berth<\/p>\n6. Detroit Lions<\/h3>\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<\/p>\n
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/h3>\nPhoto Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-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>\n8. Green Bay Packers<\/h3>\nPhoto Credit: Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThis 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
9. Buffalo Bills<\/h3>\nPhoto Credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Bills<\/a> defense still cannot stop the run, and the offense has been inconsistent this season. Their week 10 loss to Miami<\/a> was embarrassing, and they have fallen further behind the Patriots in the division.<\/p>\n10. Indianapolis Colts<\/h3>\nPhoto Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThanks 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
Honorable mentions: Seattle Seahawks<\/a> and Los Angeles Chargers<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/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.<\/p>\n The Giants just fired Head Coach Brian Daboll. Could this mean a huge trade in the offseason<\/a>?<\/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 Watch out, AFC, because here come the Chiefs<\/a>. 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 5 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 Drake Maye and the Patriots<\/a> are playing some of the best football of any team in the NFL right now. The defense has improved; they finally got a run game going, and they currently sit in first place in the AFC East, which no one saw coming when the season began. Head coach Mike Vrabel has this team believing, and they have a very easy schedule that they can take advantage of on their way to a playoff berth<\/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 <\/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>\n The Bills<\/a> defense still cannot stop the run, and the offense has been inconsistent this season. Their week 10 loss to Miami<\/a> was embarrassing, and they have fallen further behind the Patriots in the division.<\/p>\n 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 Honorable mentions: Seattle Seahawks<\/a> and Los Angeles Chargers<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
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\n3. Denver Broncos<\/h3>\n
4. Kansas City Chiefs<\/h3>\n
5. New England Patriots<\/h3>\n
6. Detroit Lions<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/h3>\n
8. Green Bay Packers<\/h3>\n
9. Buffalo Bills<\/h3>\n
10. Indianapolis Colts<\/h3>\n