1. Bills (last week No. 1; 6-1): The defense is getting better, but the offense took a little while to get going.
2. Jaguars (No. 2; 5-2): They caught the Colts at the perfect time, and they’re catching the Ravens at the perfect time.
3. 49ers (No. 4; 6-1): Was the bye enough time for Christian McCaffrey to get healthy?
4. Broncos (No. 6; 6-2): They out-chiefed the Chiefs.
5. Bears (No. 8; 6-2): The Bears are NOT who we thought they were — they’re serious contenders to win the whole thing.
6. Vikings (No. 3; 6-1): A quarterback change may be needed.
7. Chiefs (No. 5; 5-2): Can the Chiefs beat the best teams in the league?
8. Steelers (No. 10; 6-2): The schedule is lining up favorably; a 12-win season isn’t out of the question.
9. Seahawks (No. 7; 4-4): Between last year’s NFC finalists (Seahawks and Rams), one of them may not make it back to the playoffs. And maybe both.
10. Patriots (No. 11; 5-3): They avoided the South Florida trap, again.
11. Bengals (No. 12; 5-2): Joe Burrow is emerging as a serious MVP candidate.
12. Lions (No. 13; 5-2): The injuries are piling up on defense, again.
13. Browns (No. 9; 5-3): Jared Verse should’ve learned a lesson, but probably didn’t.
14. Packers (No. 14; 5-3): The running game remains a liability.
15. Rams (No. 16; 4-4): The wins are happening, and Myles Garrett is lurking.
16. Giants (No. 17; 4-2-1): Will they go all-in for a high-end running back?
17. Raiders (No. 19; 4-4): A Kirk Cousins-Kyle Shanahan reunion game is looming.
18. Buccaneers (No. 20; 3-5): In two full games since returning from a thumb injuries, Baker Mayfield has thrown 14 passes.
19. Ravens (No. 15; 4-4): Should they be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline?
20. Cardinals (No. 25; 3-5): They should move to Dallas. Or to L.A.
21. Falcons (No. 18; 3-5): It’s a good thing they play in a dome.
22. Panthers (No. 22; 3-4): Add them to the list of teams that will be chasing Mike Tomlin.
23. Texans (No. 23; 2-5): The margin for error is getting smaller all the time.
24. Commanders (No. 30; 2-4-1): Backward Hat Energy.
25. Saints (No. 24; 2-5): They’re still very much alive to win the worst division in the NFL.
26. Cowboys (No. 21; 3-5): Offseason hype, in-season tripe.
27. Eagles (No. 26; 2-6): That Super Bowl win from two years ago feels like it was two decades ago.
28. Titans (No. 27; 1-7): Unlike the Colts, the white-flag trade of Jeffery Simmons didn’t cause them to quit.
29. Colts (No. 28; 2-6): Trade everyone.
30. Dolphins (No. 29; 1-6): Malik Willis has had two solid games in a row.
31. Jets (No. 31; 2-6): Everyone except Woody Johnson knows it’s time for a coaching change.
32. Chargers (No. 32; 0-7): Jim Harbaugh’s stubborn refusal to change coordinators could cost him his job.

