Our NFL Power Rankings were shaken up this week. The Chiefs profit the most: with losses for the Eagles and Bills (in easily the game of the year so far). Here are the headline movements from Week 10 of this incredible NFL season.
Eagles knocked off their perch
As the credits rolled on Week 10, the NFL’s last remaining undefeated team sat wounded and stunned. The Philadelphia Eagles, previously untouchable in the previous nine weeks, finally suffered the bitter taste of defeat on Monday Night Football, in a shock 32-21 loss to the Washington Commanders.
For a while, it looked like business-as-usual for the Eagles, as Josh Sweat forced a Commanders’ fumble inside the first two minutes. Just over two minutes later, Jalen Hurts went over for the opening touchdown of the night. He finished the game with 175 passing yards, two passing TDs (one rushing) and a pick.
But Taylor Heinicke and the Commanders played their part, particularly in the run game. Both Brian Robinson (26 carries, 86 yards) and Antonio Gibson (14 carries, 44 yards) scored a TD, and occupied two spots in the top six most efficient rushers in Week 10, according to Next Gen Stats.
Ultimately, the Commanders put the Eagles in a position they had not been in all year. They have zero 4th-quarter comebacks in the NFL this year, tied for the worst record with teams like the Steelers and the Texans.
The Chiefs (7-2) replace them at the top of the pile. They overcame a tricky Jaguars team with relative ease, winning 27-17. Patrick Mahomes continues to be the league’s most entertaining player, throwing for over 300 yards and 4 touchdowns, completing over 74% of his throws. He leads the NFL in passing yards (2936) and touchdowns (25), and his case for MVP gets stronger each week.
Vikings-Bills play out game of the year
This game just wouldn’t quit.
Josh Allen put his stamp on the game, throwing for 330 yards and a touchdown, and rushing for 84 yards (14 yards per attempt). At its widest, the Bills had a lead of 17 points just before the end of the 3rd quarter. And while an 81-yard TD from Dalvin Cook reduced the deficit, sombre shots of Kirk Cousins looking cold in the Buffalo snow made it look all-but-certain that the Bills would manage this game through to a victory.
🔥 @dalvincook‘s 81 yard TD against the #Bills is statistically one of the most insane plays of the season so far:
🔺 2nd-highest rush over expected (72 yds)
🔺 3rd-fastest top speed (21.68 mph)
🔺 11th-longest play of the season (99.9 yds)#MINvsBUF | #SKOL https://t.co/iR9cb36qMP— The Playbook (@genius_playbook) November 14, 2022
But Cousins and the Vikings had other ideas.
Chasing their fifth game-winning drive of the season (tied for the most), Justin Jefferson popped up with the catch of the season (maybe even the past several seasons) on a 4th-and-18 with just over 90 seconds on the clock.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON ASDGJSKDNFGKSDF;K
📺: #MINvsBUF on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/uRjde5F169 pic.twitter.com/sxiLVx0NCi— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2022
Then, it got even more chaotic.
Jefferson looked to have rolled over on a 3rd-and-goal for a game-winning TD, but was judged a yard short. On the following 4th-and-goal, Cousins fired to Dalvin Cook, who fumbled with an empty end zone in front of him. An offside flag followed to give the Vikings one more lifeline. Cousins then stepped up with the QB-sneak. Short. The Bills got the stop. Game over, right?
Wrong. Josh Allen responded with his own sneak, but a fumbled snap was latched upon but Kendricks for the touchdown, putting the Vikings ahead in the most dramatic circumstances imaginable.
But still, with 41 seconds left, the Bills had a lifeline of their own. 5 plays, 69 yards and 39 seconds later, Tyler Bass kicked the game-tying field-goal and forced overtime.
In the end, a Vikings field goal went unanswered by the Bills, and a Josh Allen interception sealed the deal.
The Vikings therefore jump the Bills in our Power Rankings.
Best of the rest: Colts rise, Rams slide
Colts’ owner Jim Irsay was (momentarily, at least) vindicated* in his decision to sack Frank Reich and hire Jeff Saturday, after their 25-20 win over the struggling Raiders.
*The return of Matt Ryan who completed 75% of his 28 attempts, throwing for over 220 yards; the return of the Colts’ best player – Jonathan Taylor – who himself rushed for 147 yards and a TD; and the fact they were playing Las Vegas, should all add rather large caveats to this Colts win. They rise 6 places. The Raiders are prevented from last spot by the Texans. You can’t help but feel for Derek Carr at this point.
Super Bowl champions, the Los Angeles Rams, continue their poor run of form. With no Matthew Stafford or Cooper Kupp, the Rams limped to a 27-17 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals and look a shadow of their former selves. They drop out of the top 20 places in our Power Rankings.
