Walt
I'm going to use these rankings as the order for my 2027 NFL Mock Draft during the early stages of the 2026 season. Follow @walterfootball.
NFL Power Rankings updated Nov. 3, 2026
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San Francisco 49ers (6-1)Team Hub - Previously: 1.
The 49ers got off to a good start against the Falcons, but looked like they ran out of gas in the second half. It didn't help that Christian McCaffrey got hurt and they committed numerous turnovers. This was just a very difficult scheduling spot, playing on a short week across the country without their top three receivers.
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Buffalo Bills (6-1)Team Hub - Previously: 2.
Josh Allen didn't play his best, but he didn't need to against the Ravens, who lost Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley in the first half. I wish we could have seen if Baltimore's defense had improved after having a bye week to fix things.
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Chicago Bears (5-2)Team Hub - Previously: 5.
I considered the Bears a Super Bowl contender before the Jeffery Simmons trade. Now they're a clear-cut top-three team with a great offense and a blossoming defense that Simmons will transform into a top-10 unit.
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Seattle Seahawks (4-3)Team Hub - Previously: 4.
The Seahawks seemingly converted every third down against the Chiefs, but their performance against the Bears was a different story. They went 1-of-11 on third down as Jeffery Simmons destroyed the pocket for Sam Darnold.
I'm not too concerned about Seattle's performance. This was a down spot following the big win against the Chiefs.
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Los Angeles Rams (4-4)Team Hub - Previously: 3.
The Rams won by 15, but it was a generally underwhelming performance because they failed to secure a first down on their first five drives against the Chargers. The good news is that Myles Garrett may return to practice next week.
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Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2)Team Hub - Previously: 6.
The Jaguars were in a terrible spot, given that they had a Thursday game coming up against Lamar Jackson. Instead, they had a huge win, and now they'll be going up against a third-string quarterback in all likelihood.
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Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)Team Hub - Previously: 9.
The Chiefs have lost two in a row, but I'm not down on them because of this defeat. They were in a tough spot at Mile High, where the Broncos are unbeaten this year. Denver was able to mount comebacks against the Rams and Jaguars, so it wasn't a surprise to see that happen again.
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Detroit Lions (5-2)Team Hub - Previously: 11.
It's a small sample size, but the Lions have shown much better defense in the past two weeks. They've limited their opposition to 17 and 15 points, although one of those teams was Minnesota. Still, Brian Branch's return to the secondary has helped a lot, and Kerby Joseph will be back soon.
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Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)Team Hub - Previously: 7.
Sleepy Joe Burrow had a poor performance for most of the game, but finally got going in the fourth quarter and overtime once again. Hopefully, when the Bengals play some serious competition, they'll try hard for 60 minutes.
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New England Patriots (5-3)Team Hub - Previously: 10.
The Patriots almost had a very impressive cover, leading 24-13 despite being down 13-3 at halftime. They've always had issues in Miami, but it looked like they were going to cover. Unfortunately, the Dolphins scored a backdoor touchdown to ruin that.
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Denver Broncos (6-2)Team Hub - Previously: 12.
If a team wins but its entire fan base boos its quarterback, does it really count as a win? The Broncos prevailed, but were outgained by 105 net yards and 0.7 yards per play.
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Green Bay Packers (5-3)Team Hub - Previously: 14.
The Packers have improved to 5-3, but they had the third-toughest remaining schedule entering Week 8, which included this home game against Carolina. We'll see if the Packers can handle tougher competition late in the year, but they'll get Micah Parsons back at some point.
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Minnesota Vikings (6-1)Team Hub - Previously: 15.
The Vikings lost by four, but actually played better against Detroit than I thought they would. The defense was great against Jared Goff, who has sliced through Brian Flores' defense in the past. Still, the Lions moved the ball well between the 20s, but made some mistakes in Minnesota territory until late in the game.
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Houston Texans (2-5)Team Hub - Previously: 13.
The Texans dropped teams to 0-3-1 in their first game following a trip to Europe. This needs to be brought to Roger Goodell's attention because it's going to be a major problem if there's a team based in Europe and opponents have to play the following week without a bye.
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Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)Team Hub - Previously: 21.
The Steelers became the first team this year to overcome jet lag coming back from London. Teams were 0-3-1 straight up and 0-4 against the spread in this situation heading into this week, but Pittsburgh defied the odds with a blowout win over the Browns.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)Team Hub - Previously: 24.
It's ridiculous that the Buccaneers were able to win despite not completing a single pass against the Falcons. Baker Mayfield has actually attempted only 14 throws in the past two games, but that's obviously going to change in the near future.
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Washington Redskins (2-4-1)Team Hub - Previously: 19.
It's hard to believe that Jayden Daniels just won his first game of the year. I know he was out for a while, but it still feels like he probably should have won a game by now. However, that apparently hadn't happened. The win over Philadelphia was Washington's first victory since Week 3 against Seattle, which feels like a million years ago.
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New York Giants (4-2-1)Team Hub - Previously: 23.
The Giants lost by seven, but they were blown out by the Saints, who benched their starters and allowed J.J. McCarthy to accumulate tons of garbage-time production. So don't be fooled by that final score.
Are people going to be mad at me if I say that J.J. McCarthy was like a bucking bronco when he played for the Vikings? It's a great comparison, as McCarthy was wild with his throws in Minnesota, but has been tamed by John Harbaugh thus far. I imagine dumb people on X are fuming right now.
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Dallas Cowboys (3-5)Team Hub - Previously: 18.
Just when it looked like the Cowboys were going to have some momentum following their win in Philadelphia, they went on to lose to the Cardinals at home. Granted, Dallas was on a short week, but that was pathetic. You can't allow Gardner Minshew to engineer multiple scoring drives against you late in the game.
I wonder if Jerry Jones regrets trading Micah Parsons.
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Carolina Panthers (3-4)Team Hub - Previously: 16.
Carolina's loss to the Packers pretty much displayed the Panthers' limitations and why I don't believe Bryce Young could ever win a Super Bowl. He's just too limited in what he can do, whether it's being unable to reliably hit deep passes or break out of even the slightest tackle.
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Atlanta Falcons (3-5)Team Hub - Previously: 17.
The Falcons had no chance in Tampa Bay given the horrible conditions. It turned into a running fest, and it's impossible to run on the Buccaneers when Vita Vea is healthy.
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Las Vegas Raiders (4-4)Team Hub - Previously: 22.
The Raiders beat the Jets on the road, but let's not be too excited. They were outgained 439-333 and averaged 0.7 fewer yards per play. They were able to benefit from a kickoff return touchdown and some horrible play-calling from the Jets in the second half.
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Cleveland Browns (5-3)Team Hub - Previously: 20.
We're getting close to people realizing that this Browns mirage is not quite real. Cleveland is still 5-3, but the team is nowhere near as good as that record indicates.
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New York Jets (2-6)Team Hub - Previously: 25.
Does anyone know what happened to the running portion of the Jets' playbook in the second half? Braelon Allen had already eclipsed 100 rushing yards in the first half, gashing the Raiders left and right. He then scored on a 22-yard touchdown run. I thought he was destined to rush for at least 200 yards against the Raiders.
Instead, the Jets ran the ball just three times after that, despite having the lead most of the time. I don't understand what in the world they were doing, constantly throwing Hail Marys downfield despite never trailing by more than five points.
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Arizona Cardinals (3-5)Team Hub - Previously: 27.
Arizona's dominance of Dallas continues. I found it hilarious when Jerry Jones was seen yelling, "You've got to be effing kidding me!" in the box as the Cardinals were about to beat his precious Cowboys. This was Arizona's Super Bowl, no doubt.
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Baltimore Ravens (4-4)Team Hub - Previously: 8.
If it wasn't apparent, this major move in the power rankings is based on Lamar Jackson being out for the year. Call me crazy, but I don't think the Ravens have much of a chance with an Italian dish at quarterback.
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New Orleans Saints (2-5)Team Hub - Previously: 28.
It's unclear why the Saints tried to run the ball so much when trailing through the second half in Paris. It was a wasted down every time. The Steelers barely had an answer for Tyler Shough, yet Kellen Moore threw away the game.
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Tennessee Titans (1-7)Team Hub - Previously: 30.
The Titans lost once again, but give them credit for fighting hard this time in their second matchup against an Ohio team. It was a perfect game for the Titans, as it gave their fans hope that Cam Ward could amount to something, while they still preserved their great draft position.
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Indianapolis Colts (2-6)Team Hub - Previously: 26.
If I showed as much effort as the Colts did in the Jacksonville game, then there would be no write-up here at all. Indianapolis showed zero interest in tackling anyone on the Jaguars. It was absolutely pathetic.
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Miami Dolphins (1-6)Team Hub - Previously: 32.
If I didn't know any better, I'd say the Dolphins were tanking. They were up 13-3 against the Patriots, then just rolled over and died in the second half. They played so slowly that it looked like they had no interest in scoring at all.
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Philadelphia Eagles (2-6)Team Hub - Previously: 29.
The Eagles fought hard, yet still couldn't stay within 16 points of the Redskins. Granted, Philadelphia was playing on a short week, but the Eagles were also battling a fairly weak opponent that was down two starting defensive linemen.
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San Angeles Chargers (0-7)Team Hub - Previously: 31.
The Chargers had two weeks to prepare for the Rams, and they came out with that. They scored nine points in the first half and couldn't get anything after intermission. I don't know what happened, but Justin Herbert has apparently forgotten how to play football.
Group A:
Group B:
Group C:
Group D:
Group F:
2026 NFL MVP Projection:
1. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
2. Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers
3. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
4. Jordan Love, QB, Packers
5. Caleb Williams, QB, Bears
Go to 2027 NFL Mock Draft
NFL Picks - Nov. 5
2027 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 4
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 3
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 7
2022 NFL Power Rankings. Week:
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2021 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings | Preseason Power Rankings | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Playoffs |
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2021 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings | Preseason Power Rankings | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Playoffs |
2020 NFL Power Rankings. Week: Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Playoffs |
Charlie Campbell
teerible
Walt, why are the 6-0, division-leading Vikings ranked 15th? I get they’ve had shaky wins but they beat both the Bears and the Packers who you have ranked above them. Sure, Kyler Murray is kinda bad, but their defense shut down Caleb Williams and Jordan Love. Yeah, I get it’s hard to trust defensively led teams, but at a certain point you have to make it make sense.
He will always make excuses for their wins and completely ignore them. Once they lose a game he will act like that’s the proof he’s been right all along. But teams that he wants to do well like the Rams he will completely ignore every loss and just say they weren’t trying so I’m gonna act like the game never happened. Hahaha. The absolute biggest joke of a power rankings. I’ll give it to him though because I check his rankings every week just to see the worst rankings imaginable for a laugh.
Walt,
As a Browns fan, even though I find myself completely disagreeing with some of your takes, I want to thank you for calling out this team, specifically the offense, for what it is. If it wasn’t for our defense, there’s a good chance that we’re winless through 6 games. Four late game comeback wins, each in the final minute of low scoring games, does not fill me with much confidence for this season and I’m DEATHLY scared of the possibility that we may resign Watson (which imo should get AB fired if that happens, and I’m a BIG supporter of his, even through his first few years as our GM).
Fortunately, he has drafted very well over these past 2 drafts and one more good draft (that involves getting a new QB) would put as among the contenders for the AFC North. I think he’s starting to settle in as our longterm GM, but that’s as long as he avoids the urge to make stupid decisions.
Not sure if I like Monken longterm, but he has done a great job despite the disaster he has in his QB room. Overall, he’s been a boon to this team, especially the younger players.
Rutenberg looks like a good DC, but how much of it is his input vs what Schwartz already put in place????
The defense looks legit, but where you have this team ranked is pretty accurate imo because of the shotgun only offense that they have to run due to this team not being able to move on from Watson. The sooner they come to terms with that, the better.
Sanders is not the answer either, but I’d rather watch him try to prove everyone wrong (he likely won’t) than watch a “woe is me” guy who blames everyone but himself for his issues.
You do the same thing every year. You obviously want the Rams to win so they can prove you right so every single time they lose you make an excuse for it (they only lost due to some bad calls or they only lost because the other team got lucky or my favorite…. they didn’t even try to win.) So you completely ignore the fact they lost because of whatever excuse you reach for that week and keep them at the same spot. Then teams like KC and Minnesota who you obviously don’t like you just ignore all their wins because of the same kinda excuses (the other team gained more yards so they should have lost so I’m going to act like they lost) and punish them for winning just because you don’t like them. Wins and losses carry more weight than your excuses.
Ah darn, you got me. I really want the Rams to win because they’re paying me to have them rated highly in these power rankings. They could go 0-17 and I’ll have them in the top five. KC and MIN go 17-0? No way are they in the top five!
This is my first time here and.. wow. The Ravens aren’t 3-2 first off and this is the only ranking that doesn’t put them in the top 10. I think you might have smoked something before you made this list. Not to mention there were some very valid points made in the comments as well that the writer seems to lash out at with childish responses instead of poised and thought out replies. Definitely wouldn’t recommend using this site, my lord.
I find that extremely offensive. I may lash out, but I definitely don’t do so in childish fashion. I’m beginning to think you’re the childish one
What exactly do you mean by “struggling to pull away”? The Vikings won by 10 and knelt it out. They outgained their opponent by ~200 yards and held one of the NFL’s leading passers in Shough to under 100 yards. They didn’t rely on mistakes, they forced mistakes with tons of pressure. Having the Bears who they beat and the lions who have arguably the worst defense in the league both over them is impossible to defend.
It was a one-score game most of the day
Don’t waste your time trying to understand this clown. Actual wins and losses mean nothing to him. He goes by cherry picked stats that will fit the narrative he wants. Minnesota is one of the teams he doesn’t like so whenever they win he’ll search for some stat or mistake that he can blame it on and ignore the win. He does the same with KC. Then he has teams like the Rams that he does the opposite when they lose. This is more of a list of which teams he likes than it is a power rankings.
I have a suggestion. If you really want to see rankings based on wins and losses, you can go to NFL.com and click on standings. That’ll give you exactly what you want!
I remember this site back in the day, right now just found a random link to it and decided to visit it, but damnnnnnn! How can you take a site seriously that won’t even update team names and logos even though it’s been years?
Shows the owner is stuck in his ways and is inflexible and biased with his thoughts. If you can’t adapt, than you can’t see actual changes, it’s no wonder these rankings look like they been pulled out of a hat.
I’m guessing you’re referring to the Redskins. Sorry to hear that you hate Native Americans so much that you want to remove their imagery!
Where do you have the Giants Ranked about 15. You have the Jets ranked over the Giants. Who biased joke.
“Who biased joke?” Bernard, the only joke here is the public school system
Wow, Walt, did you criticize Trump and I didn’t see it? Some of these guys act like MAGAs do with all that hate when you point out valid things their cult leader did wrong. Anyway, I think there MIGHT be some validity to you letting whether you like teams or not affect your rankings of them. I think it does with the Chiefs, anyway. They should be top 3 being undefeated this year and Mahomes back to playing well again. As far as not blowing other teams out, they rarely did that even in their Super Bowl winning seasons. I don’t know why, they always seem to let inferior teams keep it close until they pull it out in the end. But then they DO pull it out in exciting fashion. That’s why they are fun to watch. Of course, I am also letting my love for them affect my rankings, but they have been an incredibly successful franchise in the Mahomes era. Last year was a fluke.
Don’t be shocked if the Bucs wind up with Arch Manning/Darian Mensah/Dante Moore next April. Baker’s new contract is moveable in 2028 (~$50 in cap savings) so he can be an expensive bridge for 1 year
List of overrated teams:
-Cleveland Browns
-Las Vegas Raiders
-Pittsburgh Steelers
-Minnesota Vikings
-New York Giants
-Detroit Lions
List of underrated teams:
-Tampa Bay Buccaneers, even if you’re not going to include them. They could easily be 3-1 right now.
-Cincinnati Bengals
-New England Patriots
-Atlanta Falcons
-Dallas Cowboys, for once.
Until further notice, I am DONE with Walter football.com. I used to be a regular visitor, but lack of quality and clownish “hot takes” have earned y’all this. Everyone don’t waste your time closing ads just to waste more time reading a subpar article. Go to YouTube. Better quality and more entertaining than the mess they put out here!
We actually have the best power rankings in the business. Sorry to hear that I hurt your feelings by ranking your team too low!
“The Broncos are 2-1, but they got outgained by the Rams, 482-257 in net yards and averaged only 4.3 yards per play compared to the Rams’ 5.9. The officials gave Denver the victory on a silver platter with a bogus interception at the end.”
Damn!!! You sound big mad!!! Do you want a cookie????
This guy is a complete clown. He has teams he doesn’t like and when this teams win all he does is go to the box score and search for something that the other team did better and say they should have lost because of that. Then he always throws in some bad calls. He’s the complete opposite with the teams he likes. Looks for any stat that he can point to and say they should have won because of this stat and again throws in the blaming the refs for the loss.
You are 1000% correct. This whole website has clown vibes!
Sorry I hurt your feelings when I ranked your team too low, Sean. If you have an actual case to make about a team, I’m all ears
I really do enjoy coming here every season to get a good laugh. It’s always so obvious as to which teams you like and which teams you don’t. The teams you do like you always make excuses for their losses (“if not for some bad calls they would have won”) and the ones you don’t you always make excuses for their wins (“if not for some bad calls this team would have lost”) and if you didn’t do it for the same teams every year somebody might actually believe you
The Bills being named the best team in the AFC after that Detroit demolition feels right — it was as complete a performance as I’ve seen from them, and they made it look easy. I can’t get on the Rams for losing in Australia either, because that kind of travel genuinely drains you before the game even starts, no matter the roster. I’d been messing around on https://1dollardeposit.com before this and honestly, this breakdown was a far better use of my attention span.
I love this time of the season. Walt’s NFL Power Rankings come into first contact with the season. Not an easy business. I guess the Rams may have been a tad high, Seattle a tad low…maybe (TBD), 49ers a tad low. Patriots probably at the right spot.