Windy City Gridiron
Are you not entertained?! For what feels like the ninth consecutive week, the NFL was must-see television with multiple high-scoring games that came down to the final seconds, including the league’s marquee game of the week with the Chiefs and Bills. For the first time in three weeks, we’ve got a shakeup at the top. With the halfway point of the season approaching, the regular season picture is starting to take shape, featuring multiple tight divisional races, including the NFC North, NFC West, and AFC East. Buckle in, football fans, the fun is just getting started as we enter the early part of November.
1. Buffalo Bills (6-2) Previous Week: 6
Statement made. The Bills came in with something to prove (as did the Chiefs), yet it was the Bills who controlled the majority of the game in a big mid-season victory at home. Quarterback Josh Allen is hitting his stride, and the defense looked considerably better against Kansas City’s high-powered offense than they have for most of the year. The Bills were my Super Bowl pick in August, and outside of their two-game skid, they’ve looked every bit the part. Barring a speed bump, a (7-2) start looks imminent with a road trip to Miami in Week 10.
2. Los Angeles Rams (6-2) Previous Week: 4
Teams in the NFC West keep winning, and that includes the Rams, who keep pace yet again with their sixth win of the season against the lowly one-win Saints in a 34-10 blowout victory in Los Angeles. Quarterback Matthew Stafford continues to play at a high level, but receiver Puka Nakua was once again banged up on Sunday. The Rams are one of the more complete teams in the league, but they also play in one of the deepest divisions in football. For now, they hold the top spot in their division and are knocking on the door of the top spot in our rankings.
3. Indianapolis Colts (7-2) Previous Week: 1
I knew we were unlikely to have the same team at the top for a third straight week, but I didn’t expect the Colts to fall the way they did against the Steelers. Daniel Jones came back down to earth on Sunday with three interceptions, and the Colts had an uncharacteristically poor performance overall. In a week where upsets were prominent, I’m going to write this loss off as precisely that. We’ll see if they can rebound against a struggling Falcons team.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) Previous Week: 8
The Eagles go into Week 9’s bye in good shape. Not only are they in the running for the top seed in the NFC, but the NFC East is a mediocre group from spots two through four. Barring an unexpected collapse, Philadelphia is well on its way to winning consecutive division titles for the first time in over two decades. The better question seems to be if they can earn the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs.
**5. Seattle Seahawks (6-2)...
