There’s an event in politics called the “October Surprise” where damaging news about a candidate is released close to election day. While it’s safe to say that both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have taken it in the teeth over the last two weeks, NFL teams have also been the victims of their own “October Surprise” and it’s reflected in this week’s Power Rankings.
1. Minnesota Vikings – (5-0) The Vikings took a week off, letting the Cowboys and Patriots dominate the news cycle. None to fear. They’ll remind everybody they’re still around come Sunday. Last week: 1
2. Dallas Cowboys – (5-1) Any talk about Dak Prescott being sent back to the bench was officially ended today when the Cowboys announced he would start Week Eight as Tony Romo continues to recuperate from his back injury. Yeah. Ok. Last week: 3
3. New England Patriots – (5-1) There’s luck, then there’s getting the Steelers on the road without Ben Roethlisbeger. New England’s deal with the devil is iron clad. Last week: 4
4. Seattle Seahawks – (4-1) The Seahawks have finally discovered their offense, Russell Wilson is healthy and the rest of the NFC is in trouble. Last week: 9
5. Pittsburgh Steelers – (4-2) One loss to the Dolphins isn’t enough to knock the Steelers out of the Top Five, but with three games at least of Landry Jones at QB, a freefall is on the horizon. Last week: 2
6. Denver Broncos – (4-2) So it turns out Paxton Lynch wasn’t the problem in the Broncos’ offensive attack. Will having Gary Kubiak on the sideline be enough to keep Denver from losing its third game in a row? Last week: 5
7. Atlanta Falcons – (4-2) A blown pass interference non-call is all that kept the Seahawks and Falcons from flipping places this week in the rankings. As it is, this looks like the third best team in the NFC to me. Last week: 7
8. Green Bay Packers – (3-2) Everyone wants to know what’s wrong with Aaron Rodgers and I can answer that question in two words; Mike McCarthy. The Packers need to make a coaching change and get a few more Super Bowl runs in before the window closes for good. And the first person that says Green Bay should give the job to Dom Capers gets hit in the head with a shovel. Last week: 6
9. Buffalo Bills – (4-2) No only has Rex Ryan completely removed himself from the shit coaches list, he has his team primed for a playoff run. If nothing else, the Bills appear to be in the race until the end of the season. The rematch with the Patriots on Oct. 30 will tell us all if they’ll make it. Last week: 17
10. New York Giants – (3-3) If the Giants keep winning and Odell Beckham Jr keeps playing lights-out, that kicking net is going to end up pregnant. Last week: 18
11. Arizona Cardinals – (3-3) The Cardinals have done just enough against shitty teams to fool everyone into thinking they’ll be a factor in the NFC West. The Seahawks will clear out Arizona’s bandwagon once again like Rush Limbaugh at a church bean supper. Last week: 19
12. Washington Redskins – (4-2) The Redskins look like players in the NFC, in spite of everything my eyes told me last season. Like Rex Ryan, Jay Gruden has escaped the Coach Ineptitude Rankings and is no longer even getting votes. Now they face a suddenly spunky Lions team on the road. This is the kind of game a bad team loses (see the Los Angeles Rams). Who are you, Washington? Last week: 12
13. Philadelphia Eagles – (3-2) The Eagles and Vikings were the two hottest teams in the NFC in September. Now the Eagles’ October surprise is that teams are going to blitz Carson Wentz’s brains out for the rest of the year. The kid will be alright, but this is going to be a long Sunday. Last week: 8
14. Oakland Raiders – (4-2) The Raiders have a chance to take firm command of the AFC West over the next two weeks with games against the Jaguars and the Buccaneers. Last week: 10
Click here to read Part two of the NFL Week Seven Power Rankings.
