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NFL power rankings: 49ers stay hot, Bears tumble in Week 10

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers takes the field with teammates prior to the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers takes the field with teammates prior to the NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 3: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates as he leaves the field after a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at CenturyLink Field on November 3, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won 40-34 in overtime. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 3: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates as he leaves the field after a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at CenturyLink Field on November 3, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won 40-34 in overtime. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

NFL power rankings: Nos. 10-6

Previous: . Houston Texans. 10. team. 10. . 6-3

W, 26-3 @ Jaguars

The Texans showed up to play in London, while the Jaguars surely didn’t.

There was the stark contrast between quarterbacks, Gardner Minshew and Houston’s Deshaun Watson, with the latter tossing for two touchdowns and a 120.4 passer rating. And despite a fumble, running back Carlos Hyde continues to make an impression, rushing for 160 yards and dominating the game on the ground.

Yet the big stat is the obvious one: turnovers. Forcing four of those was a key reason why the Texans held Jacksonville to a mere three points.

. 6-2. Previous: . Buffalo Bills. 9. team. 16

W, 24-9 vs. Redskins

It’s hard to keep a two-loss team this far down in NFL power rankings, especially considering how good the Bills defense has been. And quarterback Josh Allen is showing some nice maturation, too.

But the Buffalo offense could still use a bit of work, and pulling off a total of 268 yards against a bad Redskins team doesn’t tell us much.

Still, no one in Buffalo is complaining about the good start. And being in the top 10 of power rankings is no slouch, either.

team. 60. . 6-3. Previous: . Minnesota Vikings. 8

L, 26-23 @ Chiefs

With every other team in the NFC North losing, the Vikings stood to gain a lot by pulling off a win over the still Patrick Mahomes-less Chiefs.

Alas, it didn’t happen, and Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins’ three-touchdown effort wasn’t enough to offset Chiefs running back Damien Williams and wide receiver Tyreek Hill going off for big games.

Minnesota’s defense was solid, of course. Just not good enough. And game-winning field goals hurt.

Seattle Seahawks. 7. team. 36. . 7-2. Previous:

W, 40-34 vs. Buccaneers (OT)

Take away Russell Wilson, and the Seahawks are a three- or four-win team this season. Perhaps worse.

But Wilson is there, and he’s playing at an MVP level. His Week 9 heroics — 378 pass yards and a whopping five touchdowns, including the game winner in overtime — tell you all you need to know how Seattle is winning this year.

Although two of his receivers, Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf, each posted over 100 yards receiving.

And it seems every week, the Seahawks fall behind early, claw their way back and somehow come away with a narrow victory. Barely getting by the Buccaneers doesn’t reinforce an idea the Seahawks are elite.

Wilson sure is, though.

124. . 6-3. Previous: . Kansas City Chiefs. 6. team

W, 26-23 vs. Vikings

The Chiefs elected to sit Mahomes for one more week, letting his knee fully heal. But the fact Kansas City pulled off a much-needed win over a tough Vikings opponent isn’t the sole reason why it climbs notably in NFL power rankings.

It’s because Mahomes is likely going to return in Week 10. That makes all the difference.

Meanwhile, how about that Chiefs pass defense? This unit held Cousins and Co. to a mere 212 yards. Not bad, considering how criticized this side of the ball has been for much of 2019.