NFL Power Rankings Week 10: Where does every NFC team stand?

It is officially the halfway point of the 2021 NFL season. The Week 10 NFL Power Rankings feature a big shake-up in the NFC conference. Only four of the 16 teams are coming off wins, and none of them have won consecutive games. Only three NFC teams retained their spot in the Power Rankings, while the other 13 have shifted.

NFC Power Rankings: Teams struggling the most

#16 - Detroit Lions (0-8)

Last week: #16

Next Week: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Detroit Lions remain the easy pick for last place in the Power Rankings because they are the only team without a win in the 2021 NFL season. It won't get any easier for them in Week 10 when they take on the surging Pittsburgh Steelers, who have won four games in a row.

The Lions will look to the future as they continue a full rebuild of their roster. The good news for them is that they should have one of the top NFL Draft picks this season.

#15 - Washington Football Team (2-6)

Last week: #15

Next week: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Washington Football Team is tied for the second-longest losing streak in the NFC conference. They will have a difficult matchup against the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10.

Washington's defense has been one of the biggest disappointments this season. Their passing defense has been torched all season, and now they have to face one of the top passing attacks in the NFL. It's hard to imagine them moving up the Power Rankings any time soon.

#14 - Chicago Bears (3-6)

Last week: #13

Next week: BYE

The Chicago Bears are the other NFC team that has lost four consecutive games after a frustrating defeat by the Pittsburgh Steelers in Monday Night Football last week. Rookie Justin Fields played well, but it wasn't enough to stop them falling in the Power Rankings.

The Bears will have a bye in Week 10, and it will come for them at a good time. They desperately need to regroup and turn things around fast if they want any chance at climbing the Power Rankings and making it back to the playoffs this season.

#13 - Philadelphia Eagles (3-6)

Last week: #11

Next week: vs. Denver Broncos

The Philadelphia Eagles have been as inconsistent as any team in the NFL this year. Some weeks they look like playoff contenders, while others they appear to have no shot.

Jalen Hurts is as inconsistent as the Eagles themselves. He is auditioning to be the quarterback of the future and has displayed mixed results. He will need a strong second half of the season to inspire optimism about his status as the starting quarterback next year.

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Also check out: Complete Thursday Night Football Schedule 2021

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NFC Power Rankings: Teams that need to do better

#12 - San Francisco 49ers (3-5)

Last week: #10

Next week: vs. Los Angeles Rams

The San Francisco 49ers fall further down the Power Rankings with a disappointing loss against the Arizona Cardinals last week. The Cardinals were missing a ton of key players, but the 49ers still could not get the victory.

Time would appear to be running out for starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Rookie Trey Lance is going to take over, and it could be as soon as Week 10. The 49ers need to make a move before it's too late.

#11 - New York Giants (3-6)

Last week: #14

Next week: BYE

The New York Giants are one of only four teams in the NFC that are coming off a win. It was against a tough opponent, the Las Vegas Raiders. This makes them one of the highest risers in the Week 10 Power Rankings.

The Giants will enter their bye week with a much-needed confidence boost. They have suffered many key injuries this year, especially to the offense, so they will look to get healthy for the stretch run.

#10 - Carolina Panthers (4-5)

Last week: #7

Next week: vs. Arizona Cardinals

The Carolina Panthers continue to drop down the Power Rankings. After winning their first three games of the 2021 NFL season, they have followed it up by losing five of their next six games.

Sam Darnold has been a disaster in recent weeks at quarterback. In his last four games, he has only completed about 50 percent of his passes while throwing just one touchdown and five interceptions. He is in danger of being benched if he doesn't turn things around soon.

#9 - Minnesota Vikings (3-5)

Last week: #8

Next week: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The Minnesota Vikings were one of the biggest risers in the Power Rankings a couple of weeks ago. They have now lost two consecutive games as they slide back down the Power Rankings.

The Vikings are one of the many teams in the NFC who are battling for a Wild Card spot. They currently sit just one game back in a wide-open race. Quarterback Kirk Cousins and his excellent offensive weapons will try to get them into the postseason with a strong second half of the season.

NFC Power Rankings: Teams that are close

#8 - Seattle Seahawks (3-5)

Last week: #9

Next week: vs. Green Bay Packers

The Seattle Seahawks crack the top half of the NFC Power Rankings. They have done just enough to keep themselves in the Wild Card race as they desperately await the return of Russell Wilson.

The Seahawks are still legitimate contenders to make the playoffs as long as Wilson recovers to full health. They are a team to watch in the second half of the 2021 NFL season.

#7 - Atlanta Falcons (4-4)

Last week: #12

Next week: vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Atlanta Falcons made the biggest jump up the Week 10 Power Rankings after a huge victory over their NFC South division rivals, the New Orleans Saints. Even more impressive is that they did so without their best offensive weapon, Calvin Ridley.

The Falcons are one of the most inconsistent teams in the NFC, but they have put themselves in good position to compete for a playoff spot. They have a difficult game against the Dallas Cowboys next week, but an upset victory would catapult them higher up the Power Rankings.

#6 - New Orleans Saints (5-3)

Last week: #6

Next week: vs. Tennessee Titans

The New Orleans Saints are one of only six teams in the NFC with a winning record at the halfway point of the 2021 NFL season. They held their spot in the Power Rankings last week, even though they are coming off a loss.

The major question for the Saints in the second half of the season is at quarterback. Jameis Winston will miss the remainder of the season with an injury. Trevor Siemian is filling in for now, but it is unclear if he will retain the job.

#5 - Dallas Cowboys (6-2)

Last week: #2

Next week: vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Dallas Cowboys regressed in the Power Rankings for the first time this season after suffering their second loss and first since Week 1. It ended their impressive six-game winning streak.

The Cowboys' offense really struggled for the first time all year. They were held scoreless against the Denver Broncos until the fourth quarter in an uncharacteristic game. They will look to bounce back in Week 10 against the Falcons.

NFC Power Rankings: The top teams

#4 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)

Last week: #5

Next week: vs. Washington Football Team

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were on a bye last week but still moved one spot up the Power Rankings. The defending Super Bowl champions have put themselves in a great position to make another run at the title this year.

The Buccaneers will open the second half of their season with a favorable matchup against a weak Washington defense. Tom Brady should strengthen his case for NFL MVP in this game.

#3 - Los Angeles Rams (7-2)

Last week: #1

Next week: vs. San Francisco 49ers

The Los Angeles Rams are no longer in the top spot in the Power Rankings after suffering a loss to the Tennessee Titans in Sunday Night Football. Matthew Stafford had his worst game of the season so far.

The Rams will look to bounce back in Week 10 against the struggling 49ers in a divisional clash. They look strong for the back stretch and are still one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL. Their defense will get a boost when Von Miller makes his debut.

#2 - Green Bay Packers (7-2)

Last week: #3

Next week: vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Green Bay Packers lost last week but still managed to climb one spot in the Power Rankings. The other five teams in the top six of the NFC Power Rankings lost as well. The Packers fell just short and were without their starting quarterback.

Jordan Love made the first start of his career, replacing Aaron Rodgers, who was inactive due to Covid. The Packers are hoping Rodgers will be able to return for their Week 10 game against the Seahawks.

#1 - Arizona Cardinals (8-1)

Last week: #4

Next week: vs. Carolina Panthers

The Arizona Cardinals have taken back over the top spot in the Power Rankings. They are the first team to reach eight wins in the 2021 NFL season and the only team with less than two losses.The Cardinals scored an impressive victory over the 49ers last week, despite being without many key contributors.

Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green were all inactive. Chase Edmonds was also knocked out early, so James Conner carried the majority of the load. The victory demonstrated their excellent depth and adaptability while proving they deserve to sit on top of the Power Rankings.