The NFL is about to a face a big test.
The election is (largely) over, and now, we’ll see how closely the sinking TV ratings and election coverage have been tied.
Luckily, for the NFL, it comes on a good week.
The slate of games is highlighted by a Sunday-night Super Bowl 49 rematch between the Patriots and Seahawks. During the afternoon games, we’ll also see if the Panthers’ rebound is real, or if the Chiefs are a team to be feared. We’ll also see if the Cowboys can go into Pittsburgh and take down a supposed Super Bowl contender and if the Packers can rebound against a competitive Titans team.
This is a big week for the NFL, and if a generally compelling schedule can’t help ratings rebound, the league may really start to get nervous.
Check out the power rankings of all 32 teams going into Week 10.
32. Cleveland Browns
Record: 0-9
Week 9 result: Lost to the Cowboys, 35-10
Week 9 star: Nobody!
Week 10 opponent: at Baltimore Ravens
One thing to know: While the Browns are not a good team, ESPN's Bill Barnwell argues that stats show they've also been unlucky in going winless through nine games.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 1-7
Week 9 result: Lost to the Saints, 41-23
Week 9 star: Wide receiver Quinton Patton had 106 yards on six catches.
Week 10 opponent: at Arizona Cardinals
One thing to know: The Niners have now dropped seven straight, and haven't won a game since September.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 2-6
Week 9 result: Lost to the Chiefs, 19-14
Week 9 star: Running back Chris Ivory finally had a breakthrough game with 107 yards on 18 carries.
Week 10 opponent: vs. Houston Texans
One thing to know: The NFL world is souring on Blake Bortles, who has regressed mechanically in his third season.
29. Chicago Bears
Record: 2-6
Week 9 result: Bye week
Week 9 star: There wasn't one!
Week 10 opponent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One thing to know: Despite his team's terrible first half of the season, Eddie Royal is still confident the Bears can make the playoffs. Said Royal: "Why not win out?"
28. New York Jets
Record: 3-6
Week 9 result: Lost to the Dolphins, 27-23
Week 9 star: Matt Forte had 92 rushing yards and a touchdown, continuing his productivity this season.
Week 10 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Rams
One thing to know: Ryan Fitzpatrick has a sprained MCL, but expects to play on Sunday. With the Jets postseason hopes sliding away and Fitzpatrick struggling, how much longer will he remain the starter?
27. Los Angeles Rams
Record: 3-5
Week 9 result: Lost to the Panthers, 13-10
Week 9 star: Aaron Donald sacked Cam Newton twice, and added another tackle for a loss. The defense isn't the problem in LA!
Week 10 opponent: at New York Jets
One thing to know: Toddy Gurley's carries have been way down of late. He's touched the ball just 41 total times in the past three games.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 3-5
Week 9 result: Lost to the Falcons, 43-28
Week 9 star: Mike Evans had a monster day, going for 150 yards and two touchdowns on 11 catches.
Week 10 opponent: vs. Chicago Bears
One thing to know: The Bucs continue to have awful luck at running back. Doug Martin, Charles Sims, Jaquizz Rodgers, and Antone Smith have all gotten hurt, leaving the team to call up yet another practice squad back for Week 10.
25. Buffalo Bills
Record: 4-5
Week 9 result: Lost to the Seahawks, 31-25
Week 9 star: Robert Woods caught 10 passes for 162 yards.
Week 10 opponent: Bye Week
One thing to know: Rex Ryan's squad has now lost three in a row. The Bills didn't get much help from the refs at the end of the first half against the Seahawks, though.
24. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 4-5
Week 9 result: Beat the Packers, 31-26
Week 9 star: Despite throwing two interceptions, Andrew Luck also threw for 281 yards, completed 64% of his passes, and led two drives that led to Frank Gore rushing touchdowns.
Week 10 opponent: Bye
One thing to know: Colts coach Chuck Pagano is thankful the Colts didn't fall to 3-6 with a loss to Green Bay: "Don't even want to think about it. Sick to your stomach. Thank God we didn't have to go down that road."
23. Tennessee Titans
Record: 4-5
Week 9 result: Lost to the Chargers, 43-35
Week 9 star: Rishard Matthews only caught six passes for 63 yards, but found the back of the end zone twice.
Week 10 opponent: vs. Green Bay Packers
One thing to know: Two Marcus Mariota turnovers led to Chargers touchdowns, which killed the Titans.
22. Carolina Panthers
Record: 3-5
Week 9 result: Beat the Rams, 13-10
Week 9 star: Thomas Davis had 10 tackles, a sack, interception, tackle for loss, and pass defense, plus a 90.6 grade from PFF!
Week 10 opponent: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
One thing to know: The Panthers aren't out of the playoff race just yet. Week 10 against the 6-2 Chiefs will be a huge gauge as to whether the Panthers can battle back from a disastrous start.
21. San Diego Chargers
Record: 4-5
Week 9 result: Beat the Titans, 43-35
Week 9 star: Melvin Gordon rushed for 196 yards and a touchdown, and added 65 more yards and a second score through the air. Talk about a good sophomore season!
Week 10 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins
One thing to know: Chargers rookie star Joey Bosa has picked up a new hobby now that he lives on his own: cooking. He even uses Blue Apron!
20. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 3-4-1
Week 9 result: Bye week
Week 9 star: Nobody!
Week 10 opponent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One thing to know: A.J. Green received some high praise recently - Chad Johnson called him the "greatest" receiver in Bengals history!
19. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 3-4-1
Week 9 result: Bye week
Week 9 star: There wasn't one!
Week 10 opponent: vs. San Francisco 49ers
One thing to know: According to ESPN's Bill Barnwell, the Cardinals have been one of the more unlucky teams in the NFL. Despite their record, Barnwell notes, the Cards are more like a 5-3 team if you look at point differential.
18. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 4-4
Week 9 result: Lost to the Giants, 28-23
Week 9 star: Fletcher Cox had 1.5 tackles for loss, a pass defense, and an 88.7 grade from PFF.
Week 10 opponent: vs. Atlanta Falcons
One thing to know: Carson Wentz has now thrown five interceptions to four touchdowns since the Eagles bye week in Week 4. They've lost four of their last five games.
17. Miami Dolphins
Record: 4-4
Week 9 result: Beat the Jets, 27-23
Week 9 star: Jay Ajayi didn't let a bye week slow him down. He ran for 111 yards and a TD against the Jets.
Week 10 opponent: at San Diego Chargers
One thing to know: Make that three in a row for the Fins! Still, FiveThirtyEight gives the Dolphins just a 12% chance to make the playoffs.
16. New Orleans Saints
Record: 4-4
Week 9 result: Beat the 49ers, 41-23
Week 9 star: Drew Brees was on fire, throwing for 323 yards on 28-of-39 passing, with three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Week 10 opponent: vs. Denver Broncos
One thing to know: The Saints got 245 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Mark Ingram and Tim Hightower in Week 9. Next up is the Broncos, who surrendered 114 yards and three touchdowns to the Raiders' Latavius Murray last week.
15. Washington Redskins
Record: 4-3-1
Week 9 result: Bye Week
Week 9 star: There wasn't one!
Week 10 opponent: vs. Minnesota Vikings
One thing to know: Redskins' beat writer John Keim gave the team a C- through the first half of the season. He believes success in the second half of the season rests on the play of Kirk Cousins.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 4-4
Week 9 result: Beat the Steelers, 21-14
Week 9 star: Mike Wallace had 124 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Week 10 opponent: vs. Cleveland Browns
One thing to know: Despite a four-game losing streak prior to Week 9, the Ravens are now in first place in the mediocre AFC North.
13. Detroit Lions
Record: 5-4
Week 9 result: Beat the Vikings, 22-16
Week 9 star: Golden Tate's terrific 28-yard touchdown in overtime lifted the Lions to a big division win.
Week 10 opponent: Bye
One thing to know: Calvin Johnson has advanced to the semifinal of "Dancing With The Stars".
12. New York Giants
Record: 5-3
Week 9 result: Beat the Eagles, 28-23
Week 9 star: Eli Manning had a big day, throwing for 257 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Week 10 opponent: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
One thing to know: Top offensive lineman Justin Pugh is going to miss several weeks with a sprained MCL. Bad news for the Giants' weak run game!
11. Green Bay Packers
Record: 4-4
Week 9 result: Lost to the Colts, 31-26
Week 9 star: Aaron Rodgers threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 43 more.
Week 10 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans
One thing to know: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix had two interceptions, but missed what looked to be a clear sack down the stretch in the 4th quarter. That sack is keeping him up at night.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 4-4
Week 9 result: Lost to the Ravens, 21-14
Week 9 star: Nobody slows down Antonio Brown, who had 85 yards and a touchdown.
Week 10 opponent: vs. Dallas Cowboys
One thing to know: Tight end Ladarius Green might return this week, adding another playmaker to this already-deadly Steelers offense.
9. Houston Texans
Record: 5-3
Week 9 result: Bye Week
Week 9 star: There wasn't one!
Week 10 opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars
One thing to know: Four of the Texans' next five games are on the road, where they are 0-3 so far this season.
8. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 5-3
Week 9 result: Lost to the Lions, 22-16
Week 9 star: Ronnie Hillman totaled 62 yards on just one catch and seven carries, possibly earning him a bigger role in the Vikings' diminished run game.
Week 10 opponent: vs. Washington Redskins
One thing to know: The Vikings, the team that went longest without a loss this season, are now on a three-game skid. The offensive line is a mess, the defense is slowing down, and the shine is coming off Sam Bradford.
7. Denver Broncos
Record: 6-3
Week 9 result: Lost to the Raiders, 30-20.
Week 9 star: Bradley Roby had nine tackles, a sack, and a QB hit against the Raiders.
Week 10 opponent: at New Orleans Saints
One thing to know: With CJ Anderson on the IR, the Broncos run game looks suddenly worrisome. Devontae Booker and Kapri Bibbs combined for just 33 yards against the Raiders.
6. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 6-3
Week 9 result: Beat the Buccaneers, 43-28
Week 9 star: Matt Ryan is still on fire - he had 344 passing yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 144.7 passer rating.
Week 10 opponent: at Philadelphia Eagles
One thing to know: Matt Ryan's huge year has been sparked, partially, by a decision to stop trying to read defenses so intensely, according to ESPN's Seth Wickersham.
5. Seattle Seahawks
Record: 5-2-1
Week 9 result: Beat the Bills, 31-25
Week 9 star: Jimmy Graham caught two touchdown passes, including a spectacular one-handed grab, plus 103 yards receiving.
Week 10 opponent: at New England Patriots
One thing to know: Richard Sherman had quite the game, jumping offside on a wild field goal attempt before halftime and then running into the kicker. Later on, he made a controversial (but legal) play that looked to be pass interference, made a big interception, and then exchanged words with Rex Ryan.
4. Oakland Raiders
Record: 7-2
Week 9 result: Beat the Broncos, 30-20
Week 9 star: Latavius Murray ran all over the Broncos for 114 yards and three touchdowns.
Week 10 opponent: Bye
One thing to know: The Raiders are surging and look like postseason contenders thanks to a wildly successful 2014 draft.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 6-2
Week 9 result: Beat the Jaguars, 19-14
Week 9 star: Ramik Wilson picked off Blake Bortles, and the whole defense played great against the Jags.
Week 10 opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers
One thing to know: The Chiefs have now won four straight, but because the AFC West is so stacked they may be left fighting for yet another wild card spot.
2. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 7-1
Week 9 result: Beat the Browns, 35-10
Week 9 star: Dak Prescott keeps getting better - he had 247 yards on 21-of-27 passing for three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Week 10 opponent: at Pittsburgh Steelers
One thing to know: Tony Romo is close to returning, but it sounds like the Cowboys are going to continue to ride Dak Prescott's hot hand.
1. New England Patriots
Record: 7-1
Week 9 result: Bye week
Week 9 star: There wasn't one!
Week 10 opponent: vs. Seattle Seahawks
One thing to know: The Patriots are still the best team in football, but they haven't been forcing turnovers as much this year as in past seasons. They have nine through the first half of the season, which is their lowest number in the past five years.
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