NFL High-10 rankings: Vikings shove, Commanders bounce, Cowboys be a part of listing

The Chiefs have remained on the prime of my listing for weeks, however are we about to see a Altering of the Guard after the Vikings win over the Jets in London? All of it relies on the back-to-back champs’ exhibiting on Monday night time towards the Saints. Â

The unbeaten Vikings stay proper on Kansas Metropolis’s heels, exhibiting week after week that they are reputable contenders. In the meantime, the Commanders and Ravens transfer up after massive wins on Sunday, and the Falcons and Cowboys transfer in after their late-game heroics.Â

This is my High 10 for Week 5 of the 2024 season.

1.Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Final week: 1

A tricky matchup towards the Saints on Monday night time may check the Chiefs’ mettle as a back-to-back champs. The lack of Rashee Rice may derail a passing sport that lacks a real No. 1 wideout on the perimeter. Whereas Travis Kelce has began to make some noise this season, the 35-year-old might want to make the most of all of his tips to stave off Father Time as a TE1 within the twilight of his profession. With out a high quality choice to help Kelce as a co-headliner, the Chiefs’ passing sport will trip or die on the efforts of the perennial Professional Bowler.Â

2.Minnesota Vikings
Final week: 2

Brian Flores has the protection taking part in at an elite degree, using an unique scheme that options distinctive pre-snap and post-snap actions. The Vikings’ high-IQ defenders create chaos with their cleverly orchestrated disguises, leaving passers and playcallers dazed and confused. With opponents unable to crack Minnesota’s defensive code by means of 5 video games, it is likely to be time to call the Vikings because the crew to beat within the NFC.Â

3.Detroit Lions
Final week: 5

The gritty Lions are a uncommon crew able to successful by pressure or finesse towards the league’s heavyweights. Dan Campbell’s squad can punish opponents behind a smash-mouth working sport powered by a pair of RB1s and a stout offensive line or depend on the efforts of a former No. 3 total decide to spark an electrical aerial assault. Given the Lions’ explosiveness and stability, preserving Detroit out of the winner’s circle down the stretch will likely be exhausting.Â

4.Houston Texans
Final week: 4

The C.J. Stroud–Nico Collins connection is likely to be probably the most deadly passing mixture in soccer, with the duo producing massive play after massive play on the perimeter. Although the big-bodied pass-catcher limped off the sphere in Week 5, the Texans’ aerial assault stays deadly with Stroud on the controls. With the protection excelling below DeMeco Ryans, the Texans are a reputable menace to say the AFC’s prime seed.Â

5.Washington Commanders
Final week: 7

Jayden Daniels has remodeled the Commanders right into a title contender together with his spectacular play directing Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. The No. 2 total decide has ignited the offense together with his arm and legs, exhibiting big-play potential as a runner and passer. As opponents battle to decelerate the Commanders’ QB1, Dan Quinn’s squad climbs the ladder as an unlikely heavyweight within the NFC.Â

6.Baltimore Ravens
Final week: 10

After stumbling out of the gate to an 0-2 begin, the Ravens have discovered their means by leaning right into a ground-and-pound strategy supplemented with a big-play passing sport. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are vying for MVP honors after sparking the Ravens’ offensive resurgence. With a speeding assault that has already put up 1,000-plus yards by means of 5 video games, the Ravens may run to the highest of the AFC.Â

7.Atlanta FalconsÂ
Final week: Not in High 10

“Captain Kirk” Cousins is beginning to work his magic as a comeback specialist for the Falcons. The veteran made sufficient clutch performs within the fourth quarter towards the Buccaneers on Thursday to maneuver the Soiled Birds into the win column and atop the NFC South. Given how Cousins’ superpowers have helped the Falcons declare every of their three wins, confidence within the crew’s marquee free agent may assist Raheem Morris’ squad keep on the charts as a playoff contender.Â

8.Buffalo Payments
Final week: 6

The Payments’ back-to-back losses to a pair of AFC heavyweights have led to questions concerning their potential with out an elite playmaker on the perimeter. Whereas Josh Allen has proven MVP potential, the gunslinger has been pressured to play hero ball towards the highest groups on the schedule. Till one of many Payments’ unheralded playmakers takes his sport up a notch, the offense lacks the firepower to knock out the title contenders.Â

9.Denver Broncos
Final week: Not in High 10

Bo Nix seems to be the proper match as a managerial QB1 with excellent instincts and situational consciousness. The rookie has guided the Broncos to a three-game successful streak by caring for the ball and making sufficient performs together with his arm and legs to increase drives or put factors on the board. With a protection taking part in like a top-five unit, the Broncos are getting snug successful ugly video games.Â

10.Dallas Cowboys
Final week: Not in High 10

Dak Prescott’s late-game heroics Sunday night time towards the Steelers capped off a gritty effort that showcased the Cowboys’ toughness and tenacity as a blue-collar squad. America’s Staff relied on a rugged protection and an sudden working sport to knock off a playoff contender on the street. Contemplating the crew claimed the W and not using a pair of defensive stars (Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence) within the lineup, the street warrior mentality and old-school strategy may assist the Cowboys be a harder crew to knock off down the stretch.Â

Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. He additionally breaks down the sport for NFL Community and as a cohost of the “Shifting the Sticks” podcast. Comply with him on Twitter@BuckyBrooks.

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