Gridiron Elite Power Rankings Report
NFL 2026 Season Midseason Dossier • Through Week 9
Date: Nov 5, 2026
Consensus Power Rankings
Comprehensive team evaluation combining efficiency ratings, point differential, and strength of record.
Official Midseason Poll
Tier 1: Championship Favorites (1–5)
Clear Super Bowl LXI trajectory
1
Kansas City Chiefs ▲ 1
Record: 8–1 • Off: #4 • Def: #2
Suffocating pass pressure and ruthless late-game execution. Patrick Mahomes leads the NFL in 3rd-down conversion rate (51.8%).
+78 diff
2
Detroit Lions ━ 0
Record: 8–1 • Off: #1 • Def: #7
The NFL's most complete offensive machine. Averaging 32.4 PPG behind dominant interior line play and relentless ground attacks.
+104 diff
3
Baltimore Ravens ▼ 2
Record: 7–2 • Off: #2 • Def: #14
Lamar Jackson generating MVP-level production. Pass rush is masking secondary lapses during hurry-up two-minute situations.
+86 diff
4
Buffalo Bills ▲ 1
Record: 7–2 • Off: #3 • Def: #9
Josh Allen playing disciplined football with career-low turnover rates. Buffalo's red zone TD rate tops the AFC at 72.4%.
+67 diff
5
Philadelphia Eagles ━ 0
Record: 6–2 • Off: #6 • Def: #5
Physical trench control has re-established their identity. Rushing defense allows only 3.7 YPC while perimeter playmakers excel.
+49 diff
Tier 2: Primary Contenders (6–12)
Division frontrunners and verified postseason locks
6
Washington Commanders ▲2
7–2 • Jayden Daniels top-5 EPA; 29.1 PPG
+58
7
Green Bay Packers ━0
6–3 • Jordan Love distributor; turnover-forcing defense
+42
8
Minnesota Vikings ▼1
6–2 • Flores exotic blitz package confusing QBs
+48
9
Houston Texans ▲1
6–3 • Stroud air accuracy steady; elite edge rush
+29
10
Pittsburgh Steelers ━0
6–2 • Grinding run game, +9 turnover margin
+38
11
San Francisco 49ers ▲2
5–4 • Key weapons returning healthy; second-half surge
+24
12
Atlanta Falcons ━0
6–3 • Controlling NFC South; explosive pass rate ranks #4 in the NFL
+19
Tier 3: Wildcard Race & In The Hunt (13–18)
One hot streak away from securing seeds
13 ▲ 3
Cardinals (5–4)
Murray clutch drives; +12 diff
14 ━ 0
Chargers (5–3)
Harbaugh physical D; #1 scoring D
15 ▲ 2
Broncos (5–4)
Top-3 pass defense; young QB poise
16 ▲ 1
Rams (4–4)
Stafford healthy; pass offense clicking
17 ▼ 3
Buccaneers (4–5)
Heartbreaking 1-score road losses
18 ▼ 2
Bengals (4–5)
Burrow 20 TDs; defense leaky late
NFL Analytic Dossier • Week 9 (2026 Season) Page 1 of 2 • Top 18 Roster Standings
Rankings Continued & Midseason Analytics
Ranks 19–32, advanced metric indicators, biggest movers, and analytical study prompts.
Weeks 1–9 Data
Tier 4: Bubble & High-Variance Teams (19–24)
Capable of upsets but plagued by erratic weekly play
19 Seattle Seahawks (4–5) ▼1
Explosive passing attack hindered by bottom-5 run defense.
-8
20 Chicago Bears (4–4) ▼2
Caleb Williams flashes elite arm; protection lapses on road.
+3
21 Indianapolis Colts (4–5) ━0
Heavy reliance on explosive plays; high turnover variance.
-14
22 Miami Dolphins (3–5) ▲1
Offense finding rhythm with healthy skill players; thin margin.
-22
23 Dallas Cowboys (3–5) ▼4
Injuries across front seven have dropped defensive EPA to 28th.
-36
24 New York Jets (3–6) ━0
Talent on roster failing to translate into second-half scoring drives.
-19
Tier 5: Rebuilding & Future Focus (25–32)
Developing young cores for 2027
25
Saints (3–6)
Cap reboot phase
26
Jaguars (2–7)
Losing one-score games
27
Raiders (2–7)
QB search underway
28
Giants (2–7)
D-line bright spot
29
Titans (2–6)
Offensive rebuild
30
Browns (2–7)
Offensive drought
31
Patriots (2–7)
Maye development
32
Panthers (2–7)
Rebuilding depth
Midseason Analytics & Title Probability
Super Bowl LXI Probability
1. Chiefs 22.4%
2. Lions 19.8%
3. Ravens 15.5%
4. Bills 12.1%
Midseason MVP Ladder
1. Lamar Jackson (BAL)
24 Tot TDs, 118.2 Rating
2. Patrick Mahomes (KC)
8–1, 74.2% clutch completion
3. Jayden Daniels (WAS)
Sophomore record EPA mark
Week 9 Momentum Shifts
▲ Cardinals (+3) Division upset
▲ Commanders (+2) Key road victory
▼ Cowboys (-4) Secondary woes
▼ Buccaneers (-3) Late turnover loss
Sports Analytics Discussion & Analysis Questions
Use the metrics and records from Weeks 1–9 to answer the following predictive analysis prompts:
1. Point Differential vs. Win Percentage:
Notice that the Lions (+104) possess a significantly higher point differential than the Chiefs (+78) despite identical 8–1 records. What does Pythagorean win expectation predict regarding both teams' second-half regression or progression?
2. Strength of Schedule (SOS) Impact:
Teams in the NFC North (Lions, Packers, Vikings, Bears) have an aggregate record of 24–10. How will intra-division matchups in Weeks 10–18 mathematically compress their wildcard positioning compared to the AFC bubble?
NFL Analytic Dossier • Week 9 (2026 Season) Page 2 of 2 • Bottom 14 Standings & Metric Analysis