Las Vegas Sports Consultants has released its latest NFL power rankings with some musical chairs played in the top five. The biggest story came from out of the AFC North, as the Bengals made the largest leap.
Cincinnati jumped from 12th to 6th after pulling off the season sweep of Pittsburgh, 18-12 at Heinz Field. The Bengals own two huge tiebreakers over the Steelers and Ravens inside the division, as Cincinnati sits at 7-2. Marvin Lewis' team heads out to the west coast this Sunday to battle the woeful Raiders.
Back at the top this week are the New Orleans Saints, after staving off the Rams, 28-23. Sean Payton's squad has had a problem covering big numbers the last three weeks, going 0-3 ATS, all as double-digit 'chalk.' Despite not covering, the Saints are atop the rankings for the fifth straight week. New Orleans heads back on the road as a long favorite this Sunday at Tampa Bay.
The Patriots stayed put in the second spot despite the one-point setback at Indianapolis. Bill Belichick made headlines all week for trying to get two yards on fourth down from deep in his own territory, and ultimately the Pats were stopped. New England remains atop the AFC East at 6-3, but may have cost themselves a first-round bye with that risky decision. The Pats return home to host the 4-5 Jets this Sunday as double-digit favorites.
The Colts came back from the late deficit against the Patriots, but it only moved Indianapolis up one spot (fourth to third). Indy remains unbeaten at 9-0, but similarly to New Orleans, the Colts are 0-3 ATS the last three games. Indianapolis hits the road this week for another test, heading to Baltimore.
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The Vikings climbed from fifth to fourth after blowing out the Lions, 27-10. Minnesota is in the midst of three straight home contests, hosting the Seahawks this week, followed by the Bears next Sunday. The Vikings are currently one game behind the Saints for the top record in the NFC, but are in the driver's seat for at least a first-round bye in the playoffs.
The Steelers have work to do after falling to the Bengals for a second time this season. Pittsburgh, who fell two spots from third to fifth, can still win the AFC North, but will need Cincinnati to slip up down the line. The Steelers look to rebound this week, traveling to Kansas City as ten-point road favorites.
The Cowboys and Chargers are tied for the seventh position, but both teams are there due to different circumstances. Dallas dropped from the sixth spot after losing at Green Bay, 17-7. The Cowboys still lead the NFC East at 6-3 despite the defeat, as Dallas comes back home to host Washington. San Diego has quietly won four straight, including an eight-point victory over Philadelphia. The Bolts head to Denver this Sunday, looking to take over for first place in the AFC West.
