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This is Halloween week in the NFL, which might explain the latest bizarre results. Any given Sunday has been true for a topsy-turvy 2026 season, which also has applied to Thursdays and Mondays. Whatever has tricked or treated us in the first half for teams around the league can change in a hurry in the second half.
From the great to the ghoulish, there's been a little of everything in the league so far, including the usual mixed bag of sugary surprises to decadent disappointments.
Some teams are starting to turn back into pumpkins, while some teams are getting as hot as fiery jack-o-lanterns. Here's the latest look at 32 teams, from scariest to weakest.
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NFL Power Rankings
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1. Buffalo Bills 5-1 (previous ranking: 4)
Here's something truly scary: Josh Allen enjoyed the bye with a career-high 8.8 yards per passing attempt through the first six games. He also leads the NFL with 3 successful fourth-quarter comebacks and 4 game-winning drives. He last led the league in those categories in his second season, with 4 and 5, respectively. He's passing for 250-plus yards per game, adding to his favorable chances of winning a second MVP.
2. Minnesota Vikings 5-0 (3)
The Vikings might be using some old black magic to remain as the NFC's only undefeated team. But they do have a macabre schedule coming up in Minnesota, with Detroit, Buffalo, Green Bay and San Francisco as the next four opponents. They need to bag some more offense, stat.
3. Kansas City Chiefs 5-1 (1)
The Chiefs met a frightening Seahawks defense on the road at night that gave Patrick Mahomes and Kenneth Walker III chills they hadn't experienced together this season. It's not often they look so flat and lost but it's good to get some out of it out of their system ahead of a huge division clash in Denver.
MORE: Kenneth Walker III a bigger Chiefs gain than Seahawks loss
4. San Francisco 49ers 6-1 (2)
The 49ers didn't expect Atlanta to be a house of horrors, but with Brock Purdy pressured into his worst game of the season and Christian McCaffrey was fighting through his first injury scare. The perfect egg was cracked and it smells rotten for now, but maybe the 49ers just wanted something imperfect to work on during the Week 8 bye.
5. Chicago Bears 5-2 (7)
The Bears' offense goes from fun size to full size when Caleb Williams is healthy at quarterback. He makes their wide receivers consistent big-play threats and the tight ends dangerous red-zone finishers. He also makes sure they still will dominate in the running game. It would be shocking for them not to score 30 points in a game when he's healthy.
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6. Denver Broncos 5-2 (8)
Bo Nix heard the horrible takes on him and did some real ghost-busting in Arizona, becoming the fifth player in NFL history with a 50-plus yard TD run and 50-plus yard TD pass in the same game. Another good sign is the running game finding more depth and juice behind him. Sean Payton should keep welcoming more knocking of his QB.
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7. Seattle Seahawks 4-3 (9)
The Seahawks needed that defensive flex against the Chiefs in prime time to remind everyone they haven't become Super Bowl hangover zombies. Seattle has a specific way of winning through running the ball, throwing a lot to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and most importantly, protecting the ball. Sam Darnold still has work to do in that latter area.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars 4-2 (6)
The Jaguars are back up to their old tricks, making big plays on defense. They are second in the league with seven interceptions in six games. Last season, under Anthony Campanile, they were second, behind the Bears, with 22. Jacksonville can give up a lot of yards, but winning the turnover margin is key for this team flexing as an AFC title contender.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers 5-2 (10)
There is no voodoo in effect to turn back the clock for a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, but the QB wouldn't be playing so well and the Steelers wouldn't be winning with the offense without Jaylen Warren. The running back is on pace for 714 receiving yards and 1,362 rushing yards. He should get more buzz as Pittsburgh's offensive MVP.
10. New England Patriots 4-3 (5)
Drake Maye isn't seeing ghosts, but he's been haunted by turnovers in their losses. He's up to eight interceptions and the Patriots' three-game winning streak ended in Chicago. Maye leads the league and has matched his total from all last season.
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11. Cincinnati Bengals 4-2 (13)
Joe Burrow must be under a full moon when playing on the road with his possessed play. With him ripping the Ravens in Baltimore, it was Poe-tic he threw for 292 yards and 4 TDs. For the season, on the road, he's had an appropriate 13 TDs passes to zero interceptions.
MORE: How Ja'Marr Chase fueled Bengals' second-half comeback vs. Ravens
12. Detroit Lions 4-2 (14)
The Lions' defense went from scary bad to intimidating against the Packers with Brian Branch back to help the secondary. When Jared Goff is playing so well off Jahmyr Gibbs' running, Detroit is difficult to beat. It's no surprise Detroit delivered its best game for Dan Campbell after the bye. The team needs to keep up the momentum with first-place Minnesota visiting next.
13. Los Angeles Rams 3-4 (15)
The Rams decided to dress up as the juggernaut they were supposed to be in ripping the Raiders. Sean McVay came out on fire, and he finally decided to run the ball more.
14. Green Bay Packers 4-3 (12)
The Packers' pass-happy ways should have worked against the Lions, but the volume for Jordan Love got him spooked by timely pressure and rolling coverage. Josh Jacobs did return but it didn't help the rushing attack. They have a big chance to establish more balance against the Panthers' reeling defense on Thursday.
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15. Cleveland Browns 5-2 (16)
Deshaun Watson has led game-winning fourth-quarter drives in all of their five wins. Give them a close game late and they can turn a trick into a treat with a gritty defense and experienced quarterback. Todd Monken needs more attention for coach of the year.
16. Baltimore Ravens 4-3 (11)
The Ravens should love Halloween but not when they're gutted right in the telltale heart and start feeling a real pit in the pendulum. Jesse Minter and Declan Doyle are still scary young as a coaching combination and dealt with a second-half nightmare against the Bengals. Derrick Henry rushing for only 103 yards combined over the last two weeks in division games doesn't bode well for winning the division.
MORE: Inside Ravens' baffling, costly fourth-down decision vs. Bengals
17. New York Giants 4-2-1 (20)
John Harbaugh keeps pushing the right buttons, including helping to turn Cam Skattebo and the running backs into a monster strength at the right time. The Giants are no longer masquerading as an overrated first-place team.
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18. Atlanta Falcons 3-4 (25)
The Falcons turned into deadly crows with their defense flying around the field to peck at the 49ers. They also proved they can win a game when Bijan Robinson is eerily quiet. Although it's difficult to know which Atlanta team will show up in any given week, it would be nice to believe this is the new NFC South favorite.
19. Las Vegas Raiders 3-4 (18)
The Raiders have fans who wear Halloween getups year-round and they can stick with that gear as the team's four-game losing streak has turned their 3-0 season into a dark and stormy defensive mess with no running game. For now, however, Kirk Cousins can't be benched quite yet because his play is among the positives.
20. Carolina Panthers 3-4 (17)
The Panthers faced every kind of terror in their loss to the Buccaneers at home, killing everything positive that was rolling with Bryce Young and the defense. The awful run defense keeps haunting them as they gave up another 258 in Week 7. They don't have much time to sulk with a Thursday night game at Green Bay on "Halloween Eve eve."
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21. Philadelphia Eagles 2-4 (19)
The Eagles are living the real-life version of the "Birds", with everything adverse coming down on them in 2026. No matter how scary Nick Sirianni's eyes become, let's remember his winning track record and give him a break. He would have a chance to hush critics if he can help his team overcome and fight for a playoff spot.
22. Dallas Cowboys 2-4 (22)
The Cowboys have been mummified as a non-Super Bowl team for 30 years and they've come full circle, having one of the league's worst defenses. That nightmare can be erased by rallying to win the weak NFC East, starting with the Eagles on Monday.
23. Houston Texans 2-5 (21)
The Texans' defense has been possessed by ghouls, breaking down everywhere for DeMeco Ryans after being so dominant so often last season. When J.J. McCarthy and the Giants' offense can march into town and impress, it's downright scary. This is an odd statement to make but now true: Houston is putting too much of a winning burden on C.J. Stroud.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-5 (29)
Baker Mayfield came back and the Buccaneers took all the candy they could get in Carolina. They got the fangs out on offense, defense and special teams for a needed stellar performance. They're right back in the race to win the weak NFC South.
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25. New Orleans Saints 2-5 (23)
There will be no celebrating "All Saints Day" during the bye after New Orleans couldn't come through for the fleur-de-lis at St. Denis in Paris. Kellen Moore is feeling heat and the pressure will be on to get a home win against either the Browns or Panthers to get back on track ASAP.
26. Arizona Cardinals 2-5 (24)
The Cardinals cannot stop the defensive bleeding as opponents drink up all their major tackling and coverage lapses. Mike LaFleur's offense still has real limitations from being too one-dimensional, especially with Jeremiyah Love hurting. It might be time to take off the mask and roll out Carson Beck at quarterback.
27. New York Jets 2-5 (26)
The Jets must feel like green goblins after trying to build some positive vibes from beating the Browns at home in Week 6. Just when Geno Smith got the offense rolling, there's new controversy with Garrett Wilson and more heat on Aaron Glenn. Losing to the Dolphins in a close shootout is a worse look than being blown out by a top team.
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28. Indianapolis Colts 2-5 (27)
The Colts have become more like headless horsemen as Daniel Jones struggles at quarterback and Anthony Richardson isn't trustworthy to play. Continue to be very afraid for the future of Jonathan Taylor in Indianapolis.
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29. Washington Commanders 1-4-1 (28)
The Commanders go into a Week 8 rematch against the Eagles needing a huge win at home with Dan Quinn spooked into some questionable coaching the past couple games. Quinn survived the bye, but losing to the injury-riddled rivals might doom his tenure.
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30. Miami Dolphins 1-5 (31)
The Dolphins put on their first winning costume of the season with an offense pulling out all kinds of treats with youngster Ollie Gordon II and Caleb Douglas. They were overdue for that much-needed first win under Jeff Hafley. Watch them to play spoiler a few more times vs. better teams.
31. Tennessee Titans 1-6 (30)
Cam Ward has done well casting out some troubling passing demons and the team is showing a lot more fight under Robert Saleh. Unfortunately, there were too many mistakes that cost them against Cleveland. The Titans fans, however, don't need to put bags over their heads anymore.
32. Los Angeles Chargers 0-6 (32)
The Chargers have been hit with a bolt of poor energy under Jim Harbaugh and come out of the bye as the league's sole winless team. They need to stop playing like 53 Frankensteins who were just hit by lightning.
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