Commanders, Cardinals and Steelers defy all odds

If you look at the NFL divisional standings today, you might be surprised at the top team in some divisions.

Especially when you consider the preseason opportunities.

According to BetMGM Sportsbooks Given the preseason odds, half of the current NFL division leaders are a surprise, with three considered longshots in division play at the start of the season.

The Arizona Cardinals were at +1400 to win the NFC West before the season, last in division odds.

In the NFC East, the Washington commanders were third in division odds, at +1200.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were +700 in preseason odds to win the AFC North, fourth in the division.

But Arizona (4-4), Washington (6-2) and Pittsburgh (5-2) currently lead or are tied in their divisions.

The Buffalo Bills are the other current division leader who was not projected to win their division, with Buffalo being picked second in the AFC East at +180.

The Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs And Houston Texanswho currently leads the other NFL divisions, was favored to do so in BetMGM Sportsbook’s preseason odds.

Can the Commanders, Cardinals and Steelers continue to surprise and lead their divisions?

We have to wait for the answer.

For now, check out our latest Week 9 NFL power rankings, which see Washington, Arizona and Pittsburgh move up.

Previous rankings in brackets.

‘They were excited, man’: Are the Cardinals in first place after the Dolphins win for real?

32. Carolina panthers (31)

Last week: Lost to Denver Broncos, 28-14

This week: Sunday against New Orleans Saints

The Panthers have given up 271 points this season, by far the most in the NFL. The team closest to Carolina has given up 224.

31. Tennessee Titans (30)

Last week: Lost to Detroit Lions, 52-14

This week: Sunday vs. New England Patriots

The Titans tied the Lions at 14 early in the second quarter. It was all downhill from there.

30. New Orleans Saints (26)

Last week: Lost to Los Angeles Chargers, 26-8

This week: Sunday against Carolina Panthers

New Orleans has now lost six games in a row. It had six points on offense (two field goals). It looks to be a very long season for the Saints.

29. New York Jets (22)

Last week: Lost to New England Patriots, 25-22

This week: Thursday night football against the Houston Texans

The Jets have lost five straight games. Generally they are 2-6. The Aaron Rodgers era is not going according to plan.

28. New England Patriots (32)

Last week: Beat New York Jets 25-22

This week: Sunday against the Tennessee Titans

New England ended a six-game losing skid on Sunday despite being outscored in yards, 336-247.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (28)

Last week: Lost to Green Bay Packers, 30-27

This week: Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles

This Jaguars team showed a lot of fight on Sunday. They’ll need it, with the Eagles, Vikings, Lions and Texans next.

26. Miami Dolphins (27)

Last week: Lost to Arizona Cardinals, 28-27

This week: Sunday against the Buffalo Bills

Tua Tagovailoa is back, which is really good news for the Dolphins, even though Miami lost to the Cardinals on a last-second field goal.

Drama! First place! Let’s overreact to the Arizona Cardinals’ last-second win in Miami

25. Las Vegas Raiders (25)

Last week: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs, 27-20

This week: Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals

The Raiders defense has given up the second-most points in the AFC and the team has now lost four games in a row.

24. New York Giants (23)

Last week: Monday Night Football vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (October 28)

This week: Sunday vs. Washington Commanders

23. Cleveland Browns (29)

Last week: Defeated Baltimore Ravens 29-24

This week: Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers

It was only one start, but you have to wonder where Cleveland would be now if Jameis Winston had started the season as the Browns’ starting QB.

22. Cincinnati Bengals (18)

Last week: Lost to Philadelphia Eagles, 37-17

This week: Sunday vs. Las Vegas Raiders

The Bengals are somehow 0-4 at home. They are 3-1 on the road.

21. Dallas Cowboys (20)

Last week: Lost to San Francisco 49ers, 30-24

This week: Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons

The Cowboys’ schedule doesn’t get any easier as the Falcons, Eagles, Texans and Commanders are next.

More: Arizona Cardinals run away from the Miami Dolphins 28-27 on Chad Ryland’s FG to move to 4-4 on the season

20. Los Angeles Rams (24)

Last week: Defeated Minnesota Vikings 30-20

This week: Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks

Back-to-back wins put the Rams just a half-game back in the NFC West.

19.Seattle Seahawks (14)

Last week: Lost to Buffalo Bills, 10-31

This week: Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams

The Seahawks rushed the ball 17 times for 32 yards on Sunday. Yes.

18. San Francisco 49ers (19)

Last week: Defeated Dallas Cowboys 30-24

This week: Bye week

Christian McCaffrey could reportedly be back soon for San Francisco, which is bad news for the rest of the NFC West.

17. Arizona Cardinals (21)

Last week: Defeated Miami Dolphins 28-27

This week: Sunday against the Chicago Bears

The Cardinals have won two straight games on last-second field goals. A win is a win in the NFL and Arizona currently leads the NFC West.

16. Indianapolis foals (15)

Last week: Lost to Houston Texans, 23-20

This week: Sunday night football against the Minnesota Vikings

Anthony Richardson went 10-for-32 passing for 175 yards with one touchdown and one pass intercepted against the Texans. Are we sure he’s a better option than Joe Flacco?

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15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13)

Last week: Lost to Atlanta Falcons, 31-26

This week: Monday against the Kansas City Chiefs

Baker Mayfield threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns while going 37-for-50 passing Sunday without Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.

14. Chicago Bears (11)

Last week: Lost to Washington Commanders, 18-15

This week: Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals

The Bears are 4-0 at home and 0-3 on the road after a Hail Mary loss to Washington. They are at the Arizona Cardinals this week.

13. Los Angeles Chargers (16)

Last week: Defeated New Orleans Saints 26-8

This week: Sunday against the Cleveland Browns

Can Ladd McConkey be a regular receiver for Justin Herbert? He looked good on Sunday.

12.Atlanta Falcons (17)

Last week: Defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-26

This week: Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys

Kirk Cousins apparently owns the Buccaneers. He threw eight touchdown passes in two games against Tampa Bay this season.

11. Denver Broncos (12)

Last week: Defeated Carolina Panthers 28-14

This week: Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens

Bo Nix is getting better every week for Denver, earning Rookie of the Year consideration.

2024-2025 NFL MVP Odds: Who are the favorites?

10.Baltimore Ravens (4)

Last week: Lost to Cleveland Browns, 29-24

This week: Sunday against the Denver Broncos

The Ravens’ five-game winning streak is over. How? Jameis Winston happened.

9. Minnesota Vikings (3)

Last week: Lost to Los Angeles Rams, 30-20

This week: Sunday Night Football vs. Indianapolis Colts

Two straight losses have dropped the Vikings to third place in the very tough NFC North.

8. Houston Texans (10)

Last week: Defeated Indianapolis Colts 23-20

This week: Thursday night football against the New York Jets

How big was the win over the Colts? It gave Houston a two-game lead over Indianapolis in the AFC South. A Colts victory would have tied them with the Texans in the division.

7. Green Bay Packers (8)

Last week: Defeated Jacksonville Jaguars 30-27

This week: Sunday against the Detroit Lions

Packers vs Lions could be the game of the week if Jordan Love is healthy enough to play.

6.Pittsburgh Steelers (7)

Last week: Monday Night Football vs. New York Giants (October 28)

This week: Bye week

What has changed? NFL power rankings week 8

5.Philadelphia Eagles (9)

Last week: Beat Cincinnati Bengals 37-17

This week: Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars

Jalen Hurts had three rushing scores for the Eagles, who are rising after their third straight win.

4. Washington Commanders (5)

Last week: Defeated Chicago Bears 18-15

This week: Sunday against New York Giants

It wasn’t pretty, but Jayden Daniels and the Commanders are 4-0 at home and lead the NFC East with a 6-2 record after the completion of the Hail Mary.

3. Buffalo notes (6)

Last week: Beat Seattle Seahawks 31-10

This week: Sunday against the Miami Dolphins

The Bills have a commanding lead in the AFC East at 6-2. The Dolphins, Patriots and Jets each have just two wins.

2. Detroit Lions (2)

Last week: Defeated Tennessee Titans 52-14

This week: Sunday against the Green Bay Packers

Jared Goff went 12-of-15 for 85 yards and three touchdowns in the Lions’ fifth straight victory on Sunday. He is a legitimate NFL MVP contender.

1. Kansas City Chefs (1)

Last week: Defeated Las Vegas Raiders 27-20

This week: Monday Night Football vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (November 4)

Kansas City is now 7-0. Travis Kelce had his first touchdown catch of the season in the win over the Raiders.

Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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