PFF Power Ratings Release: NFL risers and upcoming schedules ahead of Week 9
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- Vikings are in for a tough run: Minnesota will wrap up the second half of its back-to-back road stretch in Detroit this week. The Lions’ bye-week advantage is somewhat offset by the Vikings coming off Thursday Night Football. The Ravens will hold that same short-week edge for their Week 10 matchup.
- It is a good time for the Ravens to welcome back Lamar Jackson: After some uncertainty over the weekend, Jackson should now be cleared to play, and Baltimore needed to make the most of the opportunity if it hoped to stay in the playoff race. While the upcoming schedule looked favorable on paper, it was offset by the start of a three-game road trip before returning home to face the Jets in Week 12.
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Every week of the NFL season delivers new market signals, and few tools are sharper than power ratings for cutting through the noise. PFF’s updated ratings don’t just show who’s playing well — they reveal where perception and reality may be drifting apart.
In this article, we highlight the three teams that gained the most ground after last week’s results. We’ll also examine schedule strength over the next four weeks, spotlighting the softest and toughest upcoming slates — a crucial lens for identifying potential overreactions in lines, totals and futures.
The goal is to give bettors a forward-looking edge on who’s climbing, who’s facing headwinds, and where opportunity may still be hiding.
| Team | Power Rating | Weekly Adjustment | SoS YTD | SoS Remaining |
| KC | 7.2 | 0.6 | 5 | 15 |
| GB | 5.8 | 0.7 | 24 | 13 |
| DET | 5.6 | 0.0 | 3 | 10 |
| BUF | 5.5 | 0.7 | 31 | 21 |
| LA | 5.4 | 0.0 | 7 | 22 |
| BLT | 4.5 | 1.5 | 2 | 29 |
| PHI | 4.4 | 0.5 | 12 | 3 |
| DEN | 3.0 | 0.9 | 25 | 2 |
| LAC | 2.5 | 1.3 | 15 | 16 |
| HST | 2.3 | 1.0 | 8 | 11 |
| SEA | 2.2 | 0.0 | 22 | 18 |
| IND | 2.2 | 0.4 | 29 | 4 |
| SF | 2.0 | -0.9 | 17 | 25 |
| TB | 1.9 | 0.4 | 16 | 24 |
| WAS | 0.7 | -0.3 | 9 | 6 |
| MIN | 0.2 | -1.2 | 20 | 1 |
| NE | 0.0 | 0.8 | 32 | 31 |
| PIT | -0.2 | -0.7 | 26 | 12 |
| JAX | -0.8 | 0.0 | 4 | 28 |
| CHI | -0.8 | -0.7 | 23 | 9 |
| ARZ | -1.3 | 0.0 | 30 | 8 |
| DAL | -1.8 | -0.8 | 14 | 5 |
| ATL | -1.8 | -1.8 | 11 | 30 |
| CAR | -2.7 | -0.1 | 27 | 19 |
| NYG | -3.6 | -0.6 | 6 | 14 |
| LV | -3.6 | 0.0 | 13 | 7 |
| MIA | -3.9 | 1.7 | 28 | 23 |
| CIN | -4.2 | -0.3 | 19 | 20 |
| CLV | -6.1 | -0.7 | 1 | 27 |
| NYJ | -7.2 | -0.3 | 18 | 26 |
| TEN | -8.2 | -0.4 | 21 | 17 |
| NO | -8.6 | -0.2 | 10 | 32 |
Top 3 Risers
Miami Dolphins +1.7
Even with a compromised eye that landed him on the injury report over the weekend, Tua Tagovailoa delivered an efficient performance, leading the Dolphins to a convincing win over the Falcons in Atlanta. While Tagovailoa was sharp, Miami’s offensive line also deserved plenty of credit, keeping him upright for nearly the entire game. The Dolphins’ quarterback was sacked just once by a surging Atlanta defensive front.
Baltimore Ravens +1.5
While it wasn’t Lamar Jackson under center, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley stepped in on short notice and delivered a big win for the Ravens coming off their bye week. Huntley completed 17 of his 22 passes for 186 yards and added 53 more on the ground.
Los Angeles Chargers +1.3
It was an emphatic win for the Chargers on Thursday Night Football. Los Angeles’ relentless defensive line got to Carson Wentz for five sacks and 24 total pressures. Running back Kimani Vidal was a bright spot in the primetime matchup, totaling 135 yards on 25 touches.
Hardest Upcoming Schedules
Minnesota Vikings (Avg Opp PR of 3.8)
W9: DET (5.6) | W10: BLT (4.5) | W11: CHI (-.8) | W12: GB (5.8)
Schedule notes: Minnesota will wrap up the second half of its back-to-back road stretch in Detroit this week. The Lions’ bye-week advantage is somewhat offset by the Vikings coming off Thursday Night Football. The Ravens will hold that same short-week edge for their Week 10 matchup.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Avg Opp PR of 3.6)
W9: BYE | W10: NE (0) | W11: BUF (5.5) | W12: LA (5.4)
Schedule notes: I’ve said it before — and their coach echoed the sentiment — but no team needed the bye week more than the Buccaneers. That became even more apparent when looking at their upcoming stretch of opponents. They’ll face a red-hot Patriots team coming off its bye before back-to-back road games against the Bills and Rams. Things should lighten up for Tampa Bay after that gauntlet.
Kansas City Chiefs (Avg Opp PR of 3.6)
W9: BUF (5.5) | W10: BYE | W11: DEN (3) | W12: IND (2.2)
Schedule notes: It’s time for the annual Chiefs-Bills regular-season showdown. Denver will have extra time to prepare for Kansas City after playing on Thursday Night Football in Week 10, which helps offset some of the Chiefs’ bye-week advantage. To make matters tougher, Indianapolis will also come off a bye in Week 11, giving them an extra week to prepare.
Easiest Upcoming Schedules
Baltimore Ravens (Avg Opp PR of -4.2)
W9: MIA (-3.9) | W10: MIN (.2) | W11: CLV (-6.1) | W12: NYJ (-7.)
Schedule notes: It is a good time for the Ravens to welcome back Lamar Jackson. After some uncertainty over the weekend, Jackson should now be cleared to play, and Baltimore needed to make the most of the opportunity if it hoped to stay in the playoff race. While the upcoming schedule looked favorable on paper, it was offset by the start of a three-game road trip before returning home to face the Jets in Week 12.
Los Angeles Chargers (Avg Opp PR of -3.1)
W9: TEN (-8.2) | W10: PIT (-.2) | W11: JAX (-.8) | W12: BYE
Schedule notes: The Chargers have three out-of-division AFC matchups lined up before their bye week. Weeks 9 and 11 will bring longer travel trips with early kickoff times that could test their body clocks.
New England Patriots (Avg Opp PR of -2.8)
W9: ATL (-1.8) | W10: TB (1.9) | W11: NYJ (-7.2) | W12: CIN (-4.2)
Schedule notes: The two key notes on the Patriots’ schedule are that in Week 10 they’ll face Tampa Bay coming off its bye, and in Week 12 they’ll have a rest advantage after playing on Thursday Night Football.
