BY RALPH VENTRE
Nine weeks are complete while nine weeks remain on the 2022 National Football League regular season schedule.
The Philadelphia Eagles are the lone team to post an undefeated record through the first half of the season and they have risen to the No. 1 spot in Talking Pigskin’s Pro Football Power Poll.
The New York Jets, the Seattle Seahawks and the Baltimore Ravens are all trending upwards in this week’s Top 10.
ON THE CUSP
(No. 11 thru No. 16)
MIAMI DOLPHINS, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS, CINCINNATI BENGALS, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
No. 10 TENNESSEE TITANS 📉
Previous Rank: 6
Record: 5-3
With starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill sidelined by injury, the AFC South-leading Titans took the Chiefs into overtime at Arrowhead Stadium before suffering their first loss since Week 2.
No. 9 NEW YORK GIANTS ↔️
Previous Rank: 9
Record: 6-2
The Giants, who dropped a 27-13 decision at Seattle prior to their bye week, return to the Meadowlands for consecutive winnable home games against the Texans and the Lions.
No. 8 NEW YORK JETS 📈
Previous Rank: NR
Record 6-3
The Jets posted a “statement win” over the division-leading Buffalo Bills, and it looks as if Robert Saleh has built a legitimate Top 5 Defense in just his second year at the helm.
No. 7 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 📈
Previous Rank: 8
Record: 6-3
The NFC West leaders have won four games in a row with veteran signal caller Geno Smith on pace for an award-winning career year.
No. 6 BALTIMORE RAVENS 📈
Previous Rank: 7
Record: 6-3
The Ravens, who have a full 1.0-game lead in the AFC North, come off their bye while carrying a three-game win streak.
No. 5 DALLAS COWBOYS ↔️
Previous Rank: 5
Record: 6-2
The Cowboys continue their four-game stretch against the NFC North, traveling to Green Bay and Minnesota the next two weeks.
No. 4 MINNESOTA VIKINGS ↔️
Previous Rank: 4
Record: 7-1
The Vikings, who have won each of their past six games by 8 points or fewer, have built a 4.5-game lead in the NFC North.
No. 3 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS ↔️
Previous Rank: 3
Record: 6-2
The Chiefs rode Patrick Mahomes’ arm to a 20-17 home win over Malik Willis and the Tennessee Titans. Mahomes threw 68 times for 446 yards and added 63 yards on the ground.
No. 2 BUFFALO BILLS 📉
Previous Rank: 1
Record: 6-2
The Bills have already beaten the three other AFC division leaders (Kansas City, Tennessee, Baltimore) this season, but they dropped to 0-2 against AFC East foes with a 20-17 road loss to the New York Jets. Buffalo still leads the NFL in point differential (+102), and as long as Josh Allen’s arm is healthy down the stretch, there’s no reason to panic.
No. 1 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 📈
Previous Rank: 2
Record: 8-0
An 8-0 record is no guarantee for second-half success (See: 2021 Arizona Cardinals). Regardless, the Eagles have been wildly impressive throughout the first half of the 2022 schedule. Jalen Hurts stands amongst the favorites for NFL MVP and Philadelphia’s off-season defensive additions have paid handsome dividends thus far.
TALKING PIGSKIN 
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