BY RALPH VENTRE
The Los Angeles Chargers made the largest jump this week in the Talking Pigskin Pro Football Top 10, ascending to No. 9 overall on the strength of back-to-back wins.
San Francisco has steadily climbed up to the No. 4 spot, its highest thus far this season. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions are moving up the second week in a row.
Here’s how they stand with three regular season game weeks remaining…
ON THE BRINK
GREEN BAY PACKERS (16), NEW YORK JETS (15), WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (14), JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (13), NEW YORK GIANTS (12), MIAMI DOLPHINS (11)
No. 10 BALTIMORE RAVENS 📉
Last Week: 7
Record: 9-5
The Ravens looked somewhat lifeless in Saturday’s loss to the Browns, but Lamar Jackson’s imminent return gives reason for hope.
No. 9 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 📈
Last Week: NR
Record 8-6
The Chargers won back-to-back games over two teams in playoff position (Dolphins, Titans). Justin Herbert, who has three straight 300-yard passing performances, is heating up and the defense is getting healthier.
No. 8 DETROIT LIONS 📈
Last Week: 9
Record: 7-7
Detroit kept rolling, picking up its sixth win in the last seven games. This time, Dan Campbell’s Crew posted a dramatic road victory against top-tier defensive unit.
No. 7 MINNESOTA VIKINGS 📈
Last Week: 8
Record: 11-3
It’s concerning that the Vikings fell behind, 33-0, at home against the Colts, but the comeback proves one can never count out Kirk Cousins and Co. In the end, Minnesota won another one-score game and moved to 5-0 against AFC teams.
No. 6 DALLAS COWBOYS 📉
Last Week: 4
Record: 10-4
Dallas squandered a 17-point second-half lead in an overtime loss to Jacksonville. The Cowboys, who have scored at least 27 points in seven straight outings, next face the 13-and-1 Philadelphia Eagles.
No. 5 CINCINNATI BENGALS 📈
Last Week: 6
Record: 10-4
The Bengals haven’t suffered a loss since October. While boosting his stock in the MVP race, Joe Burrow has led Cincinnati to six straight victories.
No. 4 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 📈
Last Week: 5
Record: 10-4
Make it seven wins in a row for San Francisco, which has limited opponents to a league-low 15.0 points per game. Third-string QB Brock Purdy has thrown four touchdown passes and no interceptions over his first two career starts.
No. 3 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS ↔️
Previous Rank: 3
Record: 11-3
The Chiefs avoided an upset loss to a one-win Houston team thanks to a takeaway in overtime and clinched the AFC West division title in the process.
No. 2 BUFFALO BILLS ↔️
Last Week: 2
Record: 11-3
The Bills’ offense put forth its best performance in a month and the team avenged its Week 3 loss to Miami by posting a 32-29 win on a frigid Saturday night in Buffalo. Josh Allen accounted for 381 yards (304 pass, 77 rush) and four touchdowns.
No. 1 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES ↔️
Last Week: 1
Record: 13-1
The Eagles held off the pesky Bears for a fifth consecutive win, but they could temporarily lose the services of Jalen Hurts, who suffered a shoulder injury. Philadelphia is the only NFL team with a top-three offense and a top-three defense.
TALKING PIGSKIN 
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