BY RALPH VENTRE
An enjoyable week of football ended in horrifying fashion when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed during the first quarter of Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The game, which carried hefty implications for AFC Playoff seeding and the Talking Pigskin Top 10, suddenly seemed insignificant. With the NFL announcing that the contest will not be resumed, teams will play different numbers of regular season games for the first time in the Super Bowl era.
As the teams attempt to move past the horror of Monday night, the Talking Pigskin Top 10 status of Buffalo and Cincinnati will not change this week.
There is, however, a new No. 1 team in the weekly rankings.
ON THE BRINK
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (16), PITTSBURGH STEELERS (15), NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (14), BALTIMORE RAVENS (13), GREEN BAY PACKERS (12), DETROIT LIONS (11)
From 10 to 1…
No. 10 NEW YORK GIANTS 📈
Last Week: NR
Record: 9-6-1
Daniel Jones had one of his best performances as a pro and the Giants clinched a playoff berth by crushing a lifeless Colts team in Week 17. New York’s surprising one-year turnaround has Brian Daboll in the running for the NFL Coach of the Year award.
No. 9 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS ↔️
Last Week: 9
Record: 8-8
The Jaguars, who have won five of their last six games, appear to be in the process of establishing themselves as Kings of the AFC South. They can claim the division title with a Week 18 win over a beleaguered Titans team.
No. 8 MINNESOTA VIKINGS 📉
Last Week: 7
Record: 12-4
The Vikings, who have already clinched the division crown, lost a second straight NFC North battle, suffering a lopsided defeat in Green Bay. Minnesota’s point differential stands at –19 for the season.
No. 7 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 📈
Last Week: 8
Record 10-6
The Chargers blew past the Rams to reach the 10-win mark. Los Angeles is limiting opponents to 11.0 points per contest during its current four-game win streak.
No. 6 DALLAS COWBOYS ↔️
Last Week: 6
Record: 12-4
The Cowboys outclassed the Titans to move within 1.0 game of the NFC-leading Eagles. Dallas boasts the NFL’s second-ranked scoring offense (28.8) and sixth-best scoring defense (19.8).
No. 5 CINCINNATI BENGALS ↔️
Last Week: 5
Record: 11-4
The Bengals, who ride a seven-game win streak, officially clinched the AFC North title when the NFL announced the complete cancellation of Monday night’s matchup against the Bills.
No. 4 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 📉
Last Week: 1
Record: 13-3
Back-to-back losses without the services of Jalen Hurts have knocked the Eagles from their perch atop the Talking Pigskin Top 10.
No. 3 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS ↔️
Previous Rank: 3
Record: 13-3
Patrick Mahomes has accounted for three touchdowns in four consecutive victories. The Chiefs are the lone NFL team averaging more than 400.0 yards per game on offense.
No. 2 BUFFALO BILLS ↔️
Last Week: 2
Record: 12-3
The Bills have faced an incredible amount of emotional turbulence, but are seemingly emerging from this unprecedented situation as a galvanized group.
No. 1 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 📈
Last Week: 4
Record: 12-4
The 49ers, who lead the NFL in scoring defense, are 3-0 with a third-string quarterback as their starter. San Francisco’s unmatched depth make Kyle Shanahan’s team a serious Super Bowl contender.
TALKING PIGSKIN 
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