Each week of the NFL season, The Baltimore Sun will rank all 32 NFL teams. The rankings will take into account not just weekly performance, injuries and roster depth, but how well each team measures up as Super Bowl contenders.

Here are the rankings heading into Week 10:

1. Ravens (7-2, No. 3 last week)

Last week: Win vs. Seahawks, 37-3

Up next: vs. Browns

There isn’t a more complete team than Baltimore. Led by a dominant defense and an MVP-caliber quarterback, the Ravens have completely dismantled two NFC title contenders at home over the past three weeks. Coordinator Mike Macdonald’s defense is playing at a historically high level, getting a combined 16 sacks from Justin Madubuike, Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy and a league-leading six interceptions from safety Geno Stone to pair with the league’s best linebacker tandem in Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen and dangerous Swiss Army knife Kyle Hamilton. On offense, the Ravens have the most versatile attack in the league, capable of gashing opponents on the ground with sledgehammer Gus Edwards and breakout star Keaton Mitchell and picking them apart through the air with a ruthlessly efficient Lamar Jackson, who leads the league in completion rate (71.5%) while rushing for 48.9 yards per game, tops among quarterbacks. Time will tell if this promising start will lead to better postseason results, but the Ravens have the look of a potential Super Bowl champion.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-1, No. 1)

Last week: Win vs. Cowboys, 28-23

Up next: Bye

Led by star quarterback Jalen Hurts, there’s a calmness to the Eagles that stands out in close games. Despite trailing 17-14 at halftime with Hurts seemingly hobbled by a lingering knee injury, Philadelphia took control with two straight touchdown drives to open the second half and held on late behind a huge sack from Josh Sweat with 27 seconds left. The Eagles are 5-1 in one-score games this season, and while that’s usually asking for trouble, they’ve proved more than capable of making big plays in big moments.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2, No. 2)

Last week: Win vs. Dolphins, 21-14, in Germany

Up next: Bye

The Chiefs’ first meeting against star wide receiver Tyreek Hill since trading him to Miami highlighted why that deal should be considered a win for Kansas City. While the Chiefs have struggled to replace Hill’s explosiveness, one of the picks they acquired for him turned into cornerback Trent McDuffie, who’s playing at an All-Pro level and forced a fumble by Hill late in the first half Sunday that was returned for what proved to be the decisive touchdown. The Kansas City defense actually outranks its offense (No. 5 vs. No. 6) in FTN Fantasy’s DVOA this season, giving Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes a different kind of weapon in the race for the top seed in the AFC.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (5-3, No. 11)

Last week: Win vs. Bills, 24-18

Up next: vs. Texans

That 1-3 start feels like a distant memory, doesn’t it? With Joe Burrow back to playing at an elite level, the Bengals are starting to resemble the Super Bowl contender everyone expected to see this season. The reemergence of wide receiver Tee Higgins (eight catches for 110 yards) and a promising tight end group of Irv Smith Jr., Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson (combined 10 catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns against Buffalo) — not to mention a defense that has few weak spots — creates plenty of optimism about the Bengals’ chances in a loaded AFC.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2, No. 6)

Last week: Bye

Up next: vs. 49ers

6. Detroit Lions (6-2, No. 9)

Last week: Bye

Up next: at Chargers

7. San Francisco 49ers (5-3, No. 7)

Last week: Bye

Up next: at Jaguars

8. Miami Dolphins (5-3, No. 4)

Last week: Loss vs. Chiefs, 21-14, in Germany

Up next: Bye

As encouraging as that second-half comeback bid was against Kansas City, the Dolphins have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season. That’s telling, particularly during a time when the top teams are starting to separate from the pack. Injuries on the offensive line have made life difficult for Tua Tagovailoa, but he hasn’t looked capable of carrying the team the way an elite quarterback should against top competition. Vic Fangio’s defense has been the bigger disappointment, but a solid performance against Mahomes with cornerback Jalen Ramsey back in the lineup could signal brighter days ahead.

9. Dallas Cowboys (5-3, No. 5)

Last week: Loss vs. Eagles, 28-23

Up next: vs. Giants

Like the Dolphins, the Cowboys continue to come up short in their biggest tests. This time, it was agonizingly close. Tight end Luke Schoonmaker being tackled inches short of a touchdown, Dak Prescott stepping out of bounds on a 2-point conversion attempt, an incomplete pass to Jalen Tolbert on fourth-and-8 in Eagles territory and Prescott’s final pass to CeeDee Lamb short of the goal line on the final play ultimately made the difference. Until the Cowboys start making those plays in big games, they’ll continue to be bridesmaids in the postseason.

10. Buffalo Bills (5-4, No. 8)

Last week: Loss vs. Bengals, 24-18

Up next: vs. Broncos

The Bills are still right in the mix for a playoff spot, but so much more was expected of a team that entered the season with Super Bowl hopes. That 48-20 win over the Dolphins in Week 4 seemed to establish Buffalo as one of the best teams in the AFC, but they’ve followed with alternating wins and losses and have been far from dominant. The emergence of rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid (10 catches for 81 yards) on Sunday night is encouraging, but there are big questions about a defense that is among the league leaders in missed tackles and has just three takeaways since Week 5.

11. Cleveland Browns (5-3, No. 12)

Last week: Win vs. Cardinals, 27-0

Up next: at Ravens

With Deshaun Watson back from a shoulder injury, the Browns have to be taken seriously. While his performance against Arizona (19-for-30 for 219 yards and 2 TDs; 41.7 QBR) was not exceptional, his ceiling is much higher than P.J. Walker’s. He’ll have to be better to overcome injuries along the offensive line, which lost left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. for at least four weeks to a knee injury and is already without right tackle Jack Conklin. The defense, which ranks No. 1 above the Ravens in DVOA and pitched its first shutout since 2007, gives Cleveland a fighting chance.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3, No. 14)

Last week: Win vs. Titans, 20-16

Up next: vs. Packers

Mike Tomlin has never won NFL Coach of the Year, but this season could change that. There has never been a louder campaign to fire an offensive coordinator than the one aimed at Matt Canada, and yet Pittsburgh is sitting two games above .500. According to the Elias Sports Bureau and ESPN Stats & Info, the Steelers are the 34th team in NFL history to be outgained in their first eight games and the only one to have a winning record. Credit Tomlin and the defense for finding a way to keep this team afloat despite injuries to key players and some truly awful offensive performances.

13. Seattle Seahawks (5-3, No. 10)

Last week: Loss vs. Ravens, 37-3

Up next: vs. Commanders

There’s no shame in getting blown out in Baltimore this season, but this recent stretch from quarterback Geno Smith is cause for concern. He’s thrown six interceptions over his past four games and could easily have tossed another one that Hamilton dropped Sunday. The offensive line is doing him no favors, either, with injuries forcing 41-year-old Jason Peters into the lineup and left tackle Charles Cross struggling after a promising rookie season.

14. Los Angeles Chargers (4-4, No. 13)

Last week: Win vs. Jets, 27-6

Up next: vs. Lions

The Chargers have their defense and special teams to thank for Monday night’s win, getting an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown by Derius Davis as well as eight sacks and three turnovers. The offense made plays when it needed to, going 7-for-16 on third down and converting on short fields, but the Chargers only averaged 3.4 yards per play and were extremely fortunate to recover six fumbles. Los Angeles is still a tier below the Ravens, Chiefs and Bengals in the AFC.

15. Houston Texans (4-4, No. 20)

Last week: Win vs. Buccaneers, 39-37

Up next: at Bengals

This team is serious, folks. C.J. Stroud delivered a rookie-record 470 passing yards and five touchdowns Sunday, including the winning 15-yard pass to fellow rookie Tank Dell with six seconds left. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Stroud is the sixth player in NFL history to record at least 450 passing yards, five passing touchdowns and zero interceptions in a game. With a quarterback capable of putting up those kinds of numbers, Houston must be considered a playoff contender.

16. Minnesota Vikings (5-4, No. 18)

Last week: Win vs. Falcons, 31-28

Up next: vs. Saints

Have no fear, Joshua Dobbs is here. With rookie Jaren Hall knocked out of the game with a concussion in the first quarter, Dobbs stepped in and rallied the Vikings to victory just five days after being acquired from the Cardinals at Tuesday’s trade deadline. While all hope seemed lost after Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles tendon injury, Dobbs is more than capable of keeping this hot streak going, which includes five wins in the past six games. If and when wide receiver Justin Jefferson returns from injured reserve, Minnesota could be a dangerous wild-card team.

17. New Orleans Saints (5-4, No. 15)

Last week: Win vs. Bears, 24-17

Up next: at Vikings

The Saints barely got past a bad Bears team starting a backup quarterback, but they’ve reached the midseason point in first place in the NFC South. They can thank a defense that has forced a league-high 18 turnovers, including three interceptions — two by cornerback Paulson Adebo — and two fumble recoveries Sunday. The offense, thanks to a generous sprinkling of quarterback-tight end Taysom Hill, at least looks ready to hold up its end of the bargain.

18. Indianapolis Colts (4-5, No. 24)

Last week: Win vs. Panthers, 27-13

Up next: vs. Patriots in Germany

Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young is going to be having nightmares about Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II, who tied a franchise record by returning two interceptions for touchdowns. Moore fueled a bounce-back performance for the defense, which had allowed 38 points per game during a three-game losing streak. Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew has been solid in relief, but the Colts need to see more from running back Jonathan Taylor, who is averaging fewer yards per carry (4.1) than teammate Zack Moss (4.7).

19. New York Jets (4-4, No. 17)

Last week: Loss vs. Chargers, 27-6

Up next: at Raiders

The Jets’ three-game winning streak ended with a thud in what could be a pivotal game for playoff seeding. The defense has been carrying quarterback Zach Wilson all season, but it couldn’t force the turnover it desperately needed to swing Monday night’s game. Wilson throwing 49 times is not a recipe for success, and there was plenty of visible frustration from the offense with missed throws and dropped passes. It feels like another slide is coming.

20. Atlanta Falcons (4-5, No. 16)

Last week: Loss vs. Vikings, 31-28

Up next: at Cardinals

Taylor Heinicke didn’t win his first start in Atlanta, but he showed enough in coach Arthur Smith’s eyes to earn another shot next week after completing 21 of 38 passes for 268 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The lack of touches for running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts remains maddening, however. Tight end Jonnu Smith is a solid veteran, but there’s no reason he should have more catches than Pitts, the No. 4 overall pick in 2021.

21. Denver Broncos (3-5, No. 23)

Last week: Bye

Up next: at Bills

22. Washington Commanders (4-5, No. 25)

Last week: Win vs. Patriots, 20-17

Up next: at Seahawks

Don’t count out the Commanders just yet. While trading away starting defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat signaled a focus on the future, Washington still has a puncher’s chance of climbing into the postseason race after a win in New England. Even if they fall short, the Commanders might have found their quarterback of the future in Sam Howell, who has looked impressive in recent weeks.

23. Tennessee Titans (3-5, No. 19)

Last week: Loss vs. Steelers, 20-16

Up next: at Buccaneers

A banged-up offensive line did him no favors, but rookie quarterback Will Levis looked like he belonged in Thursday night’s loss in Pittsburgh. The second-round pick showed toughness in hanging in the pocket and delivering throws downfield, perhaps earning enough of the coaching staff’s trust to give him the permanent job over Ryan Tannehill.

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5, No. 22)

Last week: Loss vs. Texans, 39-37

Up next: vs. Titans

Baker Mayfield’s blank expression on the sideline at the end of Sunday’s loss says it all. A once-promising season has been derailed by four straight losses, the latest coming after a blown 20-10 lead in the second half. A defense that was expected to keep Tampa Bay in the NFC South race was shredded by a rookie quarterback, perhaps signaling it’s time for a rebuild after a few years of going all-in with Tom Brady.

25. Las Vegas Raiders (4-5, No. 26)

Last week: Win vs. Giants, 30-6

Up next: vs. Jets

Maybe interim coach Antonio Pierce is exactly who the Raiders needed. It came against a reeling Giants team down to its third-string quarterback, but Sunday’s performance at least creates some hope that Las Vegas can be competitive down the stretch. Rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell looked solid, and playmakers such as running back Josh Jacobs and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers finally showed some life. Given their backloaded schedule, the Raiders could play a large role in the playoff race.

26. Green Bay Packers (3-5, No. 29)

Last week: Win vs. Rams, 20-3

Up next: at Steelers

The Packers ended a four-game losing streak in impressive fashion, outgaining the Rams and backup quarterback Brett Rypien 391-187. The offense looked much better, piling up 184 rushing yards and going 7-for-14 on third down as Jordan Love averaged 8.8 yards per pass. A defense that started a pair of seventh-round picks in cornerback Carrington Valentine and safety Anthony Johnson Jr. also played well. Perhaps this win gives Green Bay some confidence to turn around its season.

27. Los Angeles Rams (3-6, No. 21)

Last week: Loss vs. Packers, 20-3

Up next: Bye

Coach Sean McVay believes quarterback Matthew Stafford will be back after the bye week, but it might be too late to save the season. The Rams looked lifeless on offense against Green Bay, as Rypien finished 13 of 28 for 130 yards with an interception and a fumble. At one point in the first half, he went three straight drives without a completion. That should be impossible with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua running routes and McVay calling the plays.

28. Chicago Bears (2-7, No. 27)

Last week: Loss vs. Saints, 24-17

Up next: vs. Panthers

Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent’s four turnovers were too much to overcome, but the Bears moved the ball pretty well against a good Saints defense, averaging 5.8 yards per play while rushing for 156 yards. When Justin Fields returns, Chicago should at least be able to get a good assessment of what it has in the 2021 first-round pick before deciding on his future with the team.

29. New England Patriots (2-7, No. 28)

Last week: Loss vs. Commanders, 20-17

Up next: vs. Colts in Germany

It’s bizarre to watch a Bill Belichick-coached team struggle so much. Whether it’s a defense that can’t generate any pressure, an offense that’s barely scoring any points (15.0 per game) or a special teams unit that ranks among the worst in the NFL (No. 29 in DVOA), there are problems all over the field. It’s hard to find many bright spots this season.

30. New York Giants (2-7, No. 30)

Last week: Loss vs. Raiders, 30-6

Up next: at Cowboys

A season-ending torn ACL might signal the end of quarterback Daniel Jones’ tenure in New York. While he’s owed a guaranteed $35.5 million in 2024 after signing a new deal in the offseason, the Giants can get out of the deal after next season with $22.2 million in dead money. With Tyrod Taylor on injured reserve, undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito and veteran Matt Barkley are expected to compete for the starting job. With New York likely headed for a top pick in the draft, general manager Joe Schoen and the front office will have an important decision to make.

31. Carolina Panthers (1-7, No. 31)

Last week: Loss vs. Colts, 27-13

Up next: at Bears

If the season ended today, the 2024 first-round pick the Panthers traded to Chicago as part of the package for the 2023 No. 1 overall selection would be No. 2. That’s a steep price to pay for rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who took a major step backward Sunday with three interceptions, including two pick-sixes. While Carolina’s decision seemed like a smart bet at the time, it might have miscalculated how quickly Young and the roster could compete for a playoff spot.

32. Arizona Cardinals (1-8, No. 32)

Last week: Loss vs. Browns, 27-0

Up next: vs. Falcons

Kyler Murray could be on his way back. Coach Jonathan Gannon said the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback will start Sunday “if the week goes well,” and that’s music to the ears of everyone who saw Murray go down with a torn ACL last December. It’s also a bit unsettling, given that Arizona just allowed seven sacks. Regardless, it will be fascinating to see whether Murray looks like the same player who earned a five-year, $230.5 million contract in 2022.

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The Chicago Bulls snapped a short losing skid with a decisive 130-113 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday night.

It was a season-high in scoring for the Bulls as eight players scored in double digits. Zach LaVine logged 24 points and DeMar DeRozan added 21 points while Coby White dished out eight assists.

Here are six takeaways from the game:

1. Bulls capitalize on Jazz mistakes

One single scoring margin set the tone for the entire game — points off turnovers.

The Bulls dominated this category, taking advantage of a plentiful supply of Utah mistakes. The Jazz turned the ball over 22 times resulting in 30 points. The Bulls turned the ball over eight times, but the Jazz only scored one point off those mistakes.

Scoring off opponent mistakes had already been a strong suit for the Bulls, who averaged 19 points (11th in the NBA) off turnovers entering Monday’s game. But this was their most clinical display of making an opponent pay for their errors.

2. Heating up behind the arc

The Bulls have not been a strong 3-point shooting team this season, shooting at a 34% clip in their first seven games. But Monday the shooting scales began to tip in their favor as the offense finished 18-for-34 from behind the arc. White went 4-for-6 from 3-point range and Jevon Carter went 4-for-8 from behind the arc.

The total tally of 3-point attempts reflected improvement upon the team’s goal to take more 3-pointers this season, especially in a game dominated by open-court play.

3. Lauri Markkanen stood out against his former team

The one bright spot for the Jazz was Lauri Markkanen, who dished out another explosive performance against his former team.

Markkanen was drafted No. 7 in the 2017 draft, then acquired by the Bulls in the same trade that brought Zach LaVine to Chicago. He struggled with a stagnant start to his career with the Bulls and watched his scoring numbers dwindle in a frustrating stretch from 2019 to 2021, when he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But in Utah, Markkanen has found himself. He earned his first All-Star selection last year while averaging 25.6 points, forging an identity as one of the most efficient scorers in the league.

Markkanen led the Jazz with 29 points Monday, adding five rebounds, three assists and a blocked shot.

“You knew how good he was when he was here, and then you really didn’t get to see how good he was until he left,” LaVine said. “It’s unfortunate but I’m so happy for him and his career and his development and the type of person he is. We still talk and text to this day. It’s great to see the man he’s become.”

4. Jevon Carter leads the bench unit

Carter continues to bring an immediate lift to the Bulls off the bench as the primary guard of the secondary rotation.

Carter scored 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting from 3-point range, taking all of his shots against the Jazz from behind the 3-point arc.

He was the defensive marshal of the bench unit as they pressured the Jazz along the perimeter to force errors, then immediately pushed the pace in the open court once a turnover occurred.

5. Andre Drummond records 10,000th career rebound

Andre Drummond etched himself into the league’s history books in the first half of Monday’s game as he recorded his 10,000th career rebound.

Drummond is the 43rd player in NBA history to record 10,000 or more rebounds in his career — and one of only three active NBA players alongside DeAndre Jordan and LeBron James. Pau Gasol and Dennis Rodman are the only other players to reach the milestone while playing for the Bulls.

Drummond finished the game with seven rebounds.

6. Alex Caruso plays through a bruised right arm

Alex Caruso played a normal rotation while he continued to nurse a bruised right arm, which he originally banged up after a hard collision while completing a dunk in Saturday’s game against the Denver Nuggets.

The injury was enough to keep Caruso out of the remainder of Saturday’s game. He attempted to return for one minute, but coach Billy Donovan quickly pulled him when it became clear Caruso was still playing through pain.

The Chicago White Sox have been busy since the World Series wrapped up.

Thursday, they introduced Paul Janish as the organization’s director of player development.

The next day, the Sox declined the club option on closer Liam Hendriks for 2024 while starter Mike Clevinger declined a mutual option. The changes continued Saturday when the Sox declined shortstop Tim Anderson’s club option for 2024.

All that activity came ahead of the MLB general managers meetings, which formally begin Tuesday at a resort in Paradise Valley, Ariz.

It will be Chris Getz’s first since being promoted to Sox GM on Aug. 31.

“I’ve had a lot of conversations with other general managers around the league, just understanding their needs and conveying what we’re set out to do as well and see if we match up,” Getz said during a video conference Thursday. “Clearly, we’ve got some work to do based on the production we’ve had on the field the last two years.”

The Sox followed up an 81-81 season in 2022 with 101 losses in 2023.

The offseason work includes determining the best fits at shortstop, second base, right field and catcher, along with openings in the starting rotation and bullpen.

“I certainly have a vision for our club for next year and years after,” Getz said. “Some of it is going to be at the mercy of perhaps some other clubs and what their willingness is to do.

“We’ve got some holes to fill. We may have to get fairly creative on how we tackle some of those holes, but I look forward to really diving in deeper and getting in front of some of these other general managers and seeing what we can accomplish.”

The Sox know the defense must improve. They were tied for 10th in the American League with 95 errors and tied for 11th in the league with a .983 fielding percentage.

“Generally speaking, we certainly on the defensive side need to improve at many spots,” Getz said. “Fundamentally there were some breakdowns that led to some really ugly games.

“We have some talent on the roster but it’s not a team that has come together and produced on a consistent basis and that’s why we’re in the position that we’re in. So they’re certainly a short-term, midterm and long-term goal. It’s going to take a little bit of time to certainly present itself, but there is a plan in place. I look forward to executing it.”

The Sox will have a new look at shortstop after penciling Anderson in as the Opening Day starter in six of the last seven seasons (he missed the first two games of 2022 serving a suspension). Second base and right field continue to be spots where the Sox look for a consistent answer.

Korey Lee did a bulk of the catching down the stretch after arriving via a trade from the Houston Astros. He displayed a strong arm, but hit .077 (5-for-65) in 24 games.

Three of the team’s five starters from the beginning of 2023 (Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn and Clevinger) are no longer around. Ditto with three of the top five relievers (Kendall Graveman, Reynaldo López and Keynan Middleton) based on appearances for the Sox.

“There is talent on this club,” Getz said. “Perhaps, you use some of that talent to plug into other holes. But deeper than that, there were players postgame in Texas (after Game 5 of the World Series) who pointed to (Rangers GM) Chris Young’s sentiment last offseason with some of the foundational values that he really prioritized. I felt when those players highlighted it, it was very powerful and when I was named to this position, establishing the values for the White Sox in who we are going to be is very important to me.

“That’s something that I’ve set out to do. We are in meetings right now with department heads and really establishing how we are going to operate. That will bleed into our players and continue to operate that way through the offseason as we execute in a way to improve our roster.”

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