The National Football League power rankings might as well be sculpted in powder the way opinions change with a stiff breeze.

At the conclusion of Week 10, a 4-5 record is good enough to lead the NFC South and 3-6 Atlanta is just one game back amidst calls to fire coach Mike Smith.

In the AFC North, Cleveland is in first place at 6-3 and every team is winning at a .600 clip or better. Somehow, Cincinnati (5-3-1) is in second place after a beatdown from the Browns that was worth 1.5 losses.

So, here is my take on the top 32 in the NFL, subject to change depending on weather patterns, which might be considerable as we eye a major winter storm due to hit most of the country this week:

–1. New England Patriots (7-2): Neutral field, we take Tom Brady and Bill Belichick almost every time. Next three games will tell us a ton: at Indianapolis, vs. Detroit, at Green Bay.

–2. Green Bay Packers (6-3): Road woes are real, but if Dom Capers gets the defense right, Packers final stretch looks like a soft landing leading into another NFC North title game finale vs. Detroit (Dec. 28 at Lambeau Field).

–3. Denver Broncos (7-2): It’s starting to feel like home-field is a must for Peyton Manning to advance in the postseason.

–4. Arizona Cardinals (8-1): Believe in Bruce Arians? Yes. Blindly follow the backup quarterback into unchartered territory for this franchise, when meaningfulness grows by the week? Not yet.

–5. Detroit Lions (7-2): In so many ways, the team is different than it was for Jim Schwartz — namely, in the discipline department. In so many games, old habits appear and make us doubt Detroit’s playoff mettle.

–6. Indianapolis Colts (6-3): Cruising in a division of also-rans, it’s not easy to gauge the Colts on the good-to-great spectrum.

–7. Seattle Seahawks (6-3): Will play-caller Darrell Bevell stick with the running game now? After a franchise-record 350 rushing yards against the Giants, it looks like Seattle’s best bet for navigating the NFL’s toughest remaining schedule.

–8. Dallas Cowboys (7-3): Entering a critical bye week where resting Tony Romo and DeMarco Murray is vital. Jason Garrett and Romo have been liquefied under the brightest lights of December and beyond.

–9. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2, playing Carolina on Monday night): If Chip Kelly wins with Mark Sachez and without defensive leader DeMeco Ryans, the Eagles win the NFC East and Kelly pushes Arians for coach of the year. We have our doubts.

–10. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4): Let’s call Sunday’s loss to the Jets a mulligan until more evidence is gathered.

–11. Cleveland Browns (6-3): All alone atop their division for the first time since 1994 with wide receiver Josh Gordon due back in two weeks.

–12. Kansas City Chiefs (6-3): Untold story in Kansas City — defense thriving without inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (Achilles). Allowed 12.5 points per game in four-game winning streak since bye week.

–13. Cincinnati Bengals (5-3-1): Please phone when Andy Dalton delivers in a game that counts.

–14. San Francisco 49ers (5-4): Remedy for protection issues could be combo of Carlos Hyde and Frank Gore, and reinforcements — linebackers Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith — en route.

–15. New Orleans Saints (4-5): Three straight coming against AFC North contenders — Cincinnati, Baltimore and Pittsburgh — but road games (at Chicago, Tampa) are winnable, even for these indoor cats.

–16. Baltimore Ravens (6-4): On the record — coach John Harbaugh seems to think the division is still there for the taking.

–17. Miami Dolphins (5-4): Extremely stubborn defense should stifle the Bills in an elimination game of sorts Thursday night. Weak running game, season-ending injury to left tackle Branden Albert sink this ship in the end.

–18. San Diego Chargers (5-4): This holiday season, San Diego gives thanks for Week 11 opponent, the Oakland Raiders. Only Seattle has a more challenging schedule ahead. Final five: at Baltimore, vs. New England, vs. Denver, at San Francisco and at Kansas City.

–19. Carolina Panthers (3-5-1, playing Philadelphia Monday night): Defense taking a step back and not enough on offense for quarterback Cam Newton to make up the margin.

–20. Buffalo Bills (5-4): Only if running back Fred Jackson gets back on the field will the Bills still be considered contenders into December.

–21. Houston Texans (4-5): Dropping the gavel to adjourn the season for the Texans, who signaled for 2015 offseason prep by turning to Ryan Mallett.

–22. St. Louis Rams (3-6): Learning how difficult life can be without a franchise quarterback. Austin Davis effective in stretches, but Rams lead list of teams in need of star passer.

–23. Atlanta Falcons (3-6): Best of the worst in the NFL, Atlanta is the only undefeated team (3-0) in AFC South play.

–23. Minnesota Vikings (4-5): Rested with two straight wins and Chicago up this week. Reminder: Bears shredded for 50-plus points in consecutive losses.

–25. N.Y. Giants (3-6): When defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul says “We have seven games left. Anything can happen.” I’m pretty sure he means 3-13 isn’t that far out of reach.

–26. Washington Redskins (3-6): Prove-it time continues for Robert Griffin III.

–27. N.Y. Jets (2-8): Eight game losing streak ended, optimism remains level for league’s 32nd-ranked passing offense.

–28. Chicago Bears (3-6): March to Black Monday commenced for Marc Trestman. Expect statement from shamed Bears fans in the form of empty Soldier Field seats with five home dates to go.

–29. Tennessee Titans (2-7): One of the teams who might offer Vanderbilt product Jay Cutler a fresh start.

–30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8): The Packers scored 55 points Sunday night. The Buccaneers have 47 cumulative points in the first half (18 quarters) this season. Not giving themselves a chance with an offense averaging 18.5 points per game.

–31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9): Grim outlook but GM David Caldwell’s vision could put the franchise on track for young team to compete by next season.

–32. Oakland Raiders (0-9): Narrowly edged Mississippi State in the rankings. Is there anything salvageable on a roster soon to be under a new coach and likely GM?

What we learned Week 10

Packers 55, Bears 14

–As long as Aaron Rodgers is quarterbacking the Packers and Jay Cutler is quarterbacking the Bears, Green Bay will rule the roost in this rivalry. In two games this season against Chicago, Rodgers threw 10 touchdown passes against no interceptions. In the seven games he started (and finished) from 2011 through 2014, Rodgers threw 24 touchdown passes against four interceptions. Not coincidentally, Green Bay is 7-0 in those games.

The Bears are starting to wonder aloud what the future might hold, and coach Marc Trestman should be concerned.

“We have good players. We obviously aren’t a good team,” defensive end Jared Allen said. “When you get a beatdown like this, you can’t say much else. We have talent. We just need to find a way to win games.”

Cardinals 31, Rams 14

Carson Palmer’s knee injury might not be the gravest reason for coach Bruce Arians to go sleepless on Sunday night. Without him, the Cardinals couldn’t run the ball, and defenses are sure to put the game in Drew Stanton’s hands going forward.

Running back Andre Ellington was held to a season-low 23 rushing yards on 18 carries — an average of 1.3 yards per run. “We got our (butt) whipped,” coach Bruce Arians said. “It was simple. We couldn’t block people.”

Palmer may have suffered ACL damage to his left knee, although Arians said nothing would be known for sure until Palmer could get an MRI. Nonetheless, the Cardinals say they are ready to move on without Palmer if they have to. “We have confidence in all of our quarterbacks,” said receiver John Brown. “It’s just like Carson never left. We know Drew; he’ll get the job done.”

Broncos 41, Raiders 17

Peyton Manning woke up from a rough start to lead a 35-0 spurt and prove again the Raiders are a no-contest loser against the class of the NFL. In the meantime, the Denver Broncos broke out a new weapon.

Running back C.J. Anderson earned a larger role. Anderson’s miraculous 51-yard catch and run for a touchdown late in the first half, gave the Broncos a 13-10 lead and ignited their slumbering offense. Denver scored 35 straight points. Anderson, who went to Cal and grew up in the Bay Area city of Vallejo, had a career day in front of over 40 family members and friends. He carried 13 times for a career-high 90 yards and caught four passes for a career-high 73 yards and his first NFL touchdown. “You just got to be ready for your opportunity,” said Anderson, who signed with Denver last year as a rookie free agent. “I always just try to prepare and be ready for my opportunity. You got to thank the O-line for what they did today.”

Jets 20, Steelers 13

The Jets get to taste victory for the first time in almost two months, leaving fans to wonder if Michael Vick should have been under center all season.

Vick has directed the Jets on 10 scoring drives in 31 possessions since taking over in the first quarter of a 43-23 loss to the Bills on Oct. 26. He’s committed three turnovers, but none in his two starts. Deposed starter Geno Smith led the Jets to 10 scoring drives in his final 29 possessions as starter but committed five of the Jets’ six turnovers in that span. There’s always doubt whether or not Vick can continue to play efficient football, but he’s done so the last 11 quarters while also displaying the game-breaking arm and speed that remains top-notch even 14 years into his career. Vick’s 67-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver T.J. Graham on Sunday was a thing of beauty in which Vick dropped the ball into Graham’s hands in double coverage. Vick also accounted for the Jets’ second- and third-longest plays from scrimmage Sunday with a pair of 18-yard scrambles. He’s putting himself in position to start somewhere next year.

The Steelers surely entered Sunday feeling pretty good about themselves after a three-game winning streak in which they outscored Houston, Indianapolis and Baltimore by a combined 124-80. Those three teams entered play Sunday a combined 15-12. But the Jets, who began Sunday with an eight-game losing streak, outgained the Steelers 164-5 in jumping out to a 17-0 first-quarter lead and forced four turnovers in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated. “This is a team we should beat,” linebacker Lawrence Timmons said. “But this is the NFL.”

Seahawks 38, Giants 17

Marshawn Lynch is still a beast. The Seahawks turned to their running back repeatedly. On a day when the Seahawks welcomed back Pro Bowl linemen Max Unger and Russell Okung from injury, Lynch broke out for a season-best 140 rushing yards. A lot of his success came from quarterback Russell Wilson (107 rushing yards) gashing the New York defense early in the game, as Seattle piled up a franchise-record 350 yards on the ground.

Chiefs 17, Bills 13

Kansas City (6-3) trailed 13-3 heading into the fourth quarter but overcame a double-digit deficit for the first time this season to win for the sixth time in its last seven games.

The Chiefs showed they are something the Bills are not: battle-tested. Having come from behind to win in Buffalo last season, they didn’t flinch when the offense sputtered in the first half and the Bills built a 10-point lead after three quarters. “We’ve been prepared for this the whole year,” left tackle Eric Fisher said. “You get so many different situations, and this situation will pop up again. When you face adversity, you can’t panic.”

Falcons 27, Buccaneers 17

A date with the Buccaneers is good for what ails, apparently.

The Falcons just won for the first time since Week 3 and they’re all of one game out of the NFC South lead.

They’re only 3-6, but the division is completely mediocre and therefore totally up for grabs. If Atlanta gets back on track, the team has just as much of a shot at the division title as anyone else. But the Falcons weren’t quite ready for that kind of talk after Sunday’s game. The Falcons can pull ahead of the Panthers next week as the two division rivals square off. And Atlanta has a Week 16 matchup against New Orleans, currently sitting atop the division at 4-5. “We feel good. We just have to keep running,” receiver Julio Jones said. “Everything else will take care of itself. We just have to keep running.”

49ers 27, Saints 24 (OT)

Despite its recent struggles, San Francisco (5-4) is a tough out on the road. The victory over the Saints gave Jim Harbaugh a 20-9 record on the road in the last 3 1/2 seasons. They did it by forcing three Saints’ turnovers and giving up just one. Antoine Bethea’s first-quarter interception of Drew Brees turned into a 19-yard TD drive.

Brees made questionable decisions and didn’t deliver in overtime, including holding onto the ball for a second or two too long on the game-sealing sack/fumble.

Ravens 21, Titans 7

The Ravens’ overhauled secondary showed promise. They made many changes in the secondary following the 43-23 loss to the Steelers in Week 9 in a game in which Ben Roethlisberger threw six touchdown passes. Baltimore cut cornerbacks Dominique Franks and Chykie Brown and claimed Danny Gorrer off waivers from the Detroit Lions. Baltimore also promoted undrafted rookie Tramain Jacobs from the practice squad.

After initially allowing Titans rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger to throw an early touchdown pass, the Ravens secondary shut him down the rest of the way. It was an encouraging game for the beleaguered group and coach John Harbaugh is confident the group can play even better. “Proud of the whole secondary,” Harbaugh said. “They played very well.” The Ravens had suffered a major blow when top corner Jimmy Smith was ruled out for the season earlier in the week with a foot injury, and that will still be a challenge to overcome.

Lions 20, Dolphins 16

There were bright spots for the Dolphins — pass rusher Dion Jordan, cornerback Brent Grimes — but the running game was the flat tire in Miami’s drive to finish the game in the fourth quarter. Losing left tackle Branden Albert only compounds those concerns. Running back Lamar Miller (shoulder) did nothing and the Dolphins rushed for 50 yards on 19 carries, as Miller’s backups Daniel Thomas and Damien Williams combined for 48 yards on 12 carries. Thomas also committed a fumble.

The Lions are legitimate contenders to win the NFC North, though they still have to navigate through a difficult remaining schedule. A loss on Sunday could have set them up for another late-season slide like last year when they went 1-6 down the stretch. They have two stern road tests upcoming — Arizona, where they haven’t won since 1993, and New England, which might be the hottest team in the league. But they have enough talent and composure to challenge Green Bay right to the finish, when they meet in the final week of the regular season.

Cowboys 31, Jaguars 17

Wide receiver Dez Bryant came to play in London and helped quarterback Tony Romo put up huge numbers.

Romo had three touchdown passes, including 35- and 68-yard hookups with Bryant one week after the frustrated receiver went 58 minutes without a reception against the Arizona Cardinals. Bryant’s second score, the 68-yarder, came with 19 seconds left in the second quarter.

“I just felt good,” Bryant said. “Had a great time. Came out here and took care of business.” He broke four tackles on the 35-yard run, taking a short throw on the right side through the Jaguars’ secondary.

–Some information contributed by Sports Xchange writers covering each game.