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The NFL’s Most Surprising Team Claims the Top Spot

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Week 9 of the NFL season begins in just a few hours, and there are still plenty of teams left who have full confidence they are Super Bowl contenders.

Many of the preseason favorites are living up to the hype, while there have been a few notable surprise teams evolving into juggernauts with each week.

As we near the halfway mark, GIVEMESPORT has put together a top 10 power ranking of the best teams in the NFL. Here are the squads that stood above the rest.

10

Seattle Seahawks

Jaxson Smith-Njigba

The Seattle Seahawks are currently tied for first place in the NFC West with a 5-2 record, thanks to a revitalized offense under new coordinator Klint Kubiak.

Quarterback Sam Darnold has been an MVP contender this season and has formed one of the most explosive duos in the league alongside wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

On the defensive side, Mike Macdonald’s team has been stingy and is on pace to break their two-year playoff drought.

9

Denver Broncos

Nik Bonitto-3

With a 6-2 record, the Denver Broncos are currently leading the AFC West and are getting better each week under head coach Sean Payton. The defense has largely lived up to the hype, while Bo Nix is showing growth in his second season under center.

Denver is currently riding a five-game winning streak, which includes a marquee victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. This team still looks like the dark-horse Super Bowl contender they were advertised to be going into the regular season.

8

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still the cream of the crop in the NFC South and aiming to take that good-to-great step in the postseason. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has had to overcome numerous injuries on the roster and put together one of his best seasons yet.

The Buccaneers are the current best team in the league in the clutch, and as they return key contributors like Bucky Irving, Todd Bowles‘ squad is poised to be a NFC contender.

7

Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford-1

The Los Angeles Rams are tied with the Seattle Seahawks at 5-2 in the NFC West, looking like the preseason contender they were hyped up to be.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford leads a dynamic offense, with elite skill players around him such as All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua and veteran wideout Davante Adams. Meanwhile, the defense is only allowing 16.7 points per game.

With a reasonable strength of schedule down the stretch, the Rams are the favorites to win their division and clinch a top seed in the NFC.

6

Detroit Lions

Aidan Hutchinson

The Detroit Lions likely won’t have the 15-2 record they did last year, but Jared Goff and company have fewer weaknesses to be concerned about, especially when their secondary is fully healthy.

Dan Campbell‘s squad has one of the most balanced offenses in the league and is coming off an impressive home win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite their loaded division, the Lions still have a shot at clinching the NFC’s No. 1 seed for a second straight year.

5

Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen-1

After years of dominance, the Buffalo Bills finally have some formidable competition in the AFC East. The New England Patriots currently sit at 6-2 overall and have the easiest schedule in the league to close out the season.

Meanwhile, Josh Allen and company are still having a solid year at 5-2 and a threat to everyone in the AFC. Nonetheless, Sean McDermott’s team needs to improve its rush defense if they want to get this franchise back to the Super Bowl.

4

Philadelphia Eagles

Saquon Barkley

The defending champs are once again a juggernaut and last Sunday’s win over the New York Giants was a huge step in the right direction.

Saquon Barkley has had a trying season by his lofty standards, but the star running back had his first 100+ yard rushing performance in the divisional win.

Jalen Hurts is putting together an MVP-caliber resume under center for a team that is going to face several NFC contenders in the next few weeks.

3

Green Bay Packers

Micah Parsons-1

The Green Bay Packers are the current No. 1 seed in the NFC and one of the few teams with a top 10 scoring offense and defense. Matt LaFleur‘s squad has a unique combination of youth and playoff success, making this roster all the more dangerous.

In addition, Jordan Love is on pace for his best season yet under center, and should continue to improve with his top receiver, Jayden Reed, returning soon.

Even with their 5-1-1 start, the Packers have so much more room to grow, which is a scary reality for the rest of the NFC.

2

Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes-2

The Kansas City Chiefs might not be first in their division, but the three-time reigning AFC champs are one of the hottest teams in the league right now.

All-time great quarterbackPatrick Mahomes has had a phenomenal season under center and is now getting all of his weapons back at an ideal time. Meanwhile, the defense is still terrific under legendary coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Aside from the running game, Kansas City has very few weaknesses on their roster and are the likely favorites in the AFC once again. But there’s one team that deserves the benefit of the doubt over the NFL’s latest dynasty, at least for now.

1

Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Taylor-4

We are giving the Indianapolis Colts their due respect amid a dominant 7-1 start. The NFL’s most surprising team is led by an offense averaging 33.8, thanks to MVP frontrunner Jonathan Taylor and a resurgent Daniel Jones.

At the moment, Indianapolis is outscoring its opponents by 116 points, which is on pace to be the third-highest point differential of this century.

Maybe the Colts will come back down to earth eventually, but right now they hold the top spot as they look forward to a daunting part of the regular season slate.

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Man Utd Expected to Sign West Ham Star Mateus Fernandes

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Manchester United are working on signing new midfielders ahead of the summer transfer window.

Reliable reporter, David Ornstein, recently confirmed that United had agreed a deal to sign Atalanta star Ederson for a fee in the region of £39 million.

The Red Devils are in the market for multiple new additions in the middle of the park after it was confirmed that Casemiro would be leaving the club.

United need to strengthen their options in the summer transfer window as they prepare for a season in the Champions League.

Ederson doesn’t appear to be the only midfielder that United are looking to bring to the club, and we could see multiple new additions for Michael Carrick and his team.


Michael Carrick


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Michael Carrick Manchester United manager (2026)

BBC reporter Simon Stone has provided an update on Manchester United’s pursuit of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes ahead of the summer transfer window.

The reliable journalist claims that he would be surprised if United didn’t secure his signature this summer, even though they are in a bit of a stand-off with the Hammers.

“I think with Mateus Fernandes, I would be surprised if that deal didn’t get done. At the moment, I think we’re in a bit of a stand-off in terms of West Ham saying they don’t have to sell. Well, they probably do actually. West Ham are also saying that they want £80m.”

West Ham’s relegation to the Championship will certainly help convince Fernandes to make a move in the summer, but it appears West Ham aren’t willing to budge on their valuation.

Man Utd Could Have Plenty of Midfield Options

West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring vs Sunderland

Heading into the 2026/27 season, Manchester United could have plenty of options in the middle of the park.

If Ederson and Fernandes, described as ‘elite’, both arrive at Old Trafford, that is two high-level midfielders adding to their squad.

Although Casemiro is leaving, United still have Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo as options, while Manuel Ugarte remains at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils undoubtedly need multiple midfielders due to Casemiro’s departure, while Ugarte’s future is still uncertain heading into the summer transfer window.

It’s an exciting period approaching for United, with Champions League football on the horizon and a busy summer expected.

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Man Utd Eye Move To Sign Juventus Star On £35m Deal

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Manchester United continue to search for fresh additions as Michael Carrick prepares for his first full season in charge at Old Trafford.

The former Middlesbrough manager was handed a two-year deal to become United’s permanent head coach after guiding the club to third in the Premier League.

A deal is all but done for Atalanta midfielder Ederson to join the Red Devils and more additions are highly likely as United plan to add depth as they prepare to return to the Champions League.

Carrick is expected to add another midfielder to his ranks but United are also interested in making additions to their defence, according to reports in Italy.

Man Utd eye Juventus star Pierre Kalulu

Michael Carrick

United are interested in Juventus star Pierre Kalulu, according to Corriere Dello Sport.

The Red Devils watched the player ‘several times’ in the final weeks of the Serie A season. He is expected to command a fee of around £35million with Tottenham Hotspur also credited with an interest in the Frenchman.

He joined Juve on loan from AC Milan in 2024 before his switch to Turin was made permanent last summer. He has been described as the club’s best signing of the last two years, given the permanent deal for him was only around £13million.

Kalulu played in all but one of Juve’s games last season, with a one-game ban for a red card the only thing stopping him from playing almost every minute.

He came through the academy at Lyon in France before moving to AC Milan in 2020. He has been capped three times by the French national team but has not been included in their 26-man squad for the World Cup later this month.

Juventus want to give Pierre Kalulu new contract

Pierre Kalulu

Juventus are keen to keep hold of Kalulu, despite the interest from United.

However, the Turin club have failed to qualify for the Champions League and their hand could be forced if a strong enough offer is tabled.

Juventus have other players they would prefer to sell, and if other exits occur then United could be frustrated in their attempts to bring Kalulu to Old Trafford.

He is under contract with the Old Lady until 2029 but Juventus are keen to extend his deal at the club. They want to add another year to his contract and insert the option of an additional 12 months.

However, a new deal is described as being a ‘long way off’.

United have Luke Shaw as their first-choice left-back. The former Southampton player has struggled with injury for much of his Red Devils career.

However, he put those issues behind him last season and started in all 38 of the club’s Premier League games – becoming just the fifth player to achieve the feat for United.

With the Red Devils back in the Champions League, they will need more depth at left-back.


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Tottenham Eye Bargain Deal To Sign Marcus Rashford

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Tottenham Hotspur are keen to add more experience to Roberto De Zerbi’s ranks after avoiding relegation to the Championship last month.

Spurs retained their Premier League status with a 1-0 win over Everton on the final day of the campaign as London rivals West Ham United were relegated.

Plans are now in motion to strengthen their squad for a full season under De Zerbi. The North London outfit have already agreed deals for Liverpool defender Andy Robertson and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi – with both moves just awaiting official confirmation.

Both players will join on free transfers with their contracts at their respective clubs to expire at the end of this month.

Now Spurs are in the market for more bargains and are interested in a move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.

Tottenham eye move for Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford

That is according to a report from the i Paper, who claim Rashford is of interest as Spurs look to add Premier League experience to their squad.

Rashford spent last season on loan at Barcelona as he helped the Spanish giants retain the La Liga title. However, Barca’s £69million move to sign Anthony Gordon last week may stop them going through with their option to buy deal.

Rashford has played 297 times in the Premier League and scored 97 goals along with providing 42 assists. Rashford is also attracting interest from Newcastle United and Aston Villa.

The England international spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Villa. Newcastle, meanwhile, see him as a potential replacement for Gordon.

No offers have been tabled to United as things stand.

Marcus Rashford prefers Barcelona move

Barcelona's Marcus Rashford and coach Hansi Flick speaking before facing Rayo Vallecano

According to the report, Rashford’s preference is to return to Barcelona. The La Liga outfit have a £26million option to buy the player but that expires on June 15.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, sporting director Deco and president Joan Laporta all want the player to return to the La Liga champions.

While the Spanish club do want to keep Rashford, they do not want to spend the £26million and are more likely to offer £15million to United after June 15.

The Red Devils are relaxed about the situation and believe interest from other clubs gives them a better chance of selling Rashford for £26million, which in itself is a bargain price for a player of his quality and experience.

If Rashford does not leave the Red Devils before pre-season, he is expected to report to Carrington after the World Cup.

He is under contract with United until 2028, with wages worth £325,000-a-week.

Rashford, who Gordon labelled as ‘one of the best players in the world’, would upgrade Tottenham’s attack and provide the experience the club wants this summer.

Barca’s unwillingness to meet the £26million fee gives Spurs an opening to bring the player to North London.


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