The rankings incorporate offensive, defensive and special-teams metrics, with a focus on yardage per play, adjusted per-possession efficiency (including points per possession) and the rate at which teams gain and prevent first downs. Strength of schedule and error rates (penalties and giveaways) are also factored into the calculation.
Possession data is adjusted to eliminate kneeldowns or other obvious scenarios where the offense is not attempting to advance the football.
1. New England Patriots (10-0)
Last week: 1
2. Carolina Panthers (10-0)
Last week: 2
Just enough is going wrong for the Panthers this week -- suspensions, injuries and the recent return of Tony Romo to the Cowboys' lineup -- to leave many thinking that they're vulnerable for their first-ever Thanksgiving Day game in Dallas.