Projecting post-deadline NFC West team needs for the 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Drake Maye and the Patriots are riding high, and the Ravens continue to work their way back into AFC North contention.

USA TODAY Sports examines five things to watch for Week 10, including early returns from the NFL's trade deadline.

Heading into Week 11, the Colts, Patriots and Broncos are all tied atop the conference with an 8-2 record, but I don't trust any of them to make it to the Super Bowl. I also don't trust the Bills, who just got destroyed by the Dolphins.

The Patriots are 11.5-point favorites as they host the Jets in prime time. The rest of the schedule looks pretty enticing. There are only two other spreads higher than a touchdown (Ravens -8 at Browns and Texans -7.5 at Titans). It should be a good week of football, after Thursday night at least.

Once an inferior division, the NFC West is now must-watch TV, with the Rams, Seahawks and 49ers all potential Super Bowl contenders.

The computer clearly loves the NFC West with three teams projected to make the playoffs. Despite injuries, the 49ers (6-3) are expected to do just enough to earn the final wild-card spot, with a 76.1% chance to make the playoffs -- well ahead of the Bears (41.5%), who are projected as the first team out.