Herd Hierarchy Week 18: 49ers, Seahawks Top the List Ahead of Week 18 Game

Who is the top team in the NFC West? Have the New England Patriots re-established dominance in the AFC East?

Those are the questions Colin Cowherd has answers to in the most recent edition of the "Herd Hierarchy." Remember, Cowherd isn't ranking teams based on what they've done lately or their record. Rather, it's an encapsulation of where each team in the NFL stands, holistically, taking into consideration which opponents each team has beaten, how healthy they are and their ceiling for the rest of the year.

So, let's take a look at Cowherd's most recent top 10 heading into Week 18 of the NFL season. 

"They've trailed in each of their last nine games. Three of their losses have come to Philadelphia, the Texans and the Patriots. I don't think they're going to be able to beat top-end teams consistently. They can't defend the run. They fall into holes. I don't trust them situationally in big spots."

Demeco Ryans and the Houston Texans have won eight straight games. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

"I do think the Texans could play for the AFC Championship. Eight-game winning streak, best fourth-quarter differential in the league. They wear you out physically, and can pull away in the final quarter… I like this team. I would not want to face this team in the playoffs."

"They lead the NFL in big plays on offense, but they've given up the third most on defense. They don't turn the ball over. They don't take sacks nearly as much as last year. I think Caleb (Williams) has had a great season. I think Ben Johnson has an argument for Coach of the Year.

"Clinched their first AFC West title since 2015. They are 7-1 at home, and have been a great home team since Sean Payton arrived. They're 12-1 at home the last two years at