2009 NFL Power Rankings: Week Seven

Fueled by a three-game winning streak, WR Steve Breaston and the Arizona Cardinals are moving up our NFL Power Rankings

This is one of my favorite times on the NFL calendar: right before the midway part of the season.  Teams are starting to separate into “contenders” and “pretenders” and each week certain teams are getting closer to the playoffs, while others get closer to preparing for the 2010 NFL Draft. 

In looking at the current NFL standings, here’s the breakdown:

The “Elite” – Broncos (6-0), Saints (6-0), Colts (6-0), Vikings (6-1), Steelers (5-2), Bengals (5-2),  and Patriots (5-2).

“Teams on the Cusp” — Giants (5-2), Falcons (4-2), Cowboys (4-2), Cardinals (4-2) and Eagles (4-2).

“Stuck in the Middle” inconsistent teams, who are caught in the NFL’s parity-filled middle and either need to join the playoff hunt or fall back – Jets (4-3),  Texans (4-3), Jaguars (3-3), Bears (3-3),  Niners (3-3), Ravens (3-3), and Chargers (3-3). 

The “Pretenders”, who are only a shade away from the league’s bottom rung – Bills (3-4), Dolphins (2-4), Seahawks (2-4), and Panthers (2-4).

And lastly, the “Putrid” (i.e. these teams should just skip to the 2010 NFL Draft) – Redskins (2-5), Raiders (2-5), Chiefs (1-6), Browns (1-6), Lions (1-5), Rams (0-7), Buccaneers (0-7), and Titans (0-6).

Now on to the rankings for this week.

1.  Colts (6-0) – In the return of Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders, head coach Jim Caldwell’s team thumped the winless Rams for their 15th straight regular season win.  At least the poor Rams were able to end Peyton Manning’s 300-yard passing game streak at six games.  Next up for the NFL’s most efficient team is hosting the inconsistent Niners and their new quarterback, Alex Smith.

2.  Saints (6-0) – “Who Dat, Who Dat is gonna beat them Saints”…it appears no one, right now.  The Saints further legitimized themselves by coming back from 21 points down to beat the physical, hard-running Dolphins.  The Superdome will be rocking as NFC South rival, the Atlanta Falcons, come to town for a huge Monday Night Football extravaganza.

3.  Broncos (6-0) – Head coach Josh McDaniels’ ascending squad continued their unbeaten ways as they rested up during a much-needed bye week.  In a highly anticipated physical football game, the Broncos will travel east to face an angry and rested Ravens team.

4. Steelers (5-2) – The Men of Steel made it four wins in a row as their defense rose to the occasion and helped give the Vikings and venerable quarterback Brett Favre their first “L” of the season.  Mike Tomlin’s team gets a timely bye week to heal-up for the second half of their Super Bowl Champion defense season. 

5.  Vikings (6-1) – Driven by All-World running back Adrian Peterson, the Vikes were on the verge of producing their seventh straight win.  However, they got too bogged down in the red zone and the Steelers won, fueled by their defense.  In probably the most hyped NFL reunion game ever—Thanks ESPN—No. 4 will return to Lambeau to face a Packers squad looking to avenge a loss to the Vikes earlier this season.

6.  Patriots (5-2) – The Patriots returned to Merry Ole England to give English NFL fans a glimpse of their version of the “Boston Massacre,” as the winless Tampa Bay Bucs didn’t have a chance.  After a long flight back across the Atlantic, the Patriots can give their many veterans over 30 a much-needed rest during the bye.

7.  Bengals (5-2) - Revenge-minded RB Cedric Benson showed the Chicago Bears that they made a big mistake as the Bengals had a surprisingly easy victory over the Bears.   The bye week should give loquacious WR Chad Ochocinco the opportunity to tweet away to his many followers.

8.  Cardinals (4-2) – The Cards proved that there is no kryptonite on the Eastern Coast as QB Kurt Warner led them over the Giants in a physical game.  The Cardinals will host the reeling Carolina Panthers in a rematch of last year’s divisional round playoffs, when Arizona embarrassed Carolina 33-13.

9. Giants (5-2) – After their second straight loss to another contending NFC team, this time the Cardinals, everyone is wondering if the G-Men fattened up on too many early season cupcakes.  The classic NYC-Philadelphia rivalry wil