NFL Power Rankings: Week 9

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Going into week nine, the contenders are separating themselves from the rest, while others are jockeying for draft position already.

Here's my rundown of the NFL, 1-32.

1. New Orleans Saints (7-0)

With three relatively weak opponents coming up, New Orleans could be 10-0 heading into their Monday night matchup with New England in week 12.

2. Indianapolis Colts (7-0)

The Colts face their toughest test of the season when the much improved Texans come to town Sunday.

3. Minnesota Vikings (7-1)

Brett Favre is completing 68 percent of his passes, with 16 touchdowns and just three interceptions. 

He's certainly getting himself into the MVP race.

4. New England Patriots (5-2)

The Pats look to hand Miami its first divisional loss of the season this Sunday.

5. Denver Broncos (6-1)

The Ravens' blitzes were giving Kyle Orton fits last week.

How will he respond to Pittsburgh's suddenly rejuvenated D?

6. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)

The next two games (vs. Ravens, at Steelers) will tell us quite a lot about whether or not the Bengals are for real.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)

Ben Roethlisberger is having his best statistical season to date, and is rolling along under the radar.

8. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)

With the way their offense has been overwhelmingly dominant at times this season, how did they go to Oakland and lose?

9. Dallas Cowboys (5-2)

Their Sunday night matchup at Philadelphia this week isn't a "must-win", but it's certainly a "must be competitive" after their 44-6  drubbing the last time they were in Philly.

10. Houston Texans (5-3)

The season-ending injury to TE Owen Daniels couldn't have come at a worst time: the week before the biggest game in franchise history at Indy.

11. Baltimore Ravens (4-3)

The Ravens' defense looked like the Ravens' defense of years past last Sunday against the Broncos.

12. Arizona Cardinals (4-3)

Just when it looked like they were putting everything together, they lay a major egg in a home loss to Carolina.

13. New York Giants (5-3)

If they lose at home this week to San Diego, it will officially be time to panic for the G-Men.

14. Atlanta Falcons (4-3)

What better way to rebound from tough back-to-back losses than a home game with the lowly Redskins?

15. San Diego Chargers (4-3)

A win this weekend coupled with a Bronco loss puts the inconsistent Chargers right back into the divisional race.

16. Green Bay Packers (4-3)

If Green Bay hopes to return to the playoffs, they're going to need to keep Aaron Rodgers off the ground.

17. Chicago Bears (4-3)

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