2009 NFL Season: Week Nine Power Rankings

The midpoint of the 2009 NFL season is upon us, and throughout the league there is a pretty good understanding of who the “Contenders”, and “Pretenders” are. With nine more weeks of NFL action ahead of us, there are many compelling storylines to follow in the second half the season. 

• Can either the New Orleans Saints, or Indianapolis Colts go undefeated for the entire 2009 season?
• Can the Vikings and veteran quarterback Brett Favre continue their magic carpet ride into the playoffs?
• Are the Patriots and Steelers truly back after producing winning streaks going into their recent bye weeks?
• Could it be possible that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will not win a game in 2009, and match the 2008 Detroit Lions (0-16)?
• Which coach is currently on the hot seat (Browns Eric Mangini, Redskins Jim Zorn, Raiders Tom Cable, Bills Dick Jauron, Panthers John Fox and others) will be the first one issued their pink slip?

And so many other storylines that will be written as the 2009 season continues to unfold.

In looking at the current NFL standings here’s the breakdown: The “Elite” – Saints (7-0), Colts (7-0), Vikings (7-1), Broncos (6-1), Steelers (5-2), Bengals (5-2),  and Patriots (5-2); “Teams on the Cusp” — Eagles (5-2), Cowboys (5-2), Texans (5-3), Giants (5-3), and Ravens (4-3);  “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 – Chargers (4-3), Falcons (4-3), Jets (4-4), Bears (4-3), Cardinals (4-3), Niners (3-4), Dolphins (3-4) and Panthers (3-4); The “Pretenders”, who are only a shade away from the league’s bottom rung – Jaguars (3-4), Bills (3-5), and Seahawks (2-5); and lastly  the “Putrid” (i.e. These teams  should just skip to the 2010 NFL Draft) – Redskins (2-5), Raiders (2-6), Chiefs (1-6), Lions (1-6), Titans (1-6), Browns (1-7), Rams (1-7), and Buccaneers (0-7)

Now on to the rankings for this week.

1.  Colts (7-0)

The Niners, led by comeback kid QB Alex Smith, gave the Colts all they could handle. But eventually the NFL’s cream of the crop rose to the occasion, and disposed of the Niners by a score of 18-14. Indy better not get caught looking ahead to Week 10’s mega-showdown with the New England Patriots, as the Houston Texans are coming to town for a crucial AFC South battle.

2.  Saints (7-0)

“Who Dat, Who Dat is gonna beat them Saints”…another week, another foe bit the dust against Sean Payton’s crew. The Saints, fueled by turnovers, finally kicked the Falcons to the curb on Monday Night Football. Another home NFC South battle awaits the undefeated Saints as the inconsistent, but dangerous Carolina Panthers come to the French Quarter.

3.  Vikings (7-1)

It was sweet revenge for Vikes QB Brett Favre as he returned to Green Bay to pin a second ugly loss on the Packers in less than one month. Brad Childress’ team will enjoy a much-deserved bye week before continuing their fight to be the NFC’s No. 1 seed going into the playoffs.

4. Steelers (5-2)

Mike Tomlin’s team used the bye to heal-up, and hopefully safety Troy Polamalu, and the rest of the Steelers are ready to defend their title in the second half of the season. In a Monday Night Football game that could definitely be a playoff preview, the Steelers will travel to Denver to face a Broncos team coming off their first loss of the season.

5.  Broncos (6-1)

Head Coach Josh McDaniels’ team were no match for the rested Ravens, who beat them in every phase of the game from offense, to defense, to special teams. In a game that will truly tell us if the Broncos have put their 2008 inconsistent ways behind them, the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers come to tonight for a big Monday Night Football showdown.

6.  Patriots (5-2)

The Patriots, after throttling the poor Tampa Bay Bucs in Merry Ole England, took a week off to rest their weary jet-lagged legs.  he second half of the 2009 NFL Season begins for the Pats with a crucial AFC East home game against the Miami Dolphins, who surely will be bringing the"‘Wildcat” back to the place where it debuted in 2008.

7.  Bengals (5-2)

The bye week allowed the Bengals to get away from the long grind of an NFL season, and it even for all loquacious WR Chad Ochocinco to plug his new book everywhere, including on