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Week Nine of the NFL just wrapped up with the end of the Monday Night Football game, and its result has dramatically changed the Top 10 of the Power Rankings this week.
After months of doubt and losing, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally got their first win with a 38-28 victory over the Green Bay Packers, while wearing the old school orange-creamsicle looking uniforms. So congratulations go out to Raheem Morris, who finally got his first head coaching victory in the NFL.
One of the biggest shockers in the NFL is the four-game losing streak of the New York Giants. After starting out 5-0 and for a few weeks being the No. 1 team in the NFL, they dropped a rough 21-20 game to the San Diego Chargers with Phillip Rivers throwing the game winning touchdown pass with 23 seconds to go.
Some have blamed the secondary for the Giants' losses, but this week goes right onto the coaches, specifically offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride for the absolutely weak play calling near the red zone that could have put San Diego away, but instead kept them in the game and let the Chargers march down the field to win.
I've never been a fan of Gilbride's. He's been fired from different coaching jobs, and if the Giants' struggles continue, he needs to go. Defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan could be soon to follow out the door if the Giants keep giving up the points like they have, 137 points surrendered in the four-game losing streak.
And in other news, the Kansas City Chiefs finally released troubled running back Larry Johnson after being suspended for using a gay slur against head coach Todd Haley. Apparently after Johnson was released, there were at least four to seven different teams interested in Johnson's services.
This guy is nothing more than a jerk and has been given several chances to clean up his act, yet someone is going to give him another shot because of his talent. Unless he cleans up his act, I seriously hope Larry Johnson falls flat on his face and fails in the NFL until he's out for good.
With that out of the way, let's get to the top of the NFL power rankings after Week Nine.
10. Arizona Cardinals (UR) (5-3, Won 41-21 over the Chicago Bears)
The Cardinals are slowly starting to take control of the NFC West, especially with the 49ers and Seahawks losing and dropping out of the race.
Kurt Warner simply took apart the Chicago secondary, going 22-for-32, throwing for 261 yards and five touchdown passes.
After a slow start to the year, Larry Fitzgerald is picking up steam again, catching nine passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. He's showing no signs of being affected by "The Madden Curse."
The Cardinals did allow 369 yards and three touchdowns from Jay Cutler, but Arizona completely shut down the running game and made the Bears become one-dimensional.
Next week, the Cardinals get the Seahawks at home. Another win for Arizona means more separation and the possibility of the Cardinals successfully winning the NFC West again.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (8) (5-3, Lost 20-16 to the Dallas Cowboys)
At home, this was a game the Eagles were expected to win on Sunday Night Football.
Instead, Tony Romo looks like Troy Aikman in beating the Eagles secondary in the fourth quarter.
Donovan McNabb never really got into a full rhythm, going 16-for-30 with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Brian Westbrook had to sit out of his second consecutive game with a concussion, but LeSean McCoy didn't have a better day, only rushing for 54 yards on 13 carries and no touchdowns.
After a monster game last week against the Giants, DeSean Jackson was held to two catches for 29 yards. Jackson's become the deep threat for the Eagles and when they win, it's because Jackson is ripping through the opposition's defense.
Next week the Eagles travel to the West Coast and play the Chargers. San Diego has been playing much better as of late, so this may be a rough game for the Eagles on the road.
8. Denver Broncos (4) (6-2, Lost 28-10 to the Pittsburgh Steelers)
Can you feel that Denver? Wondering what that is? It's the Chargers breathing down your neck.
A few weeks ago, the Broncos all but had the AFC West wrapped up at 6-0, but with two tough losses to good football teams, they are starting to sputter downwards.
Monday Night's contest was going to be a real challenge to see where Denver stood against playoff teams like the Steelers, and they failed in this game.
Kyle Orton had a terrible game, throwing three interceptions, one of which was taken back for a touchdown.
Denver was also held to 27 running yards, three of which were gained by rookie Knowshon Moreno, who was supposed to be the feature back for Denver but is not having a good rookie season.
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