NFL Power Rankings: Teams on a Roll That Will Fall in Week 9

You know what they say, "All good things must come to an end."

I hate to be such a downer, but I see several confident teams falling in Week 9 of the 2012-2013 NFL campaign.

Whether it be because of the competition or merely a bad matchup, some teams on a roll will fall like a quarterback behind an Arizona Cardinals offensive line (OK, that was a bit harsh).

Here's a look at three teams who won't feel as good about themselves after Week 9.

Indianapolis Colts (vs. Miami Dolphins)

This was a tough matchup to predict, but it ultimately comes down to Miami's pass defense being better than the Colts' unit for me.

The Dolphins are allowing a respectable 6.8 yards per pass attempt this season (12th in the NFL) and Andrew Luck and the Colts had trouble scoring against the Tennessee Titans last week.

The speed in which the Dolphins have improved this season has been remarkable and I expect them to continue to roll while the Colts fall in Week 9.

Pittsburgh Steelers (at New York Giants)

The Steelers have been impressive in their last two games, but the Giants have beaten the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys the past three weeks.

I could see Ben Roethlisberger having a good game against the Giants defense, but the last time the Steelers faced an experienced quarterback like Eli Manning was against his brother, Peyton, in Week 1. The result was a 31-19 loss. 

You add the fact that the Steelers haven't been as impressive on the road this season and I expect this to be a loss in East Rutherford.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Oakland Raiders)

The Buccaneers have won two of their last three games, including an impressive 36-17 victory in Minnesota last week.

The offense has been much better under quarterback Josh Freeman, posting a combined 102 points in the last three weeks.

On the other hand, the Raiders' pass defense (including safety-turned-cornerback Michael Huff) has been much better in the past three games, which included limiting Matt Ryan in Week 6.

Then you add the fact that Oakland has gone 2-1 at the Black Hole this season (including a 34-31 victory over the Steelers) and I'm smelling a Raiders win.

NFL Power Rankings Week 9

Team	Record
1. Atlanta Falcons	7-0
2. Houston Texans	6-1
3. New York Giants	6-2
4. San Francisco 49ers	6-2
5. Chicago Bears	6-1
6. New England Patriots	5-3
7. Green Bay Packers	5-3
8. Baltimore Ravens	5-2
9. Denver Broncos	4-3
10. Minnesota Vikings	5-3
11. Pittsburgh Steelers	4-3
12. Miami Dolphins	4-3
13. Seattle Seahawks	4-4
14. Arizona Cardinals	4-4
15. Detroit Lions	3-4
16. Indianapolis Colts	4-3
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	3-4
18. Dallas Cowboys	3-4
19. Cincinnati Bengals	3-4
20. Philadelphia Eagles	3-4
21. Oakland Raiders	3-4
22. San Diego Chargers	3-4
23. Washington Redskins	3-5
24. Buffalo Bills	3-4
25. St. Louis Rams	3-5
26. New York Jets	3-5
27. Tennessee Titans	3-5
28. New Orleans Saints	2-5
29. Cleveland Browns	2-6
30. Carolina Panthers	1-6
31. Kansas City Chiefs	1-6
32. Jacksonville Jaguars	1-6