NFL Power Rankings: Predicting Post-Week 9 Standings

With the 2013 NFL season essentially at its midpoint, now is the time when most observers like to evaluate where every team stands in relation to the league's elite. Things figure to get even clearer after Week 9, though, as there will be just two months remaining in the campaign.

While it's fairly obvious that teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks are on top of the mountain right now, there is plenty of uncertainty throughout the rest of the league due to parity. Things are so bunched up that very few teams have played themselves out of contention, so Week 9 will be vitally important when it comes to sorting out the playoff picture.

Here is a look ahead at what the NFL's power structure figures to look like once Week 9 is officially in the books.

*All records are post-Week 9 projections

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-8)

If there is one piece of good news for Jaguars fans to embrace, it is that their team isn't going to lose this week. Of course, that is because they are on a bye, but Jacksonville supporters will take it any way they can get it, as the Jags have a very real shot at finishing the year an imperfect 0-16.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-8)

There have never been two 0-16 teams in a season, but the Buccaneers could potentially turn the trick in addition to the Jags. Tampa Bay was roughed up by the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night in Week 8, and its chances aren't particularly good in Week 9 at the Seattle Seahawks.

While Seattle barely escaped Week 8 with a win over the St. Louis Rams, the Seahawks should be refocused. Mike Glennon doesn't appear to be the Bucs' answer at quarterback, and Seattle will prove that to be true on Sunday.

30. Minnesota Vikings (1-7)

The Vikings were a fringe playoff team last season, and they only made it because Adrian Peterson turned in one of the greatest running back seasons in NFL history. AP has been good this year, but he has been unable to replicate his success from 2012. Add in the fact that the Vikings defense is atrocious and they can't settle on a quarterback, and it's no surprise that they only have one win.

Minnesota is a heavy underdog on the road against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9. While Dallas is as inconsistent as they come, it generally plays well at home. The Green Bay Packers tore up Minnesota's secondary in Week 8, and the combination of Tony Romo and Dez Bryant will do the same this week.

 

29. Houston Texans (2-6)

Houston was supposed to contend for a Super Bowl berth this season, but it would take a miracle to even make the playoffs at this point. The Texans have performed well below expectations due largely to poor play from quarterback Matt Schaub. He has been so bad that the Texans will once again start Case Keenum under center this week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

That is a recipe for disaster against the red-hot Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are clearly the class of the AFC South at this point, and it's hard to imagine a down-and-out Texans team halting them in their current state.

28. Atlanta Falcons (2-6)

Much like the Texans, the Falcons had visions of the Lombardi Trophy dancing in their heads entering the season. Atlanta fell just short of reaching the big game last year, but another run seemed like a foregone conclusion. With the likes of Julio Jones, Roddy White and Steven Jackson hampered by injuries, though, that simply hasn't happened.

There is only so much that quarterback Matt Ryan can do, as his offensive weaponry is depleted and his defense is mediocre. The divisional rival Carolina Panthers are on the ascent, and they should have little problem disposing of the Falcons at home.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6)

The Steelers were one of the NFL's most disappointing teams last season, as they missed the playoffs, but fans of the Black and Gold fully expected a turnaround. Despite a slow start, Pittsburgh seemed to be heading in that direction, as it won two straight after losing their first four games of the season. A loss to the Oakland Raiders in Week 8, though, steered the Steelers off course yet again.

Pittsburgh's biggest problem is pass protection, as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger constantly has defenders draped on him. Unless the offensive line makes a 180-degree improvement by Sunday, there is no way that the Steelers will get past the New England Patriots.

 

26. New York Giants (2-6)

The Giants were left for dead after an 0-6 start, but there is suddenly a ray of hope shining through after wins over the Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles. The NFC East is so pathetic that the G-Men are now just two games out of first, and it's possible that they could draw even closer this week while sitting at home on the bye, provided the division continues to scuffle.

25. Philadelphia Eagles (3-6)

There were high hopes for the Eagles this season due to the implementation of head coach Chip Kelly's high-octane offense, but uncertainty at the quarterback position has put a damper on things. Michael Vick aggravated his hamstring injury on Sunday against the Giants, and his comments suggest that his status is very much up in the air for Week 9, according to NFL on ESPN.

Philly has a winnable game against the Oakland Raiders on tap, but the Raiders have played surprisingly well this season, especially at home. According to Howard Eskin of FOX 29 TV in Philadelphia, Nick Foles is expected to be healthy enough to start in Week 9.

Even so, he is still recovering from a concussion, and he'll have a difficult time in the Black Hole.

24. St. Louis Rams (3-6)

Most figured that the Rams' season was effectively over when Sam Bradford went down with a torn ACL, but St. Louis put forth a valiant effort against the Seahawks on Monday night. Quarterback Kellen Clemens was far from great, but he kept the team in it, and he was one play away from leading an upset win over one of the league's best teams.

Having seen Clemens play in the past, though, his performance was likely an aberration. He'll face another difficult defense in the form of the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and it's hard to imagine him faring particularly well.

23. Cleveland Browns (3-6)

If nothing else, the Browns deserve full marks for their effort level this season. They could have rolled over and tanked after trading running back Trent Richardson to the Colts, but they have responded with a 3-3 record since that point. Cleveland gave the undefeated Chiefs all they could handle in Week 8, and they have a chance to come out on top against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9.

Jason Campbell is the Browns' new starting quarterback, and he was excellent against the Chiefs. Like Clemens, though, he is due for a letdown, especially against a solid Baltimore defense. The Browns will hang tough again, but they'll fall just short.

22. Washington Redskins (3-5)

From a talent perspective, the Redskins should be in a much better position than they are right now. Quarterback Robert Griffin III hasn't been the same player this season as he continues to work his way back from a knee injury, and the defense has been downright awful. With that said, a win on Sunday could potentially bring them within a half-game of the NFC East lead, depending upon what the Cowboys do.

Washington will have its hands full at home against the surprising San Diego Chargers in what promises to be a high-scoring shootout. There are plenty of question marks surrounding RG3 right now, but look for him to step up and deliver with his best outing of the season.

21. Miami Dolphins (4-4)

The Dolphins experienced a precipitous fall from grace since starting 3-0, as they had dropped four straight games and were in danger of moving out of the playoff race. Right until they defeated a Cincinnati Bengals team that started establishing itself as one of the AFC's best teams.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has had a solid season, Miami's running game has started getting going. The Dolphins were able to grind some yardage out on the ground in a loss to the Pats in Week 8, and they were surprisingly strong against a stout Cincinnati front seven on Thursday.

20. New York Jets (4-5)

Few teams in the league exemplify the Jekyll-and-Hyde syndrome as much as the Jets. They are capable of looking great one week and then just as easily play like one of the league's worst teams the next. Defense is key for Rex Ryan's squad, and if things aren't working on that side of the ball, then Gang Green has absolutely no hope for success.

The Jets were blown out 49-9 by the Bengals in Week 8 as Andy Dalton gashed their secondary. Also, rookie quarterback Geno Smith showed signs of why he slipped to the second round. The Jets will run into the buzz saw known as the Saints this week, and it promises to be a massacre.

19. Baltimore Ravens (4-4)

Most knew that it would be tough sledding for the Ravens coming off their Super Bowl victory last season due to the fact that they lost so much talent during the offseason. Baltimore has continued to scratch and claw, though, and it remains very much in the AFC Wild Card race. The defense has been solid, so pretty much everything is riding on Joe Flacco's arm.

Flacco doesn't deserve all of the blame for the Ravens' mediocre start, as he has very little offensive weaponry at his disposal, but he definitely needs to start producing. Also, Baltimore has to establish the run with Ray Rice. The veteran back should be healthy coming off the bye, which will allow him to come to life against the Browns.

18. Buffalo Bills (4-5)

After well over a decade of suffering, Bills fans finally have a team that they can be proud of. Buffalo is still probably a year away from playoff contention, but it has three quality wins under its belt this year and has played the likes of New England and Cincinnati down to the wire. The Bills have a huge challenge on their hands in Week 9 against the undefeated Chiefs, but they can handle it. 

Buffalo is a great home team, and Kansas City has proven to be vulnerable over the past two weeks, as it beat the Texans and Browns by a combined seven points. The onus is on Bills quarterback Thad Lewis to protect the football after turning it over too much in Week 8 against the Saints. Assuming he does that, Buffalo will pull off the season's biggest upset.

17. Arizona Cardinals (4-4)

The Cardinals are about as middling as a team can be, as they display flashes of brilliance on both sides of the ball and have a .500 record to show for it. Their win over the struggling Falcons in Week 8 was impressive, but it's hard to imagine them going on a big run after they return from their bye, especially with quarterback Carson Palmer playing such up-and-down football.

16. Oakland Raiders (4-4)

Oakland was pegged as the NFL's worst team in more than a few power rankings entering the season, but the once-proud franchise has regained some of its luster through eight weeks. After a big win over the Steelers, the Raiders are now 3-4, and they have a golden opportunity to reach the .500 mark, which is something few expected them to do at this juncture.

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor has been huge for the Raiders' development. His 93-yard touchdown run against the Steelers last week perfectly illustrates the type of excitement he has brought to the fanbase. Oakland's defense is flying under the radar as well, and it figures to make life difficult for the mistake-prone Eagles offense on Sunday.

15. Tennessee Titans (4-4)

The Titans are a solid all-around team, as their defense has really impressed this season and their offense has also had its moments. The fact that quarterback Jake Locker was forced to miss a couple of games certainly hurt their progress, but he's back and should be fully healthy coming off the bye week as Tennessee travels to St. Louis to take on the Rams.

Since St. Louis is due for a letdown after a strong showing against the Seahawks, things set up well for the Titans. Running back Chris Johnson is long overdue for a breakout performance this season, but he'll finally get it in Week 9 against a Rams defense that allows 116 rushing yards per game.

14. Chicago Bears (4-4)

The Bears seemingly established themselves as NFC contenders through the season's first month, but things came unraveled in Week 7. Not only did Chicago lose to the Redskins, but quarterback Jay Cutler went down with a groin injury that will keep him out for at least a month.

That doesn't bode well for the Bears. They have a terrible record when playing without Cutler since he joined the team, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Josh McCown will lead the team on Monday night against the Packers at Lambeau Field, and he is essentially set up for failure. The Packers are rolling, and McCown can't be expected to do anything spectacular. Running back Matt Forte may be able to keep the Bears in it if he runs well, but it won't be enough.

13. San Diego Chargers (4-4)

Thanks to the resurgence of quarterback Philip Rivers, the Chargers are once again in the thick of things in the AFC. San Diego is far from a perfect team, as its defense has largely disappointed, but Mike McCoy has turned the offense around in a big way. In order to beat the Redskins on Sunday, though, the defense will have to step up and make some plays.

There is little doubt the Bolts will put up some points with Rivers throwing to Antonio Gates and Keenan Allen, as well as running backs Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead grinding out yardage on the ground. Winning in Washington is no easy task, though, and the Chargers will fall just short due to their defensive shortcomings.

12. Carolina Panthers (5-3)

An easy schedule has largely contributed to the Panthers' turnaround in recent weeks, but Cam Newton's play is a big reason for that as well. He really came on down the stretch last season, and while he stumbled out of the gates this year, he is now playing at a Pro Bowl level. In addition to that, Carolina's defense happens to be one of the best in the league, as it allows the third-fewest yards per game.

Their game against the Falcons in Week 9 should have been a marquee matchup, but Atlanta is a mess. The Falcons can't be counted out entirely due to Ryan's presence, but Carolina is a more complete team and it is starting to look like a legitimate playoff contender as well.

11. Dallas Cowboys (5-4)

It's amazing how the Cowboys manage to make the same mistakes year after year. They have all the talent in the world and they hang in there against the league's best teams, but they still find themselves at .500. The uphill battle gets even tougher now that guard Brian Waters is likely to miss the rest of the season, according to Shan Shariff of 1053 The Fan.

Dallas had things well in hand against the Detroit Lions in Week 8, but it let things slip away as Detroit orchestrated a miraculous game-winning touchdown drive. The Cowboys need to bounce back, and they will on their home turf against a struggling Vikings team.

10. Detroit Lions (5-3)

The Lions were very much on the verge of dropping to .500 on Sunday, but quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson pulled things out at the last minute. Stafford capped it with a game-winning QB sneak, and the Lions are just a half game behind the Packers in the NFC North. An easy schedule should keep them in the hunt coming off a Week 9 bye.

9. Green Bay Packers (6-2)

Green Bay has been on a roll in recent weeks, and it continued in Week 8 as quarterback Aaron Rodgers had his way with the Vikings defense. The most impressive thing about the Packers' run is that they are doing it with plenty of offensive injuries. Wide receivers Randall Cobb and James Jones are both out, and tight end Jermichael Finley could potentially be placed on injured reserve, according to ESPN's Ed Werder.

Even so, Rodgers is humming along with Jordy Nelson, Jarrett Boykin and Eddie Lacy. The Packers are far from a perfect team, as their defense is suspect, but they should be able to take care of a Bears team that will be missing star quarterback Jay Cutler.

8. San Francisco 49ers (6-2)

After throttling the Jaguars in London this past week, the 49ers will enjoy a much-deserved bye. San Francisco has played much better on both sides of the ball since losing consecutive games against the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts, and there is no question that the Niners are Super Bowl contenders if Colin Kaepernick and Frank Gore continue to thrive offensively.

7. New England Patriots (7-2)

Based on all the things that have gone wrong for the Patriots this season, conventional wisdom suggests that they should be .500 or worse. That isn't the case, though, as the defense has been great while quarterback Tom Brady and the offense have struggled. With Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola back in the fold, everything is finally coming together.

New England will host the Steelers in Week 9, and while it promises to be another low-scoring affair, the Pats have excelled in those types of games this season. The Bill Belichick factor is clearly playing a role in the Patriots' success this season, and it will once again be apparent on Sunday.

6. Indianapolis Colts (6-2)

The Colts are a very good team that is susceptible to some slip-ups, as evidenced by losses to the Dolphins and Chargers. When everything is clicking, though, Indianapolis is definitely a Super Bowl contender.

With that said, it will be interesting to see how the Colts handle the loss of wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who will miss the remainder of the season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Quarterback Andrew Luck still has some solid weapons at his disposal in T.Y. Hilton, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Coby Fleener. The true key is Trent Richardson, though, as he can add another dimension to the Indy offense if he starts to play well. Regardless, look for the Colts to take advantage of the Case Keenum-led Texans this week.

5. Cincinnati Bengals (6-3)

Since grinding out a tough win against the Bills a few weeks ago, the Bengals have established themselves as an AFC power. Cincinnati beat a tough Detroit team on the road recently, and it absolutely manhandled the Jets in Week 8. Quarterback Andy Dalton really hit his stride before Thursday night, but should be find going forward. And the Bengals defense is unquestionably one of the best in the league.

The Bengals nearly improved to 7-2 this week when they faced the Dolphins. But Miami proved to not be pushovers. The loss to Miami was difficult, but the Bengals have a winning formula that is portable, and it will serve them well.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-1)

The Chiefs are currently the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL, but they are bound to lose in the future. Most expect the Broncos to put an end to the streak, as they are coming up on KC's schedule, but the Chiefs can't afford to look past the upstart Bills. Buffalo will host Kansas City in Week 9, and the Chiefs are in for a rude awakening.

Kansas City has been living dangerously, but it has gotten away with it due to inferior opponents. The Bills are only 3-5 on paper, but they have pushed some of the league's best teams to the brink. The Chiefs are much-improved, and they are definitely a playoff team, but they aren't this good. They're in store for a major reality check.

3. Seattle Seahawks (8-1)

If not for a late goal-line stand against the Rams on Monday, pundits everywhere would be asking what is wrong with the Seahawks. Perhaps it's still a valid question since Seattle nearly lost to St. Louis with Kellen Clemens under center, but a win is a win. The Seahawks defense only allowed nine points in what can be categorized as a poor performance, so they should be able to correct things moving forward.

The offense is the real issue, as quarterback Russell Wilson hasn't been his explosive self as of late. The return of wide receiver Percy Harvin would be a big help, and according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1, Harvin might have returned in Week 8 if not for a setback.

Even if Harvin can't play on Sunday, though, Seattle should be just fine against the Bucs.

2. Denver Broncos (7-1)

Following a loss to the Colts, the Broncos were in a precarious position on Sunday against the Redskins as they trailed 21-7. Peyton Manning and Denver's prolific offense came to life, though, as it exploded for 45 points by the end of the game. The only thing that will stop the Broncos from scoring is the fact that they're on the bye this week.

1. New Orleans Saints (7-1)

The Saints are as close as possible to being undefeated without actually owning the distinction, as they allowed a last-second touchdown to the Patriots a few weeks ago. That was merely a blip on the radar, though, as the Saints bounced back with a decisive win over the Bills in Week 8. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for more than 330 yards and five touchdowns, and New Orleans' offense is banging on all cylinders.

Even more impressive than that, though, is the play of the defense. Last season, it was one of the worst in league history, but this year the Saints are allowing just over 17 points per game. All of that is a recipe for disaster as far as the Jets are concerned in Week 9, as the Saints are poised to tear them apart.

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