NFL Power Rankings: Examining League Hierarchy Entering Week 10

Another week, another change at the top in NFL power rankings.

As expected, Week 9 was anything but predictable in what has been a parity-laden season. Half of the league is so bad but good enough to put up a fight.

With heavyweights like Denver and San Francisco sitting last week out, a shuffle in the standings with Week 10 on the horizon is only natural.

Now that Monday Night Football between Chicago and Green Bay is in the books, here's a look at where each team in the NFL stands with eight weeks of games to go. Enjoy.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0)

That was close.

Kansas City was almost exposed by Buffalo in Week 9, but the Chiefs did what great teams do and pulled off the comeback victory.

Thanks to a New Orleans loss and a Denver bye, the Chiefs finally move into the top spot. Winning nine games is no joke, and a comeback win over an under-the-radar team is a nice feather in the cap.

2. Denver Broncos (7-1)

It was a bye week for Denver in Week 9, but next week has good vibes for the Broncos in the form of a matchup with a shaky San Diego secondary.

However, much like in the AFC West standings, the Broncos will have to continue to look up to Kansas City—for now.

3. New Orleans Saints (6-2)

So much for New Orleans being the No. 1 team in the land. 

The Saints traveled to New York in Week 9 and were physically abused by the Jets. While New York is quietly a very sound team, Brees can't do it on his own with 382 yards, two touchdowns and pair of interceptions.

A defense that allowed almost 200 rushing yards to New York has some work to do moving forward.

4. Seattle Seahawks (8-1)

In a week where the No. 1 spot was potentially up for grabs, thanks to a New Orleans loss, Seattle fell flat on its face.

The Seahawks won, but allowing the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers to come into CenturyLink and force overtime is inexcusable. We're talking about a home-field advantage that has not allowed the Seahawks to lose at home since December of 2011.

Seattle has some work to do to get back to contention status.

5. New England Patriots (7-2)

Brady's back.

That's all that really needs to be said after New England demolished Pittsburgh in Week 9 in what was a blowout that put the league on notice.

New England racked up 610 yards of total offense, and Tom Brady accounted for 432 and four scores through the air in a 55-31 rout.

Any doubt about the Patriots' status as contenders should be silenced.

6. Indianapolis Colts (6-2)

In Week 9 the Indianapolis Colts once again proved to be a team that plays up and down to competition by almost dropping a game on the road to lowly Houston.

There's something to be said for the fact Andrew Luck and Co. pulled out the win, but 350 yards and three touchdowns allowed to Case Keenum is unacceptable.

The Colts have impressive wins this season and remain contenders, but the same story surrounds the team—consistency is needed.

7. San Francisco 49ers (6-2)

Not much has changed in the world of the San Francisco 49ers, a team that rode a five-game winning streak into last week's bye.

Better production through the air from Colin Kaepernick would be nice, but San Francisco continues to win games on the ground with the NFL's best rushing attack at 153 yards per game.

Until it stops working, there's no need for the 49ers to deviate from the plan.

8. Chicago Bears (5-3)

Despite the absence of quarterback Jay Cutler, the Chicago Bears powered through the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Monday Night Football behind the arm of veteran quarterback Josh McCown.

Chicago was gifted with an injury to Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but the defense played well enough to win, and the offense has a stellar receiver combo with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.

Like before Cutler went down, Chicago is one of the best teams in the NFL thanks to an efficient offense.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (6-3)

Is it panic time in Cincinnati? Perhaps. 

The Bengals did not just lose in embarrassing faction because of a sack in overtime on Thursday Night Football—they lost to a team that had previously lost four in a row, and Cincinnati also lost star defensive tackle Geno Atkins for the year, per ESPN's Adam Schefter:

It's hard to quantify Atkins' loss in words, but expect a secondary already missing Leon Hall to be further exposed without Atkins rushing the passer.

10. Green Bay Packers (5-3)

The Green Bay Packers dropped their contest with the rival Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, but the bigger concern is the health of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported that Rodgers left the game after his team's first drive with an apparent shoulder injury.

Once again the star of the show was rookie back Eddie Lacy, who rushed for 150 yards and one score on 22 carries. Unfortunately, the effort will be lost in the shuffle of Rodgers' injury issue.

11. Detroit Lions (5-3)

After their thrilling last-second victory over Dallas in Week 8, Calvin Johnson and the Detroit Lions had a bye last week.

That's great news, as a miserable pass defense needs as much time as possible to get things right. Detroit remains a contender thanks to an elite offense led by quarterback Matthew Stafford.

12. New York Jets (5-4)

Fans brave enough to look up the definition of inconsistency will find the team picture for the 2013 New York Jets.

The Jets have not put together a winning or losing streak this season, and the latest surprise victory came over the potentially Super Bowl bound New Orleans Saints.

Geno Smith continues to do enough to not lose, a running game has emerged, and Rex Ryan's defense remains elite. Don't sleep on the Jets.

13. Miami Dolphins (4-4)

What a win for Miami.

Without divulging into off-field issues, it's important to acknowledge that the Dolphins finally snapped a four-game skid against Cincinnati on Thursday Night Football.

Ryan Tannehill remains the NFL's most-sacked quarterback, but a win over a legit playoff contender bodes well for the rest of the season.

14. San Diego Chargers (4-4)

Philip Rivers is in the middle of a career renaissance of epic proportions as he leads the NFL's fourth-best passing attack, but he had an ugly day at Washington in Week 9 with 341 yards and a pair of touchdowns and interceptions.

The defense is the main concern in San Diego at this point, and if Washington did not fully expose the unit, Peyton Manning and Denver will in Week 10.

There we'll find out if San Diego is for real.

15. Dallas Cowboys (5-4)

The NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys (yes, at 5-4) had a perfect matchup to rebound from a loss with Minnesota coming to town, yet Tony Romo and Co. almost found a way to blow it.

As has been the case all year, Dallas looks like nothing more than a .500 team, but in the NFC East that's good enough for a spot in the playoffs. Does that mean Dallas deserves credit?

16. Buffalo Bills (3-6)  

Buffalo is doing all it can to remain competitive without starter E.J. Manuel, and it has been an admirable effort, but any game with Jeff Tuel under center has the chance to turn into a disaster.

The Bills took the NFL's only undefeated team to the brink last week before losing in ugly fashion, but good times are on the horizon with Manuel cleared to return in Week 10 per ESPN's Adam Schefter:

Buffalo is quietly a great team, but playoffs may be out of the question at this point.

17. Carolina Panthers (5-3)

Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers are legit.

Then again, the Panthers' four-game winning streak has come over teams with a total of six wins.

Still, it's hard to knock a team for doing what it's supposed to do. Newton is backed by an elite defense and a finally healthy running game, so watch for the Panthers to contend for a wild-card spot, not to mention a potential shot at the NFC South crown.

18. Cleveland Browns (4-5)

Don't look now, but the Cleveland Browns are in second place in the AFC North.

Cleveland has yet another quarterback under center, but this time it's the reliable vet Jason Campbell, and he torched the Baltimore defense in Week 9 for 262 yards and three scores.

The real story remains coordinator Ray Horton's elite defense, which can shut down any offense in the NFL given time. Right now the Browns are legit and healthy with a matchup versus the AFC North's No. 1 team on the horizon when Cleveland travels to Cincinnati in Week 10.

19. Tennessee Titans (4-4)

As expected, Tennessee finally managed to get back in the win column with Jake Locker back under center for the second time since his injury.

The Titans are quietly a contender in the AFC South, although that will be decided fairly quickly with two of the team's next four games against Indianapolis.

Thanks to a top-10 pass defense with just 217.8 yards allowed per game, the Titans can play with any team.

20. Philadelphia Eagles (4-5)

Chalk up the Philadelphia Eagles as one of the NFL's most confusing teams this year.

After an 11-of-29, 80-yard passing performance a few weeks ago, Nick Foles exploded for seven touchdown passes in Week 9 against Oakland.

Seven. Siete. The number after six and before eight.

Chip Kelly's offense is often labeled as explosive, but this was an extreme example. Expect Foles to cool off, but Philadelphia will remain in the hunt in the NFC East.

21. Baltimore Ravens (3-5)

The defending champs don't look so hot.

Baltimore hit the road in Week 9 and lost to Cleveland 24-18. The main story was once again the absence of star back Ray Rice, who rushed 11 times for 17 yards and a 1.5 average.

Rice has fallen off a cliff, and an up-and-down defense has not had enough in the tank to keep Baltimore competitive.

22. St. Louis Rams (3-6)

The Kellen Clemens show continues in St. Louis to disastrous results.

Clemens threw for 210 yards and a score while rookie sensation Zac Stacy rushed for 127 yards and two scores, yet the Rams still lost.

That about sums up the 2013 Rams in a nutshell. A bottom-three rush defense makes it tough for St. Louis to impose its will offensively.

23. Houston Texans (2-6)

Good news—Case Keenum is the answer in Houston.

Despite Matt Shaub's health, the coaching staff elected to go with Keenum against Indianapolis. His response was 350 yards and three touchdowns.

Unfortunately, health and an inability to win close contests have ultimately put a damper on what should have been a division contender in Houston.

24.  Arizona Cardinals (4-4)

The only thing the Arizona Cardinals had going for them at .500 heading into last week's bye was a top-five pass defense.

In a pass-happy NFL, that goes a long way toward allowing the Cardinals to be competitive in all contests.

That said, an offense that has yet to score 30 points with Carson Palmer under center had some questions to answer in its time off.

25. Washington Redskins (3-5)

Too little, too late for Washington after a big win over San Diego last week.

Robert Griffin III continues to confuse. That, or the NFL has truly figured him out after a year of film to study.

RGIII managed 291 yards and an interception against San Diego, yet again proving the team will have to turn elsewhere for a win at this point.

26. Oakland Raiders (3-5)

The Oakland Raiders are slowly morphing into the team many thought they would be before the season started; it looks like they may be contending for top draft prospects such as Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater.

Offensively the Raiders remain inconsistent with Terrelle Pryor under center, and the iffy pass defense hit a low point in Week 9 when it surrendered seven touchdown passes to Philadelphia's Nick Foles.

If Foles can do that to Oakland, it's scary to think what a guy like Peyton Manning can do. He'll get his shot in Week 17.

27. Atlanta Falcons (2-6)

The beat goes on in Atlanta.

This time the Falcons fell victim to the Carolina Panthers, as the ground game once again failed to show up and Matt Ryan tossed three interceptions in the face of an elite defense.

Perhaps more concerning is a run-of-the-mill defense, which was supposed to be masked by an elite offense. Blame the injury bug, but Ryan's play is inexcusable.

28. New York Giants (2-6)

After six straight losses, Eli Manning and the New York Giants have won two straight.

Coming out of the bye in Week 10, Manning gets a shot at an Oakland secondary that allowed Philadelphia's Nick Foles to throw for seven touchdowns in Week 9.

That should be fun.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6) 

Four touchdowns and 400 yards on the nose for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger were not enough for the Pittsburgh Steelers against New England in Week 9.

Pittsburgh's defense allowed Tom Brady to go off for 432 yards and four scores, and New England had 610 yards and 55 points overall.

Stick a fork in Pittsburgh. The uninspired play is not even worth the price of admission.

30. Minnesota Vikings (1-7)

The Minnesota Vikings appeared to be a competent team against Dallas in a four-point loss, but that's to be expected against a mediocre Cowboys secondary.

Every cloud has a silver lining and all that jazz—Minnesota's coaching staff finally discovered it had Adrian Peterson on the roster and gave him 25 carries, which he turned into 140 yards and a score.

So there's that.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-8)

Credit where it's due—Tampa Bay showed signs of life and almost beat a Seattle team at home that has not lost there since December of 2011.

Rookie Mike Glennon was especially sharp with 168 passing yards and two scores, as was rookie back Mike James, who rumbled for 158 yards on 28 carries.

Alas, the Buccaneers are not a good team. Good teams would have pulled that one out in overtime.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-8)

Even when the Jacksonville Jaguars have a bye, they still lose.

Star wide receiver, and possibly the best player on the roster, Justin Blackmon was suspended for the rest of the season last week for yet another violation of the NFL's drug policy.

Ouch.

Jacksonville, now more than ever, remains in 2014 mode.

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