NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Updated 2014 Analysis Before Thursday Night Football

We're at the midway point of the 2014 NFL season, and the balance of power throughout the league is becoming clearer. Although, questions regarding which teams are contenders and which are pretenders are still prevalent as we head into Week 9.

The best possible way to provide answers to those questions is with updated power rankings. This batch of rankings determines the league's pecking order based on recent on-field products and team trends. This application helps determine which teams are primed to have continued success for the remainder of the season and which are likely to fall by the wayside.

Just because a team is ranked outside of the top 12 doesn't mean it isn't a playoff contender; it simply means that franchise must show improvement to get there. So, where does your favorite team stand before this week's edition of Thursday Night Football kicks off? Let's take a look. 

32. Oakland Raiders

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The unfortunate repercussion of being the league's only winless team is a spot in the gutter of most power rankings. While the future does appear to be bright for rookie quarterback Derek Carr, the Raiders need far more experience and a couple upgrades before they will contend.

31. New York Jets

It may be time for the Jets to start from scratch. While the team does have a few nice players it can build a franchise around, Geno Smith isn't one of them. The quarterback may be losing support within the organization, according to this tweet from Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News:

Before the Jets can be taken seriously once again, they need to find a signal-caller capable of providing long-term stability.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are in the same situation as the Raiders. There's plenty budding talent on this team, but Jacksonville is still transitioning into the Blake Bortles era. A bit of time and growth is necessary before this team's young quarterback and wide receivers start stringing together some wins.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There's plenty of trends near the bottom of the power rankings, and the Buccaneers fall into the "in desperate need of a quarterback" category. Mike Glennon isn't the answer, and this team needs to look at building around a high draft pick in 2015. Did someone say Marcus Mariota?

28. St. Louis Rams

Austin Davis has exceeded expectations for the Rams; however, this team needs to strengthen its defense. St. Louis doesn't have an offense capable of winning shootouts, and a lackluster defensive unit is a big reason for the team's 2-5 record.

27. Tennessee Titans

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The Titans unveiled quarterback Zach Mettenberger in Week 8. Although his day included J.J. Watt celebrating a sack by taking a selfie, the rookie signal-caller fared nicely. A 93.4 passer rating is a great way to start a promising NFL career.

26. Atlanta Falcons

The 2014 season must feel like deja vu for Matt Ryan and Co. A decimated offensive line has led to minimal protection and substandard offensive efficiency as a result. There will be no trip to the playoffs for Atlanta after losing five straight, and we could see some big changes during the offseason.

25. Washington Redskins

Has everyone jumped on the Colt McCoy bandwagon yet? Well, prepare to jump off. Robert Griffin III is slated to return to action Sunday against the Vikings, according to Dianna Marie Russini of NBC4:

Due to his ongoing average performances, this team isn't exactly poised to rack up many more wins.

24. Minnesota Vikings

Teddy Bridgewater is beginning to prove his worth as a first-round quarterback. He's getting all of his offensive weapons involved—even Cordarrelle Patterson—and this offense is beginning to take shape. If head coach Mike Zimmer can work his magic on the defense, we could have a very good football team on our hands in the future.

23. Chicago Bears

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The Bears are not a good football team despite having plenty of great weapons on hand. Jay Cutler can't stop making mistakes, Brandon Marshall appears deflated of late and the team can't rely on Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte to pick up all the slack. A defense that gave up 51 points to the New England Patriots doesn't help matters, either.

22. New York Giants

The key word for this team is consistency. Eli Manning is having a roller-coaster season, Rashad Jennings is ailing and Victor Cruz is lost for the season. Rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will need to step up in a big way if this team is thinking playoffs.

21. Carolina Panthers

Carolina's defense looked much better in Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately, the offense was simply terrible. The Panthers' official Twitter account relayed a statement from Cam Newton that can be applied to several of the team's contests this year:

Whether Newton is just in a funk or the new offensive system just doesn't agree with him, something needs to change quickly.

20. Houston Texans

The Texans appear poised to remain around the middle of these rankings this year. While explosive players like Arian Foster, Watt and Andre Johnson reside on this team, it does have several holes to fill, and Ryan Fitzpatrick isn't a quarterback capable of winning enough games to reach the postseason.

19. New Orleans Saints

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Drew Brees and the Saints offense came to life against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8. Brandin Cooks is proving to be a great weapon, and Mark Ingram is running with a purpose. Even the team's defense has begun to step up. The next step is proving the Saints are capable of that kind of performance on the road.

18. Cleveland Browns

The Browns are a tough team to figure out. They've had some quality wins, but they've also had some rather ugly performances against a couple of bad teams. Head coach Mike Pettine summed up quarterback Brian Hoyer's performance against Oakland, via NFL Network's Marc Sessler:

Cleveland will need to find better stability on both sides of the ball to keep pace in a highly competitive AFC North.

17. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are at No. 17? Yes, and it's a very fitting location. Since a good Week 1 performance, Seattle has been completely average. The team has gone 3-3 and has scored 136 points while giving up 134. The defense is getting better, but the offense still needs to show up more consistently.

16. Miami Dolphins

Miami's defense has been very impressive of late, ranking seventh in the league in yards allowed. With a steady Lamar Miller in the backfield and a resurgent Ryan Tannehill under center, the Dolphins have become a very complete team.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers really put on a show in Week 8, putting up 51 points on an Indianapolis Colts defense that had been playing some solid football. Still, this is a very inconsistent team, and it's tough to predict if the good Steelers or bad Steelers will show up on any given week.

14. Buffalo Bills

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Buffalo's stout defense has been able to win games for this team throughout the season. Kyle Orton has been surprisingly good at quarterback since taking over for the embattled EJ Manuel. The downside is the team's backfield situation without Fred Jackson or C.J. Spiller. That may haunt this team when the weather turns cold.

13. San Diego Chargers

San Diego has one of the league's most potent offenses. Philip Rivers has been fantastic, and Branden Oliver has been a revelation out of the backfield. What's holding this team back right now is a defense that has begun to give up far too many yards and points over the last several games.

12. Green Bay Packers

The Packers lost to a Saints team that suddenly caught fire in Week 8. Still, Aaron Rodgers has been nothing short of magnificent, and when the weather turns, this team has a bruising runner in Eddie Lacy to take over from there. Green Bay's biggest obstacle is shoring up the run defense as soon as possible. Rodgers injured his hamstring against the Saints, but according to the Packers' official Twitter account, he won't miss time:

That's some very, very good news for Green Bay.

11. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have slowing improved throughout the season. Alex Smith is one of the league's most efficient quarterbacks, and Jamaal Charles continues to be dangerous on the ground. That offense is complemented nicely by a stout defense that can help control the pace of the game.

10. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have had their good moments and bad moments this season, but despite missing some key players, the team's defense has been very good. If the offense can commit to the run more frequently, San Francisco has a great chance of seeing the postseason again this year.

9. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore's record seems to be tied with quarterback Joe Flacco's performances. He struggled against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8, and that resulted in a loss. However, when he's on point, this team has some great playmakers capable of lighting up the scoreboard and piling up the wins.

8. Cincinnati Bengals

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The Bengals really got back on track against the Ravens after a terrible showing in Indianapolis one week prior. Cincinnati's defense looked far better with linebacker Vontaze Burfict in the mix, and quarterback Andy Dalton sure looks worthy of his new contract. If this team needs to improve in one area, it's establishing the run.

7. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have two weaknesses. Nick Foles has become a liability in the turnover department, throwing nine interceptions already this season. The team's secondary gave up two huge plays to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8 that resulted in a loss. If these areas are addressed, this team quickly becomes a juggernaut.

6. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts defense suffered a meltdown in Week 8. That happens, and it's not something to be overly concerned about. Andrew Luck is still one of the league's most prolific quarterbacks, and he has plenty of great weapons at his disposal. He also leads the league in passing, according to NFL on ESPN:

Expect this team to get back on track immediately.

5. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas suffered a surprise loss to a very efficient Washington offense on Monday night. Still, Tony Romo played a nice game, and DeMarco Murray is an absolute beast, rushing for at least 100 yards in eight straight performances to start the season. Romo did suffer a scary back injury, but he could be available to play as early as Sunday, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com.

4. Detroit Lions

Detroit owns the league's No. 1 defense is both yards and points allowed. Now, the team gets a well-timed bye week so All-Pro receiver Calvin Johnson and other important team fixtures can get healthy once again. When the Lions return to action in Week 10, they could be ready to do some serious damage.

3. New England Patriots

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Tom Brady is currently playing the best football we've seen from him in quite some time. Rob Gronkowski looked very healthy in a huge Week 8 performance against the Bears. Brandon LaFell has quickly emerged as a legitimate threat on this team's offense. Complementing that offense with the league's second-ranked passing defense isn't too bad, either.

2. Arizona Cardinals

Carson Palmer was made for this offense. With receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and Josh Brown, along with running back Andre Ellington, at his disposal, this team can strike from anywhere. Arizona also boasts the league's third-ranked run defense and is capable of forcing opposing offenses completely off balance.

1. Denver Broncos

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With Peyton Manning at the helm and the NFL's best all-around group of offensive weapons by his side, it comes as no surprise to see the Broncos topping the league in points scored. An increased physicality on defense has led to a top rank against the run as well. This team is very well-rounded and looks primed to make another deep playoff run once again this season.

Here's the matchup we should all be looking forward to this Sunday, via NFL on ESPN:

Hang on to your hats.