Updated NFL Power Ratings: Weakness Exposed In Certain Teams

Drew Brees lit up the New York Giants for 49 points while the defense kept Eli Manning in check for a big win.

The undisputed heavyweight champions in the NFL are the New Orleans Saints.

In the number two spot in the power ratings are...the Minnesota Vikings. Brett Farve brought his team back again to grab the game from a Baltimore Ravens team who surged late, but fell short.

Minnesota's defense has some glaring weaknesses to address in the secondary. But the Vikings have six wins rather than five, to lock up the number two spot for the time being.

Indianapolis is at the number three spot at 5-0, and may move up next week with a strong performance against the Rams, while Minnesota must play Pittsburgh on the Steelers home field.

Beat the Steeler's and keep your spot, it's as simple as that.

Denver has the number four spot, being undefeated at the moment. But they could fall down quickly if they lose to San Diego or any other weak team in the future. Keep winning and all is well.

The Steelers have the number five spot with Troy Polamalu back from injury and the offense looking very good. Rashard Mendenhall has added a spark to the run game and the Steeler defense is still very solid.

If they lose at home to the Vikings, they will also slip down the ratings pole.

New England looks like they are coming on strong with that last game, and obviously Tom Brady is fully recovered from his knee injury. They have the number six spot locked up, and have a win coming next week in Tampa Bay.

Atlanta is a contender to win the NFC Championship, along with Minnesota, and of course New Orleans. This offense is seriously talented and the defense is adequate.

This team is 4-1 and looks very good. Atlanta is currently at number seven.

The Giants are a good team but I think the teams currently above them are just as good, if not better. The Giants must step up in big games to prove they deserve to be among the top five teams in the NFL. They're number eight for the time being.

Number nine is currently the Cincinnati Bengals with a 4-2 record. This team could also slip down a few notches with a loss, but for the time being 4-2 has got them here.

Number 10, by virtue of a good road win in Seattle, are the Arizona Cardinals. They must go into New York next week and get another win on the road to stay in the top 10.

The Green Bay Packers are looking better and better as the season moves along, and are at 3-2. They beat Chicago to open the season, and must keep winning to be competitive with Minnesota in that division. Right now, they stand at number 11.

The Ravens are sliding down quickly, and must get a couple wins in a row to move back up. They occupy the number 12 spot.

Chicago is at number 13, and also must win some more games. Matt Forte is not doing it this season, and Chicago is missing personnel that is hurting their chances for a postseason appearance.

Philadelphia slipped all the way down to number 14 with a loss to Oakland this week. Lose to a weak team, and that is what happens.

San Diego is at number 15, mainly because of no defense. Beat Denver and show the league something. Otherwise, no playoffs for you.

Houston is at number 16 at 3-3 for the season so far. They must put some wins together to move up and possibly be in contention for the first playoff appearance in their young history.

San Francisco is at number 17 and also must put some more wins on the board to be considered for the playoffs and respect in the league. Atlanta exposed some serious problems for the 49ers last week.

The Dallas Cowboys are at number 18. Pretty sad, huh?. But that's about it for this team if nothing changes in a number of categories for Dallas. Defense, coaching, special teams, offense, quarterback, etc. etc. etc.

The Jets are at number 19 after three losses in a row and a horrible game against Buffalo. Sanchez has a lot to learn about defenses in the NFL.

Rounding out the top 20 teams are the Miami Dolphins, who did beat the Jets, but still have a bit of work to do to move up a few notches. Perhaps I am anticipating next week's matchup against the Saints.

If they have a good game they can move up a couple of spots.

In the 21st spot are the Carolina Panthers who are pulling the season out somehow, with two wins in a row now. They can beat Buffalo this week, and pull to 3-3, which is likely.

In the 22nd spot are the Jacksonville Jaguars who have a chance to play to a winning record this season, maybe. Playoffs? I think not.

In the 23rd spot are the 0-6 Titans, who will beat some teams this season even after a horrendous start. This team is simply better than their record suggests.

Seattle is at number 24 , and is not looking very good this season. I can't expect them to move up much further this season with the talent they have to work with.

Number 25 is the Washington Redskins, who will hire a new coach at the end of this season. The Jim Zorn experiment will be over.

Number 26 is the Buffalo Bills who are not very good, and maybe will replace their coach as well next season.

Number 27 is the Kansas City Chiefs who have a decent quarterback and a couple of wide receivers. That's about it.

Number 28 is the Raiders who have a whopping two wins now. This team could get better, but I don't know how with the quarterback they have now.

Number 29 is the Cleveland Browns, but these last few teams in the rankings are not separated by much.

Number 30 is the Detroit Lions who are not the worst team in football anymore.

Number 31 is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with no direction, not much talent, and little hope for the next few years to come.

Last, and certainly least, at far as team talent, motivation, coaching, the draft, and anything else you can think of, are the hapless St. Louis Rams.

There you have it, your up to date NFL power rankings for 2009.

These can change from week to week as you saw with the Jets losing to Buffalo, Philadelphia dropping down from a defeat by the lowly Raiders—which still has me scratching my head—and Kansas City going into Washington and beating the Redskins.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Enjoy the game Monday night, and why is San Diego favored?