NFL Power Rankings Week 9: New York Jets Stumble, New Orleans Saints Rise

NFL Power Rankings Week 9 will have a much different look once again this week.

Six teams--the Falcons, Ravens, Bears, Browns, Giants and Eagles--sat at home and watched the other 26 teams beat up on each other in Week 8, and are looking to take advantage of some slip-ups by teams ranked ahead of them.

We also witnessed the implosion of a a couple of teams this week, most notably the now Randy Moss-less Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys.

And for the first time all season, we've got a new No. 1 at the top of the rankings after the Jets and Steelers went down in Week 8.

So who is it?

Well, lets take a look at the NFL Power Rankings Week 9 to find out.

32-21: Stick a Fork In 'Em

Chris Chambers/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 31: (L-R) Jon Kitna #3, Jason Witten #82 and Phil Costa #67 of the Dallas Cowboys look on from the sideline late in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cowboys Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (

32. Buffalo Bills: Sorry, Buffalo. You gotta love the effort from you guys, but you're still winless. (Last Week: 30)

31. Carolina Panthers: The Panthers continue to blur the line between the NFL and the UFL. Seriously, this team has issues all over the place on offense. (Last Week: 32)

30. Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys let David Garrard score five touchdowns this week. When's the last time he scored three in a game? (Last Week: 30)

29. Denver Broncos: Denver has two consecutive ugly losses to the Raiders and 49ers. Show up, Broncos! (Last Week: 27)

28. Minnesota Vikings: Yeah, Randy Moss didn't hustle on that play, but I'm beginning to think Brett Favre's just playing for the streak and Brad Childress might be the team's biggest problem. (Last Week: 25)

27. Cincinnati Bengals: Terrell Owens is probably happy that he's catching touchdowns even though the Bengals sink lower every week. (Last Week: 22)

26. Arizona Cardinals: There's still not much about the Cardinals that's impressive on either side of the ball. (Last Week: 23)

25. San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco one the annual London slop-fest this year. Just do your team a favor, Mike Singletary. Continue to play Troy Smith. (Last Week: 32)

24. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson looks like it will be a nasty combination for years to come. (Last Week: 28)

23. Jacksonville Jaguars: I'm still in shock about the performance of David Garrard. Did that really happen? (Last Week: 24)

22. Cleveland Browns: The Browns sat at home this week, but fell a spot. I apologize, but that's what happens sometimes. (Last Week: 21)

21. Seattle Seahawks: There was nothing pretty about that 33-3 loss to the Raiders. (Last Week: 16)

20. Chicago Bears (Last Week: 18)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears talks with teammates including Caleb Hanie #12 on the bench during a game against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 1

The Bears cut us a break by sitting at home this week and not forcing us to watch another messy game from that big ball of turnovers Jay Cutler.

At least the Bears play the Bills this week. That team loves to blow games at the end.

19. San Diego Chargers (Last Week: 26)

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 and tight end Antonio Gates #85 of the San Diego Chargers walk up the sideline together against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego, Califor

Congratulations are in orders for Phillip Rivers and the rest of the San Diego Chargers for finally pulling out a victory.

To hell with statistics, you can give up 500 yards if you want, as long as you win the game.

And the Chargers won their eighth straight game against the Titans this week.

18. Washington Redskins (Last Week: 11)

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - OCTOBER 31: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washigton Redkins warms up prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 31, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

I've been waiting all year for the Redskins to do something stupid. And lo and behold, it finally happened in Week 8.

Mike Shanahan put Rex Grossman in at the end of the game because he said Donovan McNabb didn't have the "cardiovascular endurance" to run the two-minute drill. 

Really, Shanahan? That's a pathetic excuse if I've ever heard one.

17. St. Louis Rams (Last Week: 19)

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 31: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks to pass against Eric Norwood #92 of the Carolina Panthers at the Edward Jones Dome on October 31, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Panthers 20-10. (Photo by Dilip Vishwana

Is Rams quarterback Sam Bradford the NFL Rookie of the Year at the halfway point?

I like to think so. 

Bradford had another solid performance on Sunday against the Panthers, and his team sits at 4-4 heading into their bye week.

16. Oakland Raiders (Last Week: 20)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 31: Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks gets off the ground after he was sacked by Richard Seymour #92 of the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 31, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw

Alright, let's wrap our mind around some stats from the Oakland Raiders.

Oakland has outscored its opponents 92-17 in its last two games. Yes, 92-17.

Absurd stat of the year? It's gotta be.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last Week: 17)

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 10: Head Coach Raheem Morris of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watches his team play the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Here's a reality check for Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris: the "best team in the NFC" should blow the Cardinals out of the stadium, not use every second of the game to beat them.

And you probably should have saved some of those points for next week's game against Atlanta.

You will certainly need them.

14. Houston Texans (Last Week: 10)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Matt Schaub #8 of Houston Texans fumbles the ball while being tackled by Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyon

The Texans were controlled by the Colts from start to finish this week and have now lost two of their last three and three of their last five games.

Houston now officially gives up more passing yards and total yards than any team in the NFL.

That's not going to cut it the rest of the way.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (Last Week: 13)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 03: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Washington Redskins on October 3, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Michael Vick will return to the Eagles in Week 9 for his first start since suffering a rib injury against the Redskins in Week 4.

Thanks, Vick, but you might be returning a little too late for my fantasy football team.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (Last Week: 9)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 24: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 24, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Yeah, the Chiefs beat the Bills this weekend.

But it's still the Bills, and it took Kansas City the entire overtime period to do it.

At least the team finally handed the ball to Jamaal Charles more than ten times though.

11. Miami Dolphins (Last Week: 12)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 31: Dan Carpenter #5 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates on of his five field goals during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter deserves to be the highest paid player in the league.

Seriously though, the Dolphins can't expect to go far if they continue to rely on Carpenter like they have in recent weeks.

He has kicked ten field goals the last two games.

10. Tennessee Titans (Last Week: 5)

J. Meric/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 18: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans is helped from the field during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at EverBank Field on October 18, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo

The loss to the Chargers this week really shouldn't have been that surprising because Jeff Fisher has never beaten San Diego.

Plus, Vince young went down with another injury and Chris Johnson only rushed for 59 yards.

The Titans aren't going to win many games like that.

9. New Orleans Saints (Last Week: 15)

Karl Walter/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: Julius Jones #21 of the New Orleans Saints and Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers exchange words during their game at Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 20-10 over the St

The Saints continue to boggle my mind. You lose by 14 points to the Browns one week, then beat the Steelers the next?

Anyway, the Saints probably saved their season with a huge win against Pittsburgh, and they should get running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas back within the next few weeks.

Things are looking up in New Orleans.

8. Green Bay Packers (Last Week: 14)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Charlie Peprah #26 of the Green Bay Packers in action against the New York Jets on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.The Packers defeated the Jets 9-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/

The Packers-Jets game was the biggest yawn-fest of the first half of the season.

Seriously, I was literally falling asleep while watching that game because neither team could get anything going.

But the Packers got a win over a very good Jets team.

So congratulations, you move up this week.

7. Atlanta Falcons (Last Week: 8)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

What did Matt Ryan and the Falcons do this week to move up a spot?

Nothing.

Ah, the perks of a bye week.

6. New York Giants (Last Week: 6)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys drops back to pass before a hit by Michael Boley #59 of the New York Giants in the second quarter at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Romo did not return

The Giants had a bye in week 8, and they face the Seahawks on the road this week.

Let's see what version of the Seahawks they face in Week 9: the one that looks pretty good at home or the Seattle squad that got destroyed by the Raiders.

I have a feeling that Giants defense will continue to dominate.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last Week: 2)

Matthew Sharpe/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: Marques Colston #12 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by Bryant McFadden #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Sharpe/Getty Images)

With all the talk about the Steelers run defense, everybody seems to have forgotten that their pass defense isn't very good.

Pittsburgh gave up 305 passing yards this week and now ranks 25th in passing yards allowed.

Teams will continue to throw on the Steelers.

4. New York Jets (Last Week: 1)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: D'Brickashaw Ferguson #60 of the New York Jets looks on late in the game against the Green Bay Packers on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Packers defeated the Jets 9-0.

Wow, the Jets offense looked about as stagnant as ever against the Packers.

Mark Sanchez looked like the 2009 version of himself, and the Jets couldn't do much of anything offense.

That was the first time the Jets were shut out since 2006.

3. Baltimore Ravens (Last Week: 4)

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 10: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens awaits the snap against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Players wore pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Ravens defea

The Ravens did absolutely nothing in Week 8, but move up thanks to slip-ups by the Jets and the Steelers.

Let's see if Baltimore decides to get Ray Rice into the end zone as the season progresses.

2. Indianapolis Colts (Last Week: 7)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Peyton Manning #18 of Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the NFL game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

No Dallas Clark, no Austin Collie, no Joseph Addai, no problem.

Peyton Manning has the Colts rolling, winning three straight games after a surprising 2-2 start.

Indianapolis now has sole possession of first place in the AFC South.

1. New England Patriots (Last Week: 3)

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Tom Brady #12 of New England Patriots reacts after a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

I still don't think the Patriots will be the best team in the AFC when it's all said and done, but they do have the best record in the league right now.

Even though their pass defense is shaky at best, they've won five games in a row and have the league's longest winning streak. 

But they shouldn't get too comfortable.

Weeks 10 and 11 against the Steelers and Colts could knock the Patriots off their high horse.