NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Raiders and Dolphins Climb, Vikings and Titans Slip
NFL Power Rankings Week 9:
So much can happen in a single weekend of NFL football, and Week 8 has given us plenty to talk about.
The Dallas Cowboys continue to struggle, and the New Orleans Saints beat the Pittsburgh Steelers!
The Indianapolis Colts got some revenge against the Houston Texans for that Week 1 loss.
And you know we have to address the soap opera going on up in Minnesota.
So who is the best team in the NFL after Week 8?
Read on to find out!
32-21: Bottom of the League
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32 (32). Buffalo Bills: Honestly, the Bills aren't the worst team in the league, but they will have to win at least one game to move up the list.
31 (30). Carolina Panthers: The Panthers are last in their division, and they won't move up after next week's game against the Saints.
30 (29). Dallas Cowboys: I picked the 'Boys to win at home against the Jags, and boy was I wrong! Stick a fork in the Dallas Cowboys. They're done.
29 (25). Denver Broncos: Blame it on playing in a strange country if you want. The Broncos are just awful.
28 (23). Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals have lost four games in a row, and things won't get easier on Monday against the Steelers.
27 (28). Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags are on the rise after a big win over Dallas.
26 (31). San Francisco 49ers: Maybe the Niners can establish some momentum after their bye this week.
25 (21). Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are a lot better than expected this season, but a loss to the Buccaneers bumps them down a few spots.
24 (27). Detroit Lions: How bout them Lions? With Matthew Stafford back in action, Detroit will continue to improve this season.
23 (26). San Diego Chargers: The Bolts may have had their early-season troubles, but that win over the Titans was very impressive.
22 (22). Cleveland Browns: The Browns had a bye, but they'll stay at No. 22. They'll have their work cut out for them on Sunday when they host the New England Patriots.
21 (18). Minnesota Vikings: There is so much drama going on in Minnesota that I think the Vikings may have forgotten how to play football.
20. St. Louis Rams
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Last Week's Rank: 20
Why They Stay the Same: Even after a victory over the Carolina Panthers, the Rams still look about the same to me.
Adam Schefter seems to think St. Louis will try to pick up Randy Moss, and time will tell how that will affect this team.
19. Oakland Raiders
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Last Week's Rank: 24
Why They Climb: I had a feeling about the Oakland Raiders at the beginning of the season, and they're starting to live up to my expectations.
The Raiders have outscored their last two opponents 92-17. If that isn't improvement, I don't know what is.
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18. Seattle Seahawks
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Last Week's Rank: 17
Why They Fall: The Seahawks have been very impressive all season, but that 33-3 loss to the Oakland Raiders was all kinds of embarrassing.
17. Chicago Bears
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Last Week's Rank: 15
Why They Fall: The Bears may have had a bye, but there are plenty of other more impressive teams in the league.
Maybe they'll break their losing streak against the Buffalo Bills, but even that one is no guarantee.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Last Week's Rank: 19
Why They Climb: The Bucs won an exciting shootout with the Arizona Cardinals, and they are in contention for the top of the NFC South.
And hey! It's okay to lose to the Steelers and the Saints. The Bucs' 5-2 record is nothing to laugh at!
15. Houston Texans
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Last Week's Rank: 12
Why They Fall: The Texans' loss last night to the banged-up Colts really hurt them in this week's rankings.
Maybe Indy can teach them a thing or two about defense.
14. Washington Redskins
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Last Week's Rank: 11
Why They Fall: Can someone please explain to me how benching Donovan McNabb late in the fourth quarter was a good idea?
Bad call, Shanahan. Bad call.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
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Last Week's Rank: 13
Why They Stay the Same: The Eagles had a bye, and the Redskins' loss secured their spot in their division.
12. Miami Dolphins
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Last Week's Rank: 16
Why They Climb: I put the Dolphins on my "watch list" last week, and they didn't disappoint against the Bengals. Miami is in a tough division, but with a Jets loss, the Dolphins could continue to rise.
11. Tennessee Titans
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Last Week's Rank: 7
Why They Fall: The Titans suffered a tough loss to the San Diego Chargers, but I would still keep my eye on Tennessee as a possible AFC sleeper.
10. Green Bay Packers
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Last Week's Rank: 14
Why They Climb: In the preseason, the Packers were a favorite as Super Bowl contenders, but their season has been so-so.
But shutting out the New York Jets on the road?
Talk about impressive!
9. New Orleans Saints
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Last Week's Rank: 10
Why They Climb: The Saints came off a loss to the Cleveland Browns and picked apart the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Saints may have found whatever was missing at the beginning of their season.
8. Kansas City Chiefs
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Last Week's Rank: 8
Why They Stay the Same: The Chiefs added another win...in overtime...against the Buffalo Bills.
I can't move them down after win, but they sure aren't moving up.
7. Indianapolis Colts
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Last Week's Rank: 9
Why They Climb: Many have been burying the Colts after a slow start to the season, but Indy got their revenge against the Houston Texans.
Peyton Manning got it done (even with a banged-up receiving corps), and the Colts' defense really shined last night.
6. Atlanta Falcons
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Last Week's Rank: 6
Why They Stay the Same: The Falcons had a bye, but they better watch their backs after both the Bucs and the Saints get big wins. The NFC South is looking like the strongest division in the NFC, and the Dirty Birds will have to fight to stay on top.
5. New York Giants
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Last Week's Rank: 5
Why They Stay the Same: The Giants still look like the best team in the NFC even after a bye.
I can't wait to watch them pick apart the Seahawks on Sunday!
4. New York Jets
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Last Week's Rank: 3
Why They Fall: The Jets got shut out at home by the Green Bay Packers, and they are starting to seem a little overrated.
During this game, Mark Sanchez perfected the pass...
To the other team.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
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Last Week's Rank: 1
Why They Fall: As much as it pains me to knock down my Steelers, they couldn't find an answer for Drew Brees.
And Heath Miller needs a crash course in ball-protection.
I just hope that James Harrison doesn't threaten to retire again after that late hit on Brees.
2. Baltimore Ravens
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Last Week's Rank: 4
Why They Climb: The Ravens are at the top of one of the most dominant divisions in the NFL, so they will move past the Steelers and Jets this week for the No. 2 spot.
1. New England Patriots
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Last Week's Rank: 2
Why They Climb: This one is a no-brainer. The Patriots have the best record in the NFL with their only loss to the New York Jets, and something tells me that "Gang Green" won't beat them again.
The Pats are extremely consistent, and they will systematically break down defenses for the win.
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