NFL Power Rankings Week 9: New England Patriots Are Once Again an Elite Team

The New England Patriots stand alone at the head of the rankings this week. The NFC has been a complete disaster, as all top five teams come from the AFC.

The Cowboys lost again, the Panthers continue to look abysmal and the Buccaneers are surprising just about everyone.  

1. New England Patriots: 6-1, First AFC East

A team that was supposed to be in transition, the Patriots are the only team in the NFL with just one loss.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers: 5-2, T-First AFC North

Despite the Steelers loss to the Saints this week, their defense is the best in the league and QB Ben Roethlisberger will come into his own.

3. New York Jets: 5-2, Second AFC East

The Jets were offensively stymied by the Packers, and they’ll have to find a way to be more creative on offense if they hope to live up to expectations.

4. Indianapolis Colts: 5-2, First AFC South

Despite beginning 2-2, the Colts should have no problem winning at least 12 games this season despite all of the injuries.

5. Baltimore Ravens: 5-2, T-First AFC North

Baltimore is getting healthier and if RB Ray Rice could get it going on the ground, they could be awfully tough come January.

6. New York Giants: 5-2, First NFC East

Wasn’t Tom Coughlin supposedly on the hot seat? The Giants look like a completely revamped group from last season.

7. Atlanta Falcons: 5-2, T-First NFC South

WR Roddy White has emerged this season as a top talent in the league and the Falcons are playing motivated football.

8. Kansas City Chiefs: 5-2, First AFC West

Believe the hype: this team is for real. Their ground game can compete with anyone else in the league.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5-2, T-First NFC South

While they may not be the best team in the NFC, as Coach Raheem Morris stated, they’re playing playoff-caliber football.

10. Green Bay Packers: 5-3, First NFC North

An impressive win over the Jets should help to boost confidence, but QB Aaron Rodgers hasn’t looked the same this season and the injuries may begin to really hurt.

11. New Orleans Saints: 5-3, Third NFC South

The defending Super Bowl Champs have had a hot and cold first half, but a strong second half showing could be in the works as they continue to get key players back.

12. Tennessee Titans: 5-3, Second AFC South

The Titans will give anyone a competition, and coach Jeff Fisher has this group buying into what he’s selling.

13. Philadelphia Eagles: 4-3, Second NFC East

Getting QB Michael Vick back under center should go a long way for the Birds, but they’ll have to prove that they’re a contender.

14. Oakland Raiders: 4-4, Second AFC West

We haven’t heard much from senile owner Al Davis this season, but perhaps it’s because the Raiders are actually playing really well despite the questions at quarterback.

15. St. Louis Rams: 4-4, Second NFC West

QB Sam Bradford has led the offense and coach Steve Spagnuolo has completely re-tooled the defense into a very solid unit.

16. Miami Dolphins: 4-3, Third AFC East

This team will continue to toil in mediocrity so long as WR Brandon Marshall is utilized incorrectly.

17. Houston Texans: 4-3, Third AFC South

One of the most popular picks in the early going, the Texans have come back down to earth and are battling in a very competitive division.

18. Chicago Bears: 4-3, Second NFC North

The offense has slowed tremendously since the early going and QB Jay Cutler continues to be the younger version of Brett Favre.

19. Washington Redskins: 4-4, Third NFC East

Coach Mike Shanahan benched QB Donovan McNabb in favor of Rex Grossman in a game against the Lions; obviously, it hasn’t exactly gone to plan in Washington.

20. Seattle Seahawks: 4-3, First NFC West

Despite a first place seeding in the division, there is just not enough offensive firepower to sustain throughout the season.

21. San Diego Chargers: 3-5, Third AFC West

While the Chargers have a top ranked offensive and defensive unit, coach Norv Turner continues to horrendously mismanage the talent.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-4, Fourth AFC South

The Jaguars have shown the ability to put up big numbers on offense, but there are question marks at almost every position on the defensive side.

23. Minnesota Vikings: 2-5, T-Third NFC North

It’s hard to believe that a team with RB Adrian Peterson is struggling this badly, but then again, have you watched Favre play this season? Yikes.

24. Detroit Lions: 2-5, T-Third NFC North

QB Matt Stafford is back and looks to be at full health, which will go a long way in helping the Lions climb out of the cellar.

25. Arizona Cardinals: 3-4, Third NFC West

It doesn’t really matter who starts at quarterback, the Cardinals long-term outlook is bleak at best.

26. Cleveland Browns: 2-5, T-Third AFC North

While the Browns have been playing much improved of late, it’s hard to believe that their offense could keep up with the top dogs around the NFL.

27. Cincinnati Bengals: 2-5, T-Third NFC North

Carson Palmer simply doesn’t look anything like his former self, and his diva wide receivers are already complaining.

28. Denver Broncos: 2-6, Fourth AFC West

Coach Josh McDaniels appears to be in over his head, and despite the success in the aerial attack, the ground game has been among the league’s worst.

29. San Francisco 49ers: 2-6, Fourth NFC West

Mike Singletary may be the only person on the planet who believes the 49ers are still destined for the playoffs.

30. Dallas Cowboys: 1-6, Fourth NFC East

A shellacking at the hands of the Jaguars has owner Jerry Jones finally admitting that his team is in need of a major change.

31. Buffalo Bills: 0-7, Fourth AFC East

Since QB Ryan Fitzpatrick took over, the Bills have actually been rather competitive. Unfortunately, they’re still winless.

32. Carolina Panthers: 1-6, Fourth NFC South

The Panthers might have a win to their credit, but there are glaring holes at just about every position on both sides of the ball.