NFL Power Rankings: 10 Teams That Could Rise the Most After Week 9 Games

NFL Power Rankings have been released, and my rankings finally have someone other than the Jets or Steelers on top.

So long, Pittsburgh and New York. Hello, New England.

That's right. The Patriots may not actually be the best team in football, but you can't argue against their current 6-1 record, which is the best in the league.

And even though the biggest shakeups in my rankings were in the top five, there are movers each and every week from No. 1 to No. 32.

This week, six teams—the Broncos, 49ers, Jaguars, Rams, Redskins and Titans—all have byes, but the 26 other teams are looking to make a move up the NFL ladder.

But which 10 teams will make the biggest jump in Week 9?

Let's take a look.

10. Detroit Lions

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 31: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins at Ford Field on October 31, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Redskins 37-25. (Photo

Matthew Stafford returned to the Detroit Lions in Week 8, and he picked up right where he left off with Calvin Johnson, tossing three touchdowns to the star wide receiver.

Detroit's defense isn't going to win the team very many games, but that offense is quickly becoming one of the best in the league.

The Lions average 250 passing yards per game (seventh in the league) and 26.1 points per game (sixth in the league).

Detroit has a very tough matchup at home against the New York Jets this week, but wouldn't you just love to see the look on Rex Ryan's face if the Lions pull off the upset?

The Jets actually do rank 18th in passing yards allowed, despite a talented group of cornerbacks, so it wouldn't be a complete shock to see Detroit get something going in the passing game.

9. Kansas City Chiefs

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

At the beginning of the season, who would have thought that a Week 9 game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders would be so important?

Well, this is definitely a big game for both teams, as the Chiefs are looking for a little breathing room between themselves and the rest of the division.

The thing to look out for in this game is how Kansas City's rushing attack fares against the Raiders defense.

The Chiefs run for a league-best 190 yards per game, and Oakland's defense ranks 26th in rushing yards allowed.

Matt Cassel and the Chiefs' 32nd-ranked passing offense won't be able to throw the ball on Oakland's No. 4 pass defense, so they'll have to have another huge game on the ground if they want to separate themselves from the pack in the AFC West.

8. New York Giants

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Wide receiver Steve Smith #12 of the New York Giants celebrates a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

For all I know, the New York Giants could be the best team in football.

The stats sure support it. The Giants are ranked sixth in total offense and first in total defense. 

And New York has won four straight since a 1-2 start. But they'll have a tough test on the road against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9.

Statistically, the only thing the Seahawks do really well is stop the run, but we've learned from the San Diego Chargers that stats don't necessarily translate to wins.

A Giants win on the road in a tough environment would be a nice little resume booster for a team that can't seem to get the attention that most 5-2 teams get.

7. Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Chirstopher Owens #21 of the Atlanta Falcons nearly picks off this pass intended for Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Falcons were a very popular pick to dethrone the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South this season, and so far, they've lived up to that billing.

But let's not look at the team's 5-2 record and assume that it doesn't have any problems.

Atlanta's defense has given up 63 points the past two games, and the team ranks just 19th in total defense.

The offense has been good both running and throwing the ball (11th in total offense) and the defense ranks sixth against the rush, but Atlanta's pass defense has been torched by Kevin Kolb and Carson Palmer the past two weeks.

The Falcons host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9, and though Josh Freeman isn't going to be confused with Peyton Manning, he has topped 200 yards in each of his last four games with just one interception.

Atlanta needs this win, but perhaps more importantly, they need to prove they can stop the pass.

6. Oakland Raiders

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 31: Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs with the ball against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 31, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Oakland Raiders have absolutely blown me away with their performance the past two weeks.

Seriously, there's not one person in the country who expected the Raiders to beat Denver 59-14, then follow it up with a 33-3 shellacking of the Seattle Seahawks.

But that's exactly what they did.

And now Oakland has a huge opportunity to gain ground in the division when they play the Chiefs this week.

The Raiders' run game ranks second in the league with 168 yards per game, but Kansas City's run defense ranks seventh in yards allowed, so that'll be something to keep an eye on.

And I never thought I'd say this, but this could be the game of the week.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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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)

I don't think I'll ever let this incredible quote by Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris go: "We're the best team in the NFC."

Logical arguments need a factual basis, Raheem. And Tampa Bay ranks 21st in total defense and 25th in total offense.

So, best team in the NFC? Well, that's not really even up for debate. 

Yes, your team is 5-2, but you were handed the win against the Cincinnati Bengals, the St. Louis Rams blew that game and you almost lost to a terrible Cardinals team.

I'll give Morris props for managing to win five games already, but if he really wants to prove his team even belongs in the conversation with the likes of the NFC's best teams, he can beat Atlanta this week.

4. Seattle Seahawks

I thought Tampa Bay was a bad, good football team—does that make sense?—until I saw how atrocious the Seahawks are on paper.

Seattle ranks 22nd in total defense and 30th in total offense. The only teams worse than the Seahawks on offense are the Cardinals and the Panthers.

So aside from playing in the NFC West, how the hell does a team manage to start off 4-3 despite being below average in nearly every facet of the game?

Help me out, Seahawks fans. Does playing at home, where the Seahawks are 3-0, really make that big of a difference?

I guess it does.

But the Seahawks will need more than home-field advantage when they face the Giants this week, which will be the team's toughest test so far.

3. San Diego Chargers

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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

Maybe my theory that the Bucs and Seahawks aren't good is wrong, because I'm beginning to think that statistics may be the most overrated thing in sports, especially when you look at the San Diego Chargers.

You would think that the NFL team with the the league's No. 1 total offense and No. 2 total defense would be well above. 500, and probably even undefeated.

But the Chargers sit at 3-5 despite those gaudy numbers, and every game the rest of the way is huge for San Diego.

Philip Rivers and company should have fun this week though when they face the Houston Texans, who have the league's worst pass defense and rank 29th total defense.

A loss here pushes San Diego off the brink of playoff contention, but a win could just be the second in a magical run to another division title.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

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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)

I'm holding out hope that this will be the final chapter in the seemingly never-ending Philadelphia Eagles quarterback saga.

Michael Vick is scheduled to start for the team for the first time since suffering a rib injury early in the season, and Philadelphia arguably has its toughest home game of the season against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Eagles, who rank ninth in total offense and ninth in passing yards, have proven they can throw the ball no matter who's behind center.

But I'm looking for the Eagles to use the run more often in this game to open up the offense for Vick.

The Colts rank 28th against the run, allowing 133 yards per game, and Vick isn't going to be able to sling the ball all over the place after missing a big chunk of time.

Nonetheless, I think this game is compelling for two reasons: first, to see how Vick performs, and second, to see if the Eagles can end the Colts' three-game winning streak.

1. Miami Dolphins

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CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 31: Benny Sapp #27 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates 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)

The Miami Dolphins have one of the toughest schedules in the league.

They play the Jets and Patriots twice, have already played the Steelers, Vikings (when they were supposed to be good) and Packers, and face the Titans next week.

But in Week 9, Miami has a monster matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Dolphins offense hasn't been great (19th in total offense), but Miami's defense ranks seventh.

Obviously, they'll need that defense to step up against the Ravens, whose offensive numbers aren't that great, but pack a potent punch with Joe Flacco, Ray Rice and Anquan Boldin.

This will be a huge road test for Miami, and a win here is crucial because the Dolphins can't afford to fall too far behind the Patriots and Jets in the AFC East.