NFL Week 9 Power Rankings: NFC North Teams Battle For Top Spot
In an effort to get some more consistent and general NFL content on the blog, I've decided I'll start doing weekly power rankings following each week's games.
It's a pretty original idea, I know. Don't ask me how I got it, because I can't explain it. It just came to me. You are my muses.
For future weeks, I will obviously list each team's previous ranking to illustrate the change between the last week and the current one, but since this is these are the maiden rankings, there are none for last week.
32. Buffalo Bills (0-8)
1 of 34
Ryan Fitzpatrick has provided a tiny spark and they seem due for their first win sooner or later, but you can't think about taking them out of the cellar into they get it.
31. Carolina Panthers (1-7)
2 of 34
They just lost their unproductive starting quarterback for the season and will have to choose between two unprepared rookies the rest of the way. Not looking good.
30. Arizona Cardinals (3-5)
3 of 34
Their quarterback situation is downright ugly, so it's a pick your own poison situation.
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29. Dallas Cowboys (1-7)
4 of 34
You can't argue a midseason coaching change, but Jason Garrett isn't going to be the savior they need. This team is done.
28. San Francisco 49ers (2-6)
5 of 34
They're still alive in the mediocre NFC West, but need to settle their quarterback situation and take advantage of their offensive playmakers.
27. Detroit Lions (2-6)
6 of 34
They're not playing terrible football right now, but the Jets game showcased their inexperience late in big games. Being stuck with Drew Stanton at quarterback will probably end their season for good.
26. Denver Broncos (2-6)
7 of 34
It's been a disappointing sophomore season for coach Josh McDaniels, who is missing his opportunity to capitalize on a pretty mediocre division.
25. Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
8 of 34
They are still alive in the NFL's worst division, but they are most certainly not a good team right now.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (2-6)
9 of 34
It's hard to imagine a team this talented on a five-game losing streak and behind Cleveland in the division, but they just can't seem to get it together.
23. Washington Redskins (4-4)
10 of 34
The Donovan McNabb controversy in Washington is a nightmare, and it can't help a team that's barely average.
22. Cleveland Browns (3-5)
11 of 34
Colt McCoy has two huge upsets in his first three NFL starts, but it's hard to imagine it lasting in this division.
22. Cleveland Browns (3-5)
12 of 34
Colt McCoy has two huge upsets in his first three NFL starts, but it's hard to imagine it lasting in this division.
21. St. Louis Rams (4-4)
13 of 34
You have to be impressed with the way Sam Bradford is playing as a rookie with a terrible receiving corps, but this team isn't there yet.
21. St. Louis Rams (4-4)
14 of 34
You have to be impressed with the way Sam Bradford is playing as a rookie with a terrible receiving corps, but this team isn't there yet.
20. San Diego Chargers (4-5)
15 of 34
The Chargers have been playing well below their talent in 2010, but are on a winning steak now and can still catch up to the possibly overachieving Chiefs and Raiders.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4)
16 of 34
They're not out of it at 4-4, but I still see them as the fourth-best team in their division, and thus not a playoff team.
18. Minnesota Vikings (3-5)
17 of 34
The talented Vikings roster eked out a win over the Cardinals, but the distractions may have already done in their season.
17. Chicago Bears (5-3)
18 of 34
If there is a team in the NFL that isn't as good as their record, it's the Bears. I don't see them going anywhere in 2010.
16. Miami Dolphins (4-4)
19 of 34
The Dolphins have already played a handful of the NFL's elite teams, and will have a chance to turn their season around with four tough but winnable games coming up.
15. Houston Texans (4-4)
20 of 34
It looks like another underachieving year for a Texans team that's been adding a lot of good pieces, so they need to turn it around in a hurry.
14. Kansas CIty Chiefs (5-3)
21 of 34
I'm not entirely sold on the Chiefs, but you can't argue with their record. They have a running game that can carry them and some nice young prospects on defense.
13. Oakland Raiders (5-4)
22 of 34
Beyond any reason, the Raiders are actually playing pretty well right now. I've always said Darren McFadden had all the talent to be an elite back if he got some help.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-3)
23 of 34
Their lack of defense will probably prove to be problematic, but I love the way Josh Freeman plays.
11. Tennessee Titans (5-3)
24 of 34
A good team regardless of which quarterback they start, they have a real chance to take the AFC South this year with the Colts' injuries.
10. Indianapolis Colts (5-3)
25 of 34
Peyton Manning is doing his best to carry a Colts team decimated by injuries, and he will continue to keep them in most games.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (5-3)
26 of 34
A big NFC East showdown with the Giants in Week 10 will really let us know who is the top team in that division.
8. New Orleans Saints (6-3)
27 of 34
While not nearly as dominant as they were in their Super Bowl run of 2009, the Saints are still getting the job done and have talent where it counts.
7. New York Jets (6-2)
28 of 34
The Jets were an Ndamukong Suh extra point away from losing to the Lions, which followed a shutout at the hands of the Packers. They're still 6-2 though and have too much talent to not right the ship soon.
6. Atlanta Falcons (6-2)
29 of 34
Tied for the best home record in football, the Falcons aren't playing flashy but are getting the job done in all aspects.
5. New England Patriots (6-2)
30 of 34
The upset in Cleveland was pretty embarrassing, but they're too talented to stay down for long and should rebound.
4. Green Bay Packers (6-3)
31 of 34
The Packers have survived a handful of injuries and are still playing great football, while also having the fortune of playing in terrible division.
3. New York Giants (6-2)
32 of 34
Winners of five straight, the Giants are rolling right now thanks to a dominant pass rush, a strong ground game, and a settled-down Eli Manning.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
33 of 34
The Steelers were one of the league's better teams without Ben Roethlisberger, and they are clearly among the elite now.
1. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
34 of 34
A different No. 1 than I would've had last week, the Ravens are just a very complete team and have very few holes in their roster. There aren't many teams that match up.
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