NFL Power Rankings: Top 10 Teams Heading in to This Weekend

With plenty of blowouts, shootouts, and knockouts in the past few weeks, it's tough to issue a clear-cut list of the top 10 teams in the NFL thus far.

While opinions will undoubtedly vary, here's my list for the top 10 teams in the league through week nine.

Seeing as it's unlikely that my list will mimic yours, please share your thoughts and opinions in the form of comments.

Away we go...

10. New Orleans Saints

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 31: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Sharpe/Getty Images)

Record: 6-3

Victories: MIN, SF, CAR, TB, PIT, CAR

Defeats: ATL, ARI, CLE

Stock: Down

Super Bowl hangover?—it's possible.

Yet the Saints are still in my top 10 after the first nine weeks.

While quarterback Drew Brees looks to be more human than we originally thought, New Orleans has had some solid victories over teams like Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh.

Although Atlanta may be the team that wins NFC South title this year, I would still expect them to be in the running for one of the two wild card spots.

9. Indianapolis Colts

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INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 19: Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts hits Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants causing a fumble during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Im

Record: 5-3

Victories: NYG, DEN, KC, WAS, HOU

Defeats: HOU, JAC, PHI

Stock: Even

Injuries to the backfield hold Indianapolis back in this list.

Joseph Addai hasn't played since Oct. 17 and may miss this week as well, while both his backups-Donald Brown and Mike Hart—playing banged up—have been ineffective.

Couple that with injuries to Anthony Gonzalez, Dallas Clark and Austin Collie, the Colts can't go much higher than nine.

However, if the Colts offense gets healthy, this will be one of the scariest teams in the league.

8. Tennessee Titans

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 24: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles at LP Field on October 24, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans won 37-19. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Record: 5-3

Victories: OAK, NYG, DAL, JAC, PHI

Defeats: PIT, DEN, SD

Stock: Even

Tennessee has had some solid victories against the Raiders, Giants, Jags and Eagles, and their only losses have come against top 15 teams.

Vince Young may have lost Kenny Britt for several weeks, but the addition of All-Pro Randy Moss could pay dividends if he can get along with the guys in the locker room.

Expect Nate Washington to breakout opposite of Moss, as Randy attracts multiple defenders.

Remember, when this offense is clicking, it's really clicking.

Expect Tennessee to give Indy a formidable competitor in the South.

7. New England Patriots

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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)

Record: 6-2

Victories: CIN, BUF, MIA, BAL, SD, MIN

Defeats: NYJ, CLE

Stock: Down

The only thing that persuaded me to list the Pats' stock as "down" was watching Cleveland's Peyton Hillis run all over New England's defense on Sunday.

As scary as Tom Brady's offense is, New England can't win games while giving up 34 points.

Coach Belichick's defense is ranked 29th overall at the moment and needs to stop allowing opponents to rack up 23.5 points/game.

6. Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Record: 6-2

Victories: ARI, NO, SF, CLE, CIN, TB

Defeats: PIT, PHI

Stock: Even

Currently leading the NFC South, Atlanta is undefeated at home (4-0) and within the division (2-0), winning key games over New Orleans and Tampa Bay.

Quarterback Matt Ryan who's thrown just five picks all season has two Pro Bowl caliber targets to toss the rock to in future Hall of Fame tight-end Tony Gonzalez and speedy wide-receiver Roddy White.

Best of all, running back Michael Turner is finally stepping his game up after an off 2009 campaign.

Like others on this list, the defense is Atlanta's Achilles Heel, despite giving up a reasonable 19.3 points/game.

5. New York Jets

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 07: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs for a short gain during the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 7, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Jets defeated the Lions 23-20 in overtime.

Record: 6-2

Victories: NE, MIA, BUF, MIN, DEN, DET

Defeats: BAL, GB

Stock: Even

With a maturer Mark Sanchez, a top five rushing attack and a top five run defense, New York still looks a top five team in the NFL, despite their slow start.

A solid 28-14 victory over AFC East rival New England, and a 4-0 road record add to New York's already solid resume.

In fact, the Jets only losses came to fellow top five teams Baltimore and Green Bay, and those L's were by a combined 10 points.

With continued maturity and experience from the signal caller, New York could make another run to the conference championship.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is seen on the field during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 20-10 over the Steelers. (P

Record: 6-2

Victories: ATL, TEN, TB, CLE, MIA, CIN

Defeats: BAL, NO

Stock: Even

So called "experts" are still calling them the best in the game despite barely edging out Miami, 23-22, and nearly blowing a 20-point lead against the 2-5 Cincinnati Bengals.

While the Steelers' offense should improve with time, running back Rashard Mendenhall's inconsistency towards the end of games has led me to believe that the offense may have peaked.

Still, the defense is one of the best in the league and they managed to come away with some great wins against Atlanta, Tennessee and Tampa Bay

Great team? Yes. Room for improvement? Definitely.

3. New York Giants

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 10: Hakeem Niks #88 of the New York Giants in action during the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Record: 6-2

Victories: CAR, CHI, HOU, DET, DAL, SEA

Defeats: IND, TEN

Stock: Up

New York has really impressed me with four, 31-plus, point games.

Eli Manning has shown he belongs with the elite with his 17 touchdown tosses, 2,000-plus yards and second consecutive season with a rating of 90 or more.

Ahmad Bradshaw has stepped up nicely to replace the struggling Brandon Jacobs as well.

With a 3-1 road record and 27 touchdowns, the Giants are in line to beat out the Eagles for the NFC East title.

If they do capture the division, don't be surprised if they win a playoff game or two.

2. Baltimore Ravens

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BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 7: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens returns a punt against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 26-10. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Record: 6-2

Victories: NYJ, CLE, PIT, DEN, BUF, MIA

Defeats: CIN, NE

Stock: Up

Ray Rice hasn't been quite as effective as he was last season, but he still creates a dynamic threat and is one of the best pass-catchers coming out of the backfield. Furthermore quarterback Joe Flacco has already hooked up with Anquan Boldin for over 500 yards and five touchdowns.

Just like every other year, Baltimore's defense is top five in the league, led by future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis. While, Baltimore's pass defense was suffering from the absence of All-Pro free safety Ed Reed, he has since returned and already has three INTs in his two games played.

They are No. 2 in the league right now, but still have a tough road ahead of them and will need to stay healthy to keep up with the rest of the league.

1. Green Bay Packers

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers brings down Shaun Hill #14 of the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 28-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

Record: 6-3

Victories: PHI, BUF, DET, MIN, NYJ, DAL

Defeats: CHI, WAS, MIA

Stock: Up

Green Bay's ball-hawking defense is finally at the top of its game.

Led by second-year linebacker Clay Matthews III, Green Bay has allowed just 143 points and forced 19 turnovers.

Aaron Rodgers has shown some inconsistency at times this season, but when he's in the zone he's been pretty spot on. Rodgers has carried this offense, averaging 24.5 points/game, despite being without Pro Bowl running back Ryan Grant who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the first game of the season.

Expect Rodgers and Matthews to lead the Pack to another playoff appearance come January.

Just Missed The Cut

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs against Brandon Carr #39 of the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty

11. Kansas City Chiefs 5-3

12. Philadelphia Eagles 5-3

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-3

14. San Diego Chargers 4-5

15. Oakland Raiders 5-4

Bottom Five

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 31: Fans of the Dallas Cowboys wear brown paper bags over their head as they watch the Cowboys play against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cowboys Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Image

28. Denver Broncos 2-6

29. San Francisco 49ers 2-6

30. Dallas Cowboys 1-7

31. Carolina Panthers 1-7

32. Buffalo Bills 0-8