NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Philadelphia Eagles and Teams Putting It All Together

I'm hesitant to claim that any NFL team, outside of the Green Bay Packers at the top and the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts at the bottom, has quite figured its place in the league now eight weeks into the 2011 season.

Yet, there remains reason to believe that some teams that were expected to contend have gotten (or will soon get) their acts together.

Take these three teams, for instance.

Philadelphia Eagles

A Week 7 bye seemed to do wonders for the wayward Eagles. Once lost amidst confounding play calling, poor pass protection and a nonexistent run defense, Philadelphia seems to have emerged from its early-season doldrums with its hopes for a dream season still somewhat intact.

The redemption began in Week 6 with a quiet 20-13 win over Washington and picked up some real steam as the Eagles demolished Dallas on Sunday night, 34-7.

Michael Vick still got sacked a ton (by DeMarcus Ware), but the offense ran smoothly, to the tune of 239 rushing yards against the NFL's stingiest run defense.

Most encouragingly, the defense limited the Cowboys to just 267 total yards and 12 first downs—no easy feat considering the plethora of weapons Tony Romo has at his disposal.

A win over the Bears on Monday night in Week 9 even the Eagles' season record at 4-4, with the top of the heap in the NFC East well in sight.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Across the state of Pennsylvania, the Steelers reasserted themselves as the class of the AFC by beating up on the unusually soft Patriots. As expected, Ben Roethlisberger made minced meat of New England's negligible pass defense while Rashard Mendenhall provided steady support out of the backfield.

The real announcement, though, came from the defense, which limited Tom Brady and company to a measly 213 yards, only 43 of which came on the ground. This was vintage Steelers football at its head-pounding best, something that will be on full, glorious display when the arch-rival Baltimore Ravens come to Heinz Field on Sunday night.

Should the Steelers hold steady at home, they'll open up a commanding game-and-a-half lead in the AFC North over their Beltway challengers at the half-way point of the season.

Atlanta Falcons

Once upon a time, the Falcons were dead in the swamp water of the NFC South, trailing behind the surging Saints and the improving Buccaneers.

Now, at 4-3, Atlanta sits but a half game back of the lead (thanks, St. Louis!) with a perfect opportunity to pick up some slack in the standings while New Orleans and Tampa Bay duke it out on Sunday.

And by perfect opportunity, I mean a game against the hapless, hopeless Indianapolis Colts.

Just what the doctor ordered to help warm up Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense coming off a bye week.

Josh Martin's Week 8 NFL Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers

2. San Francisco 49ers

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

4. New England Patriots

5. Baltimore Ravens

6. Detroit Lions

7. Atlanta Falcons

8. New York Giants

9. New Orleans Saints

10. Buffalo Bills

11. New York Jets

12. Cincinnati Bengals

13. San Diego Chargers

14. Houston Texans

15. Philadelphia Eagles

16. Chicago Bears

17. Kansas City Chiefs

18. Dallas Cowboys

19. Oakland Raiders

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

21. Tennessee Titans

22. Cleveland Browns

23. Minnesota Vikings

24. Carolina Panthers

25. Washington Redskins

26. Denver Broncos

27. Seattle Seahawks

28. Jacksonville Jaguars

29. Arizona Cardinals

30. Miami Dolphins

31. St. Louis Rams

32. Indianapolis Colts