NFL Power Rankings: New York Giants and More Teams with Credibility Concerns

It is difficult to say any team with five wins through seven games has credibility concerns, but it is far from impossible.

The New York Giants just happen to be one of those teams.

While the Green Bay Packers have shown that they are the best team in football, a number of other teams, Giants included, have some justifying to do.

Here are several teams in the NFL with credibility issues going into Week 9.

New York Giants (5-2, No. 5)

When watching Big Blue play football you cannot help but wonder why this team waits so long to turn it on.

Yesterday against the winless Miami Dolphins the Giants outgained them by 150 yards and ran 16 more plays but didn't take the lead until six minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

Eli Manning continues to put his offense on his back (the run game is atrocious) and the defense racks up sacks once the game is on the line.

But Big Blue's soft opening schedule came with only two quality wins. The Rams, Cardinals and Dolphins are three of the league's worst four teams.

The Giants now have a closing schedule that features as many as seven possible playoff teams with three primetime games.

If the Giants are legitimate, they'll certainly have the opportunities to show it.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2, No. 3)

The Terrible Towel waving bunch just beat the New England Patriots at home.

As good of a win as it was, their biggest test will be in Week 9 against a Baltimore Ravens team that embarrassed them in Week 1.

Aside from Week 8's win over the Pats, the Steelers only beat the Seahawks, Colts, Titans, Jaguars and Cardinals. Much like the Giants, that doesn't mean too much in the grand scheme.

If Pittsburgh wants to prove they are still the top dogs in the AFC, then they must avenge their early season loss to the Ravens.

New York Jets (4-3, No. 15)

The New York Jets are 4-3 this season but have yet to win a game on the road.

Their wins over Dallas, Jacksonville, Miami and San Diego don't mean nearly as much until they can prove their worth away from MetLife Stadium.

Fortunately, they'll get that opportunity in Week 9 after enjoying a Week 8 bye.

The Jets will travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills in a game that will not only earn them some credibility, but can vault them right back into the thick of things at the top of the AFC East.

Week 9 NFL Power Rankings
1. Green Bay Packers (7-0)
2. San Francisco 49ers (6-1)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
4. Detroit Lions (6-2)
5. New York Giants (5-2)
6. Buffalo Bills (5-2)
7. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
8. Houston Texans (5-3)
9. New England Patriots (5-2)
10. San Diego Chargers (4-2)
11. New Orleans Saints (5-3)
12. Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3)
14. Tennessee Titans (4-3)
15. New York Jets (4-3)
16. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)
17. Chicago Bears (4-3)
18. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
19. Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
20. Oakland Raiders (4-3)
21. Dallas Cowboys (3-4)
22. Washington Redskins (3-4)
23. Cleveland Browns (3-4)
24. Minnesota Vikings (2-6)
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)
26. Carolina Panthers (2-6)
27. Seattle Seahawks (2-5)
28. Denver Broncos (2-5)
29. St. Louis Rams (1-6)
30. Arizona Cardinals (1-6)
31. Miami Dolphins (0-7) 32. Indianapolis Colts (0-8)