NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Which Teams Are in Serious Trouble?

At this point in the season, it almost doesn't matter what your record is unless you're the Packers, who are undefeated, or the 49ers, who have a four-game lead in the NFL's weakest division.

That said, not everyone is in the best of positions, but the following three teams are in some serious trouble. Now, not all hope is lost, but things could begin to take a turn for the worse sooner rather than later. 

New York Giants (5-2)

It may not always be pretty, but the Giants know how to win. Unfortunately, all that may come to an end shortly, because the Giants play consecutive games at New England, at San Fran, vs Philly, at New Orleans, vs Green Bay and at Dallas.

The six-game stretch is going to vehemently test how legit these 2011 Giants are, and if they come out of it with an overall record of 8-5, that will be an accomplishment. However, the question is which New York team will show up each week—the one that lost to Washington and Seattle, or the one that beat Philly and Buffalo? Right now the latter appears to be non-existent with their unimpressive home win over the winless Dolphins.

New Orleans Saints (5-3)

Heading into this season we thought we knew who the Saints were (Dennis Green joke not intended). They took the Packers to the brink in Green Bay when the season kicked off, but since then, they haven't really been a championship contending team.

The wins over Chicago and Houston look more impressive each week, but that was back in Weeks 2 and 3. Now, four of their last five games have been on the road, and they came out of that stretch 3-2, but losing in St. Louis is just not indicative of a playoff team.

The next two weeks we will find out who the Saints are, as they play NFC South rivals Tampa Bay and Atlanta. Because with New Orleans losing in St. Louis, the NFC South just opened up even further, as the Falcons and Bucs are right on their heels.

Dallas Cowboys (3-4)

Since the beginning of the season, it's been a question of how good the Cowboys really are. We've seen their highest of highs (winning on the road at San Fran), and their lowest of lows (blowout loss on Sunday night).

Now add in Dallas' inability to close games, against Detroit and the NY Jets, and they could very well still be sitting at 5-2. But, because of their inconsistent play, Big D has suffered from a roller coaster season on a week to week basis.

The good thing is that there's still four divisional games left (two against the Giants), but it's uncertain as to which Dallas team will show up each week. And until the Cowboys become more consistent, they're going to be in trouble no matter what. 

Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

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

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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