NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Which Teams Are Making Strongest Pushes?

Getting a strong push in the NFL isn't necessarily related to being on a hot-streak. "Pushing" is more so about sound victories, gradual improvement, and controlling the game.

With that in mind, here are three teams making a strong push midway through the season.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)

After a disappointing 2-2 start the Pittsburgh Steelers have ran off four straight and are keeping pace with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.

And speaking of the Ravens, they invade Pittsburgh on Sunday night to see who takes control of the division for the remainder of the season. Unfortunately for Baltimore, the Steelers are playing better football and have as good a defense as the Ravens.

Pittsburgh has been able to move the ball virtually at will during their four-game win streak. Although the Ravens will be tough, The Steel Curtain has the edge with a more consistent offense.

By season's end Pittsburgh will finish at least 11-5, and they'll win the AFC North once again.

Houston Texans (5-3)

The Houston Texans could arguably be the most impressive AFC team right now. After being without WR Andre Johnson and LB Mario Williams, the Texans lost a tough road game in Baltimore, but have ran off two straight over AFC South foes Tennessee and Jacksonville.

They defeated the Steelers at home even though they lost Johnson before the second half, and currently have a Top 10 defense to go with a Top 5 rushing offense and a Top 15 pass offense.

If there's one team who can really get on a hot-streak and raise their level of play, it is Houston. Although Williams is out for the year, Johnson will be back before the season is over...hopefully.

Regardless, Houston has learned how to win without their best players, so be sure to watch out for them as the season continues.

Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)

After losing four straight game it appeared the Philadelphia Eagles were done. Well, they've managed to run off two straight divisional wins, and are now poised to make a run at the 5-2 New York Giants who have a very tough schedule remaining.

The Eagles looked like they finally brought everything together against Dallas, and it was the first time all season they really clicked as a team. Better late than never and fortunately for Philly, the NFC East is a wide open division.

A lot of work still needs to be done, but all that matters is getting the W, regardless of how pretty or ugly the game may be. The question is whether the Eagles can continue this momentum, because beating two mediocre teams in Dallas and Washington doesn't make them an elite team.

At least not yet anyway.

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. 

And, you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.