NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Which Teams Are Better Than Their Ranking?

Week 9 of the 2011 NFL season is just hours away, and it’s time to start analyzing what we will face this upcoming week and which teams need to make a move.

Certain teams are much better than their rankings this week, and whether it be a bad loss or a bye week, next week will be better.

The following teams are much better than their ranking, and it’s just a matter of time before they prove the doubters wrong.

No. 20 Oakland Raiders—The Oakland Raiders limped into the bye week with one of the worst performances from any team this year.

With a bye week for Carson Palmer to learn the offense and Darren McFadden to get healthy, this week’s matchup against the putrid Denver Broncos will show the Raiders as the contenders they are.

It will also be an easy way to ease Carson Palmer into the offensive schemes the Raiders have in place.

No. 16 Philadelphia Eagles—The Philadelphia Eagles dismantled the Dallas Cowboys this week, but have still not earned the mass respect they deserve.

The team needed time to gel, and the bye week was enough time to get the defensive players on the same page, and the offense ready to roll.

The Eagles face a huge test in Week 9 on Monday Night football against the Chicago Bears, but if they can walk away with a victory, they will regain their respect.

No. 26 Carolina Panthers—The Carolina Panthers are heading into the bye week with another heartbreaking loss, but the offense of the team is one of the best in the NFL.

2011 No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton is running the show like no one thought he could, and the Panthers offense is benefiting from his elite passing skills and running abilities.

While the defense is below average, the offense is definitely one of the more potent in the NFL.

Check back for more on the NFL world as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Football Page to get your fill of the NFL.

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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)