NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Which Star Players Deserve Most Applause?

Through eight weeks of play there are plenty of accolades to go around amongst the star players. However, it's obviously easy to pick QBs such as Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, or RBs such as Adrian Peterson.

Therefore, here are three other stars who deserve just as much applause if not more for their efforts this season.

Calvin Johnson: WR, Detroit

He's the NFL's best WR and is the best player on a Lions' team that's 5-2. But Megatron deserves more recognition than a lot of other star players because he's been with Detroit since 2007 and hasn't complained.

All he's done is perform each week, put in hard work, and let everyone do the talking. Calvin deserves everything he gets this season because he suffered through a 2007 meltdown where the Lions began 6-2, but finished 7-9. And then the 0-16 season in 2008.

For sticking through the toughest of times is why Johnson deserves to be applauded. Because 2011 is shaping up to be one special season for the NFL's best target.

Frank Gore: RB, San Francisco

Somewhat related to what Calvin Johnson has gone through, 49ers' RB Frank Gore has gone through some pretty disappointing season's in San Fran.

Gore has yet to be a part of a winning team at the pro level and he's been with San Fran since 2005. Last season he suffered through injuries, but it's clear that 2011 has been good fortunate.

And much like Johnson, Gore hasn't done anything other than work hard and dominate. What's also really impressive about Frank, is that this season he's averaging almost 100 yards per game despite the 49ers ranking No. 31 in pass offense.

So, even though defenses know he's getting the rock they still can't stop him.

Brian Urlacher: LB, Chicago

Other than the RB position in The Windy City, middle linebacking is arguably just as historic. Obviously, Hall of Famers like Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary are the standard, but Brian Urlacher has arguably been just as impressive throughout his career.

And for as difficult as it's been playing on the Bears' defense, who don't get much offensive support other than RB Matt Forte, Urlacher has led The Monsters of the Midway about as good as a player can lead a team.

After the 1-2 start, the Bears have won three of their last four and are just one game back of Detroit in the NFC North. The scary thing about Urlacher though, is that he was actually a safety in college, but transitioned into one of the best NFL LBs.

So far this season he has accounted for 41 tackles, four pass deflects, and three interceptions. Brian Urlacher is the reason why Chicago hasn't fallen a part, so don't count out "Da Bears!" just yet.

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.