NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Which Team Deserves Mention as NFL Elite in 2011?

Here we are in the middle of a tumultuous NFL season. The most pressing question that started the season continues to be of utmost importance. Which are the elite teams heading into the postseason drive? Well, I will let you know. 

Let's get the obvious team out of the way off the bat. The Green Bay Packers continue to be the only perfect squad remaining. The fact that they are far from perfect tells you what kind of season we are dealing with. 

The Packers may have the wins to hide behind, but they have an atrocious secondary that will bite them at some point. That is essentially what did the Patriots in as they slide to the back of the elite pack. 

I am not about to dismiss the Patriots, I just like some teams ahead of them at this point in the season. 

The most interesting squad that has my full attention are the San Francisco 49ers. This was supposed to be a team without a quarterback, and a franchise on the rebuilding phase of things. 

In the span of half a season, we have to consider them as full-fledged Super Bowl contenders now. They have taken to the Jim Harbaugh ethos of passion and defense with a refreshing fervor. 

They are taking it back old school as they pound the ball on the ground and take care of business on defense. They aren't flashy or dashing, but they are functional and consistent.

A season that has seen so many teams falter from expectations, it is all they need to be the No. 2 team in the league right now. 

After that, I am still in love with the Detroit Lions who have a dominant pass rush and versatile offensive attack. If they stay healthy, they can do wonderful things at the end of the year. 

I have no doubt that we will have the usual suspects such as the Steelers and Patriots around that time. But for once we get some added intrigue as upstart teams like the Lions and Niners are welcomed back into the fold. 

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