NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Looking at the League's Top 10 Teams

The group of top 10 teams in the NFL is starting to become more clear cut, headlined by the Green Bay Packers, the San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

After those teams, a few resurgent clubs have opened our eyes to the parity that's in the game today.

Right now, these are your top 10 teams... 

1. Green Bay Packers 

Aaron Rodgers is the current MVP, as well he should be. I mean, the last time I saw a quarterback finish seven straight games with a QB rating over 110 I was playing Madden on Rookie. 

The defense is more susceptible to the pass this year, but it gets to the quarterback enough (17.0) and makes the occasional big play to keep opponents from keeping pace with Green Bay's extremely potent offense. 

2. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have been refreshing to watch this season. You know, a little old school defense and running the football? That has become San Francisco's trademark. The Niners lead the league in rushing yards allowed (73.4 per game), and Frank Gore spearheads the No. 6 ranked running offense (137.6 per game). 

In the otherwise horrible NFC West, San Francisco could have the division wrapped up historically early. 

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

I thought the Steelers defense being old, the offensive line being atrocious and the lack of a running game were all the reasons why they were experiencing a Super Bowl hangover. 

Wrong. 

Big Ben and the electric receiving core has transformed Pittsburgh into a pass-happy team capable of the big play, and the defense has stiffed up immensely since the 2-2 start—as Tom Brady.

4. New England Patriots

At 5-2, the Patriots are still a very good football team, mainly because Brady is still behind center. As long as that's the case, I can't count out this experienced team. I've learned by lessons over the years.

However, if their signal caller doesn't play a near-perfect game, New England can most certainly be defeated, because of its poor secondary and third down defense. Teams have shown that they can confuse Brady, which is something we've rarely seen in the past.

5. New Orleans Saints

The Saints played the Rams while half asleep. I'm convinced of it. Or maybe they thought their second-straight winless opponent would lay down for them. Not going to happen in the NFL. I see the Saints as the NFC's version of the Patriots.

If Brees is on, no one's beating them. If he struggles and throws a few interceptions, the defense can undoubtedly be scored on by any team. 

6. Buffalo Bills 

They handled their business against an inferior and beleaguered Redskins team this Sunday. They played their most complete game of the season, as their shutout that featured nine sacks and two interceptions will give a major confidence boost to a defense that desperately needed it.

Ryan Fitzpatrick was solid and Fred Jackson was Fred Jackson, accumulating 194 yards from scrimmage. Monstrous home game against the Jets this week.

7. New York Giants

So, the Cowboys are collapsing, the Eagles are passionately battling back, but don't forget about the Giants. You know, the team that's leading the NFC East by two full games?

Eli Manning is on pace for his best statistical season of his career and the defensive line is one of the most ferocious units in the league. They lead the NFL with 26 sacks. Very balanced. 

8. Detroit Lions

The Lions did what they needed to do against Tim Tebow and his Denver Broncos team on Sunday. No way Detroit was losing three-consecutive games.

Matthew Stafford playing well was the most important aspect for me. He was shaken up on the last play against the Falcons, but showed that can bounce back from an apparent injury.

9. Cincinnati Bengals

You have to hand it to the Bengals and their rookies, Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. They're playing like seasoned vets and Cincinnati is 5-2, right in the thick of things in the AFC North.

Mike Zimmer has unleashed his exotic yet aggressive defense and the Packers are the only team hotter than Cincy. Four of the next five games are against division foes—we'll get a good sense of how good they really are after that stretch. 

10. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore has the potential to be a top five team, but after struggling against a sub-par opponent for the second week in a row, some red flags went up for me. Sure, their comeback was impressive, but starting like that against the Steelers won't cut it in the future.  

Week 9 Power Rankings

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