NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Looking at the League's Division Races

We're about halfway through the 2011 NFL season, and that means we're just one step closer to the postseason. Let's get right to it.

Here is a current view of the NFL's divisional races.

AFC North: Ravens, Steelers, Bengals

This may be the most fun division to watch during the last half of the season because the Bengals have yet to play either Pittsburgh or Baltimore, and the Steelers and Ravens meet this week.

It has the feel of coming down to the last few weeks, but don't be surprised if the winner of Pittsburgh-Baltimore this week begins to run away with it, as both still have to play Cleveland.

AFC South: Texans, Titans

The Titans may be just half a game back in the standings, but the Texans also have a one-game lead in the head-to-head department with the second game between the two in Houston.

Right now, the AFC South is Houston's to lose, because no one appears to be catching them.

AFC East: Bills, Patriots, Jets

The Jets have an interesting slate here because they still have New England at home and Buffalo twice this season (One of those Bills games in this week).

In addition, the Pats and Bills face off in Week 17 at New England, so unless Buffalo can stretch their lead to two games, Tom Brady and company will be winning the AFC East once again.

AFC West: Chiefs, Chargers, Raiders

Thanks to the Chiefs' OT win over San Diego on MNF, the AFC West is arguably the most wide open division, with three of its four teams posting a 4-3 record.

Not to mention, K.C. has won four straight and has all the momentum on their side. San Diego can't win against any formidable opponent, and the Raiders have QB issues. K.C. moves into the driver seat.

NFC North: Packers, Lions

Although the Bears are making a surge, it will only be enough to warrant a Wild Card spot at best. The division lies between Green Bay and Detroit, who meet twice within the final six weeks.

Green Bay is clearly the front-runner, but don't be surprised if the Lions upset them at home on Thanksgiving Day because that game will be important for the playoff standings.

NFC South: Saints, Buccaneers, Falcons

If New Orleans continues to flop on the road, this division may very well end up between Atlanta and Tampa Bay. Now, although the Saints still pit as the NFC South's best team, it's a lot closer between these three teams than any other division.

The Falcons appear to be on the rise with a road win over Detroit, and Tampa had a bye week to sort things about. Week 9 will obviously be more telling, but overall, this division's identity has yet to be figured out.

NFC East: Giants, Eagles, Cowboys

The Eagles are on the rise, Dallas is once again slipping, and we'll find out who the Giants are within the next few weeks as their remaining schedule is beyond brutal.

Although it's a three-team race, the NFC East looks like it's beginning to unfold more so than the others. Dallas losing in Philly was telling, but the Eagles and Giants still have to meet twice, and Washington has a crack at all three one more time.

At the moment it's the Giants, but they could drop behind Philly after next week.

NFC West: 49ers

San Francisco holds a four game lead in the NFC West after eight weeks, while the second place team is Seattle with a record of 2-5.

Does anything else really need to be mentioned about this divisional race? No.

Week 9 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

1. Green Bay Packers (7-0) (LW 1)	17. San Diego Chargers (4-3) (LW 13)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) (LW 6)	18. Oakland Raiders (4-3) (LW 17)
3. Baltimore Ravens (5-2) (LW 5)	19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3) (LW 18)
4. San Francisco 49ers (6-1) (LW 4)	20. Dallas Cowboys (3-4) (LW 15)
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. Atlanta Falcons (4-3) (LW 16)	30. Denver Broncos (2-5) (LW 23)
15. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) (LW 19)	31. Indianapolis Colts (0-8) (LW 31)
16. Kansas City Chiefs (4-3) (LW 20)	32. Miami Dolphins (0-7) (LW 32)

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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