NFL Power Rankings Week 9: 3 Teams in Freefall

The three teams mentioned below that are in free fall aren't out of the playoff race by any means, but after Week 9 there's quite a bit of work to do to remain in the playoff race.

Obviously nothing is guaranteed, but for as much talent as each of these teams have, they should be doing much better.

New Orleans Saints (5-3)

The Saints Achilles' heel is being able to play consistently well on the road. That is where all three losses have come, and although they only have three left, all the remaining home games aren't locked wins either.

Perhaps losing on the road to St Louis was a blessing in disguise and it will re-ignite The Big Easy to blast through the next two weeks until their bye. However, Tampa Bay invades the Louisiana Superdome this week and the Bucs already beat the Saints once.

And coming off a loss, there's just that much more pressure on Drew Brees and company to play well against a team who really has nothing to lose. New Orleans must respond with a W this week, because you don't want to be 5-4 heading into Atlanta thereafter.

San Diego Chargers (4-3)

With their second straight road loss in as many weeks, the Chargers have quickly dropped to 4-3 and are now in a fight for the AFC West title.

It's apparent that the defense is providing the offense with multiple opportunities each game, but until Philip Rivers can get back to his old self, the Bolts will be lucky to finish 8-8 or 9-7. And that record will not win you a division title any more in the AFC West.

The Chiefs are rolling, Oakland (although suffering from QB play) has a respectable defense and running game, and Denver almost upset San Diego back in Week 5. Remember those Chargers teams that would make a late-season push? Doesn't have the same feel in 2011.

Dallas Cowboys (3-4)

There's arguably no team that's been more disappointing and inconsistent than the Dallas Cowboys. For as much talent as they have, there's no way they should be like a roller coaster this season.

But, this is reality and until Big D proves they can play well on a consistent basis, they're not going anywhere. And we've seen their highest of highs (winning at San Fran, the 'Niners only loss), but unfortunately their lowest of lows as well (this past week at Philly).

All that said, their next six games are quite winnable (vs Seattle, vs Buffalo, at Washington, vs Miami, at Arizona, and vs NY Giants). However, the Cowboys could also lose all these games based on their performance from Week 8. And until they get it together, Romo and the 'Boys will continue to free fall.

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)

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