NFL Power Rankings: Playoff Bound Teams Dominate Week 9

The three teams dominating the top spots of my power rankings are all bound for the playoffs this season.

I have absolutely no doubt that these three teams are going to be in the postseason and very possibly could have first-round byes.

It would take an epic collapse for these teams to somehow not find themselves competing in January and it would be an absolute nightmare scenario for them at this point in the season.

Let’s take a look at these beastly teams and why they are playoff bound.

Green Bay Packers

The only undefeated team left in the NFL and the defending Super Bowl champions are now coming off a bye week and got healthier.

It’s starting to become feasible that this team could actually go undefeated.

Look at their schedule.

They have the stumbling San Diego Chargers this week followed by the Buccaneers, Lions, Giants, Raiders, Chiefs, Bears and Lions once again to close the season.

It’s not likely or even probable, but theoretically it’s possible and the schedule is rather favorable.

It would be the biggest collapse in NFL history if this team misses the postseason.

San Francisco 49ers

Who would have ever guessed the San Francisco 49ers would be 6-1 at this point in the season and could actually have the division clinched before Thanksgiving.

They’ll win the division no matter what with six victories over the next nine games, but there is a scenario that would allow them to lock up the division with some luck.

I won’t waste the space talking about it here as the Los Angeles Times has done a great job covering it already.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers still have the Baltimore Ravens breathing down their necks in the AFC North, but the reality is both of these teams should make the postseason.

Pittsburgh got a huge monkey off their back by defeating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on Sunday, something they traditionally have struggled to do.

Now they should be able to continue to get healthy and dominate inferior opponents.

Alex Kay’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 York Giants
8. Buffalo Bills
9. Cincinnati Bengals
10. New Orleans Saints
11. Houston Texans
12. San Diego Chargers
13. Atlanta Falcons
14. New York Jets
15. Chicago Bears
16. Tennessee Titans
17. Oakland Raiders
18. Kansas City Chiefs
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Philadelphia Eagles
21. Dallas Cowboys
22. Cleveland Browns
23. Washington Redskins
24. Minnesota Vikings
25. Seattle Seahawks
26. Denver Broncos
27. Carolina Panthers
28. Jacksonville Jaguars
29. St. Louis Rams
30. Arizona Cardinals
31. Miami Dolphins
32. Indianapolis Colts