NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Breaking Down the League's Top 10 Teams

Power rankings are more than just a list of teams. They are a snapshot of the league as a whole in a given moment, based on win-loss record, quality of opponents, overall performance, prior expectations and future projections. Some weeks, teams shift up and down the ranks drastically, while others see more subtle changes.

My Top 10 has seen a bit of a shakeup since Week 8, and here I will examine those teams and why they're ranked as they are. Last week's ranks are in parentheses, for your convenient reference.

No. 1: Green Bay Packers (1)

A bye week isn't going to damage the stock of the NFL's only undefeated team, and as such, the Green Bay Packers sit at the top of the power rankings where they've been for the vast majority of the season.

The team, led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the astounding Green Bay offense, travels to San Diego to take on the Chargers. While it may prove challenging, it shouldn't be enough to either bring them their first defeat or see them dip in the power rankings.

No. 2: San Francisco 49ers (2)

The Niners pulled off yet another win in Week 8, this time at home against the Cleveland Browns, leaving the team with a 6-1 record and one of the most well-balanced teams in the NFL.

San Francisco is a real-deal team that will likely clinch its playoff berth within the month, and they're the team that poses the greatest threat to the Packers when it comes to the postseason. 

No. 3: Pittsburgh Steelers (6)

The Steelers get a jump in the rankings on the benefit of defeating the New England Patriots in grand fashion in Week 8. They dominated the Patriots in every way, doubling the team in yards (427-213) as well as time of possession (39:22-20:38) in the 25-17 victory. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took on the role normally belonging to Tom Brady, throwing for 365 yards and two touchdowns.

While Pittsburgh still has injury issues to deal with—this time among their linebackers instead of offensive line—and a tough Week 9 home contest against the Baltimore Ravens, they've proven, at least for one week, that they're the real team to beat in the AFC.

No. 4: Houston Texans (5)

The Texans left little doubt that it's they, and not the Tennessee Titans, who are the favorites to win the AFC South after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars this week 24-14 and crushing the Titans in Week 7.

The Texans are firing on all cylinders right now with a strong defense augmented by one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL, and by a passing game that is still solid despite being without Andre Johnson the last four games. 

No. 5: New England Patriots (4)

The Patriots don't take a significant hit in the power rankings this week, despite their loss, because it came at the hands of one of the NFL's best. Still, that 31st-ranked defense, which I've been warning everyone about since the start of the season, is going to cause them trouble down the line.

Combine that with teams learning, albeit slowly, the formula to stop Tom Brady's passing attack, and should the Patriots fall to a lesser team, they won't stay in the Top Five—or even Top 10—for long.

No. 6: Buffalo Bills (8)

Though the Bills only won over the tanking Washington Redskins in Week 8, they deserve a jump in the power rankings for posting a shutout. The Bills have a spectacular offense, with ample weapons for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to target and the league's best running back in Fred Jackson propelling them to the best overall record in the AFC East. 

They will certainly rise even higher next week with a win over their division mates, the New York Jets.  Though the Jets aren't that special of a team this year, one must believe that they will be looking for a statement win coming off of their bye. The Bills, however, have way more tools at their disposal to notch yet another win.

No. 7: Baltimore Ravens (7)

The Ravens did enough to damage their standing in the first half of their Week 8 win over the Arizona Cardinals, but the manner in which they redeemed themselves in the second reverses that trend. As such, they remain at No. 7 for the second consecutive week.

Baltimore is playing very inconsistent football this year, however that inconsistency is relative; they've still ultimately managed to perform at a high level, and a team like the Dallas Cowboys would love to be the kind of inconsistent team that the Ravens are. It's unknown if they can repeat their Week 1 dominance over the Steelers in their second meeting of the season on Sunday night, but you can bet they won't lie down either.

No 8: Detroit Lions (10)

If anyone thought the Lions' two consecutive home losses in Week 6 and Week 7 meant the early-season favorites were somehow slipping, those thoughts have been practically wiped out with their decisive win over the terrible Denver Broncos in Week 8, manhandling them to the tune of a 45-10 victory.

It's not just who they beat, but how they beat them, that makes the Lions jump two spots in my power rankings this week. Week 9's much-needed bye should see the powerhouse return to dominant form against the Chicago Bears in Week 10.

No. 9: New Orleans Saints (3)

While still in the Top 10, the Saints had the biggest drop in the rankings of any elite team, as they handed the St. Louis Rams their first win of the season in Week 8.

Weaknesses on the offensive line, and an uncharacteristically sharp St. Louis secondary contributed to the Saints' offensive woes, while their defense (shaky all season long) allowed Rams running back Steven Jackson to have a huge, day rushing for 159-yards.  

The Saints have no reason to panic, but they have issues—especially on defense—that they need to shore up before the most difficult stretch of the season really gets into full swing.

No. 10: Cincinnati Bengals (11)

The Bengals continue to creep up the power rankings every week, proving that sometimes, a rookie quarterback and a rookie wide receiver aren't always liabilities.

They also have the benefit of one of the most stout defenses in the NFL, and a great running game as evidenced by the great deal of depth able to handle the workload vacated by Cedric Benson during his suspension in Week 8.

The Titans, who Cincy faces in Week 9, aren't that weak of a team, and they'll have a real challenge in Week 10 when they play the Steelers, but for now the Bengals are one of the most surprising and most threatening teams in the NFL. They've proven that any team can turn it around given the right pieces at the right time.

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