NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Inconsistent Teams Saddled with Must-Wins

Nobody is going to win a playoff spot in Week 9, but there are a handful of teams that have the opportunity to kill their season this week.

Here are three teams that have yet to show their true colors in 2011, and are in danger of falling too far behind to make a postseason run.

No. 15 New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills

The Jets have been horrendous away from home (0-3) but have to win this game if they plan on sticking around in the AFC East.

There aren’t going to be three teams from the division making the playoffs, and you have to assume the Pats will secure a spot. That means these head-to-head Bills and Jets games are of massive importance.

Can the Jets contain a Bills offense that ranks third in points per game at 30.1? Will Mark Sanchez take care of the ball against an extremely opportunistic defense that is currently plus-nine in the takeaway, giveaway category?

It’s not going to be easy, but it’s a must win for Rex Ryan and the green and white.

No. 17 Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos

The Raiders need a respectable performance out of Carson Palmer in his first start with Oakland. Respectable means not throwing three interceptions, including a pick-six.

The good news is they play the Denver Tim Tebows—their most hated division rival.

As long as they force Tebow to be a passer, the Raiders' running game should have a field day against the Broncos for the second time this season.

If they don’t, it’s hard to see them leap-frogging both the talented Chargers and the red-hot Chiefs. With the much more talented AFC North and East likely to grab the Wild Card spots, a division title is their only shot.

No. 22 Washington Redskins vs. San Francisco 49ers

This is it for the ‘Skins. At 3-4 in a mediocre NFC East, Washington is not out of it just yet. Their entire season can be turned around with an upset of the 6-1 49ers.

The Redskins have to find a way to limit their turnovers. They are currently 15th in the NFC with 16 total turnovers in seven games. That’s unacceptable for a team that had playoff aspirations after the first month of the season.

This defense is good enough to shut down the 49ers…it’s all about what John Beck can do against a stout and speedy San Fran defense.

Gulp.

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