NFL Power Rankings: 5 Most Overrated Teams in PFT's Power Rankings

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk recently posted his Week 9 NFL power rankings, and there were some questionable placements, at least in my opinion.

The number in parenthesis represents how many spots higher Florio rates that team as opposed to my power rankings, which are at article's conclusion.

No. 11 Oakland Raiders (+6)

Even though the Raiders are in a three-way tie for first in the AFC West, they have a lot of question marks. Darren McFadden is battling a foot issue, and Carson Palmer didn't exactly ooze confidence in his short outing before the bye.

Oakland's schedule gets tougher after the bye, and they will need to have a strong bounce back performance against Tim Tebow's Denver Broncos.

No. 14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5)

Tampa Bay has lost two of its last three games and is about to enter a very difficult four-game stretch. LeGarrette Blount is expected to return, but the Buccaneers still lack the offensive firepower to keep up with New Orleans over the long haul.

That said, if they can go into the Big Easy and get a second win against the Saints, the Buccaneers will skyrocket up the rankings next week.

No. 22 Carolina Panthers (+5)

The reason Florio gives for Carolina's ranking is how they will dominate the NFC South in the future. While I agree that Cam Newton's Panthers will eventually become a contender, what does that have to do with this season's power rankings? Nothing.

They are currently 2-6 and lost at home against an average-at-best Minnesota squad on Sunday. They belong much lower for now.

No. 21 Minnesota Vikings (+3)

Speaking of the Vikings, how does a win over the aforementioned Panthers result in a seven-spot jump in the rankings? Usually that type of movement is reserved for a marquee win over a highly-regarded team, not after a battle of teams with three total wins.

Christian Ponder has shown flashes of being a capable NFL quarterback, but it's going to take some time for him to settle in and help Minnesota work up the rankings.

No. 26 St. Louis Rams (+3)

While a win over the Saints should do a lot for St. Louis' confidence, a repeat performance against the lowly Arizona Cardinals will be necessary before I move them ahead of any two-win teams in the rankings. There's always a possibility Sunday's win was a fluke.

The one thing working to the Rams' advantage is a cupcake-filled schedule. There's definitely an opportunity to make a big move up the rankings. However, I'm still in wait-and-see mode.

Tim Daniels' 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