NFL Power Rankings: Rising Teams Sure to Be Derailed

Some teams are off to a hot start. Now, a few of those teams are for real. For instance, while I don't think the Packers will go undefeated, I am not exactly expecting a major collapse from Aaron Rodgers and company. 

That's not quite the case with these teams. Their records are all fine, but they have achieved those with smoke and mirrors. Their competition has not been great and they haven't even been all that convincing in some of those games.

These teams all won their last game. They all sit above .500. But in each case, the second half will not be as good as the first.

New York Giants

The Giants are 5-2 and sitting atop the NFC East. That looks good, but they have a second half schedule that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. It starts Sunday with consecutive road games against the Patriots and 49ers. 

Beyond that, they still have a game against the Eagles, two against the Cowboys, a game in New Orleans, and they host the Packers. 

If these guys can finish the season with an 11-5 record or better, consider them very dangerous threats in the playoffs.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans sit at 4-3, but haven't had too many big wins to achieve that. Only a win against the Ravens really sticks out.

If Tennessee is going to keep it going, it will be much tougher. They still have to play the entire NFC South, the Bills, the Texans and the Bengals. That's a tough stretch and hard to imagine the Titans winning more than a game or two in it. 

Their win against the Colts on Sunday will be one of Tennessee's last bright spots of this season.

Chicago Bears

Actually, either team would really apply in this matchup. Both the Bears and Eagles made the playoffs last season, winning their respective divisions. Neither got off to great starts this year, but are each riding a bit of momentum now.

This actually has potential to be one of the better Monday Night Football games of the 2011 season. So, why am I saying that the Bears are going to lose? Well, the game is in Philadelphia and the Eagles have turned a corner, but I am not too focused on this game. 

I am looking at the rest of the Bears' schedule and thinking that they are going to have a very difficult time making it to 10-6, which is what they will need to do to get back to the playoffs.

Michael Dixon's Week 9 NFL Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers	7-0
2. San Francisco 49ers	6-1
3. Pittsburgh Steelers	6-2
4. New England Patriots	5-2
5. Baltimore Ravens	5-2
6. Detroit Lions	6-2
7. New York Giants	5-2
8. Cincinnati Bengals	5-2
9. Buffalo Bills	5-2
10. New Orleans Saints	5-3
11. Chicago Bears	4-3
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4-3
13. Atlanta Falcons	4-3
14. Kansas City Chiefs	4-3
15. Oakland Raiders	4-3
16. Houston Texans	5-3
17. New York Jets	4-3
18. Philadelphia Eagles	3-4
19. San Diego Chargers	4-3
20. Tennessee Titans	4-3
21. Dallas Cowboys	3-4
22. Minnesota Vikings	2-6
23. Carolina Panthers	2-6
24. Cleveland Browns	3-4
25. Washington Redskins	3-4
26. Jacksonville Jaguars	2-6
27. Seattle Seahawks	2-5
28. St. Louis Rams	1-6
29. Denver Broncos	2-5
30. Arizona Cardinals	1-6
31. Indianapolis Colts	0-8
32. Miami Dolphins	0-7