NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Contenders That Must Prove Their Worth

A number of teams have to prove they are winning teams.

Just because you start the season with five wins does not guarantee a playoff spot, let alone a winning record.

This week some of these teams will get a chance to prove their worth.

If they want to be seriously as title contenders, a win is a must in Week 9.

Bucs at Saints

We can all agree the Saints offense can explode at any time. It certainly would be nice to see some consistency, but as long as they have Drew Brees under center they are a threat to win the NFC South and the entire NFC.

The same cannot be said of the Bucs.

Tampa Bay has the potential to win the NFC South—when healthy, but it's not all there just yet.

This week the Buccaneers get an opportunity to prove their worth. They've already beaten the Saints once this year and to sweep them would be a huge step in the right direction.

Jets at Bills

If the Bills can hold off the Jets this week it will be time to take them seriously. Although Gang Green has yet to win a game on the road this year, they're an experienced bunch that has been to two straight AFC Championship Games.

The Jets, on the hand, need to prove they can win on the road.

Coach Rex Ryan has finally shut up about wins and Super Bowls and his biggest focus is simply winning a road game in Buffalo, a place he may have to visit should they make it to the postseason.

Giants at Patriots

Both teams in the Super Bowl XLII rematch need a win here.

Big Blue has had a few chippy, close wins of late and the Patriots are coming off a loss.

These two teams have the potential to get hot and ride straight into the playoffs with dominant records, or their weaknesses could hold them back.

This week would be nice to see them both put it all together, but only one will get the win.

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