NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Assessing Latest Suck for Luck Odds

In my estimation, there are six NFL teams still in contention for the No. 1 overall pick and the chance to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck next April. Here's the list, in no particular order:

Indianapolis Colts (0-8)

The Colts are the unquestioned leader to attain the No. 1 pick. There simply isn't enough talent on offense to compensate in areas where the Colts have obvious deficiencies. The X factor here is and always will be Peyton Manning. His injury is the reason the Colts are sitting at 0-8, and his potential return later in the season might be the only thing that stops the Polians from taking Luck No. 1.  

Miami Dolphins (0-7)

The one thing that separates the Dolphins from the Colts (besides one fewer loss) is the fact that Miami can play defense. That side of the ball can keep the Dolphins in games, whereas in Indianapolis, the defense is a major liability. That should win the Dolphins two or three games this season. In this race to the bottom, that might be all it takes to take you out of the running for Luck by season's end.  

Seattle Seahawks (2-5)

For the Seahawks to have a legitimate chance at getting the No. 1 pick, they'd likely have to lose out. Is that a possibility? I'd say it's unlikely but not impossible. The Seahawks have a serious talent deficiency at quarterback that will keep them from winning games they otherwise would have a chance in. Still, in the NFC West, they should be able to get to four or five wins. 

Denver Broncos (2-5)

The Broncos are the dark horse in this race. They are a mess both offensively and defensively, and starting Tim Tebow at quarterback for the foreseeable future could mean a really tough end to the season. Having two wins under their belt already hurts their chances, but this looks like a team that has a four- or five-win ceiling.   

St. Louis Rams (1-6)

The Rams are the one team on this list that could pull themselves out of the gaping hole they've dug themselves. Sam Bradford returns this week, and adding Brandon Lloyd transforms that offense. Steven Jackson is healthy and racking up yards. The defense will be an issue, but they looked pretty good in holding Drew Brees to just seven offensive points.  

Arizona Cardinals (1-6)

I wouldn't count the Cardinals out of the Luck sweepstakes, either. They have really struggled defensively and Kevin Kolb hasn't played as well as management thought he would when they made the trade of the offseason to acquire him. He needs to play considerably better for the Cardinals to get to four or five wins.  

Week 9 Power Rankings

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