NFL Power Rankings: Struggling Teams That Will Continue To Free Fall

While one or two losses in a row don't necessarily derail a season in the NFL, it is extremely important for teams to avoid getting caught in a downward spiral. Several teams are in danger of having just that happen, and will need to nip it in the bud in Week 9.

Although these teams will have a golden opportunity this weekend, not everyone will be able to get back on track. Here are three teams that will continue to free fall in the rankings with losses in Week 9.

Cleveland Browns

While the Cleveland Browns are still hanging in there with a 3-4 record, the writing is on the wall in terms of an eventual slide down the rankings. The Browns were beaten by the San Francisco 49ers last week and will have another extremely tough game in Week 9 against the Houston Texans.

The Browns have particularly struggled to stop the run this season, and that could be a major issue on Sunday as Texans running back Arian Foster has been red hot since recovering from a hamstring injury. If the Browns lose as expected on Sunday, then things won't get any easier as games against divisional foes like the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals are still on the schedule.

Denver Broncos

Well, the Tim Tebow honeymoon certainly didn't last long. Just one week after leading the Denver Broncos to a stirring come-from-behind victory over the Miami Dolphins, Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow fell flat against the Detroit Lions. Detroit picked up an easy 45-10 victory as Tebow was sacked seven times and turned the ball over twice.

Denver should be up for a road game against the rival Oakland Raiders this week, but the Raiders are coming off a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and have had a bye week to think it over. Seeing as Oakland is in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC West with the Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers, a home win against a 2-5 team is a must, and I think the Raiders will bounce back.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals entered the season with plenty of promise after acquiring quarterback Kevin Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles during the offseason, but Kolb hasn't quite played up to expectations, and the Cardinals as a whole have been extremely disappointing at 1-6 overall.

One of the biggest issues has been defense and pass defense in particular as the Cards have been getting burned on a weekly basis. Even if Kolb begins playing like the second coming of Kurt Warner, it may not matter much if the defense can't stop anyone. Arizona will take on the NFC West rival St. Louis Rams who are also 1-6. The Rams pulled off a big win over the New Orleans Saints last week however, and I think they'll ride that tide past Arizona.

Mike Chiari's Week 9 NFL Power Rankings	Previous Week's Ranking
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