NFL Power Rankings: Teams on the Decline That Are Sure to Rebound in Week 9

For basically every NFL team, the season is full of ebbs and flows.

It is very rare that a team doesn't face some form of adversity over the course of a season. While adversity may not be ideal, it is something that can separate the good teams from the great ones.

Quite a few teams are fighting through a rocky patch right now, and while things could get away from them, they need to stare adversity in the face and conquer it. Here are three seemingly declining teams that will rebound in a big way in Week 9.

Oakland Raiders

After acquiring quarterback Carson Palmer from the Cincinnati Bengals, many considered the Oakland Raiders to be the favorite to win the AFC West.

Palmer's first appearance as a Raider didn't go too well, however, as he was picked off three times in relief of Kyle Boller against the Kansas City Chiefs as the Chiefs blanked the Raiders.

The Raiders now find themselves in a three-way tie for first in the AFC West, meaning each and every game moving forward will be absolutely vital. Oakland will host the 2-5 Denver Broncos this week after having their bye in Week 8.

Nothing is ever guaranteed in a divisional game, but this is the type of game the Raiders must have if they are going to win the AFC West, and I believe they'll pick up the victory.

Dallas Cowboys

Perhaps no team in the NFL is more maddening and difficult to figure out than the Dallas Cowboys. Despite the fact that they have been able to hang in there with, and even beat, many of the league's better teams, the Cowboys are just 3-4.

Dallas was lambasted by the Philadelphia Eagles last week as well, and desperately need a win to get back on track.

The Cowboys have an ideal opponent this week as they will host the Seattle Seahawks. While the Seahawks can be a bit of a tricky team, they have absolutely nothing on offense, which will make it tough to beat Dallas.

If the Cowboys get back to aggressive play-calling and allowing quarterback Tony Romo to take some shots, the Cowboys should have no problem with Seattle.

New Orleans Saints

Although the New Orleans Saints dismantled the Indianapolis Colts 62-7 two weeks ago, that win was sandwiched between a narrow loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and an embarrassing defeat against the previously-winless St. Louis Rams.

There is no question that the Saints have incredible offensive talent, but they have made a habit of losing to inferior teams.

The Saints will get another shot against the Bucs this week, but this time they will be at home.

New Orleans bounced back in a big way after losing to Tampa Bay a few weeks ago, and it will certainly look to do something similar this week.

Although I think the Buccaneers will keep it close, as they often do, Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be desperate to atone for his rough games against the Bucs and Rams in recent weeks, and I think he will.

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