NFL Power Rankings: Teams Sure to Rise After Week 9 Victories

Nicholas GossNov 5, 2011

The second half of the NFL season will begin this week, and there are several teams who will look to take a giant step toward the playoffs with massive victories on Sunday.

The New York Giants are one of those teams who will be looking for a big win to boost their confidence, and a victory would help them extend their lead in the NFC East.

Let's look at three teams who will soar up the NFL power rankings with big Week 9 wins.

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1. Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are 4-3 and need a win to stay in the hunt for a wild card playoff berth.

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has a great matchup against the Indianapolis Colts this week. The Colts are allowing 259.3 yards passing per game this season, and are one of the worst defenses in football.

Ryan has struggled at times this season, but a matchup against a poor Colts team that hasn't won a game may be exactly what he needs to get on a roll.

Ryan will have a massive game through the air this week and lead the Falcons to an important win.

2. Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills are in first place in the AFC East and can extend their lead atop the division with a big win against the New York Jets this week.

The Bills offense is averaging 30.1 points per game this season, and against a Jets defense allowing about 325 yards per game, their offense will continue to perform well.

The Jets are also allowing 126.1 yards per game on the ground, which means Bills running back Fred Jackson will have a massive day.

The combination of a balanced offense and a playmaking defense will carry the Bills to victory over the Jets this week.

3. New York Giants

The New York Giants play the New England Patriots this week, and Bill Belichick's defense is allowing 323.1 yards passing per game.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning will carve up the weak Patriots pass defense and score a lot of points.

Wide receivers Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham will have no trouble getting open against the poor Patriots secondary, and the Giants will get a big win on the road against an elite NFL team to improve their record to 6-2 atop the NFC East.

Nicholas Goss' Week 9 NFL Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

3. New Orleans Saints

4. San Francisco 49ers

5. New England Patriots

6. New York Giants

7. Baltimore Ravens

8. Detroit Lions

9. Buffalo Bills

10. Cincinnati Bengals

11. San Diego Chargers