NFL POWER RANKINGS – WEEK 9

1. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (7-0)

Not to take anything away from Jalen Hurts, he’s been one of the best QB’s in the league, but the level of impact that the acquisition of AJ Brown has made on this team cannot be overstated. 

2. BUFFALO BILLS (6-1)

The Bills came out of their bye week and did not disappoint. They went into their nationally televised primetime game and just did what they wanted to Aaron Rodgers & the Packers.  

3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-2)

The Chiefs will come out of their bye week and possibly face a rookie QB in Arrowhead on Sunday Night Football. Things could get ugly if that happens. If Tannehill is able to play, however, it could wind up being an entertaining game with how stingy the Titans have looked. 

4. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-1)

They say good teams win close games. The Vikings have done that. Out of their 6 wins, 5 of them were decided by 1 score. But I’d really like to see them take a couple of teams to the woodshed before I consider them a true contender to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. I think they are capable, but we haven’t seen that type of killer instinct since Week 1 vs Green Bay – a victory that looks less and less impressive week after week. 

5. DALLAS COWBOYS (6-2)

The Cowboys had the pedal to the metal this week, racking up 49 points against Chicago. They allowed the Bears to score a few more points than they would have liked, but this team has been humming since they lost to the Eagles. 

6. BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-3)

Baltimore reminded the nation that they’re still hanging around atop the AFC with a statement win at Tampa Bay on Thursday Night Football.  If you look ahead at their remaining schedule, one could think it’s possible that they have already lost their last regular season game. 

7. TENNESSEE TITANS (5-2)

The Titans starting QB missed Sunday’s game, forcing them to start rookie QB Malik Willis. Everyone on the planet knew that they would be feeding Derrick Henry, including the Texans. But Henry was still able to rip them for 219 yards and 2 TD’s. It must be such a luxury to have a RB who can gash the opponent even though they know the Titans will lean on the run.  

8. MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-3)

This Dolphins team can close out games. This is the 2nd week in a row where their defense didn’t allow any points in the entire 2nd half.  

9. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-3)

Not even hawks could see this start coming. I know it was stupid, but see what I did there?

10. NEW YORK GIANTS (6-2)

The Giants had to come back down to Earth sometime, and Seattle isn’t the easiest place to play. 

11. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (4-3)

I hope the Chargers took this week to lock in and get focused. They are right on the edge of a playoff spot, but their remaining schedule is brutal. 

12. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-4)

Death, taxes, and the Niners beating the Rams in the regular season. I mark these games on my calendar every season. 

13. CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-4)

The Bengals are scared of primetime games to begin with, so playing one on Halloween in Cleveland must have been terrifying based on their performance. 

14. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-4)

Bill Belichick strolled into New York and said “Cool your jets”.  

15. LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-4)

Teams in the NFC West have been a little turbulent this season, but this was a bad loss for both division title and playoff hopes, as Sean McVay once again failed to figure out Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers in the regular season.

16. NEW YORK JETS (5-3)

The Jets have far exceeded expectations by starting 5-3. So, the fact that it seems like there’s some problems in the locker room is so on-brand for them. 

17. ATLANTA FALCONS (4-4)

They tried to blow it, but the Falcons emerged with the win in an absolute dumpster fire of a game. 

18. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-4)

Will Carson Wentz play another game in a Commanders uniform? 

19. GREEN BAY PACKERS (3-5)

I felt like I was in “The Twilight Zone” when I was watching Green Bay on Sunday Night Football. They trailed practically the whole game but were just FEEDING their running backs. The ground game was effective, but when was the last time we have seen Aaron Rodgers play 2nd fiddle to the run game? 

20. ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-5)

This is big week coming up for Arizona. Very close to a must-win situation. 

21. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-5)

Brady haters must be reveling in the season he is having. Honestly, they deserve to feel good after two decades of pure torture & torment. 

22. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-4-1)

It appears that the Matt Ryan experiment is over. Maybe they can lure Troy Aikman out of retirement next year and give him a go. 

23. DENVER BRONCOS (3-5)

The losing streak was snapped, but things just don’t look good in Denver. 

24. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-5)

I think that Thursday Night Football performance lot a fire under the Saints. They went out and thumped the Raiders 24-0. 

25. CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-5)

A solid win by Cleveland to keep hanging around. Let’s see if things can get interesting when Watson returns.

26. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-5)

The Raiders just put up an awful performance in New Orleans. Their playoff hopes aren’t dead, but they are certainly on life support. The Raiders will have a nice “get right” spot this week, and they better take advantage of it because their remaining schedule isn’t pretty. 

27. CHICAGO BEARS (3-5)

Not a great follow up to their performance against the Patriots. At least Justin Fields is showing signs of life. 

28. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-6)

In the words of Florida native Tom Petty – “Now I’m freeeeee, free fallin’”. 

29. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-6)

Here’s the thing – I don’t think anyone will be able to get a good read on Kenny Pickett until Matt Canada starts letting him throw the ball more than 5 yards past the line of scrimmage. 

30. CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-6)

It was a rough week for kicker Eddy Pineiro. He missed the game-winning extra point at the end of regulation and then a 32-yard game-winner in overtime.

31. DETROIT LIONS (1-6)

The Lions took a 10-point lead into the locker room at halftime but proceeded to blow it in the 2nd half – as is tradition in Detroit. 

32. HOUSTON TEXANS (1-5-1)

The Texans went up against rookie QB Malik Willis. He went 6-10 for 55 yards and an interception, but not only did Houston lose by 7, but it never really felt like they even had a chance. That speaks volumes.