NFL Power Rankings-Week 9

The most anticipated game of the season (Patriots vs. Colts) is next Sunday. I'm predicting a 10 point win by the Patriots (34-24 to be exact), but lets save that for a future post. Here are the rankings going into week 9.


1. New England Patriots
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: There has been many complaints that the Patriots were being "unfair" in their 52-7 win over the Redskins by not taking out Brady earlier and by going for it on 4th with a substantial lead. My reaction? Get over it. If you're getting beaten that badly do something about it. Don't use the Patriots as your scapegoat for not being able to stack up against them.


2. Indianapolis Colts
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: They could be seeing a number 1 ranking for the first time this year if they defeat the Patriots this Sunday.


3. Dallas Cowboys
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: Tony Romo just signed a huge contract with this team. They are hoping he'll be the next Troy Aikman. Big game against a struggeling Eagles next week (they've been 1-7 against them out of their last 8).


4. Green Bay Packers
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: I've said this every time, but this team just keeps finding ways to win games that they shouldn't win. They kept it extra close against the Broncos winning it on an OT touchdown. Honestly, if this team was a hair worse they could easily be 1-6 instead of 6-1.


5. New York Giants
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: People have been giving them a lot of crap for barely beating the Dolphins in London, but the whole game was unfair (for both teams) and I couldn't move this team down no matter how close the game was. The field conditions were horrendous and I'm sure both teams suffered some jet lag. If this was in Dolphins territory the Giants would have won by more.


6. Jacksonville Jaguars
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: I'm impressed that this team managed to win a game against a decent team without Garrard. If you can win games with Quinn Gray then you have nothing to worry about.


7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: After losing to a struggeling Broncos team, they pull off a big win against an een more struggeling Bengals. Big division games against the Browns and Ravens coming up.


8. Tennessee Titans
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: The top 8 teams remain the same (they all won or were on a bye). Vince Young though needs to get this offense rolling more.


9. San Diego Chargers
Move from Week 8: +1
Why?: Its easy to forget about the Chargers when the Patriots and Colts exist, but this team is red hot. They not only have been winning, they have been dominating.


10. Detroit Lions
Move from Week 8: +4
Why?: 5-2! That is the Lions record this year. I'm very impressed by this team. Not only that, they are undefeated against their division.


11. Baltimore Ravens
Move from Week 8: +1
Why?: Their season is on the line with a HUGE game against the Steelers.


12. Washington Redskins
Move from Week 8: -3
Why?: They looked horrible against the Patriots, but I guess any team who plays the Patriots looks pretty bad.


13. Seattle Seahawks
Move from Week 8: +2
Why?: This is the #2 game I'm excited about next week. Yes you heard right. Them and the Browns are facing off which will prove whether or not Seattle deserves to win the division that they practically already clinched and whether or not the Browns are the real deal.


14. Kansas City Chiefs
Move from Week 8: +2
Why?: Remember when this team was ranked among the bottom of the pack with the Rams and Dolphins? No more. This team is 4-1 after starting the season 0-2.


15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Move from Week 8: -4
Why?: Yes they only lost by 1 point, but this team is in a lot of trouble. After looking like probably playoff contenders they are 4-4 and still missing a star RB.


16. Carolina Panthers
Move from Week 8: -3
Why?: After starting the game strong against the Colts this team absolutely fell apart. The inability for David Carr to be a starting QB is showing.


17. Cleveland Browns
Move from Week 8: +1
Why?: This team is like one of those PG movies where you have a big underdog who comes against the odds and wins. The Browns are supposed to be bad. It is their trademark. They are now sitting at a surprising 4-3 and are playing a huge game against the Seahawks. If they win, I'm going to SKYROCKET this team in the rankings.


18. New Orleans Saints
Move from Week 8: +2
Why?: They are winning the games they are supposed to be winning. That being said, that equals a 3 game winning streak and they are now only one game behind the Panthers.


19. Arizona Cardinals
Move from Week 8: -2
Why?: This team suffered a huge loss two weeks ago by missing a PAT. A taem like this can't afford to make mistakes like that.


20. Buffalo Bills
Move from Week 8: +3
Why?: They win like the Ravens win. The team kicks a few field goals, struggles a bit on offense, but manages to pull of a win. They still have won 3 out of their last 4 (the only loss was a battle against the Cowboys). Hey they even won last week under the QB-ing of JP Losman. Anything is possible!


21. Denver Broncos
Move from Week 8: -2
Why?: Even though they lost last week to the Packers I wouldn't be too discouraged about this team. They won the week before against an exceptional Steelers team and they lost to a 5-1, at the time, Packers team in OT.


22. Philadelphia Eagles
Move from Week 8: +2
Why?: Don't get too excited Eagles fans. They beat the Vikings, but I will guarantee a loss to the Cowboys next week even though they've won 7 out of their last 8 against them.


23. Chicago Bears
Move from Week 8: -2
Why?: Brian Griese had a QB rating of 38.3 on Sunday. Do I need to say anything else?


24. Houston Texans
Move from Week 8: -2
Why?: I remember through week 4 or 5 how I thought this team finally had a legite shot of at least a wildcard. Since then, the team just can't seem to win games.


25. Minnesota Vikings
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: Yeah they lost to the Eagles last week, but I can't move this team down (I can't move them up either). Look at the remaining 7 teams and can you honestly say that any of them deserve to be ahead of the Vikings?


26. Cincinnati Bengals
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: Oh boy. They are playing a pretty hot Bills team next Sunday. Looking at the Bengals schedule prior to this season's start I would have said this was a gimme game for Bengals, but now I'm almost leaning towards the opposite.


27. Oakland Raiders
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: It's unfortunate that after a decent start this team is now sitting at 2-5. What is even more frustrating is that they keep it close, but their offense just can't seem to do enough to win games.


28. Atlanta Falcons
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: As you'll see, just like the top 8 teams have remained the same in the rankings, the same goes for the bottom teams. Not much new to say about this team. They still suck and they'll suck for the rest of the season.


29. San Francisco 49ers
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: They have lost 5 straight and now are playing their next 5 games on the road. This can spell a 2-10 record.


30. New York Jets
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: Smart move to bench Pennington. That doesn't mean it'll have any real positive impact on this team..for this season anyway.


31. Miami Dolphins
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: Ronnie Brown who? Chatman was playing in London like the playoffs were on the line. He might have the ability to bring this team to a 2-14 record!


32. St. Louis Rams
Move from Week 8: 0
Why?: They are showing signs of life on offense (although very slowly). Steven Jackson should be fully recovered after the bye week. It is possible you'll finally see this team win a couple of games.