• March 28, 2024

Week 9 NFL Power Rankings

The NFL season has reached its 9th week and the Green Packers remain the only undefeated team in the league. They are clearly head over hills above everybody else, but beneath them are quite a few unknowns. Are the Niners really for real. We saw the Eagles dominate in the first half and then give the game away in the second half.

The Steelers have come on strong of late, but they haven’t been consistent. How can we get excited about a Patriots squad which was thoroughly dominated last week by Pittsburgh? If you force Tom Brady to move, he’s not nearly as dominant.

How long can the Lions function with no running game whatsoever? They dodged the bullet week after week with last second losses, but they must improve if they’re going to stay in the hunt.

The Ravens were pathetic versus the Cardinals and they would have loss had they been playing a competent team. Joe Flacco and that offense is very inconsistent.

Eagles, Chiefs rise, as the Patriots and Cowboys fall.
1. Packers- Clicking on all cylinders, the Packers are hard to stop with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. However, they do have a small weakness in the secondary.
2. 49ers- Never thought they would be this good. Physical, tough team.
3. Steelers- Shut-down the Pats, but a huge game on Sunday Night against the Ravens.
4. Lions- They had a convincing win against the Broncos, and looked dominate in the process. I love their aerial attack, but they must be able to run the ball if they want to make a run.
5. Ravens-With their aggressive D, and Flacco’s continuing growth, I think this team is on the rise.
6. Bills-They are tied for 1st in the AFC East, but two games vs. the Jets in the coming weeks will say allot about this team.
7. Patriots- Defense must improve, but there is hope. Belichick’s teams usually get better down the stretch.
8. Texans- No chance that they lose this division. Get ready for the playoffs Houston.
9. Giants-Eli Manning is having a fine season, but they have a brutal road ahead.
10. Saints- Regardless of the loss, they are still the team to beat in the NFC South.
11. Bengals- Many credit Andy Dalton for this team’s resurgence, but don’t discredit their Top 5 Defense.
12. Bears- Coming off the bye week, the Bears have a tough test in Philly on Monday night.
13. Jets- A season defining win against the Chargers two weeks ago put them back on the map, but they must get through the Bills and Pats to win the division.
14. Falcons-Coming off a bye, the Falcons will have to play more consistent on a weekly basis to get back into the race for the NFC South.
15. Chiefs- Big win Monday has the Chiefs in a three way tie for 1st in the AFC West. This is a race to watch going forward.
16. Bucs- Like the Falcons, the Bucs play very inconsistent. Doesn’t help that Josh Freeman is in a sophomore slump.
17. EAGLES- Very impressed with their play on Sunday. If they can get a lead, and use balance to drive the ball down the field, they will be tough to stop on offense. On defense, I love their 4-man rush, and how Juan Castillo has changed the scheme to make it simpler.
18. Raiders- The bye week should help Carson Palmer re-learn Hue Jackson’s offense. Have a very winnable game at home against the Broncos this week.
19. Chargers-Just played way to inconsistent against the Chiefs, and part of that has to do with Phillip Rivers poor play through the first part of this season.
20. Titans- No way they win the division baring a huge collapse by their friends in Houston. Might help to get Chris Johnson going.
21. Cowboys-Got physically dominated in Philly, they should bounce back. Thinking its Eagles/ Cowboys for the division because of the Giants schedule.
22. Panthers- Cam Newton has amassed expectations so far, but the defense cant stop “ a nose-bleed.” –Bart Scott
23. Browns- Have a Top 5 defense, but anytime you score six points against the Seahawks, you’re in trouble.
24. Redskins- Defense is solid as always, but they just cant score points. John Beck is not the answer at QB.
25. Vikings- Good win down in Carolina against the Cam Newton led Panthers, but they must fix their ailing defense to try to contend next year.
26. Seahawks-Although I commend Pete Carroll for his job last year, this year has been different. They need a Franchise QB badly. Palmer would have been a good fit here.
27. Rams- Steven Jackson looked in his old form on Sunday. After an emotional win, they could go on a run that could save Spags job.
28. Broncos- Some positives, like Von Miller, but it’s clear that Tim Tebow is not a NFL-caliber starting QB. They are also a team that will be looking for “the guy” this offseason.
29. Jaguars- I like Blaine Gabbert, but unfortunately the Jaguars have never been able to draft quality defensive players. They are also in need for some playmakers to at WR.
30. Cardinals- Kolb has struggled, but the main problem is their aging defense that hasn’t gotten better in years.
31. Dolphins- Team keeps playing hard, but not hard enough to save Tony Sparano’s job. They must score more points. It’s tough with Matt Moore playing QB, and no running game.
32. Colts-This year really proves that the Colts roster is mediocre, and that has been covered by the play of Peyton Manning over the years. They might as well send Andrew Luck the playbook and give him an early start.

Matt McCool

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