NFL Power Rankings 2016: Week 9 Edition

Ranking all 32 NFL teams.

Photo by USA Today Sports.

Photo by USA Today Sports.

The eighth week of the 2016 NFL schedule is over. Now it’s time to see how all 32 teams stack up. Let’s dive right in to this week’s edition of NFL Power Rankings. For reference purposes, here’s a link to last week’s order.

WEEK 9 NFL POWER RANKINGS

1 – New England Patriots 7-1 (Last Week: 1) – The Patriots are clearly the best team in the NFL. They’re in a tier above everyone else right now.

2 – Denver Broncos 6-2 (LW: 2) – Denver has rebounded well after losing two games in a row. Their defense is still very tough to crack.

3 – Atlanta Falcons 5-3 (LW: 5) – The Falcons lead the NFL in scoring with nearly 33 points per game. They’ve scored 37 more points than the next closest team.

4 – Dallas Cowboys 6-1 (LW: 6) – The Cowboys looked more than vulnerable in their win over the Eagles but they hung around and stole the game anyway. Ezekiel Elliott is going to be a problem for years to come. Dak Prescott threw the game-winning touchdown but he was far from perfect against Philadelphia.

5 – Kansas City Chiefs 5-2 (LW: 7) – No Alex Smith? No problem. Former Pro Bowl MVP Nick Foles came to the Chiefs’ rescue in a win over the Colts. The former Eagles quarterback is having success again under the head coach who drafted him: Andy Reid. The Chiefs have won three straight and play the Jaguars next.

6 – Oakland Raiders 6-2 (LW: 9) – Sleep on the Raiders no longer. Oakland managed to win back-to-back east coast games after coming out on top over the Buccaneers this week. Derek Carr is a real good quarterback.

7 – Seattle Seahawks 4-2-1 (LW: 3) – Seattle’s defense ensures close games but their stalling offense has cost them wins this season.

8 – Philadelphia Eagles 4-3 (LW: 8) – The Eagles could easily be 5-2 and on top of the NFC right now if Doug Pederson didn’t blow the team’s Week 8 game in Dallas. Philadelphia is arguably better than their record appears. They still own the NFL’s second best point differential and they ranked No. 1 overall in DVOA entering last week. With that said, the Birds still have a flawed roster. Philadelphia needs to surround Carson Wentz with better skill players.

9 – Minnesota Vikings 5-2 (LW: 4) – After getting out to a 5-0 start, the Vikings have lost their last two games by a combined score of 41 to 20. Minnesota’s offensive line is in really bad shape without their two starting tackles. Sam Bradford will continue to struggle under pressure if the Vikings’ blocking doesn’t improve.

10 – Green Bay Packers 4-3 (LW: 12) – Green Bay moves up in the standings despite a loss because at least it was a one-point game that went down to the wire. That’s more than can be said for the other teams near this spot in the rankings.

11 – Buffalo Bills 4-4 (LW: 10) – Buffalo got their clocks cleaned by a vengeful Patriots squad. The Bills have dropped two straight AFC East games. Rex Ryan will hope LeSean McCoy can get healthy soon.

12 – Arizona Cardinals 3-4-1 (LW: 11) – This Cardinals team sure isn’t a spitting image of the one that made it to the NFC Championship Game last season. Arizona is still competitive and they own the league’s sixth best point differential, but they haven’t beaten a good team this year. Their wins have come over the Bucs, Jets, and 49ers.

13 – Houston Texans 5-3 (LW: 19) – The Lions’ defense was allowing the highest average passer rating in the league and Brock Osweiler only managed to finish at 83.4. The Texans continue to win in spite of him.

14 – Washington Redskins 4-3-1 (LW: 16) – Washington blew their chance to advance to five wins after missing a short field goal in overtime. Instead, they had to settle for a tie. After the game, Jay Gruden admitted he didn’t even know ties existed until a week earlier. How do NFL coaches and players not know this?

15 – Pittsburgh Steelers 4-3 (LW: 15) – The Steelers had a bye. Pittsburgh needs to get Ben Roethlisberger back soon because they’re going nowhere fast with Landry Jones.

16 – Detroit Lions 4-4 (LW: 13) – The Lions’ winning streak came to an end in Houston. Detroit had been looking hot at home but they slipped up on the road.

17 – New York Giants 4-3 (LW: 17) – Bye week. The Giants have a big game against the Eagles this Sunday. The loser of this NFC East battle drops to last in the division standings.

18 – Cincinnati Bengals 3-4-1 (LW: 18) – Marvin Lewis is coaching his team to mediocrity once again.

19 – San Diego Chargers 3-5 (LW: 14) – The Chargers rank second in points scored. The Chargers rank sixth in points allowed. Guess why they haven’t been able to win more games.

20 – Miami Dolphins 3-4 (LW: 20) – Miami will come off their bye to face the Jets at home. The Dolphins will reach .500 if they can secure their third win in a row.

21 – New Orleans Saints 3-4 (LW: 26) – The Saints are flawed, yes, but they can still be very tough to beat in the Superdome. Big win for New Orleans to keep their season alive by beating one of the NFC’s best teams.

22 – Tennessee Titans 4-4 (LW: 27) – The Titans already beat their 2015 win total. They have a chance to win the terrible AFC South.

23 – Los Angeles Rams 3-4 (LW: 23) – The Rams got to enjoy their bye week by watching the Seahawks and Cardinals lose. They’re still alive in the NFC West.

24 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-4 (LW: 22) – The Buccaneers took the Raiders to overtime. There are worse losses to be lost.

25 – New York Jets 3-5 (LW: 25) – Needing a comeback win over the only winless team in football doesn’t buy the Jets a lot of respect in the power rankings. Their future still remains bleak with a struggling Ryan Fitzpatrick under center.

26 – Baltimore Ravens 3-4 (LW: 21) – Baltimore had a bye but they take a hit in the standings due to movement elsewhere. The Ravens are looking to end their four-game losing streak as they face the Steelers this week. Big game in the AFC North.

27 – Carolina Panthers 2-5 (LW: 29) – The Panthers faced a must-win game against the Cardinals and they won it so they’re not dead yet.

28 – Chicago Bears 2-6 (LW: 30) – The bad news for the Bears is they only have two wins this year. The good news for the Bears is both of those wins have come in division games. Jay Cutler held up well against a good defense in his first game back from injury.

29 – Indianapolis Colts 3-5 (LW: 24) – The Colts fell to third in the abysmal AFC South with a loss to the Chiefs. Indy’s defense has allowed the third most points in the NFL.

30 – Jacksonville Jaguars 2-5 (LW: 28) – How does Gus Bradley still have a job? The Jaguars’ coach is 14-41 in 55 games.

31 – Cleveland Browns 0-8 (LW: 31) – It looked like Cleveland was on pace to earn their first win after getting out to a 20-7 lead. Then the Browns blew it and lost their 11th straight game since Week 14 of the 2015 season.

32 – San Francisco 49ers 1-6 (LW: 32) – The 49ers come off their bye with a home game against the Saints. New Orleans’ offense has the potential to shred San Francisco’s defense.