NFL power rankings, Week 9: Ravens rise, Raiders fall
The Baltimore Ravens dominated in Week 8, earning a big rise in the rankings. Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders look dead on arrival.
32
Cleveland Browns 0-8
Last week: L, 33-16 vs. MIN
Last rank: 32nd
There is no reason to believe this team wins a single game.
31
San Francisco 49ers 0-8
Last week: L, 33-10 at PHI
Last rank: 31st
Can San Francisco finally get a win this weekend at home against the Cardinals? Possibly.
30
Indianapolis Colts 2-6
Last week: L, 24-23 at CIN
Last rank: 30th
Indianapolis needs to clean house immediately. Don’t expect to see Andrew Luck until 2018, either.
29
New York Giants 1-6
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 29th
The Giants are going to get a high pick out of this season, so at least there’s that.
28
New York Jets 3-5
Last week: L, 25-20 vs. ATL
Last rank: 28th
The Jets continue to play hard, but they can’t beat teams with decent talent.
27
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-5
Last week: L, 17-3 vs. CAR
Last rank: 24th
Has anybody been more disappointing than the talented Buccaneers?
26
Chicago Bears 3-5
Last week: L, 20-12 at NO
Last rank: 25th
Chicago isn’t good offensively, but the defense is legitimate.
25
Arizona Cardinals 3-4
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 26th
Arizona has Drew Stanton starting at quarterback. Good night.
24
Oakland Raiders 3-5
Last week: L, 34-14 at BUF
Last rank: 21st
The Raiders are a mess, and look certain to miss the playoffs after a 12-4 year.
23
Green Bay Packers 4-3
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 23rd
It’s tough to be exicted about the combo of Brett Hundley and Mike McCarthy.
22
Cincinnati Bengals 3-4
Last week: W, 24-23 vs. IND
Last rank: 22nd
Cincinnati beat the Colts, at home, by a point. Yikes.
21
Miami Dolphins 4-3
Last week: L, 40-0 at BAL
Last rank: 17th
Miami was just shut out 40-0. Can it rebound in primetime against the Raiders?
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> Last week: L, 29-19 at KC
If Trevor Siemian doesn’t get benched after that showing, it’ll never happen.
20
Denver Broncos 3-4
Last week: L, 29-19 at KC
Last rank: 19th
If Trevor Siemian doesn’t get benched after that showing, it’ll never happen.
19
Los Angeles Chargers 3-5
Last week: L, 21-13 at NE
Last rank: 18th
The Chargers go into their bye off a tough loss in New England, that easily could have been a win if not for self-inflicted mistakes.
18
Baltimore Ravens 4-4
Last week: W, 40-0 vs. MIA
Last rank: 27th
The Ravens have to be taken seriously for a playoff spot if they can beat the Titans in Nashville come Sunday.
17
Detroit Lions 3-4
Last week: L, 20-15 vs. PIT
Last rank: 15th
At what point do we start looking at Jim Caldwell and Jim Bob Cooter as the problems in Detroit?
16
Washington Redskins 3-4
Last week: L, 33-19 vs. DAL
Last rank: 13th
Washington has ample talent, but it’s going to end up in a wasted season.
15
Tennessee Titans 4-3
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 20th
Tennessee was supposed to be a power in the AFC this year. Can it start looking like one after its bye?
14
Jacksonville Jaguars 4-3
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 16th
The Jaguars have one of the league’s best defenses. If Blake Bortles doesn’t kill this team, it’s a playoff-caliber group.
13
Houston Texans 3-4
Last week: L, 41-38 at SEA
Last rank: 9th
Deshaun Watson is incredible. So is the defense, but in different ways.
12
Buffalo Bills 5-2
Last week: W, 34-14 vs. OAK
Last rank: 14th
Give Buffalo and Sean McDermott a ton of credit. A year that was supposedly a tank job might end up with January football.
11
Carolina Panthers 5-3
Last week: W, 17-3 at TB
Last rank: 12th
Cam Newton was suspect once again, but the defense was great. Now, a huge home game with the Falcons.
10
Dallas Cowboys 4-3
Last week: W, 33-19 at WSH
Last rank: 11th
Dallas continues to have issues in the secondary, but the front seven is decent and Ezekiel Elliott continues to be a dominant force.
9
Atlanta Falcons 4-3
Last week: W, 25-20 at NYJ
Last rank: 10th
Do you get that much credit for barely beating the Jets?
8
New Orleans Saints 5-2
Last week: W, 20-12 vs. CHI
Last rank: 8th
The Saints have allowed 16 points per game over their five-game winning streak. Impressive.
7
Minnesota Vikings 6-2
Last week: W, 33-16 at CLE
Last rank: 7th
Minnesota waited a while to bury the Browns, but at the halfway point of the season, the Vikings look very good.
6
Los Angeles Rams 5-2
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 6th
Los Angeles has a great chance to beat the Giants and finish the first half of the season at 6-2.
5
Seattle Seahawks 5-2
Last week: W, 41-38 vs. HOU
Last rank: 5th
The Seahawks continue to confound, but Russell Wilson is incredible. What a comeback.
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> Last week: W, 29-19 vs. DEN
Kansas City wasn’t great on Monday, but it was much-improved and able to break a mini losing-streak. Now, the Cowboys.
4
Kansas City Chiefs 6-2
Last week: W, 29-19 vs. DEN
Last rank: 4th
Kansas City wasn’t great on Monday, but it was much-improved and able to break a mini losing-streak. Now, the Cowboys.
3
Pittsburgh Steelers 6-2
Last week: W, 20-15 at DET
Last rank: 3rd
Pittsburgh has a terrific defense and a dynamic combo with Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Tough to beat.
2
New England Patriots 6-2
Last week: W, 21-13 vs. LAC
Last rank: 2nd
The Patriots still feel like something is off on both sides of the ball, but winning is winning.
1
Philadelphia Eagles 7-1
Last week: W, 33-10 vs. SF
Last rank: 1st
Without question, this is the best team in football at the midway point.