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2021 NFL power rankings, Week 9: Cardinals fall for first time

By Russell S. Baxter

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: Rasul Douglas #29 of the Green Bay Packers intercepts a pass intended for A.J. Green #18 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter of a game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Packers defeated the Cardinals 24-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: Rasul Douglas #29 of the Green Bay Packers intercepts a pass intended for A.J. Green #18 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter of a game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Packers defeated the Cardinals 24-21. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 31: P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his interception returned for a touchdown with Jeff Heath #38 during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Caesars Superdome on October 31, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 31: P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his interception returned for a touchdown with Jeff Heath #38 during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Caesars Superdome on October 31, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

. 4-4. Previous: . New England Patriots. 15. team. 47

The Patriots battled the Chargers in Los Angeles for the second straight year. A season ago, Bill Belichick’s team blanked the Bolts, 45-0. This time around, the Pats had to rally from a 14-7 second-quarter deficit.

A balanced offense ran 75 plays for 352 total yards and the team controlled the football for 35:24. The defense sacked Justin Herbert three times and safety Adrian Phillips stole two of his passes – returning the second 26 yards for a score.

Pittsburgh Steelers. 14. team. 55. . 4-3. Previous:

Off a week ago, the Steelers were back and in Cleveland to renew one of the NFL’s more interesting rivalries. The teams were tied 3-3 after 30 minutes of play. Pittsburgh sacked Browns’ quarterback Baker Mayfield four times in the first half.

The Steelers’ offense gained 233 yards after intermission. Rookies Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth both scored TDs and Mike Tomlin’s defense held Cleveland in check as Pittsburgh won its third straight game.

5-2. Previous: . New Orleans Saints. 13. team. 15.

Sean Payton’s club hosted the defending Super Bowl champions in a playoff rematch from a season ago. The Saints owned a 23-7 third-quarter lead, fell behind by one point and then scored the final 10 points – the final TD a 40-yard pick-six by P.J. Williams at the expense of Tom Brady.

Trevor Siemian took over in the first half for Jameis Winston. Via Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams, the former Bucs’ quarterback may have suffered a torn ACL.

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