NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Ravens Rise the Ranks

We were finally treated to some decent prime-time games last week. Although not all of them were exactly competitive, anything is better than seeing the Denver Broncos play more uninspired football. With the season now at the halfway point and the NFL Trade Deadline today, here are our NFL Power Rankings for Week 9.

NFL Power Rankings for Week 9

1) Philadelphia Eagles (7-0) (Last Week: 1)

Not many thought the Pittsburgh Steelers could hang with the Philadelphia Eagles going into their Week 8 matchup. With that in mind, it was still impressive that the Eagles not only beat Pittsburgh, but they obliterated them, 35-13. A.J. Brown went ballistic in the first half, going for 113 yards and three touchdowns. With Hurts and this receiving corps, the sky is the limit for the Eagles. They are clearly the best team in the NFC and the top team in our NFL Power Rankings for Week 9.

2) Buffalo Bills (6-1) (2)

With the Green Bay Packers coming to town on a three-game losing streak many expected the Buffalo Bills to obliterate the Packers. Instead, the Bills won 27-17 in a game where Josh Allen threw two uncharacteristic interceptions. The Packers were down nearly all of their receiving weapons and still put up 17 points on Buffalo’s usually solid defense. The game shouldn’t sound off alarm bells for the Bills, but it was interesting seeing them struggle a bit in this game off of their bye week.

3) Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) (3)

The Chiefs were on bye this week and have a full week to prepare for the Tennessee Titans next week. Coming off of a dominant victory over the San Francisco 49ers, expect the Chiefs to look good on Sunday night and stay in the top three of our NFL Power Rankings.

4) Baltimore Ravens (5-3) (6)

Although the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struggled this season, they are still not an easy team to beat, especially on the road. Unlike their games earlier this season, the Baltimore Ravens looked good in the second half. Isaiah Likely looked great in Mark Andrews’ absence, and it looks like his injury won’t be too serious either.

With the New Orleans Saints on deck next Monday night, the Ravens have a chance to go into their bye week on a three-game winning streak. For this game, these should show off a new-look linebacker group, with Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo activated while the front office traded for Roquan Smith.

5) Minnesota Vikings (6-1) (7)

It wasn’t pretty but the Minnesota Vikings were able to hang on and beat the Arizona Cardinals at home 34-26. The Vikings offense looked great behind another solid performance from Dalvin Cook who ran for over 111 yards and a touchdown. Questions will be asked of their secondary after giving up 159 yards to DeAndre Hopkins but with the Washington Commanders on deck next week, they should have time to get it all figured out.

6) Dallas Cowboys (6-2) (8)

The Dallas Cowboys may have dropped 49 points on the Chicago Bears, but it was far from pretty. After jumping out to a 28-7 lead, the Cowboys gave up 16 points unanswered. While they were able to pull away again late, it’s concerning how their defense struggled so mightily against Justin Fields and the Bears’ offense. While they will be able to skate by doing this in the NFC East, they could be in some trouble come playoff time.

7) Cincinnati Bengals (4-4) (4)

It was just one of those nights for the Cincinnati Bengals that started off bad and never got better. In the first half, the Bengals had two turnovers, a missed field goal and two three-and-outs. The offense came alive a little bit in the second half, but they couldn’t survive the barrage from the Cleveland Browns.

Although they are still missing Ja’Marr Chase, they have so many weapons that this can’t be happening to a team like Cleveland. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, they face off with a Carolina Panthers team next week that has looked good since the firing of head coach Matt Rhule. This must bounce back to stay in the top 10 of our NFL Power Rankings.

8) New York Giants (6-2) (5)

Quite simply the New York Giants were outclassed by the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Seattle has struggled to stop the run this year yet the Giants couldn’t seem to get the running game going against them. Daniel Jones was underwhelming and Geno Smith turned it on late against the Giants defense. Luckily for New York, they have a bye week before the face the lowly Houston Texans and Detroit Lions.

9) San Francisco 49ers (4-4) (11)

The San Francisco 49ers once again proved that they have the number of the Los Angeles Rams after thrashing them 31-14 in Los Angeles. After the Rams jumped ahead 14-7 midway through the second quarter, it was all San Francisco. The offense looks incredible with the addition of Christian McCaffrey and their defense gave up more than 15 yards on a drive just once in the second half. If they can continue to play complimentary football against everybody and not just the Rams, they’ll be in good shape.

10) Seattle Seahawks (5-3) (15)

Since losing to the New Orleans Saints in Week 5, the Seahawks have looked really good against some decent competition. They have outscored their opponents 83-45 and are in control of their own destiny in the NFC West. With the rest of the division at least a game back and Seattle not playing a team at or above .500 until December 15th, they should be able to make a legitimate playoff run.

11) Miami Dolphins (5-3) (13)
12) Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) (12)
13) New York Jets (5-3) (10)
14) Tennessee Titans (5-2) (14)
15) Los Angeles Rams (3-4) (9)
16) New England Patriots (4-4) (17)
17) Atlanta Falcons (4-4) (19)
18) Arizona Cardinals (3-5) (16)
19) New Orleans Saints (3-5) (26)
20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) (18)
21) Cleveland Browns (3-5) (24)
22) Green Bay Packers (3-5) (22)
23) Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) (20)
24) Carolina Panthers (3-5) (29)
25) Washington Commanders (4-4) (27)
26) Denver Broncos (3-5) (28)
27) Indianapolis Colts (3-4-1) (23)
28) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) (21)
29) Chicago Bears (3-5) (25)
30) Detroit Lions (1-6) (31)
31) Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6) (30)
32) Houston Texans (1-5-1) (32)