Top 10 NFL Power Rankings Week 10

These 2009 NFL power rankings have been updated from the results of the Monday Night Football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos.

NFL Power Rankings Week 10: 10 Arizona Cardinals (5-3)
The Arizona Cardinals jump into the top 10 at #10 with a 41-21 defeat of the Chicago Bears.

There seem to be three groups of teams in the NFL for the first half of the 2009 season. The elite eight, the mediocre sixteen, and eight teams that have looked horrendous to start the season. The Arizona Cardinals fall in the mediocre sixteen, as they just can't seem to maintain a winning streak. The Cardinals need some help defensively and could use a spark in their running game.

What is impressive about the Cardinals is that they are 4-0 on the road. If they can rediscover a home niche, they could find themselves as one of the elite teams in the NFL. Out of all the 5-3 or lower teams, they may have the best chance of that.

NFL Power Rankings Week 10: 9. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
The Falcons reenter the top ten at #9 as Michael Turner continues to silence doubters of his early season struggles. Michael Turner rushed for 166 yards against a Redskins team that, despite years of big spending from Daniel Snyder, continues to become worse.

The Atlanta Falcons are 4-0 in home games. Similarly to the Cardinals, if the Falcons can become more competitive on the road, they could find themselves as one of the premiere teams in the NFL. With games against the Panthers, Giants, Eagles, and Saints in four of the next five, fans should know more about who the Falcons truly are by the end of November.

NFL Power Rankings Week 10: 8. Dallas Cowboys (6-2)
With a week 9 victory in Philadelphia, the Cowboys took control of the NFC East while continuing to enjoy flying under the radar. The Dallas Cowboys have not been as flashy as teams in the past few years, but they have been winning games, and against good teams. Of course, all this is moot if they cannot win a game in January, and Tony Romo hasn't proven himself as a clutch quarterback.

The Dallas Cowboys travel to Lambeau Field to take on a Packers team that looks destined to slide into oblivion.

NFL Power Rankings Week 10: 7. Denver Broncos (6-2)
After a 6-0 start, the Broncos have dropped two games since the bye week. The Broncos defense has not been able to overcome the increasing struggles that the offense has encountered. With seventeen points in their past two games, the Broncos must create more offense. If not, they will lose the AFC West to the San Diego Chargers yet again after having a substantial lead.

NFL Power Rankings Week 10: 6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
The Steelers defeat the Broncos 28-10 on Monday Night Football. The Steelers improve their winning streak to five games as they hold the league's fifth ranked offense and the top ranked rushing defense. With few major flaws, the Steelers could prove more lethal if they improve upon their 19th ranked rushing game.

The Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals next week. The Bengals won the first match-up, but that was without Troy Polamalu. Can Pittsburgh respond on their home turf?

NFL Power Rankings Week 10: 5. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)
Coming off the bye, the Cincinnati Bengals were able to pull out a 17-7 victory against the Baltimore Ravens. At 6-2, the Cincinnati Bengals are not only a good team, but they are proving to be one of the best teams in the NFL. A 3-0 road record has helped the Bengals get off to their impressive opening to the 2009 NFL season.

The Bengals have a critical division match-up in Pittsburgh next week. The Bengals previously defeated the Steelers in week 3 after a last minute comeback drive was orchestrated by Carson Palmer.

NFL Power Rankings Week 10: 4. Minnesota Vikings (7-1)
The Minnesota Vikings got a deserving break this week. At 7-1, the Minnesota Vikings are considered the elite challengers to the New Orleans Saints for the NFC crown. The Vikings two-headed monster with Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson has proved and should continue to prove challenging for NFL defensive coordinators. There doesn't appear to be much stopping this Vikings team from making a deep run in January.

The next three games for the Vikings are against the Lions, Seahawks, and Bears. They are all in the Metrodome. Expect the Vikings to be 10-1 going into December.

NFL Power Rankings Week 10: 3. New England Patriots (6-2)
The New England Patriots continue to roll with a 27-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Tom Brady passed for 332 yards with 146 yards going to Randy Moss as the Patriots maintained the Dolphins rushing attack. With a two game lead on the rest of the AFC East, the Patriots look to win another AFC East title this decade. The Patriots are competitive every game and with Tom Brady, they always have a chance at the end if its close.

The New England Patriots travel to Indianapolis next week to corrupt one of the league's two perfect records. Expect much pre-game hype for this contest, as this often proves as one of the most pre-game hyped match-ups yearly.

NFL Power Rankings Week 10: 2. New Orleans Saints (8-0)
For the third consecutive game, the New Orleans Saints found themselves trailing, yet found the poise to make a comeback as they defeated the Panthers 30-20 on Sunday, remaining undefeated with the Indianapolis Colts. The Saints are undoubtedly the favorites to win the NFC. Drew Brees continues to orchestrate the Saints offensive attack, but the defense has improved from past seasons, making the Saints offense even more dangerous.

The New Orleans Saints play the Rams and Buccaneers before a Monday night extravaganza against the New England Patriots in New Orleans the final day of November.

NFL Power Rankings Week 10: 1. Indianapolis Colts (8-0)
Remaining at #1...barely... the Indianapolis Colts escape the Texans with a 20-17 victory over the Houston Texans. Good challenging from Jim Caldwell helped turn a Texans touchdown into a touchback and turn the Colts first blemish into a victory.

Despite the victory, injuries to Marlin Jackson, Kelvin Hayden, and Bob Sanders may leave the Colts defense vulnerable. Before I lower the Colts ranking because of injuries, I will let them defend themselves against the New England Patriots. Can the Patriots take advantage of the Colts depleted defense next week, basically guarantying the New Orleans Saints the top position of this top 10 NFL power rankings list?

Honorable Mentions: Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans, New York Giants

Out of Top 10: Baltimore Ravens (9) and Philadelphia Eagles (10)