Top 10 NFL Power Rankings Week 9

These top 10 power rankings are subjective to change from the Monday Night Football game between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. If they change, they will be updated Monday night.

NFL Power Rankings Week 9: 10 Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
The Philadelphia Eagles jump into the top 10 at #10 after a flogging of the New York Giants, 40-17. The Philadelphia Eagles are as good as any team in the NFC when they are on their game. With games like Oakland, their inconsistency is a question. This may be the best receiving unit that Donovan McNabb has had with DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Macklin as their speed causes defenses coverage problems.

The Philadlephia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football next week in a game that will give either team the NFC East lead.

NFL Power Rankings Week 9: 9. Baltimore Ravens (4-3)
The Ravens enter the top 10 at #9. Albeit 4-3, the Baltimore Ravens have played some fine competition. In their past four games, the Ravens opponents are 23-6. They defeated the previously undefeated Denver Broncos 30-7 in week 8, regaining the respect of NFL fans. Can they ride the momentum?

It gets no easier for the Ravens next week as they rematch with the 5-2 Cincinnati Bengals. After a breather against the Browns, they have games against the Steelers, Colts, and Packers. Will the Ravens break down from the brutal schedule?

NFL Power Rankings Week 9: 8. Dallas Cowboys (5-2)
The Dallas Cowboys jump up two spots to #8 this week after a 38-17 beat-down of the lowly Seahawks. The Cowboys are 5-2 with losses to the Broncos and Giants while they were on their winning streaks. While they are not as electrifying as the team from 2007, they have been playing good football. Then again, don't they always in the first half of the NFL season?

The Dallas Cowboys next two games are traveling to Philadelphia and Green Bay. A win in Philadelphia would be huge for the Cowboys, and the Packers home field advantage does not exist. Stealing one of these road games would lead to games with Oakland and Washington, setting them up for possibly 8-3 going into December.

NFL Power Rankings Week 9: 7. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
The defending champions had a bye this week. With Troy Polamalu back for the second half, the Steelers defense should return to full force. The Steelers would benefit if their offense could prevent so many of their games going to the wire.

The Steelers November schedule is brutal. At Denver, Cincinnati, and at Baltimore are three of their four games. If the Steelers can go .500 in this span, playoffs are a great possibility. All of these games should be defensive struggles.

NFL Power Rankings Week 9: 6. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
The Cincinnati Bengals were on a bye this week. Was the Bengals first half a fluke, or are they for real? The impressive feature of their 5-2 standing is that their two losses are against teams with a combined four losses. Their one loss was on a fluke play.

The Cincinnati Bengals come out of the bye with games against the Steelers and Ravens. If they can snatch another game from the AFC North favorites, doubters may start to disappear about a Bengals playoffs this season.

NFL Power Rankings Week 9: 5. Minnesota Vikings (7-1)
Brett Favre owns the Packers. After a 38-26 thrashing of the Packers in week 8, it is apparent that Brett Favre has turned the Vikings from a dangerous rushing offense into a dangerous balanced attack. Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice both look improved from the playing time they have had with Favre.

The Minnesota Vikings will get a bye week to get Antoine Winfield back. The Vikings biggest concern has to be their pass defense. In a game against Arizona or New Orleans, they had better be ready to shootout.

NFL Power Rankings Week 9: 4. New England Patriots (5-2)
With Tom Brady and that coaching staff, the Patriots are always a threat in the AFC. Their two losses were against their rival Jets and a Broncos team who just lost their first game this week. In the long run, I like the Patriots over the Broncos.

November brings the Patriots games against the Dolphins, Jets, and road games against the Colts and Saints. This month will be a challenge for the Patriots as they protect their 16-0 season from 2007 from other intruders.

NFL Power Rankings Week 9: 3. Denver Broncos (6-1)
Josh McDaniels tastes his first loss of his coaching career with a 30-7 throbbing from the Baltimore Ravens. The Denver Broncos have been the story of the NFL, and many people still doubt their credibility as a true contender in the AFC. Some people still believe the San Diego Chargers will pass them up in the AFC West like they did last season.

The Denver Broncos follow their loss up with a Monday Night Football game against a rested Pittsburgh Steelers team next week. With two games against the Chiefs, one against the Raiders, and one against the Redskins, the Broncos should be in position for at least a ten win season.

NFL Power Rankings Week 9: 2. New Orleans Saints (6-0)
Four of their wins have resulted in 45 points or more. Their other two wins resulted in holding their opponents to ten points or less. The New Orleans Saints are certainly the most explosive and exciting team in the NFL. Between Indianapolis and New Orleans, it would probably come to home field advantage. I still like the Colts defense over the Saints, so I am holding them at #2.

If the New Orleans Saints can win one of the next two games against the Falcons and Panthers, they have the Buccaneers and Rams who combined for one victory through eight weeks. The New Orleans Saints should be guaranteed an above .500 season by week 11 and almost certain of a playoff spot.

NFL Power Rankings Week 9: 1. Indianapolis Colts (7-0)
Remaining at #1, the Indianapolis Colts continue their undefeated season with an 18-14 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The Colts continue to have one of the better scoring offenses and defenses in the league. They have been winning games with offense and other games with defense. Peyton Manning is the NFL's best in the clutch.

The Indianapolis Colts will be tested by the visiting Houston Texans in week 9. The Texans are 5-3 and have won three consecutive games. They are looking for their first winning season in franchise history, and defeating the Colts would set them up nicely to do that.

Honorable Mentions: Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, New York Giants, San Diego Chargers

Out of Top 10: Arizona Cardinals (8) and New York Giants (9)