Week 9 Power Rankings

Without further ado, here are the Rankings heading into Week 9! As always, if you disagree with the Rankings, jump in and tell us why!

1)Big time players, make big time plays, in big games.  That is the Saints mantra in a nutshell.  They’re the team that doesn’t quit. Besides having a major passing attack and a balanced running game, their defense is making plays.  Darren Sharper is like Jackie Robinson in center field he catches everything. QB’s across the league beware! The Saints remain at the top!

 

2)The Colts squeaked one out this weekend against the the 49ers and the reborn Alex Smith, however they pulled a W, and a win is a win!  Peyton Manning and the Colts are still undefeated. You cannot take that away from them.  

 

3) The Viking went in to Green Bay with a forty year old  quarterback,with the swagger of a twenty year old kid.  The Vikings are riding high on emotion and deserve to be sitting pretty on top of the NFC Central. This week they have a bye week and a chance to rest up for the long road ahead.  Looking at their schedule it looks like they have a great shot to at least finish at 13-3.  Can Brett’s arm hold up through the season?…That is the question. 

 

4) The Broncos took a L this past weekend and are no longer undefeated.  They get the next game at home against the Steelers. So definitely look for them to rebound and turn to  the veterans to help them regroup and stay focused. 

5) The Patriots are starting to click and the they have a chance to take over the AFC East.  Brady is heating up and the defense is coming around.  They are well versed on the Wildcat so they are welcoming the Miami Dolphins with open arms. 

 

6) Does Lightning strike in the same place twice?  The feisty Ravens sure as hell dont believe so.  Thier next game is in Cinncinati, so Ravens fan you can breathe.  The Bengals have an opportunity to tell the NFL world that they are for real.  Pulling a win out this weekend would be huge especially with The Steelers next weekend. They have played solid on both sides of the ball, hopefully they can keep up with this new confidence and swagger. 

 

7) The Steelers head to the high altitudes and try to steal a win on the road in Denver, can they tame the Broncos? After a big loss how will the Broncos rebound? 

 

 

8 ) Whenever you play a division rival its a big deal, but when that game is against the Cowboys, you know its that game on the schedule you need to win.  The Philadelphia Eagles thrashed the almighty Giants and look to continue ownership of the NFC East.  Look for Donovan Mcnabb to hit DeSean Jackson often and early.  You can  expect the Eagles defense to send the house … Tony Romo beware.  

 

9) The Cowboys have been inconsistant in some of their games, But the last couple of games they have gotten their MOJO back.  Look for them to pull out the works against the Eagles.  Dallas remembers what happened at the end of the season in 2008.  Look for a heated battle that could possibly go the distance. 

 

 

10) The Ravens are coming off a big win against the undefeated Broncos, look for Ray Lewis to get the guys up for another big game against rival Cincinnati Bengals.  Somebody call Chad Ocho Cinco and please beg him not to go over the middle. Between Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, somebody is looking to put the smack down. 

 

11) The Falcons lost a tough one to New Orleans look for them to rebound. Their next couple of games are against non pass heavy teams,  all of their losses have come against big time passing qb’s by the names of Tom Brady, Tony Romo and Drew Brees.  Look for them too get back on track.

 

 

12) The Cardinals are starting to become the mysterious team that they were last year.  You have to ask yourself, how good are the Cardinals? They hit their stride late last season maybe this is their tactic for the 2009 playoffs…hmmm? 

 

 

13) The Packers are sitting at 4-3 what to do?  They need to step up soon if they plan to make the playoffs.  Aaron Rodgers has played superb, if the Packers can put it all together in the next couple weeks… look out.  

 

14) Houston Texans defense has now learned how to stop the run. Uh Oh!  With the Offensive firepower  they have, Texans look like a potential playoff team with a shot to do some damage.

 

 

 

15) The Giants are now losers of three straight and their three losses come against the only winning teams they have faced. They need to figure out how to beat the better teams or they will lose control over the tough NFC East…and fast!

 

16) The Bears were up and down even winning big 30-6 againunst Cleveland.  There are a lot of questions about the Bears offensive line.  Can the Bears get their act together as we approach the mid season?   Jay Cutler will need to step up to make this team a contender!

 

17) The Chargers are up and down this season.  They squeaked a win out against the Raiders last week. They have alot of work and need to rack up some W’s against the NFC east teams they will face in the next couple of weeks. 

 

 

18) The Dolphins are running and gunning with the Wildcat offense.  It remains in tact and they are gonna need it to be in tip top shape against division rivals, The New England Patriots.  The big win against the Jets gives them some momentum into this weeks game.

 

 

19) Maurice Jones Drew’s play this season has been amazing. They need more out of Garrard and the Jaguars defense if they are gonna have a chance this season. 

 

 

20) The Jets took another L against their rivals the Dolphins.  Their biggest problem lay within in their locker room. It seems the Jets keep beating themselves.  Someone is going to have to step up in the locker room and grab this team by the wings.  Its not to late for them to soar and make a comeback. 

 

 

21) San Fran has now lost 4 straight and they need to figure it out…honestly it looks like they may have, with the rebirth of  with Alex Smith. If Frank Gore can put the load on his back and along the way someone on that offense can help him out, they have a chance.  

 

 

22) The Bills Defense has been the only bright spot to actually talk about.  Well maybe its the young gun in the secondary by  the name of Jarius Byrd. The kid has a nose for the ball.  If the Offense can keep playing consistent ball they can build some momentum going into the mid season. 

 

 

23) Few teams are running the ball better than Carolina right now, but they head into a three game stretch against New Orleans, Atlanta and Miami that could leave the Panthers outside of the divisional race looking in

 

24) The one positive is that they play in the NFC West and the reality is …anything can happen in the next half of the season.  The Seahawks remain a huge question mark.

 

 

25) The Raiders main problems start within the coaching staff and then the Organization.  Once they finally get it together the rest will follow.  Word to the wise, do not draft a WR with a high draft pick for the next 5 years. I dont care if they run a 4.0!  This team needs some TLC and some leadership. 

 

26) Washington fans are not allowed to bring signs to games anymore.  I dont get it?  I guess the front office is tired of the fans badgering them and embarrassing them on live television with their remarks.   The front office took the heart and soul out of Campbell by publicly telling him in their own way with theor pre season “its not us its you” campaign.  When your head coach doesn’t know if he’s coming or going, you have a problem.  It sets the tone for the season and you can tell it has affected the team chemistry.

 

 

27) The Titans  have finally won a game. Thats all i can say right now.  But congrats to Chris Johnson for being the best man he can be despite the lousy situation. Vince Young looks hungry could that be the recipe for more W’s?

 

 

28) Hats off to St. Louis and their special teams for pulling off an amazing trick play for a score.  Steven Jackson we salute you pal, you show us how bad you want to win.  I know its the Lions but congrats guys!  

 

 

29) The Lions had a chance to show they had winning spirit and come out and beat the beatable Rams. However that didn’t happen and the only thing that hey are looking forward is building momentum for next season.  Were looking at a top 5  pick again.

 

30)  The Chiefs are now dealing with Larry Johnson’s use of a homosexual slur via Twitter and his suspension, with that being the headline news that will tell you what kind of season it is in Kansas. This season cant end any sooner. 

 

 

31) The Browns have just lost their GM halfway through the season.  The only bright spot on the Browns is Josh Cribbs, he is an amazing return guy, When your defense gets scored as much as the browns do, you will see a lot of Josh Cribbs this season. The QB play n Cleveland has been suspect, who wants the job is the real question.

 

32) Bucs fans get a chance to see what Josh Freeman has got in his tank. The rookie gets an opportunity to take over an offense that can hardly pass or run. He will take his share of lumps, so please Josh we advise you to buckle up, its gonna be a bumpy ride.