NFL 2015 Power Rankings – Week 9

32. Detroit Lions (1-7) (31) – I know I usually say you can’t lose on a bye week but they didn’t do anything during the trade deadline and I don’t care how loyal Calvin Johnson is, they should have traded him to a contender. He deserves better. #FreeMegatron Next game: @ Green Bay

31. Cleveland Browns (2-7) (30) – Losing to this Bengals team isn’t bad. I hope they finally realize that Johnny Manziel can play some football, especially if he gets some weapons around him. Next game: @ Pittsburgh Steelers

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) (29) – The Jets defense looked sloppy again and even though the Jaguars looked like a solid NFL team, they couldn’t pull it out. The Jaguars are going to surprise some people sooner than later. Next game: @ Baltimore Ravens

29. Tennessee Titans (2-7) (32) – How about this upset? I’m starting to think Marcus Mariota might be really good. There’s also something to be said about a team that fires its coach. Maybe these guys just rallied around each other. Or maybe the Saints defense is just that bad. Next game: vs Carolina Panthers

28. Washington Redskins (3-5) (27) – When facing the Patriots, consider showing up a moral victory. Next game: vs New Orleans Saints

27. San Francisco 49ers (3-6) (28) – Another upset. Even crazier, Blaine Gabbert got them the win. Blaine Gabbert. Chew on that one for a little bit. It was probably more of a terrible coaching decision by Dan Quin but whatever. Next game: Bye Week

26. Dallas Cowboys (2-6) (24) – I was a little surprised at how the Cowboys played. The Eagles defense is pretty good but the Cowboys were gassed by the 4th quarter and overtime. That was ultimately what cost them the game. Next game: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

25. San Diego Chargers (2-7) (21) – The defense let them down here. 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter is unacceptable. Games like this are going to be why people are down on Rivers at the end of his career but he’s a good quarterback. Next game: Bye Week

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) (25) – Famous Jameis had gone a few weeks in a row without a turnover but he ran into a team that has a defensive touchdown in three straight weeks. You can guess how that turned out. Next game: vs Dallas Cowboys

23. Houston Texans (3-5) (23) – Bye Week. Next game: @ Cincinnati Bengals (MNF)

22. Baltimore Ravens (2-6) (22) – Bye Week. Next game: vs Jacksonville Jaguars

21. Miami Dolphins (3-5) (19) – Its getting more and more difficult to defend Ryan Tannehill. He’s got the talent but doesn’t play well under pressure…and thats on him. He’s gotta be better. Plain and simple. Next game: @ Philadelphia Eagles

20. Chicago Bears (3-5) (26) – People need to stop doubting Jay Cutler. He’s not a bad quarterback. This Chargers defense isn’t exactly the gauge but still, he played really well. A lot better than people would give him credit for. Next game: @ St Louis Rams

19. Oakland Raiders (4-4) (17) – Man when this team puts it together, they’re going to be dangerous. They’re really good offensively and had a good chance to win this game. Next game: vs Minnesota Vikings

18. Kansas City Chiefs (3-5) (18) – Bye Week. Next game: @ Denver Broncos

17. New Orleans Saints (4-5) (14) – Rob Ryan should really be fired. Two straight weeks the defense lets them down, except this time the refs aren’t there to give them calls. Can you tell I’m upset? Next game: @ Washington Redskins

16. Buffalo Bills (4-4) (20) – Tyrod Taylor really makes a big difference. Healthy players really make a difference. Karlos Williams and Sammy Watkins are very good at football, especially when they’re healthy enough to play. By the way, why is it that the ACC can be such a weak conference compared to every other one, but (as we saw with this Bills game) ACC players do well in the NFL? Next game: @ New York Jets (TNF)

15. Philadelphia Eagles (4-4) (16) – This is what Chip Kelly wanted. Run the ball just well enough to open up a fast pace passing offense. They try to tire out their opponents. Mission accomplished. Next game: vs Miami Dolphins

14. New York Giants (5-4) (15) – Can the Giants play Tampa every week? Or at least next week instead of playing the Patriots? Next game: vs New England Patriots

13. Indianapolis Colts (4-5) (13) – I’m not tired of defending Andrew Luck because I don’t have to. I shouldn’t have to. Andrew Luck is a very good young quarterback and doesn’t have the same kinds of weapons as other guys. Lets call it what it is. He’s got TY Hilton and almost no one else. If he’s regressed, its because the Colts front office aren’t getting him a lot of help. Next game: Bye Week

12. Seattle Seahawks (4-4) (11) – Bye Week. Next game: vs Arizona Cardinals (SNF)

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4) (12) – Tough luck for the Steelers. They get Big Ben back and he goes down with another injury. Next game: vs Cleveland Browns

10. St Louis Rams (4-4) (9) – Todd Gurley wasn’t enough to get them this win. He had a decent game and Nick Foles wasn’t terrible either. The Vikings defense made timely stops. Next game: vs Chicago Bears 

9. New York Jets (5-3) (10) – Ryan Fitzpatrick does make some bad decisions but he didn’t today. He did a pretty good job and led some solid drives. The Jets defense for the second straight week didn’t look as good as they normally do. Thats gotta be a concern. Next game: @ New York Jets (TNF)

8. Atlanta Falcons (6-3) (7) – First an OT loss to Tampa and now a loss to San Fran? It was a bad coaching decision that caused it but if you can’t beat the teams you’re supposed to, how good are you really? Next game: Bye Week

7. Minnesota Vikings (6-2) (8) – These guys are legit. Believe the hype. Adrian Peterson is good, Teddy Bridgewater (if he’s still alive) is good and the defense is really good. The NFC North might be up for grabs for the first time in a long time. Next game: @ Oakland Raiders

6. Green Bay Packers (6-2) (5) – Losing two straight is always tough. They haven’t really been outplayed, and their two losses came against teams that were undefeated. I wouldn’t worry too much. Next game: vs Detroit Lions

5. Arizona Cardinals (6-2) (6) – Bye Week. Next game: @ Seattle Seahawks (SNF)

4. Denver Broncos (7-1) (2) – Eventually the Broncos were bound to lose, but i didn’t expect them o lose to the Colts, especially with the Broncos defense playing the way they have been. Next game: vs Kansas City Chiefs

3. Carolina Panthers (8-0) (4) – Oh man, Panthers definitely gonna Panther. Cam Newton is making people around him better. This defense is shutting teams down. We might be looking at the NFC Champion right here. Next game: @ Tennessee Titans

2. Cincinnati Bengals (8-0) (3) – How long before I start saying, Bengals gonna Bengal? They look good, even when they don’t. Next game: vs Houston Texans (MNF)

1. New England Patriots (8-0) (1) – Gronk You, NFL! Next game: @ New York Giants