Week Nine Power Rankings

A missed field goal and a late collapse are all that kept the league's two unbeaten teams...unbeaten.
As we head towards the playoff race, most of the divisions are all but wrapped up. But, there are still a few races to keep an eye on.
1. New Orleans Saints (8-0, LW: 1): After another rough first half, the Saints rebounded to stay unbeaten. They have a laugher this week in St Louis, so they should head into next week 9-0.
2. Indianapolis Colts (8-0, LW: 2): They were a Kris Brown missed field goal away from possibly losing their first game. Peyton Manning struggled after a fast start. They can't have him throwing 50 passes every week.
3. Minnesota Vikings (7-1, LW: 3): They come off the Bye with a showdown against the lowly Lions. Now, it's time to see whether Brett Favre can still do it in the second half of the season.
4. New England Patriots (6-2, LW: 4): The Pats got the job done against the Wild Dolphins, but it wasn't easy. Tom Brady struggled at times, but in the end he was the best player on the field. Now they go to Indy for a critical match up.
5.Cincinnati Bengals (6-2, LW: 6): The Bengals have now swept the Ravens, and have the chance to do the same this week against the Steelers. If Carson Palmer and the offence continue to play at a high level, they will be tough to beat.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2, LW: 7): The Steelers are rolling now. This week, they get a chance to take the power back in the AFC North with a home game against the Bengals. This time, they have Troy Polamalu in the line up. That certainly helps.
7. Dallas Cowboys (6-2, LW: 8): The Cowboys are first in the NFC East, and they won a big game to get there. Tony Romo continues to play well in November, but can they carry this new-found success into the latter stages of the season?
8. Denver Broncos (6-2, LW: 5): The Broncos got shelled Monday Night. They couldn't do anything on offence, and they couldn't stop the Steelers. Now they face a desperate Redskins team. If the Broncos lose, they may be in trouble.
9. San Diego Chargers (5-3, LW: 13): The Chargers are getting it right at the right time. That late touchdown to beat the Giants may have saved their division chances. They have a tough home game on tap this week against the Eagles, before the rematch against Denver.
10. Atlanta Falcons (5-3, LW: 14): After a couple tough losses, the Falcons rebounded against the Redskins. They needed a win, and they will need some more to nail down a wild card slot in the NFC. They go to Carolina this week for a tough division matchup.
11. Arizona Cardinals (5-3, LW: 16): The Cards got back on the winning track last week, but they battle for the division crown this week against the Seahawks. If they lose, the division gets interesting again.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (5-3, LW: 9): The Eagles were dealt a tough home loss Sunday against the Cowboys. The good news is they kept it close. Now, they still are in second in the division, but travel to San Diego this week.
13. Baltimore Ravens (4-4, LW: 10): The Ravens division hopes are all but over, and they are becoming a long shot to even make a playoff run. However, there is a lot of talent on this team, but the wins have to start this week in Cleveland.
14. New York Giants (5-4, LW: 11): The G-Men continue to fall, but they kept it close against the Chargers. They can't get it right anymore. Was that early start due to facing bad teams, or are they primed for a late run?
15. Green Bay Packers (4-4, LW: 12): Disgusting. There is no way they should have dropped that game to Tampa Bay. The offence stunk, and the defence couldn't stop a rookie QB playing his first game. They need to rally after that.
16. Chicago Bears (4-4, LW: 15): The Bears dropped a winnable game at home against the Cards. Now, they pretty much have to run the table to grab an NFC playoff spot. They travel to San Fran for a Thursday Night showdown needing a big win.
17. Houston Texans (5-4, LW: 17): The Texans had a chance to make a statement, but were unable to beat the Colts. They were in the game all the way, so that has to be a boost. However, time is running out, and they enter the Bye needing some wins.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4, LW: 21): The Jags got an easy win over the Chiefs, and now have to shift thier focus on the Jets. Maurice Jones-Drew has been running wild in recent weeks, and is keeping the Jags in the hunt.
19. Miami Dolphins (3-5, LW: 18): The Phins played tough in New England, but couldn't seal the deal. Chad Henne has been solid, but they need more plays from the wide receivers if they are to have a shot at another playoff birth.
20. Seattle Seahawks (3-5, LW: 24): The Seahawks got a much-needed win against the Lions. Now, they have a chance to upset the Cardinals and get back in the division race. The defence will have to be good.
21. New York Jets (4-4, LW: 19): The Jets take to the field this week against the Jags with a lot of questions. Can they get the offence rolling again? What happened to the defence? They have to get these answered going into the last half of the season.
22. Tennessee Titans (2-7, LW: 25): The Titans are alive under Vince Young...who would have thought? Chris Johnson is garnering some MVP hype now, and while they won't likely make the playoffs, they may be saving Jeff Fisher's job.
23. Carolina Panthers (3-5, LW: 20): The Panthers are definetely playing better than they were early in the season, but they aren't as good as the Saints. They can still have a playoff shot with a win against the Falcons.
24. Buffalo Bills (3-5, LW: 23): They come off the Bye hoping to get Trent Edwards back. Don't quite know why, as he didn't throw to WRs. Oh well, the Bills are a lost cause anyway due to defensive injuries. They will be in the Mike Shanahan sweepstakes soon.
25. San Francisco 49ers (3-5, LW: 22): The Niners are going in the wrong direction. ESPN attributes this to giving in to Michael Crabtree. I think he has been a good addition to the offence, but may have brought down the locker room. Who knows?
26. Kansas City Chiefs (1-7, LW: 26): The Chiefs are talented on offence, but the defence continues to let them down. Jamaal Charles is now the RB, and he has the talent to do great things. Chris Chambers was a great pick up.
27. Washington Redskins (2-6, LW: 27): What a mess. They couldn't even stay in it against the Falcons, and now they have to play without Clinton Portis. Denver comes to town after losing two straight, so maybe the Redskins will wake up and surprise us.
28. Oakland Raiders (2-6, LW: 28): The Raiders come off the Bye hoping to get Darren McFadden back. Won't do much good, but makes for a battle in the backfield with Justin Fargas. They get the Chiefs this week, and that is a winnable game.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-7, LW: 32): They get a huge upset over the Packers, but why do I feel like that was their only win? Josh Freeman was OK, but put up three TDs. They get the Phins this week, which is another winnable game.
30. St Louis Rams (1-7, LW: 29): The Rams come off the Bye with a matchup against the Saints. Ouch. Tough sledding for a team on a one-game winning streak. They have to take a QB in the first round next year. Marc Bulger is no longer the answer.
31. Detroit Lions (1-7, LW: 30): That win seems decades ago. They kept in the game against Seattle, but we all know what happens to the Lions. They blow games. Now they have Brett and the Vikings. Sorry Lions fans, your next long losing streak appears to have started.
32. Cleveland Browns (1-7, LW: 31): Another week, another QB change. Now Brady Quinn gets his last chance in Cleveland. I have never been impressed with him, but he has the talent to do good things. Tough matchup against Baltimore this week though.