Causion's NFL Power Rankings: Pre - Week 9
Today I reveal my weekly NFL power rankings heading into week 8 of the season. I will take into account everything I know about these teams, and give heavy consideration to what was displayed on the field so far this season. This gives an accurate assessment of where teams are at in my opinion.
This Week's Rankings
1. New England Patriots
The Pats are the best team in the NFL. That's it.
The Pats are the best team in the NFL. That's it.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
They have basically locked up the AFC North with nine weeks to go. That was a huge prove-it victory at Pittsburgh
They have basically locked up the AFC North with nine weeks to go. That was a huge prove-it victory at Pittsburgh
3. Denver Broncos - 5 last week
The Broncos got Peyton Manning and the offense rolling against the Packers. If that continues, they will be a tough team come January.
The Broncos got Peyton Manning and the offense rolling against the Packers. If that continues, they will be a tough team come January.
4. Carolina Panthers
They continue to find a way to win, even if they aren't rolling up big numbers. The defense is carrying the team right now.
They continue to find a way to win, even if they aren't rolling up big numbers. The defense is carrying the team right now.
5. Green Bay Packers - 5 last week
It was a bad night all the way around in Denver, and now they have a tough turnaround at Carolina next week.
It was a bad night all the way around in Denver, and now they have a tough turnaround at Carolina next week.
6. Minnesota Vikings - 9 last week
At 5-2, they are a playoff contender. They have a physical game coming up this week with the Rams.
At 5-2, they are a playoff contender. They have a physical game coming up this week with the Rams.
7. Arizona Cardinals
They head to their bye at 6-2, the second consecutive season that they've had more than six wins at the midway point. They were 7-1 last season.
They head to their bye at 6-2, the second consecutive season that they've had more than six wins at the midway point. They were 7-1 last season.
8. Seattle Seahawks - 10 last week
They head to the bye at 4-4, thanks to that late-game drive against the Cowboys.
They head to the bye at 4-4, thanks to that late-game drive against the Cowboys.
9. St. Louis Rams - 13 last week
With Todd Gurley and that defense, they will be a tough team to beat every Sunday.
With Todd Gurley and that defense, they will be a tough team to beat every Sunday.
10. Oakland Raiders - 15 last week
At 4-3, they have to be one of the biggest surprises of the season so far. Jack Del Rio has this young team getting better by the week.
At 4-3, they have to be one of the biggest surprises of the season so far. Jack Del Rio has this young team getting better by the week.
11. Atlanta Falcons - 8 last week
That was a major gag at home losing to the Bucs. That can't happen if you are a playoff team.
That was a major gag at home losing to the Bucs. That can't happen if you are a playoff team.
12. New York Jets - 6 last week
Two consecutive losses has the Jets fading fast. With the quarterback problems, they could be in big trouble.
Two consecutive losses has the Jets fading fast. With the quarterback problems, they could be in big trouble.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers - 12 last week
With Le'Veon Bell done for the year, they have problems. At 4-4, they have to get it going.
With Le'Veon Bell done for the year, they have problems. At 4-4, they have to get it going.
14. New Orleans Saints - 17 last week
They impressed on offense beating the Giants, but that defense remains a problem. At least Drew Brees is back playing well.
They impressed on offense beating the Giants, but that defense remains a problem. At least Drew Brees is back playing well.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
They certainly haven't been what many expected them to be. Is Sam Bradford the problem?
They certainly haven't been what many expected them to be. Is Sam Bradford the problem?
16. New York Giants - 14 last week
That defense is horrible. There just isn't enough talent on that side of the ball. The offense will have to carry this team for a while.
That defense is horrible. There just isn't enough talent on that side of the ball. The offense will have to carry this team for a while.
17. Washington Redskins - 16 last week
Can Kirk Cousins build on what he did before the bye? He did some really good things.
Can Kirk Cousins build on what he did before the bye? He did some really good things.
18. Miami Dolphins
Reality hit them in the face last Thursday against the Patriots. Now they have to move on without pass rusher Cam Wake, who is out for the year. That's tough.
Reality hit them in the face last Thursday against the Patriots. Now they have to move on without pass rusher Cam Wake, who is out for the year. That's tough.
19. San Diego Chargers
With four straight losses, they are fading fast. All that Philip Rivers yardage is going to waste.
With four straight losses, they are fading fast. All that Philip Rivers yardage is going to waste.
20. Buffalo Bills
They come out of their bye as one of the early disappointments -- especially on defense. Can they get it going?
They come out of their bye as one of the early disappointments -- especially on defense. Can they get it going?
21. Tampa Bay Bucs
Jameis Winston is getting better weekly. They have their long-term guy. Big win over the Falcons.
Jameis Winston is getting better weekly. They have their long-term guy. Big win over the Falcons.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
Don't look now, but they are in the thick of the AFC South race. The offense will be tough to handle the rest of the way.
Don't look now, but they are in the thick of the AFC South race. The offense will be tough to handle the rest of the way.
23. Indiannapolis Colts
It's really ugly now for the Colts and Andrew Luck. They are lucky they are playing in the AFC South.
It's really ugly now for the Colts and Andrew Luck. They are lucky they are playing in the AFC South.
24. Kansas City Chiefs - 26 last week
With two consecutive victories, they are alive and kicking. Can they keep it up?
With two consecutive victories, they are alive and kicking. Can they keep it up?
25. Dallas Cowboys
This season is going down the toilet quickly without Tony Romo. Five consecutive losses puts them in a big hole.
This season is going down the toilet quickly without Tony Romo. Five consecutive losses puts them in a big hole.
26. Chicago Bears
They're competing, but that's not enough. Jay Cutler is still playing sound football.
They're competing, but that's not enough. Jay Cutler is still playing sound football.
27. Cleveland Browns
It looks like it's Johnny Manziel time in Cleveland. Is it about that time when we start to wonder if Mike Pettine will be back in 2016? It's hard to win without talent.
It looks like it's Johnny Manziel time in Cleveland. Is it about that time when we start to wonder if Mike Pettine will be back in 2016? It's hard to win without talent.
28. Houston Texans - 32 last week
At 3-5, they are in the division race. Can you believe it?
At 3-5, they are in the division race. Can you believe it?
29. Baltimore Ravens - 31 last week
They found a way against the Chargers, but they have a long way to go to get into the postseason mix. I am not sure it's possible.
They found a way against the Chargers, but they have a long way to go to get into the postseason mix. I am not sure it's possible.
30. Tennessee Titans - 27 last week
They have to get Marcus Mariota back to get ready for 2016. This season is over.
They have to get Marcus Mariota back to get ready for 2016. This season is over.
31. Detroit Lions
This season is a disaster, no matter who is calling plays. Does Jim Caldwell make it to 2016?
This season is a disaster, no matter who is calling plays. Does Jim Caldwell make it to 2016?
32. San Francisco 49ers
It's getting worse by the week. Now they aren't even competing. Colin Kaepernick is being benched for Blaine Gabbert.
It's getting worse by the week. Now they aren't even competing. Colin Kaepernick is being benched for Blaine Gabbert.