Week 9 NFL Power Rankings: A New Number One Emerges

Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) catches a pass against the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

This week, as we move into the midway point of the NFL season, there are some big movers all across the board due to some shocking results. Additionally, the Week 9 NFL power rankings feature a new team at the top of the list. See which team that is and where everyone across the league sits heading into November.

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1. Philadelphia Eagles, 7-0

  • Last Week: 35-13 win vs. PIT
  • Trending: —
  • This Week: 11/3 @ HOU

The Philadelphia Eagles take over the top spot in the power rankings this week, and it’s for good reason. They dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers in every facet of the game on Sunday, and they look poised to continue that run of success against the Texans.

2. Buffalo Bills, 6-1

  • Last Week: 27-17 win vs. GB
  • Trending: -1
  • This Week: 11/6 @ NYJ

Buffalo has been a terrific defensive unit all season, but they showed some weaknesses against the run on Sunday against the Packers. Granted, they still won the game by double digits, but there were a few chinks in the armor. It’s also noteworthy that they have a few injuries in the secondary right now.

3. Kansas City Chiefs, 5-2

  • Last Week: Bye
  • Trending: —
  • This Week: 11/6 vs. TEN

Kansas City got to rest up this week, and hopefully they come prepared for some big hits from King Henry next weekend.

4. Minnesota Vikings, 6-1

  • Last Week: 34-26 win vs. ARI
  • Trending: —
  • This Week: 11/6 @ WSH

The Vikings had a few mishaps over the course of Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, but their defensive veterans made some huge plays to help them get the win. Patrick Peterson continues to play like one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, and Za’Darius Smith is now tied for the NFL lead in sacks.

5. Dallas Cowboys, 6-2

  • Last Week: 49-29 win vs. CHI
  • Trending: +4
  • This Week: Bye

Dallas heads into their bye with a massive win to help them take over the second-place spot in the NFC East. Tony Pollard took the RB1 snaps this weekend, and the Cowboys offense didn’t miss a beat. With a week to rest up, perhaps Ezekiel Elliott will be ready to go for Week 10.

6. Baltimore Ravens, 5-3

  • Last Week: 27-22 win @ TB
  • Trending: +3
  • This Week: 11/7 @ NO

The Ravens once again went into the fourth quarter with a lead, but this time, they managed to hold on for a win. With the Thursday night game, they now get a long break before a Monday Night Football matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

7. Seattle Seahawks, 5-3

  • Last Week: 27-13 win vs. NYG
  • Trending: +5
  • This Week: 11/6 @ ARI

The Geno Smith revenge tour continues. This time he toppled his former team, the New York Giants. Smith now has passed for seven touchdowns compared to just one interception over the past four games. Seattle has scored 30+ points in three of those four, and they continue to extend their NFC West lead.

8. New York Giants, 6-2

  • Last Week: 13-17 loss @ SEA
  • Trending: -2
  • This Week: Bye

The biggest knock on Daniel Jones and the New York Giants early in his career has been the fact that they simply turn the ball over too much. Those problems showed up again on Sunday, with a pair of turnovers. It was the first time since Week 4 against the Bears that they had multiple turnovers in a game.

9. Miami Dolphins, 5-3

  • Last Week: 31-27 win @ DET
  • Trending: +1
  • This Week: 11/6 @ CHI

The Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle duo continues to light up defenses, and they combined for over 300 yards from scrimmage against the Detroit Lions. Even more impressive, the Dolphins came back from down 21-7 in this game. The only problem is that they went down big to the Lions.

10. Tennessee Titans, 5-2

  • Last Week: 17-10 win @ HOU
  • Trending: +3
  • This Week: 11/6 @ KC

Derrick Henry is back and better than ever, and he totaled 219 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Malik Willis didn’t have to throw much at all in his first career start, and that’s probably a good thing. After an 0-2 start, the reigning top seed in the AFC has now won five straight games.

11. Cincinnati Bengals, 4-4

  • Last Week: 13-32 loss @ CLE
  • Trending: -6
  • This Week: 11/6 vs. CAR

The Bengals missed Ja’Marr Chase on the offensive side of the ball this week, and unfortunately, that may continue to be a problem moving throughout the rest of November. We’ll see if things get any easier against a Carolina Panthers group that has proven to be feisty this season.

12. San Francisco 49ers, 4-4

  • Last Week: 31-14 win @ LAR
  • Trending: +4
  • This Week: Bye

Christian McCaffrey looks like he is exactly the spark that the San Francisco 49ers offense needs. Even with Deebo Samuel missing this game, the Niners didn’t miss a beat on the offensive side of the ball. One can only imagine what things will look like when both of these guys are being implemented.

13. Los Angeles Rams, 3-4

  • Last Week: 14-31 loss vs. SF
  • Trending: -6
  • This Week: 11/6 @ TB

I’ve given the reigning Super Bowl champions the benefit of the doubt for much of this season so far, but patience is wearing thin. They desperately need a victory against a reeling Buccaneers team in order to get their season back on track.

14. Los Angeles Chargers, 4-3

  • Last Week: Bye
  • Trending: —
  • This Week: 11/6 @ ATL

The Chargers stay put this week as they rest up on their bye. Hopefully they worked on a few game management scenarios, and they’ll be able to take down the Falcons this weekend.

15. New England Patriots, 4-4

  • Last Week: 22-17 win @ NYJ
  • Trending: +4
  • This Week: 11/6 vs. IND

It wasn’t a pretty game on the offensive side of the ball by any means, but Bill Belichick’s dominance over the New York Jets continues. The Patriots defense bounced back nicely after Week 7’s debacle against the Chicago Bears as well.

16. Atlanta Falcons, 4-4

  • Last Week: 37-34 win vs. CAR
  • Trending: +2
  • This Week: 11/6 vs. LAC

Atlanta may have gotten some luck along the way, but they’ve been on the wrong side of these sorts of games far too often. They almost blew this game because of a hail mary touchdown connection between PJ Walker and DJ Moore, but a penalty caused a missed extra point attempt by Carolina. Atlanta eventually won in OT and now head into a game against the Chargers.

17. New York Jets, 5-3

  • Last Week: 17-22 loss vs. NE
  • Trending: -6
  • This Week: 11/6 vs. BUF

The Jets are beginning to fall into typical Jets shenanigans. They obviously lost Breece Hall for the season due to injury last weekend, but the situation with wide receiver Elijah Moore is becoming ridiculous. New York needs to find a way to get some consistent production on the offensive side of the ball and fast with a game against the Buffalo Bills looming.

18. Washington Commanders, 4-4

  • Last Week: 17-16 win @ IND
  • Trending: +3
  • This Week: 11/6 vs. MIN

Taylor Heinicke continues to be the spark for this Washington Commanders squad, and this week he led a game-winning touchdown drive to secure the victory over Indy. Washington finds themselves fully in the mix for a playoff spot now after a dreadful start.

19. Arizona Cardinals, 3-5

  • Last Week: 26-34 loss @ MIN
  • Trending: -2
  • This Week: 11/6 vs. SEA

Kyler Murray largely played a strong game against the Minnesota Vikings, but a couple of interceptions proved to be very costly. Additionally, the Cardinals were extremely banged up on the offensive line, and it showed as Murray was sacked four times.

20. Cleveland Browns, 3-5

  • Last Week: 32-13 win vs. CIN
  • Trending: +2
  • This Week: Bye

Micah Parsons may be the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year right now, but Myles Garrett made his best case on Monday night. He terrorized the Bengals offensive line for much of the night, and Nick Chubb quietly continues his domination on the ground.

21. Green Bay Packers, 3-5

  • Last Week: 17-27 loss @ BUF
  • Trending: +2
  • This Week: 11/6 @ DET

Honestly, the Green Bay Packers probably would’ve beaten a lot of teams in the NFL by playing the way they did on Sunday night. The running game was unstoppable, and their defense made a few key stops to keep them in the game. Unfortunately, they just happened to be playing the buzzsaw that is the Buffalo Bills.

22. New Orleans Saints, 3-5

  • Last Week: 24-0 win vs. LV
  • Trending: +7
  • This Week: 11/7 vs. BAL

Alvin Kamara talked a lot leading into this game about the Saints needing to step up to the challenges in front of them, and the star RB put his money where his mouth is this weekend. Kamara totaled 158 yards from scrimmage and a three TDs while the Saints defense pitched a shutout.

23. Las Vegas Raiders, 2-5

  • Last Week: 0-24 loss @ NO
  • Trending: -8
  • This Week: 11/6 @ JAX

The Raiders offense looked completely dysfunctional on Sunday, and perhaps part of that is because the Saints defense simply wanted to prove they were better than they showed last Thursday against the Cardinals. That said, 183 yards of offense simply won’t get the job done.

24. Indianapolis Colts, 3-4-1

  • Last Week: 16-17 loss vs. WSH
  • Trending: -4
  • This Week: 11/6 @ NE

Sam Ehlinger made his first career start on Sunday, and it went about as well as you could have hoped for a sixth-round pick. The bigger concern for the Colts, and fantasy football players across the country, is Jonathan Taylor’s health.

25. Denver Broncos, 3-5

  • Last Week: 21-17 win @ JAX
  • Trending: +5
  • This Week: Bye

Denver finally played a game where it looked like they had a semblance of a plan, especially late in the fourth quarter as they mounted their comeback. Russell Wilson looked comfortable in the offense for the first time, and the Broncos ride into the bye week on a high note.

26. Carolina Panthers, 2-6

  • Last Week: 34-37 loss @ ATL
  • Trending: —
  • This Week: 11/6 @ CIN

Carolina almost pulled off a miracle ending against the Atlanta Falcons, but DJ Moore ended up costing them the game by taking off his helmet on the field.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers, 2-6

  • Last Week: 13-35 loss @ PHI
  • Trending: -3
  • This Week: Bye

Honestly, it’s tough to expect much else out of this Steelers team with a rookie QB and no T.J. Watt, especially when they’re going up against one of the premiere teams in the NFL. They have a week to sort things out and try to save their season.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 3-5

  • Last Week: 22-27 loss vs. BAL
  • Trending: -1
  • This Week: 11/6 vs. LAR

The Buccaneers offense could not be more dysfunctional right now. Tom Brady has never looked worse, and it’s not helped by the fact that his offensive line simply cannot protect him on a consistent basis.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars, 2-6

  • Last Week: 17-21 loss vs. DEN
  • Trending: -4
  • This Week: 11/6 vs. LV

Somehow, the Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the 13 NFL teams with a positive point differential despite starting 2-6. If this team ever figured out how to win close games, they’d be a force to be reckoned with.

30. Detroit Lions, 1-6

  • Last Week: 27-31 loss vs. MIA
  • Trending: +1
  • This Week: 11/6 vs. GB

The Kardiak Kitties got off to a roaring start on Sunday, but once again, their defense faltered. It would have helped if the Lions offense scored more than zero points in the second half, too.

31. Chicago Bears, 3-5

  • Last Week: 29-49 loss @ DAL
  • Trending: -2
  • This Week: 11/6 vs. MIA

Justin Fields actually played a decent game on Sunday, and the Bears running back duo of Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery continues to cause problems for opponents. That said, Chicago’s defense must play much better if they are to have any chance of salvaging this season.

32. Houston Texans, 1-5-1

  • Last Week: 10-17 loss vs. TEN
  • Trending: —
  • This Week: 11/3 vs. PHI

Houston’s defense simply was no match for Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans rushing offense. They’ve now lost five of their last six games and spiraled down to the bottom of the league.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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