2023 NFL Power Rankings, Week 9: Another Week, More Confusion
Josh Frey
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Week 8 of the NFL season brought more confusion than clarity.
We saw more of the top teams in the league falter with losses from Kansas City and San Francisco while Buffalo still seems out of sorts.
The playoff races in both conference look like a mess, but still, we’re going to try and sort through what we saw from all 32 teams. Here is a look at the latest list of 2023 NFL power rankings heading into Week 9 to conclude the first half of the NFL season.
The Super Bowl Contenders
1. Miami Dolphins
- Last Week: 31-17 win vs. NE
- Trending: +2
- This Week: 11/5 @ KC (Frankfurt)
Look, the Dolphins may have some issues when they have to play on the road against the top teams in their conference, but there are flaws with just about every team in this league right now. Currently, Miami holds the No. 2 seed in the AFC, and if they win in Germany this weekend, they’ll jump up to No. 1, meaning they wouldn’t have to play a playoff game on the road if they hold it. They also got Jalen Ramsey back this weekend, and he immediately made an impact by recording an interception.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
- Last Week: 38-31 win @ WSH
- Trending: —
- This Week: 11/5 vs. DAL
The Eagles have continued their winning ways, but it hasn’t been nearly as easy as it was in 2022. They let the Commanders hang around until the very end, and the vaunted Philly defense had a lackluster day. Again, this team certainly has some flaws right now, but you can say that for anyone in this league.
3. Baltimore Ravens
- Last Week: 31-24 win @ ARI
- Trending: +2
- This Week: 11/5 vs. SEA
If it weren’t for a wonky onside kick at the end of the game, the Ravens would have won this game by double-digits, and they have been cruising in recent weeks. They’ve now won four of their last five games, and Baltimore’s passing defense has allowed fewer than 200 passing yards in three of those victories.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
- Last Week: 9-24 loss @ DEN
- Trending: -3
- This Week: 11/5 vs. MIA (Frankfurt)
One has to wonder if this game would have gone differently if Patrick Mahomes wasn’t battling through the flu. Kansas City’s offense had a very lethargic performance, and the QB had his first 0 TD/2+ INT game since Week 5 of the 2018 season. In all likelihood, Kansas City will be fine, but they have to regroup before this matchup against Miami overseas.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
- Last Week: 31-17 win @ SF
- Trending: +6
- This Week: 11/5 vs. BUF
Cincinnati has crawled all the way back to a three-way tie for second in the AFC North following their 1-3 start to the season, and two of their three wins during this streak have come by 14 points. The offense is clicking, and the defense is playing some of their best football of the season.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Last Week: 20-10 win @ PIT
- Trending: +2
- This Week: Bye
The Jaguars are clicking on all cylinders right now, and they may belong higher on this list. They’ve now won five straight games, and their defense has allowed 20 or fewer points in four of those victories. Trevor Lawrence navigated this team through a tough Steelers defense on Sunday, and now, they get to rest up on their bye.
Strong Playoff Teams
7. Dallas Cowboys
- Last Week: 43-20 win vs. LAR
- Trending: +1
- This Week: 11/5 @ PHI
Dallas left very little doubt in this game, jumping out to a 33-9 lead by halftime. Outside of a couple sacks by Aaron Donald, Dak Prescott enjoyed a clean pocket throughout most of the game. Now, the Cowboys travel to Philly for a big divisional matchup against the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
8. San Francisco 49ers
- Last Week: 17-31 loss vs. CIN
- Trending: -4
- This Week: Bye
San Francisco has been struggling over the past few weeks. They’ve lost three games in a row, and their offense has not been nearly as efficient without Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams. Brock Purdy has begun turning the ball over as well, throwing 5 interceptions during this stretch. They now get to heal up on their bye week.
9. Buffalo Bills
- Last Week: 24-18 win vs. TB
- Trending: -3
- This Week: 11/5 @ CIN
Buffalo may have won, but they left far too many possessions on the table. Two of their red zone possessions ended in field goals rather than touchdowns. The group just seems out of sync right now as a whole. They need to get right soon with a matchup against Cincinnati looming.
10. Detroit Lions
- Last Week: 26-14 win vs. LV
- Trending: —
- This Week: Bye
The Lions managed to win this game by two scores, but it should have been a much bigger blowout. They started out the game with three field goals, including two possessions that reached within Las Vegas’ 10. This was the Jahmyr Gibbs breakout party, though, which is exciting for this Detroit team.
11. Seattle Seahawks
- Last Week: 24-20 win vs. CLE
- Trending: +1
- This Week: 11/5 @ BAL
An impressive win for Seattle has vaulted them into first in the NFC West, and they just acquired Leonard Williams via trade to add extra strength on their defensive front. This team sees an opportunity for a playoff run this season, and they are taking full advantage of it.
The “Swing” Teams
12. Cleveland Browns
- Last Week: 20-24 loss @ SEA
- Trending: -3
- This Week: 11/5 vs. ARI
The Browns defense faltered at exactly the wrong time on Sunday. They did a great job of limiting Seattle all afternoon, but some last-minute heroics from Geno Smith proved to be the difference. A couple interceptions from P.J. Walker didn’t help, either.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
- Last Week: 30-13 win vs. CHI
- Trending: +2
- This Week: 11/6 @ NYJ
This may have been the best game that Justin Herbert has played all season. The Chargers QB tore through Chicago’s defense all night long, and LA forced a couple turnovers while holding the Bears to under 300 yards of offense.
14. Minnesota Vikings
- Last Week: 24-10 win @ GB
- Trending: +3
- This Week: 11/5 @ ATL
The Vikings had a dominant victory over the Packers on Sunday, but that excitement of getting back to .500 was dampened by the fact that Kirk Cousins suffered a torn Achilles. Now, it seems like the Jaren Hall show is about to get started sooner than anyone would have expected. On the bright side, this roster is built to be a smooth transition for a young QB. We’ll see if the rookie can keep the winning streak going in Atlanta.
15. New Orleans Saints
- Last Week: 38-27 win @ IND
- Trending: +4
- This Week: 11/5 vs. CHI
New Orleans finally put together a complete game offensively. Alvin Kamara put together a fantastic outing, and Rasheed Shaheed is a cheat code on deep passes. New Orleans is fighting for the lead in the NFC South now, and they get a matchup against the reeling Chicago Bears to help further that push.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Last Week: 10-20 loss vs. JAX
- Trending: -2
- This Week: 11/2 vs. TEN
The Steelers defense played a great game on Sunday, but following the Kenny Pickett injury, they just couldn’t muster their usual fourth quarter heroics to pull this one out. George Pickens did have another touchdown, but it just wasn’t enough for them to get into this game.
17. Houston Texans
- Last Week: 13-15 loss @ CAR
- Trending: -4
- This Week: 11/5 vs. TB
C.J. Stroud finally had a bad game in the NFL. After leading this offense to 20+ points in four of their first six games, the rookie threw for zero TDs for the first time since Week 1. He’ll need to bounce back for Houston to get back into the win column against Tampa Bay.
18. Los Angeles Rams
- Last Week: 20-43 loss @ DAL
- Trending: -2
- This Week: 11/5 @ GB
Nothing went right for LA on Sunday. They allowed 16 points in the span of three minutes during the first half, and Matthew Stafford suffered a thumb injury that is worth monitoring heading into Week 9 against the Packers.
19. New York Jets
- Last Week: 13-10 win @ NYG
- Trending: +1
- This Week: 11/6 vs. LAC
This was just a mess of a game on all fronts. The Jets got one big play out of Breece Hall which ultimately proved to be the difference. Regardless, New York is suddenly back into the AFC playoff picture in a four-way tie at 4-3 for the No. 6 seed.
20. Indianapolis Colts
- Last Week: 27-38 loss vs. NO
- Trending: -2
- This Week: 11/5 @ CAR
Jonathan Taylor was rolling in the first half, but then, he got just one carry in the second despite this being a relatively close game for awhile. Indy’s defense wasn’t able to contain New Orleans’ offense either, which isn’t a good sign considering how the Saints have looked over the past few weeks.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Last Week: 18-24 loss @ BUF
- Trending: —
- This Week: 11/5 @ HOU
Tampa has now lost three games in a row, and they have scored fewer than 20 points in each of them. Their rushing attack has not been up to snuff during this stretch, which is limiting their ability to move the ball.
22. Tennessee Titans
- Last Week: 28-23 win vs. ATL
- Trending: +5
- This Week: 11/2 @ PIT
Will Levis got onto the field this weekend, and he looked awesome throughout the afternoon. If Tennessee continues to push the ball downfield through the air and get the Derrick Henry that we saw on Sunday, this team can still make a push for the playoffs.
23. Denver Broncos
- Last Week: 24-9 win vs. KC
- Trending: +7
- This Week: Bye
Don’t look now, but the Broncos have now won three of their last five games. Their defense has come alive over the past few weeks, and as long as Russell Wilson takes care of the ball, things may not be completely over for this team. They get to ride into their bye on a high note.
24. Atlanta Falcons
- Last Week: 23-28 loss @ TEN
- Trending: -1
- This Week: 11/5 vs. MIN
Desmond Ridder left the game for concussion protocols, but even after passing all tests, he did not return. Atlanta has quickly begun trending towards the wrong direction, losing four of their past six games. They are still tied for the lead in the NFC South, but moving forward without Grady Jarrett and questions at their QB position is not a good sign.
On the Outside Looking In
25. Green Bay Packers
- Last Week: 10-24 loss vs. MIN
- Trending: -3
- This Week: 11/5 vs. LAR
The Packers just aren’t a very good football team right now. They haven’t scored a first half touchdown in five straight games, and the offense as a whole just cannot maintain drives. Their secondary had no answers for Minnesota’s receiving group, either.
26. Washington Commanders
- Last Week: 31-38 loss vs. PHI
- Trending: +2
- This Week: 11/5 @ NE
Sam Howell absolutely balled out against the Eagles on Sunday. He threw for nearly 400 yards and tossed 4 TDs over the course of the game. However, this is a roster that probably will look very differently by this afternoon on the defensive side of the ball.
27. New England Patriots
- Last Week: 17-31 loss @ MIA
- Trending: -2
- This Week: 11/5 vs. WSH
There isn’t much to say about the Patriots that hasn’t already been said. They are one of the worst offenses in the league, and their defense is dropping quickly without the presence of Christian Gonzalez in the secondary. This loss was just the latest installment of what feels like a lost season in New England.
28. New York Giants
- Last Week: 10-13 loss vs. NYJ
- Trending: -4
- This Week: 11/5 @ LV
Tommy DeVito certainly wasn’t the answer this past weekend, and New York just sent away one of their most talented defenders, Leonard Williams. After a few weeks of hope, this was an ugly loss against the Jets.
29. Chicago Bears
- Last Week: 13-30 loss @ LAC
- Trending: -3
- This Week: 11/5 @ NO
The Tyson Bagent experience came crashing back down to earth on Sunday. The undrafted rookie looked overwhelmed in his first road start, and Chicago’s defense had no answers for the Chargers passing game.
30. Las Vegas Raiders
- Last Week: 14-26 loss @ DET
- Trending: —
- This Week: 11/5 @ NYG
The Raiders offense is just a mess right now. Davante Adams was visibly upset on the sideline about how things are going in Las Vegas right now, and their defense stood no chance against this Lions offense.
31. Carolina Panthers
- Last Week: 15-13 win vs. HOU
- Trending: +1
- This Week: 11/5 vs. IND
The Panthers are a broken clock that just happened to be right on Sunday. Bryce Young showed signs of progress, but this team is not talented enough to take a leap in the rankings.
32. Arizona Cardinals
- Last Week: 24-31 loss vs. BAL
- Trending: -1
- This Week: 11/5 @ CLE
Alas, the Cardinals have once again tumbled down the rankings. They have been an infinitely entertaining team throughout the season, but they find a way to do that while coming up just short in every game other than their hiccup against Dallas at the beginning of the year.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.