Power Rankings
The Times’ NFL rankings (after Week 9)
By Lance Pugmire
The Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears remain the top two teams, while the Pittsburgh Steelers move into the top 10 and the New York Giants tumble from the No. 3 spot.
Up: Saints + 5 | Down: Giants - 4
falcons
8-0 0The importance of avoiding penalties (just two Sunday) is big factor why they’re unbeaten at midway point. Next test is at New Orleans.
bears
7-1 0Cruised at Tennessee by forcing three early turnovers, getting a pick-six by LB Brian Urlacher and setting up dynamic Sunday night meeting vs. Houston.
texans
7-1 1Unquestioned AFC power kept Buffalo’s solid run game silent, out of end zone, while RB Arian Foster and WR Andre Johnson both gained 100 yards.
49ers
6-2 1The way they’re playing defense makes them prohibitive favorites over average offenses like St. Louis’ this week.
broncos
5-3 1Showed mettle again by getting slowed on ground, intercepted twice. It stems from Manning, who threw three TDs at Bengals. At Carolina now.
packers
6-3 1Gathered a fumble, collected interception, got three TDs from Aaron Rodgers and ran for season-high 176 yards. All systems go at bye week.
giants
6-3 4Late fade to Steelers at home might’ve been residue of long week distracted by Superstorm Sandy. Should rebound at Bengals.
patriots
5-3 0Saw division foes Miami, Buffalo lose on bye week, and now look for further separation playing host to Bills.
ravens
6-2 0Stared down a fourth-quarter deficit at Cleveland, and gave up 100-yard rusher, but QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice came through at needed hour.
steelers
5-3 1RB Isaac Redman (147 yards) took his turn in committee ground effort, with WR Mike Wallace flashing million-dollar speed to lead notable rally at Giants.
seahawks
5-4 2– Defense gave up big chunks to Adrian Peterson, but surrendered only three second-half points and QB Russell Wilson sharp with three red-zone TD passes.
colts
5-3 2If you haven’t watched leukemia-stricken Coach Chuck Pagano’s speech to his team after Miami win, find it on our Sports Now blog. Riveting stuff.
buccaneers
4-4 2RB Doug Martin running this team into playoff contention with franchise-record 251 yards, four TDs at Oakland. WR Vincent Jackson now gets crack at old team, San Diego.
dolphins
4-4 4After fighting to wire against emotionally charged Colts, they get chance to rebound this week against badly struggling Titans.
vikings
5-4 3At least they won’t face a star running back from Detroit after getting pounded by Doug Martin, Marshawn Lynch consecutively. Key division battle.
lions
4-4 3WR Calvin Johnson broke away from double teams to get 129 yards against Jaguars. RB Mikel Leshoure stabilizing run game (three TDs, 70 yards) heading to Vikings.
chargers
4-4 3With games at Denver, Pittsburgh, home to Baltimore looming, hard to not identify this trip to Tampa as a must-win.
redskins
3-6 2Demoralizing home defeat to Carolina left Coach Shanahan to fend off questions he’s writing off season. Return after bye to Eagles, Cowboys, Giants.
cowboys
3-5 1LB Bruce Carter played inspiring, keeping them in game at Atlanta, but team fails too often in key moments, missed RB Murray.
saints
3-5 5Defense still gave up big yards, but returned an INT for TD and swarmed Eagles’ Vick. Fate could be known in next meeting vs. unbeaten Falcons.
eagles
3-5 4Failed to turn four first-and-goal opportunities into touchdowns Monday, as QB Michael Vick was sacked seven times. Playoff chances severely dim.
jets
3-5 1Not in a good spot returning from bye with run woes going to front-seven-powered Seattle and St. Louis before Patriots.
cardinals
4-5 1Hobble to bye in five-game skid with basically no run game, 1-3 road mark, and trip to unbeaten Atlanta after rest.
bengals
3-5 1Had fourth-quarter lead and run defense held own vs. Broncos, but resilience a key question after giving it up late against Manning.
rams
3-5 1Don’t like their chances in San Francisco considering they struggle on road, and don’t appear equipped to handle 49ers defense.
panthers
2-6 4Defense deserves credit for stifling Washington’s Griffin III with four sacks, while Cam Newton ran and threw for a TD. Stiffer test now vs. Manning, Broncos.
raiders
3-5 0High ankle sprain to RB Darren McFadden worsens sting of getting run over by Tampa Bay’s Doug Martin. Hollow feeling heading to Ravens.
bills
3-5 0Competitive showing at Houston, but couldn’t find way to convert red-zone trips to touchdowns. Basically do-or-die now at Patriots.
browns
2-7 0Taking a bye to figure out how to improve from seemingly being in every game to winning. RB Trent Richardson brightest star there in long while.
titans
3-6 4Owner Bud Adams vows to closely evaluate every position in franchise after blowout home loss, five turnovers to Bears. Good move.
chiefs
1-7 0As bad as things are, now they face a Monday night trip to Pittsburgh, where their fired old coach Todd Haley awaits to flood wound with salt.
jaguars
1-7 0QB Blaine Gabbert called 12-play first half vs. Detroit “pathetic.” Who’s to argue after they finished afternoon with 64 rushing yards?
