NFL Power Rankings Week 9

NFL Power Rankings

It’s good to be back. Last week’s power rankings were not published, so the previous rankings are based on the week 7 power rankings. That being said, there wasn’t much of a shakeup.

The season is in high gear, and we are seeing trends develop as teams find out what they need to make their Super Bowl push. The trade deadline is fast approaching (November 5, 2024), and we already see a flurry of trades. The league pushed the deadline back a week in hopes that we would see more deals made, and, so far, this is holding true.

Kansas City added former All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins and rotational pass-rusher Josh Uche. We already know Buffalo and New York made a splash in the wide receiver market, and Baltimore just got in on the fun as well. There have been a multitude of offensive line injuries, and we are seeing teams pay up for one of the hardest positions to not just have depth at but also good production from.

Numerous other names are floating around that could be seen wearing a different uniform in the coming week, but only time will tell. I, for one, love this time of year and seeing teams trading. It keeps the game fun and the league interesting. With that being said, has your team made a move that will put them over the top? Are you playing for next year? Read on to find out.

Biggest Riser: Cleveland Browns (+7), Biggest Faller: Minnesota Vikings (-7)

1. Kansas City Chiefs (1)

The last undefeated team just keeps on plugging. Kansas City hasn’t lost a game since Christmas Day last year. They will inevitably lose at some point, but who knows when? The next time a worthy opponent knocks on their door is week 11 against Buffalo.

2. Detroit Lions (3)

It may be the Titans, but putting 52 points up on an NFL team is no short feat. They look like the champions of the NFC, even without superstar Aidan Hutchinson playing. Is this finally the Lion’s year?

3. Buffalo Bills (9) 📈

The acquisition of Amari Cooper looks good both when he is involved and when he isn’t. Keon Coleman is starting to develop. Khalil Shakir remains one of, if not the most, underrated receivers in the NFL. Buffalo looks just fine without Stefon Diggs.

4. Houston Texans (4)

Speaking of Diggs, the report just came in that he has torn his ACL and is expected to miss the rest of the season. This is a huge blow to a Houston team that already has Nico Collins on IR. Tank Dell will get added looks, but the real bell cow here might be veteran Joe Mixon.

5. Washington Commanders (6)

Hail Mary or not, this Commanders team is better than advertised. We knew the offense was going to be improved, but this defense has begun to step up. It’s interesting looking at the NFC side of the projected playoffs with teams like Washington firmly in the bracket.

6. Green Bay Packers (7)

Jordan Love is injured yet again, but it seems that he avoided any serious, long-term injury. Still, this is something to monitor as the Packers, once again, turn to Malik Willis. While this offense has success under Willis, the upside is severely capped.

7. Atlanta Falcons (8)

Happy National Tight End Day, Kyle Pitts. This is the guy that we were drafting and hoping to see. While two massive touchdown receptions bolstered the numbers, this is now his 4th game in a row with 65 or more yards and he has had 7+ receptions in two of those games.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (11)

Say what you want about this team, but they just keep winning. While I don’t think Justin Fields is a bad quarterback, Russell Wilson‘s experience just brings a different tone to this team and the offense. I don’t think Wilson will play anywhere else in 2025 if he keeps this up.

9. Minnesota Vikings (2) 📉

What a disappointing week for Minnesota. They dropped their second game in a row and lost Christian Darrisaw for the season. They acquired Cam Robinson from the Jaguars but it will take time for him to gel in this new system. Sam Darnold is excellent without pressure but abysmal with it. Plan accordingly.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (14) 📈

The Eagles are bouncing back in a big way after putting a thumping on a reeling Cincinnati team. This is not a sign that all things are good to go, but the offense is trending in the right direction. The defense remains one of the best units in the NFL.

11. Baltimore Ravens (5) 📉

What a loss for the Ravens. Lamar Jackson can only do so much and when Rashod Bateman drops a wide-open deep pass you know it’s not looking well. Baltimore just acquired Diontae Johnson from Carolina, but the real issue is their pass defense.

12. San Francisco 49ers (15)

The 49ers may have lost Brandon Aiyuk for the season to a torn ACL, but that didn’t stop this team from getting back to their winning ways. Deebo Samuel will feast with Aiyuk out and they are again the favorite to win the NFC West.

13. Los Angeles Chargers (13)

Ladd McConkey is quickly turning into Justin Herbert‘s favorite pass-catcher and it is easy to see why. He is a perfect fit for this offense and will continue to emerge into stardom. While the rushing attack caps his upside, it’s refreshing to see.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12)

No Mike Evans or Chris Godwin spelled disaster for Tampa Bay. Atlanta’s secondary overwhelmed the patchwork receiver room. Tampa Bay’s defense could not contain Kirk Cousins and this offense. However, Cade Otton looks like a budding star.

15. Denver Broncos (20) 📈

I’m sure there were doubts about Sean Payton in Denver, but those are quickly being put to rest. Payton drafted Bo Nix, his first-ever first-round quarterback and we are finally starting to see the development and play from him we expected. Denver is getting better.

16. Chicago Bears (12)

Chicago didn’t necessarily do anything to lose this game except have one of their corners celebrate too early. The issue here is that Caleb Williams was outplayed by Jayden Daniels and that’s a tough pill to swallow. Especially when he was taken over by Daniels in this year’s draft.

17. Los Angeles Rams (21)

Welcome back Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua! The two-star receivers made a huge splash and overwhelmed Minnesota’s defense. This Rams team is getting healthier, and Matthew Stafford is the only one happier about that.

18. Seattle Seahawks (16)

Seattle lost to a superior Buffalo team, but I expected to see a much closer affair. Jaxon Smith-Njigba did not produce with DK Metcalf out and that was surprising. The run game will continue to be featured, but this passing game needs to start heating up.

19. Arizona Cardinals (22)

Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr. both went over the century mark, accounting for nearly half of Kyler Murray‘s passing yards. Expect to see this trend continue, with an uptick in Murray’s rushing ability displayed. It may not feel like it, but Arizona could be a sleeper for a Wild Card spot.

20. Dallas Cowboys (17)

For three quarters, this Cowboys offense looked putrid. You wouldn’t know that by looking at the box score. Dak Prescott threw two touchdowns both to CeeDee Lamb. Prescott targeted lamb on nearly half of his passes. While we love this for Lamb’s fantasy value, it’s not sustainable.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (18)

There was hope for the Bengals if they beat a good Eagles team this week. They faltered and now sit at 3-5 and 3 games out of a winnable AFC North title. They are currently 9th in the AFC and still have a chance at the Wild Card, but they have to turn it around ASAP.

22. Indianapolis Colts (23)

The Colts have benched Anthony Richardson in favor of Joe Flacco and we could have all seen that coming. Richardson has the worst QBR out of any passer over 100 attempts and Colts fans are feeling it. Flacco is looking to replicate his late-season magic from last year.

23. Cleveland Browns (30) 🚀

Who knew Jameis Winston would make this team good enough to beat the Ravens? Well, most of us knew it would improve the team, but beating the Ravens? That’s a huge win. Also, Cedric Tillman looks incredible in his increased role.

24. New York Giants (25)

Tyrone Tracy Jr. looked like a vintage version of Saquon in that Giants uniform. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough of a throwback to beat an improved Steelers team. This team has to find an answer at left tackle because my goodness it is atrocious.

25. New Orleans Saints (19)

Spencer Rattler was benched for Jake Haener, and it made a difference, but the Saints were still on the losing end of this one. Chris Olave looks healthy and ready to resume his role as WR1, although he may be a WR2 for fantasy purposes at best.

26. New England Patriots (29)

As Drake Maye entered the concussion protocol, a huge win against New York came with its cost. There aren’t any updates at this point but he will play again this season. Meanwhile, Hunter Henry looks like the Henry of old.

27. Miami Dolphins (26)

How do you lose that game? Just how? This team is the Jets in a different shade of green.

28. New York Jets (24)

Speaking of the Jets are “in a dark place”. No one else knows how or what to say anymore. A season with Super Bowl expectations has crumbled spectacularly.

29. Las Vegas Raiders (27)

The Raiders gave the Chiefs a run for their money, but let’s be honest. This team won’t win many games this season.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (32)

All three of Jacksonville’s starting receivers suffered injuries, to varying degrees. Trevor Lawrence had an exceptional game but it will be tough to duplicate.

31. Tennessee Titans (28)

Will Levis is not the answer and neither is Mason Rudolph. Calvin Ridley, though, may return to what we wanted after all.

32. Carolina Panthers (31)

Bryce Young may not be going anywhere at all after his performance this week.

Anthony Winters
Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, by way of Cincinnati, Ohio, this diehard Kansas City Chiefs, Michigan Wolverines, and Cincinnati Reds fan is dedicated to fantasy sports. Constantly touted as “obsessed” by friends and family members, Anthony likes to think it’s just a dedicated hobby. For over a decade now, Anthony has played in and commissioned many different types of leagues but prefers the confines of dynasty. Outside of fantasy sports, Anthony is a school counselor at a local high school who loves reading, biking, rollerblading, doing puzzles, and pretty much anything with his beautiful wife.
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