Denver Broncos

Predominantly Orange Week Nine NFL Power Rankings

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Top-10 in the Power Rankings got shaken up again. There are two newcomers in the Top-5. Who’s for real and who is a pretender? Find out here.

What is really happening this season is that there are a few elite team, a few good teams, a lot of so-so teams, and a lot of bad teams. There are only four teams that have better than a plus-50 point differential halfway through the season—the Patriots, the Broncos, the Cowboys, and the Eagles. It’s no surprise that they all land in the top-10 in the Power Rankings. However, it makes it very difficult to rank everyone else. See what shakeups happened this week.

The Rankings

Oct 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) tries to break a tackle by Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) during the second half at New Era Field. The Patriots beat the Bills 41-25. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

1. New England Patriots (1)

Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan—The list of formidable pass-catchers for Tom Brady is huge. This offense is humming right now but will have their toughest test of the year coming up after their week nine bye. A rematch of Super Bowl XLIX will be played in Foxborough as the Seahawks bring their number-two-ranked scoring defense to try and stop Tom Brady and the Pats. It will also be interesting to see how the Pats defense fares after trading away their best defender in Jamie Collins. It’s a bold strategy, let’s see how it works out for them.

Oct 30, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates his game tying touchdown in the fourth quarter with receiver Dez Bryant (88) against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

2. Dallas Cowboys (2)

Just when Dak Prescott finally looked like a rookie—just when they thought the win-streak would be snapped—just when Tony Romo saw a flicker of hope that he could get his job back; Dak to Dez tied the game, and Dak Prescott solidified his spot as the starting QB—a sentiment that was echoed by Jerry Jones after the game. Dak Prescott is the starter in Dallas, and the Cowboys look like the team to beat in the NFC.

Oct 30, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby (29) returns a interception for a touchdown in the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

3. Denver Broncos (5)

The Broncos defense is beginning to round into form, even with a few key components out. Brandon Marshall and Aqib Talib were both spectators on Sunday but it didn’t matter one bit. Demarcus Ware made his return and helped this defense hit Phillip Rivers 13 times on the day. This looks like 2015 all over again—a putrid offense, an all-time defense. Remember how that worked out?

Oct 30, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith(11) gets ready to take a hit from Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson (53) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

4. Kansas City Chiefs (7)

Perhaps the beat down they took on national t.v. from the Steelers was the best thing to happen to the Chiefs. Since then, they have been the same dominant force they were to close the 2015 season. However Alex Smith was twice forced to leave the game against the Colts and will now have to pass concussion protocol to play next week. The good news—even if Smith can’t go, Nick Foles is most likely capable of beating the Jaguars.

Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) calls a play during overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Oakland Raiders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

5. Oakland Raiders (8)

Yes, the Raiders are 6-2. It should also be noted that they only have a +12 point differential for the entire year, and the year is halfway over. The Raiders also sport the 2nd worst defense in the NFL in terms of yards, and are 22nd in the league in terms of points per game surrendered. The only two times they have played a team with a winning record they lost. Their toughest test to date comes to town Sunday Night—the defending champion Denver Broncos.

Oct 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) celebrates a failed fourth down conversion by Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) in the fourth quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 33-32. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

6.Atlanta Falcons (9)

After back-to-back tough losses, the Falcons bounced back in a big way. Atlanta responded to a late Packers TD with a very late TD of their own. The Falcons were able to hold off the Packers despite a dominant performance by Aaron Rodgers—a tough feat. The Falcons needed this win as they are still only two games ahead of the Panthers in the loss column and don’t want to give any ground to the defending NFC champions.

Oct 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) stiff arms New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Craig Robertson (52) in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won, 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

7. Seattle Seahawks (3)

The Seahawks are really struggling on the offensive side of the ball and the only explanation is that Russell Wilson isn’t fully healthy. His rushing numbers aren’t even in the ballpark of what they’ve been in the past few years. Rushing the ball is what makes Wilson, and therefore the offense, dynamic. Rumor has it that Wilson will be shedding the knee brace next week. Things could really open up if that’s the case.

Oct 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) catches a touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago defeated Minnesota 20-10. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

8. Minnesota Vikings (4)

Back-to-back losses has to be concerning for the Vikings. It appears that the lack of a rushing attack is really catching up to them with Sam Bradford being somewhat figured out after nearly half a season as a starter. The struggles are real—hopefully Norv Turner can figure out how to score more points. The defense is good, but it’s not good enough to cover up the offensive flaws we have seen from this team in back-to-back weeks.

Oct 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) looks on from the sidelines against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (12)

There may not be a more miraculous healer out there then Big Ben Roethlisberger. Reports say he’ll be back for week nine after missing only one game and having a bye week. With Big Ben, the Steelers are a Super Bowl contender. Without him they are a 7-9 team.

Oct 30, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws a pass in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

10. Philadelphia Eagles (11)

He is only a rookie, and has his moments where he looks as much. With that said, Carson Wentz is very impressive. They may not have won the game, but they had a very good Cowboys team on the ropes—on the road nonetheless. Wentz is as good pre-snap as he is post-snap—his recall is almost Manning-like. They have a very bright future in Philadelphia if they can surround him with the right pieces.

Oct 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) scores a two point conversion past Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen (37) during the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Packers 33-32. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

11. Green Bay Packers (6)

Rodgers is still Rodgers, but the team that plays around him is just not clicking properly. The defense isn’t playing as well as in years past, and they seem to hit lulls offensively that we typically don’t see out of Green Bay. Something is just a little bit off with the Packers. Perhaps the tide will turn soon because this team has the talent to be a Super Bowl contender.

Oct 30, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs after a catch during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Cardinals 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

12. Arizona Cardinals (10)

The rematch of the NFC title game went about the same way as the first one. It was a completely one-sided affair dominated by the 1-5 Panthers. The Cardinals have been very up and down this season. The good news—the Seahawks lost to the Saints. That’s about all that went well for the Cardinals on Sunday.

Oct 23, 2016; London, United Kingdom; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) calls signals against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Twickenham Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

13. New York Giants (16)

It’s almost a crime to have the Giants this high in the rankings but considering the production of teams around them there wasn’t really anyone else deserving. The Giants are a good team but certainly have their issues. A pass rush would be helpful—makes you really wonder why they spent all that money on Oliver Vernon.

Oct 30, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) pushes off against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (27) during the fourth quarter at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

14. Washington Redskins (15)

The Bengals talent is far better than what their record indicates—especially with Tyler Eifert back in the lineup. This is a game the Bengals should have won, so to come away with a tie would be closer to a win for the Redskins, and a loss for the Bengals.

Oct 30, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first half against the Detroit Lions at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

15. Houston Texans (20)

While they certainly haven’t looked the part, the Texans are a 5-3 football team. It really comes down to whether or not they are playing at home or on the road. They have a 5-0 home mark and a 0-3 road mark. If this continues they will be an 8-8 team—a mark that would indicate the true level of play we’ve seen from this team.

Oct 30, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) attempts a fourth down pass in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 27-19. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

16. San Diego Chargers (13)

Phillip Rivers got knocked around like a rag doll all day long. It happens to the best of them when facing the Broncos defense. The team got a split against the Broncos and has far outplayed their 3-5 record. If the loss to the Broncos doesn’t derail their season, they could end up making a run at a 9-7 or 10-6 mark this year.

Oct 27, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a short gain in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium. The Titans won 36-22. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

17. Tennessee Titans (23)

The Titans were supposed to be a year away, but given the state of the AFC South, this could be their division to lose this year. The Texans don’t look like a 5-3 team, the Colts aren’t any good, the Jaguars are putrid. The Titans look like the best team in the division and very well could end up in the playoffs this year.

Oct 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) makes a catch and gets tackled by Buffalo Bills defensive back Jonathan Meeks (36) during the second half at New Era Field. The Patriots beat the Bills 41-25. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

18. Buffalo Bills (14)

Apparently Tom Brady is kind of a big deal. With Brady back, the Bills go from shutting out the Patriots on the road to getting destroyed at home. This is not to say that the Bills aren’t a good football team, but to think that they have any shot at winning the division after what we just witnessed would be foolish.

Oct 30, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs towards the goal line as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) defends during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

19. Carolina Panthers (28)

Are the Panthers back? That looked far more like the team that went to the Super Bowl than the 1-5 team that played the first six weeks of the season. Here’s the thing, they are only two games behind Atlanta in the loss column. If the Panthers get hot, they could still win the division.

Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) is tackled by Kwon Alexander (58) the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (18)

Tampa Bay just gave away the game to the Raiders due to a stupid defensive holding penalty. At this point, they just cannot be handing out wins when they are right behind Atlanta with a win in hand against the Falcons already this year.

Oct 30, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) runs against Washington Redskins cornerback Quinton Dunbar (47) during the third quarter at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

21.Cincinnati Bengals (19)

Tyler Eifert is back, so there are no more excuses for the Bengals. With the Steelers on a bye, the Bengals had a marvelous opportunity to make up some ground in the division. Instead they come away with a tie that is closer to a loss for them. The Bengals have a look of a team that is about to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) throws for a 66 yard towchdown pass in the game against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Buffalo Bills 28-25. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

22. Miami Dolphins (22)

The Dolphins have two very nice wins in a row and are now coming off their bye. They certainly seem to be showing improvement under first year coach Adam Gase. Now the key is to not regress at home against a Jets team that has won two in a row.

Oct 30, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks off the field after a play during the first half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

23. Detroit Lions (17)

Just when you think the Lions have turned the corner they go and deliver a dud like that. The Texans have been a horrible offensive team this year and the Lions had no problem making them look good. What a frustrating team to be a fan of.

Oct 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrates after a win against the Seattle Seahawks in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Seahawks 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

24. New Orleans Saints (29)

Nobody questions the Saints ability to play offense. What was surprising though, was their ability to hold the Seahawks offense to only 20 points. This was a good win for a Saints team that is still likely going nowhere. Then again, they are only one game behind the Falcons in the loss column. If they can just become average on defense, they’ll have a chance.

Oct 23, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Timmy Jernigan (99) runs with the ball after recovering a fumble during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Ravens 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

25. Baltimore Ravens (25)

The Ravens followed up a 3-0 start with a four game losing streak. Maybe a bye was just what they needed to get back on track. Pittsburgh coming to town isn’t exactly the greatest thing in the world for a struggling team—especially if Big Ben makes his return from injury.

Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Jets outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (55) makes a diving interception during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Jets won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

26. New York Jets (26)

Two wins in a row is nice, but beating the Browns isn’t anything to write home about. Go into Miami and beat the suddenly hot Dolphins and perhaps you are on to something.

Oct 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) looks to pass the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

27. Chicago Bears (30)

Where in the world did that come from? Good Cutler was on display Monday Night in his return from injury. Maybe the Vikings just weren’t ready for it. In any case, the Bears looked like a much improved team—the Vikings, not so much.

Oct 30, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dadi Nicolas (52) tries to elude Indianapolis Colts tackle Joe Haeg (73) as Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) looks for an open receiver at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

28. Indianapolis Colts (21)

Outside of Andrew Luck, T.Y. Hilton, and Adam Vinateri, the Colts are just an incredibly flawed roster at nearly every position. Luck will win them a few games, but a division title seems out of reach unless things drastically change.

Oct 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) takes the field for warm ups before the NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

29. Los Angeles Rams (27)

The bye would have been the perfect time to get your number one pick ready to play. With Case Keenum seemingly still the starter, the Rams may be letting Jared Goff ride the pine the whole year. Seems odd for a team that is going nowhere fast.

Oct 27, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns (88) rushes for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee won 36-22. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (24)

They fired their OC, now the rest of the coaching staff should be following him out the door. With the talent they have on this roster, it is embarrassing how bad they are. It starts with the head coach.

Oct 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) passes the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Levi

31. San Francisco 49ers (31)

A bye week for the Niners allows them two weeks to game plan for the Saints. They should be able to score some points on the Saints, but stopping the New Orleans will be the real challenge. Good luck.

Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) and quarterback Josh McCown (13) celebrate a first quarter touchdown against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

32. Cleveland Browns (32)

Statistically speaking, the Jets represented the Browns best opportunity of the season to post a victory. Whoops. Guess it doesn’t really matter who plays quarterback, they still can’t win. It gets pointed to nearly every week, but boy does Carson Wentz look good in Philadelphia.

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