NFL Excellent Eight Power Rankings Week Nine

FL Excellent Eight Power Rankings Week 9

The Saints stay on top while the Giants drop out.  Baltimore gives Denver their first loss.  Halfway through the season the biggest surprise is the play of New Orleans led by Purdue graduate Drew Brees.

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1.    New Orleans Saints – The Saints remain unbeaten with a MNF win against division rival Atlanta.  Few believe NO is the NFL’s top team but they have the best passing game, one of the best running games, and a solid defense.  What more do you want?

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2.  Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings are starting to put it all together.  They have the Packer’s number, but Minnesota has bigger fish to fry.  They have their bye week this week to prepare them for easy games against Detroit and Seattle.  The NFC North is more or less wrapped up.

3.  Baltimore Ravens – Go ahead.  Rant and Rave all you want that Baltimore is rated too highly.  Try to convince me that the Rave-ns are not the third best team in the NFL right now.  Better yet, wait until they beat the surprising division leader #8 Cincinnati. 

4.  Denver Broncos – Everyone was waiting for Denver to lose.  There you go.  Now they can get on with proving they are a legitimate contender.  They don’t care too much about one loss.  They’re more worried about MNF and #6 Pittsburgh in this week’s top matchup.

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5.  Indianapolis Colts – The Colts are still undefeated after beating San Francisco by only two points at home.  Impress me by beating an improved Texans team on Sunday.  Impress me more by beating New England next week.

6.  Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers took a giant step by forcing Brett Favre into two turnovers and taking that game from #2 Minnesota.  They have a ways to go to be considered a serious contender though and can take another step against AFC leader Denver Monday night.

7.  New England Patriots – The Patriots bye week allowed them to get back into the right time zone after visiting Old England.  We’ll see if they are awake enough to handle a resurgent Miami squad.

8.  Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengals have the opportunity to win the AFC North.  Please note:  division rivals #6 Pittsburgh and #3 Baltimore are ahead of Cincy in the Excellent Eight.  The surprising Bengals can make a statement by beating Baltimore.