Jonathan Newton / THE WASHINGTON POST
The NFL season is halfway over for many of these teams that have played eight games thus far, and the questions are becoming reality right now. While it is not time to panic for teams such as Green Bay, Dallas, Cincinnati, Detroit, execution needs to be taken a whole different level if they expect to appear in the playoffs. Heading into the ninth weekend of the NFL season, here are your updated power rankings.
32. Kansas City Chiefs 1-6
This team is just horrid to watch whether we are talking about Brady Quinn, Matt Cassel or perhaps Ricky Stanzi starting under center. Mr. Bower could be traded and the defense cannot carry this team because they are simply not good enough.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-6
Blaine Gabbert finally played a well game overall, but the team still. Yes, they are improving slightly although they still stink.
30. Carolina Panthers 1-6
Another brutal loss sums up the season for this disappointing team.
29. New York Jets 3-5
Simply offensive!
28. Cleveland Browns 2-6
Hooray, the Browns have won their second game! They may actually win a few more if Trent can stay healthy.
27. Oakland Raiders 3-4
This team is still brutal, but not nearly as brutal as that team ranked at No. 32!
26. San Diego Chargers 3-4
Rivers and company are only getting worse, so it seems. The swag is gone and so is the talent.
25. St. Louis Rams 3-5
London was not very nice to them, and neither was New England.
24. New Orleans Saints 2-5
Repeat after me: This is one of the most overrated teams in the NFL and they will lose at least 10 games.
23. Buffalo Bills 3-4
This team would be so much better if C.J. Spiller just took over at quarterback, wildcat all day over Fitzpatrick throwing may actually help them. Too bad the decision making by Chan Gailey is among the worst in the league, thanks to a defense that is terrible.
22. Tennessee Titans 3-4
21. Arizona Cardinals 4-4
Their MNF showing deserves a laugh because quite frankly they embarrassed themselves.
20. Indianapolis Colts 4-3
Andrew Luck is the real deal as expected, and this team should finish in second for the AFC South. Too bad the Texans will clinch by Thanksgiving.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-4
18. Washington Redskins 3-5
RGIII was irrelevant against the Steelers, and sadly the help the rookie he has is nowhere to be found.
17. Philadelphia Eagles 3-4
Vick may lose his job sooner than later to Nick Foles, and it might just propel them to a potential playoff spot. Ah, who are we kidding this team has so many weaknesses that were exposed by the Falcons that it just makes you scratch your head.
16. Cincinnati Bengals 3-4
15. Detroit Lions 3-4
Nice victory over Seattle, but going up against the Packers twice and Chicago once more spells disaster. Can you say Madden cursed!
14. Minnesota Vikings 5-3
They are who we thought they were: .A decent .middle of the pack team at best!
13. Dallas Cowboys 3-4
This team does a better job than anybody on the planet in terms of getting your hopes up high because their lack of execution in the clutch is god awful. Jason Witten had a Hall of Fame day and his one-handed grab was absurd. Dez Bryant showed his freak skills, but it went all for naught as he went hand first out of bounds instead of letting his behind take him to what would have been a huge victory. Show up against Atlanta to shut up the nation.
12. Seattle Seahawks 4-4
Great defense, no turnovers and a tremendous running game can only help them down the road. This is your team to represent the NFC in the playoffs since they have tie-breakers over both the Packers and Cowboys. That said, their passing game still need to flourish or else they lose to a few teams that you simply cannot down the stretch (Bills, Rams).
11. Miami Dolphins 4-3
A vital victory on the road over the Jets will leap them into the conversation of AFC playoff contenders for the wild card. However Pittsburgh or Baltimore will take the one spot, so really it comes down to the Bills, Colts, Titans and perhaps the Bengals still.
10. Baltimore Ravens 5-2
9. Green Bay Packers 5-3
Winning ugly takes some skill, and a ton of luck. GB may have it although I am not buying them to win the NFC North, and they are far from a lock in terms of winning the wild card.
8. Denver Broncos 4-3
Peyton is simply the GOAT for a reason, and Denver will reap the benefits by hosting a playoff game against either the Steelers or Ravens.
7. San Francisco 49ers 6-2
Impressive road victory, although I fully expected the victory since they are one of the elite teams in the game on paper. Can they match up with the Bears, Giants or Falcons though?
6. Pittsburgh Steelers 4-3
The greatest 4-3 team ever maybe, thanks to a future Hall of Famer at quarterback. Also, the defense made RGIII look average….at best!
5. New York Giants 6-2
The G-Men looked brutal on offense although Dallas’ defense is legit. Eli could not get it going as it was an opportunistic and bend but don’t break defense that led the way (Tynes was clutch too).
4. New England Patriots 5-3
Everybody do the Gronk!
3. Houston Texans 6-1
2. Chicago Bears 6-1
Still the best defense in the NFL despite giving up some plays to Cam, but even a struggling offense finds ways to win close games. It will all pay off since they get to host the Texans in a few weeks. Win that one and all of a sudden they could be looking at a potential first-round bye and home field advantage throughout the postseason.
1. Atlanta Falcons 7-0
Simply the best, period. Only Alabama could maybe beat them, but seriously this defense is the best it has been in a decade and Matty Ice has good of a shot to win the MVP as anybody out there right now.
