NFL Week 9 Power Rankings

By Djack

ESPN's Power Rankings
"1. New England Patriots 2016 record: 7-1
Week 8 ranking:1
​The Patriots were near the apex of the rankings even without quarterback Tom Brady, so now that he's back into the full swing of things, is it any surprise New England is the top dog? Brady heads into the bye 4-0 with 12 touchdown passes and no interceptions.
2. Dallas Cowboys 2016 record: 6-1
Week 8 ranking: 4
A big reason for the Cowboys' success is their star rookies: QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott. According to Elias, Prescott and Johnny Lujack (1948 Bears) are the only rookie quarterbacks to start 6-1 in NFL history.
3. Denver Broncos 2016 record: 6-2
Week 8 ranking: 3
It's possible the Broncos are still being underestimated, despite their 6-2 start. The defense has forced 16 turnovers (tied for most in the NFL) and allowed only 17 points per game. On top of that, the Broncos have thrown eight fewer interceptions than they did by this point last season.
4. Seattle Seahawks 2016 record: 4-2-1
Week 8 ranking: 2
The Seahawks are still a top-five team, but that's mostly thanks to their defense. QB Russell Wilson doesn't seem himself lately (thanks to injuries, among other factors), and his rushing numbers back that up. Wilson has 44 rush yards this season, tied for 20th among quarterbacks. Whom is he tied with? Tom Brady.
5. Green Bay Packers 2016 record: 4-3
Week 8 ranking: 6 
The Packers are about where they were at the start of the season, despite a 4-3 record entering Week 9. That's not bad for a team that had three players each record their first touchdown receptions in Week 8, thanks to a multitude of injuries. If this team can get fully healthy, watch out.
6. Oakland Raiders 2016 record: 6-2
Week 8 ranking: 11
The Raiders are off to their best eight-game start since 2001, despite allowing the second-most yards per game and committing the most penalties. QB Derek Carr has kept the Raiders afloat, throwing 16 of his 17 touchdowns with the score within eight points (most in the NFL).
7. Minnesota Vikings 2016 record: 5-2
Week 8 ranking: 5
Not many anticipated that the Vikings would rise as high as they did after losing QB Teddy Bridgewater to a season-ending injury in late August. But with Sam Bradford's recent struggles, taking 11 sacks the past two games, a bigger drop-off could be in store if the problems aren't corrected.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers 2016 record: 4-3
Week 8 ranking: 8
The Steelers have dipped a bit in the rankings since the start of the season. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's absence hasn't helped. Let the record show: Steelers QBs not named Roethlisberger are 1-6 against the Ravens (Pittsburgh's Week 9 opponent) since he became the starter.
9. Atlanta Falcons 2016 record: 5-3
Week 8 ranking: 10 
ESPN's efficiency rankings have the Falcons at No. 2 offensively, trailing only the Patriots. That top offense has moved the Falcons from No. 22 to No. 9 in this week's rankings, but their 26th-ranked defense could get in the way of future movement in this poll if they're not careful.
10. Philadelphia Eagles 2016 record: 4-3
Week 8 ranking: 12
The Eagles have dropped three of their past four games, but all of the losses have been close (seven points or fewer), and all have been on the road. QB Carson Wentz will prove his mettle in upcoming weeks, though, as the Eagles take on the Giants, Falcons, Seahawks and Packers." -Via ESPN Stats & Information

Djack's Power Rankings
1. New England Patriots 2016 record: 7-1
​Week 8 ranking: 1
The Patriots exacted revenge last week against the Bills proving that the only way to beat them is when their third string quarterback with an injured hand is playing. Patriots remain the clear #1 team in the league with the gap between them and #2 growing each and every week.
2.Dallas Cowboys 2016 record: 6-1
Week 8 ranking: 4
I was reluctant to put the Cowboys #2 on the power rankings after such an awful outing against Philadelphia, but the rest of the NFL's power house teams lost forcing me to move them up in the rankings. Cowboys have an easy win next week against the Browns so Dakmania isn't over quite yet since he'll look like a phenom against a JV Browns team.
3. Denver Broncos 2016 record: 6-2
Week 8 ranking: 6
Broncos finally get back into the win column after back to back losses in the previous weeks. The offense still doesn't look great, but the defense continues to force turnovers regularly making it nearly impossible for teams to beat them.
4. Oakland Raiders 2016 record: 5-2
Week 8 ranking: 5
This team just knows how to win ball games, it's not always pretty, it certainly ain't always easy, but they seem to be getting the job done with regularity. Derek Carr continues to build an MVP resume as he leads his team on game winning drives almost every week, if this team can get their defense to play a little better this team can be a serious threat in the AFC.
5. Seattle Seahawks 2016 record: 4-2-1
Week 8 ranking: 2
Seattle is a Super Bowl contender there's no doubt in my mind about that, but right now they're struggling mightily because of injuries to their quarterback, running back, and now star defensive end Michael Bennett. Seahawks are going to win the NFC West and most likely will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, but right now they're banged up, and it's reflecting on the field badly.
6. Green Bay Packers 2016 record: 4-3
Week 8 ranking: N/A
Packers, mainly Aaron Rodgers, finally showed me and the rest of the world what we knew this passing game is capable of despite it coming in a loss. For the first time this season I saw Aaron Rodgers making his typical Aaron Rodger like throws and the Packers just so happened to run into a good Falcons team at home. I could see the Pack getting on a nice little win streak starting next week.
7. Atlanta Falcons 2016 record: 5-3
Week 8 ranking: N/A
I know the Falcons beat the Packers so you would think why aren't they ahead of them, well the Falcons were at home, the Packers kind of blew it, and the Falcons going forward will begin to struggle on the road as weather gets colder. Falcons are a pretty real team at home they can certainly play with the best of them, I just don't see it transfer when they aren't in the dome, Falcons are going to be a very streaky team the rest of the season.
8.Pittsburgh Steelers record: 4-3
Week 8 ranking: 7
Coming off a much needed bye so that they can get Big Ben healthy although it still might be another week before his return, the Steelers should return to dominate form soon. The defense has been shaky on multiple occasions this season, but I feel once this offense gets a certain chemistry and rhythm down it won't really matter much how bad the defense plays with the way this offense is going to be putting up points.
9. Minnesota Vikings 2016 record: 5-2
Week 8 ranking: 3
No offensive line or offense in general and teams are no longer having any problem exposing them. I mean when the Chicago Bears are shutting you done it's pretty evident everyone's going to continue to do so. The Vikings defense even looked shaky against a Bears offense that hasn't been good against bad defenses, maybe the Vikings faked us all out in the beginning of the season because they look awful lately.
10. Kansas City Chiefs 2016 record: 5-2
Week 8 ranking: 8
The Chiefs continue to look good, but with Jamal Charles hitting IR and uncertainty with how long Alex Smith will be out for the Chiefs offense is in some jeopardy. West has done a good job keeping the run game effective for Kansas City and Nick Foles looked good last week so maybe the Chiefs will keep on rolling, but losing your two best offensive players is cause for you to drop in the rankings despite coming off a solid win.