"NFL Power Rankings: Week Nine, Stayin' Alive"

Week eight has concluded and what a change of events it's been! 
These power rankings can be exhausting trying to figure out. As we've 
seen, anything can happen from week to week and that's a tough 
assessment for me as a journalist. I've tried to keep it fair, honest and 
unapologetic with each team. You're either elite and stay consistent or 
fall down the ladder trying to pick back up. Without further due, here we 
go!

1. Indianapolis Colts: 7-1 (Wk 8 ranking: 1st) 
What have I been saying since the season started? The biggest and 
dark horse team is Indianapolis. If you've been living under a rock, this 
Colts team is complete from top to bottom. Strong offensive line, best 
running back in Johnathan Taylor, Daniel Jones looks like the MVP 
through eight games. Head coach Shane Steichen has worked wonders 
with Jones. Indianapolis sits atop first place in a very contentious AFC. 
Along scoring thirty-five points a game, they can beat you in multiple 
ways. Defense has been solid and still a couple hurdles to jump: 
Pittsburgh and Kansas City. Win both of those games or split, I believe 
the Colts are going to have their best record since the 2009 season. 

2. Los Angeles Rams: 5-2 (Wk 8 ranking: 2nd)
A much needed bye week before the Rams playoff push begins. A 
dominant win across the pond versus Jacksonville, LA's road to 
claiming the NFC West will be tough. In a crowded NFC, there's zero 
room for error. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and this offense could be 
healthy and more potent coming out their bye. I really like this defense 
and most importantly: head coach Sean McVay. With a battle wounded 
San Francisco 49ers team, this will determine rather they can separate 

themselves and rise to first in the NFC West. Knowing this team, it's 
right on schedule to "ram" the west.

3. Detroit Lions: 5-2 (Wk 8 ranking: 4th)
The Lions roar up in this week's rankings thanks to a much needed win 
over injured Tampa Bay last Monday night. Even though the offense 
stalled, defense stepped up and bit some kneecaps. Now, you may be 
asking: "why are they ranked this high?" Again, I look for consistency 
and dominance on a weekly basis. The toughest part of their schedule 
will raise the manes in roaring to the top. With division rival Minnesota 
sailing into town, it's going to be a grit and grind game. Washington 
(winnable game), primetime matchup in Philadelphia, back to back 
home games in New York Giants and Thanksgiving hosting Green Bay. 

4. Seattle Seahawks: 5-2 (Wk 8 ranking: 6th)
This is one of the stranger teams I've had to study. One week they look 
dominant and hold on for dear life the following. Sitting atop of the NFC 
West, I have them at this spot. Reason, LA Rams have been more 
consistent on both sides. Credit, quarterback Sam Darnold has given 
this team reason to believe in bigger playoff moments come January. 
Wide receiver JSN is emerging as a top seven player and there's going 
to be a big check written next offseason. This defense is really good and 
travels well; a recipe for success. For Seattle, an east coast road trip to
Washington; with two divisional games sandwiched between Arizona
and Los Angeles. A favorable schedule but now it's time to see if Seattle
is for real.

5. New England Patriots: 6-2 (Wk 8 ranking: 9th)
Quarterback Drake Maye... Playing elite MVP level football each week
and making his case for best quarterback right now. Another surprise
team nobody thought would be here, but making the highest leap in my
rankings. In just his second season, Maye has been picking up the

game faster; while avoiding turning the ball over. With a strong run
game, solid passing attack and top ten defense, New England needs to
flip the script and take control of a weak AFC East. With a pretty
favorable schedule, the Patriots can easily run off wins over Atlanta,
Tampa Bay, New York Jets and Cincinnati.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-2 (Wk 8 ranking: 5th)
A injured battled Bucs team sailed into Detroit and were left with veteran
wide receiver Mike Evans concussed and fractured collarbone.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield is still playing solid football with backups
and keep the ship afloat. In a weird twist of events, their rival Carolina
Panthers are .500 for the first time in... Who knows? (Side joke) Tampa
Bay controls their playoff destiny as we approach November. With a
tough stretch including New England, back to back road games in
Buffalo and Los Angeles to play the Rams. The Bucs playoff hopes
hinge on two games which can derail or keep distance from Carolina.

7. Buffalo Bills: 5-2 (Wk 8 ranking: 7th)
Sitting in the same spot, Buffalo got their get right game versus Carolina
in blowout fashion. But left with star defensive rusher Ed Oliver who
could be out for a few weeks. In what's been a crazy start, the Bills look
the part and then go roaming off into the pastures like they don't know
their way. Reigning MVP Josh Allen will need to play flawless football as
the toughest gauntlet awaits: a primetime home game versus Kansas
City. All the story lines which will build up and see who'll show up. A
couple winnable games in Miami and Houston, the Bills need to be up
for each game.

8. Philadelphia Eagles: 6-2 (Wk 8 ranking: 8th)
Back to back wins after two straight losses, the Eagles flew over and got
their revenge versus New York Giants. More drama and subliminal
posts from star wide receiver AJ Brown. He didn't play and they didn't

miss him whatsoever. The biggest aspect of much needed juice: RUN
GAME! We finally seen Saquon Barkley hit a home run touchdown on
the first possession. Felt like a burden was lifted and Philadelphia never
looked back. The downfall: "tush-push" is going to eventually be
abolished. This can't go on forever in a day! Philly is like the New York
Yankees: if they're not hitting home runs, what's their offense? The
"tush-push" is their go-to play and everyone knows it. A defense which
can be torched, mainly in the secondary. With a much needed bye week
before the gauntlet of four games in seventeen days, Philly needs to
mentally prepared. Green Bay, Detroit, Dallas and Chicago await in two
weeks.

9. Green Bay Packers: 5-1-1 (Wk 8 ranking: N/A)
Making their debut, Green Bay has been rolling since a hiccup in
Cleveland. After a masterful performance by quarterback Jordan Love
Sunday night at Pittsburgh, Green Bay played flawless. My only
concern: will they keep distance in a very tough NFC North and
maintain pace in the NFC? Offensive arsenal in the run and passing
game, a top five defense; Green Bay's gauntlet will test this young
team's morale. With an interesting game versus Carolina, it's a
*beware* game. Road games at Philadelphia and New York Giants...
Minnesota at home before the Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit.

10. Denver Broncos: 6-2 (Wk 8 ranking: N/A)
Making their debut on my list, Denver has been one of the best
defenses in football. Second year quarterback Bo Nix has vastly
improved every week and the numbers back it up. In a very tough AFC
West, the Broncos sit atop with a five game winning streak. Cornerback
Patrick Surtain II suffered an injury Sunday versus Dallas and could
miss multiple weeks. A big dent in what Denver likes to do surrounding
their star cornerback. With the offense humming at the right time, a trip
to Houston before two crucial divisional games versus Las Vegas and

Kansas City. Keeping pace and separation from the Chiefs is the mantra
for Denver heading into November.