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Here are the Power Rankings following play in Week Nine. This is the first installment. The power rankings are derived using a unique formula putting emphasis on all facets of the game with certain categories having more impact on your team than other categories. Division games are important, as well as winning on the road.The Formula = (Winning % X .35) + (Average Points For X .05) + (Net Points X .11) + (Home Win % X .04) + (Road Win % X .09) + (Division Win % X .10) + (Win % Last 5 X .22) + (Yards For X .01) + ((100-yards Against) X .03)
1. New Orleans Saints (LW: 1) - 93.406
It may just be me, but is there some unwritten code that you must let the Saints win? This is the second week where the Saints have been down, but then the other team shut down and forgot how to play football. They're a great team, and win a bunch of ways, but these slow starts will come back to bite them.
2. Indianapolis Colts (LW: 2) - 91.247
Another week, and another tough win. You got to love the Texans-Colts games, as they always provide late game finishes. This week did not disappoint as the Texans missed a last second field goal to force overtime, and help keep the Colts record spotless. The Colts have a real test this Sunday when they take on the Patriots, who've had the Colts number as of late.
3. Minnesota Vikings (LW:3) - 75.210
With only one slip-up on the record, the Vikings should be set to make a second half run and are looking good to get a top two seed and a first round playoff bye. With home games against Detroit and Seattle upcoming, along with an unknown Bears team, the Vikings could very well be 10-1 before facing the Cardinals on the road. Look out.
4. New England Patriots (LW: 6) - 69.360
The Patriots are really starting to hit their stride. They've won four of their last five games, including three in a row. This stretch of the next three games will really give us insight on how good the Pats are. With road games at Indianapolis and New Orleans, and a home game against the Jets in an always-tough divisional game will really put this team to the test.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (LW: 7) - 68.048
I've been saying it all year, and I will say it again. The Bengals are for real folks, and they are a completely different team when Carson Palmer steps on that football field. With a sweep of the Ravens, and a game at Pittsburgh coming up this weekend, the Bengals have a chance to really solidify themselves and sweep the division. (Let's be honest, the Browns won't beat them in a few weeks.)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (LW: 8) - 67.403
They marched into Denver down a few starters, and still found a way to win. Rashard Mendenhall seems to be stepping in for Willie Parker very smoothly, and should be the starter as we hit the second half of the season. Pittsburgh needs to win this week to have a shot at the division crown against Cincinnati, but should still be in good shape for a playoff spot at 6-2 right now.
7. Dallas Cowboys (LW: 9) - 64.055
After being shot down for not playing anybody of significance, they marched into Philly and picked up a win. Not so fast. The offense didn't play all too well, and Philadelphia missed numerous opportunities to put themselves in the driver's seat. The Cowboys scored 17 points off of turnovers, but that's what you got to do in this league. They currently sit atop the NFC East, but they still have four division games to go.
8. Denver Broncos (LW: 4) - 60.912
Do you hear that? That's the footsteps of the San Diego Chargers coming up behind you again, Denver. I know we all remember the monumental collapse to give the Chargers the division last season. Well, after a 6-0 start, you're 6-2 with the Chargers breathing down your neck. Denver really needs to get themselves together again if they hope to hold on this time.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (LW: 5) - 56.028
You know, if I didn't follow football, I would think the Eagles have one, maybe two wins this season. The Philly media is all over these guys about terrible play, but last time I checked, they were a 5-3 football team with a 2-1 division record while just completing a 3 game stretch against those divisional opponents. Sure, they looked out of sync against the Cowboys, but the defense was stellar again with 17 of the Cowboys points coming off turnovers. If that offense gets going, Philadelphia can beat anybody they want.
10. Arizona Cardinals (LW: 14) - 55.662
After losing an embarrassing one to Carolina two weeks ago, the Cardinals struck back as Kurt Warner threw five touchdowns in a 41-21 victory over the Chicago Bears. Oh, and did I mention Anquan Boldin didn't play? The Cardinals have the offensive fire-power to beat anybody, but if Kurt Warner doesn't get great protection, the Cardinals are in trouble. They currently hold a two game lead on the weak NFC West and look to be good to take that division again.
11. San Diego Chargers (LW: 12) - 52.645
12. Atlanta Falcons (LW: 18) - 46.804
13. Houston Texans (LW: 10) - 44.338
14. Green Bay Packers (LW: 11) - 42.154
15. New York Giants (LW: 13) - 40.908
16. New York Jets (LW: 19) - 34.954
17. Baltimore Ravens (LW: 15) - 34.454
18. Miami Dolphins (LW: 17) - 33.918
19. Jacksonville Jaguars (LW: 22) - 33.170
20. Chicago Bears (LW: 16) - 33.009
21. San Francisco 49ers (LW: 21) - 28.695
22. Carolina Panthers (LW: 20) - 27.366
23. Seattle Seahawks (LW: 24) - 25.233
24. Buffalo Bills (LW: 23) - 20.941
25. Tennessee Titans (LW: 28) - 8.763
26. Washington Redskins (LW: 25) - 8.739
27. Oakland Raiders (LW: 26) - (-0.178)
28. Kansas City Chiefs (LW: 27) - (-2.952)
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LW: 32) - (-5.921)
30. St. Louis Rams (LW: 30) - (-10.111)
31. Cleveland Browns (LW: 31) - (-10.407)
32. Detroit Lions (LW: 29) - (-10.490)
