NFL Week 9 Power Rankings: Bengals and Cowboys on the Rise, 49ers and Chiefs fall

Week 9

10) San Francisco 49ers 5-3

A month ago, the Niners were considered the best team in the NFL. That has changed as injuries have taken a toll, and QB Brock Purdy has returned to the pack. The Niners were dominated at home by the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The biggest issue is not Purdy and the offense, it’s what has happened to a once-dominating defense.

9) Buffalo Bills 5-3

Bills fans should know by now that Josh Allen has returned to leading their offense by running and throwing. The Bills still struggled against the Bucs, but the offense was better. The defense is still having issues, and with a trip to Cincinnati coming the Bills better get it together quick.

8) Dallas Cowboys 5-2

Dak Prescott led the Cowboys back into action following their bye week with an outstanding passing game and confident throws all over the field. At the same time, both defense and special teams found their groove again as complementary units. The result: an emphatic victory against the Rams!

7) Detroit Lions 6-2

The Lions faltered against the Ravens in Week 8. Following their earlier loss against the Seahawks, however, they rebounded nicely against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night at home with a solid running game and defensive performances.

6) Cincinnati Bengals 4-3

Joe Burrow is back and healthy. The Bengals dominated the 49ers in San Fransisco on Sunday and looked like they have at the end of the last two years. The defense keeps improving, and I expect the Bengals to be at or near the top of these rankings in the next two weeks.

5) Miami Dolphins 6-2

The Dolphins quickly took care of their home trap game against the Patriots by unleashing their usual brand of offense, supported by key improved pressure and coverage defense . Mahomes and Hill should play well together again when they meet up in Frankfurt – keep an eye out, autobahn! The Chiefs vs Dolphins is shaping up as a classic.

4) Kansas City Chiefs 6-2

Patrick Mahomes was bound to lose to the Broncos at some point in his career, and it came last week as turnovers destroyed any chance that the Chiefs had to win the game. Perhaps they also looked forward to the track meet in Germany this weekend against Miami.

3) Jacksonville Jaguars 6-2

The Jaguars are on an AFC hot streak, having won five consecutive games. Along the way, they have dispatched the Bills and Steelers away from Jacksonville; their defense and offense continue making key plays under Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, respectively – only the bye week washed them down temporarily.

2) Baltimore Ravens 6-2

The Ravens may not receive many points for being careless defensively at the end of their Arizona game, but take into account they were coming off of a high after their rout of the Detroit Lions and had a letdown ahead of more significant contests. Still, Lamar Jackson and the running game were strong throughout.

1) Philadelphia Eagles 6-1

The Eagles made it another wild game with the Commanders this season, but they showed their offense with Jalen Hurts is fine getting it done when it can’t run. A.J. Brown seems to have become unstoppable downfield.