Sporting Joe NFL Power Poll: Week 9

While neither Cleveland nor Cincinnati made the Power Poll this week, their Thursday night showdown may be the most important game of the week.  The winner of the Battle for Ohio will be the better positioned of the two to compete with their AFC North brethren for the division title.  Every team in the surprising AFC North is over .500, due in large part to games against the NFL’s most disappointing division, the NFC South.  Thursday night will kick off what should be a wild eight-week fight to the finish in the AFC North.

 

1)      New England- The Patriots dispatched Denver in impressive fashion.  The scariest thought for the rest of the league is that the Patriots have room for improvement.

            

2)      Green Bay- Perhaps this is too generous of a ranking for the Packers but Green Bay has something no other team in the tumultuous NFC can claim, Aaron Rodgers.  

       

3)      Denver-  Talking about an improved defense and the ability to win on the road in bad weather is great during the off-season.  Denver failed to deliver either aspect in Foxboro, which legitimizes the concerns circling this team.

4)      Arizona- Sunday’s victory in Dallas featured a rejuvenated Carson Palmer (249 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception).  The game also displayed Arizona’s ability to play stout defense and run the ball.

5)      Indianapolis-  There must be something in the water in Indy.  Much like Bill Polian’s Colts teams, Ryan Grigson's squad boasts an elite quarterback at the helm of a powerful offense.  As always in Indianapolis the season will be defined by how the defense plays.

   

6)      Dallas- Despite an off-season receiving the first team reps Brandon Weeden played like a failed NFL starter against Arizona.  Tony Romo is not an elite quarterback but Weeden’s performance illustrated Romo’s value to the team.

 

7)       Detroit- The returns of Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush should spark the offense.  The Lions are positioned to be an explosive offensive team and a stingy defensive club down the stretch.

  

8)      Philadelphia- Per Andy Benoit of MMQB.com, Mark Sanchez was more decisive and ran Chip Kelly’s attack more efficiently than Nick Foles had been prior to his injury.  The question is can Sanchez sustain his quality play?

9)      Baltimore-  The remainder of Baltimore’s schedule is manageable.  Trips to New Orleans and Miami appear to be the toughest tests left.  The Ravens still have time to vault to the top of the AFC North.

10) Pittsburgh- Despite thumping Baltimore (43-23) this past week the Steelers have not moved ahead of their rivals in this poll.  Pittsburgh’s success is due to Ben Roethlisberger’s historically brilliant playing (12 touchdown passes over the last two weeks).  History says that his production is unsustainable.