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NFL Power Rankings Following Week 9 Games: Eagles Break Jinx

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1 year ago

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Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles remain at number one in the Week 9 NFL Power Rankings. They have joint practices with the New Engalnd Patriots today.

After several weeks of movement at the top of the NFL Power Rankings, the Philadelphia Eagles were able to hold on to the top spot with a big win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Following three straight losses by the top team on the NFL Power Rankings, the Eagles were finally able to break the PFN jinx.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Arizona Cardinals solidified being ranked last in the league with another convincing loss. Nine weeks into the NFL season and the true contenders for both the Super Bowl and a high pick in the 2024 NFL Draft are starting to come into focus.

Once again, these NFL Power Rankings are not based on hypotheticals, potential or feelings. These rankings are based on reality. As Bill Parcells noted, “you are what your record says you are.” The only 8-1 team deserves to take the top spot in the rankings. Likewise, the lone 1-8 team should take up the rear, which they do.

With that in mind, the NFL Power Rankings from Patriots Football Now…

32. Arizona Cardinals (1-8)

As far as first NFL starts go, Cardinals QB Clayton Tune would like to forget this one quickly. The rookie passed for just 58 yards on 11-of-20 passing. He was also picked off twice. Tune led the Arizona offense to zero points and only 58 total yards in a 27-0 drubbing at the hands of the Cleveland Browns. Their offensive drives on Sunday went: punt, punt, punt, interception, punt, punt, punt, fumble, punt, interception, turnover on downs, punt, punt, end of game (facing fourth-and-16). If the fanbase of any NFL team ever thinks of complaining about their team’s offense, they will not find sympathy from Cardinals fans who sat through this one. Arizona hopes to get a boost this weekend when QB Kyler Murray is rumored to be making his season debut.

31. Carolina Panthers (1-7)

Another rookie quarterback with a tough game. QB Bryce Young threw three interceptions. Those turnovers included two interceptions returned for defensive touchdowns. The first came with 32 seconds remaining in the first half and made the score 20-3 in favor of Indianapolis. The Panthers were not able to make up much ground in the second half and the Colts held on for the 27-13 win. A week after registered their first win of the season against Houston, Carolina came crashing back to earth.

30. New York Giants (2-7)

The Giants lost both a game and a quarterback on Sunday. QB Daniel Jones had to exit with a knee injury. Tests have shown that Jones has a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2023 season.UDFA rookie Tommy DeVito came on in relief and have a tough beginning, with two-of-three passes getting intercepted after he entered the game. After the two turnovers, DeVito settled down quite a bit. From that point on he completed 14-of-17 passes for 164 yards and no more turnovers. He also threw his first NFL touchdown, hitting Wan’dale Robinson for a nine-yard scoring strike. Definitely way too little too late for the Giants though, as the Raiders cruised to the 30-6 win.

29. New England Patriots (2-7)

Things are going from bad to worse in New England this season. A comeback attempt against the Commanders fell short when a deflected pass was intercepted to end the game. For full recap, click here. For the Patriots Report Card in the loss, click here (two failing grades). There were bright spots in the 20-17 loss, including RB Rhamondre Stevenson (64-yard TD run), DT Christian Barmore (seven quarterback pressures), and LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (12 tackles, 2.0 sacks).

28. Chicago Bears (2-7)

The Bears made it to the fourth quarter tied 17-17 with the Saints. But in the final frame, New Orleans scored a touchdown and Chicago fumbled away their final possession. The 24-17 loss was remarkably close considering Chicago lost the turnover battle 5-to-0. QB Tyson Bagent accounted for four of those turnovers (three interceptions, lost fumble) but made some plays as well. Bagent connected with TE Cole Kmet (six receptions, 55 yards) on a pair of touchdown passes.

27. Los Angeles Rams (3-6)

With starting QB Matthew Stafford out, backup Brett Rypien got the start for the Rams. Unfortunately for L.A. their QB2 was unable to generate any offense on Sunday. In the 20-3 loss, Rypien completed 13-of-28 passes for 130 yards and an interception. He also had a second turnover on a fumble. LB Byron Young had a big game with 10 tackles (eight solo) and two sacks.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)

The Tampa Bay offense played excellent, but their defense simply couldn’t get any stops. QB Baker Mayfield threw for 265 yards, two touchdowns, and had no turnovers. Usually that is a recipe for success. Especially since the Buccaneers finally had some sort of rushing attack. RB Rachaad White rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns. TE Cade Otton had six receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns Tampa Bay was excellent for fantasy football owners on Sunday. Unfortunately the opposing QB was even better, as Texans rookie QB C.J. Stroud could not be stopped. The end result was a 39-37 Houston win. The Buccaneers have not won a game since Week 4, at which point they were 3-1. With another loss comes another stumble down the NFL Power Rankings.

25. Tennessee Titans (3-5)

QB Will Levis was not able to follow up his four touchdown debut with a similar performance. No touchdowns this time around, in a 20-16 loss on Thursday Night Football. Tennessee led 16-13 entering the fourth quarter but couldn’t hold on. They had a chance to win on their final drive and got the ball into the Pittsburgh red zone. But Levis threw an interception (his only turnover of the game) on the final Patriots possession. RB Derrick Henry had 75 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Titans.

24. Denver Broncos (3-5)

Perhaps the bye week came at a bad time for the Broncos. With consecutive wins heading into the break, Denver had been playing their best football of the season. Through six games their only win was against the Bears, who were winless at the time. Suddenly Sean Payton’s team is as close to the playoffs as the number one pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Will they come out of the bye week continuing their winning ways?

23. Green Bay Packers (3-5)

The Packers won their first game six weeks (four losses and a bye). They defeated the Rams by a final score of 20-3. RB Aaron Jones was a workhorse, taking 20 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown. He also had four receptions for 26 yards. QB Jordan Love did lose a fumble, but was very effective in the passing game. His stats from Sunday: 20-for-26 passing, 238 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. DB Jonathan Owens led the defensive effort with eight tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.

22. Atlanta Falcons (4-5)

It looks like the Falcons had their game won on Sunday, until an improbable final drive by the Vikings did them in. The loss drops Atlanta under .500 for the first time this season. Taylor Heineke lost his first start since replacing Desmond Ridder as the starting quarterback. He completed 21-of-38 passes for 268 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Turnovers on consecutive possessions at the end of the third quarter turned a 21-13 Atlanta lead into a 24-21 deficit. It looked like the Falcons still managed to pull out the win on Tyler Allgeier‘s late TD run, but the Vikings responded with a game-winning drive to seal their fate. LB Nate Landman led the defense with nine tackles and a sack.

21. Washington Commanders (4-5)

After the Commanders moved both Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the NFL Trade Deadline, it appeared Washington was throwing in the towel on the 2023 season. Apparently QB Sam Howell and friends did not get memo. Howell threw an awful interception to end the first half, but was otherwise very effective. He finished 29-of-45 passing, for 325 yards and a touchdown. Howell’s biggest play of the game might have been a run, as he scrambled for a 24-yard gain on a third-and-23 situation, breaking multiple tackles in the process. Jartvaious Martin sealed the win with his first career interception.

20. Indianapolis Colts (4-5)

The Colts put an end to their three-game losing streak with a 27-13 win over the Panthers. QB Gardner Minshew was not great, but he did not turn over the ball, unlike his counterpart. But the star of the game. was easily Indianapolis CB Kenny Moore. Not only did Moore have eight tackles on the afternoon, he scored half of the touchdowns. The Colts corner recorded a pick-six at the end of the first half. He then started the fourth quarter off in similar fashion. Before Kenny Moore on Sunday, the last time an NFL player had over 100 interception return yards and multiple touchdowns in the same game was on Nov. 18, 2007 (Antrel Rolle, Cardinals).

19. Las Vegas Raiders (4-5)

Interim head coach Antonio Pierce made a strong first impression in his bid to get the permanent job. Las Vegas faced the team he played five seasons for in the New York Giants, and easily prevailed 30-6. Rookie QB Aidan O’Connell got his first NFL start and walked away undefeated. O’Connell was not spectacular but he was mistake-free, which is good enough to win most NFL games. Old friend Jakobi Meyers scored on a 17-yard run and RB Josh Jacobs had 98 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the win. All-Pro DE Maxx Crosby had 3.0 sacks in the winning effort.

18. New York Jets (4-4)

Monday Night Football showcased once again what a solid defense the New York Jets have. It also showed how a team only good on one side of the ball is going to struggle to win NFL games. The final score: Jets lose 27-6. Charges QB Justin Herbert was held in check, but it was not nearly enough. New York lost three fumbles in the game, two by QB Zach Wilson. New York is not built to come from behind, and they were trailing 14-0 in the first quarter. The first Chargers touchdown was on a punt return, and the second followed a turnover on a fumble. These performances continue to feed the narrative of some that the New York Jets with Aaron Rodgers at QB are a Super Bowl contender.

17. Houston Texans (4-4)

The NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award won’t be given out for another few months, but already Texans QB C.J. Stroud might have his named engraved on the hardware. His final numbers on Sunday were unreal. Stroud’s stat line: 30-of-42 passing, 470 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions. His incredible performance led three Texans to surpass 100-yards receiving on Sunday. After an 0-and-2 start the Texans have been rolling. If not for a hiccup against the Panthers in Week 8 they could sitting in a playoff spot right now.

16. Los Angeles Chargers (4-4)

On Monday Night Football the Chargers accomplished something many were skeptical they could do. They earned a victory without QB Justin Herbert having a big game. Herbert threw for 136 yards on 16-of-30 passing. WR Keenan Allen had 77 yards on eight receptions to go over 10,000 receiving yards in his NFL career. The defense was excellent with DE Joey Bosa having 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. LB Khalil Mack chipped in with 2.0 sacks of his own. But the start of the game was punt returner Derius Davis. Before the L.A. offense had even taken the field, their defense forced a three-and-out on the Jets opening possession. Then Derius Davis fielded the punt at his own 13-yard line and took off. His 87-yard return ended in the end zone and gave the Chargers a 7-0 lead which they would never look back from

en route to a 27-6 win.

15. New Orleans Saints (5-4)

New Orleans forced five Chicago turnovers and protected the ball themselves. So, it is surprising they were only able to escape with a 24-17 win over the Bears. Just the same, any win is a good win in the NFL. QB Derek Carr was solid with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The offense relied heavily on Taysom Hill, who did a bit of everything on offensive. Hill threw a touchdown on his only pass attempt, led the team with 11 carries for 52 yards, and added four receptions for 13 yards and another TD. Defense was led by Demario Douglas. The linebacker finished with 10 tackles (eight solo), a sack, a tackle for loss, and forced a fumble.

14. Buffalo Bills (5-4)

Turnovers continue to haunt the Bills this season. On Sunday Night Football they lost the turnover battle two-to-zero. QB Josh Allen is tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions thrown, and has also fumbled three times. He did throw a touchdown pass at the end of the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late. The Bengals were able to run out the final 3:32 of the game and secure the win. DB Jordan Poyer led the Buffalo defense with 11 tackles (eight solo) and a TFL. Once near the top of the NFL Power Rankings, the Bills now are trying to avoid dropping into the bottom half of the rankings. If the playoffs began today, Buffalo would be on the outside looking in. Not something anyone expected when this season began.

13. Minnesota Vikings (5-4)

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins is out for the year. Backup QB Jaren Hall suffered a head injury early in the game. So, newly acquired QB Joshua Dobbs just stepped in and led Minnesota to victory. He admitted to not knowing the names of most of his teammates yet, after coming over at the NFL Trade Deadline. Dobbs threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in his Vikings debut. Most important, he led the game-winning drive at the end of the fourth quarter. With just 27 seconds remaining in regulation, Dobbs found Brandon Powell to secure the comeback 31-28 win over the Atlanta Falcons. LB Jordan Hicks led the defense with nine tackles (seven solo), a sack and two TFL.

12. San Francisco 49ers (5-3)

Unlike the Broncos, who were playing their best football before the bye, the 49ers were headed in the opposite direction. After a 5-0 start, earning them the top spot in the NFL Power Rankings, things have gone downhill in San Francisco. Perhaps the bye week allows them an opportunity to get a bit healthier and regroup. It will also give them a chance to meet their newest teammate, Chase Young. There is still a lot of season left for a team this talented to return to dominance.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)

The Steelers are on the brink of the top ten after a TNF victory over the Titans. Pittsburgh came up clutch in the fourth quarter. First they overcame a 16-13 deficit with a touchdown pass from Kenny Pickett to Dionte Johnson. The score capped off an impressive 94-yard drive. The running game was excellent, with Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris combining for 157 yards on 27 and scored a touchdown. LB Kwon Alexander clinched the win with an interception on the Titans final offensive play.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (5-3)

Joe Burrow has his mobility and his swagger back in Cincinnati. The Bengals held off the Bills on Sunday Night Football 24-18 for their fourth straight win. Cincinnati has not lost since October 1. Burrow was 31-of-44 passing for 348 yards, two touchdowns, and no turnovers. WR Tee Higgins had a breakout game with eight receptions for 110 yards. If Higgins gets back to playing like he is capable of, the Bengals offense can be lethal. LB Germaine Pratt had 10 tackles and forced a fumble, leading the second Buffalo turnover.

9. Cleveland Browns (5-3)

Trying to rebound from a tough loss to the Seahawks, the Cardinals were exactly the opponent the doctor ordered for the Browns. QB Deshaun Watson returned for Cleveland and threw for 219 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. WR Amari Cooper was happy to have his QB back, as he amassed 139 yards and a touchdown reception. But the Browns defense was the big story in this one, holding Arizona to only 58 total yards of offense on the afternoon. DE Dalvin Tomlinson had 2.5 sacks in the winning effort.

8. Seattle Seahawks (5-3)

The Seahawks had a stinker on Sunday. The offense and the defense were both ineffective, which is a bad combination against an excellent Ravens team. It was going to be a tough road game regardless, but 37-3 is far more lopsided than anyone was expecting. QB Geno Smith turned the ball over twice (interception, fumble). RB Kenneth Walker III had a rough afternoon, picking up 16 yards on nine carries. There was really not a lot for the Seahawks to feel good about in this one. Maybe just burn the film and move on to Week 10. If they play like that again, their stay in the top ten will be over soon. One area that certainly will need to improve regardless is the offensive line’s play.

7. Dallas Cowboys (5-3)

The Cowboys hit the road to take on the top team in the NFL Power Rankings on Sunday. They put up a great fight against their NFL East rival, but ultimately fell just short. Dallas had the ball at first-and-five at the Philadelphia six-yard line with only 27 seconds to play. But things unraveled from there. Dallas lost five yards on a false start, back to the 11-yard line. QB Dak Prescott then took an 11-yard sack; back to the 22. After an incomplete pass, the Cowboys were called for a delay of game penalty; back to the 27. In just 22 seconds of game time, the Cowboys managed to go backward 21 yards. The final play of the game was a completion to CeeDee Lamb, but he was brought down at the three-yard line as time expired, securing the Eagles win. Prescott finished 29-of-44 for 374 yards and three touchdowns. Lamb had 11 receptions for 191 yards. Each just needed a few more for the win.

6. Miami Dolphins (6-3)

Miami got themselves in too big of a hole to climb out of in Germany. A fumble by Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill led to a Chiefs defensive touchdown with under two minutes to play in the first half. It gave Kansas City a 21-0 halftime lead, which proved too much to overcome for Miami. RB Raheem Mostert rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Bradley Chubb had an active game on the edge with a sack, forced fumble and defended a pass as well. Neither of the high-flying offenses got to 200-yards passing in the slugfest.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2)

The Jaguars have not lost a game since September 24. Our PFN preseason pick to reach the AFC Championship Game is looking like a good bet to make some noise in 2023. They enjoyed a bye this week before gearing up to play the 49ers.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2)

Patrick Mahomes completed 20-of-30 passes for 185 yards, and two touchdowns. He did not throw any interceptions, but did lose a fumble. After the Chiefs got out to a 21-0 lead at halftime the offense stalled out in the second half. But Kansas City held on to beat Miami 21-14 in Germany. The defense sealed the win with a touchdown before half. CB Trent McDuffie (who also had nine tackles) knocked the ball loose from the Dolphins Tyreek Hill. The fumble was recovered by the Chiefs Mike Edwards, who lateraled to Bryan Cook. Cook took it 59 yards to the end zone for the defensive score.

3. Detroit Lions (6-2)

Detroit’s win over Kansas City in Week 1 earns them a tie-breaker here. And since the Chiefs beat the Jaguars, the Lions find themselves back near the top of the power rankings. Their most recent loss was to the Ravens, but based on how well Baltimore is playing that seems excusable if they can emerge from their bye looking good.

2. Baltimore Ravens (7-2)

The Ravens hosted a very good Seahawks team on Sunday and absolutely destroyed them. After a first quarter with five combined punts on five drives, the Ravens scored to open up the second quarter and never looked back. By halftime it was 17-3. At the end of the third quarter Baltimore led 30-3 and the game was as good as over. The Ravens added one last score for a 37-3 final score. RB Keaton Mitchell stole the show with 138 yards rushing on only nine carrier. He had a spectacular 40-yard touchdown run, which wasn’t even his best run of the afternoon. Baltimore also played great team defense, limiting Seattle to just 158 total yards.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-1)

With the Cowboys sitting on the Eagles doorstep in the final minute, it appeared the PFN Jinx might strike again. But a defensive stand, coupled with some self-destruction from Dallas, keeps Philadelphia in the top spot in the NFL Power Rankings. QB Jalen Hurts didn’t have monster numbers, but did what he needed to for the victory. He accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) and 243 total yards with no turnovers. Six different defenders were in on sacks. DE Brandon Graham led the way with 1.5 sacks and a TFL.

Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles remain at number one in the Week 9 NFL Power Rankings
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Award-winning blogger, Dan's work has also been featured on Fox Sports, Boston Metro, Barstool Sports, MLB.com, and many other outlets.

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