Half-way through the season and there’s virtually no movement at all at the top of the rankings. Thanks to a solid, and at least for me, predictable week, there wasn’t a ton in the middle either. We do have a new “worst team” and that should not be a surprise to anyone.
As always, we factor in performance against the spread to be a little scientific in the process. Here are your Against the Spread Power Rankings for NFL Week 9.
1. Los Angeles Rams (8-0, ATS: 5-3): The Rams escaped almost certain doom when Ty Montgomery fumbled on a kickoff return at the end of Sunday’s game. It’ll get no easier when they travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints. Last week: 1
2. New England Patriots (6-2, ATS: 5-3): No reason to feel too bad about a 25-6 win over the Bills. You covered and got out healthy. That’s plenty. Last week: 2
3. Kansas City Chiefs (7-1, ATS 7-1): Another week, another 30-point offensive performance from Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense. Last week: 3
4. New Orleans Saints (6-1, ATS: 5-2): The battle for NFC home-field begins Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EST when the Saints host the Rams at the Superdome. Last week: 4
Related: NFL Betting Guide | Week 9 Odds
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2-1, ATS: 4-3): Once again, an October Steelers team gets a Browns head coach fired. Last week: 6
6. Los Angeles Chargers (5-2, ATS: 3-4): I’m starting to believe, Anthony Lynn, so this is the perfect time for you to turn heel and ruin this whole Chargers season. Last week: 7
7. Minnesota Vikings (4-3-1,ATS: 4-4): That was a must-win against the Saints on Sunday, Vikings, and you were barely in it. Last week: 5
8. Carolina Panthers (5-2, ATS: 4-3): What’s happening in Carolina isn’t a secret anymore. These Panthers are good. Last week: 11
9. Cincinnati Bengals (5-3, ATS: 4-4): Any Super Bowl hopes are likely already out the window in Cincinnati, but a playoff appearance is still very much on the table. Last week: 8
10. Baltimore Ravens (4-4, ATS: 4-4): We’re in Week 9 and it looks very much like the Ravens’ season is on the line against the Steelers. Last week: 9
11 Washington Redskins (5-2, ATS: 5-2): The Redskins are looking a whole lot like a team that will host and lose a Wild Card game in the playoffs. Last week: 10
12. Houston Texans (5-3, ATS: 3-5): The Texans have won five games in a row. Bill O’Brien is safe as a coach. This is a disaster. Last week: 19
13. Seattle Seahawks (4-3, ATS: 4-3): If the Seahawks are going to stay in the Wild Card race, they’ll have to do it against the Chargers and Rams in consecutive weeks. Last week: 20
14. Philadelphia Eagles (4-4 ATS: 3-5): The Eagles have a much-needed bye. Even at .500, don’t count these birds out just yet. Last week: 12
15. Chicago Bears (4-3, ATS: 4-3): Just when the Bears need a real boost, the Buffalo Bills show up to save the day. Last week: 13
16. Green Bay Packers (3-3-1 ATS: 3-4): Trading away Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the second highest-graded safety in the league, is no way to contend for a playoff spot this season. Last week: 14
17. Detroit Lions (3-4, ATS: 5-2): Speaking of trades, the Lions added Damon Harrison, then turned around and traded away their best wide receiver in Golden Tate. Again, this is not how you contend in the NFL. Last week: 15
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-5,ATS: 3-5): The Jags shipped Dante Fowler Jr. to the Rams in a solid trade that could benefit both teams, just not at the same time. Last week: 16
19. Miami Dolphins (4-4, ATS: 4-4): Ryan Tannehill is going to end his career in Miami on the injury report. Brock Osweiler rolls on. Last week: 17
20. Atlanta Falcons (3-4, ATS: 2-5): The Falcons have dominated the second half of the last two seasons under Dan Quinn. Don’t be surprised to see that start this week against the Redskins. Last week: 18
21. New York Jets (3-5, ATS: 3-5): The Jets are building something positive, but are still a year away from being a factor. Last week: 21
22. Dallas Cowboys (3-4, ATS: 3-4): How much will Amari Cooper play Monday night against the Titans? It’s not like he’s coming from, or going into, an elite, hard-to-learn offense. Last week: 22
23. Tennessee Titans (3-4, ATS: 4-3): Marcus Mariota has nine more games to prove he’s an NFL starter. Last week: 23
24. Denver Broncos (3-5, ATS: 3-5): Speaking of NFL starters, can we stop being fooled by Case Keenum now? How many times does reality have to crash in on this poor guy’s head? Last week: 24
25. Indianapolis Colts (3-5, ATS: 4-4): As soon as I write off the Colts, they start winning again. Last week: 25
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4, ATS: 3-4): Dirk Koetter is banking on Ryan Fitzpatrick to save his job. We all know how this is going to end. Last week: 26
27. Arizona Cardinals (2-6, ATS: 4-4): Steve Wilks has coached eight games and already the firing rumbles have started. Last Week: 27
28. Cleveland Browns (2-5-1, ATS: 5-3): The only thing worse than Hue Jackson being head coach of the Browns is Gregg Williams being the head coach of the Browns. Last week: 27
29. San Francisco 49ers (1-7, ATS: 2-6): Just when you think it can’t get any worse for the 49ers, in comes Nick Mullens at quarterback. Last week: 29
30. Oakland Raiders (1-6, ATS: 2-5): As bad as the 49ers are, the Raiders still have some talent in spite of Jon Gruden’s best efforts. This Thursday night game should be a win. Last week: 30
31. New York Giants (1-7, ATS: 3-5): Blame Eli. Blame Odell. But this Giants offense looks a lot like the horrid offense Pat Shurmur ran in St. Louis and Cleveland. Last week: 31
32. Buffalo Bills (2-6, ATS: 3-5): Congratulations, Bills. You’re back where you belong. Nathan Peterman will make sure you stay here. Last week: 28
