To see Part 1 of the Week Nine NFL Power Rankings click here.
17. Washington Redskins – (4-3-1) Two ties in the NFL this season. What are the chances? I have no idea, but it’s only happened three times since the modern overtime era began (1986, 1997 and 2016). The Redskins are still an enigma to me. I still don’t think they’ll make the playoffs, but they’re better than I thought they were. Last week: 15
18. Carolina Panthers – (2-5) You can do me and every Los Angeles Rams fan a big favor this week Panthers if you beat the living hell out of them in L.A. America needs you, Carolina. Will you answer the call? Last week: 17
19. New Orleans Saints – (3-4) The Saints are looking at a real possibility of a 9-7 or better finish with the games coming up on their schedule. They may avoid that Hard Knocks appearance yet. Last week: 20
20. Indianapolis Colts – (3-5) While the Saints may escape their date with Hard Knocks, unless the Colts fire Chuck Pagano, you can go ahead and pencil them in. Last week: 18
21. New York Jets – (3-5) The Jets have won two in a row since the half-game benching of Ryan Fitzpatrick. They could make it four in a row with the Dolphins and Rams coming up on the schedule. Last week: 23
22. Baltimore Ravens – (3-4) If you’re going to get back into the mix this season, facing a Steelers team without Ben Roethlisberger is your chance. The offensive coordinator change hasn’t worked out and Joe Flacco is barely over 60 percent passing with five touchdown passes with six interceptions. Last week: 21
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (3-4) The Bucs shocked the Falcons in Week One. Can they do it again? Jameis Winston and Mike Evans are quickly becoming one of the most exciting pass hook-ups in the league. Last week: 22
24. Miami Dolphins – (3-4) Like the Jets, the Dolphins have won two in a row and have a significantly easier schedule ahead of them. Adam Gase could jump off the Coach Ineptitude List and into the Coach of the Year conversation with a run in the second half of the season. Last week: 24
25. Detroit Lions – (4-4) Jim Caldwell’s problem with the Lions is he can’t coach against Jeff Fisher and Jay Gruden every week. Detroit is just one of many solid, talented NFL teams hampered by a horrible head coach and an owner without the balls to cut bait when he’s obviously made a mistake in his hire. Last week: 25
26. Tennessee Titans – (4-4) Mike Mularkey won Toilet Bowl 3 against Gus Bradley last Thursday, cementing himself as just the second worst active coach in the NFL. So, kudos, Mike. With every win you doom this Titans team to another season of mediocrity. Last week: 28
27. Chicago Bears – (2-6) Jay Cutler came back Monday and played one his elite games. He’s good for about six of those a season. Luckily for the Bears, that was just his first with eight games left to go. Last week: 29
28. San Diego Chargers – (3-5) Mike McCoy was almost fired a few weeks ago and saved his job with a couple of wins. A loss to Mike Mularkey and the Titans may undo all that this Sunday. Last week: 26
29. Jacksonville Jaguars – (2-5) Gus Bradley is still employed, but the Jaguars fired offensive coordinator Greg Olson. The playclalling was a problem, sure, but this team’s main problem is wearing the headset backwards on the sideline. Last week: 27
30. Los Angeles Rams – (3-4) When Nick Foles carves up the Chiefs this week and the Rams lose to the Panthers, owner Stan Kronke should have Jeff Fisher escorted from the building like Bobcat Goldthwait in Scrooged. Last week: 30
31. San Francisco 49ers – (1-6) Does anyone still care what Colin Kaepnernick is doing pregame when what he’s doing during the game looks like refried hell? Last week: 31
32. Cleveland Browns – (0-8) The Browns are finding all new ways to lose games and it would break my heart if I didn’t want them to make history as the NFL’s second legit 0-16 team of the post free agency era. Last week: 32
