NFL Week 9 Power Rankings: The Eagles are soaring amid a crowded field of contenders, and each team's key player for the rest of the season

Record: 1-6-1

Week 8 result: Lost to the Titans, 17-10

Week 9 opponent: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (lost 29-17 on Thursday)

Most important player for the second half of the season: Davis Mills, QB.

The Texans will be in the running for the No. 1 pick, and next year's draft is highlighted by Heisman-worthy QBs in Bryce Petty and CJ Stroud. Can Mills play well enough down the stretch to make the Texans alter their plans? His first-half performance says no, but a strong second half could not only move the Texans out of the Top 2 in the draft — it might have them considering another position with their first-round pick.

Record: 2-6

Week 8 result: Lost to the Eagles, 35-13

Week 9 opponent: Bye

Most important player for the second half of the season: Najee Harris, RB.

The Steelers used a first-round pick on Harris in 2021, and the early results haven't been encouraging. Harris is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry this year after averaging 3.9 last year. Rookie running back Jaylen Warren has seen increased touches as the season has gone on. The Steelers have plenty of receiver talent and are seeing what they have in rookie QB Kenny Pickett, but Harris elevating his game could help transform a struggling offense.

Record: 1-6

Week 8 result: Lost to the Dolphins, 31-27

Week 9 opponent: vs. Green Bay Packers

Most important player(s) for the second half of the season: The defensive backs.

Detroit fired defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant this week after the Lions allowed 382 receiving yards to the Dolphins. The Lions have allowed the most points in the NFL and rank last in yards allowed per game. No. 1 pick Aidan Hutchinson has helped the pass rush, but the secondary needs major work.

Record: 2-6

Week 8 result: Lost to the Broncos, 21-17

Week 9 opponent: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Most important player for the second half of the season: Trevor Lawrence, QB.

The second-year passer needs to start proving more frequently that he was worthy of 2021's No. 1 pick. The Jags have lost five straight, while Lawrence has completed just 57.8% of his passes for four touchdowns and five interceptions. He threw a game-ending pick against the Broncos last week.

Record: 3-5

Week 8 result: Lost to the Cowboys, 49-29

Week 9 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins

Most important player for the second half of the season: Justin Fields, QB.

The Bears haven't made life easy on Fields so far, between the coaching of Matt Nagy last year, a conservative offense this year, and a glaring lack of playmakers. But Chicago did make a move at the deadline by sending a second-round pick to the Steelers for wide receiver Chase Claypool, who immediately becomes Fields' best target. Fields will have to show that he warrants investing more resources into offensive talent.

Record: 2-6

Week 8 result: Lost to Atlanta Falcons, 37-34

Week 9 opponent: at Cincinnati Bengals

Most important player for the second half of the season: Brian Burns, DE.

The Panthers reportedly turned down two first-round picks from the Rams for the fourth-year pass-rusher. Burns is emerging as a star, with five sacks, double what any of his other teammates have. Turning down two first-round picks certainly indicates that the Panthers view Burns as a franchise cornerstone and expect him to perform as such.

Record: 3-4-1

Week 8 result: Lost to the Commanders, 17-16

Week 9 opponent: at New England Patriots

Most important player for the second half of the season: Sam Ehlinger, QB.

The Colts benched Matt Ryan in favor of the 24-year-old Ehlinger. Having cycled through veteran QBs in recent years (Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Ryan), Indianapolis is signaling that it is evaluating the future of the position with the move. The Colts might be too good to tank for a Top 3 draft pick. Ehlinger could win this job for next year with a strong second half.

Record: 2-5

Week 8 result: Lost to the Saints, 24-0

Week 9 opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Most important player for the second half of the season:. Chandler Jones, DE.

Jones was one of the major pickups of the off-season, but he hasn't lived up to expectations so far. Jones has just .5 sacks, one tackle for loss, and is playing fewer snaps.

Record: 3-5

Week 8 result: Beat the Bengals, 32-13

Week 9 opponent: Bye

Most important player for the second half of the season: Deshaun Watson, QB.

Don't look now, but Watson's return from an 11-game suspension is just one month away. He is slated to start on December 4. The Browns have a tough schedule until then, with games against the Dolphins, Bills, and Bucs, but if they hang around .500, Watson's play will be a big factor in Cleveland's playoff chase.

Record: 3-5

Week 8 result: Beat the Raiders, 24-0

Week 9 opponent: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Most important player for the second half of the season: Alvin Kamara, RB.

It seems the Saints go as Karama goes. New Orleans is 2-1 in games where Kamara totals more than 100 yards from scrimmage. Kamara is the Saints' most dynamic playmaker, and as his touches have ramped up in recent weeks, so too has the Saints offense.

Record: 3-5

Week 8 result: Lost to the Vikings, 34-26

Week 9 opponent: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Most important player for the second half of the season: Rodney Hudson, C.

'The 33-year-old Hudson is a big part of the Cardinals offense, but he is dealing with a knee injury that has caused him to miss the last four weeks and will miss Week 9. Kyler Murray has been sacked 12 times in the last three games. The Cardinals are 1-3 without Hudson, who played every offensive snap Weeks 2-4 and who head coach Kliff Kingsbury called a "Pro Bowl-caliber player."

Record: 4-4

Week 8 result: Beat the Colts, 17-16

Week 9 opponent: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Most important player for the second half of the season: Chase Young, DE.

The second overall pick from the 2020 Draft returned to practice this week as he recovers from a torn ACL. Young may be a week away from playing, but it shouldn't be too controversial to say the Commanders could use the leader of their defense back on the field.

Record: 4-4

Week 8 result: Beat the Panthers, 37-34

Week 9 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Most important player for the second half of the season: Kyle Pitts, TE.

Pitts isn't in a pass-happy offense, but the Falcons are surely expecting more from the athletic tight end they took with the fourth overall pick last year. Pitts has just 21 catches for 258 yards and two touchdowns, trailing teammates like Drake London and Olamide Zaccheaus in receiving.

Record: 3-5

Week 8 result: Lost to the Bills, 27-17

Week 9 opponent: at Detroit Lions

Most important player for the second half of the season: Allen Lazard, WR.

Lazard was expected to become Aaron Rodgers' No. 1 receiver this year and has somewhat met that calling. He leads the team in receiving yards and touchdowns (despite only playing six games), but there is still room for improvement — he's averaging just 59.7 receiving yards per game. A jump in productivity (and health) could add some much-needed punch to the Packers offense.

Record: 3-5

Week 8 result: Lost to the Ravens, 27-22

Week 9 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Most important player for the second half of the season: Leonard Fournette, RB.

This may come as a surprise given the Bucs' struggles in the passing game, but those struggles are partially a result of a weak run game. Fournette has put up nice fantasy stats thanks to his five touchdowns, but he hasn't been effective after contact and has been slow to the line, according to FiveThirtyEight. He's averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. With Fournette serving as the rare bell-cow in the NFL these days, the Bucs need him to improve to take some pressure off of Tom Brady and the receivers.

Record: 3-5

Week 8 result: Beat the Jaguars, 21-17

Week 9 opponent: Bye

Most important player for the second half of the season: Russell Wilson, QB.

Wilson has been among this season's biggest disappointments, but he has shown signs of improvement lately. Given the Broncos investment into making him their franchise QB, he simply has to play better to push Denver into the playoff race.

Record: 4-4

Week 8 result: Beat the Jets, 22-17

Week 9 opponent: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Most important player for the second half of the season: Mac Jones, QB.

Bill Belichick hasn't shed a lot of light on how he views his quarterbacks. Jones, the 15th pick of the 2021 draft, got the start last week, but given how Belichick yanked Jones for Bailey Zappe mid-game in Week 7, it's tough to know if Jones' job is safe. It seems he'll have to earn it if he wants to be the team's franchise QB.

Record: 3-4

Week 8 result: Lost to the 49ers, 31-14

Week 9 opponent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Most important player(s) for the second half of the season: The offensive line.

The Rams have had injuries up and down their offensive line, and it's hurt the entire offense. Matthew Stafford has already been sacked 24 times this season, compared to 30 all of last year. The run game has struggled to get anything going. According to Pro Football Focus, the Rams don't have a healthy starting offensive lineman with a blocking grade above 70. If they can't turn things around, the reigning Super Bowl champs' season will likely continue to be a disappointment.

Record: 4-3

Week 8 result: Bye

Week 9 opponent: at Atlanta Falcons

Most important player for the second half of the season: Joey Bosa, DE.

The Chargers only got three games out of their dynamic pass-rusher this season before he suffered a groin injury. Bosa is making his way back and is week-to-week. The Chargers are surely looking forward to seeing him alongside Khalil Mack again — the two combined for 14 tackles and 5.5 sacks in their first two games together.

Record: 5-3

Week 8 result: Lost to the Patriots, 22-17

Week 9 opponent: vs. Buffalo Bills

Most important player for the second half of the season: Zach Wilson, QB.

Wilson needs to show some improvement over the Jets' final stretch. In 18 career games, the second-year QB, taken with the second overall pick last year, has completed just 55% of his passes, thrown 12 touchdowns to 16 interceptions, and posted a passer rating of 70. His three-interception performance in Week 8 was concerning, especially in a year where the Jets defense is giving them a chance to win each week.

Record: 5-3

Week 8 result: Beat the Giants, 27-13

Week 9 opponent: at Atlanta Falcons

Most important player for the second half of the season: Uchenna Nwosu, LB.

A free agent signing this past off-season, Nwosu has emerged as the face of the Seahawks defense. He leads the team in sacks with five and tackles for losses with six. The Seahawks as a team have racked up 14 sacks over the last three weeks. If they can keep up that pressure, it would help an offense that has been over-performing so far.

Record: 6-2

Week 8 result: Lost to the Seahawks, 27-13

Week 9 opponent: Bye

Most important player for the second half of the season: Darius Slayton, WR.

The Giants badly need some stability at wide receiver, and Slayton is one of the last healthy bodies. Slayton hasn't broken out as expected after a 740-yard, eight-touchdown rookie season in 2019. Now he'll have the chance. He already leads the Giants in receiving with just 232 yards.

Record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Beat the Texans, 17-10

Week 9 opponent: at Kansas City Chiefs

Most important player for the second half of the season: Derrick Henry, RB.

Henry ran for 219 yards and two touchdowns in Week 8, tying OJ Simpson and Adrian Peterson for the most 200-yard games of all time. He is the engine of the Titans offense, and after a slow-ish start to the season, he now has four consecutive games with more than 100 rushing yards. The Titans have won all four of those games and are riding a five-game win streak overall.

Record: 4-4

Week 8 result: Lost to the Browns, 32-13

Week 9 opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers

Most important player for the second half of the season: Jonah Williams, LT.

The Bengals revamped their offensive line over the off-season, but it hasn't shown, as they've struggled to develop a run game and Joe Burrow has been sacked 29 times. Williams, the 11th pick in the 2019 draft, was the lowest-graded lineman in a bad Monday loss in Week 8 and has now allowed more sacks than anyone else in the league, according to Cincy Jungle's John Sheeran.

Record: 4-4

Week 8 result: Beat the Rams, 31-14

Week 9 opponent: Bye

Most important player for the second half of the season: Christian McCaffrey, RB.

The Niners paid a huge price to acquire McCaffrey for games like Week 8 — when he scored rushing, receiving, and passing touchdowns. McCaffrey could take San Francisco's offense to the next level and serve as a reliable outlet for Jimmy Garoppolo, who plays better when he's not asked to do too much.

Record: 5-3

Week 8 result: Beat the Lions, 31-27

Week 9 opponent: at Chicago Bears

Most important player for the second half of the season: Tua Tagovailoa, QB.

Tagovailoa has already proven a lot of critics wrong with his strong play in 2022. The Dolphins are a fearsome pass offense, and Tagovailoa is part of that. Just look at how the Dolphins fared in the three games Tagovailoa was out with a concussion — three losses, all without topping 20 points. They're undefeated when he starts and finishes a game this year.

Record: 5-3

Week 8 result: Beat the Buccaneers, 27-22

Week 9 opponent: at New Orleans Saints

Most important player for the second half of the season: Lamar Jackson, QB.

Jackson is already the engine of the Ravens offense, but he is going to have to do even more going forward. Leading wide receiver Rashod Bateman is out for the year to undergo foot surgery, while the Ravens' running back corps have been a constant turnstile because of injuries. Jackson has been up and down this season but has a chance to prove just how much he's worth to Baltimore.

Record: 6-2

Week 8 result: Beat the Bears, 49-29

Week 9 opponent: Bye

Most important player for the second half of the season: Micah Parsons, LB.

The Cowboys' offensive players get lots of attention, but Parsons' play on defense may be what takes the team over the top. Parsons already has eight sacks, two passes defended, and two forced fumbles, and he's doing it while facing double teams. If Parsons can keep up his All-Pro level of play, the Cowboys will always have a shot.

Record: 6-1

Week 8 result: Beat the Cardinals, 34-26

Week 9 opponent: at Washington Commanders

Most important player for the second half of the season: Kirk Cousins, QB.

It may seem obvious, but there's a feeling that this team will go as far as Cousins takes them, or allows them. Cousins hasn't always played up to the moment in big games, but now he is in a passer-friendly offense with a litany of weapons. Cousins has been good, but not great this season. There is room for improvement, and the Vikings have an offense that could make serious noise in a wide-open NFC.

Record: 5-2

Week 8 result: Bye

Week 9 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans

Most important player for the second half of the season: Travis Kelce, TE.

It would be easy to name any big-name player on the roster, including QB Patrick Mahomes, but Kelce's absence would be felt the most. He already has 553 yards and seven touchdowns, accounting for about a third of Mahomes' TD passes. The Chiefs' wide receiver corps are more of a committee and lack a standout star — Kelce's reliability is what elevates the Chiefs' passing game.

Record: 6-1

Week 9 result: Beat the Packers, 27-17

Week 9 opponent: at New York Jets

Most important player for the second half of the season: Von Miller, DE.

Adding the 33-year-old pass-rusher was one of the biggest moves of the NFL off-season. The Bills have a complete offense and an MVP contender in Josh Allen, but their undoing in last year's playoffs was an inability to get their defense off the field. Miller's ability to get to the quarterback has already paid off this season — the Bills will need his ferocity through February.

Record: 8-0

Week 8 result: Beat the Steelers, 53-13

Week 9 opponent: at Houston Texans (won 29-17 on Thursday)

Most important player for the second half of the season: Jalen Hurts, QB.

Hurts' first-half play has him in the running for MVP. So far, the third-year QB has looked much more in command of the offense, showing greater accuracy and vision on the field. The Eagles are one of the most well-built teams in football, but their Super Bowl hopes may rest on Hurts truly remaining an elite QB.