NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand going into Week 9

Record: 7-0

Week 9 opponent: at Indianapolis Colts

Week 8 MVP: Can we just give it to this defense every week? Limiting Aaron Rodgers to 77 yards and no TDs is MVP-worthy, alright.

One thing to know: The Broncos traded for veteran TE Vernon Davis on Monday. Will Manning revitalize Davis? Will Davis revitalize Manning? Neither? Both?

Record: 7-0

Week 9 opponent: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 8 MVP: AJ Green, who went off for 118 yards and a game-winning TD late in the 4th quarter.

One thing to know: The Bengals could improve to 9-0 as their next two games come at home against the Browns and Texans.

Record: 6-1

Week 9 opponent: at Carolina Panthers

Week 8 MVP: Going to take a pass on this one.

One thing to know: This was only one loss, but it was concerning against a Broncos team many people didn't think could beat the Packers. Aaron Rodgers threw for only 77 yards, Eddie Lacy led all other offensive players with only 38 yards, and the defense let a declining Peyton Manning throw for 340 yards on 21-29 passing for 29 points.

Record: 7-0

Week 9 opponent: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 8 MVP: Luke Kuechly, who earned a +6.5 grade from PFF, with 14 tackles, eight stops, and an overtime interception that led to the Panthers' game-winning field goal.

One thing to know: The Panthers have now won 11 straight regular season games dating back to last season. They're legit.

Record: 4-4

Week 9 opponent: Bye

Week 8 MVP: Richard Sherman, who was tasked with guarding Dez Bryant in his return and allowed only one catch on five targets.

One thing to know: Despite getting back to .500, the Seahawks suffered a blow as receiver Ricardo Lockette has to undergo neck surgery after a scary injury that had him taken off the field in a stretcher.

Record: 6-2

Week 9 opponent: at Cleveland Browns

Week 8 MVP: Carson Palmer continues to deliver, throwing 374 yards with four touchdowns, one interception, and a 9.8 yards per catch average.

One thing to know: Justin Bethel joined an already stacked secondary with Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu, as he allowed just four catches on 10 targets with two tipped passes.

Record: 4-3

Week 9 opponent: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 8 MVP: It's Todd Gurley again, as he rushed for 133 yards and another touchdown. In four starts, he's logged more yards than any other running back in the Super Bowl era — he's already the NFL's best back.

One thing to know: Behind Gurley and a stout defense, the Rams are beginning to look like a serious playoff threat.

Record: 4-4

Week 9 opponent: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 8 MVP: Heath Miller. The veteran tight end had his best game of the season, hauling in 10 catches for 105 yards

One thing to know: Le’Veon Bell is out for the remainder of the season with a torn MCL. The good news? DeAngelo Williams has been very solid as a Steeler.

Record: 4-3

Week 9 opponent: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 8 MVP: Derek Carr, who was excellent against the Jets. The second-year QB threw for 4 TDs on 333 yards passing. He's been terrific all season long.

One thing to know: There's still a ton of football left, but a young and dynamic Raiders squad could make its first playoff appearance since 2002.

Record: 4-3

Week 9 opponent: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 8 MVP: Brandon Marshall continues to shine for the Green Machine, no matter which quarterback is throwing the ball to him him. Against the Raiders, he caught 9 passes for 108 yards.

One thing to know: Geno Smith made his first appearance of the year after Ryan Fitzpatrick hurt his left thumb. Smith briefly left the game with shoulder and abdomen injuries. Not great!

Record: 5-2

Week 9 opponent: vs. St. Louis Rams

Week 8 MVP: It appears Adrian Peterson did not eat shrimp this week as he rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown.

One thing to know: The Vikings are on their first three-game win streak since 2012.

Record: 6-2

Week 9 opponent: at San Francisco 49ers

Week 8 MVP: Julio Jones, who after a few slower weeks, busted out for 162 yards and a touchdown, which was the game-tying score to send it to overtime (where the Falcons lost).

One thing to know: The Falcons get a 49ers team led by Blaine Gabbert next week, which was apparently a planned move because the 49ers think the Falcons defense is weak.

Record: 4-4

Week 9 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week 8 MVP: Drew Brees. The 36-year-old quarterback threw a record-tying seven touchdowns with 505 yards in a win over the Giants.

One thing to know: The Giants and Saints combined for 101 points, the third-highest scoring game in NFL history.

Record: 4-4

Week 9 opponent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 8 MVP: Eli Manning threw for 350 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions ... in a loss!

One thing to know: The 13 combined touchdown passes by Manning and Drew Brees on Sunday were the most ever in an NFL game.

Record: 3-5

Week 9 opponent: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 8 MVP: Adam Vinatieri! The 42-year-old kicker had 4 FGs in rainy North Carolina last night, including a 24-yarder that sent the game to OT.

One thing to know: Somehow, despite Andrew Luck's injuries and the Colts' botched handling of them, this team is still tied for first place in the atrociously bad AFC South.

Record: 3-4

Week 9 opponent: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 8 MVP: Nobody — they had a bye!

One thing to know: The Eagles have the easiest remaining schedule of anyone in the NFC East, and despite a lousy start to the season, they're only one game behind the 4-4 Giants.

Record: 3-4

Week 9 opponent: at Buffalo Bills

Week 8 MVP:It’s hard to find an MVP in a week that featured a 36-7 loss, but we’ll give it to Jarvis Landry, who led the Dolphins with 71 receiving yards.

One thing to know: Cameron Wake is out for the season, which could be a season-crushing blow for the Dolphins.

Record: 3-4

Week 9 opponent: at New England Patriots

Week 8 MVP: Nobody — they had a bye!

One thing to know: It sounds like Washington will get to hang onto their third-string quarterback, Robert Griffin III — nobody wants to trade for him.

Record: 2-5

Week 9 opponent: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 8 MVP: Greg Hardy had PFF's best grade on the Cowboys, finishing with five pressures and an interception.

One thing to know: The Cowboys released 23-year-old running back Joseph Randle on Tuesday after Jerry Jones said he was concerned for Randle's mental well-being.

Record: 3-4

Week 9 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 8 MVP: Nobody — they had a bye!

One thing to know: Pro Bowl DT Kyle Williams is likely to miss the Bills’ next two games, which are must-wins if Rex Ryan’s team wants to nab a wild card spot.

Record: 2-6

Week 9 opponent: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 8 MVP: Daryl Smith, who led the game with 14 tackles.

One thing to know: Steve Smith is out for the season with a torn Achilles, but the Ravens still believe they can win out.

Record: 3-5

Week 9 opponent: Bye

Week 8 MVP: Alex Smith, who threw for two TDs and ran for 78 yards and another TD as the Chiefs dominated the Lions in London.

One thing to know: Jamaal Charles’ replacement is starting to get things going. Charcandick West followed up a 110 yard game with 97 yards and a TD on Sunday in London.

Record: 2-7

Week 9 opponent: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 8 MVP: Brian Hardline, who had 2 TDs on 4 catches.

One thing to know: The Browns were up 20-10 at home against the Cardinals, but failed to score any points in the second half while conceding 28.

Record: 2-6

Week 9 opponent: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 8 MVP: Philip Rivers continues to put up massive numbers and the Chargers continue to lose. He threw for 301 yards and 3 touchdowns, which wasn't enough on Sunday.

One thing to know: As if this team wasn’t injured enough, it lost Keenan Allen indefinitely to a ruptured kidney on Sunday.

Record: 2-5

Week 9 opponent: at San Diego Chargers

Week 8 MVP: Alshon Jeffery has been dominant since returning from injury, bringing in 10 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown in Week 8.

One thing to know: Matt Forte went down with a sprained knee, setting up Jeremy Langford to become the Bears' primary back for the time being.

Record: 3-4

Week 9 opponent: vs. New York Giants

Week 8 MVP: Jameis Winston was impressive in battling a surging Falcons team, going 16-29 for 177 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.

One thing to know: After a four-interception performance in Week 4, Winston hasn't turned the ball over in the past three games.

Record: 2-5

Week 9 opponent: at New York Jets

Week 8 MVP: Nobody — they had a bye!

One thing to know: Everyone is alive in the AFC South, even the 2-5 Jaguars. This division is atrocious.

Record: 3-5

Week 9 opponent: Bye

Week 8 MVP: Whitney Mercilus had 3.5 sacks, and the Texans set a franchise record for 7 total sacks on the day. (JJ Watt had 2.5, in case you've forgotten about him.)

One thing to know: Despite consistently finishing in the bottom five of these Power Rankings, the Texans are tied for first place in their division!

Record: 1-6

Week 9 opponent: at Houston Texans

Week 8 MVP: It's hard to find an MVP on this team at the moment, but we’ll give it to tight end Delanie Walker, who led the team in receiving with 62 yards.

One thing to know: Ken Whisenhurt went 3-20 as the head coach of the Titans. He was fired on Tuesday.

Record: 2-7

Week 9 opponent: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 8 MVP: Kicker Phil Dawson scored all six of the Niners' points, including a 54-yard field goal.

One thing to know: Colin Kaepernick is getting benched for Blaine Gabbert, and it seems like Kaepernick may be done in San Francisco, even if he wasn't traded at the deadline.

Record: 1-7

Week 9 opponent: Bye

Week 8 MVP: Cornerback Darius Slay continues to be a bright spot. He only allowed one catch in Week 8 and has given up just 189 yards on 25 targets this season, according to PFF.

One thing to know: Jim Caldwell blames the media for being so negative about the Lions season.

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