PFT’s Week 9 2020 power rankings

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1. Steelers (last week No. 1; 7-0): They could be here for a while.

2. Chiefs (No. 2; 7-1): We’re starting to take Patrick Mahomes for granted.

3. Seahawks (No. 7; 6-1): DK Metcalf is writing the opening chapters of a T.O/Moss career.

4. Buccaneers (No. 5; 5-2): They barely escaped a trap game.

5. Saints (No. 8; 5-2): They badly need Michael Thomas for Sunday night’s game at Tampa.

6. Titans (No. 3; 5-2): That loss to Pittsburgh caused them to lose a second game.

7. Ravens (No. 4; 5-2): If the Chiefs are Baltimore’s Kryptonite, the Steelers are the Ravens’ red sun of Krypton.

8. Bills (No. 9; 6-2): They’re heading for the playoffs, and quite possibly an early exit from them.

9. Packers (No. 6; 5-2): If the loss to the Bucs was an anomaly, what was the loss to Minnesota?

10. Cardinals (No. 11; 5-2): Could they win the division? (I think they could.)

11. Colts (No. 13; 5-2): The team that left Baltimore gets to prove itself against the team that moved to Baltimore.

12. Dolphins (No. 18; 4-3): With a defense like that Bob Griese could be the quarterback, at his current age.

13. Rams (No. 10; 5-3): Jared Goff is one of several good but not great NFL quarterbacks.

14. Raiders (No. 16; 4-3): The Raiders ultimately will go as far as Josh Jacobs will carry them.

15. Browns (No. 12; 5-3): Well, the Browns were right. They’re not better without OBJ.

16. Bears (No. 14; 5-3): How did they score 23 points?

17. Eagles (No. 21; 3-4-1): Yes, they won. But Carson Wentz isn’t who he used to be.

18. Broncos (No. 23; 3-4): Not even Tim Tebow could have pulled off that comeback.

19. Bengals (No. 25; 2-5-1): Joe Burrow is already the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year.

20. Vikings (No. 27; 2-5): Let Dalvin Cook. Every week.

21. 49ers (No. 15; 4-4): Jimmy G may no longer be the long-term answer, but Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard definitely aren’t the short-term answer.

22. Falcons (No. 26; 2-6): The rest of their schedule is brutal.

23. Patriots (No. 17; 2-5): Bill Belichick doesn’t make excuses; he makes bad decisions to call for an onside kick.

24. Panthers (No. 19; 3-5): They’ve still got a chance to crash the playoff party, if Christian McCaffrey comes back soon.

25. Washington (No. 24; 2-5): Don’t rule out a Washington run at the top of the division.

26. Lions (No. 22; 3-4): An NFC North elimination game looms at Minnesota on Sunday.

27. Chargers (No. 20; 2-5): With three blown leads of 17 points or more, Anthony Lynn undoubtedly is inching toward getting blown out of L.A.

28. Giants (No. 29; 1-6): Daniel Jones is playing just well enough to let one of his mistakes be responsible for the eventual loss.

29. Texans (No. 30; 1-6): The ultimate test of a team’s relevance is this — did anyone notice they didn’t play this weekend?

30. Cowboys (No. 28; 2-6): When you pin your hopes to Ben DiNucci, you get what you deserve.

31. Jaguars (No. 31; 1-6): It’s Jake Luton time. Or is it Luke Jaton time?

32. Jets (No. 32; 0-8): Avery Williamson has escaped from football’s Alcatraz.

62 responses to “PFT’s Week 9 2020 power rankings

  1. The Patriots are now behind the Falcons? Jeez….Florio must have lost a bet or something…

  2. 8. Bills (No. 9; 6-2): They’re heading for the playoffs, and quite possibly an early exit from them.
    ______________________________________________________________________

    Go ahead and doubt us… we love that underdog role… we feed off of it! #Billsmafia

  3. The packers have lost to everyone on this list over the past 8 years by an NFL record 9.2 point spread.

  4. Jordan Love sure is a tackling machine on the inside of their run defense. A.J. Dillon is such a deep threat at wide receiver, man they know how to draft.

  5. EAGLES at 17?…I want what your having..Eagles ARE BAD! Please watch them. They belong around 27.

  6. 30. Cowboys (No. 28; 2-6): When you pin your hopes to Ben DiNucci, you get what you deserve.

    Seriously? Entering the year they had likely the most enviable QB room in the league between Prescott, who I think know we can all agree is a top-10 QB, and Dalton, perhaps the most accomplished backup in the league. They didn’t “pin hope” on ever seeing DiNucci beyond the practice field. Awful observation. Guess everyone should plan for their starter to break an ankle AND their backup to take a cheap shot to the head.

  7. “Jared Goff is one of several good but not great NFL quarterbacks.”

    That is unusually kind for PFT. With the financial outlay the Rams have given him he has to be better than, occasionally great, normally serviceable but capable of being complete, total and utter garbage.

  8. “The Raiders ultimately will go as far as Josh Jacobs will carry them.” Spoken like someone who knows absolutely nothing about the Raiders.

  9. We know, the Chargers are the best 2 – 5 team in the history of the NFL and next week, they’ll be the best 2 – 6 team

  10. YouEnjoyMyself says:
    November 3, 2020 at 9:57 am

    Congrats to the Vikings for winning their annual Superbowl.
    ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    Thank You. Next we look forward to the annual first round playoff exit from the Packers!

  11. I’m not a Cowboys fan, and actually enjoy watching Jerry lose, but it’s kind of absurd to say they pinned their hopes on Ben DiNucci and got what they deserved and just ignore the fact they had two QBs with tons of experience go down.

  12. If we don’t address the run defense before the deadline then the Bills are headed for a 1st round elimination giving up 250+ yards on the ground.

  13. Head-2-Head I am still taking Panthers, Washington, Lions, Chargers and Giants over the Pats. Ergo, at #23, they are still to high. Other than that, these look about right.

  14. Have the packers beat anyone with a winning record at the time they played them? Has Overratedaaron beat a top five defense in the last five years? How can the defense be expected to bring home wins when 12 was so exceptionally overpaid? If he was so great, wouldn’t he make players around him better?

  15. 23. Patriots (No. 17; 2-5): Bill Belichick doesn’t make excuses; he makes bad decisions to call for an onside kick.

    ————

    That call gave them a chance to win. Based on the way the Bills were running, they would have burned 2 more min off the clock if they had driven the entire field. All else being equal, Cam would have have 2 min left to drive the field. Running game would have been taken away which would have gone even worse than it did with Denver. With 4 min the Patriots could run their whole offense, which was working. Cam fumbled, so it doesn’t matter, but I think that was part of the risk calculation of missing the Onside Kick. Of course that didn’t show any trust in the defense to stop Buffalo, but were they really going to stop them the way things were going? Holding to 3 was the only hope. Not a terrible call.

  16. Ravens hung 265 yards rushing and over 450 total yards of offense on the number one defense in the NFL. All of which means nothing if you turn the ball over 4 times. Ravens outplayed the Steelers on offense and defense, but man those turnovers were ugly. Tough loss.

  17. Holy Smokes says:
    Next we look forward to the annual first round playoff exit from the Packers!
    ==

    As a football fan, if I had to choose between my team making the playoffs and losing, or pinning my hopes on splitting a pair of regular-season games with a rival — because realistically that’s the best my team can hope for — I’ll choose the former every time.
    I suppose it’s natural, however, that lowered expectations are a natural by-product of six decades of mostly futility.
    For the record, the Packers have made the playoffs six times since 2002 and exited in the first round only once — back in 2013. In contrast, the Vikings have only four playoff appearances during that same span, and two of them ended in first-round exits. Just sayin’.

  18. A handful of plays and we’re ranking the Pats elsewhere. But it is what it is. One play against the Seahawks – WIN, hold one or both of Mahomes gift INTS (and a FG or two) – WIN, Cam doesn’t fumble, then they tie, maybe a TD, probably beat the Bills (okay, wishful, but it was looking decent) – WIN. Pats historically won these close games. Not this year. Less dead money next, year, maybe even sign Cam Newton to a deal. Cam has 298 yards to date. LOL – Brady had 34 yards last year. To date, Brady has…. 6 yards. Teams will start rushing 3 by the end of the year and life will return to normal for TB.

  19. EJ says: “Go ahead and doubt us… we love that underdog role… we feed off of it! #Billsmafia”

    Team fans are so corny.

  20. The Bucs’ road game performances are really hurting them. The inconsistency is real. If they can beat the Saints, they’ll be in great shape. A game now with Michael Thomas and Antonio Brown is a must watch primetime match up.

  21. Ravens hung 265 yards rushing and over 450 total yards of offense on the number one defense in the NFL. All of which means nothing if you turn the ball over 4 times. Ravens outplayed the Steelers on offense and defense, but man those turnovers were ugly. Tough loss.

    Stats are for losers….like the Ravens were so don’t make excuses. Score on the score board is all that counts ….not ifs and buts.

  22. A handful of plays and we’re ranking the Pats elsewhere. But it is what it is. One play against the Seahawks – WIN, hold one or both of Mahomes gift INTS (and a FG or two) – WIN, Cam doesn’t fumble, then they tie, maybe a TD, probably beat the Bills (okay, wishful, but it was looking decent) – WIN. Pats historically won these close games. Not this year. Less dead money next, year, maybe even sign Cam Newton to a deal. Cam has 298 yards to date. LOL – Brady had 34 yards last year. To date, Brady has…. 6 yards. Teams will start rushing 3 by the end of the year and life will return to normal for TB.

    ———–

    One completely illogical rule against the Raiders – LOSS in 2001 AFC Championship game. One missed kick against the Panthers – LOSS in Super Bowl XXXVIII. One missed kick against the Eagles – LOSS in Super Bowl XXXIX. One rush by Marshawn Lynch – LOSS in Super Bowl XLIX. One play, any play, by the Falcons – LOSS in Super Bowl LI.

    I don’t think this is a good game for Patriots fans to play.

  23. HOF bound A-aron still living off his single SB appearance a decade ago. Ties him with Matt Ryan.

  24. So, the NFL is now counting style points?

    The Bills are 6-2, and finding ways to win. The latter part has been the characteristic of many past Super Bowl winners – not all champions have been dominating teams w/ blowout after blowout.

    The playoffs are all about who gets hot in January, anyway. I love this year’s Bills team. Can’t wait for the Seattle game to see how they measure up to one of the league’s best.

  25. “The ultimate test of a team’s relevance is this — did anyone notice they didn’t play this weekend?” LOL. No, I didn’t notice.

  26. Holy Smokes says:
    November 3, 2020 at 10:25 am
    YouEnjoyMyself says:
    November 3, 2020 at 9:57 am

    Congrats to the Vikings for winning their annual Superbowl.
    ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    Thank You. Next we look forward to the annual first round playoff exit from the Packers!
    /////////////////////////////////////////////////
    What are you talking about? The Packers have won at least one playoff game each of the last 4 times they’ve made the playoffs.

  27. jameshodges says:
    November 3, 2020 at 11:39 am
    The Bucs’ road game performances are really hurting them. The inconsistency is real. If they can beat the Saints, they’ll be in great shape. A game now with Michael Thomas and Antonio Brown is a must watch primetime match up.

    Bucs were missing Goodwin last night & were making do with Jaydon Mickens who until last night had 2 receptions. As far as I can tell, he’d been a punt returner with Jacksonville & last year played one game with the Bucs. A lot of misses last night.

  28. Dolphin Wins – Jags, Jets, beat up 49ers, Rams (at home).
    Raiders Wins – Saints, KC (on road), Panthers (on road), Browns (on road)

    Dolphins losses – NE, Bills, Seattle
    Raiders losses – NE, Bills, Tampa

    Very similar loss resume but much different in wins category. Can you guess which PFTALK has ranked higher? HA Not surprising.

  29. citizenstrange says:

    November 3, 2020 at 10:52 am
    There is not much stopping the Steelers from going 16-0. GO STEELERS!

    You may be right. Just looked at the Steelers schedule & the only tough game coming up seems to be the Ravens at Heinz Field.

    They have Bengals twice, Cowboys, Washington, Jacksonville, Colts & Browns. Should be able to beat all those teams unless Joe Burrows pulls one out.

  30. Ranking should be simple. What team would you LEAST want to face. Is that the Steelers? The Chiefs?

  31. Facts confuse Cryking’s fans. They spout ridiculous claims with no possibility to back them up.

    But one thing is a fact and it involves their favorite team; The Minnesota Crykings lead the league in 1 an done exits from the playoffs. FACT!

  32. EJ says:
    November 3, 2020 at 9:45 am
    8. Bills (No. 9; 6-2): They’re heading for the playoffs, and quite possibly an early exit from them.
    ______________________________________________________________________

    Go ahead and doubt us… we love that underdog role… we feed off of it! #Billsmafia
    ———-

    LOL if you say so. I don’t remember Bills NOT being underdogs the past decade, haven’t seen much feeding going on either.

  33. Facts confuse Cryking’s fans. They spout ridiculous claims with no possibility to back them up.

    But one thing is a fact and it involves their favorite team; The Minnesota Crykings lead the league in 1 an done exits from the playoffs. FACT!

    ————

    Here’s another fact- the Crykings just beat the Packers last week.
    In GB

    If you think so lowly of Minnesota you may want to take a longer look at your own team

  34. I love this year’s Bills team. Can’t wait for the Seattle game to see how they measure up to one of the league’s best.

    ———

    Didn’t we see that a couple of weeks back when they played KC?

  35. cancerman2020 says:
    November 3, 2020 at 1:56 pm
    I love this year’s Bills team. Can’t wait for the Seattle game to see how they measure up to one of the league’s best.

    ———

    Didn’t we see that a couple of weeks back when they played KC?

    ———

    And the Titans. Ugh

  36. “A handful of plays and we’re ranking the Pats elsewhere.”

    Yeah chief, just about every team could make theses same arguments. The median point spread for any game is less than a touchdown, so “one play here or there” IS the game. That’s literally how football works, why coaches preach “mistake free” football.

  37. I’ve been saying don’t sleep on the Dolphins, Y’all kept laughing, Can you hear me now?

  38. 3. Seahawks (No. 7; 6-1): DK Metcalf is writing the opening chapters of a T.O/Moss career.
    _____________________________________________________

    Hopefully he gets a title and avoids the diva behavior.

  39. Wow …. how many times in the past 20 years have the Patriots been ranked 23rd????

  40. Ravens lose to the defending Super Bowl champs and an undefeated team and have three teams with two losses ranked ahead of them? One of those teams lost to the Bengals and another of those teams lost to the Bears. Seriously? Come on guys.

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