2020 NFL Power Rankings – Week 09

1.Pittsburgh Steelers (7-0): The Steelers are undefeated and with the next three games against the Cowboys, Bengals, and Jaguars, it is likely that they will be undefeated for their Thanksgiving Day game at home against the Ravens. Next: -13.5 at Dallas Cowboys – Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 42 (ATS: 6-1 – O/U: 4-2-1)

2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-1): The Chiefs were 19.5-point favorites against the Jets and easily covered that betting line in their 35-9 rout. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had his usual terrific performance, throwing five touchdowns and 416 yards. Next: -10.5 vs Carolina Panthers - Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 52.5 (ATS: 6-2 – O/U: 3-5)

3. Seattle Seahawks (6-1): The Seahawks rebounded from their lone loss of the season to Arizona behind a surprisingly good defensive effort and the usual good performance from quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver DK Metcalf. Wilson threw four touchdown passes and Metcalf caught two of the four touchdown passes. Next: -2.5 at Buffalo Bills – Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 54 (ATS: 5-2 – O/U: 5-2)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2): The Buccaneers escaped from New Jersey with a victory over the Giants on Monday Night, winning 25-23 on a controversial non-call on what appeared to be a pass interference penalty on the Bucs. They will need to be better this week. Next: -4.5 vs New Orleans Saints - Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 54.5 (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 5-3)

5. Green Bay Packers (5-2): The Packers have not looked the same since their bye week. For the second time in three weeks, the Pack lost and were shredded on the ground, with Dalvin Cook rushing for 163 yards this week in the Vikings win over the Pack. Next: -2.5 at San Francisco 49ers - Thu, Nov. 5 – O/U 51 (ATS: 5-2 – O/U: 4-3)

6. Tennessee Titans (5-2): The luster is off the Titans, who have lost two in a row after their shocking loss to the Bengals on Sunday, 31-20. The Titans have seven sacks in seven games this season and were unable to touch rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, who threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns without being sacked. Burrow had been sacked 28 times in the previous seven games. Next: -5.5 vs Chicago Bears – Sun, Nov. 8 – 46.5 (ATS: 2-5 – O/U: 5-1-1)

7. Baltimore Ravens (5-2): The Ravens fell two games behind the Steelers after their loss at home to Pittsburgh. Quarterback Lamar Jackson continued to struggle, throwing for two interceptions, and losing two fumbles in the loss. They will be faced with another challenge this week. Next: -3 at Indianapolis Colts – Sun, Nov 8 – O/U 45 (ATS: 3-4 – O/U: 3-4)

8. Buffalo Bills (6-2): The Bills hung on for 24-21 win over the Patriots. The Bills on paper do not look like a 6-2 team. They are averaging 24.8 points per game and allowing 24.9 points per game. By yardage, they are ranked 13th on offense and 16th on defense. With their upcoming schedule, they will really be tested in the next nine weeks. Next: +2.5 vs Seattle Seahawks - Sun, Nov. 8 – 54 (ATS: 3-5 – O/U: 5-2-1)

9. Las Vegas Raiders (4-3): The Raiders beat the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday, 16-6. They have now defeated the 5-2 New Orleans Saints at home, the 7-1 Kansas City Chiefs on the road and the 5-3 Cleveland Browns on the road. Maybe these guys have a good football team. Next: +1.5 at Los Angeles Chargers - Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 54.5 (ATS: 4-3 – O/U: 5-1-1)

10. Los Angeles Rams (5-3): The Rams played the Dolphins on Sunday and statistically dominated the game. They had 471 total yards of offense to just 145 yards for the Dolphins. They had 31 first downs to just 8 for the Dolphins. They ran 92 offensive plays to just 48 for Miami. The Rams dominated everywhere but the scoreboard, losing 28-17, as the Dolphins forced four turnovers and returned a punt for a touchdown. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A vs Seattle Seahawks - Sun, Nov. 15 – N/A (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 2-6)

11. Arizona Cardinals (5-2): The Cardinals placed starting outside linebacker Devon Kennard and nickel cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. on the COVID-19/reserve list, making them both likely to miss the next game. Next: -4.5 vs Miami Dolphins - Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 47.5 (ATS: 5-2 – O/U: 1-6)

12. Chicago Bears (5-3): After a tough loss to the Saints in overtime, the Bears are 5-3 at the halfway point of the season. They have done an admirable job of being competitive each week, but they need to find a running attack if they are going to make it to the playoffs. Next: +5.5 at Tennessee Titans – Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 46.5 (ATS: 5-3 – O/U: 3-5)

13. Cleveland Browns (5-3): The Browns are battling injuries and despite being 5-3 at the halfway point of the season, are in third place in the tough AFC North. They have the Eagles, Giants and Jets on the schedule, so that should help. Their home games with the Ravens in December and the Steelers in January could determine their playoff fate. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A vs Houston Texans - Sun, Nov. 15 – O/U N/A (ATS: 3-5 – O/U: 5-3)

14. Indianapolis Colts (5-2): Quarterback Philip Rivers is starting to get comfortable in his new home. Rivers threw for 262 yards and three touchdowns in the Colts easy 41-21 win over the Lions on the road. This week's game will be important and a bit more challenging. Next: +3 vs Baltimore Ravens - Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 45 (ATS: 4-3 – O/U: 4-3)

15. New Orleans Saints (5-2): Whatever happened to wide receiver Michael Thomas? Thomas has played in one game this season, catching 3 passes for 17 yards. Thomas signed a 5-year, $96 million dollar contract with the Saints in 2019, with $60.5 million guaranteed. Thomas has missed games this season due to ankle and hamstring injuries, as well as a one-game suspension. Next: +4.5 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 54.5 (ATS: 2-4 – O/U: 7-0)

16. Miami Dolphins (4-3): The Dolphins have won three straight games and are starting to dream about the playoffs. Their defense is good, but the offense needs some work. Against the Rams, rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for 93 yards and one touchdown and the Dolphins had 145 yards in total offense. Next: +4.5 at Arizona Cardinals - Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 47.5 (ATS: 5-2 – O/U: 2-5)

17. San Francisco 49ers (4-4): The 49ers got blown out in Seattle and suffered two devastating injuries that could derail any plans for the playoffs. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a high-ankle sprain and will be out for the next six weeks at a minimum. All-Pro tight end George Kittle has a fracture in his foot and will miss the next eight weeks and possibly the rest of the season. Next: + 2.5 vs Green Bay Packers – Thu, Nov 5 – O/U 51 (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 4-4)

18. Carolina Panthers (3-5): The Panthers have lost three consecutive games and have fallen to 3-5. They need a win to stop the bleeding and get back into the playoff race. Unfortunately, the schedule maker has not been kind to the Panthers this week. Next: +10.5 at Kansas City Chiefs – Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 52.5 (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 3-5)

19. Detroit Lions (3-4): The Lions lost pro bowl wide receiver Kenny Golladay with a hip injury on Sunday, which will not help the offense. Golladay is week-to-week and may be placed on the injured reserve. Next: +4 at Minnesota Vikings – Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 53.5 (ATS: 3-4 – O/U: 4-3)

20. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4-1): Quarterback Carson Wentz turned the ball over four times on Sunday Night against the Cowboys, but fortunately, the turnovers were against the Cowboys, who lost 23-9 to the Eagles. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at New York Giants – Sun, Nov. 15 – O/U N/A (ATS: 3-5 – O/U: 4-4)

21. Minnesota Vikings (2-5): Running back Dalvin Cook scored four touchdowns in the Vikings upset win over the Packers in Green Bay. The four touchdowns by Cook tied a team record set by running back Chuck Foreman on Dec. 20, 1975, at Buffalo and tied by Rashad on Sept. 2, 1979, against San Francisco. Next: -4.5 vs Detroit Lions – Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 53.5 (ATS: 4-3 – O/U: 5-2)

22. Denver Broncos (3-4): The Broncos were trailing 24-3 in the middle of the 3rd quarter and had a total of two first downs for the game to that point. As it turned out, they had the Chargers right where they wanted them. The Broncos scored four touchdowns in their last five offensive drives to steal the win, 31-30. They had touchdown drives of 75 yards, 80 yards, 75 yards and 81 yards. Next: +4 at Atlanta Falcons - Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 50 (ATS: 5-2 – O/U: 4-3)

23. Los Angeles Chargers (2-5): The Chargers have traded cornerback Desmond King to the Titans for a 6th round draft pick in 2021. In 2018, King was named first-team All-Pro as a defensive back and second-team All-Pro as a punt returner. King was inactive for the Chargers meltdown in Denver on Sunday, in what head coach Anthony Lynn called a "team decision." It was a rather strange "team decision." King might have helped in the secondary late in the game. Next: -1.5 vs Las Vegas Raiders - Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 54.5 (ATS: 5-2 – O/U: 4-3)

24. New England Patriots (2-5): The Pats have lost four consecutive games, are struggling, and have fallen into third place in the AFC East. But thanks to the New York Jets, that is far as they will fall in the AFC East and the Jets should help this week as well. Next: -7.5 at New York Jets – Mon, Nov. 9 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 3-4 – O/U: 3-4)

25. Washington Football Team (2-5): Wide Receiver Terry McLaurin is one of the few bright spots for the Washington Football Team this season. McLaurin leads the team with 43 catches and 577 yards in receiving. The 2019 3rd round draft pick from Ohio State is on a pace to catch just under 100 passes for over 1,300 yards. Next: -3.5 vs New York Giants – Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 43 (ATS: 4-3 – O/U: 3-4)

26. Cincinnati Bengals (2-5-1): The Bengals beat a team with a winning record for the first time under second-year coach Zac Taylor, knocking off the Titans at home, 31-20. The Bengals have played well considering their injuries, with the entire Week 1 starting offensive line out due to injuries. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at Pittsburgh Steelers - Sun, Nov. 15 – O/U N/A (ATS: 6-2 – O/U 5-3)

27. Atlanta Falcons (2-6): Running back Todd Gurley is having a decent season for the Falcons. The NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2017, Gurley has rushed for 531 yards and eight touchdowns through eight games. Gurley signed a one-year, $5.5 million dollar contract with the Falcons as a free agent after his release from the Rams. Next: -4 vs Denver Broncos – Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 50 (ATS: 3-5 – O/U: 4-4)

28. Houston Texans (1-6): Consider yourself lucky if you are not a die-hard Texan fan. The Texans are $7 million dollars over the 2021 projected salary cap, and they do not have a first or second-round draft pick in the 2021 NFL draft. The future is not bright for the Texans. Next: -6.5 at Jacksonville Jaguars – Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 51.5 (ATS: 1-6 – O/U: 4-3)

29. Dallas Cowboys (2-6): The Cowboys are averaging 7 points per game over the past three weeks. Without quarterback Dak Prescott, this offense has become anemic and is torture to watch perform. Next: +13.5 vs Pittsburgh Steelers - Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 42 (ATS: 0-8 – O/U: 4-4)

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6): Quarterback Gardner Minshew will miss this week's game with a thumb injury. The starter at quarterback will be Jake Luton, a rookie from Oregon State. UCLA fans will remember Luton from his appearance in the Rose Bowl last season, when he led his team to a 48-31 win over UCLA, throwing for five touchdowns and 285 yards. Next: +6.5 vs Houston Texans - Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 51.5 (ATS: 2-5 – O/U: 4-3)

31. New York Giants (1-6): The Giants lost to the Bucs on Monday Night, 25-23, in a game that they probably could have and should have won. Daniel Jones continued his Jekyll and Hyde performances, with two touchdown passes and two interceptions. Next: +3.5 at Washington Football Team - Sun, Nov. 8 – O/U 43 (ATS: 5-3 – O/U: 3-5)

32. New York Jets (0-8): Linebacker Avery Williamson is the happiest player in the NFL after being traded from the 0-8 Jets to the 7-0 Steelers. The Jets will receive a 2022 fifth-round pick and send a 2022 seventh-round pick to the Steelers. The Steelers needed a linebacker in the middle to replace injured Devin Bush and the Jets just need to stay in front in the Trevor Lawrence Sweepstakes. Next: +5.5 vs New England Patriots - Mon, Nov. 9 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 1-7 – O/U: 3-5)