2021 NFL Power Rankings – Week 9

1. Los Angeles Rams (7-1): The Rams are not sitting back and hoping that their current roster is good enough to win it all. The Rams on Monday acquired linebacker Von Miller from the Broncos in exchange for second- and third-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Miller was the MVP of Super 50 and is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection. The 32-year-old veteran has 110 sacks in his career. Next: -7.5 vs Tennesse Titans - Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 54 (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 5-2-1)

2. Dallas Cowboys (6-1): The Cowboys were able to give injured Dak Prescott the week off and still win on the road at Minnesota in the Sunday Night game. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Next: -10 vs Denver Broncos - Sun, Oct. 31 – O/U 49.5 (ATS: 7-0 – O/U: 5-2)

3. Green Bay Packers (7-1): The Packers extended their current winning streak to seven consecutive wins after their victory over the previously undefeated Cardinals in Arizona. This was a big win as Green Bay was playing Thursday Night on the road without their top two wide receivers. However, quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be out for 10 days and must be quarantined for not heeding to science. He tested positive for COVID early this week and obviously has not been vaccinated. Next: -1 at Kansas City Chiefs - Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 55.5 (ATS: 7-1 – O/U: 2-6)

4. Arizona Cardinals (7-1): The Cardinals finally lost a game but are still in good shape for the playoffs. Quarterback Kyler Murray is day-to-day with an ankle injury suffered in the loss to the Packers. If Murray is unable to go on Sunday, backup Colt McCoy will get the start. Next: -2.5 at San Francisco 49ers - Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 46.5 (ATS: 6-2 – O/U: 3-5)

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2): The Buccaneers suffered a surprising loss to the Saints in New Orleans. The Bucs lost the turnover battle, 3-0, and that was the difference in the game. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at Washington Football Team - Sun, Nov. 14 – O/U N/A (ATS: 3-5 – O/U: 5-3)

6. Buffalo Bills (5-2): The Bills were tied with the Dolphins at halftime but woke up in time to take care of business in a 26-11 victory. Quarterback Josh Allen threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third in the win. Next: -14.5 at Jacksonville Jaguars - Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 48.5 (ATS: 4-2-1 – O/U: 3-4)

7. Las Vegas Raiders (5-2): The Raiders had a bye, but that did not keep the shocking news from rolling in. Wide receiver Henry Ruggs was involved in a tragic early morning traffic accident that resulted in the death of a woman. Ruggs was charged with felony DUI resulting in death. Ruggs was released by the Raiders almost immediately. The Raiders will miss his speed and could replace it with wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who was released by the Rams. Next: -3 at New York Giants - Sun, Nov. 1 – 47.5 N/A (ATS: 4-3 – O/U: 4-3)

8. Baltimore Ravens (5-2): The last time we saw the Ravens on the field, they were getting crushed by the Bengals at home. With a bye week to rest and recover, the Ravens need to find a consistent running game that does not revolve around quarterback Lamar Jackson and address their secondary issues. Next: -5.5 vs Minnesota Vikings – Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 49.5 (ATS: 3-4 – O/U: 4-3)

9. New Orleans Saints (5-2): The Saints won a huge division matchup with the Bucs and are just a half a game behind the Bucs. That was the good news. The bad news was the loss of quarterback Jameis Winston to an ACL knee injury, which will knock him out for the season. Next: -6 vs Atlanta Falcons – Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 42 (ATS: 4-3 – O/U: 3-4)

10. Tennessee Titans (6-2): Running back Derrick Henry is done for the season after suffering a foot injury that required surgery. The loss is a big blow to the Titans offense. There is no back in the NFL quite like Henry, who at 6-foot-3 inches tall, and 247 pounds, is a load to tackle and has the speed to bounce outside. He will be missed. Next: +7.5 at Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 54 (ATS: 6-2 – O/U: 5-3)

11. Cincinnati Bengals (5-3): The Bengals may have celebrated their win over the Ravens in Week 7 a bit too much, after suffering an upset loss to the Jets in Week 8, 34-31. The Bengals defense got torched by the normally inept Jets offense for 511 total yards, which should send a message to the Defensive Coordinator. Next: -3 vs Cleveland Browns - Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 46.5 (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 3-5)

12. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3): The focus on throwing the ball is finally starting to catch up with the Chargers. The Chargers rank 4th in highest pass percentage in the NFL at 65.05%. With quarterback Justin Herbert and a talented group of receivers, it is easy to understand the preference for passing. But opposing defenses are getting more creative with their blitz packages and with backups starting at right tackle and right guard, it may be time to run the ball more or at least move the pocket. Next: -2.5 at Philadelphia Eagles - Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 50.5 (ATS: 4-3 – O/U: 2-5)

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3): The Steelers got a big win in Cleveland over the Browns, 15-10. It was not pretty, but they are back in the playoff hunt. They also got some revenge for their playoff loss to the Browns in the 2020 season. Next: -6.5 vs Chicago Bears – Mon, Nov. 8 – O/U 40 (ATS: 3-4 – O/U: 1-5-1)

14. Kansas City Chiefs (4-4): The Chiefs got back to 4-4 with a Monday Night win over the Giants. They are still struggling on both sides of the ball, and they face a Murderers' Row schedule over the rest of the season. They do not have on team with a losing record on their schedule, starting with the Packers at home, followed by a trip to Las Vegas to play the Raiders and then followed by the Cowboys at home. Next: +1 vs Green Bay Packers - Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 55.5 (ATS: 2-6 – O/U: 4-4)

15. Cleveland Browns (4-4): A talented Browns team has lost three of its last four games and is badly in need of a bye week to get well physically and mentally. Unfortunately, the Browns bye week does not come until Week 13, so it is onward to another tough matchup this week. Next: +3 at Cincinnati Bengals – Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 46.5 (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 4-4)

16. Minnesota Vikings (3-4): The Vikings did what they do this season, losing another close game, this time to the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, 20-16. They have lost to the Bengals by three points, to the Cardinals by one point, the Browns by seven points and now the Cowboys by four points. Next: +5.5 at Baltimore Ravens – Sun, Nov. 7 – 49.5 N/A (ATS: 3-4 – O/U: 3-4)

17. New England Patriots (4-4): The Patriots are moving back into playoff contention after knocking off the Chargers, 27-24. It was the seventh consecutive win by the Patriots over the Chargers. The Patriots are 20-3 versus the Chargers since 1973. Next: -4 at Carolina Panthers – Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 4-4)

18. Denver Broncos (4-4): The Broncos needed a win and needed a team they could beat. The Washington Football Team obliged, as the Broncos won a sleepy 17-10 game in Denver. That ended a four-game losing streak. The Broncos have not beat a team with more than two wins this season. Next: +10 at Dallas Cowboys - Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 49.5 (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 2-6)

19. Carolina Panthers (4-4): The Panthers ended a four-game losing streak with a victory over the Falcons in Atlanta. The Panthers won this game on the ground, rushing for 203 yards. Next: +4 vs New England Patriots - Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 2-6)

20. Seattle Seahawks (3-5): The Seahawks got an easy win over the Jaguars, 31-7, to break a three-game losing streak. Quarterback Geno Smith threw two touchdown passes to earn his first victory as the Seahawks starter. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at Green Bay Packers – Sun, Nov. 14 – O/U N/A (ATS: 5-3 – O/U: 1-6-1)

21. San Francisco 49ers (3-4): Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, doing an imitation of backup Trey Lance, rushed for two touchdowns in the 49ers win over the Bears in Chicago. He also threw for 322 yards. Next: +2.5 vs Arizona Cardinals – Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 46.5 (ATS: 2-5 – O/U: 4-3)

22. Chicago Bears (3-5): Rookie quarterback Justin Fields finally began to show some of his passing and running ability in a game, rushing for 103 yards and one touchdown, also throwing a touchdown pass. Unfortunately for the Bears, it was not enough in a 33-22 loss to the 49ers. Next: +6.5 at Pittsburgh Steelers - Mon, Nov. 8 – O/U 40 (ATS: 3-5 – O/U: 2-6)

23. Philadelphia Eagles (3-5): The Eagles were struggling and down, but a trip to Detroit temporarily resolved some of their issues in a 44-6 bouncing of the Lions. The Eagles rushed for 236 yards and physically dominated the Lions in a laugher. Next: +2.5 vs Los Angeles Chargers – Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 50.5 (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 4-4)

24. Indianapolis Colts (3-5): Quarterback Carson Wentz played a good game...until late in the game. With the score tied 24-24, Wentz threw two bad interceptions, one late in the game for a pick six interception and the other in overtime that setup the game winning field goal for a 34-31 win for the Titans. Next: -10.5 vs New York Jets – Thu, Nov. 4 – O/U 46.5 (ATS: 5-3 – O/U: 5-3)

25. Atlanta Falcons (3-4): The up-and-down Falcons are down again after losing to the Panthers, 19-13, to end their two-game winning streak. To make matters worse, wide receiver Calvin Ridley is stepping away from the game of football to take care of some personal matters and will be unavailable. Next: +6 at New Orleans Saints – Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 42 (ATS: 3-4 – O/U: 4-3)

26. Washington Football Team (2-6): The Washington Football Team lost their fourth consecutive game, this loss coming at the hands of the Broncos, 17-10. Given the recent scandals involving the WFT and its ownership, this organization needs a complete overhaul, starting with the ownership. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sun, Nov. 14 – O/U N/A (ATS: 1-7 – O/U: 4-4)

27. New York Giants (2-6): Someday the Giants will put some talent around quarterback Daniel Jones and give him a chance to succeed. When they needed a score against the Chiefs late in the game, the offensive line could not protect Jones long enough to allow him to get a pass off to one of his receivers. Next: -3.5 vs Las Vegas Raiders – Sun, Nov. 7 - O/U 47.5 (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 3-4-1)

28. New York Jets (2-5): Quarterback Mike Wilson, a fifth-round selection of the Cowboys in 2018, got the start for an injured Zach Wilson and performed well in leading the Jets to a stunning upset win over the Bengals, 34-31. Wilson completed 37 of 45 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns. Next: +10.5 at Indianapolis Colts - Thu, Nov. 4 – O/U 46.5 (ATS: 2-5 – O/U: 4-3)

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6): The Jaguar fish is a very aggressive fish. It is highly territorial and will not tolerate any other fish getting in their space. The Jaguar football team is nothing like the fish. The Jaguars got rolled over by the Seahawks, 31-7, and did not put up much of a fight. Next: +14.5 vs Buffalo Bills - Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 48.5 (ATS: 2-5 – O/U: 2-5)

30. Miami Dolphins (1-7): The Dolphins have lost seven straight games. They are last in total defense at 406.9 yards allowed per game and 30th in total offense at 301.9 yards per game. That is the epitome of a bad football team. Next: -6.5 vs Houston Texans - Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 46 (ATS: 2-5-1 – O/U: 4-4)

31. Houston Texans (1-7): The Texans are consistent. They are allowing at least 21 points per game to every opponent this season. That puts a lot of pressure on an offense that is averaging a league low 14.9 points per game. Next: +6.5 at Miami Dolphins – Sun, Nov. 7 – O/U 46.5 (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 4-4)

32. Detroit Lions (0-8): A week after taking a lead into the fourth quarter against the Rams at SoFi Stadium, the Lions went back to being the Lions as they got boat-raced at home, 44-6. The Lions were able to avert a shutout when Jermar Jefferson scored on an eight-yard run late in the game. The Lions were the NFL's first team to go 0-16 in a season in 2008 and they have an opportunity to become the first to go 0-17 in NFL history this season. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at Pittsburgh Steelers – Sun, Nov. 14 – O/U N/A (ATS: 4-4 – O/U: 3-5)