Week Nine Power Rankings

The math is starting to matter. Obviously, math means the world to us here at Field Vision, but the playoff math is starting to matter. If your team is counting how many wins are left on the schedule and how that coincides with their playoff chances, you're probably already cooked.

The math matters for these teams below when it comes to the separation between them and the rest of the league. Some teams have to do that same math but within their own divisions. With my final calculations done, here we are:

Out of Rankings: Houston Texans & Green Bay Packers

Honorable Mention(s): Atlanta Falcons & Los Angeles Chargers

10. Minnesota Vikings (Previous ranking: NR)

The Vikings are back through their defensive coordinator regaining his footing. Joe Flacco is 6’6” and the league’s second oldest QB, but he has become the NFL’s tall tale with his heroics in relief last year in Cleveland and in Indianapolis this year. Brian Flores abruptly closed the book. The only touchdown the Colts score against the Vikings on Sunday Night Football was a fumble recovery. The problems for the Vikings present themselves with their quarterback. Sam Darnold has continued to play well but shows flashes of being “Same” Darnold (that’s a Bomani Jones original). Kevin O’Connell has proven to be one of the elite coaches, so I expect Darnold to still get the team to the playoffs at this point.

9. Los Angeles Rams (Previous ranking: NR)

The Rams got Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp back last week only to lose the younger receiver early vs. the Seahawks because he thought he was a professional boxer instead of a professional football player for a moment. Despite all that, McVay and Stafford strung together beautiful late-game coaching and quarterbacking into overtime. The DeMarcus Robinson TD grab was beautiful, but unnecessary if the Rams would have gotten a stop in the final two minutes. Jared Verse and Braden Fiske will probably never fill the hole left by Aaron Donald, but they have given the Rams a much-needed pass rush. I am one of the few psychos betting on DROY, so I really appreciate Verse’s performance.

(AP)

8. Philadelphia Eagles (Previous ranking: 9)

As of writing this article, the firing has not happened yet, but the Eagles could’ve fired Doug Pederson twice after beating the Jags. His unemployment would have been in hand if the Eagles would have held on to their 22-0 lead over the hapless team, but they didn’t. The Birds still won, but the storming back from Trevor Lawrence, who has an impressive playoff comeback on his resume, was slightly terrifying. Jalen Hurts nipped his turnover issues in the bud, making this team reminiscent of the 2016 Cowboys, just keep the defense off the field. Also, I feel like one of the few people with a Saquon for OPOY futures ticket.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previous ranking: 8)

Bye Week

6. San Francisco 49ers (Previous ranking: 7)

Bye Week

5. Washington Commanders (Previous ranking: 10)

The Commanders have swept the Giants this year, so let’s celebrate a minor milestone. If you would have told me that Washington would sweep the other bad team in their division from last year, I would have told you that RG3’s knees never broke our collective heart a decade ago. The Commanders have stacked a couple wins with Jayden showing very little signs of the rib injury, but that should remain a concern for the lanky signal caller. Field Vision’s head of football ops, Cody Alexander, has begged for the Commanders to trade for one of the corners on the market to legitimize this defense and further legitimize this team. Kliff Kingsbury haters will rue the day he is named the head coach of the Saints in a few months.

4. Baltimore Ravens (Previous ranking: 4)

Honestly, Derrick Henry should not be doing what he is doing. The 30-year-old back is on track to break the rushing record. In the past, a 30-year-old halfback was as good as a stallion with a snapped fibula. In a league where what’s old is new again, the Ravens have never shifted their approach and even catered it for Lamar Jackson, oh yeah, who was literally perfect vs. the Broncos. The Ravens defense still has questions to answer and will not get off scot-free with a decent showing against a rookie quarterback.

3. Buffalo Bills (Previous ranking: 3)

The Buffalo Bills will beat the Miami Dolphins in perpetuity. Josh Allen is 12-2 against them and even when the game felt close, who truly doubted Bills Mafia? Allen’s case for MVP lays in the lack of help he has with receivers, which was proven with the pick when targeting Keon Coleman. Bobby Babich may not attract a ton of head coaching gigs, but his age and prowess coordinating this defense after their offseason losses should make him an interesting candidate if things hold.

2. Detroit Lions (Previous ranking: 2)

The Lions heading into Lambeau Field for their first outdoors game was a greatly exaggerated notion until they stepped on the turf. The game was a classic matchup of a tough, gritty, three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust team standing across the wet, soggy field from a finesse, receiver-heavy team. The Packers may end up in the Super Bowl for all we know, but they do not have the scheme to beat the Lions. Honestly, what team does? The Lions, in a league of the biggest and fastest, are bigger and faster than just about everyone else.

1.Kansas City Chiefs (Previous ranking: 1)

When Tampa got rolling without their top receivers, where was your confidence level? Even when the Bucs took a 7-point lead, did you doubt? When Baker threw a touchdown to tie the game in the final minutes, the overtime coin toss filled your body with regret? The Chiefs winning yet another close one shouldn’t shock anyone. Their first overtime game since Super Bowl LVIII was a true thriller in the rematch of Super Bowl LV. DeAndre Hopkins added another layer to this offense with his typically untypical playmaking ability. The defense allowed 24 points but has kept their streak of not allowing 28 or more points in the last, now, 29 matchups. I’m tired of telling you and you’re tired of hearing it: they’re the undefeated, the unstoppable, and the best.

(Jordan Schultz)

Biggest Mover(s): Washington Commanders (up 5 spots)

New Appearance(s): Los Angeles Rams & Minnesota Vikings