LVSC Rankings - Week 9
November 5, 2009 By Kevin Rogers VegasInsider.com
The latest NFL power rankings are out from Las Vegas Sports Consultants, as very little changed at the top with the cream of the crop teams. Interestingly, some of the biggest moves were made in the bottom ten as two of the league's winless team finally picked up a victory.
The Saints still own the top spot in the poll this week after holding off the Falcons on Monday Night. New Orleans is one of two unbeaten teams remaining in the league at 7-0, and their schedule sets up nicely for a potential 13 or 14 win season. The Saints stay home this week for their second division test, hosting the Panthers as two-touchdown favorites.
The Colts hung on for an 18-14 victory over the Niners this past Sunday to improve to 7-0. Indianapolis stays in the second position despite Peyton Manning not throwing a touchdown pass, snapping an 11-game streak with at least one TD toss. Luckily, Joseph Addai's touchdown fling to Reggie Wayne lifted the Colts to their 16th straight regular season victory. The Colts battle the 5-3 Texans this Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Patriots didn't have to do anything to remain in the third spot, as New England is coming off the bye week. Technically, you can say they just showed up in London two weeks ago, as the Pats beat down the winless Bucs. Bill Belichick's club hosts the Dolphins this week, as New England looks to avenge the blowout loss in Foxboro last season, when Miami's "Wildcat" offense was born.
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The Steelers and Vikings are tied for the fourth spot this week. Pittsburgh is fresh off the bye week, heading to Denver on Monday Night. Minnesota, meanwhile, completed a season sweep of Green Bay as Brett Favre once again dominated his former team. The Vikings sit atop the NFC North at 7-1 as they will rest this week prior to a three-game homestand against the Lions, Seahawks, and Bears.
The Giants took one of the biggest tumbles this week, falling from fifth to ninth. New York dropped its third straight game by falling at Philadelphia, 40-17. The G-Men all of the sudden are in a tight race inside the NFC East alongside the Eagles and Cowboys. New York returns home this week to host San Diego.
The Broncos finally lost their first game of the season, as Denver dropped two positions from ninth to eleventh. Josh McDaniels' team still owns a 6-1 record, while running a rough gauntlet, facing the Cowboys, Patriots, Chargers, and Ravens. The Broncos wrap up this stretch with the Steelers at home on Monday Night.
Two underachieving teams that won division titles a season ago are coming off nice victories this past week. Carolina moved from 24th to 21st, while Tennessee jumped from 24th to 22nd. The Panthers stomped the Cardinals in the desert to improve their mark to 3-4. The Titans ran all over the Jaguars en route to their first win, as Tennessee travels to San Francisco this week.
The Rams finally got in the win column by beating the Lions, improving to the 29th spot this week. Meanwhile, the Browns now own the bottom place in the rankings after another blowout loss at Chicago.
