Crowe - NFL Week #9 Power Rankings
John Crowe, Sports Contributor
Crowe - NFL Week #9 Power Rankings
And then Aaron Rodgers tested positive.
Not only did the Packers quarterback test positive on Wednesday, but it also came to light that he had in fact misled the media, the fans and the public in general about his vaccination status. No, he was not “immunized” as he proclaimed to an open mic during a Green Bay media session back in August. Apparently, the Packers and the NFL have known all along that Rodgers wasn’t vaccinated, but instead tried to offer his own alternative remedy, which the NFL rightfully turned down. The question at hand is has Rodgers and the team been in compliance with the COVID-19 protocols for an unvaccinated player? It seems that answer would be no, just by the mere fact that Rodgers has appeared in many indoor press conferences without a mask.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRodgers told his side of the story Friday on the “Pat McAfee Show” in a wide-ranging and bizarre interview, highlighted with Rodgers saying an NFL doctor told him that it was “impossible” for a vaccinated person to catch or spread COVID-19. The league, as expected, is refuting much of what Rodgers had to say.
Now, the league must go forward and decide whether to punish Rodgers and the Packers for these violations or let them slide by and deem their protocols are nothing more than the paper and digital space they are written on. Clearly, the Packers are not the only team that hasn’t complied. QBs Kirk Cousins and Carson Wentz of the Vikings and Colts respectively come to mind as unvaccinated players who have done the same thing as Rodgers. It’s another crossroads for the league, one that repeatedly likes to pick and choose how they dole out punishment depending on the participants.
So, with that, let’s see where the Packers and the rest of the teams fall in this week’s latest power rankings.
10. Los Angeles Raiders (5-2, Last week: ranked 10th)
On the field, the Raiders have been a surprise leader in the AFC West. Off the field, they’ve been surprised by the sudden resignation of former head coach Jon Gruden due to racist emails and now this week, the tragic news of wide receiver Henry Ruggs being charged with felony DUI with death resulting from a Tuesday morning car accident that left one victim dead. How they respond Sunday will say a lot about how the rest of their season will go.
9. New Orleans Saints (5-2, Last week: not ranked)
Who would’ve thought the Saints would in our top 10 at this point? It’s year one without Drew Brees. Then, his replacement, Jameis Winston tears his ACL against the Bucs in a week where New Orleans was already without its backup QB, Taysom Hill (concussion). So, in strolls Trevor Siemian to save the day and do just enough to be beat the Bucs, with the defense leading the way, picking off two Tom Brady passes including a game-clinching pick-six. With Hill now returning this week but Siemian still starting, can they get enough offense with Alvin Kamara and crew now that wide receiver Michael Thomas (ankle) is now out for the season?
8. Baltimore Ravens (5-2, Last week: ranked 8th)
Week 8 was just fine for the Ravens. They get the week off for the bye and they watch their division rivals, the Bengals, lose to the Jets, 34-31 just one week after handing Baltimore a dominating loss, 41-17. Now, can the Ravens take advantage with an easier schedule the next three weeks against the Vikings, Dolphins and Bears.
7. Tennessee Titans (6-2, Last week: ranked 9th)
Just when the Titans were hitting their stride, winning three in a row over the Bills, Chiefs and Colts, Tennessee gets hit by the injury bug in a HUGE way. They’ll be without Derrick Henry, the NFL’s leading rusher for 6-10 weeks after foot surgery this week. Adrian Peterson is coming in to help fill the void, but the bulk of the responsibility is now on QB Ryan Tannehill and his two elite wide receivers A.J.Brown and Julio Jones, when Jones is healthy of course which hasn’t been much since he’s landed in Nashville due to a gimpy hamstring.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2, Last week: ranked 1st)
Poor Bucs. They’ve got to sit an entire week during the bye to ponder a loss to the Saints and third-string QB Trevor Siemian. To boot, Tom Brady throws a pick-six interception for the second straight year in New Orleans. Now, do we think the Bucs are in any danger at this point? No chance. It just means they’ll have to retool, refocus and regroup just like they did last season before a late-run powered them to a Super Bowl Championship.
5. Buffalo Bills (5-2, Last week: ranked 2nd)
Coming off a last-second loss in Tennessee in week 6 and a bye-week in week 7, I expected a ton more from the Bills top-6 offense than the 3 points they scored against Miami. Sure, you can say that it’s a division game, but the Dolphins are woeful at 1-7 and haven’t won since the Patriots gifted them a win in week one. They were never in danger of losing, but style points have the Bills dropping three spots in our power rankings. The good news: Buffalo’s still #1 on defense, giving up a paltry 15 points a game.
4. Dallas Cowboys (6-1, Last week: ranked 6th)
No Dak? No problem. Cooper Rush simply throws for 325 yards and a touchdown to his namesake Amari Cooper to lead the Cowboys to a come from behind 20-16 victory over the Vikings Halloween Night. That Dallas defense, led by Micah Parsons and his 11 tackles, 4 for losses, was a welcome sight to keep the ‘Boys close as they win a game without starting quarterback Dak Prescott, who should be back this week against Denver with a healthier calf.
3. Arizona Cardinals (7-1, Last week: ranked 4th)
A last-second loss to the Packers in week 8 was disheartening for the previously undefeated Cardinals, who had a chance to win the game in the final seconds if not for a Kyler Murray interception that zipped right by a miscommunicated A.J. Green. Murray’s gimpy ankle has him day-to-day heading into a rematch with the 49ers this Sunday. But I have faith in these birds!
2. Green Bay Packers (7-1, Last week: ranked 3rd)
I’ll be honest, before Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, the Packers were going to be my number one team this week. And heck, why not? They’ve won seven in a row. They take down the NFL’s final undefeated team, the Cardinals, on the road in Arizona and they do it without the best wide receiver in the league, Davante Adams while losing their number one tight end, Robert Tonyan to a knee injury during the game. This week, it’s another tough test as they head to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the defending, albeit struggling, AFC Champion Chiefs. It’s now a task made so much tougher with backup Jordan Love making his first NFL start at quarterback.
1. Los Angeles Rams (7-1, Last week: ranked 5th)
All In! That should be the slogan for this year’s LA Rams. We all know that Matthew Stafford (22 touchdowns, 4 interceptions) has been a home run this season after coming over in a trade with the Lions. Stafford (22 TD, 2477 yards) only trails Tom Brady (25 TD, 2650 yards) in passing through 8 weeks. Now, the Rams have doubled down on defense, trading this week for Von Miller from Denver to go with Aaron Donald to lead a front seven that was already frightening. They’ll get tested right from the get-go as they welcome the best team in the AFC, the 6-2 Titans, who’ll be playing game one without Derrick Henry (foot surgery).
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Games to watch in week 9:
Patriots at Panthers – Not only is this Stephon Gilmore’s revenge game but it’s also now a match-up of two teams fighting for possible playoff contention.
Texans at Dolphins – OK, no one really WANTS to watch this one right, but someone has to win right?
Titans at Rams – Even without Derrick Henry playing, this one will have high drama in Hollywood.
Cardinals at 49ers – Can the Cards get back in the win column against Jimmy G?
Packers at Chiefs – It’s no longer Rodgers vs. Mahomes but can the Chiefs take advantage?
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Last week:
10. Raiders
9. Titans
8. Ravens
7. Bengals
6. Cowboys
5. Rams
4. Cardinals
3. Packers
2. Bills
1. Buccaneers