The NFL has a parity problem. At the halfway point in the season, how many teams can we truly get excited about? Yes, the Patriots are a team to fear, but who else looks consistently good enough on both ends to truly challenge for league supremacy? The Falcons have the offense, but not the defense. Ditto for the Steelers, who also have injury issues. The Seahawks and Broncos have the defense, but not the offense. The Vikings are cooling off, and the Cardinals have regressed. The Cowboys look solid, but to buy into them, we must also buy that a rookie quarterback can outduel Tom Brady. Things can change in an instant in the NFL, but uninspiring competition is yet another problem for the league this year. Check out our power rankings below: Record: 0-8 Week 8 result: Lost to the Jets, 31-28 Week 8 star: Terrelle Pyror continues to be the best player on the Browns, going for 101 yards on six catches. Week 9 opponent: vs. Dallas Cowboys One thing to know: The Browns have a 55% chance to lock up the No. 1 pick at the 2017 Draft. But will they win a game? Record: 1-6 Week 8 result: Bye Week Week 8 star: There wasn’t one! Week 9 opponent: vs. New Orleans Saints One thing to know: Carlos Hyde was back in practice this week, pointing toward a return against New Orleans on Sunday. Record: 2-5 Week 8 result: Lost to the Titans, 36-22 Week 8 star: Allan Hurns had a touchdown to go with 98 yards and seven catches. Week 9 opponent: at Kansas City Chiefs One thing to know: The Jags fired offensive coordinator Greg Olson, but head coach Gus Bradley remains at the helm despite a record of 14-41 with the team. Record: 2-6 Week 8 result: Beat the Vikings, 20-10 Week 8 star: We’ll give it to Jay Cutler who was sharp in his return, completing 20 of 31 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown. Week 9 opponent: Bye One thing to know: Cutler reportedly gave an inspirational pregame speech that fueled the Bears surprising win over the Vikings. Record: 3-4 Week 8 result: Bye Week Week 8 star: There wasn’t one! Week 9 opponent: vs. New York Jets One thing to know: Running back Jay Ajayi will look to become the first player in history to post 200-yard rushing in three consecutive games. The Jets are giving up just 74 yards rushing per game. Record: 3-5 Week 8 result: Lost to the Chiefs, 30-14 Week 8 star: Robert Mathis had five tackles, including a sack, and two tackles for losses. Week 9 opponent: At Green Bay Packers One thing to know: Top receiver T.Y. Hilton left the game with a hamstring injury, and although he returned, he didn’t look the same thereafter. Record: 3-4 Week 8 result: Bye Week Week 8 star: There wasn’t one! Week 9 opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers One thing to know: The Rams had about as good of a bye week as they could have asked for. The Seahawks and Cardinals both lost, helping keep them around in the NFC West divisional race. Record: 3-5 Week 8 result: Beat the Browns, 31-28 Week 8 star: Matt Forte had another productive day with 82 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Week 9 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins One thing to know: The Jets were reportedly shopping Brandon Marshall and star defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson at the trade deadline, but opted to keep both. Record: 3-4 Week 8 result: Lost to the Raiders, 30-24 Week 8 star: Kwon Alexander led the team with 14 tackles, though this defense gave up 498 passing yards to Derek Carr. Week 9 opponent: vs. Atlanta Falcons One thing to know: Running back Jacquizz Rodgers has a sprained foot, which makes him unlikely to start against the Falcons on Thursday night. Another Bucs running back bites the dust. Record: 3-4 Week 8 result: Beat the Seahawks, 25-20 Week 8 star: Running back Tim Hightower had 102 rushing yards. Week 9 opponent: vs. San Francisco 49ers One thing to know: Primary RB Mark Ingram was benched after an early fumble. The Saints said that they’re going to use a running back committee going forward. Record: 3-4 Week 8 result: Bye Week 8 star: There wasn’t one! Week 9 opponent: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers One thing to know: The Ravens may be 3-4, but a win on Sunday would put them in first place in the AFC North. Record: 4-4 Week 8 result: Lost to the Texans, 20-13 Week 8 star: Running back Theo Riddick had 56 rushing yards and 77 more in the air, including a receiving touchdown. Week 9 opponent: at Minnesota Vikings One thing to know: Matthew Stafford is just 5-7 all time vs. the Vikings. Although he has a solid 18-5 touchdown-interception ratio, he has been sacked 39 times by the Vikings – more than any other team he’s faced. Record: 2-5 Week 8 result: Beat the Cardinals, 30-20 Week 8 star: Jonathan Stewart had 95 yards rushing and two touchdowns in a much-needed win on Sunday. Week 9 opponent: at Los Angeles Rams One thing to know: Cam Newton told the media on Sunday that he doesn’t feel safe playing football, and that he plans to talk to Roger Goodell about it. Record: 3-5 Week 8 result: Lost to the Broncos, 27-19 Week 8 star: Cornerback Casey Hayward had a pick-six to go with three pass defenses. Week 9 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans One thing to know: Perhaps Philip Rivers’ poor three-interception outing was sparked by Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe saying he would eat Rivers’ kids. Record: 4-3 Week 8 result: Bye Week Week 8 star: There wasn’t one! Week 9 opponent: vs. Philadelphia Eagles One thing to know: The Giants have scored 133 points through the first seven games. Only the Bears have a less productive offense. Record: 4-4 Week 8 result: Lost to the Patriots, 41-25 Week 8 star: Running back Mike Gillislee continued to perform well in LeSean McCoy’s absence, running for 85 yards and a touchdown. Week 9 opponent: at Seattle Seahawks One thing to know: After rattling off a nice four-game winning streak, the Bills have now lost two in a row and get the Seahawks, Bengals, Raiders, and Steelers in four of their next five games. This stretch will decide their season. Record: 4-4 Week 8 result: Beat the Jaguars, 36-22 Week 8 star: Marcus Mariota had a nice game in his home stadium, throwing two touchdowns and 270 yards. Week 9 opponent: at San Diego Chargers One thing to know: With four wins this season, the Titans already have more wins this year than they did last year. Now, can they win the AFC South? Record: 3-4-1 Week 8 result: Tied with the Redskins, 27-27 Week 8 star: Tight end Tyler Eifert posted nine catches for 102 yards and a touchdown. Week 9 opponent: Bye One thing to know: Between the Steelers falters and the Ravens’ slump, the Bengals are alive and well in the AFC North playoff race, despite their own struggles. Record: 4-3-1 Week 8 result: Tied the Bengals, 27-27 Week 8 star: Jamison Crowder and Kirk Cousins continue to have good chemistry. Crowder went for 107 yards and a touchdown in London against the Bengals. Week 9 opponent: vs. Minnesota Vikings One thing to know: When a German journalist attempted to ask kicker Dustin Hopkins about his missed 34-yard field goal in OT, a Redskins PR person started screaming and shoved him away. Not a great look! Record: 3-4-1 Week 8 result: Lost to the Panthers, 30-20 Week 8 star: Carson Palmer had a decent day, completing 35 of 46 passes for 363 yards, three touchdowns, an interception, and 111 passer rating. Week 9 opponent: Bye One thing to know: The combined record of the teams the Cardinals have beaten: 7-15. The combined record of the teams they’ve lost to: 16-14. At the halfway point, perhaps it’s time to concede that the Cardinals’ regression this season is real. Record: 5-3 Week 8 result: Beat the Lions, 20-13 Week 8 star:Texans punter Shane Lechler was named ESPN Stats & Info’s Punter of the Week. From ESPN: “He had four punts that averaged 50.8 gross yards, and his average punt gave the Lions possession on their own 13, the best average opponents field position for a punter this week.” Week 9 opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars One thing to know: The Texans are two completely different teams at home and on the road. After beating the Lions on Sunday, they improved to 5-0 at their home stadium. Record: 4-3 Week 8 result: Lost to the Cowboys, 29-23 Week 8 star: Jordan Hicks was the star for the Philadelphia defense, picking off Dak Prescott and throwing in a QB hit, too. Week 9 opponent: at New York Giants One thing to know: Over his last three games, Carson Wentz is averaging 173 yards per game, completing 63% of his passes, and has two touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s coming back down to Earth. Record: 4-3 Week 8 result: Lost to the Falcons, 33-32 Week 8 star: Aaron Rodgers had a terrific game, throwing for 246 yards and four touchdowns, plus an additional 60 yards rushing. Week 9 opponent: vs. Indianapolis Colts One thing to know: The Packers have a 54% chance to make the playoffs, according to Nate Silver. That puts them in the wild card. Record: 4-3 Week 8 result: Bye Week 8 star: Nobody! Week 9opponent: at Baltimore Ravens One thing to know: Ben Roethlisberger is questionable for Week 9, but Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs doubts it: “Don’t fall for that; his big ass will be out there.” Record: 6-2 Week 8 result: Beat the Buccaneers, 30-24 Week 8 star: Derek Carr had the best day of his NFL career, throwing for 513 yards and four touchdowns. Carr might not be the favorite in the MVP race, but he’s certainly a top-3 candidate. Week 9 opponent: vs. Denver Broncos One thing to know: The Raiders are now 5-0 on the road. However, they rank just 16th in ESPN’s Power Index. Sunday’s game against the Broncos will be a revealing one. Record: 5-2 Week 8 result: Lost to the Bears, 20-10 Week 8 star: Everson Griffen continued his excellent season, sacking Jay Cutler once and hitting him two other times. Week 9 opponent: vs. Detroit Lions One thing to know: Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner unexpectedly quit on Wednesday. The Vikings have scored the eighth-fewest points in the league. Record: 5-2 Week 8 result: Beat the Colts, 30-14 Week 8 star: Travis Kelce had a nice day against Indy, catching seven passes for 101 yards and a score. Week 9 opponent: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars One thing to know: Alex Smith went down with a concussion, but Nick Foles looked more than competent in his replacement, throwing for 223 yards and two touchdowns. Smith will reportedly be inactive for Week 9. Record: 5-3 Week 8 result: Beat the Packers, 33-32 Week 8 star: Matty Ice showed up to throw for 288 yards and three touchdowns, including one on the game-winning drive. Week 9 opponent: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers One thing to know: The Falcons laid to rest some concerns over their legitimacy, but while their offense is rock solid, they also have given up the most points in the NFC. In other words: their ceiling is limited. Record: 4-2-1 Week 8 result: Lost to the Saints, 25-20 Week 8 star: Bobby Wagner is playing great football. He had 15 total tackles (11 solo), plus a QB hit against the Saints. Week 9 opponent: vs. Buffalo Bills One thing to know: The Seahawks are averaging just 3.24 yards per carry (30th). With Russell Wilson still not 100% healthy, the running game needs to be better if the Seahawks want to make a deep playoff run. Record: 6-1 Week 8 result: Beat the Eagles, 29-23 Week 8 star: Dez Bryant had 113 yards and a touchdown on four catches. Week 9 opponent: at Cleveland Browns One thing to know: The Cowboys are rolling, and Jerry Jones’ tone towards Tony Tomo replacing Dak Prescott is gradually changing. Prescott remains in control with Romo still sidelined. Record: 6-2 Week 8 result: Beat the Chargers, 27-19 Week 8 star: The Denver defense was terrific against Philip Rivers. They hit him 17 times, sacked him four times, and intercepted three of his passes. Week 9 opponent: vs. Oakland Raiders One thing to know: Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was carted off the field and hospitalized after taking a hit on the sidelines, but he’s OK and back with the team. Record: 7-1 Week 8 result: Beat the Bills, 41-25 Week 8 star: Tom Brady, duh: He threw for 355 yards and four more touchdowns and still hasn’t been picked off this season. Week 9 opponent: Bye One thing to know: The Patriots shocked the NFL world by trading star linebacker Jamie Collins. For as well as the offense is rolling, the Pats’ defense is a bit shaky. 
32. Cleveland Browns
31. San Francisco 49ers
30. Jacksonville Jaguars
29. Chicago Bears
28. Miami Dolphins
27. Indianapolis Colts
26. Los Angeles Rams
25. New York Jets
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
23. New Orleans Saints
22. Baltimore Ravens
21. Detroit Lions
20. Carolina Panthers
19. San Diego Chargers
18. New York Giants
17. Buffalo Bills
16. Tennessee Titans
15. Cincinnati Bengals
14. Washington Redskins
13. Arizona Cardinals
12. Houston Texans
11. Philadelphia Eagles
10. Green Bay Packers
9. Pittsburgh Steelers
8. Oakland Raiders
7. Minnesota Vikings
6. Kansas City Chiefs
5. Atlanta Falcons
4. Seattle Seahawks
3. Dallas Cowboys
2. Denver Broncos
1. New England Patriots
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Het bericht NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand going into Week 9 verscheen eerst op Business Insider.