JACKSONVILLE -- Here are senior writer John Oehser's pre-Week 9 2015 NFL power rankings. And we all know how important these are:
1.New England Patriots (7-0) | 1 | Rollin', rollin', rollin'
2.Denver Broncos (7-0) | 3 | Perception-changing victory over Green Bay Sunday
3.Cincinnati Bengals (7-0) | 4 | Four-game lead in AFC North with nine remaining
4.Carolina Panthers (7-0) | 5 | They don't win pretty; they just win
5.Green Bay Packers (6-1) | 2 | Aaron Rodgers and Pack too good not to respond to Denver loss
6.Arizona Cardinals (6-2) | 8 | Very few holes for NFC West leaders
7.Minnesota Vikings (5-2) | 9 | Three consecutive victories for league's most oft-overlooked good team
8.Atlanta Falcons (6-2) | 7 | Late-game heroics not enough this week versus Bucs
9.Seattle Seahawks (4-4) | 11 | Scratching and clawing their way back into contention
10.St. Louis Rams (4-3) | 14 | Strong division record will make Rams dangerous in second half of season
11.Pittsburgh Steelers (4-4) | 10 | Probably playing for wild-card spot after loss to Bengals Sunday
12.New York Jets (4-3) | 6 | Big-time quarterback issues have Jets suddenly in trouble
13.New York Giants (4-4) | 12 | Wild game at New Orleans cost Blue a chance to extend NFC East lead
14.Oakland Raiders (4-3) | 19 | At long last, the Raiders look like a contender
15.Buffalo Bills (3-4) | 13 | Memorable day versus bye
16.Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) | 16 | Stayed strong through the bye
17.Dallas Cowboys (2-5) | 17 | Five losses since they lost Romo; it's a quarterback's league
18.Miami Dolphins (3-4) | 18 | A lot of good things end against Patriots this season
19.Indianapolis Colts (3-5) | 15 | If Luck isn't hurt he sure is playing like it
20.Washington Redskins (3-4) | 20 | Negotiated bye with notable ease
21.New Orleans Saints (4-4) | 21 | Maybe Drew Brees can still play after all
22.Kansas City Chiefs (3-5) | 22 | Two consecutive victories heading into the bye
23.San Diego Chargers (2-6) | 23 | Four-game losing streak turning this into a lost season for Bolts
24.Cleveland Browns (2-6) | 24 | Three consecutive losses make hopeful start seem like a long time ago
25.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4) | 27 | This time, Buccaneers responded after losing big lead
26.Houston Texans (3-5) | 26 | Texans move into sole possession of second place in AFC South
27.Baltimore Ravens (2-6) | 29 | Wild victory over Chargers; a week off before they play host to Jags
28.Chicago Bears (2-5) | 25 | Let late lead and a chance to flirt with .500 slip away versus Vikes Sunday
29.San Francisco 49ers (2-6) | 28 | No touchdowns for struggling 49ers in the last two games
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) | 30 | Nice, solid effort over the bye
31.Tennessee Titans (1-6) | 31 | Six consecutive losses since Week 1 victory
32.Detroit Lions (1-7) | 32 | Same troubles Lions had stateside showed up in London
