NFL Power Rankings: Reviewing Week 9 Standings After Sunday’s Action

After a second week in a row that featured a tie, it just goes to show how unpredictable the 2016 NFL season has been through eight weeks.

But let's not focus on teams that can't win games in overtime. Instead, let's praise the ones that actually did win on Sunday.

It was business as usual for the New England Patriots, who are the scariest team in the NFL at the halfway point of the season. Since Tom Brady's return from suspension, no team has been even close to competing with them, and no quarterback has been more impressive than Brady since Week 5. The NFL's official Twitter account had to tip its hat to the 39-year-old signal-caller:



The Patriots, who sit pretty at 7-1 and No. 1 in my power rankings after Sunday's slate of games, are the team to beat. But there are some teams that are starting to look like legitimate contenders halfway through the season.

Let's take a look at the other 31 teams in the NFL and see where they ended up. 



   

Team on the Rise

No. 5: Oakland Raiders 



The Oakland Raiders, despite a team record in penalties and two missed field goals from Sebastian Janikowski, miraculously beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road 30-24, improving to 5-0 on the road this season.

Not only is Oakland undefeated on the road, but they also own a 6-2 record, which marks the best start for the franchise since 2001.  



For quarterback Derek Carr, it was the best game of his young career. Not only did he lead his team to an overtime win, but he threw for a franchise-record 513 yards and four touchdowns.

Along with Brady, Carr is a midseason MVP candidate and deserves to be recognized for his accomplishments with a young Raiders team that is improving as the weeks go on. Bleacher Report's Chris Simms shared his thoughts on the MVP race:


Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders