1. Atlanta Falcons (8-0, Previous: 1)

The Raanan Rankings - Week 9

Offense: 4.5
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 4.5
Total Points: 21.5

Overall: Are you still questioning the Falcons? I'm not. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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Week 9 By Jordan Raanan, XFINITY NFL Columnist

Halfway through the season for most teams and separation is finally taking place. There are the pretenders and the contenders, and it's becoming pretty evident who stands where in the Week 9 power rankings. (AP Photos)

(Note: The Raanan Rankings are comprised of a total score for each team from five categories — offense, defense, special teams, quarterback and coaching. The scale for each category ranges from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Ties for teams with identical points totals were broken based on number of wins, head to head matchups and quarterback ranking.)

Jordan Raanan has covered the NFL since 2005. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan, Facebook or email him at jraanan@hotmail.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
1. Atlanta Falco... Offense: 4.5
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 4.5
Total Points: 21.5

Overall: Are you still questioning the Falcons? I'm not. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
2. San Francisco... Offense: 4
Defense: 4.5
Special Teams: 5
Quarterback: 3.5
Coaching: 4
Total Points: 21

Overall: Jim Harbaugh's not worried about Aldon Smith. I am long-term. Fire usually follows smoke. (AP Photo/Matt York)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
3. Houston Texan... Offense: 4.5
Defense: 4.5
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 4
Total Points: 21

Overall: Can't believe I ever doubted Houston's defense post-Brian Cushing. Houston has Wade Phillips as its defensive coordinator. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
4. Chicago Bears... Offense: 3.5
Defense: 5
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 3.5
Coaching: 4
Total Points: 20.5

Overall: The Bears' defense has scored almost as many touchdowns (7) as the Jaguars offense (11). Amazing. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
5. Green Bay Pac... Offense: 4
Defense: 3
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 5
Coaching: 4
Total Points: 20.5

Overall: Aaron Rodgers must be one insecure individual. How else do you explain a 6-foot-2, 225-pound NFL quarterback getting insulted about this? (AP Photo/Tom Lynn )

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
6. New York Gian... Offense: 4
Defense: 3.5
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 4.5
Total Points: 20

Overall: Paging Hakeem Nicks. Paging Hakeem Nicks. If you're going to play, you need to produce. Fantasy owners demand it. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
7. Pittsburgh St... Offense: 3.5
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 3.5
Quarterback: 4.5
Coaching: 4
Total Points: 19.5

Overall: Dick LeBeau is a genius. The Steelers have the No. 1 defense in all of football with only slightly above-average defensive talent. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
8. New England P... Offense: 4
Defense: 2.5
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 4.5
Coaching: 4.5
Total Points: 19.5

Overall: Bill Belichick's not scared of Aqib Talib, even if the rest of the NFL wouldn't touch him. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
9. Denver Bronco... Offense: 4
Defense: 3.5
Special Teams: 3.5
Quarterback: 4.5
Coaching: 4
Total Points: 19.5

Overall: The Broncos schedule is so soft the rest of the way (injury-ravaged Baltimore is the only team with a winning record) there is talk of them running the table. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
10. Baltimore Ra... Offense: 3.5
Defense: 2.5
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 3.5
Coaching: 4
Total Points: 18

Overall: The Ravens didn't allay any of the concerns about them with their performance in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
11. Seattle Seah... Offense: 3
Defense: 4.5
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 2
Coaching: 4
Total Points: 18

Overall: Marshawn Lynch is making life a lot easier for quarterback Russell Wilson, and Wilson is starting to play better as a result. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
12. Indianapolis... Offense: 4
Defense: 2
Special Teams: 3
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 3.5
Total Points: 16.5

Overall: Best. Speech. Ever. #ChuckStrong (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
13. Tampa Bay Bu... Offense: 4
Defense: 2.5
Special Teams: 3
Quarterback: 3.5
Coaching: 3.5
Total Points: 16.5

Overall: Here come the Bucs. Shout out to The Big Lead. He didn't give up on them at 1-3. I did. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
14. Minnesota Vi... Offense: 2
Defense: 3.5
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 2
Coaching: 4
Total Points: 16

Overall: Christian Ponder's just not cutting it right now. Adrian Peterson is. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
15. San Diego Ch... Offense: 3.5
Defense: 3.5
Special Teams: 3.5
Quarterback: 3.5
Coaching: 2
Total Points: 16

Overall: Wouldn't it be nice if they were able to play the Chiefs every week? (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
16. Detroit Lion... Offense: 4
Defense: 2.5
Special Teams: 2.5
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 2.5
Total Points: 15.5

Overall: Mikel Leshoure (4.1 yards per carry) has added a new element to the Lions offense. It's called a running game. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
17. Miami Dolphi... Offense: 2.5
Defense: 3.5
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 2.5
Coaching: 3
Total Points: 15.5

Overall: Ryan Tannehill has flashed a lot of positive signs. But we learned on Sunday he's no Andrew Luck. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
18. St. Louis Ra... Offense: 1.5
Defense: 3
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 2.5
Coaching: 3.5
Total Points: 14.5

Overall: Danny Amendola still leads the Rams in receptions and receiving yards despite missing three-plus games. That says a lot about the rest of St. Louis' receivers. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
19. Washington R... Offense: 3.5
Defense: 2
Special Teams: 1.5
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 3.5
Total Points: 14.5

Overall: Mike Shanahan was only saying what we all know and believe. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
20. Dallas Cowbo... Offense: 2
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 3
Quarterback: 3
Coaching: 2
Total Points: 14

Overall: Jerry Jones admitted he would fire himself if he didn't own the team. Well, duh! (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
21. Oakland Raid... Offense: 2.5
Defense: 2
Special Teams: 3.5
Quarterback: 3
Coaching: 3
Total Points: 14

Overall: The Doug Martin nightmares will likely last a few weeks. The Bucs back ran (251 yards) all over the Raiders. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
22. New Orleans ... Offense: 4
Defense: 1
Special Teams: 3.5
Quarterback: 4
Coaching: 1.5
Total Points: 14

Overall: Anyone notice they've won three out of four? There's no doubt this would have been a playoff team if not for the bounty scandal. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
23. Arizona Card... Offense: 1
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 4.5
Quarterback: 1
Coaching: 3
Total Points: 13.5

Overall: The hits keep coming for the Cardinals. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
24. Cincinnati B... Offense: 2.5
Defense: 2
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 3
Coaching: 2
Total Points: 13.5

Overall: Andy Dalton has now thrown an interception in all eight games this season. Not good enough. (AP Photo/Michael Keating)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
25. New York Jet... Offense: 1.5
Defense: 4
Special Teams: 2
Quarterback: 2.5
Coaching: 3.5
Total Points: 13.5

Overall: Rex Ryan still didn't have power as of Monday. Hopefully that means he hasn't watched tape of that loss to Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
26. Cleveland Br... Offense: 2
Defense: 3.5
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 2
Coaching: 2
Total Points: 13.5

Overall: Now that the Browns are closer to full strength they have difference-makers (DT Phil Taylor, LB D'qwell Jackson, CB Joe Haden) at every level on defense. That's a positive sign. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
27. Buffalo Bill... Offense: 3.5
Defense: 1.5
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 2.5
Coaching: 1.5
Total Points: 13

Overall: The Bills know how to implode with the best of 'em. This week they did it continually in the red zone. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
28. Carolina Pan... Offense: 2
Defense: 3
Special Teams: 3
Quarterback: 3
Coaching: 2
Total Points: 13

Overall: Want to know what kind of season it's been for the Panthers? They're 0-8 in coin tosses. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
29. Philadelphia... Offense: 2
Defense: 2.5
Special Teams: 2.5
Quarterback: 2.5
Coaching: 2
Total Points: 11.5

Overall: Nice knowing you Andy Reid. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
30. Tennessee Ti... Offense: 2.5
Defense: 1
Special Teams: 4
Quarterback: 2
Coaching: 1.5
Total Points: 11

Overall: It's fair to say owner Bud Adams was upset with the product put on the field Sunday. So he put the entire organization on notice. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
31. Jacksonville... Offense: 1
Defense: 3
Special Teams: 2.5
Quarterback: 1
Coaching: 1.5
Total Points: 9

Overall: The Jags should be ecstatic they are not dead last in these rankings. It's a minor miracle. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
32. Kansas City ... Offense: 1
Defense: 1.5
Special Teams: 2
Quarterback: 1
Coaching: 1.5
Total Points: 7

Overall: The NFL should apologize for putting Kansas City in a primetime game. They should be embarrassed it's happened two weeks in a row. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.