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The Cowboys, winners of six straight games, have climbed their way to No. 2 this week and join the Patriots as the top two teams in the Week 9 NFL Power Rankings. ESPNs power panel (a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities) also rewarded another climber, the Raiders, who moved up five spots to sit just outside the top five.Methodology note: These rankings reflect which teams voters think would win head-to-head matchups. Higher-ranked teams would be favored against lower-ranked teams. Coming off a win doesnt guarantee a jump, and coming off a loss doesnt guarantee a fall.Check out the rest of the league and where each team ranks.Previous rankings: Week 8 | Week 7 | Week 6 | Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1 | PreseasonESPN Stats & Information contributed the following research, with this weeks focus on how each team has changed since its Week 1 ranking.1. New England Patriots2016 record: 7-1 Week 8 ranking: 1 | Week 1 ranking: 3The Patriots were near the apex of the rankings even without quarterback Tom Brady, so now that hes back into the full swing of things, is it any surprise New England is the top dog? Brady heads into the bye 4-0 with 12 touchdown passes and no interceptions.2. Dallas Cowboys2016 record: 6-1 Week 8 ranking: 4 | Week 1 ranking: 23A big reason for the Cowboys success is their star rookies: QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott. According to Elias, Prescott and Johnny Lujack (1948 Bears) are the only rookie quarterbacks to start 6-1 in NFL history.3. Denver Broncos2016 record: 6-2 Week 8 ranking: 3 | Week 1 ranking: 8Its possible the Broncos are still being underestimated, despite their 6-2 start. The defense has forced 16 turnovers (tied for most in the NFL) and allowed only 17 points per game. On top of that, the Broncos have thrown eight fewer interceptions than they did by this point last season.4. Seattle Seahawks2016 record: 4-2-1 Week 8 ranking: 2 | Week 1 ranking: 1The Seahawks are still a top-five team, but thats mostly thanks to their defense. QB Russell Wilson doesnt seem himself lately (thanks to injuries, among other factors), and his rushing numbers back that up. Wilson has 44 rush yards this season, tied for 20th among quarterbacks. Whom is he tied with? Tom Brady.5. Green Bay Packers2016 record: 4-3 Week 8 ranking: 6 | Week 1 ranking: 6The Packers are about where they were at the start of the season, despite a 4-3 record entering Week 9. Thats not bad for a team that had three players each record their first touchdown receptions in Week 8, thanks to a multitude of injuries. If this team can get fully healthy, watch out.6. Oakland Raiders2016 record: 6-2 Week 8 ranking: 11 | Week 1 ranking: 11The Raiders are off to their best eight-game start since 2001, despite allowing the second-most yards per game and committing the most penalties. QB Derek Carr has kept the Raiders afloat, throwing 16 of his 17 touchdowns with the score within eight points (most in the NFL).7. Minnesota Vikings2016 record: 5-2 Week 8 ranking: 5 | Week 1 ranking: 12Not many anticipated that the Vikings would rise as high as they did after losing QB Teddy Bridgewater to a season-ending injury in late August. But with Sam Bradfords recent struggles, taking 11 sacks the past two games, a bigger drop-off could be in store if the problems arent corrected.8. Pittsburgh Steelers2016 record: 4-3 Week 8 ranking: 8 | Week 1 ranking: 2The Steelers have dipped a bit in the rankings since the start of the season. Quarterback Ben Roethlisbergers absence hasnt helped. Let the record show: Steelers QBs not named Roethlisberger are 1-6 against the Ravens (Pittsburghs Week 9 opponent) since he became the starter.9. Atlanta Falcons2016 record: 5-3 Week 8 ranking: 10 | Week 1 ranking: 22ESPNs efficiency rankings have the Falcons at No. 2 offensively, trailing only the Patriots. That top offense has moved the Falcons from No. 22 to No. 9 in this weeks rankings, but their 26th-ranked defense could get in the way of future movement in this poll if theyre not careful.10. Philadelphia Eagles2016 record: 4-3 Week 8 ranking: 12 | Week 1 ranking: 25The Eagles have dropped three of their past four games, but all of the losses have been close (seven points or fewer), and all have been on the road. QB Carson Wentz will prove his mettle in upcoming weeks, though, as the Eagles take on the Giants, Falcons, Seahawks and Packers.11. Kansas City Chiefs2016 record: 5-2 Week 8 ranking: 9 | Week 1 ranking: 9The Chiefs are 5-2 this season and 15-2 in their past 17 games, so a dip in the rankings from Week 1 feels a little off here. However, the Chiefs will be put to the test in upcoming weeks, mostly because of uncertainty at quarterback and running back following recent injuries.12. Arizona Cardinals2016 record: 3-4-1 Week 8 ranking: 7 | Week 1 ranking: 4The Cardinals made big changes on the offensive line this offseason, and those changes are coming back to haunt them in the standings and the rankings. Arizona is 0-4-1 this season when allowing multiple sacks and 3-0 when allowing one or zero.13. Cincinnati Bengals2016 record: 3-4-1 Week 8 ranking: 13 | Week 1 ranking: 7QB Andy Dalton has now started two tie games in his NFL career. That fact might sum up the Andy Dalton experience, as the Bengals have slipped in the standings since Week 1. No. 13 might be generous, though, as Cincinnatis wins have come against the Jets (No. 27 in Power Rankings), Dolphins (No. 28) and Browns (No. 32).14. San Diego Chargers2016 record: 3-5 Week 8 ranking: 14 | Week 1 ranking: 26The Chargers have already made big moves in the rankings since Week 1, but imagine where theyd be if they could hold a lead. Only the Patriots have run more offensive plays with a lead (346) than the Chargers (258) this season.15. Washington Redskins2016 record: 4-3-1 Week 8 ranking: 19 | Week 1 ranking: 14The Redskins lost their first two, then won four in a row and have gone winless (0-1-1) since. The ups and downs have Washington moving down one spot since Week 1. Something good to show for it is the recent play of QB Kirk Cousins. Hes second in the NFL in passing yards this season, with 2,454.16. Carolina Panthers2016 record: 2-5 Week 8 ranking: 22 | Week 1 ranking: 5Its easy to make Cam Newton a scapegoat, but the Panthers defense might be the real culprit in the teams overall fall in the rankings since Week 1. The Panthers are allowing 28 points per game this season, which is almost nine more per game than they allowed all of the previous regular season (19.3).17. Houston Texans2016 record: 5-3 Week 8 ranking: 17 | Week 1 ranking: 13If the Texans played every game at home, theyd be one of the best teams in the NFL. In Houston this season, they are 5-0 and averaging 23 points per game. Away from Houston? Theyre 0-3 and have scored 22 points ... total.18. Buffalo Bills2016 record: 4-4 Week 8 ranking: 16 | Week 1 ranking: 16The Bills are 1-3 in division games this season, with the only win coming against the Jacoby Brissett-led Patriots in Week 4. As the AFC East gets more muddled, those losses could come back to bite the Bills. They look to right the ship Monday at Seattle.19. New Orleans Saints2016 record: 3-4 Week 8 ranking: 25 | Week 1 ranking: 27The Saints have won three of their past four games to move up in the rankings, and that Drew Brees fellow is one of the big reasons for that. During the four-game stretch, Brees has an 84.0 Total QBR, second in the NFL to Tom Brady.20. Baltimore Ravens2016 record: 3-4 Week 8 ranking: 21 | Week 1 ranking: 15The Ravens started the season with a three-game win streak but have lost four straight since. Joe Flacco is one of four qualified quarterbacks with more interceptions than touchdowns so far (six versus five). The Ravens could be better than 20th, but they could be a lot worse too.21. Detroit Lions2016 record: 4-4 Week 8 ranking: 15 | Week 1 ranking: 20Like a lot of teams, the Lions are not a complete team on all sides of the ball. Their offense is rated the fourth-most efficient, according to NFL FPI, but their defense ranks 31st, better than only the Browns. Without balance, the Lions might find it difficult to rise above the middle of the rankings.22. New York Giants2016 record: 4-3 Week 8 ranking: 18 | Week 1 ranking: 17Its hard to tell if the Giants are pretenders or contenders. They have a 4-3 record, but their minus-8 point differential is the worst in the crowded NFC East. That kind of point differential doesnt bode well for their potential going forward.23. Tennessee Titans2016 record: 4-4 Week 8 ranking: 23 | Week 1 ranking: 30The Titans have already surpassed their 2015 win total (3-13). QB Marcus Mariota has shown improvement, especially from the pocket. His Total QBR from inside the pocket has improved by 21 points this season.24. Los Angeles Rams2016 record: 3-4 Week 8 ranking: 27 | Week 1 ranking: 28Since Week 1, the Rams have crept up the rankings, thanks to a 3-1 start, but a three-game skid has halted that rise. Regardless of who starts at quarterback going forward, Todd Gurleys 3.0 yards per rush (second-worst in the NFL) needs to improve if Los Angeles aims to make it through the meat of the schedule.25. Indianapolis Colts2016 record: 3-5 Week 8 ranking: 24 | Week 1 ranking: 18The Colts have dropped since Week 1, and for good reason: Andrew Luck has been sacked an NFL-high 31 times this season. Luck has had to play behind 12 different offensive line combinations already and has taken a sack behind seven of them.26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers2016 record: 3-4 Week 8 ranking: 20 | Week 1 ranking: 24Here are Jameis Winstons completion percentages this season: 72, 52, 62, 49, 60, 70, 50. The inconsistency from week to week is frustrating for fans, but not entirely unexpected from a second-year quarterback. If he can find his rhythm, the Bucs could move back up.27. New York Jets2016 record: 3-5 Week 8 ranking: 28 | Week 1 ranking: 10Through this point last season,?Ryan Fitzpatrick had 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Those numbers are basically flipped this season (seven TDs, 11 INTs), and Fitzpatrick has already been benched once. The Jets have a lot of work to do if they want to reach the top 10 in these Power Rankings again.28. Miami Dolphins2016 record: 3-4 Week 8 ranking: 26 | Week 1 ranking: 21Even consecutive 200-yard rushing performances by Jay Ajayi cant get the Dolphins back to their original ranking following Miamis 1-4 start. The Dolphins averaged 72 rush yards per game during that start, so if Ajayi keeps up with the big gains and the wins start happening, Miami could make a move in future weeks.29. Chicago Bears2016 record: 2-6 Week 8 ranking: 30 | Week 1 ranking: 29The Bears are pretty much where we left them in Week 1. This team has offensive talent, and if Jordan Howard and Alshon Jeffery can continue to make big plays (265 total yards, two TDs between them in Week 8), the Bears could be on the move in the rankings.30. Jacksonville Jaguars2016 record: 2-5 Week 8 ranking: 29 | Week 1 ranking: 19Entering the season, it seemed like things were on the up and up in Jacksonville. Guess not. The Jags have two wins, but by a combined score of four points. Theyve been outscored by 61 in their five losses.31. San Francisco 49ers2016 record: 1-6 Week 8 ranking: 31 | Week 1 ranking: 32The 49ers have moved up a whopping one spot since Week 1. The team obviously has quarterback problems, but the main reason for the 49ers consistently poor ranking is defense. The 49ers rank last in points per game allowed this season, as they are giving up 31.3.32. Cleveland Browns2016 record: 0-8 Week 8 ranking: 32 | Week 1 ranking: 31When you havent won a game and youve had six different quarterbacks throw a pass through eight games, youre going to find yourself at the bottom of the standings. If Week 1 prognostications are any such indicator, our power panel had a hunch that Cleveland was going to struggle this season, even before it all went down. Sidney Crosby Jersey . The phone hearing is scheduled for 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt. Winchester, who was not penalized for the hit, appeared to make contact with Kellys head early in the first period of Thursdays game in Boston. Jake Guentzel Jersey .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. http://www.penguinsauthenticofficial.com/dominik-simon-jersey/ . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. Chad Ruhwedel Penguins Jersey . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. Brian Dumoulin Jersey . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action.F1s 2016 launch season is starting to take shape with most car unveiling dates now confirmed. Ahead of a later start to the truncated winter testing programme this year on February 22, teams are keeping their new cars under wraps until either the opening morning of the first Barcelona test or the days immediately before.With the days of big set-piece launch events increasingly proving a glitzy excess of the past, 2016s car unveilings are falling into one of two camps: an online-only event or a pitlane reveal at testing. McLaren have confirmed an online launch for their MP4-31 the day before testing begins, Sunday February 21, with Ferrari also planning an online reveal for their 2016 challenger. As expected, the Scuderia have confirmed this will take place two days before McLaren on Friday February 19.Williams, however, jumped both of their rivals by launching their new FW38 online before Ferraris launch.The build-up to the official start of testing at Barcelona on the Monday is poised be especially busy.Red Bull and Manor have indicated they will pull the wraps off their respective 2016 cars in the Circuit de Catalunya pitlane before the test begins at 8am UK time.Newcomers Haas will reveal their new car on Sunday February 21 with particular anticipation surrounding the reveal of the American teams first F1 challenger.However, true to their reputation of doing things differently, Red Bull have already revealed a new look for 2016 at a livery launch.World champions Mercedes have traditionally held straightforward pitlane reveals since their return to team ownership in 2010 and are therefore likely to follow suit with the W07 on February 22. Force India have also opted for a straightforward rollout. Every race live in 2016 Sky Sports F1 brings you every race live in 2016. Fast and easy online upgrade - click here. Sauber, meanwhile, have delayed their new C35 to the second and final test, which begins on March 1.dddddddddddd The Swiss team, whose financial problems have proved long-running, have attributed the wait to the fact the start of the new racing season was brought forward to March 20, having initially been scheduled for early April. Renault, who hosted a launch event in in Paris on February 3, are currently the only team to have revealed their new 2016 car. However, with the event focused on marking Renaults return to F1 as a fully-fledged team, their new car is expected to be heavily revised before the start of the season while the livery may also be redesigned. Toro Rosso have confirmed their new STR11 will run in an interim all-blue paint job at the opening test, with a livery reveal planned for week two. Manor the only one of F1s 11 teams yet to name their drivers for the new season.2016 CAR LAUNCHESFebruary 3: Renault RS16, ParisFebruary 17: Red Bull 2016 livery, LondonFebruary 19: Williams FW38, onlineFebruary 19: Ferrari, onlineFebruary 21: McLaren MP4-31, onlineFebruary 22: Mercedes W07, Barcelona (TBC)February 22: Red Bull RB12, BarcelonaFebruary 22: Haas, BarcelonaFebruary 22: Manor MRT05, BarcelonaFebruary 22: Force India VJM09, BarcelonaMarch 1: Sauber C35, Barcelona Full 2016 schedule Confirmed race schedules, driver line-ups and test dates The first Barcelona test starts on Monday February 22 and the Sky Sports F1 Digital team will be providing live commentary from dawn until dusk on all four days while Sky Sports News HQ will also deliver live updates from trackside. Also See: Red Bull to hold 2016 livery launch F1 in 2016: Launch and test dates ' ' '