It was a statement weekend for two-loss teams

It was unofficial Statement Weekend in the NFL for four teams who want to be Super Bowl contenders.

The NFL has eight two-loss teams in its second tier, but the Lions (who defeated the previously unbeaten Vikings), Broncos (who beat the return-to-dynasty-looking Chiefs), Steelers (who reminded the Browns who’s boss in the AFC North) and Bears (who took down the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks) now all have winning streaks of at least three games.

How do those four hot teams compare to each other and to the rest of the league?

Here are the Post’s NFL power rankings for Week 9:

1. Bills 6-1 (2)

The Josh Allen-Lamar Jackson battle never materialized because Jackson injured his thumb on his first snap. The Bills showed no sympathy for the Ravens and stopped settling for field goals after halftime, scoring three touchdowns in a span of four possessions to ignite a 36-10 win. Allen passed for two touchdowns, including one to D.J. Moore in his return from injury, and ran for one.

2. 49ers 6-1 (4)

A bye-week trade for Jauan Jennings fell through when he wanted to stay with the Vikings rather than return to the 49ers, Fox Sports reported. The injury-plagued 49ers could get back any or all of Mike Evans, Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel, DeMarcus Robinson and C.J. West out of the bye. Brock Purdy has thrown 15 touchdowns against four interceptions.

3. Vikings 6-1 (1)

The NFL’s stingiest defense allowed a game-winning, 69-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown drive and then couldn’t get a needed stop over the final 2:53 of a 19-15 loss to the Lions. The Vikings’ 11-game regular-season winning streak dating back to last season was snapped with their first loss since Nov. 30, 2025. Kyler Murray threw two touchdown passes and an interception.

4. Broncos 6-2 (5)

The Broncos overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit with fourth-quarter touchdowns by Nate Adkins and Jonah Coleman in a 28-24 win against the Chiefs. Winners of four straight, the Broncos were one yard away from losing with four seconds remaining before a false start penalty moved the ball and Malcolm Roach sacked Patrick Mahomes on the final play.

5. Bears 6-2 (6)

D’Andre Swift rushed for three short-yardage touchdowns after Caleb Williams did a lot of the heavy lifting with 247 passing yards in a 34-17 resounding road win against the Seahawks. Austin Booker had a monster fourth quarter, blocking a field goal and deflecting a pass that became an interception. Jeffery Simmons had six tackles and a sack in his Bears’ debut.

6. Chiefs 6-2 (3)

Mahomes’ three touchdown passes weren’t enough as he suffered just his third loss in 83 career games when holding a double-digit fourth-quarter lead, as was the case against the Broncos. Struggling kicker Harrison Butker missed a late 54-yard field goal with a chance to extend a three-point lead. Mahomes took a third-down sack on the preceding play to back up Butker’s kick.

7. Steelers 6-2 (7)

Jaylen Warren decided a first-place showdown by matching his career-high with 143 yards rushing on his 28th birthday in a 27-6 victory against the Browns. Warren was one of three different players with a rushing touchdown. Add that to seven different players who combined for eight sacks, led by T.J. Watt’s two. The Steelers have won 23 straight regular-season home games in the rivalry.

8. Bengals 5-2 (8)

How do you offset throwing three interceptions to the same defender (Amani Hooker)? If you are Joe Burrow, by throwing five touchdown passes and running for the game-winning 9-yard touchdown in overtime of a 43-36 victory against the Titans. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase combined for 23 catches for 296 yards and three touchdowns as the Bengals overcame a 13-point deficit.

10. Jaguars 5-2 (11)

Trevor Lawrence set the tone by directing a 98-yard touchdown drive, and the Jaguars never let up in a 42-7 victory against the reeling Colts. Brian Thomas Jr., who is on the trade market, caught one of Lawrence’s three touchdown passes. The defense held Jonathan Taylor to 23 rushing yards and recovered a fumble on a botched trick play.

10. Lions 5-2 (13)

Jahmyr Gibbs showed that he has more tools than just speed burst by carrying 23 times for 157 yards to outlast the Vikings. Jared Goff threw the go-ahead touchdown pass to Jameson Williams with less than five minutes remaining. All postgame thoughts were with All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell, who suffered a neck injury and remains hospitalized.

11. Seahawks 4-4 (9)

12. Patriots 5-3 (12)

13. Browns 5-3 (10)

14. Packers 5-3 (14)

15. Giants 4-2-1 (15)

It was a nice bye week for the Giants, whose pursuit of their first NFC East title since 2011 was strengthened by the Cowboys’ collapse. The rest was exactly what the ailing duo of Andrew Thomas and Cam Skattebo needed. J.J. McCarthy’s mastery of the playbook headed into his second start should only improve, too. Malik Nabers has had four straight 100-yard receiving games.

16. Rams 4-4 (17)

17. Raiders 4-4 (20)

18. Ravens 4-4 (16)

19. Buccaneers 3-5 (25)

20. Cardinals 3-5 (26)

21. Cowboys 3-5 (19)

22. Falcons 3-5 (18)

23. Commanders 2-4-1 (30)

24. Texans 2-5 (22)

25. Panthers 3-4 (21)

26. Saints 2-5 (23)

27. Eagles 2-6 (24)

28. Colts 2-6 (27)

29. Dolphins 1-6 (28)

30. Jets 2-6 (29)

Because of a porous defense in a 38-33 loss to the Raiders, the Jets became only the second NFL team since at least 2000 to fall after scoring on its first six possessions (three touchdowns, three field goals), according to ESPN. Braelon Allen (147 rushing yards) and Adonai Mitchell (142 receiving yards) both set career highs.