NFL Power Rankings 2012: Texans still best in AFC

The Houston Texans remain in the upper-tier of NFL teams following their Week 9, 21-9 win over the Buffalo Bills. SB Nation NFL Editor Joel Thorman puts the Texans at No. 2 in his latest power rankings, higher than all other AFC teams and behind only the undefeated Atlanta Falcons.

One of their biggest remaining tests comes in Week 10 in the form of the only other one-loss team in the NFL. The Texans hit the road to play the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football. Thorman sees this game as a barometer of sorts:

"Another 'Are these guys for real?' game coming up this weekend when the Texans face the Bears in Chicago. Houston's already dominated the Ravens, so we know they're legit. Beating the Bears would help cement that for the non-believers."

The Texans are also at No. 2 overall in NFL.com's Power Poll. Pete Prisco at CBS Sports, however, likes Chicago slightly better than the Texans, putting Houston at No. 3 behind the Falcons and Bears. Prisco thought Houston looked a little rusty after coming off their bye:

"They came off their bye looking a little rusty, but it didn't matter against the Bills. It will against better teams."