2020 NFL Power Rankings: Week Nine

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports Welcome to the halfway mark of the season! It goes without saying that the Texans are in a truly unexpected position, but it’s worth noting how strange the road here has been. Declining play from J.J. Watt, Benardrick McKinney’s season ending injury, Zach Cunningham’s collapse, the offense’s dumbfounding designs, and Bill O’Brien’s outing after an 0-4 start to top it all off. Bill O’Brien had mythical influence and power within the organization, his demise seemingly impossible from outside spectators. But, as with every surprise regicide, it was rooted in turmoil from within. Jack Easterby had been in lock-step with O’Brien, joining in his spoils of war. But, in controversy, Easterby defected from O’Brien’s church, and revealed himself to be a vital pillar to B.O.B’s house of cards. Jack Easterby has taken the role of Cardinal Richelieu, and was prepared the assume absolute power once O’Brien’s dominance was questioned by even his most ardent followers. In time, we will understand more and more the Draconian world O’Brien attempted the realize and Easterby’s malignant eminence, but for now, we only know one is gone and one remains.

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