My power rankings are in for Week 8. I did not take Thursday Night Football's game into consideration since I want to evaluate all the team's performances at the same time.
The Falcons, Chiefs, Broncos, Chargers, Eagles and Dolphins were all in a bye. So they might be in the same place as before. May have moved up or down depending on how teams around them performed.
Falcons, Giants and 49ers are in the top three spots as they have fearsome offenses and defenses to their own degree. Falcons likely to remain atop of the rankings unless they pick up a loss.
Check out my power rankings heading into Week 8.
1. Atlanta Falcons (0)
Bye Week keeps the undefeated birds in the top spot. Have scrappy Week 8 match with the Eagles.
2. New York Giants (+8)
They didn't look pretty all the time, but the Giants hung in there as they faced a tricky Redskins team. Manning proved clutch with a big touchdown to get late lead. Giants' D then secured the victory with one of four turnovers.
3. San Francisco 49ers (+1)
Their defense proved themselves, even though the Seahawks are not the toughest offense to stop. Back where they rightfully belong, first place in the West.
4. Houston Texans (+1)
Texans have a better record than Giants & 49ers, but their offense holds them back. Put a hurting on the Ravens, bumping them closer to Top 3.
5. Baltimore Ravens (-2)
This team's hopes might be vanishing. There was no offense against the Texans in an important AFC Conference match. Ray Lewis might be missed more than expected
6. Green Bay Packers (0)
Is it too early to say the Packers are back. With the way Aaron Rodgers is performing, they might go the rest of the season without losing.
7. Chicago Bears (+1)
Bears are looking scary. Their offense did just enough to get the win against the Lions. Defense is one of the most dominating in the League.
8. New England Patriots (-1)
Just when it looked like the Pats were going to give up the game to the lowly Jets, they stepped it up and their defense came to the rescuing, cancelling out any chance that the Jets would complete a comeback in overtime.
9. Denver Broncos (0)
Bye Week keeps them in ninth spot. Big game against the Saints coming up. P. Manning vs. Brees.
10. Minnesota Vikings (0)
They made the Cardinals look ugly. Defense is the anchor for this squad.
11. Seattle Seahawks (0)
The Seahawks look mediocre on offense, but they only allowed 13 points to the 49ers in their game. Defense will take this team far. If they get a decent quarterback, they could go places as the Cardinals are on the decline.
12. Washington Redskins (0)
Completely impressed by RGIII's performance against the Giants. First time I saw the rookie in action. He is the real deal. Poise and athleticism will take him places. Not his fault team couldn't hold on to the ball late in the game.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (+1)
Had a Bye Week, but bump up a few spots as Roethlisberger and offense should get better the more they play under their new system.
14. Dallas Cowboys (+4)
The Cowboys survived a tight game, remaining in the NFC East picture. Week 8 matchup against the Giants will dictate if team is really serious about finishing at the top of the division.
15. Arizona Cardinals (-2)
Apparently the honeymoon is over with the Cardinals. After starting off with an impressive/surprising 4-0 record their offense is failing them and their defense is just not the same.
16. San Diego Chargers (0)
(Bye Week) Should have big Week 8 game as they face the Browns.
17. Philadelphia Eagles (0)
Also in a Bye Week. Face undefeated Falcons in Week 8. Big conference matchup for both teams.
18. Detroit Lions (-3)
The Lions cannot seem to produce any points against the best NFC teams in the league.
19. New York Jets (0)
So, so close. Mark Sanchez showed poor decision making (once again) late in the game, spoiling the chances of a tie or win overtime drive. The more mistakes he makes the more it validates the idea of playing Tebow.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2)
Josh Freeman threw for four touchdowns! Amazing. Bucs offense on the rise? Still not contenders though in the NFC South
21. New Orleans Saints (+4)
The Saints prove week in and week out that though their defense stinks, they have the most productive quarterback in the league.
22. Tennessee Titans (+1)
Titans pull out a W with a big fourth quarter comeback in a game dominated by offense. Chris Johnson beasted. Don't know if this is for real or just a front.
23. Cincinnati Bengals (-3)
The Bengals could not get points in the fourth and it cost them the game. Dalton and Green are a dangerous duo, but there was no touchdown connection in this one.
24. Buffalo Bills (-3)
Oh, so close to a win to keep pace with the Patriots, but they let Chris Johnson run circles around them. First team to allow Johnson in the end zone this season.
25. Indianapolis Colts (-3)
They beat the Browns in almost a must win situation. They can't lose games like that if they plan to compete with have of the AFC that's 3-3.
26. St. Louis Rams (0)
Rams the only team not in first place picture at the moment in the NFC West. Playoff hopes dying out as they hit a tough stretch to close out the season. 7-9 record looming for Rams.
27. Miami Dolphins (0)
Bye Week for Miami. I think this team might deserve to get bumped. Big divisional game against Jets coming up. I do not trust them yet, which is why I have them in the bottom five of the league.
28. Carolina Panthers (-4)
Problems dominating in Carolina. Team going backwards after 6-10 season in 2012.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (0)
Bye Week. Face lowly Raiders in a battle that might shake up the bottom five rankings
30. Oakland Raiders (0)
Good for them. They beat the Jaguars. Don't know what else is positive about this team.
31. Cleveland Browns (0)
Another loss. Another lesson learned for Weeden and Richardson.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars
They lost to the Raiders. Enough said. Jones Drew might miss some time. Team will not be escaping the last spot in the rankings any time soon.
