NFL Week 8 Power Rankings

It's hard to think that already, we're reaching the halfway point of the NFL season. Just seems like yesterday the Browns were hiring their new GM and were excited for the 2009 season. Now, their GM has been fired and fans are threatening to show up late for a nationally televised game because their 1-7 team is horrible. Ah, good 'ol Browns.

It was a kind of wild week in the NFL if there is such a thing. Teams that were winless got their first victory and another unbeaten lost. A few others "upsets" happened as well and some guy named Brett Favre took down his former club at a place he had played in for 17 seasons. But how does all of this affect the all-important Power Rankings?
1. Indianapolis (7-0, LW: 1) - The Colts had a somewhat surprising struggle with the 49ers, who gave them all they could handle in Indy. Peyton didn't even throw a touchdown pass in the victory. Just goes to show this team can win ugly too. NEXT vs. Houston

2. Denver (6-1, LW: 2) - You knew the Broncos were bound to lose and losing to the Ravens isn't a bad loss. Denver's lack of offense is a bit of a concern, scoring just 7 points but they are well on their way to winning the AFC West already. NEXT MON vs. Pittsburgh

3. Cincinnati (5-2, LW: 3) - No change here for the Bengals who enjoyed a bye week with a winning record. The 5-2 start is something to be proud of but the next 2 games against Baltimore and Pittsburgh will determine if they are playoff worthy. NEXT vs. Baltimore

4. Pittsburgh (5-2, LW: 4) - The Steelers are coming off a bye week as well and maybe during that time, they found a real running game. They'll need it as they prepare to take on what a defense that held Joe Flacco to 175 pass yds last week. NEXT @ Denver

5. New England (5-2, LW: 5) - The Pats are back in the States now and playing with tons of confidence but considering their last two wins are against TEN and TB, who knows if they're really this good. Big division battle at home this week. NEXT vs. Miami

6. Baltimore (4-3, LW: 6) - You knew the Ravens were too good to lose 3 in a row. The offense didn't have their best day but they didn't to as the Ravens defense finally showed up to play a full 60 minutes. Now, they need to get revenge on the Bengals. NEXT @ Cincinnati

7. Miami (3-4, LW: 7) - That slow start may keep the Dolphins from the playoffs but this is a team you do not want to play. Their run game is hard to contain and that alone can wear down any defense. They're 3-0 in the division for now. NEXT @ New England

8. Houston (5-3, LW: 8) - Look out for the Texans. If the season ended now, they'd be in. The defense had its best game yet, giving up just 10 points and Ryan Moats stepped in nicely at runningback. Huge test this week for the defense against Peyton Manning. NEXT @ Indianapolis

9. San Diego (4-3, LW: 9) - The Raiders weren't as easy to beat as the Chargers may have thought. In fact, it took a 4th quarter stop to secure the win. LT still didn't rush for 100 yds, further proving this is a passing team and his best days are behind him. NEXT @ NY Giants

10. NY Jets (4-4, LW: 10) - Can't blame this loss on Mark Sanchez, who played one of his best games yet with 3 total TD and no turnovers. Blame for this loss falls on the defense and special teams, that gave up not one, but two kick returns for touchdowns. NEXT: Bye Week

11. Jacksonville (3-4, LW: 12) - The Jags really struggled against the previously unbeaten Titans but one had to think the Titans were due for a game like that. Jags get a chance to rebound though. They don't play a team with a winning record until Week 13. NEXT vs. Kansas City

12. Buffalo (3-5, LW: 11) - What a bad loss. They got turnovers from Matt Schaub and couldn't take advantage. They played a bad defense at home and only scored 10 points. Let the QB controversy begin as they head into the bye week. NEXT: Bye Week

13. Tennessee (1-6, LW: 16) - Now that's the Titans team that many thought would begin the season. Vince Young played well at QB, not making dumb mistakes. But the best thing he did was hand the ball off to Chris Johnson, who had 228 yds. NEXT @ San Francisco

14. Oakland (2-6, LW: 15) - Something about the Chargers that brings the best out of the Raiders. They played a decent game but you had to know JaMarcus Russell had zero chance to run a successful 2-minute drill. We'll see if Tom Cable has a job after the bye week. NEXT: Bye Week

15. Kansas City (1-6, LW: 13) - The Larry Johnson fiasco seems to have passed by now but the losing needs to stop now. That can happen if Matt Cassel avoids the turnovers and the aforementioned Johnson of Jamaal Charles can ignite the run game. NEXT @ Jacksonville

16. Cleveland (1-7, LW: 14) - These are rough times for Browns fans. The quarterback situation is back to square one and the lack of offensive touchdowns is just ridiculous. They've already fired their GM. Wouldn't be surprised to Eric Mangini go either. NEXT: Bye Week


1. New Orleans (7-0, LW: 1) - Yet again, they don't score a ton of points but enough for their defense, which by no means is a shut down squad. They were pests though for Matt Ryan all game, keeping him from staying in rhythm with his receivers. NEXT vs. Carolina

2. Minnesota (7-1, LW: 2) - It was an impressive win for the Vikings but time to give Brad Childress props now. With Tarvaris Jackson, the Vikings lose that game. But with Brett Favre, they win and now are in the driver's seat to win the NFC North. NEXT: Bye Week

3. Philadelphia (5-2, LW: 5) - That Philadelphia passing game is just downright dangerous. Donovan McNabb is just having hsi way with defenses and his young receivers are playing great. Getting Brian Westbrook back soon will just make them better. NEXT vs. Dallas

4. Dallas (5-2, LW: 6) - I still don't know where Miles Austin came from but it makes sense that he and Tony Romo have such a great connection. Both came from nowhere and are making the best of their situations right now. This team is better than many though. NEXT @ Philadelphia

5. Atlanta (4-3, LW: 7) - The Falcons lost their second in a row for the first time ever under Mike Smith but talk about a hard-fought loss. They never gave up and stuck with the Saints until the end. Their schedule gets much easier in the next 9 games. NEXT vs. Washington

6. Green Bay (4-3, LW: 8) - The Packers didn't play incredibly bad. Brett Favre just played that well. This team is still dangerous, especially if they can keep a consistent running game. Aaron Rodgers is on his way to being a top-5 NFL QB. NEXT @ Tampa Bay

7. Chicago (4-3, LW: 9) - The Bears found their running game finally, thanks to the Browns. Now, it's just a matter of keeping it going if they want to make the playoffs. Oh, that and Jay Cutler staying away from those turnovers he's prone to having. NEXT vs. Arizona

8. Arizona (4-3, LW: 3) - It's a steep drop for the Cardinals but that's because good teams don't lose to inferior ones at home. That and the Cardinals wins aren't that impressive anymore. That offense is too good to score just 21 against the Panthers defense. NEXT @ Chicago

9. NY Giants (5-3, LW: 4) - Look closely and this team isn't as good as their record. They have wins against the likes of WAS, TB, KC, and OAK and now, have lost three in a row to quality competition. Not sure what's wrong but they need to figure it out. NEXT vs. San Diego

10. Carolina (3-4, LW: 12) - The Panthers played a good game finally. Jake Delhomme threw no INTs and the running game controlled the clock. More importantly, the defense made an impact, scoring points and slowing a very good Arizona offense. NEXT @ New Orleans

11. San Francisco (3-4, LW: 10) - The losing streak is up to 3 now but by the looks of their game against Indy, it'll end soon. The Niners defense played to its potential again. now, it's just up to the offense to put some more points to help them out. NEXT vs. Tennessee

12. Seattle (2-5, LW: 11) - This was supposed to be a much better season for the Seahawks. Injuries can't be an excuse this year like it was last year. Their propensity to fall behind hurts them because the passing game is not their strength. NEXT vs. Detroit

13. Washington (2-5, LW: 13) - Jim Zorn has 9 games left in his Redskins coaching career in all likelihood. We'll see if he goes out with a bang or a thud. Jason Campbell may be the key to that. His play has been awful through 7 games. NEXT @ Atlanta

14. St. Louis (1-7, LW: 15) - Congrats to the Rams for getting that first victory. Much of it is thanks to Steven Jackson, who despite the team's slow start, has yet to slow down. Now, they get a bye week to rest up the bodies before the 2nd half of the season. NEXT: Bye Week

15. Detroit (1-6, LW: 14) - If the Lions are going to turn the corner, they have to start winning games like the one they just lost to St. Louis. The offense should be better than how they've played so far. Only win so far is against WAS so maybe they still are just awful. NEXT @ Seattle

16. Tampa Bay (0-7, LW: 16) - No word yet who will start at quarterback for the Bucs but if I were head coach Raheem Morris, no better time to throw Josh Freeman in the fray than now. It's a home game and against a GB defense that isn't too tough. NEXT vs. Green Bay