Mike Blewitt's NFL Power Rankings: Week 7

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

One would think that you could not ask for a better game than matching up the top two teams in the power rankings. Only, a blowout left us…unfulfilled.

Tom Brady had Patriots fans thinking of the glorious days of yesteryear (it was 2007, relax), Favre-mania is running wild in Minny, and the QB passing numbers across the entire league had fantasy geeks awkwardly high-fiving each other on Monday morning at the water cooler.

Here we go from the NEW No. 1 New Orleans Saints all the way to ol’ reliable Rams at No. 32…

1.      New Orleans Saints (5-0) —The marquee matchup was ALL New Orleans as Drew Brees & Co. played nearly flawless offensive football and torched the Giants for 48 points. The Saints topped the 40-point mark for the third time this season and did it this time against the league’s previously top-ranked defense. They have officially earned this No. 1 ranking on the field.

2.      Indianapolis Colts (5-0) —The Colts bring their well-rested and increasingly healthy team to St. Louis after the bye week, which almost seems unfair.

3.      Minnesota Vikings (6-0) —Another fantastic finish in Minnesota as the Vikings and Ravens combined for 34 fourth-quarter points. While the Vikes defense does not seem as dominant as they were a year ago, the Adrian Peterson-Brett Favre combo is providing a well-balanced punch that can put away any team in the league. Next up: They go to Pittsburgh for another stern test of their undefeated record.

4.      Denver Broncos (6-0) —The Broncos defense came up with five sacks and held San Diego to just 2-of-11 on third downs; they continue to impress the entire NFL-watching nation. Oh, by the way, Eddie Royal returned a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown, only the 11th player to do so in league history.

5.      New York Giants (5-1) —When it rains, it pours. The Giants No. 1 pass defense looked anything but that on Sunday against the Saints as they allowed four touchdowns and 369 yards through the air. This is still a team that will be fighting for home-field advantage at season’s end, but they lost some leverage after this past week’s performance against New Orleans.

6.      New England Patriots (4-2) —A little film study and an 0-5 opponent can go a long way to boosting a team’s confidence. Skewering that team for team records of 59 points, 651 yards, and five passing TDs in one quarter is like a Tony Robbins infomercial boost…in the snow.

7.      Atlanta Falcons (4-1) —While Matt Ryan and the rest of the offense took advantage of their scoring opportunities, the real story for Atlanta was their defense, which created two Chicago turnovers in the red zone. The Falcons travel to Dallas needing every win they can get to keep pace with divisional rival and top-ranked New Orleans.

8.      Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) —Their inability to run the ball effectively led to their second loss of the year as Houston also tore their defense apart all day. The loss of DE Antwan Odom is a big one for the Bengals, who will need to rally quickly as they take on a desperate Bears team this Sunday.

9.      Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) —Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to over 500 yards of offense as they beat the Browns for the 12th consecutive time. Three lost fumbles prevented a blowout and showed signs that Pittsburgh is still having trouble putting teams away, but Troy Polamalu’s return from injury will be a big key for their success moving forward in 2009.

10.  Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) —The Eagles were able to pick up 4.8 yards per carry on the ground, yet called only 14 rushing plays on the afternoon in Oakland. The one-dimensional offense provided the Raiders the opportunities for six sacks and led to QB Donovan McNabb

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