NFL Power Rankings Week Eight: Setting the Records Straight

Welcome to my third edition of NFL "Power Rankings," which are based on what I believe is the most fair system offered out there for any rankings.

Most people believe Power Rankings should be based on opinion or hypothetical situations of which team is better than which, but I firmly believe that wins and losses are the only thing that should matter when it comes to this type of list, so here are some rules to consider as you read along my rankings.

1. Wins and losses; win percentage/ Opponents beaten win percentage

This is the biggest factor. A team who wins more often than not should logically be placed higher on this kind of a list. For instance, if a team is 6-0, they are automatically given superiority to a team that is 5-0. They have played more games, thus, they have been tested more, and it is fair.

Similarly, if a team is 0-6, they are automatically placed higher than a team that is 0-7. The 0-7 team has had more chance to win, and they have failed.

2. Head to head victory.

If two teams have the same record and have played each other, the winning team is ranked higher than the losing team. This is probably the most logical of all the factors.

3. Opinion

As is rarely the case, if all other factors are a complete tie, then I implement my opinion.

I hope you enjoy!

1. Denver Broncos (6-0)

No change here, the Broncos have still proven the most to me among the unbeaten teams.

They just have too much going for them right now with the top defense in the league, a top rushing attack, an elite level pass rush, an elite offensive line, and the list could go on and on.

This team is extremely well-coached, and they look to me like the most complete team in the NFL through seven weeks, given the teams they have beaten.

2. New Orleans Saints (6-0)

I will be honest, I thought the Saints were going to lose that game against the Dolphins, but they proved to be much more resilient than I could have imagined.

Drew Brees played a pretty rough game passing-wise, and the Saints were still able to put more than 40 points on the board against a pretty solid Dolphins defense.

New Orleans' defense has the ability to force turnovers seemingly at will, and to couple that with an outstanding offense is almost unbeatable. This team is extremely impressive, and clearly the team to beat in the NFC right now.

3. Indianapolis Colts (6-0)

The Colts continue to dominate their opposition, and they are off to yet another hot start. The only thing the Colts really lack is a stable running attack, and the Rams made them look a little better than they really are in that area.

Still, this team is talented enough to go deep into the postseason, especially with Peyton Manning running the show.

They were unable to stop Steven Jackson at times, though, and I question whether or not they will be able to beat a team with a stout rushing attack who can also play defense.

4. Minnesota Vikings (6-1)

The Vikings suffered a devastating loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road on Sunday, in a game they feel they could/should have won.

A screen pass that went through Chester Taylor's hands on the potential game-winning drive ended any chance for them to go 7-0 this season as the Steelers had two fourth-quarter defensive scores.

This is a very good team, but they need to improve in their pass defense or they will not be able to hang with some of the other top NFC teams like New York or New Orleans.

5. Cincinnatti Bengals (5-2)

When Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson are healthy and on the same page, this offense is really good.

Add in a potent rushing attack led by the NFL's leading runner in Cedric Benson, and you have yourself an offense that can put points on the board almost at will.

When Cincinnati plays like they did on Sunday, they are tough to beat.

6. New England Patriots (5-2)

Tom Brady and the Patriots are hot, but they need to get No. 39, Laurence Maroney on some kind of hot streak.

Brady can pass all day long with the right protection, but any time this Patriots team has been elite, they have had a stout rushing attack.

They need to find that, but for now, they are doing really well and appear to be among the NFL's elite.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)

The Steelers are one of the NFL's hottest teams after starting 1-2, losing to Chicago and Cincinnati. They have won four straight games and appear to be back to their "super" form from last season.

The one thing they have now that they didn't really last season is stability at the running back position, where Rashard Mendenhall is quickly making a name for himself in this league. If only he would stop fumbling...

8. New York Giants (5-2)

The Giants have lost two straight games to two NFC contenders. Not coincidentally, they are the only two teams the Giants have played so far this season that lead a division.

This team is very good, but they need to prove that they can beat another team they will have to hang with in January to earn my respect.

9. Arizona Cardinals (4-2)

Arizona has won three straight road games, which is something that has prevented them from becoming an elite team in their recent year of success.

A gutsy win against New York on Sunday night has shed a whole new light on this Arizona team, particularly the defense.

If Chris Wells continues to improve and the defense plays like it did last night, this team will win the NFC West with relative ease.

10. Dallas Cowboys (4-2)

Dallas has one of the league's top offensive units, and they are a field goal away from a top five ranking (not that it matters at all). Still, hypotheticals lead us to assume, and we all know what assuming does.

Dallas has too much talent not to contend in the NFC East, and they find themselves only half a game behind New York in the standings.

11. Atlanta Falcons (4-2)

Right when I get to a high point with this team, they let me down.

In a big way.

The Falcons are a good team, but they need to be more consistent. I realize it is hard to go on the road and beat a top offensive unit, but it's not like this team doesn't have the talent to do it.

I think they will be in the mix for the playoffs all season long.

12. Green Bay Packers (4-2)

The Packers are another team on the fringe of becoming great. If they can pull out a home win over Minnesota on Sunday, they will move only a half game behind in the division standings and will have earned a great amount of respect around the league.

The big thing with the Packers is a lack of an offensive line, which is why I feel they will lose more games than they should.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (4-2)

The Eagles have made some bad teams look really bad this year, but losing to the Raiders (for whatever it's worth or for whoever really cares) really moves them down on this list.

It's not that the Eagles are not talented, because they are. They have met challenges head on, and their only other loss was to undefeated New Orleans, so I don't hold that too much against them.

The fact remains, this team has yet to beat a really good team, but I can't fault them for their solid 4-2 start.

14. New York Jets (4-3)

It must have been the fact that I was wearing my Iowa no. 23 Shonn Greene jersey yesterday, because the third round pick was on fire.

Greene ran the ball 19 times for 144 yards and two scores, and now that Leon Washington is on injured reserve, he will see a lot more time.

When the Jets run like they did on Sunday, they can control a game. I just have to remind myself they were playing the Oakland Raiders.

15. Houston Texans (4-3)

This team is up, then it's down. The Texans are too good to be 4-3, but here they are.

I think their offense is as good as any in the NFL when healthy, and they should be able to put together a string of solid victories to get back into the playoff race.

16. Chicago Bears (3-3)

The Bears are a team that was expected to probably have at least four wins at this point, but they were flat out embarrassed to a .500 record on Sunday, and are in third place in the NFC North.

If this team is to have ANY success, Jay Cutler is going to need to be protected better, and Matt Forte needs something other than brick walls to run into.

17. San Francisco 49ers (3-3)

I think this team will get win No. 4 this week. I don't even know who they play, but I really like the 49ers. They are well-coached and now that Michael Crabtree is on the field, I really think this offense has great potential.

The only thing holding them back is their quarterback play and injury to Frank Gore. If Gore can get healthy and stay healthy, and Alex Smith can play like he did in the second half on Sunday, this team will contend with Arizona for the NFC West title.

18. Baltimore Ravens (3-3)

Quite honestly, this team is much better than their ranking but due to the rules of this system, they are way down here.

I love the fact that this offense is explosive, but I question whether or not they can consistently stop the passing games of other teams.

After a 3-0 start, this team has lost three straight games and coming off their bye week, they play undefeated Denver.

19. San Diego Chargers (3-3)

The San Diego Chargers are coming off of a dominating win over the Kansas City Chiefs, and it could not have come at a better time.

They should thank the scheduling gods for putting Todd Haley's squad in this part of their schedule, because had they lost this game, they would currently be four games behind the Denver Broncos after only six games this season.

San Diego proved why its offense is considered elite on Sunday, as they basically put on an offensive clinic against the Chiefs. By the way, can anyone stop Vincent Jackson?

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)

Jacksonville's success depends on the success of Maurice Jones-Drew, plain and simple. This team needs to be able to run the ball effectively to win games, and thus far, they have not been able to do it on a consistent basis.

Injuries on the offensive line for the second consecutive year have not helped matters, and two rookies on the edge could be detrimental to David Garrard and this offense.

21. Buffalo Bills (3-4)

Buffalo is refusing to go away, winning two straight games after a dismal 1-4 start. Seeing as he is one of my fantasy backs, I would love to see Marshawn Lynch hit a second gear some day soon, and I'm sure the Bills would too.

Buffalo needs Trent Edwards back, and they need surprise rookie Jairus Byrd to keep leading a defense that has picked off a ton of passes in the last two games.

22. Miami Dolphins (2-4)

I think Miami is a lot better than their record indicates, but then again I have to stop myself. This team can run the ball well, but that is about it.

They have no semblance of a respectable passing game, which is justifiable since Chad Henne is playing his first-ever NFL football.

23. Seattle Seahawks (2-4)

If Matt Hasselbeck stays healthy, this team will stay in a lot of games. If not, they can look forward to another Top 10 draft pick next season.

The bright side is, well, their awesome green jerseys. If they can get in some sort of winning streak with those neon greens, they should make them a primary weapon on Sundays.

24. Carolina Panthers (2-4)

Carolina was my preseason pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, and while it's early, this team is simply going nowhere. Jake Delhomme is having a career year--for the worst.

He is an interception machine, and teams cannot win when they get so far behind in the turnover battle.

Delhomme should be benched, and the Panthers should enter the Sam Bradford sweepstakes.

And enjoy Julius Peppers for 10 more games, Carolina fans. He is as good as gone.

25. Oakland Raiders (2-5)

The Raiders are putrid, and I am not just saying that out of spite. JaMarcus Russell just may be the worst No. 1 pick to have ever played this game, and it shows when Bruce Gradkowski (of all players) replaces you.

This team did not help itself for the future by giving New England its 2011 first round draft pick, and using their 2009 pick on a guy who has fewer receptions in seven games than Michael Crabtree (a guy they passed on) has in one.

The Raiders' defense is solid, but they are put in too many unfortunate situations by the offense.

26. Washington Redskins (2-5)

The Washington Redskins could easily be 0-7 right now had they not played two games against the Rams and Buccaneers. This team plays solid defense, but their offense is anemic and shows no sign of improvement.

Jason Campbell plays hard, but you can tell he does not want to be there. Clinton Portis is getting no running lanes, and their offensive line is among the worst in football thanks to injuries.

Oh, and to put the cherry on top, TE Chris Cooley was carted off in Monday night's game.

27. Detroit Lions (1-5)

I would say, "Detroit is a joke" but I actually am intrigued by this team. I think they could win four or five more games before the year is out simply because of their offense.

Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson could be one of the more potent deep-ball combinations the NFL has to offer. Unfortunately for the Lions, they have not been healthy.

A bye week could heal those wounds, and the Lions might just sneak up on someone pretty soon.

28. Cleveland Browns (1-6)

Cleveland's one win this season was as ugly as they come, but they have one of the NFL's most electric players in return specialist Joshua Cribbs, a converted quarterback of all things.

Ironically, quarterback is the position the Browns are struggling the most, where they have a former Pro Bowl player and a first round draft pick.'

This team has gone nowhere but downhill since they drafted Brady Quinn. The dude needs out, and soon.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (1-6)

Kansas City, like many of the teams this deep on the list, struggle where it matters most--in the trenches.

Their offensive line is a joke, and no team with a running back who has the talent of a Larry Johnson should not be ranked in the top five in rushing.

Dwayne Bowe is an exciting player, but Matt Cassel can only get him the ball so many times a game.

30. Tennessee Titans (0-6)

Just put in Vince Young, as if your head coach wearing your biggest rivals' BEST player's jersey wasn't embarrassing enough. This team is the league's biggest disappointment, and Jeff Fisher is even out of character.

The Titans went from first to worst in terms of secondary play, and they could be looking at a Top Five pick in April. Titans fans better do some hard recruiting for Joe Haden to leave Florida early.

31. St. Louis Rams (0-7)

Steven Jackson made Indianapolis' run defense look like, well, the Rams! This dude is at least worth the price of admission for the Rams and their fans, but the rest of this team is kind of a joke.

James Laurinaitis is a star in the making, but his production goes relatively unnoticed due to the fact that St. Louis is so awful.

They will not go 0-16, mark those words!

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7)

Tampa Bay might go 0-16, but they have been so solid on defense as far as creating turnovers it's hard to imagine. This team is by far the least talented in the NFL, and I feel sorry for them.

They traded and/or released a lot of their veteran leadership this offseason, and it could take a while for this squad to rebuild. Maybe firing Jon Gruden wasn't such a great idea...

The bright side is, the 2010 draft is going to be a good one to have a lot of high picks in, so Tampa Bay could welcome All-American defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh into town someday soon.