NFL Power Rankings Week 8: How The Idle Fall

(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

The unofficial "best team in the league," the Denver Broncos, sat out week seven's exciting action, and despite their solid play through a 6-0 record, they won't be able to hold onto their top spot .

If they weren't already the team to beat in the NFL, the New Orleans Saints proved with a 21-point comeback that they can win every type of game.

The Indianapolis Colts also remained unbeaten with a very convincing win over the lowly St. Louis Rams, while the Minnesota Vikings lost their first game of the season to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Read on to see who makes the top five, and then check to see where everyone else fits in:



1. New Orleans Saints (6-0)

Just when you thought the Saints weren't what they were cracked up to be, they storm back and make the Dolphins look like, well, the Dolphins. This can't help but put even more fear into the rest of their future opponents.

2. Indianapolis Colts (6-0)

Peyton Manning didn't get his sixth straight 300-yard game, but a dominating effort over the Rams will have to suffice. Their schedule hasn't been very difficult, but the manner in which they've been winning has been quite impressive.

3. Denver Broncos (6-0)

A bye week doesn't kill what they've got going, but no one in their right mind can keep them above the Saints and Colts right now.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)

The better defense prevailed in a very hard-fought match with the previously undefeated Vikings. Still, something tells me there's a good possibility we just saw a preview of this year's Super Bowl.

5. Minnesota Vikings (6-1)

Bad calls, some no-calls, and an unfortunate tipped pass did them in against an elite defense. Still, to think they were only 18 yards away from taking this game and going 7-0 has to be inspiring.

6. New England Patriots (5-2)

They need to beat a quality opponent to get into the top five again, but two demolition wins gets the the recognition they deserve. The offense is back, but can they do this against elite opponents? Only time will tell.

7. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)

Carson Palmer threw five touchdowns in three quarters, proving all his doubters wrong. If he and Cedric Benson can put up this kind of production on a consistent basis, could we be looking at a serious Super Bowl contender?

8. Arizona Cardinals (4-2)

Their defense made Eli Manning look like an amateur for much of Sunday Night. If the offense can stay this hot, is there any question that the NFC West is theirs to lose?

9. Green Bay Packers (4-2)

It's hard to say how good they are after big wins over teams like Detroit and Cleveland. A win over Minnesota would prove they are a contender, and would likely catapult them into the top five.

10. New York Giants (5-2)

Eli Manning has been off for two games now, and the biggest issue with the Giants is now simply stopping this slide. After the Cowboys big win over Atlanta, they now have some serious competition for the division.

11. Dallas Cowboys (4-2)

Now that Miles Austin proved that his performance against Kansas City was no fluke, is it safe to say that Tony Romo and this passing attack is here to stay?

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