NFL Power Rankings: Dangerous Underdogs to Fear for Remainder of Season

With seven weeks in the books, the NFL's landscape is taking on a definite shape. Underdogs, overachievers, contenders and pretenders are all being labeled as each game passes.

Week 8 will provide another chance to judge the NFL's 32 teams as the season's halfway mark draws near. With only one undefeated team remaining, divisions are a jumbled mess for the most part.

Some teams have emerged as clear-cut favorites so far, but others are lurking on the fringe. That doesn't mean they should be overlooked though, instead playing the part of dangerous underdog for the rest of the season.

Let's power rank the teams so far, focusing on a few intriguing squads entering Week 8.

1. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons had a bye week in Week 7, but no one will mistake these guys for underdogs. A tricky game in Philadelphia in Week 8 will provide this team with a much-needed test on the road.

2. Houston Texans

Houston's dominant thrashing of Baltimore in Week 7 established this team as the best in the AFC. With its defense, dominant run game and dangerous aerial attack, don't expect that to change.

3. New York Giants

The Giants proved that the NFC East is still their division on Sunday. It's hard to call the Super Bowl champions "underdogs."

4. San Francisco 49ers

It's not always pretty, but the 49ers are still getting it done. Until teams stop their run game and consistently put points on the board against their daunting defense, don't expect this team to go anywhere.

5. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay had a tough time beating St. Louis, but no one will call this team underdogs as long as Aaron Rodgers is making throws like this:

6. Chicago Bears

The Bears continue to play well, now winners of four straight games. Protecting Jay Cutler is the key. If he takes care of the ball, Chicago is going to be a tough out this season.

7. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings thwarted another upstart in the Cardinals on Sunday, and this team is here to stay.

As long as Adrian Peterson is running well (652 yards, three touchdowns) Minnesota has enough offense to make teams think. Christian Ponder provides balance, even though the team lacks a vertical threat to really exploit the opposing secondary.

Defensively, this squad is above-average. Jared Allen and Brian Robison get after the quarterback as well as any duo in the league, allowing Antoine Winfield and Harrison Smith to hawk the ball in the secondary.

Thursday night's game versus Tampa Bay will test this team. The Buccaneers have one of the league's top rushing defenses, despite deficiencies elsewhere.

It's hard to call a two-loss team an underdog, but many probably are in the rugged NFC North.

8. New England Patriots

New England is vulnerable against a heavy pass rush this year, but Tom Brady is still dangerous. He proved that against the Jets on Sunday, breaking New York's heart when the game mattered most.

9. Baltimore Ravens

Getting manhandled by Houston didn't help anyone's psyche, but this team is still very dangerous. Underdog? Not so much, considering the Super Bowl-type expectations carried into this year.

10. Denver Broncos

Denver won't be considered an underdog as long as Peyton Manning is behind center. This team is difficult to figure out, but their veteran signal-caller always gives them a chance to win in big moments. Just ask San Diego.

11. Seattle Seahawks

This team is half dangerous. Walking into CenturyLink Field, anyone can lose to Seattle's ferocious defense. However, this team is much more meek when they leave the confines of their own stadium.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers

Yep, the Steelers are underdogs this year. Age, injuries and a one-dimensional offense has this team looking to prove something for the first time in awhile, but Sunday night's win over the Bengals gave a glimmer of hope in their favor.

If the Steelers get healthy, they're as dangerous as it gets. They might be older and slower on the defensive side of the ball, but pride and experience will always have this team competing.

Also, Ben Roethlisberger is playing the best football of his career. It's definitely his team, especially with no viable ground game to back him up.

Steelers fans know to trust Big Ben in the clutch. As long as he's behind center, no one wants to play this team.

For Pittsburgh, the goal is to be there at the end of the year no matter what happens in between. If this team is in contention, look out.

13. Washington Redskins

With the addition of one player, the Redskins are extremely dangerous in the NFC. Robert Griffin III has transformed this team from below-average wannabe to one of the most intriguing teams to watch every Sunday.

With RG3 at the helm, Mike Shanahan's offense is clicking on all cylinders. A dynamic rushing attack allows this team to possess the ball, which is ideal considering their still-shaky defense.

Don't rule out the Redskins in the NFC East. A disappointing loss to the Giants on Sunday was a setback, but this squad is among the league's most dangerous from here on out because of Griffin III alone.

The Steelers will present a very stiff challenge on Sunday. Expect the game to be closer than Pittsburgh would like.

14. St. Louis Rams

The Rams are dangerous to a point, but their lack of explosiveness on offense will hold them back against the NFC West's tough defenses. Jeff Fisher has done a great job of getting the most out of his defense as well.

15. Miami Dolphins

Miami had Week 7 off, but that doesn't take away from this team's dangerous qualities. When you consider how this team was viewed entering the season, it's pretty remarkable.

Rather than struggling in his rookie season, Ryan Tannehill has decided to play within himself. He doesn't have a No. 1 receiving option, instead relying on Brian Hartline and Davone Bess to work underneath.

Reggie Bush and Lamar Miller make Tannehill's job easier as well. The two bring an explosive element to Miami's attack, allowing it to keep defenses off-balance.

Defensively, they struggle to defend the pass, but a nasty group of run-stoppers force teams to play one-dimensional football.

It's easy to call the AFC East New England's division to lose, and it probably is, but don't discount Miami this year. A big game against the Jets in Week 8 provides the Dolphins with another chance to prove their mettle.

16. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles can't get out of their own way. Turnovers are a fatal flaw for this squad, and Michael Vick isn't consistent enough to make this team into a true contender.

17. New Orleans Saints

No one should want to face New Orleans right now. Considering their start, the Saints are underdogs. If you don't think they're dangerous, try telling that to Drew Brees.

With two consecutive wins under their belt, the Saints are starting to look like themselves again. A three-game stretch versus the Broncos, Eagles and Falcons will provide a heat check, but this team doesn't look like the same squad that limped to an 0-4 start.

Mistaking this defense for a Super Bowl-caliber unit isn't going to happen anytime soon, but Brees forces teams to keep pace offensively regardless. When he's on, and the Saints are putting up points in bunches, they are going to be tough to beat.

New Orleans is a proud organization, and it's playing like it has something to prove. Tread lightly around this squad, at least for right now.

18. Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Dalton has a plethora of weapons to throw too, including the league's top wide out in A.J. Green. However, a faulty run defense will keep this team from excelling in the rugged AFC North.

19. Detroit Lions

Monday night's showing wasn't good for Detroit to say the least. The offense is out of sorts, overshadowing a defense that has been slightly overlooked this year.

Until they start running the ball consistently, expect Matthew Stafford to struggle.

20. New York Jets

The Jets performed admirably against New England on Sunday, but this team still has too many missing pieces. A lack of playmakers on offense coupled with a shortage of talent on defense won't end well for New York this season.

21. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals aren't that dangerous. If you had said this when the team stood at 4-0, you would have been crazy, but not now. A dismal offense doesn't complement a scrappy defense, leaving the Cardinals behind St. Louis and Seattle in terms of talented NFC West squads.

22. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas has been excellent against the pass this season, but inconsistencies everywhere else have this team scrapping for a second-place finish in the NFC East. Don't be surprised if this team somehow manages to finish behind the 'Skins.

23. San Diego Chargers

Calling the Chargers underdogs is laughable, considering their horrendous reputation for blowing games in recent years. Mental toughness is not this team's strongest suit, but they have enough talent to win at least six more games. Knowing them, they could lose six more as well.

24. Buffalo Bills

Ryan Fitzpatrick seems to catch a lot of flak, but no one would win with Buffalo's atrocious defense behind them.

25. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts' defense has overachieved against the pass this season, but they can't run the ball or stop the run. Until they can, Andrew Luck will play for an inconsistent squad.

26. Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson's 195-yard, two-touchdown day on Sunday is something to be happy about, but the defense still struggles to support one of the league's lowest scoring teams.

27. Oakland Raiders

The Raiders are a capable team, but they manage their offense poorly. One of the league's worst rushing offenses shouldn't exist with Darren McFadden in the backfield, yet it does.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay is so close to being underrated, but it's too inconsistent. Josh Freeman is an enigma, sometimes throwing for 300 yards and sometimes tossing picks left and right. A dynamic run defense and emerging offense signal better times ahead.

29. Carolina Panthers

Normally Cam Newton makes his team dangerous, but it's just not there this year. Call it a sophomore slump if you want. The results are losses either way you cut it.

30. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland, as the league's youngest team, is still struggling, but the improvement is there. Brandon Weeden is getting better, even though he's learning things at 29 that most guys already know.

Don't sleep on this squad in a few years.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

Blaine Gabbert hasn't taken a big step forward in his second season, although a poor offensive line doesn't help. With Maurice Jones-Drew banged up, don't expect things to get any better.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

This team isn't remotely dangerous. You could call them underdogs, but Kansas City can't get out of its own way long enough to make itself relevant.