NFL Power Rankings: Breaking Down All 32 Teams Before Week 8

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning broke the all-time touchdown passing record in dismantling the San Francisco 49ers this last Sunday. Now Manning kicks off Week 8 at Mile High and faces the AFC West rival San Diego Chargers.

It's hard to argue against the Broncos being the best team in the AFC—if not the entire NFL. Manning has a lot to do with that, as a great QB situation can help rosters overcome any number of deficiencies. A luxurious slew of talent has been assembled in Denver, though, which is why it sits at 5-1.

As much attention as Manning garners and deserves in his unique position, there are 31 other clubs worth examining more closely ahead of Week 8's action.

Here is an updated list of power rankings in ascending order, as the playoff picture begins to come into focus at the approximate midpoint of the 2014 season.

32. Oakland Raiders (0-6)

Given they haven't won a game this season, it's hard to put the Raiders anywhere but the bottom at this point. However, Oakland could notch its first victory in Cleveland this Sunday, as it faces a struggling Browns defense and an opposing quarterback in Brian Hoyer coming off his worst performance of the year.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5)

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Coach Lovie Smith's first season at the helm in Tampa Bay can't end fast enough.

Even in a horrible NFC South division, there is no hope for the Bucs to be competitive this year. A high QB draft pick appears imminent, barring huge improvement from second-year signal-caller Mike Glennon.

30. New York Jets (1-6)

The move to acquire Percy Harvin in a trade is too little, too late for the Jets to get back into AFC East contention this season. However, if Harvin pans out in New York, he and Eric Decker give young QB Geno Smith a couple solid weapons to work with moving forward.

29. Tennessee Titans (2-5)

The Zach Mettenberger era is beginning in Tennessee, as the decision has been made to start the rookie sixth-round draft choice out of LSU, per ESPN's Adam Schefter:

Mettenberger's big arm and experience in a pro-style offense at LSU should help the Titans move on from the unsuccessful Jake Locker days.

How the team fares for the remainder of 2014 will depend on how quickly Mettenberger can adjust to the speed of the NFL game. He has a capable cast of receivers featuring Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter to help.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6)

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Defeating the Cleveland Browns in Week 7 was impressive, because the Browns had been competitive in every game this year before losing 24-6 in Jacksonville.

That boosts the Jags over the two-win Titans in these power rankings. A ferocious defensive front and a blossoming rookie QB in Blake Bortles give Jacksonville an optimistic outlook for the rest of this year and beyond.

27. Washington Redskins (2-5)

Third-string quarterback Colt McCoy will be starting on Monday night against the 6-1 Dallas Cowboys. While Robert Griffin III appears in line for a return soon, wide receiver Pierre Garcon offered some appropriate analysis, via NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala:

The Cowboys game is a must-win for Washington to have any hope of staying alive in the NFC East. Until Griffin comes back to the lineup, Washington can't be ranked higher than this.

26. Minnesota Vikings (2-5)

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First-year QB Teddy Bridgewater can lean on emerging fellow rookie Jerick McKinnon in the backfield, but the offensive line really needs to step up its pass protection. Playing against the Bucs may give Bridgewater some time to throw and confidence back to help dig Minnesota out of the NFC North basement.

25. Atlanta Falcons (2-5)

A woeful defense that ranks 30th in scoring and total yards allowed offsets anything the one-dimensional, albeit potent offense can do led by talented passer Matt Ryan. A long trip to London in Week 8 to face the Detroit Lions and their stout front seven doesn't promise to improve the Falcons' 2014 outlook.

If Atlanta can't spread its wings and soar closer to the top of the weak NFC South, coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff may be let go this offseason.

24. St. Louis Rams (2-4)

Austin Davis has performed extremely well since being thrust into duty under center.

Coming off a massive victory over Seattle, it's vital for the Rams to avert a letdown. Traveling to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs will be tough to get up for after such a momentous win against the Seahawks.

23. Houston Texans (3-4)

J.J. Watt and Arian Foster can only do so much to try to carry this mediocre team to greater heights.

As long as Ryan Fitzpatrick is in at quarterback, Houston doesn't have a viable chance at sustained success. Watt at least gets a chance to tee off on Sunday against Mettenberger, who's making his Titans debut.

22. Cleveland Browns (3-3)

Losing to the Jaguars after such a massive triumph over Pittsburgh kicks the Browns way down the power rankings. If they can't find a way to beat Oakland at home, a once-promising season could tailspin into yet another year of losing and frustration.

21. New Orleans Saints (2-4)

A rather pedestrian 11-7 touchdown-interception ratio has seen Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees suffer through a lackluster year thus far. If he can't cut down on the mistakes, New Orleans' defense isn't good enough to overcome the turnovers.

Green Bay pays a visit to the Superdome on Sunday evening, so Brees will have to be at his best to outscore Aaron Rodgers and Co. in what should be a shootout.

20. Chicago Bears (3-4)

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In three wins, Jay Cutler has zero turnovers. He has given the ball away at least twice in the Bears' four losses. There is a common denominator here. Dan Durkin of CBS Chicago documented the interesting play-calling that occurred in Week 7's loss to Miami:

If the Bears are meant to have any chance at a road win in New England in Week 8, all-purpose running back Matt Forte must be the offense's focal point.

19. New York Giants (3-4)

To the surprise of no one who has followed the Giants in recent years, they remain among the most unpredictable teams in the league. After laying an egg in Philadelphia, the G-Men took to Dallas and put up a strong fight in defeat against America's Team.

A home matchup with the streaking Indianapolis Colts in Week 9's edition of Monday Night Football will set the tone for the rest of New York's season.

18. Carolina Panthers (3-3-1)

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Stud linebacker Luke Kuechly and the Carolina defense better get their act together before they're eclipsed in the NFC South. The Panthers have yielded an average of 34.8 points per contest over the past five games and now play a Seattle team eager to bounce back off of two tough losses.

17. Buffalo Bills (4-3)

Stability at the quarterback position has benefited the Bills since they went with veteran Kyle Orton over struggling project EJ Manuel. Check out this statistic from NFLN_Playbook:

The Bills lead the league in sacks (24) but need Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown to step up in the backfield in lieu of Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. Just one game behind the Patriots in the AFC East, Buffalo needs to take care of business on the road against the Jets in Week 8.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)

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The Dick LeBeau-coached defense and Ben Roethlisberger get a lot of attention, but the top headline in Pittsburgh has been RB Le'Veon Bell. ESPN Stats & Info highlights how Bell has fared with another prolific back this year:

Critical home games against Indianapolis and Baltimore respectively will determine whether the inconsistent Steelers are back to form after two 8-8 campaigns or if they'll continue to be mired in mediocrity.

15. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2-1)

It's no wonder QB Andy Dalton and the Bengals are missing A.J. Green so dearly, per Pro Football Focus:

"

AJ Green leads all qualifying WRs with 3.53 yards per route run this year. 2nd? Stevie Johnson at 3.18.

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) October 23, 2014"

Green needs to come back as soon as possible for Cincinnati to dig out of a current 0-2-1 streak after a 3-0 start, but the team also needs him for a prospective playoff run. A lot will be determined when the Bengals host the Ravens on Sunday.

14. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)

The opening loss to Tennessee is confusing, because the Chiefs have otherwise been quite respectable. They can't take St. Louis lightly in Week 8 after securing what may have been a season-saving win versus San Diego in Week 7.

Alex Smith is in place as a savvy, game-managing field general, complemented by a dynamic one-two RB punch in Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis. The Chiefs also have the NFL's No. 2 pass defense, so they could be in for a second-half surge.

13. Miami Dolphins (3-3)

Yes, it seems the first-round investment the Dolphins made in Ryan Tannehill is paying massive dividends in what was thought to be the 11th hour of his short tenure. Lamar Miller has lifted the running game, and the defense is fourth in total yards allowed.

Getting past New England in the AFC East may be too tall of a task to ask, but the Dolphins have all the elements of a team on the rise and could be a threat in the postseason before long.

12. San Francisco 49ers (4-3)

The injuries and key absences are beginning to catch up to the Niners, but they have the benefit of a perfectly timed Week 8 bye. Then they will host the Rams, which figures to be an ideal way to begin San Francisco's push toward the playoffs.

11. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)

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Russell Wilson continues to ball despite an underwhelming supporting cast, little blocking help and a defense that isn't playing up to the level it did in leading the Seahawks to the Super Bowl last year.

It's hard to believe the two NFC West rivals, San Francisco and Seattle, that squared off in the most recent NFC Championship Game could both miss the playoffs. One of them will step up, and Seattle seems to have more favorable circumstances to do so, if only for its massive home-field advantage.

10. Baltimore Ravens (5-2)

If Baltimore can steal victory against the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium this weekend, it has the opportunity to run away with the AFC North. None of the other teams look particularly impressive, while a newly balanced offense and revamped defense have the Ravens looking capable of beating anyone.

9. Arizona Cardinals (5-1)

They may be atop the NFC West right now, but there are red flags about this Cardinals squad. Carson Palmer is the quarterback, Arizona can't generate a good pass rush and the secondary has been susceptible as a result, ranking 31st against the pass.

8. Green Bay Packers (5-2)

Having thrown just one interception to 18 touchdowns, Aaron Rodgers is playing perhaps the best football of his impressive career.

That has helped Green Bay overcome any issues to win its last four games, and a favorable matchup against the Saints looms. Even though it's away from Lambeau Field, Rodgers is showing no signs of slowing down.

7. Detroit Lions (5-2)

Losing Calvin Johnson for multiple games in the past would have caused this Lions nucleus to implode. The calm countenance of new coach Jim Caldwell has helped Detroit become more resilient, which is all it seems to need to take the next step and become one of the NFL's best.

6. San Diego Chargers (5-2)

Two middling performances in a row have seen the Chargers nearly lose to Oakland before dropping last week's game against Kansas City. That might be what San Diego needs to kick forward, and Thursday's test against the Broncos will serve as a better indication of the team's fortitude.

5. Indianapolis Colts (5-2)

The AFC South is bereft of strong teams save for Indianapolis. Look for the Colts to take advantage of this, mainly because Andrew Luck is the best QB by light years in this cluster. Luck is continuing to improve, so he'll keep Indy in just about every game remaining.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (5-1)

The Cardinals' top-ranked rush defense will test Philly's celebrated, uptempo ground game. Nick Foles hasn't been as proficient as he was in 2013, so he must prove he can challenge Arizona's secondary to help the Eagles keep pace with Dallas in the NFC East.

3. New England Patriots (5-2)

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All Tom Brady and Bill Belichick do is win. The QB-coach combo has done that with as much regularity as any of their contemporaries. Brady is on track for another great year following a tough start, per The Boston Globe's Ben Volin:

New England welcomes a struggling Bears bunch to Gillette Stadium in Week 8, which is the type of opponent Brady and Belichick seem to have no problem crushing.

2. Dallas Cowboys (6-1)

Tony Romo finally has a competent defense and strong rushing attack to back him up. Running back DeMarco Murray is on an historic pace, and a stupendous offensive line is driving the team's hot start.

The Cowboys look like the best team in the NFC. Such a statement would have seemed blasphemous before the 2014 season began, but that is the reality. Hosting Washington in Week 8 gives Dallas a tremendous chance to improve to 7-1.

1. Denver Broncos (5-1)

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Ronnie Hillman has helped ease the anxiety of letting Knowshon Moreno go in the offseason. That has supplied Denver with balance on offense to complement Manning's brilliance in the passing game.

Elite pass-rusher Von Miller is also back to being a terror off the edge, while cornerback Aqib Talib and safety T.J. Ward are adding necessary physicality to the defensive backfield. Those stars embody why the Broncos are the No. 1 team in the latest power rankings.

That could all change quickly, because the Broncos faces a formidable foe in the Chargers on Thursday and could stumble if they're not careful. At this late stage of Manning's career, though, he won't let his teammates lapse in preparation. Any losses from here on out will be a result of an opponent simply being better than Denver.

The good news for Broncos fans and for those hoping Manning chases down a second Lombardi Trophy is that there aren't many adversaries that can hang with this team if they're even close to their best.