NFL Power Rankings: Week 8 Standings and Review After Sunday's Games

The 2015 NFL season has been one of the most bizarre in recent memory. 

While five teams remain perfect after Week 7, only six others are above .500. 

Aside from the five elite teams at the top, it looks as though just about everyone else is simultaneously a contender for the playoffs and for a top-five pick in the NFL draft. 

Below are our updated power rankings entering the Monday night game between the Ravens and Cardinals and a breakdown of a few of the more difficult teams to figure out this season. 

Rank	Team	W-L
1	New England Patriots	6-0
2	Green Bay Packers	6-0
3	Cincinnati Bengals	6-0
4	Denver Broncos	6-0
5	Carolina Panthers	6-0
6	Arizona Cardinals	4-2
7	Atlanta Falcons	6-1
8	Pittsburgh Steelers	4-3
9	New York Jets	4-2
10	New Orleans Saints	3-4
11	New York Giants	4-3
12	Minnesota Vikings	4-2
13	Seattle Seahawks	3-4
14	Oakland Raiders	3-3
15	Miami Dolphins	3-3
16	St. Louis Rams	3-3
17	Buffalo Bills	3-4
18	Philadelphia Eagles	3-4
19	Dallas Cowboys	2-4
20	Indianapolis Colts	3-4
21	San Diego Chargers	2-5
22	Washington Redskins	3-4
23	Jacksonville Jaguars	2-5
24	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2-4
25	Kansas City Chiefs	2-5
26	Cleveland Browns	2-5
27	Chicago Bears	2-4
28	Baltimore Ravens	1-5
29	Houston Texas	2-5
30	San Francisco 49ers	2-5
31	Detroit Lions	1-6
32	Tennessee Titans	1-5

7. Atlanta Falcons

What are we supposed to make of the 6-1 Falcons?

Devonta Freeman continues to roll, racking up 116 yards on 25 carries against the Titans, and Julio Jones hauled in another nine catches and 92 yards. But the fantasy stats didn't turn into points on the scoreboard.

The Titans entered the game as losers of four straight, were starting backup quarterback Zach Mettenberger and were coming off a week in which they allowed 38 points to the Dolphins. 

All signs pointed to an easy Falcons victory, but the outcome was sloppy. 

This is the third straight ugly game for the Falcons, as they lost to the Saints a week ago ago and needed overtime to hold off the lowly Redskins the previous week. 

On the bright side for the Falcons, their schedule remains paved with cupcakes. Atlanta will play the Buccaneers and the 49ers over the next two weeks before heading into the bye.

10. New Orleans Saints

Sitting at 1-4 after the first five weeks, the Saints were not in a good position, especially with the Falcons and the Panthers seemingly running away with the division. 

But New Orleans has bounced back with upset victories over the Falcons and the Colts in the past two weeks and are now right in the thick of a crowded NFC playoff picture. 

The key to the Saints' continued ascent up the standings will be their defense. 

In five of their seven games this season, the Saints have been outgained, but they made some strides in that area by outgaining the Colts on Sunday and forcing them into three turnovers. 

The Saints have three winnable games coming up against the Giants, the Titans and the Redskins before their Week 10 bye.

20. Indianapolis Colts

Where would the Colts be if they didn't play in the AFC South?

While their 3-4 record is good enough for first place in the division, the Colts have shown limited signs of life this season.

"

I'm out of thoughts on Anthony Castonzo. He's killing the Colts with penalties this season. Too many big $$$ players underperforming.

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) October 25, 2015"

The Colts' three victories have come against Marcus Mariota, Blake Bortles and the Texans' Ryan Mallett/Brian Hoyer combo. 

The good news is all three of those victories came within the division. The bad news: they won't be facing the likes of Mariota, Bortles or Hoyer in the playoffs. 

The even worse news: The Colts' next three opponents have a combined 18-1 record. 

Andrew Luck and company will travel to Carolina in Week 8, followed by a trip home to face the Broncos, and then on the road again versus the Falcons. 

It's hard to imagine the Colts emerging from that stretch with anything better than a 4-6 overall record.