NFL Power Rankings: Week 8

...And then there were three. The Colts, Broncos and Saints are the only unbeaten teams in the NFL, and there is a bit of a shakeup yet again in JVZ's Power Rankings.

Just when you think you know a team, they lay an egg, while other teams step up and make their moves.

1. New Orleans Saints (6-0, LW: 1) : The Saints did everything they could to lose, but good teams find a way. The Saints are definitely the team to beat right now in the NFC, and have a good divisional test on the way in Atlanta.

2. Indianapolis Colts (6-0, LW: 2) : The Colts dismantled yet another team, this time taking care of the lowly Rams. They have San Fran and Houston in the next two weeks, so the unbeaten streak should continue.

3. Denver Broncos (6-0, LW: 3) : The Broncos crack the top three while sitting on a bye. However, with games against the Ravens and Steelers on hand, it may not be long before the Broncos are in free-fall mode again. Let's wait and see.

4. New England Patriots (5-2, LW: 6) : The Pats enter their bye on the way home from England. This team is on fire now, and the matchup with the Colts in two weeks should tell a lot about who wins the AFC.

5. Minnesota Vikings (6-1, LW: 3) : So the Vikings can be beaten. This loss is on both Brett Favre and Chester Taylor. While it may sting, they have to focus now on getting back on track during Brett's homecoming in Green Bay.

6. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2, LW: 8) : The Bengals didn't get the win last week against Houston, but they sure dominated a good Bears team. Carson Palmer had a field day, and Cedric Benson got his revenge. They enter the bye with two big division games up next.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2, LW: 9) : The Steelers beat the Vikings, but don't quite yet move ahead of them on the rankings. They got a few lucky bounces, but overall they played a good game. The offense needs to be more consistent.

8. New York Giants (5-2, LW: 5) : The Giants fall out of the top five with their second loss in a row to a tough NFC opponent. Eli Manning didn't look good, and the defense couldn't stop Kurt Warner. They have to get this right with the Eagles coming in this week.

9. Dallas Cowboys (4-2, LW: 11) : The Cowboys re-enter the top 10 on a roll. They beat a very good Falcons team, and now host the Seahawks. If only Tony Romo could play like this for a full season.

10. Green Bay Packers (4-2, LW: 12) : The Packers got another good win against a bad opponent. Now comes the real test, beating the Vikings. If they do that, they are right back in the NFC North race. If they don't, it will be a long winter.

11. Atlanta Falcons (4-2, LW: 7) : The Falcons fall out of the top 10 after losing to the Cowboys. The offense couldn't get going, and the defense couldn't stop Romo. Next week they take to the Monday Night Football field trying to take down the Saints, and keep their division hopes alive.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (4-2, LW: 13) : The Eagles are up one spot after beating the lowly Redskins. Mac-Five did a good job moving the ball, but this game belonged to DeSean Jackson. No one can match his speed. Now they get a chance at the G-Men.

13. Arizona Cardinals (4-2, LW: 14) : The Cards continue to roll on the road. This time, they took it to a tough Giants team. They have won three in a row and control their fates in the NFC West. They have to avoid a letdown against Carolina.

14. Baltimore Ravens (3-3, LW: 15) : The Ravens come off the bye with a tough task, beat the Broncos to keep the playoff run alive. I know it's early, but the Bengals and Steelers are both two games up at this point. The Ravens need some wins.

15. Chicago Bears (3-3, LW: 10) : The Bears didn't even show up on Sunday. They got destroyed by the Bengals, and now we have to question whether or not this is a playoff team with Jay Cutler at the helm. The running game needs to get going.

16. New York Jets (4-3, LW: 16) : The Jets didn't fall into the trap of the Oakland Raiders. They totally dominated all aspects of the game. Mark Sanchez rebounded nicely. Now they have to get the job done at home against Miami.

17. San Diego Chargers (3-3, LW: 19) : The Chargers didn't make it look easy against the Chiefs, but they got the win. Now, they have to do the same thing against the Raiders. They are still way back of the Broncos, and they need wins bad.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3, LW: 18) : The Jags come off the bye with a home game against the Titans. If they can beat them again and avoid a let down, the Jags may actually be a legitimate playoff contender in the AFC.

19. Houston Texans (4-3, LW: 20) : The Texans faded bad in the second half against the 49ers, but they won it in the end. They now are on pace for their first winning season, but they have two road games to look forward to next.

20. San Francisco 49ers (3-3, LW: 17) : They have lost two in a row, and now face the unbeaten Colts. At least they have found some life at the QB position. For their sakes, I hope Alex Smith can live up to the hype this time around.

21. Buffalo Bills (3-4, LW: 24) : If it wasn`t for that stinker against the Browns and the blow-up against the Pats, this team would be 5-2 and in great position. However, unless the offense gets going, you can see another 7-9 season coming.

22. Seattle Seahawks (2-4, LW: 23) : The Seahawks come off the bye two games back in their division, and have a tough matchup in Dallas to look forward to. If the offense can get going, we could have a shootout on our hands.

23. Miami Dolphins (2-4, LW: 21) : The 'Phins almost upset the Saints, but they blew up in the second half. It all started with that bad call on the Devone Bess fumble. In the future, they have to rebound better from a tough call. Also, they have to stop forcing the ball to Ted Ginn.

24. Carolina Panthers (2-4, LW: 22) : Just when you think they are coming alive, they blow an easy game against Buffalo. The offense stinks, and it may be time to get Jake Delhomme out of there. This season is a lost cause.

25. Kansas City Chiefs (1-6, LW: 25) : They stay here because no team below them is any better. Matt Cassell has played decent, but until the defense can stop somebody, this team is going nowhere fast.

26. Detroit Lions (1-5, LW: 26) : They come off the bye with a healthy Calvin Johnson, and they get to play the Rams. Another win may be in the cards, or they can stop the Rams losing streak.

27. Washington Redskins (2-5, LW: 27) : This season is officially over for the 'Skins.  Unless they come off the bye with a new QB and a new attitude, it will continue to get worse for Zorn and the boys.

28. Oakland Raiders (2-5, LW: 28) : After getting a highly unlikely win against the Eagles, they couldn`t stick it to the reeling Jets. JaMarcus Russell finally got shown the bench, and maybe he finally gets inspired.

29. Tennessee Titans (0-6, LW: 30) : They get brownie points for their coach rockin' the Peyton Manning jersey. It was all in good fun. Now, Jeff Fisher needs to get this ship righted and pick up a few wins. Five or six might save his job.

30. Cleveland Browns (1-6, LW: 29) : The Brownies continue to show nothing at all. it may be time to try out Brady Quinn again. Sorry Browns fans, but the QB position is not your only problem.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7, LW: 31) : They enter the bye after a great vacation in England. They picked off Brady twice, but still lost by 28 points. The Josh Freeman era should begin when they return.

32. St Louis Rams (0-7, LW: 32) : The Rams continue to stink, but they play the Lions this week with a chance to end their 17-game losing streak. Steven Jackson has been great.