NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Giants Continue Climbing; Saints, Packers Slump
Week 8 of our power rankings have a New York state of mind (or rather, New Jersey).
After stumbling out of the gate to a 1-2 start, the New York Giants are suddenly the hottest team in the NFC. They've ripped off four straight wins thanks to an offense that has put up the fifth-most points and second-most yards in the NFL, and a defense that ranks third in yards allowed on the season.
The Jets, meanwhile, have been firing on all cylinders, with an offense that's been lighting up the scoreboard and a defense keeping opponents off it.
But for every team climbing our charts, there are some sliding. The Saints find themselves out of the top 10 for the first time this year, while the Packers are on the cusp of falling out themselves.
Let's take a gander at who's moved where, and how they got there.
You Guys Do Know You're Playing Football, Right? 32-26
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32. Buffalo Bills
They've looked better in recent weeks, but as the only winless team in the NFL, they have to be the worst of the worst.
31. Carolina Panthers
Yay! You won a game over a team who's starting quarterback got hurt, and whose backup is David Carr!
I hope you're proud. John Fox is still getting fired, though.
30. San Francisco 49ers
They would have won on Sunday, had Alex Smith not gotten hurt.
29. Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl contenders, eh?
Right now, the Cowboys are staring at a potential high draft pick, instead.
28. Detroit Lions
They've won a game, played three others extremely close, and get their starting quarterback back this week.
27. Minnesota Vikings
This never would have happened if Brett Favre had come back.
Oh, wait; never mind. They're done for.
26. San Diego Chargers
Ha! I knew Norv Turner was a bad coach!
Do you think they miss LaDainian Tomlinson yet?
The Best of the Worst: 25-21
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25. Cleveland Browns
Wow. This is the highest the Browns have been since Derek Anderson was flinging passes all over the field.
They might actually make something of themselves yet.
24. Denver Broncos
Come on, you guys!
The Raiders?!?! Seriously?!
23. Arizona Cardinals
How this team is 3-3 is beyond me.
Ken Whisenhunt should win coach of the year if this team finishes .500 or better.
22. Oakland Raiders
I don't care what you say; the Raiders will not crack the top 20 until they beat someone who doesn't stink.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Carson Palmer looked better this week, but the defense seems to be regressing.
They have to get it together if they want to make the playoffs.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars
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Why They Could Be Higher
They've beaten the Colts, and Maurice Jones-Drew is starting to find the end zone again.
Why They Could Be Lower
When Todd Bouman is your quarterback, you're lucky to be in the top 20 at all.
The Jags' defense still can't stop anyone or anything.
How They Could Rise
Get a quarterback, wide receivers and a defense.
How They Could Fall
The Jags have lost two straight. If they keep this up, they'll sink all the way down the charts.
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19. St. Louis Rams
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Why They Could Be Higher
Three of their four losses have come by fewer than five points.
They're looking more and more like a real team with each passing week.
Why They Could Be Lower
That fourth loss was a 44-6 drubbing at the hands of the lowly Lions. Yeesh.
How They Can Rise
Sam Bradford needs to keep developing into a budding star, and the Rams have to keep winning.
How They Can Fall
The next six weeks see them face just two teams over .500.
If they can't go 4-2 over that stretch, they could find themselves back at the bottom of the barrel.
18. Miami Dolphins
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Why They Could Be Higher
Miami's played almost everyone extremely close in 2010.
If they get that fumble on the goal line last week, they're 4-2 and nearly breaking into the top 10.
Why They Could Be Lower
I'm not sure this team is really all that good.
They play hard and battle every opponent, but I can't help but feel like they're overachieving. The offense has yet to click for more than one game at a time.
How They Can Rise
Start beating people of consequence, and stop losing close games.
How They Can Fall
If the offense doesn't get going, the Fins' remaining schedule doesn't get any less brutal.
17. Seattle Seahawks
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Why They Could Be Higher
The Seahawks have been unbeatable at home in 2010, and finally nabbed a road win over a decent Bears team in Week 6.
Both the offense and defense are decent enough to get them over .500 this year.
Why They Could Be Lower
The team has still looked pretty awful away from Qwest Field, and Matt Hasselbeck is still a zombie.
How They Could Rise
Keep winning, and beat some more teams on the road.
How They Could Fall
If Seattle can't get their act together on the road, they'll see themselves start to slip down the rankings.
16. Chicago Bears
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Why They Could Be Higher
When they're clicking, there are few offenses as potent as Chicago's.
Why They Could Be Lower
Jay Cutler turned back into a pumpkin this week, and the Bears are in the midst of a 1-3 slump right now. If they can't right the ship, they'll be in trouble.
How They Can Rise
Fix Jay Cutler.
Remind him what color your helmets are, so he knows who to throw to.
How They Can Fall
If the Bears don't right the ship soon, they'll be in big trouble.
15. Washington Redskins
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Why They Could Be Higher
The defense might be coming around, after this week's dismantling of Jay Cutler's psyche.
The offense is running fairly smoothly with quarterback Donovan McNabb and running back Ryan Torain making plays.
Why They Could Be Lower
The defense is still pretty bad, there are no wideouts for McNabb to throw to, and the Redskins can't hold onto the ball.
How They Can Rise
Stop turning the ball over.
How They Can Fall
If the defense continues to flounder, this team won't be in the top half of the rankings for long.
14. Philadelphia Eagles
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Why They Could Be Higher
The offense is one of the NFL's most potent, regardless of who is at quarterback.
Why They Could Be Lower
The defense stinks to high heaven. They're incapable of stopping anyone.
How They Can Rise
The Eagles have to shore up their defensive issues before they can be anything but a middle of the pack team.
How They Can Fall
This quarterback thing is turning into a full-blown controversy.
If they can't make up their mind which one is the better option, they risk undermining the success the offense has been having.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Why They Could Be Higher
The Bucs have exceeded all expectations in 2010, amassing a 4-2 record and looking like a potential playoff team.
Why They Could Be Lower
They have yet to beat anyone other than the Bengals, having knocked off the Browns, Panthers and Rams. The defense can't stop anyone.
How They Can Rise
If the Bucs shore up their defense, they'll be in the playoffs this year.
How They Can Fall
Tampa's running game has been flat-out awful, but showed signs of life last week with LaGarrette Blount. They need consistent run production, or they'll be in big trouble.
12. New Orleans Saints
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Why They Could Be Higher
They still have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL, and sit just a game out of first in the NFC South.
Why They Could Be Lower
Seriously? The Browns?
When did you guys turn back into the crappy Saints?
How They Can Rise
Stop losing to teams like Cleveland and Arizona, and start playing like they did last season.
How They Can Fall
Maintain the status quo. If New Orleans keeps playing like they have in recent weeks, they may not have bottomed out quite yet.
11. Kansas City Chiefs
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Why They Could Be Higher
The Chiefs are leading the AFC West right now, and look like a playoff team.
Why They Could Be Lower
Have you seen the AFC West this season? Talk about ugly.
How They Can Rise
Keep winning games, and maybe beat some actual opponents once in a while, rather than the dregs of the league.
How They Can Fall
There are rumblings that the Chiefs capitalized on a weak early season. If that's true, they can expect to keep falling.
10. Green Bay Packers
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Why They Could Be Higher
The Packers offense hasn't lost much despite being decimated by injuries.
The defense has been hit hard too, but they're still one of the league's best units.
Why They Could Be Lower
Three losses in their last five games, and the injuries keep piling up.
They're in danger of slipping out of the top 10.
How They Can Rise
The Packers won't get some of their players back this season, but they need to keep winning.
How They Can Fall
If the injuries take their toll, and the level of play keeps slipping, Green Bay's ranking will follow it.
9. Houston Texans
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Why They Could Be Higher
Once the passing game gets going, this team is going to be tough to beat.
Why They Could Be Lower
The defense stinks, and they've lost two of their last three. Arian Foster can't carry them forever.
How They Can Rise
Fix the defense, and get the passing game back in motion.
How They Can Fall
If the defensive woes can't be fixed, Houston will be looking at an early playoff exit, if they get in at all.
8. New York Giants
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Why They Could Be Higher
They're the class of the NFC East right now, and have won four straight.
Why They Could Be Lower
The defense is still a little suspect, and Eli Manning is as inaccurate as ever.
How They Can Rise
Keep the momentum going.
How They Can Fall
If Eli doesn't sort himself out soon, this team is going to run into big problems down the stretch once again.
7. Tennessee Titans
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Why They Could Be Higher
The Titans can throw the football?! Who knew?
Why They Could Be Lower
They're not untouchable by any stretch of the imagination, and they play in the toughest division in the NFL.
How They Can Rise
Keep knocking off good teams, and prove they can throw against someone other than Philly.
How They Can Fall
The Titans' offense has been extremely suspect all season.
And when the defense doesn't click, they get into big trouble.
6. Atlanta Falcons
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Why They Could Be Higher
The best team in one of the best divisions in the NFL, the Falcons are balanced, and capable of hanging with anyone.
Why They Could Be Lower
Atlanta's defense is still suspect on occasion, and the passing game has moments of inconsistency.
How They Can Rise
Keep winning.
How They Can Fall
If the defense can't get its act together, the Falcons could slide.
5. Indianapolis Colts
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Why They Could Be Higher
Given their play thus far, this is as high as the Colts could be ranked.
Why They Could Be Lower
Injury issues, no defense, and the head coach might be clinically dead.
How They Can Rise
Get healthy and shore up the defense, neither of which will be easily done.
How They Can Fall
If the defense doesn't improve and Peyton Manning doesn't get help, they'll slide soon.
4. New York Jets
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Why They Could Be Higher
A strong defense, suddenly potent offense, and a five-game winning streak.
The Jets are officially the NFL's hottest team.
Why They Could Be Lower
The pass defense is suddenly awful. Without Darelle Revis, they can't stop anybody.
How They Can Rise
Win the AFC East.
How They Can Fall
If the offense goes back to its old inept ways, the Jets' ranking will suffer.
3. New England Patriots
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Why They Could Be Higher
They're 5-1 and rolling despite the trade of star wideout Randy Moss.
The offense looks good, and the run defense is solid.
Why They Could Be Lower
Their one loss was to the Jets, and the pass defense is incredibly suspect.
How They Can Rise
Win the AFC East, and shore up the defense.
How They Can Fall
If the Pats' defense doesn't improve, they'll be in big trouble down the stretch.
2. Baltimore Ravens
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Why They Could Be Higher
The only team to beat the No. 1-ranked team on the list, the Ravens' offense has been firing on all cylinders since Week 3.
Why They Could Be Lower
Losses to Cincinnati and New England kept Baltimore from being the top-ranked team on the list. The defense let Buffalo put up 34 points last week.
How They Can Rise
Keep winning, and get the defense clicking again.
How They Can Fall
To maintain their lofty perch, Baltimore can ill afford more than another loss or two before the playoffs.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
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Why They Could Be Higher
They couldn't be.
Why They Could Be Lower
The Steelers did lose to the Ravens, and won thanks to a controversial call against the Dolphins on Sunday.
How They Can Rise
They can't.
How They Can Fall
Lose a game or two.
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