NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Rating the NFC WR Performances

Week 7 of the NFL provided big plays and even bigger upsets. The NFC is more shaken up than ever, and it appears as if every team is still in the thick of contention.

Given the number of close games, the big players were forced to step up. Many big-time receivers earned their paychecks last Sunday and Monday with long touchdown catches and one-handed grabs. These guys are what quarterbacks in this league dream of.

Without further ado, here are the best wide receiver performances in the NFC from Week 7...

10. James Jones

Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 03: Wide receiver James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the sideline against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)

Jones has never been a big receptions guy, but if you need a big play, he's pretty much good for one every couple weeks. Jones caught just four passes from Aaron Rodgers but accumulated over 100 yards receiving.

The big play came on a 45-yard reception with some nice footwork from Jones. That set up the Pack nicely to score moments later.

Jones has a curious habit of not finding the end zone despite sometimes being a big play receiver. He has just one TD reception on the season despite multiple catches of over 30 yards.

He ran into some bad luck in being pushed out at the 1-yard line this weekend, but if he finds a nose for the end zone this year, the Pack could have the best corps in football.

9. Santana Moss

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins hauls in a touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

You're only going to find one Moss on this list, and it's not Randy.

Santana Moss has to be absolutely beaming after finally having a capable QB to get him the football in Washington. After being mired in mediocrity the last few season, Moss is once again establishing himself as one of the best targets in the NFC.

Just 65 yards on five catches in Week 7, but he did make a nice grab on a 24-yard TD pass from Donovan McNabb.

There's nothing wrong with Santana this season, and if he has a few more games like he did against the Bears on Sunday, he might be finding himself at the Pro Bowl in February.

8. Johnny Knox

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 10: Wide receiver Johnny Knox #13 of the Chicago Bears catches the ball during warm ups prior to the Bears game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Ge

Welcome to the end zone, Johnny Knox! Knox caught his first touchdown pass of the season this past weekend, albeit in a losing effort.

A week after putting up a season-high 120 yards receiving, Knox followed up with another solid showing on Sunday. Despite Jay Cutler's struggles, he was able to find Knox six times for 85 yards and that one touchdown of nine yards.

Knox remains a favorite target of Cutler's and was targeted 12 times this past Sunday. If Cutler can manage to stay upright, Knox's numbers are sure to stay good.

7. Mike Williams (TAM)

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 21: Receiver Mike Williams #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs after a reception against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 21, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The first of the two Mike Williams on this list plays receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he's pretty good. The rookie fourth-rounder out of Syracuse has become Josh Freeman's favorite target on the young season.

Williams was targeted 11 times on Sunday, catching five passes for 82 yards. It was a modest day, but Williams had some crucial catches on what turned out to be the game-winning TD drive by the Bucs.

Williams has shown great hands and cutting ability. It's tough to see how he could have slipped that far in the draft, but it's good for Tampa. It looks like they have a bona fide QB-WR combo built for the future.

6. Marques Colston

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 24: Marques Colston #12 of the New Orleans Saints in action during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the Louisiana Superdome on October 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Well, this is one area where the Saints are not concerned at all. The most consistent part of their team has been the receiving corps, and that did not change in Week 7.

Despite a lackluster performance from almost every other Saints player, Colston shone. Had he had some help, perhaps they could have beaten the Browns at home.

Colston was targeted 15 times, hauling in 10 catches for over 100 yards and a touchdown. It's unfortunate that his stellar effort was wasted in such an embarrassing loss. Colston has nothing to be ashamed of, though. He did his part; his teammates just didn't bring it this day.

5. Mike Williams (SEA)

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - OCTOBER 24: Wide receiver Mike Williams #17 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after making a catch against the Arizona Cardinals at Qwest Field on October 24, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 22-10. (Photo by Otto G

Former first-round receiving bust Mike Williams has found new life and is surging under Pete Carroll in Seattle. Upon the exit of Deion Branch, Williams quickly stepped in as Matt Hasselbeck's new favorite target with the most reliable hands of anyone on the field.

The Seahawks are now 3-0 at home, and Williams' performance on Sunday was a big reason. Mike brought in 11 catches for 87 yards and the Seahawks' only TD of the day on a great catch.

Williams appears to have his life and football in order and despite his lack of speed still has a chance to be a top 10 NFL receiver.

4. Steve Smith (NYG)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Wide receiver Steve Smith #12 of the New York Giants celebrates a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Smith and the newly dubbed "Jet Blue" receiving corps for the Giants put a whupping on the Dallas secondary Monday night.

Smith was targeted 11 times, bringing in an amazing nine catches, and was one of two Giants wideouts with over 100 yards receiving.

The touchdown catch by Smith was the one that really put Dallas down for the count. The game was not as close as its 41-35 score with some garbage time TDs by Dallas late.

Smith is one of the big reasons that Eli Manning is coming into his own. Having guys that can catch the ball will really put a QB at ease.

3. Hakeem Nicks

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 19: Hakeem Nicks #88 of the New York Giants is pictured during the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The other Giants receiver with 100-plus yards? That would be second-year wideout Hakeem Nicks. Nicks and his glove size 4XL hands brought down nine Eli Manning passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns Monday night in Dallas.

Dallas had no answer for Nicks, who appears to be well on his way to becoming a top-tier wide receiver. His combination of size and speed is almost impossible to defend. Add on that he has perhaps the best hands of anyone in the league, and you have yourself a nice target on the outside.

Nicks showed no sign of injury despite being listed as questionable with a hamstring issue. Following the bye week, expect continuing growth out of this young star.

2. David Gettis

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 24: David Gettis #12 of the Carolina Panthers against the San Francisco 49ers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Panthers just sealed up their first victory of the season on Sunday, but there is more than one reason for fans to smile.

Rookie sixth-round pick David Gettis put on one of the best shows in the NFL. After Gettis' career high of just three catches two weeks ago, John Fox used the bye week to get him more involved in the offense. Boy, did that ever pay off.

Gettis came down with eight catches on nine targets with 125 yards and the only two touchdowns Matt Moore threw.

No doubt the double team on Steve Smith opened this kid up for big yardage, but don't expect that to stop now. Defensive coordinators are far more scared of Smith beating their DB than Gettis, and if these numbers continue, Carolina could get right back into the NFC playoff mix.

1. Roddy White

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons pulls in this two-point conversion against the Cincinnati Bengals at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Roddy White is out to prove that he is the NFL's best receiver. It's hard to make a case for anyone else at the moment.

White leads the NFC in receiving yards by almost 200 and had another huge day against the Bengals on Sunday. Matt Ryan connected with White 11 times on 13 tries for 201 yards and two touchdowns.

White is the big reason that Ryan has finally found his stride as an NFL quarterback. Great receivers will do that. Outside of Michael Turner, White is easily the most irreplaceable player on the Falcons.

If the Falcons are going to keep on winning, days like this aren't going to hurt much. White's dominance could continue this week in a divisional game against Tampa's young secondary.