NFL Power Rankings Week 8: 10 Teams Better Than Their Current Spot

NFL Power Rankings Week 8:

ESPN has released its NFL power rankings for Week 8, and some of the top teams come as no surprise.

We all expected the Patriots, Jets and Steelers to be ranked the highest, and we all knew the Buffalo Bills would continue to bring up the rear.

But then things started to get a bit confusing...

The 1-5 Dallas Cowboys are ranked higher than the 2-5 Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos?

And the dominant New York Giants are only ranked at No. 9?

Power rankings are a nice way to see where your team stands, but somebody really dropped the ball this week.

Here are 10 teams that are better than their current spot.

10. Detroit Lions

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 17: Shaun Hill #14 of the Detroit Lions rushes against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 17, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

ESPN Rank: 30

Why They're Better Than That: The Lions may have only one win to their name so far this season, but they have yet to be blown out (and don't get me started on who should have won their Week 1 game).

Detroit has the best one-win team in the league, and they absolutely stomped the St. Louis Rams in Week 5 without their starting quarterback.

9. San Francisco 49ers

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 24: Vernon Davis #85 of the San Francisco 49ers against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

ESPN Rank: 31

Why They're Better Than That: The Niners are off to a rocky start, and they are letting their frustration get the best of them so far. At the beginning of this season, many of us expected San Francisco to dominate their schedule in what looked like a weaker division, but that has not been the case.

They have some great talent on offense with Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree, and I expect them to start adding some wins to their record.

The San Francisco 49ers are not the second-worst team in the NFL.

8. Miami Dolphins

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 24: Receiver Brandon Marshall #19 is brought down by the Pittsburgh Steelers at Sun Life Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

ESPN Rank: 16

Why They're Better Than That: The Miami Dolphins have an extremely tough schedule with games against the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

These are all in a row. And it doesn't get any easier after that.

The Dolphins travel very well (they have yet to lose a road game this season), and they have fallen victim to several very strong opponents.

7. San Diego Chargers

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers throws the ball against the pressure of the New England Patriots defense during NFL game on October 24, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Mi

ESPN Rank: 24

Why They're Better Than That: The Bolts just need to deal with some drama and they will be fine.

From Philip Rivers' temper tantrum early in the season to injuries all over the place, the Chargers need to keep what's going on behind the scenes. Well, keep it behind the scenes and just show up and play some football.

6. Oakland Raiders

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DENVER - OCTOBER 24: Defensive end Richard Seymour #92 of the Oakland Raiders throws running back Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos to the ground in the fourth quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on October 24, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Rai

ESPN Rank: 23

Why They're Better Than That: The Raiders are definitely making a concerted effort to dig themselves out of the hole of mediocrity they've fallen into in recent years, and it shows.

Oakland's 59-14 win over the Denver Broncos was ridiculous, and with all the parity in the NFL this year, it was extremely impressive.

I felt like I was watching the Oregon Ducks take on Ball State or something.

5. Washington Redskins

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Chris Cooley #47 of the Washington Redskins runs pursued by Julius Peppers #90 of 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 Ima

ESPN Rank: 13

Why They're Better Than That: The Redskins are one of the best teams in the strongest division in the NFC, and they are the type of team that finds a way to get the win.

Donovan McNabb looks right at home in Washington's offense, and one thing is for sure: I can't wait to see Washington take on the New York Giants in Week 13!

4. New York Giants

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Linebacker Bradie James #56 of the Dallas Cowboys dives for a tackle on Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

ESPN Rank: 9

Why They're Better Than That: Speaking of the Giants...the New York Giants are the best team in the NFC.

That's right, folks. The Giants are better than the Saints. They're better than the Falcons. They're better than the Packers.

They're better than everyone.

The Giants are tough and intimidating, and they leave every team they play completely banged up (just ask Tony Romo). Any team that can win by six points even after their quarterback throws three interceptions deserves more credit than we're giving the Giants.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 24, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ESPN Rank: 12

Why They're Better Than That: I will admit that I underestimated the Chiefs at the beginning of the season, but this ranking boggles my mind.

The Chiefs are at the top of their division, and they deserve to be ranked higher.

Especially higher than the three-loss Philadelphia Eagles.

2. Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 24: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against Joey Porter #55 of the Arizona Cardinals at Qwest Field on October 24, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

ESPN Rank: 17

Why They're Better Than That: The Seahawks have a 4-2 record, which is at least as good as (if not better than) many teams that are higher in the rankings.

Here's one that stands out: the Chicago Bears.

The Bears are 4-3, and oh wait...didn't the Seahawks beat the Bears?

Just checking.

1. Cleveland Browns

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns hands the ball off to Peyton Hillis #40 during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Image

ESPN Rank: 28

Why They're Better Than That: Really, ESPN? Really?

The 1-5 Cowboys are ranked higher than the 2-5 Browns?

You know...the Cleveland Browns that play in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL?

The Cleveland Browns that killed the New Orleans Saints?

Please.

I'm a Steelers fan, but I can still recognize the talent the Browns have in Peyton Hillis, Joshua Cribbs and even rookie quarterback Colt McCoy.

And don't get me started on that D!

Sometimes I think ESPN feels like they have to rank the Browns lower because "they're the Browns."

Open your eyes, boys.

The Brownies are a much better team than No. 28.