NFL Power Rankings: Is AFC or NFC League's Best Conference?

For years, the NFC ruled the AFC in the Super Bowl, where they ran off 13 consecutive wins over the AFC from the 1984 season through the 1996 season.

However, the 1997 and 1998 Denver Broncos changed all that, and got the momentum back to the AFC—and since then, they have been 9-5 against the NFC, who has won two straight.

This season, the tides appear to be shifting once again toward the NFC, but the AFC still has some solid contenders of their own.

So with all that said, which conference is better?

Well, let's break each of them down and find out.

American Football Conference

Super Bowl Contenders: Patriots, Jets, Steelers, Ravens, Texans, Chargers

Top Ten Teams: Five; Patriots, Jets, Steelers, Ravens, Texans

Despite losing the two previous Super Bowls (and three out of the last four), the AFC still has a lot of deep talent that can best any NFC franchise.

And as long as Tom Brady remains under center in New England, the AFC (and the Pats in particular) will always be a force.

Also favoring the AFC down the road are some young franchises, such as the Jets and Texans, who are expected to contend for the AFC title for years to come.

In addition, both Pittsburgh and Baltimore are always in the mix, and the Ravens (more notably) are getting younger, although LB Ray Lewis is still the aging outlier in all of pro football.

Overall, the AFC is really strong, but it's uncertain how soon they'll regain the spotlight because the NFC has won the last two Lombardi Trophies, and they have more experience.

National Football Conference

Super Bowl Contenders: Packers, Saints, Falcons, Eagles

Top Ten Teams: Five; Packers Saints, Falcons, Eagles, Lions

When the 2011 NFL season kicked off at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI., the Packers and Saints met as the two previous Super Bowl champs.

That being said, the Philadelphia Eagles stockpiled this offseason almost immediately after the lockout was lifted, and the Detroit Lions, who everyone thought were going to be sweet, are answering the call.

Perhaps the biggest thing keeping the NFC rolling is their experienced youth.

In the AFC, 34-year-old Tom Brady and 35-year-old Peyton Manning (who's currently out) are considered their two best players.

As for the NFC, Aaron Rodgers is only 27 and Drew Brees is 32.

Not to mention Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford, who are both 26 and 23 respectively.

In the end, the NFC is the better conference, as they have won three of the last four Super Bowls, and with two of those wins coming over Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, it's clear the NFC can match anything the AFC has to offer.

Additionally, they may not run as deep, but are more talented, younger, and have more teams rising faster.

Week 3 Power Rankings

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

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