NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Anchoring Down Their Divisions?

Every NFL division has one team that is keeping their division afloat, essentially making sure the respect is there from the rest of the league. 

There are a few surprises and some divisions have more than one solid team, but I've identified that one club that's a step ahead of the rest. 

AFC East

Buffalo Bills. 

Sure, the Patriots aren't slouches, but the Bills are the talk of the NFL right now. Who said Ryan Fitzpatrick can't be a franchise quarterback? He's right in the middle of the elite quarterbacks with a 103.5 QB rating, ahead of Matt Schaub, Tony Romo, Kevin Kolb and Joe Flacco. 

For running backs with more than 21 carries, Fred Jackson leads the NFL with a 6.4 yards-per-carry average and has been equally as dangerous through the air. 

For once, the Bills are holding down this division, especially with Dolphins sitting at 0-3. 

NFC East

New York Giants. 

The Cowboys won on Monday night against the Redskins, but for me, the Giants have been the most impressive team in the division, especially because of their road win in Philadelphia in Week 3. 

Although they've been ravished with injuries, the backups have stepped up and the defensive line is terrorizing opposing quarterbacks, as usual. 

Eli Manning rebounded from two sub-par efforts with a huge four-touchdown day against the Eagles. 

All the press is focused on Tony Romo right now, but the Giants are holding down this division.

AFC West

Oakland Raiders. 

Yes, the Chargers were the preseason favorites and are 2-1 right now, but I think the most respect is being paid to the Raiders within the division. 

San Diego has beaten two teams currently 0-3 and are coming off a win against Kansas City that wasn't very inspiring. 

Nobody wants to play Oakland, period. 

Darren McFadden has exploded onto the national scene and their defensive line is as physical as they come. 

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers. 

The only team with two wins in the division, this is an easy one. 

San Francisco hasn't been extremely fun to watch, but they have been effective, and that's all that matters.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers. 

This was a tough one. The Lions are contenders and have one of the most dangerous offenses in the league. 

With that being said, the Packers are the defending Super Bowl champions and until they are beaten, they're atop the division. 

NFC South

New Orleans Saints. 

Drew Brees' offense hasn't skipped a beat with Marques Colston sidelined and the combination of Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram are keeping defenses honest. 

If the defense can create more turnovers, they're one of the teams to beat in the NFC. 

(Don't sleep on the Bucs, however.)

AFC South

Houston Texans. 

They are coming off a crushing defeat at the hands of the Saints, but no one is taking the Texans lightly. 

Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson formulate one of the best quarterback-wide receiver duos in the game today and the defense will bounce back after being torched by Brees and Co. last week inside the Superdome. 

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens. 

They experienced a major hiccup against the Titans in Week 2, but other than that, they utterly dominated the Steelers and the Rams.

The Ravens can beat you with the slippery Ray Rice, and if you send eight men to the box to stop him, Joe Flacco can take the top of the secondary with Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin.

Oh yeah, their defense isn't bad either.

Week 4 Power Rankings

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