NFL Power Rankings: Where Will Experts Rank Green Bay Packers Next Week?

After demolishing the Denver Broncos 49-23 on Sunday to improve to 4-0, there is little doubt that the Green Bay Packers are the NFL's best team. The only other undefeated team remaining is Green Bay's NFC North rival, the Detroit Lions.

While the Lions have been extremely impressive, the manner in which the Packers have been winning is unmatched. The defense has struggled a bit, but the Packers' offense has been banging on all cylinders thanks to the play of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Last week Rodgers became the first player in NFL history to throw for over 400 yards, pass for four touchdowns and rush for two touchdowns in a single game. Regardless of how poorly the defense plays, one can't help but feel that Rodgers can lead the offense to as many points as it needs to win.

It can be argued that the Packers have beat up on some lower-level teams like the Broncos and Carolina Panthers, but Green Bay's win over the Chicago Bears was impressive and it may have also beaten the league's second-best team in the New Orleans Saints.

As long as the Packers continue to win, they will remain the measuring stick to which all other teams are prepared, but at some point Green Bay will have to face some adversity.

Week 5 vs. Atlanta Falcons

There is no question that the Packers will receive their biggest test since beating the Saints in Week 1 when they travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons on Sunday night. Not only will the Falcons be revenge minded after the Packers knocked them out of the playoffs last year, but they will certainly want to improve upon their disappointing 2-2 record.

I don't think that there is any question that Green Bay has the more complete team, but the Falcons are excellent on home field. In fact, the Falcons as 21-2 at home during the regular season since quarterback Matt Ryan's rookie year in 2008.

This year's Atlanta team isn't significantly different from last year's team that finished 13-3. The Falcons have really struggled defensively, particularly against the pass, and that is mostly to blame for their poor start.

Obviously a team with a bad pass defense facing Rodgers isn't a great combination, but Rodgers can dissect essentially any defense, no matter how great or terrible it may be. The best chance Atlanta has to beat Green Bay is to engage in a shootout, and the Falcons certainly have the horses to do that.

With Ryan throwing the ball to Roddy White and Julio Jones and Michael Turner in the backfield, the Falcons are one of very few teams that can hang in there with Green Bay. When add that to home-field advantage, I believe the Falcons will pull off the upset.

How Will it Affect Their Ranking?

On ESPN.com the Packers are currently ranked No. 1 based on a collaborative effort by a number of NFL analysts and writers. Should they lose as I expect them to, then it would likely cause a move down the rankings, but not by much.

Provided the Lions are able to beat the Bears on Monday night, I would assume that they would ascend to the No. 1 spot. Even if teams like the Saints, New England Patriots and Houston Texans all win and Green Bay loses, though, I don't see them leapfrogging the Packers.

Since the Packers beat the Saints and the Saints beat the Texans, the Packers would have to be ranked ahead of both teams. Also, New England's loss to the Buffalo Bills would be considered a worse loss than a Green Bay loss to Atlanta.

With all of that said, if the Packers do in fact lose, then I believe they will drop just one spot in ESPN's rankings to No. 2. It won't mean much, though, since the Packers will have two opportunities this season to prove whether or not they are better than the Lions.