NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Falcons, Bears and Broncos Spring Up the Board

No team had a bigger win on Sunday than the Atlanta Falcons.

On the road at 5-1 Detroit, they were able to keep Matthew Stafford in check (aside from Calvin Johnson) and Matt Ryan gutted out one of the best performances of his young season, despite throwing two interceptions.

The Falcons were able to control the clock, holding almost a 10-minute advantage in the time of possession category.

Now sitting at 4-3, they have saved their season. With a very manageable schedule down the stretch (they still have games against the Colts, Vikings, Panthers and Jaguars), we can now reconsider the Falcons as a legit playoff contender that could do some damage in the postseason.

For that, they have jumped up to 14 in my power rankings, a week after sitting in the 19th  position.

Here are two other teams that registered huge wins on Sunday as they jump up the power rankings:

No. 12 Chicago Bears

It may have been the Matt Forte show in Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers (145 rushing yards, 38 receiving yards), but that’s okay.

The Bears have realized their receiving core stinks, so offensive coordinator Mike Martz is getting creative with better protection for Jay Cutler and it’s working.

With a defense that forced four interceptions on a QB in Josh Freeman that rarely turns the ball over (six total picks in previous six games), this team is more balanced than I originally thought.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier, but expect the Bears to be in the mix for a playoff spot come December.

No. 25 Denver Broncos

The Broncos were horrible for the first 57 minutes against Miami. Tim Tebow couldn’t complete a pass to save his life, yet somehow he engineered two last-minute drives and pulled out a miracle of a win.

The offense may not be pretty with Tim Terrific, but he has a knack to inspire his teammates. It’s an intangible observation, but just watching the rest of the offense gives you a strong sense that they are doing everything in their power to make sure their QB succeeds.

The Broncos aren’t going to the playoffs, but it looks like they’ll be must-see TV every week with Tebow starting. 

Eric Ball’s Week 8 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers

2. New England Patriots

3. Baltimore Ravens

4. New Orleans Saints

5. San Francisco 49ers

6. San Diego Chargers

7. Detroit Lions

8. Buffalo Bills

9. Pittsburgh Steelers

10. New York Giants

11. Cincinnati Bengals

12. Chicago Bears

13. New York Jets

14. Atlanta Falcons

15. Houston Texans

16. Washington Redskins

17. Oakland Raiders

18. Dallas Cowboys

19. Tennessee Titans

20. Philadelphia Eagles

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

22. Seattle Seahawks

23. Cleveland Browns

24. Kansas City Chiefs

25. Denver Broncos

26. Arizona Cardinals

27. Carolina Panthers

28. Minnesota Vikings

29. Jacksonville Jaguars

30. Indianapolis Colts

31. St. Louis Rams

32. Miami Dolphins