NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Who Are the NFC Heavyweights?

The NFC schedule for Week 7 is complete, as only the Monday night game between the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars remains unplayed.

Let's break down the NFC after seven weeks, as we try to identify the conference's heavyweights:

Green Bay Packers (7-0, No. 1)

Another week, another win for the Packers, who have won a franchise-record 13 straight games dating back to last season. There are still some issues defensively, but you can't fault a team for winning each and every week. The Packers remain the NFL's best team. 

San Francisco 49ers (5-1, No. 4)

The 49ers had a bye in Week 7, but we've seen enough from them on defense and on the road to justify keep them in the top five. With games against Cleveland and Washington on the schedule next, the 49ers could very well be 7-1 before welcoming the Giants to San Fran in Week 10.  

New Orleans Saints (5-2, No. 5)

You probably won't see another beat down in the NFL on the level of the Saints' 62-7 win over the Colts in quite some time. Drew Brees was surgical in completing 31-of-35 passes for over 300 yards and five scores. They can establish themselves as the clear top dogs in the NFC South over the next three weeks as they take on both the Bucs and Falcons.   

Detroit Lions (5-2, No. 7)

The offensive line problems are certainly troubling, as Matthew Stafford has taken a beating over the past two weeks. We'll see how these young Lions respond to what could be a breaking point in their promising season.

New York Giants (4-2, No. 10)

The Giants stayed idle during their bye week, but they still find themselves on top of the NFC East. A game with Miami in Week 8 kicks off a horrific stretch of games for the Giants that includes the Patriots, 49ers, Eagles, Saints, Packers and Cowboys. 

On the Brink

Dallas Cowboys (3-3, No. 12)

They lost some games they shouldn't have early on this season, but they have the overall talent on both sides of the ball to stick around to the end in the NFC. 

Chicago Bears (4-3, No. 13)

Mike Martz has figured out how to succeed with the Bears offense. As long as Matt Forte is running the football as well as he has in recent weeks, the Bears will be a tough out.

Atlanta Falcons (4-3, No. 16) 

I love the way Matt Ryan came back into the game after a nasty-looking ankle injury and delivered a strike to Harry Douglas on his first throw. That really rallied the Falcons, and things are starting to look a little brighter in Atlanta after a dim start.

Week 8 Power Rankings

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