NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Models for Success?

There are many reasons why the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots are at the top of their respective conferences right now. 

They've followed a specific model in building their teams and are reaping the benefits today. 

What is that model for success exactly?

Obviously, both teams have tremendous quarterbacks, probably the two best in the league at this moment. 

What are the similarities between the two? How did they get there?

Starting with the brains of their offense, both teams have been outstanding in the drafting process.

Rodgers and Brady were overlooked in the draft (Rodgers arguably could have been the No. 1 overall pick) and sat behind a gun-slinging quarterback for a handful of years.

We've seen success with signal callers who have started from Day One, but I don't think it's a coincidence that the two best quarterbacks in the league were backups from the beginning and learned the nuisances of their team's offense, the intricacies of diagnosing the blitz and deciding which receiver was "hot." 

Green Bay Packers

After that, the Packers have slowly constructed a solid defense by drafting players who ideally fit into their 3-4 defensive alignment (B.J. Raji, Clay Matthews).

They have been fine with letting go of older talent that wanted big money (Aaron Kampman, Cullen Jenkins).

Green Bay used early-round draft picks on offensive linemen, and were patient in drafting a running back. Look at what Ryan Grant (undrafted) and James Starks (sixth round) have done for this team. 

If you aren't getting Adrian Peterson, no need taking a runner extremely early. Too risky. 

Lastly, they've added talent to what had been considered their strong suits. 

Even with Donald Driver, they drafted Greg Jennings in 2006. After Jennings, they drafted James Jones in 2007. After Jones, they drafted Jordy Nelson in 2008 and drafted Ronald Cobb this year. 

Now they have one of the best receiving corps in the game. 

Brilliant.

New England Patriots

Much is the same for New England, which set the precedent on building a Super Bowl contending team through the draft, although it has done a lot more wheeling and dealing than the Packers. 

After making the mistake of drafting Laurence Maroney in the first round in 2007, the Patriots have waited on running backs. 

They're always making the non-sexy offensive lineman pick in the first few rounds (Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Logan Mankins) and have added a multitude of pieces to their receiving corp.

The past few seasons they've made it a point to bring in as many talented bodies as they can to their defense (Patrick Chung, Darius Butler, Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Devin McCourty).

In the end, these players need to pan out, but these two teams have done it the right way for a while now and that's why they're tops in the league. 

Week 8 Power Rankings

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