NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Most Intimidating?

When we think of intimidating teams, usually the first thing that pops into our minds are the "meanest" of teams. But in regards to intimidation, just being mean doesn't really hold that much weight.

Instead, intimidation should come in the form of a team that executes to the highest order, finds ways to win without their best players, and goes all-out every game regardless of their opponent.

Before you take the field, the intimidation factor should be knowing that you need to put up your A-game for 60 minutes, otherwise don't even bother showing up for kickoff. Here, records don't count.

Green Bay Packers (7-0)

Okay, so maybe records count a little bit, but regardless of how weak the Packers' pass defense has been, can any team line up against them and say, "Yeah, we can beat them if we don't go all-out."

Their offense basically executes so flawlessly that by game's end, Shao Kahn from Mortal Kombat should say "Flawless Victory!" over the loud speaker.

That's how the Packers can get you. Say what you want about their pass defense, but this is a team that still won the Super Bowl despite having umpteen guys on the IR and went on the road throughout the 2010 postseason.

When the Packers want to, they will crush anyone who stands in their way, because right now they're not even going all-out. Have you seen Aaron Rodgers sweating profusely after any games yet?

No.

Houston Texans (4-3)

It was uncertain as to how the Houston Texans would play without WR Andre Johnson and LB Mario Williams. Well, so far, so good.

Obviously losing on the road to Baltimore hurt, but the Ravens play extremely well at home and Houston fought all game. As evidence, that effort carried over into last week and they pummeled AFC South rival Tennessee into submission with a 41-7 road win.

Houston still has a lot of work to do being that they're only 4-3. But this is a team on a mission, because when they're playing without ther best two players and still putting up a fight and/or dominating, no one will want to play them when Johnson returns.

In some sense, this is a team that has nothing to lose and everything to gain, because since they have injuries and have yet to make a postseason appearance, they're honestly going somewhat under the radar.

Carolina Panthers (2-5)

They're 2-5 and last place in the NFC South, so what makes the Carolina Panthers so intimidating?

Well for one, they go all-out more than any other team in the league. They have played four solid NFC teams in Green Bay, New Orleans, Chicago and Atlanta, and were in each game.

Rookie QB Cam Newton continues to prove skeptics wrong about his mechanics and so-forth. The defense, despite not having LB Jon Beason, is playing better than expected, and they just dominated a Washington Redskins team that had quite a few people on their bandwagon.

This is clearly a team on the rise, and don't be surprised if the Panthers finish near a .500 record. They're giving so much effort and playing with nothing to lose right now.

Their intimidation factor is like a poker player at the World Series of Poker Main Event who doesn't care whether they get knocked out or make the money, because all he/she wants to do is play and force his/her opponents into thinking about not making mistakes.

That way of playing gives the advantage.

Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

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