NFL Power Rankings: Atlanta Falcons and More Teams on the Rise

Here's a look at three NFL teams who are on their way up:

Atlanta Falcons (No. 11)

The Falcons have been quite inconsistent this season, but when you look at it, their three losses have all been tough games: at Chicago, at Tampa Bay and versus Green Bay.

Atlanta lost those games, particularly the first two, because they got away from the run game that made them so dominate last season.

The absence of rookie WR Julio Jones these last two weeks appears to actually be a blessing in disguise for Atlanta as they have gotten back to what's comfortable for them. Michael Turner has run the ball 27 times in each of their last two games and that has resulted in two victories.

The Falcons knocked off a reeling, but very good Detroit team on the road on Sunday. They have a bye and then a home matchup with Indianapolis before they go on the road to New Orleans to test if they really are back. 

Kansas City Chiefs (No. 20)

Sure, the Oakland Raiders had a miserable combination of Kyle Boller and Carson Palmer at quarterback and they lost Darren McFadden early in the first quarter, but the Chiefs' 28-0 road shellacking was mighty impressive. 

Kansas City has now won three in a row, and even with their slew of injuries they still have a chance to take the division lead in the AFC West when they travel to San Diego on Monday night. 

Todd Haley deserves a lot of credit for saving this team. 

Philadelphia Eagles (No. 21)

The Eagles still have a lot of problems, yes, but they also still have a lot of talent. This isn't a a true 2-4 team. 

The conventional thinking here is that the bye week helped them fix some of those problems and heal some of those injuries. 

Coming up for Philly is three home games, and while Dallas and Chicago aren't the easiest matchups, the Eagles will essentially have a whole month at home.

They won't get a more comfortable stretch for the rest of the season and will likely take advantage. 

Week 8 Power Rankings

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