NFL Power Rankings: New Orleans Saints and Top-Tier Teams That Will Keep Rolling

The true hallmark of a great team is that they are able to win the games that they are supposed to win. At the same time, in order to reach that elite level, a team often has to knock off a team that is considered to be superior.

Several teams will have such opportunities this weekend, and it is vital that they are able to capitalize on them. Here are three top-tier teams that will continue to roll with big victories in Week 8.

Pittsburgh Steelers

There were many question marks surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers after they were blown out by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, but they have answered the bell since that game and sit atop the AFC North with a record of 5-2.

Some may point to a fairly soft schedule to explain Pittsburgh's success, but a team can only face the opponents that are put in front of it. The Steelers' opponent this week certainly won't be a walk in the park, as the New England Patriots are set to come to town.

While New England is favored, the Steelers would seem to have the personnel necessary to give the Patriots some problems. If LaMarr Woodley and Pittsburgh's pass rush can get to Tom Brady, then it can disrupt New England's offense.

Also, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been red hot, so he should be able to exploit the sub-par Patriots' secondary.

San Francisco 49ers

Despite little hype entering the season, the San Francisco 49ers currently sit at 5-1 with a firm grasp on the NFC West. The Niners have gotten the job done with rock solid defense and what has been a fairly mistake-free offense.

San Fran should be in line for another win this weekend as it hosts the 3-3 Cleveland Browns. However, the Browns are a gritty team that can be tough to knock off. In the same respect, the 49ers are a gritty team in their own right and can play to pretty much any style.

Provided quarterback Alex Smith can continue to protect the football and running back Frank Gore runs well, the Niners should have little issue coming away with a victory. The Browns simply don't have the firepower on offense to keep the 49ers honest.

New Orleans Saints

After dropping a tough game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers two weeks ago, the New Orleans Saints absolutely needed a bounce-back game. They got that and so much more as they systematically destroyed the hapless Indianapolis Colts, 62-7, on Sunday night.

Say what you will about the Colts, but any time you can score 62 points against an NFL team, you're doing something right. The Saints will have the opportunity to put up another big number this week when they take on the 0-6 St. Louis Rams.

The Rams may be without quarterback Sam Bradford once again due to a high ankle sprain, meaning New Orleans might be in line for another blowout win. With Drew Brees and the Saints' passing attack banging on all cylinders, it could be a very long day for St. Louis.

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