NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Which Teams Are League's Heavyweights?

The top three teams in my Week 8 power rankings are pretty much the definition of intimidation so far this season. The Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints have earned big wins, but have done so in different ways.

The Packers have ridden their explosive offense all the way to an undefeated record. Despite an ever-flattening defense, they've managed seven-straight wins against a variety of teams, and haven't rested on their laurels after winning the Super Bowl last season.

San Francisco, on the other hand, are more well-balanced than the Packers. They have a capable passing game, a seemingly unstoppable running attack led by Frank Gore and one of the most dominating defenses in the NFL.

Currently, it's their single loss that sits San Francisco just behind Green Bay in the rankings. However, that certainly does not mean they couldn't give the Packers a hard time should the two teams meet in the postseason.

Of course, the Niners may have to defeat the Saints before they can see the Packers in this year's playoffs. The Saints have two losses, but their most recent win over the Indianapolis Colts proves that not only can this top team dispatch one of the league's worst, they can do so in spectacular fashion. Drew Brees and company scored 62 points to the Colts' 7 in Week 7.

Their league-leading offense is only tempered by their surprisingly struggling defense. They may have made significant strides to improve their run game, but they need to shore up that defense and become as well-balanced as San Francisco as the season wears on.

While opponents likely look at the Saints defense as their Achilles' heel, they've got so much going for them on offense that it hardly matters. However, they do have two losses, and that defense is the main reason why.

With that being said, they shouldn't have any trouble this week when they take on the St. Louis Rams, a team just as woeful as the Colts before them.

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