NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Which Divisions Are the League's Strongest?

Through seven weeks of the NFL season, we break down how the divisions stack up in our Week 8 Power Rankings.

1. AFC North (Overall W-L: 16-9)

The AFC North is the only division in football where all four teams are .500 or better. Only the Browns have a negative point differential.

Both the Ravens and Steelers can be considered elite teams in the conference. Easy choice here, even with the defending Super Bowl champions in the next-best division. 

2. NFC North (17-11)

The Packers' 7-0 mark helps mask that the Vikings sit at just 1-6 at the bottom of the division.

The Lions' surprising 5-0 start has been tarnished a bit with two straight losses, and the Bears are still a tough team to figure out at 4-3.  

3. NFC South (15-13)

Coming into the season, most thought that the NFC South was in line to be the best division.

The Saints have been as good as advertised, but slow starts from the Buccaneers and Falcons bring this division down a couple of notches. The Panthers have been a pleasant surprise, however, even at 2-5. 

4. AFC East (13-12)

The Patriots, Bills and Jets all have four or more wins.

The Dolphins' horrific start takes some of the shine off the division. As long as the top three teams keep winning, the AFC East can jump up these rankings in a hurry.  

5. NFC East (12-12)

There isn't a whole lot that separates the top team in the division (Giants) from the worst (Eagles).

The Redskins surprised early with a 3-1 start but look headed for another lost season. The records of both the Cowboys and Eagles aren't representative of the talent on each roster. 

6. AFC West (13-12)

The Chargers and Raiders have both been solid through seven weeks, and the recent revival from the Chiefs after their start has helped the West rise from the bottom.

The Broncos have hope with Tim Tebow at quarterback, too.  

7. AFC South (9-18)

It was a tough choice to pick the AFC South over the NFC West, but both the Texans (4-3) and Titans (3-3) have the talent to make the playoffs. The Colts' 0-7 start is a huge black eye, though.

8. NFC West (8-16)

Even with the 49ers' 5-1 start, the NFC West retains the title of worst division in the NFL. The Seahawks, Cardinals and Rams have all had disappointing seasons.

One of those three teams has to turn it around for this division to overtake the AFC South.  

Week 8 Power Rankings

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