NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Which Teams Are Skyrocketing Up the NFL Charts?

Sometimes the NFL isn't as polarized as some people think it is, and in fact, these past few weeks have been a great example of that.

One week, a team looks like it may be able to make a surprise run to the Super Bowl, and all of a sudden, a few weeks later, it is plummeting down the power rankings.

Conversely though, teams that we thought would be weak and not show much fight seem to be jumping up the rankings due to some big losses by opponents and big wins by themselves.

Granted, there are a few teams that are just head-and-shoulder above the rest of the league, but overall, the NFL has more parity than polarization.

Here are a few teams that are really moving up the charts:

New Orleans Saints:

After losing to the Packers in Week 1 of the 2011 NFL season, it looked like the Saints were just going to be another good, but not great team. Since then, they have gone 5-1 with a loss to the Buccaneers. They are second in the league in passing yards and are starting to come around as one of the best teams in the NFC. They are going to have a tough fight in the NFC South, but I think they will come out on top.

Jacksonville Jaguars:

I don't know how long the Jags can keep this up, but at least for Week 8, they are really moving up the power rankings. I don't think anybody saw them beating the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, but somehow they pulled it off. They went from one of the worst teams on my list to just a bad team. That's actually a good jump.

Atlanta Falcons:

Being that the Falcons are in such a tough division and got off to such a bad start, they may be focusing long-term on the wildcard spot. I believe this is a team that can get it, and I love the way they are bouncing back from losses. The key is not getting those losses anymore.

Matt Ryan is coming around and Michael Turner is one of the better rushers in the league. This team should be okay.

Andrew Kulha 2011 Power Rankings

1. Packers
2. Patriots
3. Saints
4. 49ers
5. Ravens
6. Chargers 
7. Steelers
8. Texans
9. Falcons
10. Bills 
11. Raiders 
12. Lions
13. Titans
14. Giants
15. Redskins
16. Jets
17. Buccaneers
18. Bengals
19. Bears 
20. Seahawks
21. Jaguars
22. Eagles
23. Cowboys
24. Chiefs
25. Panthers
26. Cardinals
27. Broncos
28. Browns
29. Vikings
30. Dolphins
31. Colts 
32. Rams