NFL Power Rankings: Dallas Cowboys and Teams That Will Ascend with Week 8 Wins

If we were to look back at the Week 8 NFL power rankings come season's end, it is quite possible we would laugh at the ordering of some of the teams. In essence, power rankings are a snapshot of where teams sit at a current point in time, and they are most certainly ever changing.

Considering how unpredictable the NFL can be, these power rankings may very well look completely different in just one week's time. Here are three teams that are sure to shake up the rankings by picking up big wins in Week 8.

Tennessee Titans

I may be a bit tougher on the Tennessee Titans than most in my rankings, but they have generally failed to impress me. The defense looked good prior to allowing 41 points to the Houston Texans last week, and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was playing well also.

The biggest issue has been running back Chris Johnson's inability to get going in the running game. Luckily for Johnson and the Titans, though, the winless Indianapolis Colts are next on tap in Week 8 as the team looks to bounce back after being thrashed by the Texans.

Indianapolis has one of the league's weakest run defenses, so if Johnson is ever going to return to form, this is his chance. Even if he doesn't, the Titans should have little issue getting by the Colts, who were given a 62-7 beat down by the New Orleans Saints last week. A win over Indy may not impress anyone, but it should be enough to move Tennessee up the rankings a bit.

Kansas City Chiefs

After starting the season 0-3 and losing players like tight end Tony Moeaki, running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry to season-ending injuries, it seemed pretty safe to say the Kansas City Chiefs' season was over before it got started.

Despite such adversity, the Chiefs have refused to give up and have scratched and clawed their way back to a record of 3-3. The most amazing thing is that the Chiefs are just one game back in the AFC West and will have a chance to move into a first-place tie with the San Diego Chargers with a win Monday night.

I certainly don't doubt Kansas City's ability to get back into contention as the team is essentially the same as last year's squad that won the division, save for the injuries. The Chargers always find a way to make things uncomfortable for themselves, and I think the Chiefs secondary will bait a beleaguered Philip Rivers into mistakes.

Dallas Cowboys

Regardless of the fact the Dallas Cowboys are just 3-3 and ranked No. 15 in my power rankings, I firmly believe they are the second-best team in the NFC in terms of talent behind the Green Bay Packers. While that may not mean much unless they put it all together, it does mean that they have the potential to be great.

The Cowboys have simply let too many golden opportunities slip away this season. If Dallas had any finish, it could very well be 6-0 or 5-1 at worst. Late blown leads to the New York Jets, Detroit Lions and New England Patriots loom large, though, as the Cowboys get set to meet the 2-4 Philadelphia Eagles.

Philadelphia is underperforming in terms of its talent level as well, but seems to have more issues than the Cowboys, particularly on defense. The winner of this game will receive a huge boost in the NFC East standings and the NFL's balance of power. While all of the focus will be on Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, rookie running back DeMarco Murray will be the difference in a Dallas win.

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