NFL Power Rankings: Taking a Look at the Current Super Bowl Favorites

Now that we're halfway through the 2011 NFL season, I don't feel nearly as bad, or I guess sports nerdy, if I examine the current Super Bowl favorites. 

Here are the four teams that look to be the favorites in their respective conferences...

NFC 

Green Bay Packers

No Super Bowl hangover for this crew, especially not Aaron Rodgers, who's having a better year than he did last season. 

There isn't a team in football that looks like they have more fun when they're out there, and that's probably because Rodgers throws it to essentially every eligible receiver on the team. 

James Starks is averaging 4.5 yards a carry and has provided a much-needed lift to the running game. 
Their defense hasn't been necessarily stingy against the pass (allowing 288 yards per contest) but a lot of that is due to the fact that every team has been playing from behind against them. 

The defending Super Bowl champs are the NFC's clear-cut Super Bowl favorite, because really, who can stop that offense?

San Francisco 49ers

For two teams to be separated by one game in the win-loss column, it's crazy to think at how differently the Packers and 49ers get it done. 

San Francisco really digs in on defense and have been ferociously masterful against nearly all their opponents this season. 

They're first in rushing yards allowed per game, and for as much as the NFL has become a pass-first league, their stout run defense has been crucial to their 6-1 start. 

Frank Gore has anchored the league's sixth ranked rushing attack, which has alleviated much of the pressure for Alex Smith, who has thrown nine touchdowns and only two picks this season—hardly a game manager. 

I oh so very much want this to be the NFC Championship game, because of its classic great offense vs. great defense appeal. 

AFC 

Pittsburgh Steelers

I promise not to count out the Steelers ever again.

Following their 2-2 start, they seemed slow, out of sorts on defense and I didn't think the offensive line could ever protect Ben Roethlisberger. 

Now they're fresh off a win in which they confused Tom Brady and displayed their abilities as a big play offense. 

With all the playoff experience on the team, and a new-look receiving corps filled with energy and speed, watch out for the Steelers. 

What else is new?

New England Patriots

At 5-2 and with Tom Brady the Patriots are unquestionably a Super Bowl contender this season. But there's something different about this team than what we've seen in the past. 

Opponents have been able to get to Brady more than usual (sacked three times in Pittsburgh) and the lack of a deep threat at wide receiver has hindered their offense in a few games. 

It's so weird seeing Brady look flustered.

The defense is improving, but the secondary is still by far the team's weak link (allowing 323 yards a game through the air). 

They may need five or six more masterful performances to even win the AFC East, but like the Steelers, the Patriots are a team you can never fully count out. 

Week 9 Power Rankings

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

* Monday Night Football matchup