NFL Power Rankings: Teams That Will Stay at the Top

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

In the years since the salary cap intervened, NFL fans have gotten used to parity. The league, however, is still as top heavy as Pam Anderson in “Barb Wire.” Out of the top 10 teams in the power rankings, it’s safe to say that there are a few who won’t leave that list this year.

Start with the defending champs. Anyone who has further questions as to the importance of quarterbacks to a team’s success need look only two places: Green Bay and Indianapolis. The Pack have overcome defensive woes and an absent running game to begin undefeated. The Colts were probably a nine or 10-win team with Peyton Manning, even this year. They now find themselves in the Andrew Luck Sweepstakes.

The Steelers rebounded from a tough start and looked downright dominant against the Pats this weekend. Big Ben was awesome, they manhandled Patriot receivers and, more importantly, kept Tom Brady off the field. If the aging Steelers' defense can keep it up, they will remain in the top five for the rest of the year.

Despite their stumble against the Steelers, does anyone believe they can stop Tom Brady consistently? The Pats made some uncharacteristic mistakes, which means the Giants can probably save a trip to Foxboro next Sunday. The Pats at home, coming off a loss, is never a good recipe. Don’t think Tom Brady has forgotten his only Super Bowl loss.

The Ravens still look like the ’85 Bears on defense, and when they feed Ray Rice the ball, good things tend to happen. Flacco looked to be in sync with Boldin and company this weekend in a comeback victory against the lowly Cardinals. That defense will keep them in the top five, regardless of who's calling the plays on offense.

It’s tough to believe that the 49ers are better than the Saints, but you have to give them the edge after winning ugly against Cleveland, whereas the Saints dropped the ball against the previously winless Rams. I’m not going to compare Alex Smith to Drew Brees, but the difference between the two teams at this point is that San Francisco can stop the run and has done so all year. Kudos to new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio for taking an already talented unit and unleashing them.