NFL Power Rankings: 10 Most Potent Offenses

In a recent article, I attempted to debunk the myth that defenses win championships. So with that in mind, let's look at what really matters in the NFL: the highly potent offenses.

It is called a QB-driven league now, but in reality, except for a few exceptions, that has always been true in the NFL. Look at most of the NFL championships, and they had competent QBs, if not great ones.

Rule changes over time favor offensive football. That's because the NFL wants more scoring. Chicks may dig the long ball in MLB, but everyone digs a long touchdown pass.

Recognizing that, who are the best offenses in the NFL today?  

Well, depending on which statistic a person uses to measure offensive production, a number of different teams can claim to own the league's top offense.

So what is the best way to determine the most potent offense? Using the 'total yards' statistic can be misleading because yards don't always lead to points. So I am considering that, but placing more emphasis on TDs scored and total points.

So here they are. Leave your comments below, I'm sure you will have some.

10. Carolina Panthers

I am starting off with Carolina for one main reason—they are fifth in the NFL in total yards. And while I do not feel that is the most important stat, it is something I cannot ignore.

They don't rank higher, however, because those yards often do not lead to as many points as the other prolific offenses.

Plus, they have a lousy record, so all that offense really doesn't scare anyone.

Still, the performance of rookie QB Cam Newton has been nothing short of amazing. For a guy to come out this soon and put up the numbers he has is very impressive. 

Yet it has not just been the passing game which has led to all those yards. They have had a nice balance of running as well as passing.

Carolina ranks fifth in passing and eighth in rushing yardage this season.

However, they rank just 16th in points per game, behind the Chicago Bears.

9. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are tied for 10th in TDs (21) but rank seventh in points per game (26).

How do they do it? Well, they are tied for ninth with eight rushing TDs, while they are tied for 21st in passing TDs, so that should give you a clue.

Of course, they are known as a defensive team, and are one of only two teams with four defensive TDs.

Still, you can't argue that they are putting points on the board. While they are 17th in total yards, they have been very productive with those yards.

QB Joe Flacco has been up and down, with nine TDs versus six INTs. His completion rate is only 54.7 percent, but he is on his way toward a 4,000 yard passing season.

Ray Rice has been productive as the main back, with six TDs and 532 yards. Ricky Williams has done a nice job, averaging 4.4 yards per carry as his backup.

8. San Francisco 49ers

The Niners just keep winning, and despite a QB who I have never thought very highly of, their offense in getting the job done.

Alex Smith has been very efficient this season, with 10 TDs to only two interceptions.

But where they really get 'er done is on the ground. Frank Gore has 782 yards rushing on the season, a 4.9 average, and five TDs.

Meanwhile, the Niners rank eighth in the league in average points per game (25.8). But they are tied for 10th in TDs (21), so I can't rank them any higher.

7. Philadelphia Eagles

I am not going to ignore the Eagles, though I cannot rank them any higher on this list due their relative lack of production.

Still, you can't turn a blind eye to the way they get down the field. They lead the NFL in total yards, heading into Monday night's game with the Bears.

Seventeen teams have scored more TDs than Philadelphia, however. But all of those teams have played at least one more game than the Eagles and in some cases, two additional games (Saints and Steelers have each played nine games so far).

But it's not just passing that does it, Michael Vick can also do it with his legs, and LeSean McCoy is running all over the place.

6. Houston Texans

The Texans have played well this year, after being most everyone's darling the last couple of seasons.

Their offense has certainly been productive, tied for fourth with the Bills and Patriots in touchdowns (26). Unlike those teams, however, they have more rushing TDs (10) and only the Vikings have more.

Their passing game is tied for 10th with 13 TDs but again, they have been productive and that is the name of the game.

QB Matt Schaub has had a very solid year so far, with 2,237 yards passing and 13 TDs versus six interceptions.

The Texans average 26.2 points per game, good for sixth in the league and are fourth in total points.

They rank eighth in total yardage, so they have gotten good production out of those yards, as opposed to the Eagles who lead the NFL in yardage yet are tied for 18th in touchdowns.

5. Buffalo Bills

The Bills offense wasn't very good on Sunday in a 27-11 loss to the Jets, but for the season they rank fifth in points per game (27.8) and are tied with the Texans and Patriots for fourth in TDs (26).

The Bills have a nice mix of rushing and passing TDs. They are tied for ninth in rushing touchdowns and tied for fifth in passing TDs.

The Bills QB, Ryan Fitzpatrick, doesn't conjure up visions of Rodgers, Brady and Brees when it comes to elite QBs, but he has been very efficient this season.

He has thrown for 15 TDs and has been accurate, completing passes at a 65.4 percent clip. He still throws too many interceptions, however (9).

Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick is on his way to a possible 4,000 yard passing season. And he leads a Bills offense that has been really good so far.  

4. Detroit Lions

The Lions are known more for their defense, with that ferocious front four led by Ndamukong Suh. But their offense is highly prolific this year with QB Matthew Stafford staying healthy.

They rank third in total points, and points per game (29.9). Only the Packers and Saints have scored more TDs (27) though four of them have come on defense.

The Lions scoring has come mainly via the passing game, with just four rushing TDs (tied for 23rd in the league).

Only the Packers, Saints and Patriots have thrown more TD passes than Detroit (19).

3. New England Patriots

The Patriots rank fifth in the NFL in total points and are in a three-way tie for fourth in touchdowns (26).

Of course, they are led by Tom Brady, a QB that most would want to have starting for them if they needed to win one game.

Only Green Bay and New Orleans have more TD passes.

Meanwhile, New England is tied with the Bills for fourth place in points per game (27.8).

2. New Orleans Saints

The Saints are tied with the Packers for the NFL lead in touchdowns (33), and with Drew Brees at QB, they certainly have that quick-strike capability I like when ranking offenses.

The main reason they are not ranked first in this article is that they average a few less points per game than the Packers (34.4 to 31.9). But one could easily make an argument either way.

Technically, their offense has scored one more TD than Green Bay, because the Packers defense has scored three TDs to the Saints' two.

The Saints have also played one more game than the Packers.

1. Green Bay Packers

The Packers are the best team in the NFL and its best offense as well. Aaron Rodgers is arguably the top QB in the football, and he leads an offense that is ranked first in points per game, at 34.4.

They are fifth in total yards, fourth in yards per game and third in passing yards per game.

What brings them down is their running game. The Packers rank 20th in rushing yards. But when you have a QB like Rodgers, running the ball is an afterthought.

When I think of a prolific offense, I like one that has quick-strike capability and that's what Green Bay embodies that with their ability to score points and win games via their offense.

But where I think Green Bay really stands out is that they are tied with New Orleans with 33 touchdowns. And to me, TDs and points are more indicative of a strong offense than total yards.