NFL Power Rankings: A Look at the Top Teams in Each Conference

The perpetually shuffling playoff picture has begun in the NFL. 

After a Week 9 filled with marquee matchups and fantastic finishes, we've got two clear-cut teams at the top of the NFC while the AFC remains a jumbled mess. 

Which are the best teams heading into Week 10?

NFC 

Green Bay Packers

The Packers are 8-0 after their 45-38 win over a San Diego Chargers. Aaron Rodgers was as efficient as he's been all season, completing 21 of 26 passes for 247 yards and four touchdowns. His passer rating was an astounding 145.8. If you've been keeping track, that's eight consecutive games with a QB rating above 110. He's the best quarterback on the planet. 

Their defense gives up a lot of yardage (460 in this one) but forced three more turnovers, including an interception with San Diego driving late. 

As I've said all year long, I'm not sure any team can outscore the Packers, but their defense is a bit worrisome.

San Francisco 49ers

I've been constantly mentioning the offensive explosion we've seen in the NFL this season but a few top teams are getting in done with defense right now, and the 49ers are leading the defensive charge. 

They held the offensively inept Redskins to 11 points and a mere 52 yards rushing. They also caused three turnovers. 

Frank Gore had his fifth straight game of over 100 yards rushing, as the throwback 49ers moved to 7-1.

AFC 

Baltimore Ravens

What a turnaround for the Ravens. Six quarters ago, down 24-3 at home to the Cardinals, I, along with just about every other football fan out there, was ready to bury the Ravens and deem them as an extremely overrated club. 

They came back to beat Arizona, and Joe Flacco delivered a heroic touchdown pass to Torrey Smith with eight seconds remaining to complete the season sweep of the Steelers. 

Another team that prides itself on defense, but is now getting semi-consistent play from their quarterback. 

Cincinnati Bengals 

Go to this page. Check who's atop the AFC. Yes, we're just halfway through the season and things will most certainly shuffle in the final weeks, but you have to hand it to a young Bengals team that's currently 6-2. They were down on the road against Tennessee and Andy Dalton, who's making a legitimate case for Rookie of the Year. Dalton led his team back and finished the day with three touchdown passes to three different receivers. 

They're also the third team on this list that has a defense in the top 10. 

Maybe the league isn't as offensively dominant as we thought. 

Week 10 Power Rankings

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

*MNF matchup