NFL Power Rankings: Stock Watch for Every Division

We are going to see plenty of shuffling over the last eight weeks of the 2011 NFL season and the playoff race is very clogged right now, especially in the AFC. 

Let's take a look at the stock watch in every division.

AFC West 

Stock Up: Denver Broncos (3-5)

Way to go, Tim Tebow. Silence those critics. At least for one week. The Broncos game plan for Tebow was ideal against the Raiders. It limited his tough reads from the pocket and allowed him to utilize his running ability.

He did get some help from his special teams unit, but shockingly, Denver is only a game out of the division lead. 

Stock Down: The rest of the division

The Chiefs blew a great opportunity this week against a winless Dolphins club. After winning four straight, KC was extremely flat at home as Miami scored 28 unanswered points. Matt Cassell was sacked five times and Reggie Bush put together another solid afternoon.

Come on, Oakland, you've got to play more fundamentally sound against the Broncos. On a handful of his 10 completions, Tebow found wide open receivers who picked up big yardage.

San Diego, poor San Diego. They're in a midseason slump and Philip Rivers is turning the ball over far too often. Then again, beating the Packers hasn't been done in quite some time. 

AFC East 

Stock Up: New York Jets (5-3), Miami Dolphins (1-7)

The Dolphins picked up that elusive first win, but they're still one of the worst teams in football. As for the Jets, they won their first road game of the season in dominating fashion over the Bills. Ryan Fitzpatrick was confused all afternoon, and Fred Jackson wasn't a difference maker. Holding that without a touchdown until the game was out of hand is very impressive. 

Stock Down: Buffalo Bills (5-3), New England Patriots (5-3)

The Patriots don't lose two in a row. They don't lose at home with Tom Brady under center. That was the case. No. 12 struggled for the first three quarters, found himself in the fourth, but again, the defense couldn't make plays late and cost the Patriots the game against the Giants. 

For the Bills, they had a prime opportunity to take a commanding lead in the division. Instead, they turned the ball over early and questionable play-calling ruined their chances in the second half. Mark Sanchez was untouched and was rarely hurried all day in Orchard Park. 

AFC South 

Stock Up: Houston Texans (6-3)

The Texans beat the Browns handily, and now they have a two-game lead in their division. They're the most talented team in the AFC South, and they didn't experience the hiccup this week that we've seen in the past. With Andre Johnson coming back soon, they should comfortably win the division.

Stock Down: Tennessee Titans (4-4), Indianapolis Colts (0-9) 

Man, the Colts are in a complete state of disarray. Forget Peyton Manning, this team is atrocious in all phases. As for the Titans, they just seem like a middle-of-the-road club to me, one that can compete each week but doesn't have the pure playmakers to go to that next level.

Yes, I still need to see more from Chris Johnson. 

AFC North 

Stock Up: Cincinnati Bengals (6-2), Baltimore Ravens (6-2) 

The Bengals are the surprise of the AFC. They have the efficiency at quarterback that's needed an a very above average defense. Don't engrave Cam Newton's name on that Rookie of the Year trophy just yet. Andy Dalton's making a real case to win that award. 

Joe Flacco has shown some tremendous resiliency in his last six quarters of football. He led his team back after falling behind to Arizona 24-3 last week, and tossed the game-winning touchdown to Torrey Smith with eight seconds left in Pittsburgh. 

Stock Down: Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)

A season sweep at the hands of the Ravens will leave a bad taste in the mouths of all of the Pittsburgh Steelers players and fans. Their stock isn't plummeting, because I still think they are one of the better teams in the conference, but a divisional loss at home is never good. 

NFC West 

Stock Up: San Francisco 49ers (7-1)

Just another solid performance from the 49ers. Great defense, great running game and effective play from Alex Smith.  

Stock Down: Seattle Seahawks (2-6), St. Louis Rams (1-7)

Seattle was in the game with Dallas, but their lack of overall talent was the difference. The Rams lost a heart breaker to the Cardinals, thanks to Patrick Peterson's ridiculous return ability, but I'm not sure there were many watching that game. 

NFC North 

Stock Up: Green Bay Packers (8-0)

I'm going to keep saying it. No one can outscore the Packers. Their defense is suspect, but Aaron Rodgers is the savior for Green Bay. Can he get any more efficient? 

NFC East 

Stock Up: New York Giants (6-2) Dallas Cowboys (4-4)

The best tweet I saw yesterday following the Giants win over the Patriots was "Eli + TE = Elite". That about sums it up. Manning was terrific in the fourth quarter after throwing an end zone interception. New York's defensive front terrorized Tom Brady for the majority of the game. They're sitting pretty right now—two games up in the NFC East. 

The Cowboys desperately needed a win at home over the weak Seahawks. They got it. It wasn't pretty, but winning is all that mattered. Tony Romo was very impressive, as was DeMarco Murray who averaged 6.3 yards per carry. 

Stock Down: Washington Redskins (3-5)

The Redskins have lost five straight and we're finally seeing the true Washington team. Their defense is average and their offense is among the worst in the league. Without Santana Moss, this team has little to no big-play ability. 

NFC South

Stock Up: New Orleans Saints (6-3), Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

The Saints had to beat the Buccaneers after their humiliating defeat last weekend. They got it done in the Superdome.

Do they ever lose there? It was a solid all-around effort from a team that was dominated against the Rams in Week 8. How about Darren Sproles? How fun is he to watch?

Atlanta keeps pace with New Orleans with their blowout victory over the Colts. Nothing major here, the Falcons just took care of business. I was very impressed with Julio Jones' breakaway speed on his 80-yard touchdown reception—he's going to be special. 

Stock Down: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)

Just when you want to place the Bucs in the league's upper echelon, they go on a two-game losing streak.

At least it seems that way.

Josh Freeman has all the talent you'd ever want in your franchise signal-caller, but struggles with consistency. Not a good situation with two teams ahead of them in the NFC South Standings.

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