NFL Power Rankings: The 5 Most Potent Offenses

In the past decade, great defenses have rarely won Super Bowls; instead, the best teams have often had potent offenses. Keyed by excellent quarterbacks, these teams can rack up points in a hurry.

Which teams from the first half of the 2011 NFL season have the most potent offenses?

Let's run down the top five, starting with No. 5 and working up to No. 1.

5. The San Diego Chargers Aren't Quite Together Yet, but They're Still Elite

Perhaps no team has underachieved quite as often as the San Diego Chargers*. Despite having an extremely talented team with high draft picks everywhere, the Chargers have either inexplicably missed the playoffs or haven't been able to do much once they get there.

They are still an elite offense, however. Philip Rivers is a top-tier quarterback who has shown that he can make tough passes and move the ball downfield. He's tossed a few too many picks this year, but he's generally a solid QB.

Vincent Jackson is a supremely talented wide receiver whose height makes him a huge matchup problem for opposing teams' defenses.

Antonio Gates is a superb tight end. Unfortunately, he's been nicked with injuries this year, but he's arguably the best pass-catching tight end in the NFL. 

The Chargers running game hasn't been outstanding this year, but they rank in the middle of the pack and average 116 yards-per-game on the ground. Second-year running back Ryan Mathews is an up-and-coming star who just needs to avoid injury.

Perhaps the best compliment to the Chargers offense is that they came closer to beating the Green Bay Packers than most teams this year.

They did it through making the game a high scoring shoot-out and by racking up yards quickly. The Chargers have the kind of offense that makes other teams scared.

*The Houston Texans are neck and neck with the Chargers in the underachieving race. Even though the Indianapolis Colts are having a down year, the Jaguars are young and have a struggling rookie quarterback under center and the Tennessee Titans are the essence of mediocrity, I have a hard time picturing the Texans actually winning the AFC South. They've booted away so many opportunities over the years.

4. The Philadelphia Eagles Have More Weapons Than Rambo

Another underachieving squad, the Eagles have a plethora of guys in their offense who can do serious damage.

Head coach Andy Reid likes to dial up a fast-paced, hard-hitting offense, and when the Eagles are rolling, there aren't many defenses in the NFL that can keep up.

With Michael Vick under center, they have a dynamic quarterback who can make throws from the pocket but is also one of the fastest men on the field. 

LeSean McCoy is a sensational running back who is averaging 5.6 yards-per-carry this year and is always a threat to break off a big run.

Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson are a formidable duo at wide receiver, and their third receiver (Jason Avant) could be a No. 2 for a number of teams. When healthy (and when targeted) Brent Celek is a solid tight end.

The Eagles are leading the league in yards-per-game. Clearly they can make things happen on offense.

3. The New England Patriots Are Rock Steady on Offense

Although not nearly the juggernaut that they were a few years ago, the Patriots still have an incredibly effective offense.

Through the combination of Bill Belichick's smarts and Tom Brady's accurate arm, the Patriots are adept at figuring out defenses and finding weak spots to exploit.

The Patriots are absolutely deadly when they attack the middle of the field; they have three excellent tight ends and the most consistent wide receiver in the game (Wes Welker).

BenJarvus Green-Ellis is an above-average running back and the versatile Danny Woodhead can mix it up from the backfield. With the recent return of "old hand" Kevin Faulk, the Patriots run game will only improve as the season progresses.

The one weakness for Brady and Co. is their lack of a reliable deep threat. Chad Ochocinco is no Randy Moss and the Patriots haven't been able to exploit opposing teams down the field as much as they did when Moss was with them.

2. The New Orleans Saints Are More Stocked Than a Roadside Fishin' Hole

The New Orleans Saints can keep pace with anyone—Sean Payton is a fantastic play-caller and he has players on the field who can turn his vision into reality.

It almost seems unfair that the Saints have so many excellent playmakers on offense.

Darren Sproles made Saints fans forget Reggie Bush before his plane even reached Miami; Marques Colston is tall, fast and has great hands; Devery Henderson is almost as effective as Colston; and behind those guys are two more receivers with above-average talent in Lance Moore and Robert Meachem.

The emergence of Jimmy Graham at tight end has been a revelation in 2011, and the Saints' change-of-pace backs are both very good.

The Saints' excellence on offense starts with their signal-caller, though. Drew Brees is deadly accurate and his progressions are pitch-perfect. 

When the Saints are clicking on offense, they are tough to beat.  

1. The Green Bay Packers Are the Class of NFL Offenses This Year

Like all the teams in the top five of NFL offenses, a great quarterback leads the way. With the Packers, this is especially true. Each week this year Rodgers has made a case for himself as the new top dog in the NFL quarterback pantheon.

With Peyton Manning out for the season and Tom Brady struggling the past few games, Rodgers is the clear favorite for MVP.

Rodgers has a great array of weapons to work with as Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Jermichael Finley are special pass-catchers. Rodgers' third and fourth options in the passing game—Jordy Nelson and James Jones—aren't slouches either as wideouts who can make defenders miss.

The Packers also have a nice twosome at running back in James Starks and Ryan Grant—they always do enough to keep opposing teams' defenses honest.

With Rodgers' athleticism, timing, arm strength and accuracy, the Packers have the type of offense that can seemingly walk into the stadium and be up by 14 points seemingly right after kickoff.

The Green Bay hold the "best offense in the NFL" title.

Honorable Mention

-Houston Texans: I love the big play potential of Andre Johnson and Arian Foster. The Texans get great production out of their tight ends and receivers and almost always get at least 100 yards per game out of their running backs. They'd be higher, but I don't fully trust Matt Schaub at quarterback.

-Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers just get it done. They aren't flashy, but they have an amazingly speedy receiver in Mike Wallace, a steady tight end in Heath Miller, and a workhorse running back in Rashard Mendenhall. Ben Roethlisberger is possibly the most underrated two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback of all time.

-Carolina Panthers: I just have to give Cam Newton some love here. He's been phenomenal in his rookie year and gives defenses all sorts of problems. The Panthers run attack rivals that of any in the NFL.