NFL Power Rankings Week 10: Midseason Report for Hottest Teams

How have the Cincinnati Bengals done it? 

They are on top of the AFC after starting the season 1-2 with a rookie quarterback. 

What about the San Francisco 49ers? 

Can't forget about the Green Bay Packers, either 

We are heading into Week 10, but for the majority of teams in the NFL, they've hit the midpoint in the 2011 season. 

Let's hand out midseason grades for the NFL's hottest teams.

Green Bay Packers 

Since the Packers haven't lost since Week 15 last year, they're unquestionably the hottest team in football. Their quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, he's pretty good. 

The connection between he and his receivers is seemingly telepathic. He finds all his pass-catchers, making it nearly impossible for the defense to zero in on what guy in particular. 

The defense isn't as stout as it was last season, but in this day and age, you need your defense to create the big turnovers and Green Bay is definitely doing that. 

Simply outscoring your opponent is more fun anyways. 

Or am I crazy?

Midseason Grade: A 

Cincinnati Bengals 

Where to start with this resilient team?

I'd say the defense.

Mike Zimmer has done a phenomenal job with his group as they've been one of the most steady defenses all season.

They're stingy against the run ( 84.5 yards per game ) and Leon Hall anchors a very underrated secondary.

Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are rookies, right? 

They surely aren't playing like inexperienced first-year guys. 

Dalton isn't exactly a gunslinger, but I wouldn't call him simply a game manager, either. 

He's somewhere in between and his Bengals are 6-2. 

Midseason Grade: A-

San Francisco 49ers 

In Week 2, when the 49ers pushed the Dallas Cowboys to overtime but ultimately lost, I thought they had a chance to win the NFC West at about 9-7. 

Looks like I underestimated them a bit, huh?

They take of business the old fashioned way—by running the football and stopping the run. 

The youthful but aggressive offensive line is creating major holes for Frank Gore, and Patrick Willis is the leader of the NFC's most dominant defense. 

They're allowing a shade over two touchdowns per game. 

Midseason Grade: A

Houston Texans 

The Texans lost a few close games to start the year and it looked like they may squander their best opportunity to win the AFC South since they came into existence. 

Now they've rattled off three straight victories and although the competition hasn't been great, they were losing a lot of games they "shouldn't have" over the last few seasons. 

You have to give it to them, they've gone on this little streak with Andre Johnson sidelined with a hamstring injury and Mario Williams done for the year. 

When Johnson returns, look out. 

Midseason Grade: B+

Atlanta Falcons 

Finally, the Falcons are showing a dedication to running back Michael Turner. 

I think at the beginning of the season they were trying to force Matt Ryan into that "elite" status. 

Whether you think he's elite or not, Atlanta is the best when they establish the run with Turner then work the play-action game with Roddy White and Julio Jones (while occasionally finding Tony Gonzalez over the middle). 

They've been doing that over their three-game winning streak and host the NFC South-leading Saints on Sunday. 

Midseason Grade: B

Week 10 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (8-0)	17. Philadelphia Eagles (3-5)
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. Chicago Bears (5-3)	29. Miami Dolphins (1-7)
14. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)	30. Seattle Seahawks (2-6)
15. Dallas Cowboys (4-4)	31. St. Louis Rams (1-7)
16. San Diego Chargers (4-4)	32. Indianapolis Colts (0-9)