NFL Power Rankings: Teams That Will Challenge the Packers for NFC Supremacy

Here's a quick look at the three teams with the best chance to challenge the Green Bay Packers in the NFC.

1. San Francisco 49ers

We've seen the Packers win every shootout they get in, but what if a team turns the game into the opposite?

Could the Niners defense slow down Aaron Rodgers and make it a game in the teens? San Francisco has one of the best defenses in NFL and the Packers have yet to face a defense as good as this one.

Of course, the Niners don't quite have a great offense, so they wouldn't be able to take advantage of Green Bay's soft D, but this would be an interesting matchup nonetheless. 

2. New Orleans Saints

Hey, college football has shown us that everybody loves rematches. Oh, wait...

Anyway, the Green Bay-New Orleans showdown came way back in Week 1 and New Orleans took the Packers to the wire.

Both teams are probably playing at about the same level right now as they were in Week 1, so it would be fun to see. 

Besides, you can't see Drew Brees play Aaron Rodgers too many times. 

3. Atlanta Falcons

I really don't see any team, outside of San Fran and New Orleans, challenging Green Bay, but Atlanta is currently next in line. 

Simply put, the Falcons have been too inconsistent to serve as much of a threat. Green Bay beat the Falcons in Atlanta back in Week 5.

That was, however, back when the Falcons were getting away from the run too much. Michael Turner got just 16 carries.

I would be very interested to see how they would do if they came out and gave Turner 25 to 30 carries and slowed the game down. 

Tim Keeney’s NFL Power Rankings: 

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