NFL Power RankingsStarting this week, the NFL will rank the top 8 teams in each conference. We’re only interested in the halves; not the half-nots.
AFC
1. Denver Broncos (4-1)Defense ranks 4th in total yards; 7th in points allowed. Last year, D ranked 19th and 22nd. Facing three-week gauntlet of 49ers, Chargers, Patriots.
2. San Diego Chargers (5-1)Philip Rivers is early MVP. League’s most efficient passer (117.6) with 15 TDs, 2 picks. Defense allowing just 15.2 points per game.
3. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)League’s best front 7, but not a good secondary. Flingin’ Joe Flacco passed for 306, 5 TD, 0 INT in rout of Tampa Bay.
4. Indianapolis Colts (4-2)Won four in a row after 0-2 start. Andrew Luck’s favorite receiver, T.Y. Hilton, ranks in top five with 40 catches, 604 yards
5. New England Patriots (4-2)Since he looked washed up at Kansas City, Tom Brady has 6 TDs, 0 INTs, 653 yards in two games, both wins.
6. Cleveland Browns (3-2)Not only beat Big Ben for only second time 10 years, whipped him convincingly, 31-10. Two losses were by 3 and 2 points.
7. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)Took a tough loss at San Francisco going into their bye week. Play at San Diego this week, then get Rams, Jets, Bills.
8. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1-1)A.J. Green (toe) likely to be miss game Sunday at Indy. Missed 36-yard field goal by Mike Nugent on final play of overtime cost Bengals win vs. Carolina.
NFC
1. Seattle Seahawks (3-2)Russell Wilson was only 14 of 28, 126 yards in home loss to Cowboys. Biggest difference has been defense. After ranking No. 1 in yards, No. 1 in points allowed last year, D ranks 9th and 14th this year. Still, the team to beat.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (5-1)Nick Foles threw two bad picks and Eagles still trounced the Giants, 27-0 as LeSean McCoy rushed for season-high 149.
3. San Francisco 49ers (4-2) In a league full of athletic quarterbacks, Colin Kaepernick has the fastest legs, strongest arm.
4. Green Bay Packers (4-2)Aaron Rodgers is sooo good. Has 10 TDs, 0 INTs during Pack’s three-game winning streak; 15 TDs, 1 pick for season. Remarkable 2-minute drive to beat Dolphins in Miami.
5. Dallas Cowboys (5-1)DeMarco Murray on pace for 2,093-yard rushing season. Win at Seattle has people believing Jerry Jones’ team is for real.
6. Detroit Lions (4-2)Easily the league’s best defense, but Matthew Stafford has taken league-most 21 sacks and Calvin Johnson is gimpy with high ankle sprain.
7. Arizona Cardinals (4-1)Carson Palmer returned just in time to beat the Redskins after receiving shoulder treatment from Denver nerve specialist who previously worked with John Lynch and Peyton Manning.
8. Carolina Panthers (3-2-1)Cam Newton threw for 284 yards, 2 TDs and ran for 107 yards, 1 TD in 37-37 tie at Cincinnati.
