NFL Power Rankings: Leaders of the Pack

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TW	LW	Team	Our Take
1	1	(8-0)	Aaron Rodgers is putting together one of the finest quarterback seasons in NFL history. With their pass defence, it's unlikely they'll finish 16-0, but the Packers offence might be the most dominant unit we've seen in over a decade.
2	6	(6-2)	Joe Flacco manned up and finally led his team to a fourth-quarter win against the rival Steelers. When Flacco and the offence are playing at a high level, the Ravens look like the indisputable favourites to win the AFC.
3	3	(7-1)	Jim Harbaugh's team scraped out another solid victory on the East Coast. With the pitiful competition in the NFC West, the Niners could have a playoff spot clinched as early as Week 11.
4	11	(6-2)	Again, Eli Manning answered all his critics and is proving that he is a truly elite quarterback. Manning's fourth-quarter comeback against the Pats was incredibly reminiscent of his Super Bowl 42 victory.
5	2	(6-3)	The Steelers were swept by the Ravens for the first time since 2006. James Harrison didn't miss a beat in his return and provided Dick Lebeau's defence with a pass-rushing force that they've been lacking.
6	5	(6-2)	After a strong first half, the Lions are well-positioned to make their first playoff appearance in over a decade. When the weather gets cold and the Lions go on the road, they'll need to be able to consistently run the football. If Jahvid Best can't stay healthy, this could become a pressing issue.
7	8	(6-3)	The best free agent pickup of the off-season might've been Texans new defensive co-ordinator Wade Phillips. Even without Mario Williams, Phillips' unit has helped transform the Texans into a surefire contender in the wide-open AFC.
8	9	(6-2)	Andy Dalton is making a strong push to close the gap on Cam Newton's Rookie of the Year campaign. We'll learn if Dalton's squad is legitimate over the next two weeks when they take on a pair of division rivals in the Steelers and Ravens.
9	4	(5-3)	In New England they're starting to talk about the end of the Brady-Belichick dynasty. Without a playoff win since 2007 and a defensive unit that falls apart on a weekly basis, we'll agree that the Pats no longer look like a great team.
10	10	(6-3)	Speaking of top free-agent pickups, we can't say enough about the impact Darren Sproles has made in new Orleans. Sproles has provided Sean Peyton and Drew Bush with way more help than Reggie Bush ever did in the running and passing game.
11	15	(5-3)	Over the last six quarters, the Jets have rediscovered their magic on defence and once again look like the dominant force Rex Ryan envisioned. If Ryan's team can stop Brady and the Pats, the Super Bowl talk will become front and centre in the Big Apple.
12	13	(5-3)	Thomas Dimitroff couldn't have been happier after Julio Jones' breakout performance against the Colts. The Falcons will surely need another strong performance from the rookie as they take on the Saints in a key division contest on Sunday.
13	17	(5-3)	After a sluggish start, the Bears have rediscovered their winning formula. By getting back to basics on the offensive line, the team has hammered out three straight wins and have clawed their way back in the playoff picture.
14	7	(5-3)	Chan Gailey's offence was simply outmatched and outschemed by the Jets in an ugly loss. It doesn't get any easier for Ryan Fitzpatrick, as the Bills head to Jerry's World to take on DeMarcus Ware and the Cowboys on Sunday.
15	20	(4-4)	The Cowboys have finally found their answer at the running back position as DeMarco Murray was flat-out dominant against Seattle's top-ranked rush defence. It looks like Felix Jones has been Wally Pipped by the impressive rookie.
16	12	(3-5)	Just when you thought the Eagles had turned the corner, they fell flat on their face in a disappointing Monday Night loss. We don't know if its’ the new contract, but we're just not seeing the magic we saw from Michael Vick last season.
17	18	(4-4)	Philip Rivers threw three interceptions for the first time in his career in the loss to Green Bay. Rivers finally showed signs of the quarterback we're used to seeing, but again when the game was on the line, he came up incredibly short.
18	19	(4-4)	The Bucs just don't look right in any phase of the game right now. They aren't showing any clear strengths as Josh Freeman has taken a noticeable step back this season. Losing Gerald McCoy is a huge blow for the young defensive line.
19	14	(4-4)	Well, so much for the Chiefs love fest as they put up a complete stinker at home against the lowly Dolphins. Somehow, the Chiefs remain in a tie atop the AFC West and can help their position with a win against the rival Broncos Sunday.
20	21	(4-4)	Since Kenny Britt was lost for the season, Matt Hasselbeck and the passing game hasn't been able to adjust. Without a consistent running game from Chris Johnson, the Titans offence continues to suffer with their erratic play.
21	16	(4-4)	After another three-interception performance, we're wondering if Hue Jackson is starting to regret the Carson Palmer trade. The team doesn't have the firepower without Darren McFadden, who could miss Thursday's game against San Diego.
22	28	(3-5)	Willis McGahee heroically came back from injury and starred in the Broncos comeback victory over the Raiders. With the win, Tim Tebow and the Broncos are amazingly only one game out of the AFC West lead.
23	22	(2-6)	After a disastrous start, the Vikings have finally found life in impressive rookie quarterback Christian Ponder. The Vikes hopefully used their time wisely during the bye week to prepare for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers on Sunday.
24	23	(2-6)	It may not be showing up in the win category, but Cam Newton has helped transform the offence into a force to be reckoned with. Steve Smith has been able to revive his career after demanding a trade in the summer.
25	25	(2-6)	The Jags aren't making a playoff push this season, so the second half is more about progress than anything else. Blaine Gabbert has failed to make any kind of impact and needs to provide some kind of spark for the struggling offence.
26	24	(3-5)	Another week, another grotesque performance on offence. With all the ammo acquired in the Julio Jones trade, Mike Holmgren needs to make a splash this off-season and acquire high-impact players at the skill positions.
27	26	(2-6)	With all the youth/inexperience, you knew there would be growing pains and it's been apparent with the penalties and turnovers. The latest losing streak has clearly emphasized how badly Pete Carroll's team needs a franchise quarterback.
28	30	(2-6)	Patrick Peterson hasn't been the cornerback this team desperately needs but he's clearly proving his draft position in the return game. Peterson's 99-yard return in OT was one of the most impressive plays of the first-half of the season.
29	27	(3-5)	With another down season in Washington, it's time to wonder if Mike Shanahan has this franchise going in the right direction. Known throughout his career as offensive guru, Shanahan's team could have the ugliest unit in the entire league.
30	31	(1-7)	Kevin Burnett led the defence and Reggie Bush had his best game as a pro in a 31-3 thrashing over the Chiefs. With the lowly Redskins coming to town, Miami somehow has a chance at a (gasp) winning streak.
31	29	(1-7)	Even with the return of Sam Bradford, the Rams reverted back to their form and found a way to lose to Arizona. As good as Brandon Lloyd has been, St. Louis desperately needs to add another top-flight receiver in the draft.
32	32	(0-9)	If there's something that would anger Peyton Manning, it would be seeing Colts fans wearing Andrew Luck jerseys to home games. The current roster is pathetic, and we could be seeing a nasty divorce coming if the Colts land the No. 1 pick.

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