NFL Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Sitting Pretty?

Regardless of what the overall NFL rankings or conference rankings look like, a solid stance within your own division is the first priority.

Within your own conference becomes the next focus, especially when there's an opportunity to stay within striking distance, such as the following three teams.

 

San Francisco 49ers (5-1)

The 49ers have a solid lead in their division, and it's quite possible that their leads increases to four games after just eight weeks.

Therefore, we can begin to discuss the opportunity of San Fran getting the NFC's No. 2 seed, and possibly even the No. 1 seed if the Packers slip up. Being in a weak division helps for sure, however, that does not mean the 49ers are a weak team.

For one, they have two big road wins in Detroit and Cincinnati, and if it weren't for the choke-job at home against Dallas in Week 2, Frisco would be 6-0. Yes, the Bay Area is back atop the NFC West.

 

Chicago Bears (4-3)

This is the dangerous/sneaky team that NFC foes don't want to face. Chicago may be third in the NFC North and have three losses, but all three losses are to NFC title contending teams in Detroit, Green Bay and New Orleans.

Also, they're setup perfectly as an NFC Wild Card since they have wins over 4-3 Atlanta and 4-3 Tampa Bay. Now, include the Lions' current two game skid, and the Bears are just one game back of them.

The Windy City has three divisional games left, one against each team, and with the momentum they have now, Chicago could very well finish 4-2 in the NFC North and have an overall record of around 10-6. Don't sleep on the Bears just because winter is approaching, they're still alive and well. 

Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)

K.C. may be 3-3, but they began 0-3, losing their two best players in the process.  They won three straight to get back to 3-3 and are now just one game back of San Diego in the AFC West. And guess who they get this week? San Diego at home on MNF.

Last season, the Chiefs defeated the Bolts at home on MNF and ultimately won the AFC West. If K.C. wins this week, not only will they be back above .500, but they'll be first in the AFC West and have a divisional record of 2-1.

They are one dangerous bunch because playing well without your two best players is one thing, but winning without them is astonishing. The only question is how long they can keep it rolling, because we're not into the late season stretch just yet, and that's where the Bolts are known for making strides.

 

Week 8 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

 

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

And, you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/915325-nfl-power-rankings-which-teams-are-sitting-pretty

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