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Benigno's Best: Week 8 NFL Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers 7-0 (1)

Christian Ponder and the Vikes gave them a scare, but really who can stop Aaron Rodgers and company? Can they go undefeated?

Next: Bye

2. New England Patriots 5-1 (3)

The Pats move up a notch coming off the bye week. We all know about Brady, but this team is starting to run the ball effectively. Now if the defense could just catch up to the offense.

Next: @ Steelers

3. New Orleans Saints 5-2 (7)

Football's most explosive offense puts up 62 versus the pathetic Colts. Can they go for 70 versus the winless Rams?

Next: @ Rams

4. San Francisco 49ers 5-1 (4)

No truth to the rumor Jim Harbaugh attended a seminar on how to give proper handshakes during the bye week. The Niners win even when they don't play as entire NFC West lost on Sunday.

Next: vs. Browns

5. Pittsburgh Steelers 5-2 (unranked)

They're too old, they're too slow, they're too banged up, but Pitt is now on a three-game winning streak and back on top of the AFC North.

Next: vs. Patriots

6. Baltimore Ravens 4-2 (2)

No first downs until third quarter in loss versus Jags. Offense's inconsistency leads to these kinds of stinkers on the road. Is Joe Flacco regressing? They made the Jag defense look like the '85 Bears.

Next: vs Cardinals

7. Detroit Lions 5-2 (5)

It's the second straight loss at home for the "Motown Cats," this time to the Falcons. Matt Stafford was banged up again after being hit late in the game. What was Ndamukong Suh thinking about, saying Matt Ryan deserved to get hurt?

Next: @Broncos

8. Buffalo Bills 4-2 (8)

Bills come off the bye and head to Canada for their yearly game in Toronto, this time versus the 'Skins. Amazingly, the Bills have yet to win there. Don't Buffalo fans deserve eight home games in Buffalo?

Next: vs. Redskins (In Toronto)

9. Atlanta Falcons 4-3 (unranked)

Back in top 10 with impressive win in Detroit. A banged up Matt Ryan throws for two and runs for one score. The great Tony Gonzalez is now second all-time to Jerry Rice in career receptions.

Next: Bye

10. New York Giants 4-2 (unranked)

Getting healthy after bye week. Justin Tuck, Brandon Jacobs, Chris Snee and even the Prince should be ready for the hideous Dolphins. Enjoy this week. The schedule starts to get serious after Miami.

Next: vs. Dolphins

Falling Out: Tampa Bay Bucs, San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders

Closing In: Cincinnati Bengals & Houston Texans

Agree with Joe's Top 10? Disagree? Be heard in the comments below...

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