NFL 2012 Week 8 power rankings

The AFC is starting to improve, with Denver finding footing, the Pats becoming a scoring machine again, and Pittsburgh thumping RGIII and the Redskins.

This week I can only list the top 15 teams in the league, because they are the only teams with a positive point differential.  That means only fifteen teams in the league have scored more points than they have allowed.  that points out the weakness of many of the offenses in the league, despite the rules designed to help the offense.

Top 15 [Last week's position]
1.  Chicago Bears (6-1) [1] : I don't think Cam Newton is so depressed or confused now.  He successfully faced the toughest defense in the league, and performed well.  It helped that Jay Cutler was not connecting; he didn't even have 100 yards passing until midway in the fourth quarter.  However, the Bears still won thanks to a defensive pick 6 and a well-coordinated late drive that put them in field goal range.  Not a great game, but other teams couldn't quite advance enough to knock the Bears off the top spot.
2.  Houston Texans (6-1) [2] : They survived a bye in the same position
3.  Atlanta Falcons (7-0) [3] : Their pasting of the Eagles seemed to have quieted the critics who questioned whether their unbeaten record was more due to luck.
4.  San Francisco 49ers (6-2) [5] : A tremendous defensive performance.  The 49ers defense is as tough as the Bears, even if they don't force as many turnovers.  Their two-game lead in the division is likely to grow.
5.  New England Patriots (5-3) [6] : Unless they were showing off for the London audience, it seems clear that the Patriots' offense is back, and that's bad news for their upcoming opponents.
6.  New York Giants (6-2) [4] : They won thanks to fingertips.  If Dez Bryant had known how close he was to the back of the end zone, he likely would have changed the angle of his fall (or not put down his hand at all).  The Giants have been a monster against everyone except Dallas this season.  So long as they don't meet them in the playoffs, they still look good to repeat as Super Bowl champs.
7.  Denver Broncos (4-3) [9] : After a slow start, Peyton has become comfortable with his new receivers, and the Broncos are posting the kind of offensive numbers that John Elway expected when Peyton was brought in.
8.  Green Bay Packers (5-3) [8] : Nice win, but a pedestrian effort on the part of Aaron Rodgers.
9.  Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) [11] : They dismantled RGIII and the Redskins defense with ease, chasing RGIII all over the field.  Welcome back, Steel Curtain!
10. Miami Dolphins (4-3) [17] : Huge win over the Jets, finished off with a backup quarterback, proves that the Dolphins' offense is starting to work.  If they can find momentum, they will challenge the AFC.
11. Baltimore Ravens (5-2) [10]
12. Minnesota Vikings (5-3) [7] : Their dismantling by the Bucs has us questioning both their offense and their defense.  If they can't right this ship, they're in trouble, as they face both Chicago and Green Bay twice.
13. Tampa Bay Bucs (3-4) [16] : The Bucs are showing improvement.  I don't think their losing record will last. 
14. Seattle Seahawks (4-4) [13] : They dropped due a loss, but Wilson still had a good game.  Seattle just needs to get more consistent.
15. San Diego Chargers (3-4) [12] : Geez, what happened to their offense?  The Browns beat them with what looked like a baseball score.  Something is seriously wrong with the Chargers' offense plan.

Divisional rankings [Last week's position]
The AFC moved up, breaking the NFC v AFC divide.

1.  NFC North [1] : The Vikings are sliding, but the Lions are improving, so this division remains the toughest.  They are one game away from having no losing teams.
2.  AFC North [5] : This position won't last, as Baltimore is likely to drop.  A rare Browns win and a strong win by Pittsburgh fueled this boost.
3.  NFC West [2] : Huge losses by the Rams and Arizona caused this division to slip.  The 49ers are pulling away, and one team divisions don't tend to do well (just ask Houston and the rest of the AFC South).
4.  NFC South [4] : The Bucs are improving, and a strong game by the Panthers keep this division in line
5.  AFC East [6] : Huge games by the Pats and Jets have this division moving up
6.  NFC East [3] : The Giants are no the only team in the division with a winning record.  This division is on the way down
7.  AFC West [7] : San Diego's collapse this week leaves only Denver as a contender
8.  AFC South [8] : Houston remains the only bright spot, although Indianapolis showed spunk in overtime