NFL Power Rankings

1. Falcons - Eight game winning streak. 9-1 in the conference. The Falcons are the team to beat in the NFC. It pained me immensely to write that.

2. Patriots -  The young defense took a step back against Packers. Yes they won but the Pack should not have been in the game with a young QB and no running game. Patriots look like a different team when they don't have the lead.

3. Eagles - Peter King of Sports Illustrated for weeks has been saying that Mike Vick hasn't played enough this season to be in the MVP discussion. On Monday, he added Vick to his MVP list. Dude has been phenomenal. I tweeted on Sunday that this team is the most exciting in the league. Name one team that is anywhere near as exciting. Can't do it? I didn't think so.

4. Bears - Strong defense. Solid running game. Superior special teams. Erratic quarterback. This sounds like the team that made the Super Bowl a few years back. Devin Hester has regained his swagger and has returned to being deadly. Plus Cutler is playing well. Hosting a home playoff game in the Windy City will be a plus too. 

5. Steelers - While the MVP race has been a two horse affair so far but perhaps a third player should be added. The Steelers are not the same without Troy Polamalu. Even though that they have talent at all levels of the D, Polamalu makes their packages work. His health is critical.

6. Ravens - This team still thinks its a defense first squad but they just can't rely on the D like they use too. They need to open up the offense and let Flacco grow and develop. That was a solid win against the Saints.

7. Saints - Saints went into Baltimore and got their winning streak snapped. Apparently they didn't realize that the Ravens are a running team and that Ray Rice would be carrying the ball. I'm excited about the rematch with the Falcons on Monday.

8. Jets - The Jets needed a win bad and they got one by winning for the first time in team history in Pittsburgh. Their offense should be much better than it is. They have enough pieces that they should score regularly. Hard to trust Sanchez.

9. Chiefs - Nice win to keep control of their destiny. That Jamal Charles is one fast dude.

10. Giants - That was one hell of a choke job on Sunday. I'll never forget the look on Tom Coughlin's face as Desean headed towards the endzone.