In order to be considered a title contender, a team must display a fine balance of explosive offense that features a fine running back and a skilled, heady quarterback.
That team must also show flashes of brilliance on defense, whether it's generating a continual pass rush, creating turnovers or limiting opponents in terms of yardage.
Those are the true signs of championship potential.
Right now I have four teams pegged as the top title contenders...
Baltimore Ravens
Outside of their 26-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 2, (for me it was their "hangover" game after destroying the Steelers in the home opener) the Ravens have been extremely steady in all phases of the game.
OK, so Joe Flacco had a rough outing against the Jets.
The Ravens have demonstrated that they still have one of the most physically intimidating and dominant defenses in the NFL.
Torrey Smith is emerging as the deep threat they've desperately wanted, and Ray Rice is playing at an All-Pro level.
Extremely balanced.
New England Patriots
Forget the beginning of the year, the Patriots defense has been steadily improving over the last few weeks.
Tom Brady has taken a few more hits than usual, yet the Patriots are 5-1.
They are a much better running game than you think.
New England averages 4.6 yards per-rush and 124 yards on the ground a game.
Their defense has a ways to go, but has made the plays when they've needed them of late.
Oh yea, and they have Brady.
San Francisco 49ers
An outcast in this new pass-happy, spread 'em out, throw it deep NFL.
The 49ers get it done with running the football and playing stingy defense.
Look at what they did to the Lions on Sunday.
Alex Smith play hasn't been Pro Bowl worthy, however, he's limiting mistakes and letting Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter make the majority of the plays for the offense.
Oh yea, and they have Patrick Willis.
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in football right now.
He's the reason the Packers have a great chance to repeat as champions and really, he masks any deficiencies on defense.
I would like Green Bay's defense to tighten up as the season progresses, but right now there's just too many talent on offense.
Week 7 Power Rankings
| 1. Green Bay Packers (6-0) | 17. Atlanta Falcons (3-3) |
| 2. New England Patriots (5-1) | 18. Dallas Cowboys (2-3) |
| 3. Baltimore Ravens (4-1) | 19. Washington Redskins (3-2) |
| 4. San Francisco 49ers (5-1) | 20. Tennessee Titans (3-2) |
| 5. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) | 21. New York Jets (2-3)* |
| 6. Detroit Lions (5-1) | 22. Cleveland Browns (2-3) |
| 7. San Diego Chargers (4-1) | 23. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) |
| 8. New Orleans Saints (4-2) | 24. Carolina Panthers (1-5) |
| 9. New York Giants (4-2) | 25. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) |
| 10.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) | 26. Seattle Seahawks (2-3) |
| 11. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) | 27. Denver Broncos (1-4) |
| 12. Buffalo Bills (4-2) | 28. Minnesota Vikings (1-5) |
| 13. Oakland Raiders (4-2) | 29. Arizona Cardinals (1-4) |
| 14. Houston Texans (3-3) | 30. Miami Dolphins (0-4)* |
| 15. Chicago Bears (3-3) | 31. St. Louis Rams (0-5) |
| 16. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4) | 32. Indianapolis Colts (0-5) |
*Dolphins and Jets play on MNF.
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