NFL Midseason Power Rankings

At the halfway point of the 2008 NFL regular season, there seem to still be plenty more questions than there are answers around the league. The big dogs who we've become accustomed to finding at the top of the standings have taken hard falls back to mediocrity.
The New England Patriots lost reigning NFL MVP Tom Brady in Week 1 for the year, and now finding themselves no longer a lock to win the AFC East.
The Indianapolis Colts started off on the wrong foot with QB Peyton Manning having surgery just before training camp, and already sit four games behind the division leading Tennessee Titans (yes, the Titans).
The San Diego Chargers once again have fallen victim to a poor start, and at the midway point of the season are two games under .500.
And the Dallas Cowboys, a heavy favorite to win the NFC prior to the season, seem to be coming apart at the seams.
The door has swung wide open for less-heralded teams to seize the opportunity, and so far we're still waiting for things to sort themselves out. One unlikely team remains undefeated, and has been winning with an old school formula. The Titans are 8-0 thanks to perhaps the best running game in league, led by the dynamic duo of rookie Chris Johnson and bruiser LenDale White, along with an absolutely smoothering defense. To this point, they have been the class of the AFC.
In the NFC, the New York Giants have been very impressive. Despite their status as Super Bowl Champs, they still seem to be playing with a chip on their shoulders. Many experts expected them to take a step back, especially with the retirement of Michael Strahan and the injury to Osi Umeniyora, but the Giants are playing like the most complete team in football. They pound teams similarily to the way the Titans do: with a dynamic running game led by the freight-train of a back named Brandon Jacobs, and an outstanding, all-hands-on-deck defense. If you don't give the Giants the respect they deserve, they'll take it.
Beyond those two teams, we have yet to see a consistent effort from virtually any squad. The NFL, more so than any of the major professional sports, is truly a week-to-week league. Dominance one week does not necessarily translate into momentum the next. Even the Giants are susceptible to the occasional letdown, as we saw Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns.
Nonetheless, we have reached the midway point of the season and it's time to begin to sort things out as we look towards the playoffs. A few teams are already concentrating on 2009, but with so much parity in the league there is still time for teams that struggled out of the gate to pick up some ground. Here's a look at my midseason power rankings:

1. New York Giants (7-1): Although the Titans have a better overall record, the Giants are the most complete team in football. If the two teams played each other, are you betting against the champs?
2. Tennessee Titans (8-0): Who would have thought they'd be where they are without the services of Vince Young? Credit HC Jeff Fisher for building a smashmouth team that is built to overpower opponents up front - on both sides of the ball.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2): If not for a few hiccups against tough NFC East opponents, we would probably be talking about the Steelers in the same way we are the Titans. The Steel Curtain remains for Pittsburgh who ranks first in the league in total defense.
4. Carolina Panthers (6-2): Notice a trend so far in the top 5? All of these teams run the ball down your throat and aggressively shutdown opponents on defense. The major difference in this Panthers team from year's past is that they now have the backs to take the pressure of off QB Jake Delhomme.
5. Washington Redskins (6-3): This feels a bit high for the 'Skins but who would you put ahead of them? They play in the best division in football so they are consistently being tested, plus they beat Philly therefore you can't justify the Eagles in this spot.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (5-3): But you can justify the Eagles here. They got off to a subpar start, but have played better as of late. Big test coming up this weekend against the G-men with a golden opportunity to shoot up the list.
7. New England Patriots (5-3): Even without Brady, the Pats have found ways to win. They are still the best coached team in the league and have much of the same roster from last years 16-0 squad. Plus, not many teams have stepped up in their place.
8. New York Jets (5-3): The Bretts wouldn't have come close to the top ten if not for their big win last weekend on the road against the division-leading Bills. The offense is still not clicking on all cylinders, but their D gets better every week thanks to massive NT Kris Jenkins (perhaps the best offseason pickup of any team).
9. Arizona Cardinals (5-3): You know it's an odd year when the Cards crack the top ten. Surprisingly, this team has beaten some quality opponents (Bills, Cowboys with Romo) and QB Kurt Warner could get some MVP consideration (yeah, I said it).
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3): For some reason, the Bucs to me are like the Toronto Blue Jays in MLB. They're always a good bet to field a decent team, but are never really taken seriously as a contender. Still, they rank in the top ten in both total offense and defense, and keep winning games. Advice for HC Jon Gruden: stick with Jeff Garcia at QB.
11. Indianapolis Colts (4-4): They pulled out a must-win game last week against the Pats, which has allowed them to continue treading water. While the division may be out of reach, as QB Peyton Manning continues to gain back strength in that surgically repaired knee, the Colts chances at a wild card should strengthen as well.
    
12. Buffalo Bills (5-3): The Bills looked very good in their first six games, but back-to-back divisional losses have brought them back down to earth. The AFC East race is becoming as tight as David Spade's coat on Chris Farley's body.
13. Dallas Cowboys (5-4): The 'Boys have had quite a fall from grace over the past few weeks and are at major risk of missing out on a playoff spot. Getting back injured QB Tony Romo this week helps; playing in the NFC East doesn't.
14. Green Bay Packers (4-4): QB Aaron Rodgers has fared nicely despite the constant Favre comparisons. This team is better than their record shows, and I get the feeling that will be reflected over the course of the second half of the season.
15. Chicago Bears (5-3): They better pray that injured QB Kyle Orton gets better sooner rather than later because Rex Grossman is bound to screw things up. Orton's been on a roll, and their defense remains one of the better units in the league.
16. New Orleans Saints (4-4): The Saints need to become more consistent, but QB Drew Brees is having an MVP-type season for the #1 offense in the league. That alone makes them a threat.
17. Baltimore Ravens (5-3): Even when you think their defense might take a step backwards due to age, LB Ray Lewis shows us that is not a concern with this unit. They rank second in the league, and have found a new star in DT Haloti Ngata. Not enough offense still might hold them back, though. Sound familiar?
18. Atlanta Falcons (5-3): Rookie HC Mike Smith deserves some consideration for Coach of the Year for the attitude turnout he has successfully completed with this team. He also seems to have found a future star in rookie QB Matt Ryan.
19. San Diego Chargers (3-5): Have shown glipses of what could be, but overall this team has been a major disappointment. The ironic part is that they will probably find a way to sneak into the playoffs anyway, largely due to the fact that they play in a division that is just plain bad.
    
20. Miami Dolphins (4-4): Rookie HC Tony Sparano is another guy who deserves credit for quickly changing the culture of a bad team. Or would that be Bill Parcells? Either way, the Dolphins are heading in the right direction.
21. Minnesota Vikings (4-4): Could somebody please find this team a QB? They do many things well, but I don't think Gus Frerotte is destined to take them to the promised land.
22. Denver Broncos (4-4): You can't beat everyone in a shootout. They can put up points in bunches, but they can't stop anyone. Also, can somebody explain to me why HC Mike Shanahan has completely abandoned the running game?
    
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-5): This is another team that has taken a rapid fall. Pricey offseason moves at WR have not paid dividends, and their running game has been non-existent after an excellent 2007 campaign.
    
24. Houston Texans (3-5): The Texans aren't a terrible team, they've just had to deal with the Colts and Jags over the past few years. Now this year throw in the Titans, and the Texans are going to have a tough time finding wiggle room in that division.
25. Cleveland Browns (3-5): Offseason hype = regular season disappointment. Their defense has been better of late, but their prolific offense from last year has vanished. QB Brady Quinn could provide a spark, but Derek Andersen had been playing better recently.
26. Seattle Seahawks (2-6): This is far from the send off HC Mike Holmgren had hoped for. The Seahawks have been past their prime for a couple years now, and we're seeing the results now.
27. St. Louis Rams (2-6): They looked awful at the beginning of the year, but interm HC Jim Haslett has restored their respectibility. I'd think about locking him up, and maybe finding at least one playmaker on defense.
28. Oakland Raiders (2-6): Somebody should find a way to keep Al Davis away from any major decision making. This team has some promising young players, but they're damned with a lame-duck coach and overpaid, selfish veterans leading them.
29. San Francisco 49ers (2-6): HC Mike Singletary will shove his boot up some behinds if need be (and it does be), which is good. But Mike, a little food for thought: you've got a #1 overall pick on your bench and no other decent options at QB. This team isn't going to the playoffs, so why not see if he could be a spark?
30. Cincinnati Bengals (1-8): A few years back it looked like HC Marvin Lewis would keep the Bengals from being ranked this low for awhile, but now it looks like he'll be looking for new work at the end of the season.
31. Kansas City Chiefs (1-7): There's not too many bright spots on this team, which is in full rebuilding mode and has a long way to go before things get any better.
32. Detroit Lions (0-8): Firing Mike Millen was a good first step, but the Lions are the worst team in football and will be on 0-16 watch until further notice.