NFL Power Rankings: Sloppy Seattle Opens Door For New Orleans

Oct 27, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback

(9) and wide receiver

(84) celebrates after a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Bills 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

SUPER BOWL CONTENDERS

5. San Francisco 49ers

Record: 6-2

Previous Ranking: 5

San Francisco notched their fifth-straight win and their fifth-straight game of 30 points or more with their win over the hapless Jaguars. They now have a bye week to prepare for two critical games against the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints.

Part of the reason why SF has been so good the last five weeks is because of the play of Colin Kaepernick. Since the Indianapolis loss, which capped a two-game stretch were he produced no touchdowns and turned the ball over six times, Kaepernick has produced nine total touchdowns and turned the ball over only twice (both fumbles).

Kaepernick is also seeing more success down the field. In the two losses to Seattle and Indianapolis he averaged just five yards per attempt and had a completion percentage under 50%. In the five games since he has used the running game to create more yardage down the field in the passing game, averaging 8.6 yards per pass attempt. His frequent attempts downfield has hurt his completion percentage a little bit, but the reward has been worth it.

He has also seen his own carries increase over the last two weeks, carrying the ball 18 times for 122 yards and three touchdowns. The combination of Kaepernick’s ability to run the ball and throw the ball downfield is what makes him so deadly. Seeing both of those things starting to come back together for him cannot be a good sign for the rest of the NFC.

Also, Kaepernick should be seeing the return of Michael Crabtree some time soon after the bye week. Crabtree may be the key to completely unlocking the passing game for San Francisco.

4. Denver Broncos

Record: 7-1

Previous Ranking: 4

343.

That would be the number of points the Broncos have scored in the first eight weeks of the season. An astounding number that, should they keep pace, would destroy New England’s record from 2007 by almost 100 points. It is incredible what Peyton Manning and his offense have done in the first half of the season.

There are still questions Denver needs to address, however. First being if Manning can stay healthy enough to keep the Broncos rolling. Manning said after Sunday’s game his injury situation could almost be listed as “body” which would make sense given that they guys is 37-years-old. With the pass rush heavy defenses of Kansas City and New England awaiting them after the bye week, Denver better hope Manning can hold up.

In a more positive note, Denver’s defense appears to be improving. Washington scored 21 points last week, but seven were off of a pick-six and seven more came on a short field (19 yards) after a Manning fumble. Otherwise Denver held Washington to the one scoring drive. They ended Washington’s last four drives with an interception, and created five turnovers in Washington’s final five drives.

More crucially, Denver held Washington to one total yard (one!) in the first four fourth quarter possessions when the game was tied.

If Denver can produce a consistently average defense for the second half of the season, and if Manning can stay healthy, they may be near impossible to beat.

Those are huge “ifs” at this point.

3. Seattle Seahawks

Record: 7-1

Previous Ranking: 2

That was terrifyingly bad offense Seattle was playing Monday night. Bad enough to make one question if St. Louis exposed Seattle’s weakness – their offensive line.

Russell Wilson was sacked seven times, hit 10 more times, and pressured all night long. The running game produced just 44 yards and averaged 2.9 yards per carry. Take away Golden Tate‘s 80-yard touchdown reception and Seattle had only 55 yards of total offense.

Was this a one game thing or has Seattle been brutally exposed? We won’t find out for a while as Seattle’s next three games are against Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Minnesota, whom have combined for three total wins.

2. New Orleans Saints

Record: 6-1

Previous Ranking: 3

Drew Brees said New Orleans didn’t play their best against Buffalo yet they walked away with a 35-17 victory. What do the Saints look like at their best?

Brees threw five touchdown passes against the Bills, none of them to Marques Colston. Colston had just three catches in the game and appears to being progressively phased out of the offense. He has just 27 catches through the first half of the season after catching at least 80 passes each of the last three seasons.

The beneficiary of this may end up being Kenny Stills, who caught three passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. Stills, a rookie, has only 13 catches on the year but has seen more and more action over he last three games, including back-to-back starts.

Between Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles, Lance Moore, and Stills, Brees has plenty of options to throw to. This may mean Colston is fresher for the postseason or it could mean the receiver is nearing the end of the road in New Orleans.