NFL Power Rankings - Who Has Got It Halfway Through the Season?

Who's looking hot in the NFL? And who's not? Here's my first power rankings of the year - the one rule is that winning records matter, i.e. a 5-4 team cannot be ahead of a 6-3 team.

1.Green Bay Packers (9-0) - that Sports Illustrated cover this month sums it up. They made not be quite the complete team but they're damn close to it. Aaron Rodgers is possibly playing the best football of his life. My tip for a 2nd consecutive Super Bowl appearance. Could be a very special season.

2.San Francisco 49ers (8-1) - Jim Harbaugh. Genius. The 49ers have become a rugged team that bulldozes opponents with their running game. AFC West division title in the bag. Maybe even a bye in the first weekend of the playoffs.

3.Houston Texans (7-3) - Top of the table but they've lost Matt Schaub for the season. Up steps Matt Lienart. It's a bit like Colin Slade coming in for Dan Carter once Carter was ruled out for the season. Having said that, they've pretty much got the division and the D has stepped up since Mario Williams was ruled out for the season. And they're missing Andre Johnson too. Surely they finally have to break that playoff duck?

4.Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) - Classic Steelers. They lose their series to the Ravens and then pick themselves up and win a big game at Cincinnati to take the lead in the division. And then they get a bit of luck courtesy of the Seahawks. Classic Steelers. As they say you make your own luck.

5.New Orleans Saints (7-3) - As long as Drew Brees is fit, the Saints will be there. They had an off-day in St Louis but they came back to take a key win in Atlanta - albeit handed to them on a plate.

6.New England Patriots (6-3) - Their D stepped up big time against the Jets. They're improving fast but have big injuries in the secondary. They do have an easy run to January so should be in the play-offs.

7.Chicago Bears (6-3) - After losing to Green Bay and Detroit, the Bears are back thanks to Brian Urlacher. Another team on the improve.

8.Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) - Surprise package of the season thanks to the rookies Andy Dalton and AJ Green. The youngsters have revitalized the Bengals and they're very much in the hunt in a tight race for one of the AFC wildcard spots.

9.New York Giants (6-3) - With their rivals falling over, the Giants are looking good for the playoffs - boosted by that win against the Patriots who they also vanquished in the 2008 Super Bowl - a bit like the French following up on their quarterfinal triumph over the All Blacks with a win in Dunedin.

10.Baltimore Ravens (6-3) - How not to follow up on a big win. The Ravens look like world champions on weekend, and then an easy target for a losing team the next. Will still make the playoffs though but not as AFC North leaders as they should be.

11.Detroit Lions (6-3) - That they're up there is a surprise but the inexperience is starting to show and they were definitely second-rate against the Bears. They can bounce back though.

12.Oakland Raiders (5-4) - The good times are back for the Raider Nation. They may have blown previous opportunities to take charge of the division but they didn't miss their chance in San Diego. Still too tough to call in a very tight division - Raiders have the edge for now though on the table and from the late Al Davis above.

13.Dallas Cowboys (5-4) - See what consistency can do? The Cowboys are now the Giants' closest rivals in the division. December still remains a problem.  

14.Tennessee Titans (5-4) - Getting some important wins now in a weak AFC South and Chris Johnson is finally getting those monster yards we expect him to. They've gotta hurry and make hay with the Texans being hit by big injuries.

15.Atlanta Falcons (5-4) - A heartbreaking loss to their division rivals at home has now put the Falcons' season on the line.

16.New York Jets (5-4) - It's been yet another roller-coaster season for the prima donnas of the league. It will be interesting to see how they bounce back from that emotional loss to the Pats - they have a good track record there.

17.Buffalo Bills (5-4) - See Detroit Lions. Might be a bit hard now to see them in the playoffs with the Pats in charge of the division and the wildcard race being so tight.

18.San Diego Chargers (4-5) - Frustrating. Sums it up. All that talent and they can't hit 6th gear. Still in the hunt when they should be miles ahead of the rest.

19.Denver Broncos (4-5) - It's a miracle. Tim Tebow has somehow dragged the dead horse and they're back in the running for a playoff spot. Excitement machine - good on 'em.

20.Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) - They came back from a shocking start but the wheels might be coming off now especially with Matt Cassel out for the season, joining Jamaal Charles on the sidelines.

21.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) - The young Bucs have found it tough since being smashed by the 49ers. They will keep plugging but big ask for them to repeat their effort from last year.

22.Seattle Seahawks (3-6) - Paying the price for making the playoffs last season despite having a decidedly average spot. Finishing low this season could help Pete Carroll finally get the team he wants.

23.Arizona Cardinals (3-6) - No quarterback and no big stars. But the Cardinals have sprung a few shocks -their latest ended the Eagles' playoff hopes.

24.Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6) - Anonymous team. Won't be in the playoffs.

25.Philadelphia Eagles (3-6) - What happened in Philly? Michael Vick has been thrashed around like a rag doll and the linesmen just have not stepped up. Shame for Casey the cheerleader really.

26.Washington Redskins (3-6) - Promise much. Deliver not much. Until they have a good quarterback, Redskins fans will have to look back on the Joe Theissman days - again.

27.Cleveland Browns (3-6) - Another average team. Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis are trying but the whole team is average.

28.Miami Dolphins (2-7) - If only football was a three-quarter game, Miami would be on top. Sadly it's not and Miami are again looking at yet another average season.

29.Carolina Panthers (2-7) - They may be losing at the moment but the future is good courtesy of Cam Newton. Will be looking for defensive players in next year's draft to back up Newton's electric playmaking. Remember Peyton Manning's first season at the Colts anyone?

30.Minnesota Vikings (2-7) - There have been bright sparks. Some where they were expected - Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen. Some where they weren't expected - Christian Ponder. Trouble is, the rest of the team is quite average.

31.St Louis Rams (2-7) - Second season syndrome for Sam Bradford. He hasn't been helped by Steven Jackson's in-and-outs. Will look to the NFL draft to get back to winning ways.

32.Indianapolis Colts (0-10) - Plenty has been said already. Just two words: Andrew Luck.