Cardinals continue atop NFL Power Rankings

QB Carson Palmer leads the league in yards per pass attempt (8.8) and yards per completion (13.7) while throwing for a career-high 307.9 yards per game, and his top three wideouts -- Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown and Michael Floyd -- make the Cardinals really difficult to match defensively.

Key Injuries: OLB Daryl Washington (suspension), RB Chris Johnson (tibia), RB Andre Ellington (toe).

The Panthers destroyed the Falcons, not just winning 38-0, but outgaining Atlanta 424 yards to 230, and taking the ball away four times. They'll try to continue their unbeaten run this week, likely with Jonathan Stewart out of the lineup.

Key Injuries: WR Kelvin Benjamin (knee), RB Jonathan Stewart (foot).

Stumbled at home against the Raiders, losing 15-12, with Ronnie Hillman rushing for only 20 yards, and the matchup doesn't get easier with this week's trip to Pittsburgh. 

Key Injuries: LT Ryan Clady (knee), QB Peyton Manning (foot).

As good as the Patriots have been, injuries and inconsistency at running back and wide receiver prompt more tinkering. Brandon Bolden and James White now have RB Montee Ball on hand to share running duties, while WR Leonard Hankerson has been claimed on waivers and could get a look on a receiving corps that has dropped too many passes.

Key Injuries: T Nate Solder (biceps), RB Dion Lewis (knee), WR Julian Edelman (foot), RB LeGarrette Blount (hip).

The running back conveyor belt turns to Bryce Brown and Christine Michael (he's back!) this week, but the Seahawks are finding that they can have a successful offence that is focused on the passing game because QB Russell Wilson is in rare territory.

Key Injuries: RB Marshawn Lynch (sports hernia), TE Jimmy Graham (knee), RB Thomas Rawls (ankle).

The Steelers have scored 176 points in the past five games, winning four, and get to pit their high-octane offence against the Broncos' punishing defence this week. Should be a good test for both.

Key Injuries: C Maurkice Pouncey (ankle), RB Le'Veon Bell (knee).

So begins the A.J. McCarron era, now that Andy Dalton is out. McCarron passed for 280 yards in relief against the Steelers, but he had thrown a total of four NFL passes before he was thrust into action.

Key Injuries: TE Tyler Eifert (concussion), QB Andy Dalton (thumb).

Getting RB Eddie Lacy back on track yielded his third 100-yard rushing game in the past four and having some balance to the offence seems to be necessary for the Packers, who haven't been as productive as hoped in the passing game.

Key Injuries: WR Jordy Nelson (knee).

Three straight wins puts the Jets into the playoff picture, but they need a strong finish to get there. Being able to lean on the receiver combo of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, who have caught 20 touchdown passes between them, sure helps make life easier for QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

Key Injuries: TE Jace Amaro (shoulder), CB Darrelle Revis (concussion).

Seven straight wins puts the Chiefs into that same bubble of AFC playoff teams (with the Jets and Steelers), and with Baltimore, Cleveland and Oakland up next, the Chiefs are looking at a more favourable schedule.

Key Injuries: RB Jamaal Charles (knee), OLB Justin Houston (knee).

The Vikings have lost three of four, which has cost them the NFC North lead, and RB Adrian Peterson has been held under 70 yards in each of those losses. That may not be the cause, but the Vikings haven't shown that they can win via their passing attack.

Key Injuries: RT Phil Loadholt (Achilles).

The Bucs step forward and then step back, with QB Jameis Winston held to 182 passing yards, losing to New Orleans last week, but they are making progress overall.

Key Injuries: WR Vincent Jackson (knee), MLB Bruce Carter (foot).

Monday's win at Miami snapped a three-game losing streak, and keeps the Giants in contention for the NFC East, though their path isn't easy, since they face unbeaten Carolina this week.

Key Injuries: WR Victor Cruz (calf), CB Prince Amukamara (pectoral), LB Jon Beason (knee).

Losing three of four likely knocks the Bills from playoff contention, but they also don't seem to be that far away if QB Tyrod Taylor can continue his development.

Key Injuries: WR Percy Harvin (hip), DT Kyle Williams (knee), S Aaron Williams (neck).

It's not easy to win when your quarterback passes for 135 yards and top runner rushes for 27 yards, but the Raiders pulled it off in Denver, somehow winning with a net total of 126 yards.

One of the primary concerns with QB Kirk Cousins was that he was turning the ball over too often early in the season; well, now he's thrown three interceptions (and 12 touchdowns) in the past seven games.

Key Injuries: None.

Having lost six in a row, last week's 38-0 drubbing in Carolina is the exclamation mark on the Falcons' collapse.

Key Injuries: None.

Dropped 51 points on the Colts, showing how explosive they can be when Blake Bortles gets loose with that receiving corps. 

Key Injuries: RB T.J. Yeldon (ankle).

Losing three of four leaves the Bears out of contention, though they're still good enough to cause trouble for Minnesota this week.

Key Injuries: TE Martellus Bennett (ribs).

Snapped a four-game slide with a win over Tampa Bay because of course the Saints win when the masses decide that they are done, because they don't expect Tim Hightower to handle the rock 29 times.

Key Injuries: CB Keenan Lewis (hip), RB Mark Ingram (shoulder).

Getting buried 96-26 over the past couple of weeks should finish off the Colts' hopes, but of course they are still tied for the AFC South lead, so they still have a chance even though this season has gone way wrong.

Key Injuries: DE Arthur Jones (ankle), QB Andrew Luck (kidney).

And this is the team that the Colts are facing this week in a battle for AFC South supremacy. 

Key Injuries:  RB Arian Foster (Achilles), QB Brian Hoyer (concussion).

The Eagles are yet another sub-.500 team with hopes to win a subpar division, and they're doing it with a jumbled backfield now that DeMarco Murray has just been lumped into a backfield-by-committee. 

Key Injuries: LB Jordan Hicks (pectoral), LB DeMeco Ryans (hamstring).

Five losses in seven games leaves the Dolphins out of the playoff picture, but they still have some talent. It probably means that they need QB Ryan Tannehill to take a big step forward if they are going to become competitive.

Key Injuries: SS Louis Delmas (knee), DE Cameron Wake (Achilles), WR Rishard Matthews (ribs), C Mike Pouncey (foot).

RB Todd Gurley returns to run for 140 yards -- oh, he's been around, just not producing like that for the past month -- and that helped the Rams to a win, even with Case Keenum not doing a whole lot at QB.

Key Injuries: S T.J. McDonald (foot).

Losing at St. Louis, with WR Calvin Johnson completely shut down, throws a wrench into the Lions' recent run, during which they had won three of four, with the only loss coming on that Hail Mary against Green Bay. 

Key Injuries: OLB DeAndre Levy (hip).

Held to a total of six points over the past two weeks and, yes, it's been against Denver and Kansas City, but the Chargers offence shouldn't be that inept, should it?

Key Injuries: WR Keenan Allen (kidney).

Got steamrolled by the Jets, and it's probably going to keep being tough on rookie QB Marcus Mariota until he gets better talent around him.

Key Injuries: None.

It's remarkable how the Cowboys offence falls flat without Tony Romo. It doesn't do much good to have an elite receiver like Dez Bryant if Matt Cassel can't get him the ball and, right now, he's not getting Dez the ball.

Key Injuries: CB Orlando Scandrick (knee), QB Tony Romo (clavicle).

Snapped their seven-game losing streak with Johnny Manziel taking care of business against San Francisco, and RB Isaiah Crowell busting loose for 145 rushnig yards. How lucky do you feel going to Seattle this week, Johnny?

Key Injuries: CB Joe Haden (concussion), QB Josh McCown (clavicle).

It's not easy to win with Jimmy Clausen at quarterback, but that's the Ravens' world right now, and it's not easy for for Clausen to have results with injuries ravaging their lineup.

Key Injuries: TE Dennis Pitta (hip), WR Breshad Perriman (knee), OLB Terrell Suggs (Achilles), T Eugene Monroe (concussion), WR Steve Smith Sr. (Achilles), RB Justin Forsett (arm), QB Joe Flacco (knee), QB Matt Schaub (chest).

Losing by a couple of touchdowns against Cleveland leaves the Niners as the newest inhabitants of the basement apartment in these rankings.

Key Injuries: None.