Thanks to their victory over the previous second-ranked 49ers the Ravens are the new number two team in the RCS NFL Power Ranking Averages this week. The 49ers didn't slip far, just falling to third but the Pats, Saints, and Steelers are not far behind. Most everyone considers those teams to be the next best teams after the Packers and the biggest threats to a Green Bay Super Bowl repeat.

Elsewhere the Falcons found their way into the top 10 for the first time since September and could climb higher with a matchup against seventh ranked, but quarterbackless, Houston.

Overall there was very little movement in the rankings as most teams stayed pretty much where they were last week. The biggest mover was the Giants, who fell from 12th to 16th. The Giants were ranked fourth as recently as three weeks ago, but their losing streak has pushed them further and further down.

The AFC North is now the top rated conference, surpassing the NFC North. This is no surprise with the AFC North winning three of four over the weekend with the NFC North losing three of four. Still, both northern divisions are far and away the best as no other division has three solid teams. The AFC East ranks third in large part because they have the best 'worst team' in the Dolphins. The AFC West remains the only team without an entrant in the top 10, but ranks the sixth best conference overall, ahead of the top heavy NFC West and AFC South, which comes in last for the second straight week.