The conclusion of week eight of the NFL season means NFL power rankings are coming out across the Internet. While most power rankings are almost entirely subjective and based on the whims of the media, Football Outsiders puts together an efficiency rating (DVOA) that operates much like an objective power ranking. It is not really a power ranking, but it does provide a ranking of teams in a relatively objective sense.
Through week eight, FO has kept the 49ers and Raiders similarly situated to last week. Coming off a bye, the Raiders remain 18th overall, ranked 12th on offense, 23rd on defense and 10th on special teams. Their offensive ranking will be interesting to follow over the next few weeks as they continue working Carson Palmer into the offense. Add in T.J. Houshmandzadeh and this is one of the intriguing stories of the next few weeks. Of course, with Darren McFadden hopefully back at running back, all could be well.
The 49ers dropped a spot to fourth in DVOA. They currently rank 18th on offense, 4th on defense and 2nd on special teams. They have been slowly but surely opening up the playbook, so it will be interesting to see how the offensive ranking adjusts over the coming weeks.
Here is how Football Outsiders ranks the top ten teams in overall efficiency (DVOA):
1. Green Bay Packers
2. Buffalo Bills
3. New York Jets
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Houston Texans
6. Baltimore Ravens
7. New York Giants
8. New England Patriots
9. Detroit Lions
10. Atlanta Falcons