The NFL has almost turned into a status quo-type league through the first seven weeks of the season, with many of the favorites cashing in consistently. The latest Las Vegas Sports Consultants rankings reflect that for Week 8, as four of the top five teams didn't move.
The Saints were on the verge of losing their first game, falling behind the Dolphins, 24-3 nearing the end of the first half. New Orleans scored a late touchdown to cut the deficit to 14, then put together a massive second-rally to stun Miami, 46-34. New Orleans remains one of the three unbeaten teams in the league at 6-0, as the Saints play their first division game of the season this Monday Night, hosting Atlanta.
The Colts stayed put in the second spot after their demolition of the Rams, 42-6. Indianapolis has cruised along so far, owning the same 6-0 mark as New Orleans. The Colts return home this week for another interconference contest, laying double-digits again, this time against the Niners.
Traveling to London couldn't slow down the Patriots, as New England blasted winless Tampa Bay, 35-7. Tom Brady and the Pats sit in the third position this week heading into the bye. New England owns a 5-2 mark atop the AFC East, as the Dolphins invade Foxboro following the Patriots' off week.
The Steelers knocked the Vikings from the ranks of the unbeaten, as Pittsburgh remains steady in the fourth spot. Mike Tomlin's defense registered a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns in the Minnesota victory, Pittsburgh's fourth straight win. The Black and Gold has the week off before heading to Denver in Week 9 to battle the unbeaten Broncos.
The Giants slipped one position from 4th to 5th after dropping their second straight game. New York fell at home to Arizona, 24-14, as the Giants are now in a tight race inside the NFC East. The G-Men lead both the Cowboys and Eagles by a ½ game each, as Tom Coughlin's club heads to Philadelphia for a crucial showdown this Sunday.
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The Falcons dropped two spots from 9th to 11th following a road loss at Dallas. Atlanta has put together a solid record at the Georgia Dome under Mike Smith, compiling a 10-1 mark. The road hasn't been as friendly for the Falcons, going 5-7, including a 1-2 record this season. Atlanta can make waves inside the division this Monday night when the Falcons head to the Big Easy to take on the unbeaten Saints.
The Cowboys made the biggest leap this week (12th to 9th) after the win over the Falcons. All of the sudden, Dallas is 4-2 with their two losses coming to the Giants and the Broncos. Tony Romo and the Dallas offense have opened up the last two games, putting up fantastic numbers against the Chiefs and Falcons. The 'Boys are back at home this week as substantial favorites against the struggling Seahawks.
The Bears took the biggest tumble following a blowout loss at Cincinnati, 45-10. Chicago fell from 15th to 19th, as the Bears have dropped two in a row after a 3-1 start. The cure to this losing streak is the Cleveland Browns, as Eric Mangini's team invades Soldier Field this Sunday with the Bears laying nearly two touchdowns.
