The Shark's Six-Pack Through Week 7

Week 7 is in the books and what an interesting and yet again, wacky week it was! The underdog teams continue to impress. The six-pack has a new look this week with Pittsburg and Jacksonville getting losses in the AFC. Check back every week to see if your team has climbed into my top six or if there were any significant changes in the rankings.

The rankings are essentially, power rankings based on offensive/defensive statistics, wins, etc, etc. More importantly, these rankings are set from our fans and my personal opinions each week. Your voice is heard here so get your two cents in and enjoy one on the Shark -- The Shark’s Six-Pack every week at Football.com.

AFC

1.    New England Patriots (7-0) -- No change here- the Patriots led by Tom Brady and Randy Moss continue to dominate and are looking like a team of destiny. Brady tossed six touchdowns and Randy Moss and Wes Welker stole the show with two touchdowns each and over 100 receiving yards. This Patriot team is one of the best teams in the history of the NFL and has a legitimate shot at going undefeated as we approach the halfway point of the 2008 season. Brady is the man right now and is simply on a record-breaking pace so far. Manning's touchdown record is in serious jeopardy. Sunday, the front-runner for the MVP award went 21-of-25 for 354 yards with a career best, six touchdowns. That makes 11 touchdowns in the last two weeks for Brady, impressive. Too many weapons in New England and with Brady looking like a touchdown-making machine, this team has a rare opportunity, to go perfect. This New England squad is now on pace to smash the all-time NFL scoring mark held by the 1998 Minnesota Vikings.

2.    Indianapolis Colts (6-0) -- The Colts are impressive and are looking better than last year's Super Bowl champion team. The bye week was more than enough time for Peyton Manning & Co. to prepare for archrival Jacksonville. Bob Sanders lead the charge defensively and Indy smashed Jacksonville 29-7 on Monday Night Football to remain undefeated. Indy has won 11 straight and seems to be flying under the radar due to all the attention on the Patriots this year. Game of the year reminder - November 4th - Indy and New England square-off and we will find out who the outright number one team in the AFC is. This is going to be one of the best matchups in the last five years and should be a terrific game. If anyone can beat New England, it is going to be Indianapolis.

3.    San Diego Chargers (3-3) -- The Super Chargers have climbed two spots and are sitting pretty in the six-pack this week. The Chargers had a much need bye last week coming off two impressive wins, led by their all word talent, LaDainian Tomlinson. The Chargers are alive and well and with L.T. and the run game going, this team is looking much more like the '06 Bolts'. The Chris Chambers trade gives Philip Rivers another Pro Bowl caliber weapon on offense. Watch out, the Chargers should be even more potent offensively and with a struggling Houston squad this week, look for San Diego to roll. Where are all the Norv Turner critics now?

4.    Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) -- The Steelers loss at Denver left a bruise on the once almighty Pittsburg defense. Denver manhandled the Pittsburg defense, scoring four touchdowns in the first three quarters. The Steelers had only surrendered five touchdowns all season coming into the game. The Steelers should be able to move past a tough loss last week with a sub par Bengals team in week 8. The Steelers have had their issues playing in Cincinnati over the years and if Big Ben & Co. come out with a hang over, Carson Palmer and the Cincy offense could steal the show. Let's see what Pittsburg team comes out Sunday.

5.    Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) -- The Jaguars lost more than a key AFC South game on Monday Night Football. The loss of David Garrard will be an issue for an offense that at times has been very inconsistent. This week against Tampa Bay will show us how much this Jaguar team wants it and if they can overcome the loss of Garrard. Garrard will be sidelined at least a month with an ankle injury. 

6.    Tennessee Titans (4-2) -- No Vince Young, no problem. Rod Bironas was a beast Sunday as his NFL record eight field goals lifted the Titans past the Texans in one of the best games of the 2008 season 38-36. Tennessee is now 4-2 and have the Raiders this week in a game that should showcase the return of Young. The battle of USC coaching wits will be on display as well- Jeff Fisher and Norm Chow versus rookie coach Lane Kiffin- this should be a good one Sunday.

Honorable Mention

Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos

NFC

1.   Dallas Cowboys (5-1) -- Dallas pulled out a close, hard fought win against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday afternoon. Tony Romo continued to impress and Marion Barber jump-started the Dallas run game while the Dallas defense shut down all world rookie, Adrian Peterson. 'Da Boys' are off to one of the best starts in franchise history and are a game up on New York heading into their bye this week. Terry Glenn continues to work his way back to 100 percent and is nearly there. Glenn should be another valuable weapon for Romo in what has become one of the league's best offenses.

2.   Green Bay Packers (5-1) -- The Packers have looked interesting the last two weeks. Brett Farve has come back to Earth so to speak due to a lack luster Green Bay running game. At 5-1 however, the Packers are the number one team in the NFC North but with trips to Denver and Kansas City looming, Farve will need help from his running backs and offensive line for the Packers to continue to roll.

3.   New York Giants (5-2) -- The New York Giants have been on a tear led by their defensive front seven. New York's defense has emerged as one of the top three this year and with the way this unit can get after the quarterback, teams will continue to struggle trying to find a passing rhythm against them. Last week against the 49ers, the Giants had six sacks, caused four turnovers and held the NFC's leading rusher to under 100 yards. New York has won five straight games and has looked very imposing during this run. The G-Men are one of the hottest teams in the league right now and Eli Manning, very quietly is having a Pro Bowl year. With struggling Miami this week in London, the Giants have a great shot of entering their bye week 6-2.

4.   Washington Redskins (4-2) -- The Redskins found a way to get it done Sunday against the upstart, Arizona Cardinals. Despite being dominated statistically, Jason Campbell and the Redskins hung in there for the win. The Redskins were out gained by more than 200 yards and Arizona missed a two-point conversion and a game winning field goal in the waning seconds. The Skins were able to get out of the desert with a win and are 4-2, right in the thick of things in the NFC playoff picture. This week is a tall task against Brady and the Patriots. After Sunday's game, we will know exactly how good this Redskin team really is, especially defensively.

5.   Detroit Lions (4-2) -- Detroit, now 4-2 and has quietly climbed back into the NFC playoff picture and back into the Shark's Six-Pack. Rod Marinelli had a great game plan going against his former team. The Lions pressured Jeff Garcia and forced two fumbles that turned out to be the difference in the 23-16 victory. The Lions trail the Packers by just one game in the NFC North and take on division rival Chicago Sunday in what has become the biggest game of the year thus far for both teams.

6.   Carolina Panthers (4-2) -- The Panthers have sole possession of first place in the AFC South. Carolina has a slight quarterback controversory going with Vinny Testaverde and David Carr but don't look for this to slow down the Panthers. This week will be a huge test against Indy and we will see how good these Panthers really are and if they are deserving of the sixth spot in this week's six-pack.

Honorable Mention

Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears