NFL Power Rankings - No changes at the top or bottom

The NFL power rankings are an interesting beast for online sports betting sharps to behold this season. With extreme strength at the top and extreme weakness at the bottom of the standings, we see little change anywhere besides the middle of the back. The trend continues this week, as the top teams keep winning.

1. (1) Minnesota (5-0)
ATS: 4-1; O/U; 3-1
A matchup against the Rams last week was a total gift but a win is a win and the Vikes haven’t lost yet. No reason to remove them from the top spot.

2. (2) Indianapolis (5-0)
ATS: 4-1; O/U: 2-3
Peyton Manning’s sore knee is a concern but Indy’s bye week comes at the perfect time. That he torched Tennessee’s NFL-worst pass defense is no surprise. What is impressive, however, is what Indy’s defense has done minus Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders.

3. (3) New York Giants (5-0)
ATS: 5-0; O/U; 3-1-1
The Manning Bowl seems more realistic each week, but there could be bumps in the road ahead for the Giants. Could their laughably easy schedule so far leave them soft for the Saints this week? Also, Eli Manning’s foot pain may plague him all season.

4. (5) Denver (5-0)
ATS: 5-0; O/U: 0-5
Five weeks and five beaten spreads for Josh McDaniels and the NFL’s Cinderella story. We have no choice but to take them seriously even though their schedule remains vicious; Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis the Giants and Philadelphia are on tap.

5. (4) New Orleans (4-0)
ATS: 4-0; O/U; 0-4
The Saints drop a spot after resting on a bye, but it’s safe to say they’ll hang around the top five all season. Drew Brees will heat up again and Gregg Williams has the pass rush doing things we haven’t seen the Saints do in years.

6. (11) Atlanta (3-1)
ATS: 3-1; O/U; 2-2
If dropping 45 points on Mike Singletary’s vaunted 49ers defense in San Francisco isn’t a statement, nothing is. Elite teams will still run on the Falcons but Matt Ryan seems poised to be a Pro-Bowl-caliber field general all season.

7. (10) Philadelphia (3-1)
ATS: 3-1; O/U; 4-0
They looked fantastic in Donovan McNabb’s return – has Jeremy Maclin arrived already? – but it’s hard to take these NFC East teams seriously in our NFL betting with all those easy games against the AFC West. Let’s check back come November when their schedule gets really tough.

8. (13) Cincinnati (4-1)
ATS: 3-2; O/U; 3-2
The Cardiac Cats strike again! If a win in Baltimore doesn’t turn heads at the sportsbook, nothing can. The most interesting thing about Cincy’s resurgence is that the Bengals are doing it as a team, with a good enough passing game, great running from Cedric Benson and surprisingly competent defense. They’re getting contributions from everyone.

9. (6) New England (3-2)
ATS: 2-3; O/U: 2-3
Tom Brady will be fine but the Pats still desperately need a go-to running back (with respect to Sammy Morris). Also, they couldn’t make a stop when it mattered against Denver. Clearly, they miss Jerod Mayo; Junior Seau is just a Band-Aid.

10. (8) Chicago (3-1)
ATS: 3-1; O/U; 2-2
Even though their offense hasn’t totally taken off, we can count on the Bears to make the playoffs. They still have Cleveland, Detroit and St. Louis on the schedule. Jay Cutler is licking his chops.

11. (7) Baltimore (3-2)

12. (14) Pittsburgh (3-2)

13. (9) San Francisco (3-2)

14. (12) New York Jets (3-2)

15. (17) Dallas (2-2)

16. (15) Green Bay (2-2)

17. (16) San Diego (2-2)

18. (21) Arizona (2-2)

19. (22) Miami (2-3)

20. (19) Houston (2-3)

21. (23) Seattle (2-3)

22. (20) Washington (2-3)

23. (27) Carolina (1-4)

24. (18) Jacksonville (2-3)

25. (29) Cleveland (1-4)

26. (28) Kansas City (0-5)

27. (25) Detroit (1-4)

28. (24) Buffalo (1-4)

29. (26) Tennessee (0-5)

30. (30) Tampa Bay (0-5)

31. (31) Oakland (1-4)

32. (32) St. Louis (0-5)

Keep checking our sports betting NFL power rankings to get the Betting Edge at betonline.com.

Stan Simmons is one of betonline.com's NFL experts.