Our NFL Team Rankings are based entirely on the The Trench Counter, which is an objective formula measuring average yards per pass and run on both offense and defense, along with first downs registered and given up, turnovers for and against, and total penalty yards. 

Over time, The Trench Counter rankings begin to closely resemble the standings but goes even further to determine which teams are truly the best when on the line of scrimmage. 

The chief aim of the Trench Counter is to take the subjective out of the equation and even the somewhat fluky nature of teams actually scoring points, which is of course the whole point on a game-by-game basis.

The Denver Broncos take the top slot for the first time this season, which matches up what most NFL observers are seeing with the eye test. The Broncos' defense has been extraordinarily better in 2014 and of course Peyton Manning's offense continues to have no issues scoring points in bunches.

The New Orleans Saints had a convincing victory over the Green Bay Packers and are now the top team in the NFC based on Trench Counter despite a mediocre record.

Week 8 Rankings

1. Denver Broncos: 5.9
2. Baltimore Ravens: 5.8
3. Miami Dolphins: 5.7
4. New Orleans Saints: 5.1
5. Dallas Cowboys: 3.7
6. Indianapolis Colts: 3.3
7. Arizona Cardinals: 3.2
8. San Francisco 49ers: 2.7
9. Seattle Seahawks: 2.6
10. San Diego Chargers: 2.4
11. Green Bay Packers: 2.3
12. Kansas City Chiefs: 2.2
13. Detroit Lions: 1.8
14. Cincinnati Bengals: 1.7
15. New England Patriots: 1.4
16. Cleveland Browns: 1.2
17. Houston Texans: 1.1
18. Chicago Bears: 1.1
19. Buffalo Bills: 0.8
20. Washington: 0.5
21. Philadelphia Eagles: 0.4
22. Minnesota Vikings: -1.1
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: -1.4
24. New York Giants: -2.1
25. Atlanta Falcons: -3.0
26. Carolina Panthers: -3.1
27. Jacksonville Jaguars: -4.7
28. Tennessee Titans: -5.3
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -7.9
30. New York Jets: -8.2
31. Oakland Raiders: -8.6
32. St. Louis Rams: -9.3