San Diego Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers (top) is hit by Green Bay Packers' inside linebacker A.J. Hawk as he passes during their NFL game in San Diego, California. Half of the NFL season has been finished and the Packers top the standings with a perfect 8-0 record. Mike Blake / Reuters

Green Bay assumes prime position to win the Super Bowl after perfect start

The 2011-2012 NFL season has been nothing short of spectacular, with preseason favorites falling from grace just as quickly as surprising darkhorses rising to the top. With the season already at the halfway point, here is a ranking of the top eight teams in the NFL.

8. Dallas Cowboys (4-4)

Injuries had derailed the Cowboys in the first half, with quarterback Tony Romo, wide receivers Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, and top cornerback Mike Jenkins all sidelined with various ailments. When they are all healthy, the Cowboys have a fluid passing offense to go with a top 10 run defense. They have the benefit of a soft schedule over the next month, facing Buffalo, Washington, Miami, and Arizona, who boast a combined 11-21 record.

7. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

While rookie receiver Julio Jones has emerged as another No 1 receiver to go with Roddy White, as a whole the Falcons passing game has sputtered. Atlanta's strong run defense, seventh in the league, is somewhat countered by its poor pass defense. The Falcons start the second half on a three-game win streak and have just three opponents left with winning records. But the team is difficult to trust because it has yet to put together a complete, dominating game.

6. Chicago Bears (5-3)

Matt Forte has emerged as one of the best running backs in the league, averaging a league-high 155 total yards per game and a career-best 5.44 yards per carry. The Bears have overcome a shaky start by reeling off back-to-back-to-back wins against the Vikings, Buccaneers and Eagles. Their remaining games, which include the Seahawks and Vikings, are easy enough that they should make the playoffs for the second straight year.

5. Detroit Lions (6-2)

There isn't a hotter quarterback-to-receiver connection than Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson. Through eight games, the duo has hooked up for 11 touchdowns and an average of more than 17 yards per completion. Detroit's aggressive defense ranks fourth in sacks and sixth against the pass. At the same time, the team has an unforgiving second-half schedule. The Lions play the Packers twice, Bears and Saints away, and the Chargers at home. There may not be a tougher second-half schedule in the league.

4. New York Giants (6-2)

At age 30, quarterback Eli Manning is primed for a breakout year, setting career highs in completion rate (63 percent), passing yards (4,754), and yards-per-attempt average (8.5). On defense, the Giants lead the NFL in sacks. A difficult schedule awaits them in the second half, however, with games against the 49ers, Saints, Packers and Cowboys. For now, they are leading the NFC East.

3. New Orleans Saints (6-3)

Behind the Packers, the Saints may be football's most dominant home team. In four games at the Superdome, New Orleans is undefeated by a 159-69 margin. While the defense has been shaky, the Saints simply score too many points for most opponents to keep pace. On the road they have been largely inconsistent, with losses to the lowly Buccaneers and Rams. The Saints play the Falcons twice, Giants, Lions and Panthers in five of their final seven games - not exactly an easy schedule, but they should make the playoffs.

2. San Francisco 49ers (7-1)

There is not a more compelling storyline this season than the 49ers success. The formerly mediocre quarterback has turned into an effective field general, the rushing attack is the centerpiece of head coach Jim Harbaugh's offense and there may not be a more dominant defense. The 49ers' final eight games include five opponents in the pathetic NFC West. Put simply, this team is playoff bound. Quarterback Alex Smith may not have the arm to take them deep into the playoffs, but regardless, it has been a magical season.

1. Green Bay Packers (8-0)

There's a sizeable gap between Green Bay and the rest of the league. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is playing his position at the highest possible level, leading the league in completion rate, touchdowns and yards-per-attempt average. His passes have created a monster out of tight end Jermichael Finley. Most prominently standing in Green Bay's way of a 16-0 season are two games against the Lions and a road game against the Giants. They are easily the best team in the NFL.

China Daily

(China Daily 11/13/2011 page8)