NFL Power Rankings 2012: Patriots dominate Week 8, climb rankings

In a 45-7 win against the Rams in London, the Patriots dominated every facet of the game and became only the third AFC team to reach five wins. The victory was more what people have come to expect to see from the Patriots, but hadn't in recent weeks and was enough to give them a boost in many power rankings.

In Ryan Van Bibber's rankings for SB Nation, the Patriots moved a spot closer to the top, as the moved ahead of the Packers after Green Bay struggled at times with the Jaguars:

6. New England Patriots (LW: 7, 5-3): Bill Belichick flew to London on Friday, half annoyed that he had to be there. His team carved up the Rams for 45 points and came home.

The No. 6 spot was a little higher than most have placed the Patriots, though, as each FOX's and ESPN's rankings have New England at No. 8. In Brian Billick's power rankings on FOX, he praised the strength of the victory over the Rams:

8. The Patriots put up 45 unanswered points in London on the way to a 38-point win over the Rams at Wembley Stadium. This was the sixth-largest margin of victory for the Patriots under Bill Belichick and the 17th consecutive game in which they have totaled 350-plus yards, an NFL record.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports placed the Patriots right in between on his rankings, as he gave them the No. 7 spot for the second week in a row:

7. Tom Brady is so good at getting this team right when some wonder if they can. The concern in the division now is the Dolphins.

The Patriots are on bye for Week 9 and will see the field again in Week 10 when they host the Buffalo Bills.