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Power Ranking the Top 10 Super Bowl Contenders After Week 6

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Top 10 Super Bowl Contenders After Week 6

NFL Super Bowl contenders
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Proclaiming teams Super Bowl contenders after six weeks is a difficult undertaking, but some squads have separated themselves from the pack. From the NFC’s superiority to the west coast taking over the NFL, this power ranking covers all bases when it comes to which team will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February. Check out the top 10 contenders to make history and claim their place in football immortality.

10. Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts
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10. Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts
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This inclusion has far more to do with Andrew Luck’s ascension than it does the lackluster defense they have been putting on the field. The Colts have scored more points than anyone at this juncture, and they are going to need that to continue in order to keep winning games. Luck’s development combined with the experience the team gained a year ago will make the Colts a serious threat in January.

9. Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles
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9. Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles
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If the second-half version of Chip Kelly’s team would show up for a full 60 minutes, this team would vault up near the top of the list. As it is, however, Philly resides on the fringe of the contender ladder given their Jekyll and Hyde persona this season. Feeding LeSean McCoy the ball a little more certainly give them a more favorable shot in the playoffs, and keeping that defense in Week 6 from would make them as scary as anyone in the NFC.

8. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers
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8. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers
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It’s hard to consider the Packers if it wasn’t for that guy they have under center in Aaron Rodgers. He really is an elite talent with the ability to put his team on his back to carry them to victories. That quality comes in handy when the competition ramps up in the postseason and Rodgers has a familiarity with that environment as well. Their inconsistent defense will either make or break just how far Green Bay goes in the playoffs.

7. Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions
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7. Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions
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Defense proved to still win championships last season, and the Lions have the best statistical defense in the most important category there is this year -- points allowed. Assuming that they can get their weapons (Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush) fully healthy for the stretch run, this squad could ditch their cursed existence this season. Given the uncertain futures of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley on D, this may be their last chance to shine.

6. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys
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6. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys
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It’s still difficult to consider the Cowboys legitimate contenders with a defense that could put them into many shootouts, but they’ve proven resilient thus far in 2014. Tony Romo has looked like a far more confident quarterback, while DeMarco Murray has been an absolute beast on the ground. Superior strength in the trenches is what makes this team scary for opponents in January and moving on through the regular season.

5. San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers
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5. San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers
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Colin Kaepernick is the main concern with this team, aside from the off-the-field issues with subsequent suspensions and Jim Harbaugh’s antics. Alright, so this team has its fair share of concerns, but the Niners have been to three straight NFC title games for a reason. That nucleus is still intact and present, meaning this team has every reason to expect another deep run into the postseason this January.

4. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks
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4. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks
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Weaknesses have been exposed in the defending champions in recent weeks, but they still have the inside track at lording over the toughest division in football at the end of the regular season. That war of attrition combined with a shaky offense could be their undoing in a repeat effort, but never underestimate a consistent running game and top-notch defense. Seattle should be amongst the finalists when playoff football commences.

3. Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals
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3. Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals
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The NFC West is clearly a grab-bag of solid NFL teams capable of getting hot at a moment’s notice, but distinguishing between the three main horses is insanely difficult -- hence why they are in consecutive order in the contender power ranking. For the Cardinals in particular, quarterback play is their main issue. Whether it’s Carson Palmer or Drew Stanton, the man under center needs to play well for this team to contend.

2. San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers
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2. San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers
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Even in an NFC dominated list, the Chargers clearly deserve a spot near the top with their performance through half a dozen games this season. Philip Rivers looks like the MVP front-runner, while the San Diego defense has been impressive for the most part. Playing in the AFC West is not ideal for earning home-field advantage, but this team has proven the ability to go on the road and find success from last year’s postseason run.

1. Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos
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1. Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos
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It may be an east coast bias most of the time, but this particular list features the left coast getting its fair share of praise. Peyton Manning is obviously the reason behind the Broncos earning the top spot, and an improved defense that is healthy currently would help them maintain it for the foreseeable future. It’s hard to picture Denver not at least being present come the final weeks of January when the conference championships are played.

Anthony Blake is a Senior Writer/Copy Editor for Rant Sports. You Can Follow Him on Twitter, on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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