NFL power rankings Week 8: Chiefs, Ravens cruise, as Lions and Bills stall
With plenty of upheaval in the rankings for this week, who lands at No. 1?
The latest edition of the Week 8 NFL power rankings is now available, and it's clear that there is a significant shakeup at the top. Notably, a new team has stormed into the top five, displacing one of the previous frontrunners. Overall, this week's slate of games was underwhelming, and the rankings reflect this sentiment. While some players like Jordan Love, Josh Allen, and Sam Howell had lackluster performances and had a hard time making an impact, others like Patrick Mahomes, Trevor Lawrence, and Lamar Jackson delivered sensational performances that propelled their teams to victory.
It was another oddity of a week in the NFL with the Patriots quarterback Mac Jones outdueling Josh Allen (I didn't think I would say that this year) in a late-game shootout on Sunday. It's the same Patriots offense that has consistently struggled to move the ball past the 50-yard line and was suddenly playing with the sort of high-end efficiency you'd see from the Miami Dolphins. To reference a different sport, this came straight from right field. There is not a single soul that could have predicted that.
One of those more talented teams, the Philadelphia Eagles, showed up in a big way on Sunday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins. They were holding their highly efficient offense to a meager 17 points. This is the same team that put up 70 points against the Broncos a few weeks ago. The Eagles showed why they are one of the best all-around teams in the league.
As if the Eagles' defense couldn't make any more strides, on Monday, the Eagles made a strong move for the back end of their defense, trading for Titans former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard.
32. Carolina Panthers
It's been a very tough beginning to the Frank Reich/Bryce Young marriage for the Carolina Panthers, who are going winless through their first six games. With their Week 7 bye week, Frank Reich and company can right the ship before a winnable matchup with the Houston Texans.
31. Arizona Cardinals
They put up a fight in the first half. Still, a second-half scoring drought let the Seahawks pull away. The Arizona Cardinals fell to 1-6 the year after their loss on Sunday. Joshua Dobbs was inefficient (146 yards, zero touchdowns or interceptions), but he ran for a score, and the team's leading receiver, Marquise Brown, only had three receptions. They won't light the world on fire, but with Kyler Murray returning from injury soon, he could light a fire under the offense and audition for his potential new team next year.
30. Chicago Bears
Tyson Bagent won his first start in the NFL, and he looked impressive against an unimpressive Raiders defense. Although his day was not explosive, all he needed to do was take care of the ball. The rushing attack had an intense day against Las Vegas, going for over 170 yards with three TDs from D'Onta Foreman, propelling Chicago to the win.
29. Las Vegas Raiders
Here's a statement you probably have yet to hear too many times in NFL circles: Josh McDaniels isn't working out. He could have been better in Denver, worse as an offensive coordinator outside of New England, and not well-liked by players. That combination spells disaster for the Raiders. Yet, even with such low expectations, I didn't even think that McDaniels would start Brian Hoyer over Aiden O'Connell, get him meaningful reps, and kick a field goal, being down 21-3 in the fourth quarter. At this point, Raider Nation is wondering why he has yet to be fired.
28. Green Bay Packers
If the Green Bay Packers had any intention of buying at the NFL trade deadline, they might as well abandon them now unless you're trading for a quarterback. This could be an average football team in 2023, fighting for some wins or missing the playoffs slightly, if Jordan Love took advantage of the talent around him. It certainly appears the Packers need to be involved in the 2024 NFL Draft's quarterback market. Love is just not ready or even explosive with his passing downfield.
27. Tennessee Titans
When a team starts shopping their star running back and veteran quarterback in the spring, take it as a warning sign the new front office doesn't honestly believe the roster is good enough to be relevant. With Ryan Tannehill now sidelined, the Titans must be in teardown mode at the Oct. 31 trade deadline. With the trade of All-Pro Safety today, this is only the beginning.
26. Washington Commanders
With the NFL trade deadline being days away, games like these will determine what the front office will do. Based on the performance of Week 7, expect the highly touted Chase Young or Montez Sweat to be headed out in a trade. My biggest takeaway would be that quarterback Sam Howell won't be going anywhere earning the right to be the 2024 starting quarterback and possible bridge quarterback.
25. Denver Broncos
While the win against the Green Bay Packers won't deter what Sean Payton plans to do by Oct. 31, it was good to see them fight for a win. With the Bills and Chiefs on deck for the Broncos, I don't expect this win to carry over, as the offense is still the team's weak point.
24. New York Giants
Saquon Barkley makes quite a difference for the New York Giants offense. The Giants have delivered two consecutive impressive performances in a row, and with Daniel Jones's injury coming to a close, up next is a Giants vs Jets matchup in Week 8 that has far more intrigue than anyone expected a few weeks ago.
23. New England Patriots
No team needed that win more than the New England Patriots, as coming into this game, the offense was dead to rights, and quarterback Mac Jones was trending downward with Bailey Zappe lying in wait. New England demonstrated that it's not close to being the worst NFL team in 2023, and that's an improvement over previous weeks.
22. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts lost again, but on the bright side, Gardner Minshew balled out, and the defense continues to exceed expectations. I have always said this team is about building for the future, and with head coach Shane Steichen at the helm, the future is bright.
21. Minnesota Vikings
Our expectations for the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football are meager. A blitz-heavy defense against Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy is a bad matchup for Minnesota. There's also the fact that the Vikings' offense looked awful without Justin Jefferson and now faces an elite defense. But it has been an odd football weekend, and this is primetime.
20. Los Angeles Rams
If Matthew Stafford had had time to throw, the Los Angeles Rams won in Week 7. Unfortunately, that's not the situation for Sean McVay. Speaking of pass protection issues, the Cowboys lie in wait for the Rams, pray for Matthew Stafford this week, and Micah Parsons prepares to wreak havoc in the backfield in Week 8.
19. New Orleans Saints
Did somebody put the Saints' offense in demo mode? Although they eventually ended up with 24 points against Jacksonville, Derek Carr plays like he has five downs to work with, and the miscommunication between him and his wideouts is seemingly worsening. Luckily, their defense is keeping them in games.
18. New York Jets
Despite facing the Bills, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Eagles, Zach Wilson has done the unimaginable, and the Jets have a 3-3 record, beating the Bills in Week 1 and the Eagles in Week 5. The New York defense doesn't appear as gifted as a season ago, but they are still the high-flying unit they were in 2023. Will Aaron Rodgers perform a miracle and return if they make the playoffs?
17. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert struggled against the Chiefs' defense, and the defense that was built to keep them in games has so far failed Brandon Staley. I would not expect the Chargers to go out and get an upgrade by the trade deadline; this will have to be fixed in the offseason.
16. Houston Texans
Coming off of a bye week this week, the Texans and quarterback, who has had a sensational run thus far, will match up against a favorable winless Panthers squad struggling to find offensive weapons and identity for the team. I expect the Texans to be 4-3 after Sunday.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It is that time to pump the brakes on Comeback Player of the Year. He has a 1-2 TD-INT ratio in his last two games. To make things worse, he is averaging 6.1 yards per pass attempt. Next, they will face a Bills team looking to take out their frustrations on them after their defeat against the Patriots on Sunday.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Tomlin is 4-2. Yes, that is not a typo. I didn't expect it either, with the offense struggling the way it has been, and the play-calling from Matt Canada has yet to do any favors for the Steelers. Do you hear that? Those are more "Fire Canada" chants coming through your screen. I didn't believe it was possible either—all joking. Winning the division still feels far away, but they're playing like a Wild Card team.
13. Atlanta Falcons
Second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder protected the football and made just enough plays to secure a huge road win in Tampa Bay. The Achilles' heel of the Falcons is their quarterback play and constant turnover of the ball over.
12. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks won in Week 7, but the offense is still experiencing far too many problems. My big problem with Seattle is the constant issues inside the red zone. Considering the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens are next on the schedule, the offense will have to do something drastic if they plan on being in these upcoming games.
11. Buffalo Bills
Losing to the New England Patriots was a bad look for the Bills; it's one thing to escape with a victory over the New York Giants, but the Bills can't lose to the offensively struggling Patriots. Well, they did. Season-ending injuries sideline these defensive starters. Allen will need to play at a superhuman level for the Bills to make it to the Super Bowl. This may not be possible.
10. Dallas Cowboys
I'm more concerned about the Dallas Cowboys coming out of the bye week. While the time off was much needed for the offensive line and the entire team, for that matter, the Cowboys have taken a critical step back without Stefon Diggs. Something that is going to have to be resolved.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals hit the bye week at the perfect moment, with Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins each receiving some much-needed rest. The Bengals will be welcomed back with the 49ers. Joe Burrow has yet to look himself but has shown signs of life.
8. Cleveland Browns
A win is a win, but you shouldn't need a game-winning drive to beat Gardner Minshew and the Indianapolis Colts. If not for Myles Garrett, we might have even more discussions about the Browns' placement in the upcoming draft.
7. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins got off to a slow start against the Eagles, which hampered how they could run their offense, which ended up being an effort where they didn't look like their dominant selves in the loss. Miami was forced to play from behind, a position they've been in only some of the season.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, and the Jacksonville Jaguars defense are all this team needs to secure a home playoff game. Speaking of defense, something is cooking in Jacksonville and worth watching in the coming weeks.
5. Detroit Lions
This was a game in what could go wrong did go wrong. The Lions typically control the ball on both sides of the line of scrimmage. But it was as one-sided as it gets in favor of the Baltimore Ravens.
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens' defense is arguably the best in the league, with a close second to Cleveland. However, doing what they did against the Lions' potent offense further proves that defense drives this team. Lamar Jackson is playing at an MVP level. If that continues, the Ravens could sprint toward the Lombardi Trophy in the playoffs.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Offensively, there are still some things Andy Reid and company need to fix (red-zone woes), but this Chiefs' defense has already proven it can win games on its own. They could be dangerous if Kansas City can start fast and allow the defense to change how their opponents play. Will the Nick Bolton injury hurt that defense more than experts would lead you to think?
2. San Francisco 49ers
Off of a loss to the woeful Minnesota Vikings 22-17, shocking, yes, I know, but in the Vikings' defense, they played their hearts out, confused Brock Purdy, and stopped the run most of the night. The Vikings' defense has been known for a blitz-heavy team, and that fits Kyle Shanahan perfectly, but their disguises and coverages couldn't have been better.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles defense that got exposed the previous week kept Tua Tagovailoa just above 200 net yards. Where did the offense that had red zone issues go? Well, they seemingly disappeared, and the better version arrived. Going into the showdown with the Washington Commanders, you have to hope this train keeps rolling and doesn't suffer a setback against an in-division rival.
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