We are in the thick of the NFL season. We know who’s who and are beginning to separate the contenders from the pretenders. As the season continues to roll on, the picture become more and more clear. Here are my week eight NFL power rankings.
32) Detroit Lions
The Lions pulled out all the stops and gave the Rams all they could handle, but they still remain winless through seven games. I feel more positive about this team than I did a week ago, but they can’t move up.
31) Jacksonville Jaguars
The good news is that the Jaguars had a bye week and nothing has changed. Unfortunately the bad news is the same thing.
30) Houston Texans
The Texans showed some spunk early in the season. Now they look like the pathetic dumpster fire that we all expected them to be.
29) New York Jets
The more things change the more they stay the same. The Jets got absolutely rolled by the Patriots in a game where Zach Wilson got injured. Not good at all.
28) Miami Dolphins
The wheels are coming off in Miami. As trade rumors swirl around who the quarterback will be, the season has slowly slipped away from them.
27) Seattle Seahawks
This team will go as far as Geno Smith takes them. He’s taken them to 27th in my NFL power rankings. This team can’t function without Russell Wilson.
26) Philadelphia Eagles
It was a second consecutive bad loss that looked closer than it was at the end. The Eagles just struggle to score and it starts with the offensive line and quarterback.
25) Washington Football Team
There were signs of life from the defense; holding the Packers to a reasonable 24 points on Sunday. However, the offense could only muster up 10. If the defense isn’t dominant then this team is going to continue to struggle.
24) Carolina Panthers
The Panthers remain winless without Christian McCaffery. In a team sport like this, struggles are never as simple as that. However, in this case they kind of are. The offense is stuck in neutral without him.
23) New York Giants
A new star playmaker has emerged in the form of Daniel Jones! Okay, so maybe not. Regardless, the Giants crushed the Panthers and looked like the team that many expected before the beginning of the year.
22) San Francisco 49ers
It feels like an eternity ago when the 49ers were leading in the Super Bowl. A year and a half later and they can’t seem to beat a good team. It feels like the issues are much deeper with this team than just the quarterback.
21) Chicago Bears
The Bears looked declawed and helpless in their loss to the Bucs. Justin Fields looks like an NFL rookie who’s drinking from a fire hose and the Bears offense isn’t good enough to support him the way he needs right now.
20) Denver Broncos
It’s four straight losses for Denver after starting 3-0. Not being able to beat a very injured Browns team was discouraging and it makes you wonder how many games they’ll be able to win moving forward.
19) Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have won three of the last four to give their season life. I’m not sure if this is a team that can come all the way back and compete for a playoff spot, but they are back in the mix for now.
18) New England Patriots
It was an offensive explosion for the Patriots on Sunday. They put up 53 points against the Jets and looked more alive since they have in the post Brady era. A sign of things to come? Time will tell.
17) Indianapolis Colts
After losing four of their first five games, the Colts look to be back on track. This was a good team on paper coming into the year and they look to finally be putting it together on the field.
16) Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs got absolutely run over by the Titans. This defense is one of the worst in the NFL and Patrick Mahomes is turning the ball over at a concerning rate. Still not ready to panic, but definitely a time to be worried.
15) Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers were off this week. Perhaps the time off to rest and recover will refresh a roster that is on the older side (particularly at quarterback). I wouldn’t want to see this defense coming off a bye week.
14) New Orleans Saints
The Saints squeaked by the Seahawks on Monday night. They improve to 4-2 on the season, but they are still very limited with their playmakers outside of Alvin Kamara. Moving the ball can be a struggle for this team.
13) Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have played everyone close. They had close losses to good teams like the Cardinals and Bengals, but also close wins to bad teams like the Lions and Panthers. Perhaps a bye week can get them playing a little more consistent.
12) Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens dropped a home game to the Bengals to drop from the top seed in the AFC. Now they are back in the pack in a dog fight with the rest of their division.
11) Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have proven that they’re no fluke. They currently lead the AFC South and have been a thorn in the side for every team they play. I’m still not sold that they win the division, but they are on a playoff track.
10) Cleveland Browns
Injuries have hit the Browns hard. They were able to get by the Broncos this week and are continuing to get healthy. If they can keep afloat for now then I believe they are still a top team in the AFC when healthy.
9) Oakland Raiders
Just win, baby. Those are words that the Raiders are actually living by this season. They improve to 5-2 on the year and show no sign of slowing down despite the early season firing of their coach.
8) Los Angeles Chargers
If it weren’t for a putrid run defense, the Chargers might be the team to beat in the AFC. Even with that, they are one of the best teams in the league and continue to look good with second year quarterback Justin Herbert.
7) Buffalo Bills
The Bills were off this week, left to stew in their latest loss. They have looked good basically all year and look like they are on a collision course with the AFC championship game. I expect them to get back to their winning ways soon.
6) Green Bay Packers
It was a nice win over a bad football team on Sunday. The Packers continue to cruise, but continue to leave me wanting more. They are very good, but maybe not a great team at this moment.
5) Tennessee Titans
The Titans defense has been a major red flag up until this point in the year. However, when you hold the Chiefs to three points then it’s worth reevaluating this group. If the defense can just be average it might be enough with their high powered offense.
4) Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are undefeated since their opening night loss to the defending champs. Now they are coming off a bye and going to play a good Minnesota team. Another chance to prove they are a contender in the NFL this season.
3) Los Angeles Rams
It felt like a Super Bowl game for the Lions who basically pulled out every trick in the book to beat the Rams. However, the Rams had more than enough talent to keep rolling along in a closer than expected game.
2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It was pure domination of the Bears on Sunday. Despite a number of injuries to the secondary, the Bucs forced five turnovers. Oh yeah, and then there’s that Tom Brady guy.
1. Arizona Cardinals
Another week, another big win. The undefeated Cardinals keep rolling along with a high powered offense and some of the biggest defensive stars in the NFL. A dangerous combination.
