NFL power rankings Week 8 1. Kansas City Chiefs 6-1 (previous week: 1) Great googly moogly, it was hard to believe some were questioning whether the passing offense with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and a wide receiver committee was regressive. The Super Bowl champs flexed in their best game so far vs. the Chargers. 2. Philadelphia Eagles 6-1 (4) Well, look at this, We're close to midseason and we're exactly where we were at the end of last season, with the Mahomes, Kelce and the Chiefs just ahead of the Jalen Hurts, Jason Kelce and the Eagles. They got a big Brotherly Shove after pushing around the Dolphins. 3. San Francisco 49ers 5-1 (3) The 49ers need to navigate through more big offensive injuries around Brock Purdy, but their defense remains a strong foundation and they have plenty still in the running game and special teams to keep rolling after their stumble in Cleveland. 4. Baltimore Ravens 5-2 (7) The Ravens unleashed the full power of their new passing game with Lamar Jackson and it was beautiful watch, as they passed to score and ran to win. The Ravens' defense also rose to a roaring challenge. Lamar Jackson (Getty Images) 5. Jacksonville Jaguars 5-2 (6) Trevor Lawrence gutted through his knee injury for a strong overall performance and the running game stayed hot. The defense also keeps making big plays at critical times. The Jaguars are ascending again as an AFC power at the right time. 6. Miami Dolphins 5-2 (2) The Dolphins have proved they can beat up and score at will on average and bad teams, such as the Chargers, Patriots, Broncos, Giants and Panthers. But they once again failed a big test on the road against Super Bowl contenders, as their offense was slowed and the defense wilted in Philadelphia. 7. Detroit Lions 5-2 (5) The Lions' defense crashed in Baltimore as they couldn't handle the dual threat of Lamar Jackson and their coverage breakdowns caught up to them, big-time. Their offense was put in an impossible one-dimensional position with Jared Goff. They need to prove the next step as a good young team by shaking it off, fast. 8. Dallas Cowboys 4-2 (9) Dak Prescott and the offense had a decent get-well game in Los Angeles before the bye. Now they need their pass defense to deliver again with the high-powered Rams passing game next. Getty 9. Pittsburgh Steelers 4-2 (10) Kenny Pickett and the offense looked much better after the bye as the downfield passing game improved with Diontae Johnson there to flank George Pickens running game showed up in key moments. But once again, it was T.J. Watt making the biggest impact on the road to take down the Rams. 10. Buffalo Bills 4-3 (8) After escaping the Giants with sloppy play in Week 7, the Patriots didn't let them get away with more mistakes and missteps with Josh Allen. The more disturbing trend is that their defensive strengths seem to be gone with a rash of injuries. 11. Cleveland Browns 4-2 (11) The Browns haven't made it pretty offensively with P.J. Walker filling in for an injured Deshaun Watson, but their defense, running game and special teams have gone nuts to lift the entire team. Myles Garrett should be the front-runner for DPOY from this nasty group. 12. Cincinnati Bengals 3-3 (12) The Bengals will hope to get healthier everywhere offensively with and around Joe Burrow ahead of huge matchup vs. the 49ers on the road in Week 8. They have a chance to make a Browns-like statement there as talented underdogs. Geno Smith, Joe Burrow (Getty Images) 13. Seattle Seahawks 4-2 (14) The Seahawks had to grind a little with Geno Smith and Kenneth Walker, but their offense was shorthanded without DK Metcalf vs. the Cardinals. Their struggling defense needed that wake-up call at home to feel better about their playoff push in the second half. 14. Atlanta Falcons 4-3 (23) Desmond Ridder doesn't get any style points. Arthur Smith is coaching his supposed run-heavy offensive poorly and inconsistently. But the new, improved defense is balling all over the field and the reason the Falcons own first place in the division. 15. New York Jets 3-3 (15) The Jets need to feel great about being .500 coming out of an early bye without Aaron Rodgers. They're starting to feel the winning offensive formula around Zach Wilson and now they have a chance every week because of defense. 16. Houston Texans 3-3 (17) The Texans have to feel good about being behind the Jaguars in the AFC South as wild-card contenders while the Colts and Titans have faded. C.J. Stroud and the defense have been the pleasant quick developments under the 49ers-like systems. CJ Stroud Getty Images 17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-3 (13) The Buccaneers' offense has stagnated more with Baker Mayfield condensing the offense too much and and making critical mistakes. The defense can still keep them in the NFC South race, but they might be regessing below the mean as expected. 18. Los Angeles Rams 3-4 (16) The Rams should have better results than they're getting based the defense overachievening and a potent, balanced offense. But Matthew Stafford is making key mistakes and now the defense is starting to have bad breakdowns. 19. New Orleans Saints 3-4 (20) It's funny that Derek Carr's former team and current team are going through the same things: Inconsistent offensive identity and key defensive breakdowns, despite winning talent on both sides. The good news for the Saints is they can still take a weak division 20. Indianapolis Colts 3-4 (22) Gardner Minshew has been a game replacement for Anthony Richardson and making a ton of fun plays as a passer and runner. But the Colts' defense keeps showing too many key holes every week, keeping them from contending. Getty 21. Las Vegas Raiders 3-4 (19) The Raiders got rocked with Brian Hoyer needed to start in Chicago but the big issue was an overachieving defense around Maxx Crosby falling apart, not helped by having key secondary injuries. The Raiders are showing their true colors as they are bound to fade to Silver and Black instead of chasing wild-card gold. 22. Washington Commanders 3-4 (21) The Commanders cannot protect Sam Howell well and part of racking up the sacks is his fault, trying to make the big plays with his arm and legs on every down. They need a longer look at the QB, but they are starting to see signs why he's not the franchise answer. 23. Los Angeles Chargers 2-4 (18) The Chargers cannot put everything together under Brandon Staley and Kellen Moore. When they get the running game and run defense working, the passing game with Justin Herbert and pass defense let down. Staley needs every win he can get now to last until 2024 leading L.A. 24. Minnesota Vikings 2-4 (25) The Vikings are trying to operate the same kind of passing game with Kirk Cousins but minus Justin Jefferson. That's putting extra burden on a bad defense, meaning the bad start will go from bad to worse vs. tougher teams such as the 49ers. Getty Images 25. Green Bay Packers 2-4 (24) The Packers' defense is playing better but it's still bad against the run and the offense is starting too slowly to help it. Jordan Love's roller-coaster season continues with injuries around him, but the key to settling him and improving him is more from the healthier running game. 26. New England Patriots 2-5 (31) Mac Jones woke up the Patriots' diverse passing game with plenty of help from the running game. New England's offense found its groove vs. Buffalo, but was it a special vibe to get Bill Belichick his 300th win? Now the defense needs to keep up the overachieving, too. 27. New York Giants 2-5 (27) The Giants have stabilized their offense more with Tyrod Taylor and Saquon Barkley, also being smart to spread the ball around to young playmakers to help Barkley and Darren Waller. Their defense also finally lived up to some decent billing vs. Washington. 28. Tennessee Titans 2-4 (26) The Titans are having a quarterback crisis during their bye with Ryan Tannehill being hurt and Malik Willis being ineffective. Will this mean more of Will Levis to see during the lost season, along with other key youngsters? It's a tough call for the competitive Mike Vrabel. Russell Wilson, Sean Payton (Getty Images) 29. Denver Broncos 2-5 (28) Russell Wilson got much-needed help again from the running game and defense and the result was a long-awaited first home win under Sean Payton. They at least look organized and functional as a football team again. 30. Chicago Bears 2-5 (30) Tyson Bagent has given the Bears an incredible spark without Justin Fields, but it's a lot easier for an undrafted QB to win when the traditional running game and defense are easing the burden like they haven't all season. 31. Arizona Cardinals 1-6 (29) The Cardinals are hitting a wall with their offense despite Josh Dobbs flashing at times. Their defense is gelling a little better under Jonathan Gannon with each week, but they really are starting to miss Kyler Murray now. 32. Carolina Panthers 0-6 (32) The Panthers will be hoping for bigger rookie things from Bryce Young after the bye and their running game also has reason for optimism with a favorable schedule ahead for the offense. The defense, however, can keep preventing them from winning games.
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