NFL Week 8: Top 10 Power Rankings
On the cusp: Bengals (3-3), Seahawks (4-2), Steelers (4-2), Cowboys (4-2), Browns: (4-2). Week 7 upsets: Bills 25 @ Patriots 29, 49ers 17 @ Vikings 22
Mac Jones shocked the football world with a huge upset win over the Bills, with Josh Allen throwing a pick on the first offensive play for the Bills and fumbling on the last play of the game. Kirk Cousins was able to lead the Justin Jefferson-less Vikings over a stunning victory over the 49ers, with rookie Jordan Addison exploding for 123 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Week 7 top 8 team matchups: Lions 6 @ Ravens 38, Dolphins 17 @ Eagles 31
The Ravens were able to put up 28 first half points en route to a shocking 32 point blowout in what was supposed to be a marquee matchup between two of the NFL’s best teams. Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai was able to hold the NFL’s most explosive offense to only 244 yards of scrimmage while AJ Brown hauled in 10 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown.
8. Jaguars: 5-2, @ Steelers
The Jaguars are FUN! Trevor Lawrence leads a high scoring offense flanked by speedy WRs Christian Kirk and Calvin Ridley (the latter of which has been disappointing, but shown flashes of promise). Young RB Travis Ettiene and Veteran TE Evan Engram are both finally breaking out to what NFL fans knew they could be and head coach Doug Peterson continues to utilize their talent. The defense continues to improve, led by DE Josh Allen and a rising young secondary. They’re not contenders yet, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see them in the big game in a couple of years.
7. Bills: 4-3, v Bucs
Is this the year the Bills can finally break through? After a slow start to the season, Josh Allen is finally starting to heat up. Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis continue to tear into opposing secondaries, and the emergence of rookie TE Dalton Kinkaid and RB James Cook as legit threats make this Bills offense as intimidating as it’s ever been. The defense has been good, but the loss of star LB Matt Milano really weakens the front 7. Their pass rush has been below average, but the offense scores more than enough (28.3 PPG) to win them games.
6. Dolphins: 5-2, v Patriots
Can anybody keep up with this offense? The Dolphins set the all time NFL record for yards from scrimmage going into week 7, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to stop anytime soon. Mike McDaniels has been able to utilize three of the fastest players in the NFL (WRs Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and RB De’von Achane) and even with rookie standout De’von Achane out for about 6 weeks, they haven’t lost a step. Their secondary will be shored up with All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey making his season debut for the Dolphins, but as long as their offense keeps putting up points nobody will be able to keep up.
5. Lions: 5-2, v Raiders
Lions fans, rejoice! Detroit has finally put a contending team on the field for the first time in decades. Jared Goff has rediscovered his 2018 form and has found a connection with star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. RB David Montgomery was playing great before his injury (which seems minor) and rookies Sam LaPorta (TE) and Jahmyr Gibbs (RB) have been fantastic for this Dan Campbell offense. Second year edge Aidan Hutchinson has exploded to help turn this defense elite (minus last week) and their completeness on both sides of the ball makes them a serious contender.
4. 49ers: 5-2, v Bengals
It doesn’t matter who’s at QB; Shanahan will dominate. Sporting the best offensive line in the NFL as well as elite skill position weapons like Christian McCafferey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle, the Niners offense is almost impossible to stop. Pair that with an elite defense with a top 3 pass rusher in the league in Nick Bosa, and you have a serious problem for the rest of the league. However, their unproven 2nd year QB Brock Purdy has shown his flaws in the last two weeks with two ugly losses to the Browns and the Vikings. However, they’re still contenders for another trip to the Super Bowl.
3. Eagles: 6-1, @Commanders
The Philadelphia Eagles showed their dominance in a commanding two score victory over the Miami Dolphins, holding their explosive offense to only 17 points. Rookie DT Jalen Carter looks like a steal from the 9th pick, and their shaky secondary is being shored up with a trade with the Titans that gives them safety Kevin Byard. Jalen Hurts and the ‘tush push’ has dominated the league, and AJ Brown continues to terrorize defenses as a deep threat. With no real holes, there is little this team cannot achieve.
2. Ravens: 5-2, @ Cardinals
Lamar Jackson has been proving the critics wrong his whole career and this year is no exception. He signed a massive $260 million, 5 year extension over the offseason and critics screamed that he was being heavily overpaid. He has been fantastic to start the season, with his peak performance being a 357 yard, 3 touchdown masterpiece in a blowout win against an elite defense in the Detroit Lions. The Ravens defense, following Baltimore Raven tradition, has been elite holding opponents to the second least YPG. With Lamar on a tear and rookie WR Zay Flowers improving every week, I see Baltimore as real Super Bowl Contenders for the first time in a while.
1. Chiefs: 6-1, @Broncos
Amidst all the Taylor Swift coverage, people seem to forget how good this team is. The defense, led by All-Pro DT Chris Jones is heavily underrated as they continue to contain good offenses to low yardage and point totals. Offensively, they are led by maybe the most talented arm talent of all time, QB Patrick Mahomes. It doesn’t matter what weapons he has offensively, he will find a way to win. Having All-Pro TE Travis Kelce helps, as Kelce continues to find Blank Spaces in the end zone. I expect another deep Super Bowl run from them.