NFL power rankings, Week 8: Chargers rise, Falcons fall
The Pittsburgh Steelers are suddenly sitting top the AFC, while the Atlanta Falcons have to wondering what happened to their great offense.
32
Cleveland Browns 0-7
Last week: L, 12-9 (OT) vs. TEN
Last rank: 32nd
You might be starting at quarterback this week. Just fire Hue already.
31
San Francisco 49ers 0-7
Last week: L, 40-10 vs. DAL
Last rank: 31st
San Francisco was blown out by Dallas, but the 49ers are at least showing effort.
30
Indianapolis Colts 2-5
Last week: L, 27-0 vs. JAX
Last rank: 30th
How Chuck Pagano still have a job remains one of the world’s great mysteries.
29
New York Giants 1-6
Last week: L, 24-7 vs. SEA
Last rank: 29th
After getting a win in Denver, the Giants went back to looking hopeless at home against Seattle.
28
New York Jets 3-4
Last week: L, 31-28 at MIA
Last rank: 28th
The Jets blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead to Matt Moore. Not exactly inspiring.
27
Baltimore Ravens 3-4
Last week: L, 24-16 at MIN
Last rank: 25th
No offense. No chance.
26
Arizona Cardinals 3-4
Last week: L, 33-0 at LAR
Last rank: 23rd
With Carson Palmer and David Johnson on the shelf deep into December, it’s time to admit this team is cooked..
25
Chicago Bears 3-4
Last week: W, 17-3 vs. CAR
Last rank: 27th
The Bears have a real defense. If the offense can be fixed next year, look out for a competitive team.
24
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-4
Last week: L, 30-27 at BUF
Last rank: 21st
What is going on here? The talent is legit, but the results have been hideous.
23
Green Bay Packers 4-3
Last week: L, 26-17 vs. NO
Last rank: 16th
Without Aaron Rodgers, the Packers are sunk. Brett Hundley threw for 87 yards against the Saints … at home.
22
Cincinnati Bengals 2-4
Last week: L, 29-14 at PIT
Last rank: 17th
Andy Dalton can’t expect to beat good teams when he throws two horrid interceptions in the second half.
21
Oakland Raiders 3-4
Last week: W, 31-30 vs. KC
Last rank: 26th
Derek Carr and Amari Cooper saved Oakland’s season. Now the Raiders go to Buffalo in an effort to do it again.
20
Tennessee Titans 4-3
Last week: W, 12-9 (OT) at CLE
Last rank: 22nd
Tennessee looks atrocious. When you need overtime to beat the Browns, you aren’t good.
19
Denver Broncos 3-3
Last week: L, 21-0 at LAC
Last rank: 13th
Outside of a garbage-time touchdown, the Broncos have three points in the last two weeks. Looks like midnight for an early-season Cinderella.
18
Los Angeles Chargers 3-4
Last week: W, 21-0 vs. DEN
Last rank: 24th
The Chargers are charging. Now, a trip to Foxboro. Win this game, and playoff chatter gets real.
17
Miami Dolphins 4-2
Last week: W, 31-28 vs. NYJ
Last rank: 20th
Matt Moore needs to be the starting quarterback the rest of the way. Period.
16
Jacksonville Jaguars 4-3
Last week: W, 27-0 at IND
Last rank: 19th
For the second time this season, the Jaguars racked up 10 sacks. If Blake Bortles can be decent, this is a playoff team.
15
Detroit Lions 3-3
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 15th
The Lions face a huge test on national television, with the Steelers coming to town on Sunday night.
14
Buffalo Bills 4-2
Last week: W, 30-27 vs. TB
Last rank: 18th
Buffalo has a chance to put itself in great playoff position with a win over the visiting Raiders. Could it finally be?
"
> Last week: L, 34-24 at PHI
Washington couldn’t protect, couldn’t contain Carson Wentz and lost. Now, they host the Cowboys in a massive NFC East showdown.
13
Washington Redskins 3-3
Last week: L, 34-24 at PHI
Last rank: 10th
Washington couldn’t protect, couldn’t contain Carson Wentz and lost. Now, they host the Cowboys in a massive NFC East showdown.
12
Carolina Panthers 4-3
Last week: L, 17-3 at CHI
Last rank: 9th
The Panthers aren’t getting anything from Cam Newton far too often. Nine touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
11
Dallas Cowboys 3-3
Last week: W, 40-10 at SF
Last rank: 14th
After smoking the 49ers, the Cowboys travel to Washington. This is a nice test for a so-far inconsistent team.
10
Atlanta Falcons 3-3
Last week: L, 23-7 at NE
Last rank: 5th
If something doesn’t change quickly with this offense, the Falcons aren’t seeing January football.
9
Houston Texans 3-3
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 8th
Deshaun Watson has been terrific thus far. Can he pull off an upset in Seattle this weekend?
8
New Orleans Saints 4-2
Last week: W, 26-17 at GB
Last rank: 12th
The Saints are for real. The defense is decent and the offense remains very dangerous. Good for Drew Brees.
7
Minnesota Vikings 5-2
Last week: W, 24-16 vs. BAL
Last rank: 11th
Without Aaron Rodgers on the shelf, the Vikings are looking like the team to beat in the NFC North.
6
Los Angeles Rams 5-2
Last week: W, 33-0 vs. AZ
Last rank: 7th
Are the Rams a real Super Bowl threat? Right now, they belong in the conversation.
5
Seattle Seahawks 4-2
Last week: W, 24-7 at NYG
Last rank: 6th
Seattle looked fresh and superior against the Giants. If the offensive line is decent, this is a powerhouse.
4
Kansas City Chiefs 5-2
Last week: L, 31-30 at OAK
Last rank: 1st
Kansas City needs to figure out its defensive woes. A visit from Denver either cures those ills, or hits the panic button by night’s end.
3
Pittsburgh Steelers 5-2
Last week: W, 29-14 vs. CIN
Last rank: 4th
The Steelers are the AFC’s best team at the moment. Of course, this is a volatile team, so can that last?
2
New England Patriots 5-2
Last week: W, 23-7 vs. ATL
Last rank: 3rd
The Patriots have started to figure some things out. The defense still has issues, but New England remains a force.
1
Philadelphia Eagles 5-1
Last week: X, XX-XX vs. WSH
Last rank: 2nd
Right now, the Eagles are the best team in football. Jason Peters going down really hurts, but this is a terrific outfit.