2022 NFL power rankings, Week 8: Buccaneers and Packers held at bay

The Chiefs and 49ers squared off in San Francisco in the clubs’ first meeting since Super Bowl LIV. Andy Reid’s club found itself down 10-0 in the first quarter and then proceeded to outscore the Niners 44-13 the rest of the way.

Patrick Mahomes fumbled once (zero turnovers) and threw one interception. But he also wound up with 423 yards through the air and three scores. One of those TDs was to wideout Mecole Hardman, who also ran for two scores.

As good as this team has looked in the early stages of 2022, Sean McDermott’s squad can still be a little careless at times. The Bills have committed 10 turnovers in six games (6 by quarterback Josh Allen) – albeit four of those came in the season-opening rout of the Rams.

But McDermott’s club also came up with 13 takeaways during its 5-1 start. Allen has already thrown for 1,980 yards and 17 TDs (4 interceptions) and leads the team with 257 yards rushing.

The last time the Birds won their first six games was 2004, when the team opened 7-0 on its way to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX. But this club more resembles the Eagles’ squad that hoisted a Lombardi Trophy on 2017 (LII) due to their solid play on both the offensive and defensive lines.

Entering Week 7, this balanced team had averaged the third-most total yards per game in the NFL and also ranked fourth in the league in total defense.