2022 NFL power rankings, Week 8: Buccaneers and Packers held at bay
47. . 3-4. Previous: . New England Patriots. 18. team
Off lopsided wins over the Lions and Browns, the Patriots looked to get above .500 by beating the Bears on Monday night. Mac Jones returned to the starting lineup but threw an interception and gave way to rookie Bailey Zappe.
He sparked the team and the Pats took a 14-10 second-quarter lead. But he also committed three costly turnovers. Chicago had its way with the New England defense, rolling up an impressive 243 yards on the ground.
51. . 3-3. Previous: . Los Angeles Rams. 17. team
It has been an erratic year for the reigning Super Bowl champion as nothing has come easy for Sean McVay’s club. All three of the team’s losses have been by double digits. Entering Week 7, the Rams were tied with the Saints in leading the league in turnovers (13).
Meanwhile, veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford – with 11 of those miscues (8 interceptions) – has yet to regain his 2021 postseason form. The club’s running attack is virtually non-existent.
44. . 3-4. Previous: . Atlanta Falcons. 16. team
The resurgent Falcons have won three of their last four games after a 0-2 start and now headed to the Queen City. But Atlanta’s defense was torched by Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow early and often on Sunday.
Arthur Smith’s club was down 21-0 just five seconds into the second quarter but would trail just 28-17 at intermission. But the Falcons had no answers for a Cincinnati offense that finished the day with a gaudy 537 yards of total offense.