Well, that was a strange week of football! Six teams were on their bye week. Most of the NFL’s bottom feeders actually won this week. Oh, and an All-Pro safety was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Seven weeks down. 11 to go. Last slate of games before the trade deadline. So with that, let’s dive right into our Week 8 edition of the 2023 NFL power rankings.
32. Carolina Panthers (32)
Football’s only remaining winless team was on its bye week following a blowout road loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Now they’ll gear up for a mini two-game homestand against CJ Stroud’s Houston Texans this Sunday — Stroud vs. Bryce Young, everybody!!! — and then the Indianapolis Colts. Until/unless they win a game, Carolina owns the No. 32 spot.
31. Arizona Cardinals (30)
Getting harder and harder to believe this team beat the Dallas Cowboys back in Week 3. Arizona is now losers of four straight, having dropped a sloppy 20-10 decision in Seattle on Sunday.
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We all know the deal here. Arizona isn’t gonna do a whole lot right without Kyler Murray. Every loss brings them that much closer to a top-three pick — and a potential divorce from Murray.
30. Tennessee Titans (26)
While the Titans were on bye, most of the teams previously ranked lower than them actually won this week.
Throw in the Titans’ curious decision to send away All-Pro Kevin Byard to Philadelphia for pennies, and you’ve got almost nothing to be excited about in Music City. Will Byard’s departure be followed by other big-named vets ahead of next week’s deadline? Derrick Henry and DeAndre Hopkisn would surely fetch nice returns…
29. New England Patriots (31)
What a turn of events in Foxborough. Amid rumors that Robert Kraft was gearing up to fire Bill Belichick, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the New England head coach instead got a lucrative extension and is here to stay for the long run.
Oh, and the Patriots stunned Josh Allen and the Bills in a last-minute thriller. Mac Jones finally looked like 2021 Mac Jones and threw a game-winning score to TD Mike Gesicki in the waning minutes.
At 2-5, it’s hard to envision the Patriots sneaking back into the playoff race. But at least Belichick and company reminded the world that they aren’t here to be pushovers.
28. New York Giants (29)
The Giants played inspired football for the second straight week, with one key difference: They squeaked out a win this time following a gut-wrenching loss to the Bills a week ago.
Tyrod Taylor, Saquon Barkley and Darren Waller all turned in big performances against Washington, and Big Blue’s defense did the rest in a 14-7 win.
Now take a look at the G-Men’s next seven games. It’s not a stretch to think they can sneak back in the playoff race…
27. Green Bay Packers (24)
Just another lousy and mostly uninspiring effort for the Packers, who dropped their third straight on Sunday to the Denver Broncos.
Jordan Love is regressing, not improving. Green Bay has now been held to less than 20 points in three of its last four games. Granted, it’d be nice if the Packers’ top offensive weapons other than Christian Watson started doing something to help Love out…
26. Denver Broncos (28)
In the latest rematch of Super Bowl 32, it was the Broncos who came out on top over the Packers.
Wil Lutz’s late go-ahead field goal and the Denver D bailed out Russell Wilson and company this time around to end a two-game losing skid. Not much time to celebrate, though, with Patrick Mahomes Chiefs and Josh Allen’s Bills making up Denver’s next two games.
25. Chicago Bears (27)
In a battle of two mostly unwatchable teams, the Bears crushed the Brian Hoyer-led Raiders 30-12 at Soldier Field.
Making his first career start, Tyson Bagent had 162 passing yards and one TD. D’Onta Foreman was the real start of the show with three total touchdowns against a Raiders defense that actually looked pretty good heading into this game.
The Bears’ next three games are against teams with losing records. There’s a slim-but-possible chance here that they are back at .500 ahead of their Week 11 clash with the Lions.
24. Washington Commanders (22)
It’s pretty remarkable to think this team has three wins when…
1. Sam Howell is on pace to suffer the most sacks in a single season by a wide margin
2. Ron Rivera abandons his whole “Riverboat Ron” mentality
3. The defense makes average Joes look like Pro Bowlers. In this week’s case, Tyrod Taylor!
Gotta wonder if Jacoby Brissett gets the nod soon. To us, it’s a no-brainer. Rivera is only coaching for his job here, after all.
23. New Orleans Saints (20)
Has there been a more frustrating team so far than the Saints? They’re 3-and-4 in football’s worst division, when they could easily be 7-0.
Derek Carr is playing the worst football we’ve ever seen, yet he takes it out on his offensive coordinator and receivers. Can’t imagine his outbursts are sitting well with the other Saints players.
While some folks continue to “wait” for the New Orleans offense to break out, we’re just wondering if this is who they are. A mediocre team with a seven-to-eight-win ceiling, even in the wide-open NFC South.
22. Indianapolis Colts (21)
We hate blaming officials, but it’s hard not to feel bad for Darrell Baker Jr. and the Colts. Indy’s QB was penalized twice for plays that, ahem, weren’t actually really penalties. That led to the Browns’ game-winning touchdown in the waning seconds, dropping the Colts to 3-4 on the year.
That said, it’s awfully impressive to see this offense rank in the top-10 with backup QB Gardner Minshew II. Minshew, Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs are making Indy must-watch TV, and with one of football’s easiest remaining schedules, we wouldn’t fully rule out their chances of snagging a wild card berth.
21. Las Vegas Raiders (18)
Welp, so much for the Raiders being relevant again. Following consecutive home wins against the Packers and Patriots, they were blown out by a lousy Chicago team featuring an undrafted rookie making his first NFL start.
Josh Jacobs continues to underperform, and Davante Adams really hasn’t done much of anything since his 172-yard outing against Pittsburgh in Week 3. Gotta wonder if Dave Ziegler’s preparing to shop Jacobs, Adams and other notable veterans with the Halloween trade deadline drawing closer.
These guys really don’t resemble anything of a playoff team, after all.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (19)
What a disappointment these Chargers have been. They had the chance to make a statement in Arrowhead — where Justin Herbert has picked up two wins. Instead, the Bolts were outclassed on both sides of the ball by the Chiefs in a 31-17 loss.
At 2-4, it’s hard to envision the Chargers gaining ground in an AFC loaded with contenders. Throw in a not-so-forgiving schedule over LA’s final 12 games, and you gotta wonder a) if Tom Telesco becomes a hard trade deadline seller and b) if Brandon Staley will even finish the year as the starter.
19. Minnesota Vikings (25)
Yanno what we said about this being a crazy week of football? Well, ahem. Kirk Cousins beat the 49ers of all teams in a prime time game on Monday night…without Justin Jefferson! Someone make it make sense!!
Lo and Behold, Minny is now half a game outside of the NFC Wild Card Race. They’re somehow 2-0 without JJ, and the schedule eases down for the next little why. So yeah…these guys MIGHT be back??
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (15)
Welp. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs, like the Bears, are who we thought they were. That 3-and-1 start was fun and all, but their three victories didn’t exactly come against world-beaters, now did they?
The Bucs are now 0-3 against teams with winning records. Baker is playing like the QB we’ve all known, and we can’t help but wonder if Todd Bowles is considering giving Kyle Trask a look.
Or if Tampa wants to get crazy, how about trading for someone like Ryan Tannehill or Kirk Cousins? Can’t be any worse than Mayfield…
17. Los Angeles Rams (17)
We want to pardon the Rams’ 3-and-4 record, because their four losses have all come against playoff-caliber slash elite teams.
But this is still a below-500 team that’s lacking consistency on offense — even with two all-world wideouts in Cooper Kupp and rookie Puka Nacua. LA’s schedule doesn’t exactly ease up from here, so it’s now-or-never for Sean McVay and company to string together some W’s following a frustrating and mistake-filled loss to Pittsburgh.
16. Houston Texans (16)
After a close Week 6 home win over New Orleans, the Texans enjoyed a Week 7 bye. Now they have a pair of should-be wins on the schedule, with the Panthers and Buccaneers making up their next two games.
Don’t think CJ Stroud and company are going away quietly in the AFC playoff race. They are a sleeper team that can upset anybody on both sides of the ball.
15. Atlanta Falcons (23)
Despite three careless fumbles by Desmond Ridder, and despite Bijan Robinson’s mysterious absence in Tampa, the Falcons squeaked out a last-second 16-13 road win over the Bucs to claim sole possession of first in the NFC South.
The Falcons should be considered the heavy favorites to run away with the division. They’re the only ones in the NFC South showing some consistency, and their remaining schedule is laughably weak.
14. New York Jets (13)
The Jets took a two-game winning streak into their Week 7 bye. Even without Aaron Rodgers, Robert Saleh’s group has the prime opportunity to gain ground in the playoff race with the Giants, Chargers and Raiders making up their next three games.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (14)
If you were to tell Steelers fans that they’d be 4-and-2 heading into Week 8 with a woeful average of 17.2 points scored per game, they’d tell you you’re crazy.
Well, here they are. 4-and-2 alright, led by Mike Tomlin’s phenomenal coaching and the TJ Watt-led defense that just keeps coming up with game-changing plays. That said, Pittsburgh will need to be better offensively with Trevor Lawrence and the surging Jaguars next on the schedule.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (12)
The Bengals should send the NFL schedule makers a huge gift basket for giving them a Week 7 bye. Gives Joe Burrow extra time to rest his calf with the dangerous 49ers and then the Bills next on Cincinnati’s schedule.
With the Ravens, Steelers and Browns all multiple games above .500, it’s truly GO TIME for Zach Taylor’s Bengals.
11. Seattle Seahawks (11)
It was closer than it should have been against a lowly Arizona team, but Pete Carroll’s squad took care of business for a 20-10 W that moved the ‘Hawks to 4-and-2 on the year.
Seattle looks like the team we all expected: A should-be wild card club that’s still a tier below San Francisco and Philadelphia. But with the Browns and Ravens next on their schedule, the Seahawks have a chance to show that they belong in the club of NFC heavyweights.
10. Buffalo Bills (7)
They may be 4-and-3, but it’s hard to love this Bills team right now. The offense looks unstoppable one week, then they commit self-inflicted and costly mistakes the next.
Same with the defense. Championship-caliber some weeks. Other weeks? They’re losing to Zach freaking Wilson or Mac Jones.
With standout tight end Dawson Knox out a while following wrist surgery, it’s the perfect time for disappointing rookie Dalton Kincaid to step up and take some of the pressure off of Stefon Diggs in this passing game.
9. Cleveland Browns (10)
Yes they were helped by two awful officiating calls on their game-winning drive against the Colts…but the Browns don’t have to complain about a win. You take ‘em as you can get ‘em.
There are concerns, though. The league’s previous No. 1 defense got shredded by a backup QB, and Deshaun Watson suddenly can’t stay healthy. Even at 4-and-2 in football’s toughest division, the Browns still have plenty of obstacles to overcome if they’re to get back into the postseason.
8. Detroit Lions (5)
The Lions took a giant step back this week. They were outclassed in every aspect by Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens, who crushed Dan Campbell’s squad 38-6 on Sunday afternoon.
Yes, Detroit should still run away with the NFC North. But losses to Seattle and Baltimore are a reminder that you have to be careful trusting this Lions team. You can’t help but worry that their lack of big game experience with this core will hurt them in January.
7. Dallas Cowboys (9)
The Cowboys were on their Week 7 bye, but they still move up two spots this week thanks to the Lions and Bills losing.
Only one of Dallas’ upcoming five games is against a team with a winning record. That game? Week 9 in Philadelphia. Perfect opportunity for Mike McCarthy’s club to gain ground and make a run at the division crown.
6. Miami Dolphins (4)
Miami is now 0-and-2 against teams with winning records. They were completely outmatched by a Philadelphia squad on both sides of the ball on Sunday night, falling 31-17 in a game that didn’t exactly live up to the sky-high expectations.
They’re still sitting in first place in the AFC East. But like the Lions, you gotta be careful trusting Miami until/unless they can start beating more quality opponents.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (6)
The Jaguars’ offense mostly struggled against a stingy Saints defense on Thursday night, yet they still won 31-24. That’s what a championship-caliber team does. And a championship-caliber team is what the Jaguars look like.
Jacksonville has now won four straight, and they’re quietly in contention for the AFC’s first-round bye. Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne Jr. and Christian Kirk vs. TJ Watt’s Steelers should be a fun matchup this Sunday!
4. San Francisco 49ers (2)
That was an ugly loss in Minnesota, no doubt. Yes, the defense had a horrible outing against Kirk Cousins and company. Yes, Brock Purdy has to be better with controlling the football.
No, the sky is NOT falling in San Fran. Every team goes through ups and downs. Those were two tricky trap games for San Fran, and yet they could have easily won both.
Time to put this mini slump in the rearview mirror and gear up for Sunday’s can’t-miss showdown with the Bengals.
3. Baltimore Ravens (8)
The Ravens who are unquestionably the Chiefs’ biggest threat in the AFC now…no?
Baltimore absolutely humiliated a dangerous Lions team at home on Sunday night to move to 5-2. While most of the focus is on the Lamar Jackson-led offense, keep in mind this team has allowed….wait for it…13.9 points per game.
Yeah, these guys are scary-good alright.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (3)
Statement win for the Eagles, who dominated the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night in a 14-point victory. If that wasn’t exciting enough for Eagles fans, how about Howie Roseman trading for All-Pro safety Kevin Byard?
How are defenses gonna throw on Byard, James Bradberry and Darius Slay now? Anybody? Hello?!
1. Kansas City Chiefs (1)
Six straight wins for the defending Super Bowl champions, who made easy work of Justin Herbert and the Chargers on Sunday afternoon.
This just in! Courtesy of CBS, Travis Kelce is unstoppable in games that Taylor Swift attends. A season-high 179 yards for Swift’s man. Things really can’t be going any better in Kansas City, huh?
Who do you think is the team to beat heading into Week 8?
