Week 8 of the 2023 NFL season reminded us of one thing. To borrow a line from the legendary CBS’ reality show “Big Brother”…”Expect the Unexpected.”
Several strange game endings and final results have provided us with hard evidence that we really are living in bizarro world. We had quite the shake up in this week’s power rankings, especially in the top 10 – including a brand new No. 1!
So while everyone attempts to take in and make sense of the chaos that was Week 8, let’s dive into our Week 9 edition of the power rankings.
32. Arizona Cardinals (31)
Once again, the Cardinals were outclassed and outworked by a superior opponent, this time the Baltimore Ravens.
That’s now five straight losses for Jonathan Gannon’s club, putting them in position as the new front-runners for Caleb Williams. Of course, Kyler Murray will have something to say about that as he inches closer for a return to action.
31. Carolina Panthers (32)
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Despite taking six sacks, Bryce Young hung in there and put together a near-complete performance – out dueling second overall pick CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans in a nailbiting 15-13 victory.
With Indianapolis and Chicago next on the schedule, the path is there for Carolina to start piling up some W’s.
30. Chicago Bears (25)
Without Justin Fields, nobody could have realistically expected the Bears to handle Justin Herbert and the Chargers. Sure enough, Chicago was no match for the Bolts, who cruised to a 30-13 victory on Sunday night.
‘Least they’re a step closer to Caleb Williams?
29. New England Patriots (20)
One week after upsetting the Bills, the Patriots completed their annual tradition of embarrassing themselves in South Beach. They showed little fight against Tua Tagovailoa’s Miami Dolphins, who enjoyed a cakewalk 31-17 victory to finish off the season series sweep.
Worse yet, the Patriots lost their top offensive weapon Kendrick Bourne for the year with a torn ACL. At 2-6, Pats fans may as well cheer for their team to tank — and to win the Caleb Williams sweepstakes.
28. New York Giants (28)
Yes, they lost Tyrod Taylor and were down to third-stringer Tommy DeVito — not the guy from “Goodfellas’ — but the Giants still gave that one away.
Brutal. Careless defending at the very end of regulation after Graham Gano missed a late field goal that helped the Jets pull off a stunning comeback in OT.
And so, at 2-6, you can kiss the Giants’ season goodbye. Or, if you’ll allow us to use a “Goodfellas” reference — they can go home and get their shine box.
27. Green Bay Packers (27)
It’s easy to throw blame at Jordan Love, but those who actually watched the game against Minnesota will see three non-Love related issues: The o-line sucks, there are no clear game-changers on the offense and the defense stinks like rotten fish.
So that’s now four straight losses for the Packers – and quite frankly we’re having an impossible time thinking of any positives here. Packers fans: We can agree this is the most unexciting and unwatchable Green Bay squad since 2005, right?
26. Washington Commanders (24)
For the second time this season, the Commanders nearly pulled off the upset against the rival Philadelphia Eagles — but Sam Howell’s 397-yard, four-TD effort wasn’t enough in a 38-31 loss.
While the Commanders offense has exceeded expectations, it’s just maddening to see the No. 7 scoring D from a year ago playing like a bunch of pylons. 28.5 points allowed per game through eight weeks? Yikes. When’s Ron Rivera getting the pink slip?
25. Indianapolis Colts (22)
Gardner Minshew II and the Colts hung in there with Derek Carr’s Saints until the final minutes of the fourth quarter — but the defense just couldn’t make any big plays or stops when it mattered most in a tough 38-27 loss.
On the bright side, the Panthers, Patriots, Buccaneers and Titans make up their next four games!
24. Las Vegas Raiders (21)
Did you see all the “Free Davante Adams” messages on social media? Hard to disagree with that crowd. Absolutely disgraceful for Jimmy Garoppolo to find Adams once for 11 yards.
These Raiders just look like they’ve given up entirely on head coach Josh McDaniels. They certainly feel worse than their 3-and-5 record, but at least a winnable home game against the Giants is next on the schedule.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (18)
Remember when the Bucs were 3-and-1?… Pepperidge Farm Remembers.
Baker Mayfield is sinking back to his old form and proving he’s not a capable starter in this league. The defense is getting worse and worse each week following a terrific month of September.
Losers of three straight, Tampa has now fallen to third in the hapless NFC South.
22. Los Angeles Rams (17)
Might be time to give up on the Rams now. Yes, all five of their losses have come against winning teams — but their play is just getting worse and worse each week.
LA was no match for a Dallas team that produced 387 yards of offense and 43 points in a 23-point blowout win. Hard to win when your D can’t stop a nosebleed — and when star wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua combine for seven catches and no touchdowns.
21. Houston Texans (16)
The Texans have exceeded expectations up to this point with a 3-and-4 record, but Sunday’s loss to Carolina.
was certainly tough to stomach.
Houston committed 10 penalties for 70 yards and mustered just 229 yards of offense against a bottom-five defense. Fortunately, a home tilt with the slumping Bucs this Sunday gives Houston a golden opportunity to get back to .500…
20. Tennessee Titans (30)
What an NFL debut for Will Levis, who torched the Atlanta Falcons for 238 yards and four touchdowns in the Titans’ 28-23 victory on Sunday.
Suddenly, things are exciting in Music City again. It’s Will Levis time, at long last. Get excited Titans fans.
Oh, and shout-out to DeAndre Hopkins for making Levis’ debut easy by hauling in three touchdowns. D-Hop is back, folks!
19. Denver Broncos (26)
Turns out we are indeed living in Bizarro World. The Broncos don’t exactly suck anymore, and they just defeated the Chiefs for the first time since Week 2 of the 2015 season.
Vance Joseph’s defense made life miserable for Patrick Mahomes all day long. KC was held to three field goals, zero TDs and 275 yards of offense. Denver forced five turnovers and sacked Mahomes three times.
At 3-and-5, the Broncos aren’t exactly a playoff threat in the AFC — but at least they’ve been showing some fight since giving up a 70-burger to Miami in Week 3.
18. Los Angeles Chargers (20)
You can’t read too much into a home win against one of football’s worst teams with a backup QB no less, but the now-3-and-4 Chargers saved their season for the time being.
Let’s see if they can sustain that momentum and string together some W’s here amid a wide-wide open race for the AFC’s three wild card spots.
17. Atlanta Falcons (15)
Just a disappointing loss all-around for a Falcons team that entered Sunday in sole possession of first in the NFC South. They made rookie Will Levis look like Patrick Mahomes, while Arthur Smith’s top skill position guys on offense turned in relatively quiet days.
The offense looked a little better when Taylor Heinicke came in to relieve an injured Desmond Ridder. Might we see a change at QB? Hmm..
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (13)
Hard to criticize the Steelers for dropping a home game to the AFC’s hottest team in Trevor Lawrence’s Jaguars, especially without starting QB Kenny Pickett for the entire second half.
The offense found no rhythm with Mitch Trubisky, and of course it didn’t help that the Steelers were on the wrong side of some questionable calls. Fortunately, Pittsburgh’s schedule through Week 15 gives them the perfect opportunity to pile up W’s and distance themselves from other AFC playoff hopefuls.
15. Minnesota Vikings (19)
Bittersweet time to be a Vikings fan. They just won their third straight to climb back to .500, but starting QB Kirk Cousins is done for the year after suffering a torn Achilles in Sunday’s win over Green Bay.
Just an awful break for the guy who was playing inspired football in his contract year. The million dollar question: Was this Cousins’ final game as a Viking? Stay tuned.
For now, these guys gotta find a way to win without a proven insurance option at QB.
14. New Orleans Saints (23)
One week after stinking it up on prime time, Derek Carr turned in his finest outing as a Saint to lead New Orleans past Indianapolis. Throw in the Falcons and Bucs Week 8 losses, and the Saints are suddenly back in a tie for first in the NFC South.
Now just look at their remaining schedule. Not a stretch to say they have two more losses MAX on there. Winning out isn’t totally-100-percent out of the question, especially if Sunday was a preview of what’s to come from the Carr-led offense the rest of the way.
13. Cleveland Browns (9)
Not gonna hate on Cleveland for losing on the road with a backup to a dangerous Seattle team.
Yes, PJ Walker missed some throws and threw a costly INT that set up the Seahawks’ game-winning field goal…but he’s a backup QB for a reason, folks.
The defense was excellent again and gave the Browns every chance to win. At 4-and-3, they’re still dangerous and very much in the running for a playoff spot. Now, if Deshaun Watson could just get healthy…
12. New York Jets (14)
The Jets escaped with a victory over their inner-state rivals by the hair on their chinny-chin-chins. Pretty? No. Will they take it? Absolutely.
Just like that, the Aaron Rodgers-less Jets are 4-and-3 with a mostly-manageable schedule through Week 14. The fact they’re in the playoff race without Rodgers is a testament to Robert Saleh’s coaching.
11. Cincinnati Bengals (12)
Joe Burrow and the Bengals played near-flawless football in a statement 31-17 road win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.
Burrow had three TDs and zero sacks. Lou Anarumo’s defense forced three takeaways and sacked Brock Purdy twice. A complete team effort all-around for a Cincy team that suddenly looks as dangerous as any other club in the AFC…
10. San Francisco 49ers (4)
Yes, Brock Purdy has played poorly and the usually-stingy D has been non-existent these last two weeks. But mid-season rough patches aren’t rare for NFL heavyweights, and it’s not like the 49ers were the first team to be thoroughly dominated by Burrow’s Bengals.
When Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel get healthy, the 49ers will again be as scary as any other NFL team. Let’s just say the bye week couldn’t possibly come at a better time for Kyle Shanahan and company.
Don’t hit the panic button just yet, 9er fans…
9. Buffalo Bills (10)
It wasn’t pretty, but the Bills narrowly snuck past Baker Mayfield and the Bucs on Monday night to avoid a second straight loss.
This team has some things to clean up on both sides of the ball. But as we were reminded on Thursday night, Josh Allen’s presence gives this team a chance on any given night.
They’re still in the running for the AFC’s top seed. Up next, a can’t-miss showdown on Sunday night with Joe Burrow’s Bengals.
8. Detroit Lions (8)
The Lions offense didn’t have its best game, but the D flexed its muscles on the Raiders offense by limiting them to 14 points in Monday’s win.
At this rate, their focus should be on winning the NFC’s top seed. May as well pop the champagne now on the division crown.
7. Seattle Seahawks (11)
Seattle’s D and the three-headed monster at wideout bailed out Geno Smith’s lackluster outing, as the Seahawks squeaked out a last-minute 24-20 win over the Browns.
Throw in the 49ers’ loss to Cincy and the trade acquisition of Trent Williams, and one thing is clear: Time to put more respect on the Seahawks name, because they are finally in a spot to claim their first division title since 2020.
6. Dallas Cowboys (7)
At long last, Dak Prescott had his first 300-yard outing and game with at least 3 TD passes this season as the Cowboys ran through the Rams 43-20. What a way to come out of the bye week.
Now the Cowboys get to gear up for a trip to Philadelphia against Jalen Hurts Eagles. If they can pull it out, Dallas will have made a giant statement to the rest of the NFC and actually put themselves in the running for the No. 1 seed.
5. Miami Dolphins (6)
Miami made relatively easy work of Bill Belichick’s Patriots to improve to 6-2. Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill — now on pace for the first 2,000-yard season ever! — both went over 100 yards against a usually-stingy New England defense.
Now set your alarm clocks and get the pot of coffee going. Get up early for Sunday’s can’t-miss tilt between the Dolphins and Chiefs – Hill’s old team! — as the two AFC heavyweights prepare to face off in Frankfurt, Germany.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (5)
The Jaguars put together another excellent team effort in Sunday’s road win over the pesky Steelers, increasing their winning streak to five.
Jacksonville carries the NFL’s longest active winning streak at five games. They certainly aren’t getting a lot of attention, but Trevor Lawrence and company are looking awfully scary in a loaded AFC…
3. Kansas City Chiefs (1)
The Chiefs defense looked completely lost without Nick Bolton in Sunday’s loss to Denver. Oh, and the lack of a capable No. 2 receiving option to help Travis Kelce was once again evident.
It all added up to Patrick Mahomes’ first loss to Denver, and his first in-division road defeat as well. These are the defending champs, and they should figure it out soon, but one sloppy week was enough to move them out of the top spot.
They gotta bring their A-game with the surging Dolphins next on the schedule.
2. Baltimore Ravens (3)
Steelers lose. Browns lose. Chiefs lose. Oh, and the Ravens win! Couldn’t have gone much better for John Harbaugh’s group in Week 8, huh?
With football’s best defense and a top-10 offense led by Lamar Jackson, the Ravens are looking as dangerous as ever with the 2019 league MVP leading the way.
Winners of three straight, Baltimore now gets to enjoy a three-game homestand — starting with Sunday against Seattle. Buckle up!
1. Philadelphia Eagles (2)
It wasn’t pretty, but the Eagles held off their pesky NFC East division rivals in Washington to improve to 7-1. The 49ers’ loss to Cincy was icing on the cake for the Eagles, who are now the clear-cut front-runners to win the conference’s top seed. Again.
Everything’s coming together for the NFC runner-ups. Now let’s see if the new No. 1 team can keep the good vibes going with the Cowboys coming to the City of Brotherly Love this Sunday?
