No. 1 — Buffalo Bills (6-1) | SAME
The much-anticipated Ravens/Bills Week 8 matchup failed to live up to expectations. Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson returned from injury and broke his thumb one play into the game. Buffalo took care of business, and Josh Allen finished 21 of 34 for 289 yards with a pair of passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. Buffalo remains at the top of the league with a difficult road matchup against Minnesota on deck.
No. 2 — Chicago Bears (6-2) | (4th) 📈 2 spots
Chicago went into Seattle and beat up the Seahawks, 34-17. The presence of Jeffery
Simmons was felt early and often in this game, as Sam Darnold and the Seahawks struggled offensively. Caleb Williams and the Bears controlled the game, and D’Andre Swift rushed for three touchdowns. Ben Johnson and the Bears are a scary team in the NFC.
No. 3 — San Fransico 49ers (6-1) | (2nd) 📉 1 spot
The 49ers were on their bye in Week 8
No. 4 —Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) | 📈 2 spots
Jacksonville beat up an Indianapolis Colts team in fire-sale mode — a 42-7 home win where Jacksonville completely dictated the game.
No. 5 — Minnesota Vikings (6-1) | (3rd) 📉 2 spots
Minnesota’s lack of offense finally caught up to them in Detroit against the Lions, who defeated Kevin O’Connell’s crew, 19-15. Kyler Murray threw for 210 yards and two passing touchdowns, but Minnesota couldn’t put away Detroit at the end of the game, suffering their first loss of the season..
No. 6 — Denver Broncos (6-2) | (7th) 📈 1 spot
Denver defeated the Chiefs, 28-24. Bo Nix and the offense took another small step forward, helped by rookie running back Jonah Coleman’s 100+ total-yard game. Denver won on a goal-line stand, holding the Chiefs back from securing a victory.
No. 7 — Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) | (5th) 📉 2 spots
The Chiefs lost 28-24 to the Denver Broncos. Kenneth Walker III was bottled up after exploding in Week 1 against Denver. Patrick Mahomes tried to make magic happen, finishing 30 of 41 for 321 yards wtih three touchdowns, but the Chiefs were stopped on the goal line at the end of the game. Kansas City’s lack of weapons on offense is still a major concern; backup running back Emmit Johnson was the leading receiver with five catches for 128 yards and a touchdown
No. 8 —Detroit Lions (5-2) | (11th) 📈 3 spots
Detroit defeated the — then — undefeated Vikings, 19-15. The Lions got creative in the second half to spark offense against a difficult Brian Flores defense. The Lions totaled 384 yards, including 153 yards on the ground for Jahmyr Gibbs.
No. 9 — Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) | SAME
The Bengals escaped the Tennessee Titans in overtime with a 42-36 victory. Tennessee pushed Cincinnati, forcing three Joe Burrow interceptions, but the star quarterback went NUCLEAR! Burrow went 38 of 48 for 462 yards with five touchdowns, including several high-level throws. The Bengals escaped with the win, but it was quite hard-fought against a one-win team. Also, Dexter Lawrence had a few difference-making plays, including a late sack of Cam Ward and a fumble recovery.
No. 10 — New England Patriots (5-3) | (10th) 📉 1 spot
The Miami Dolphins pushed New England, but the Patriots escaped with a 24-19 win in Miami. Drake Maye threw for 199 yards, and New England rushed for 131 yards (3.6 YPR). Still, it was enough for the Patriots to secure their fifth win of the season.
No. 11 — Seattle Seahawks (4-4) | (6th) 📉 4 spots
Seattle could not stop the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. Sam Darnold threw for 188 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, but Chicago controlled the game with their offense. A questionable offensive pass interference call against Jaxon Smith-Njigba helped to suffocate Seattle, which settled for a field goal rather than having a first-and-goal at the 2-yard line in a competitive game. Still, the defending Super Bowl champions are just .500 through eight weeks, and they’re underperforming. At least they received reinforcements with the return of Jadarian Price and Zach Charbonnet to their Rrunning back room.
No. 12— Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) | (15) 📈 2 spots
The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t flashy, but they’re strong in the trenches, and they don’t beat themselves, although Aaron Rodgers made several questionable checks in this game. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh beat up the Browns, 27-3. Jaylen Warren rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown.
No. 13 —Green Bay Packers (4-3) | 📈 1 spot
Jordan Love is playing excellent football, and his two star receivers are struggling with drops. Green Bay missed two makeable field goals and lost by three points. The eventual return of Micah Parsons will be welcomed, and the team just got running back Josh Jacobs back.
No. 14 — Los Angeles Rams (4-4) | (16th) 📈 2 spots
The Rams defeated the winless Chargers 24-9. Puka Nacua caught 11 of his 12 targets for 80 yards with a score, and Blake Corum led the team with 73 yards on 11 carries; both he and Kyren Williams found paydirt.
No. 15 — New York Giants (4-2-1) | (17th) 📈 2 spots
The New York Giants were on their bye in Week 8.
No. 16 — Cleveland Browns (5-3) | (12th) 📉 4 spots
Pittsburgh beat up the Browns, 27-3. Cleveland could not get much going on offense, despite DeShaun Watson throwing for 324 yards. Pittsburgh sacked Watson eight times, and the Browns only had 34 yards on the ground. It was a humbling game for Cleveland’s offense, but the defense harassed Aaron Rodgers for much of the game. Cleveland is in the mix at the top of the AFC North, but their offense can still be limited.
No. 17 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)| (23rd) 📈 5 spots
Tampa Bay has won two games in a row — three of the last four! They just won a game without completing a pass — the first time this has happened since the 1970s! Bucky Irving rushed for 170 yards; Baker Mayfield threw THREE PASSES! Tampa Bay saw a monsoon, and Todd Bowles is seeing his defense play much better.
No. 18 — Las Vegas Raiders (4-4) | (24th) 📈 6 spots
The Raiders pulled off a resilient late victory against the New York Jets, 38-33. It was Mike Washington Jr. who touted the rock 25 times for 83 yards, as Ashton Jeanty took a backseat to the rookie running back. Kirk Cousins played, tossing three touchdowns and 247 yards in the victory. The defense remains a problem for the Raiders, but first-year head coach Klint Kubiak still has playoffs on his mind, so I wouldn’t expect a quarterback change to Fernando Mendoza any time soon.
No. 19 — Carolina Panthers (3-4) | (18th) 📉 1 spot
The Packers beat up the Panthers, 27-19, on Thursday Night Football. Bryce Young was sacked six times, and the offense looked out of sync for much of the game. The NFC South is wide open, so Carolina has to get their game together.
No. 20 — Baltimore Ravens (4-4) | (12th) 📉 8 spots
Lamar Jackson returned for one play before suffering a broken thumb — insanely terrible luck. Backup quarterback Snoop Huntley suffered a foot injury shortly after, and UDFA out of UCONN Joe Fagnano came into the game; the offense could not do anything, as the Bills cruised to victory. The Ravens’ season is now up in the air with Lamar Jackson being placed on I.R.
No. 21 — Houston Texans (2-5) | SAME
The Houston Texans were on their bye in Week 8.
No. 22 — Atlanta Falcons (3-5) | 📉 3 spots
The Falcons were shut out against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The field conditions were very wet, and Tampa Bay’s defense and rushing attack dictated the entire game. Atlanta struggled to fit power-rush concepts, and Michael Penix Jr. threw four interceptions in the loss.
No. 23 — New Orleans Saints (2-5) | 📉 1 spot
The New Orleans Saints were on their bye in Week 8.
No. 24 — Arizona Cardinals (3-5) | (25th) 📈 1 spot
Arizona shocked Dallas with an epic comeback and overtime win that was led by veteran Gardner Minshew II, who is now set to start against Seattle next week. The Cardinals are a feisty team, and Dallas got nothing going on the ground against the Cardinals’ front. Arizona’s quarterback change led to 23 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, which allowed the Cardinals to secure the victory.
No. 25 — Dallas Cowboys (3-5) | (20th) 📉 5 spots
The Dallas Cowboys can’t get out of their own way. This week, though, they got Gardner Minshew’d! Dallas led 24-10 at the start of the fourth quarter, and Minshew scored 20 points in the fourth to send the game into overtime, where Dallas’ defense capitulated. The Cowboys have talent, but they’re a dysfunctional mess, which is just lovely..
No. 26 — Washington Commanders (2-4-1) | (27th) 📈 1 spot
Washington beat up a hapless Eagles team led by Tanner McKee. Jayden Daniels completed just 16 passes in the 27-10 victory. Dan Quinn has the defense playing well, but the offense is still a work in progress.
No. 27 — New York Jets (2-6) | (26th) 📉 1 spot
The Jets took a commanding lead on the Las Vegas Raiders at home in Week 8, but ultimately lost 38-33. Geno Smith threw for 290 yards and went 20 of 32 with two passing touchdowns, and Braelon Allen rushed for 147 yards on 21 carries; still, the Jets defense folded to Kirk Cousins, and New York failed to secure the win.
No. 28 — Miami Dolphins (1-6)| (30th) 📈 2 spots
Miami pushed the New England Patriots for four quarters but ultimately lost 24-19. Still, the Dolphins have come out of the bye with a win and a close loss against last year’s AFC champs. The offense looks more competent, and Malik Willis looks more comfortable, as Jacob Rodriguez continues to shine as a rookie linebacker.
No. 29 — Philadelphia Eagles (2-6) | (28th) 📉 1 spot
Philadelphia is injured and has lost six straight games. The Commanders defeated them 27-10 on Sunday Night Football and they host the Giants next week.
No. 30 — Tennessee Titans | (31st) 📈 1 spot
The Titans got into a shootout with Joe Burrow and the Bengals. Brian Daboll got a lot out of Cam Ward, but the Titans lost in overtime 43-36. Tennessee was without rookie Carnell Tate in the game. The Titans will hope that Ward continues to play as he did in Cincinnati, where he also forced three Burrow interceptions in the game.
No. 31 —Indianapolis Colts (2-6) | (29th) 📉 2 spots
The Colts are another deflated — down-and-out — team shipping valuable assets for future considerations. Daniel Jones looks like the Daniel Jones from the New York Giants, and he was finally benched late in the Colts’ blow-out 42-7 loss. However, the Colts are sticking with Jones over Anthony Richardson for now.
No. 32 — Los Angeles Chargers (0-7) | SAME
The Chargers were defeated 24-9 by their cross-town rival Rams. The Chargers remain winless.
