We're eight weeks into the NFL season, and we've learned enough to have a good idea of who the real playoff contenders are and who is playing for a high draft pick in 2027. The AFC North and NFC North still look like the league's strongest divisions, while the NFC East and NFC South limp along.
This week, we have a new No. 1 team in our weekly Power Rankings after the last undefeated team, the Minnesota Vikings, got exposed. Two new teams have also moved into the top five.
1. Buffalo Bills (6-1)
The Vikings dropped from the top spot and out of the top five completely, and the Bills rose to replace them after a dominant 26-point win over the Ravens. You can only take so much from a win over a team with two injured quarterbacks, but Buffalo still
looks like the top team in the AFC.
2. San Francisco 49ers (6-1)
The 49ers maintain their spot at No. 2 in this week's poll despite not playing, as their head-to-head win over Denver does some heavy lifting. The loss to the Falcons in Week 7 looks a bit more questionable now, but when healthy, San Francisco is clearly the NFC's premier team.
3. Denver Broncos (6-2)
The Broncos avenged an early-season loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8 and, in doing so, moved into first place in the AFC West race. Their only other loss came to the 49ers, the top NFC team in our rankings, and their wins over the Jaguars and Seahawks look better each week.
4. Chicago Bears (6-2)
The Bears are busting their way into the top five, and despite Minnesota holding the top spot last week, their loss to the Lions finally showed they're vulnerable. And the team that feels the least vulnerable and most dangerous in the NFC North is the Bears with a healthy Caleb Williams, which was demonstrated in a 17-point win over the defending Super Bowl champions in Week 8
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
The Steelers are now on a four-game win streak and have avenged an early-season loss to the Browns with a three-touchdown win in the Week 8 rematch. Now, the Steelers lead the AFC North and are in a strong position to return to the postseason and finally end their playoff win drought.
7. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)
8. Detroit Lions (5-2)
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
11. Cleveland Browns (5-3)
12. New England Patriots (5-3)
13. New York Giants (4-2-1)
14. Green Bay Packers (5-3)
15. Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
16. Los Angeles Rams (4-4)
17. Las Vegas Raiders (4-4)
18. Baltimore Ravens (4-4)
19. Arizona Cardinals (3-5)
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)
21. Carolina Panthers (3-4)
22. Houston Texans (2-5)
23. Dallas Cowboys (3-5)
24. Washington Commanders (2-4-1)
25. Philadelphia Eagles (2-6)
26. Atlanta Falcons (3-5)
27. New Orleans Saints (2-5)
28. Indianapolis Colts (2-6)
29. New York Jets (2-6)
30. Tennessee Titans (1-7)
31. Miami Dolphins (1-6)
32. Los Angeles Chargers (0-7)
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Week 9 NFL Power Rankings: Bills, Broncos rise as Vikings suffer loss
