Welcome to the Week 8 Power Rankings on the eve of the trade deadline. Doing this article the morning of a very consequential day in the NFL reminds me a bit of when Christmas used to fall on a Friday or a Monday. Either way, as a Catholic, that meant going to church twice in rapid succession, once for the holiday and then once for the regular weekly service, and when you’d ask why, the answer was always: because everything is different now. The same can be said about life on Tuesday morning and life on Tuesday afternoon. We’ll try and stick to what happened on the field this past weekend, but there is little doubt that the Vikings, for example, could be at No. 24 on Tuesday morning, find themselves a quarterback, and then, if we were do a post-deadline version of the same article, wind up at No. 16.
So it goes. Let’s enjoy this house of cards while it still stands. Plenty of trade deadline fun to come.
Josie Lepe/AP
1. Philadelphia Eagles (7–1)
Last week: win at Washington, 38–31
Next week: vs. Dallas
Philadelphia’s touchdown drive before the half on Sunday, which came on the heels of a disappointing red zone fumble, was as composed a moment from an NFL team as I’ve seen all year, and the perfect example of how stable and dependable this collection of parts is. I don’t care that it came against the Commanders, who are better than we’re giving them credit for at this point in the season. This was a projection of strength from a team we cannot ignore as an odds-on Super Bowl favorite at this point.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (6–2)
Last week: loss at Denver, 24–9
Next week: vs. Miami (Frankfurt)
Life is all about how you look at things. On one hand, the brilliance of Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes for so long has made the conversation regarding complementary receivers seem a little redundant. On the other, on a day when the Broncos played Kelce well, sacked Mahomes three times and forced him out of the pocket as a non-designed runner a few more times, it feels like the most important issue in the NFL as we press into the trade deadline. I’d expect the Chiefs to stand pat and place an incredible amount of pressure on the staff to speed the development of Skyy Moore and Rashee Rice, but there are days when that doesn’t feel like the best idea.
3. San Francisco 49ers (5–3)
Last week: loss vs. Cincinnati, 31–17
Next week: BYE
More concerning than the poor blocking and the rut Brock Purdy seems to be in are the defensive breakdowns. A well-designed fake bubble screen in which Ja’Marr Chase presented himself as a blocker before darting upfield handed the 49ers a knockout blow the team simply couldn’t recover from. A bye week is coming at the perfect time, and while I can’t imagine this slide is anything more than a good moment for reflection, San Francisco should understand the value of adding a piece or two to the secondary or the pass rush at the deadline.
4. Baltimore Ravens (6–2)
Last week: win at Arizona, 31–24
Next week: vs. Seattle
This is how deeply good the Ravens offense is: Lamar Jackson back-footed a complete 50–50 ball that Rashod Bateman had to wrestle a defensive back for in the air, and later in the drive, Mark Andrews caught a touchdown pass while simultaneously running into Zay Flowers.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (4–3)
Last week: win at San Francisco, 31–17
Next week: vs. Buffalo
The entire city of Cincinnati exhales on a third down with 11 minutes to go in the first quarter when Joe Burrow pulls an Eli Manning, removes himself from the grasp and fires a dart to Tee Higgins on the sideline. Or, maybe the scramble at the beginning of the third quarter when he smashed his fists on his helmet afterward. He’s back. Meanwhile, finishing a game where Brock Purdy is the 49ers’ leading rusher is an incredible accomplishment. Sans Trent Williams, the Bengals took advantage. It would not be surprising to see them at No. 1 in the power rankings at some point soon.
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6. Dallas Cowboys (5–2)
Last week: win vs. Los Angeles Rams, 43–20
Next week: at Philadelphia
It’s hard not to appreciate Dallas’s killer instinct. A pick-six, a back-breaking sack, a blocked punt and quick-strike touchdown in succession put the opposing team not only at an immense point deficit but also an emotional deficit. The Cowboys can be overwhelming in all three phases when they’re clicking, and Sunday was one of those afternoons. Dak Prescott outplayed just about every NFL quarterback this weekend, save for Jalen Hurts and Joe Burrow.
7. Miami Dolphins (5–2)
Last week: loss at Philadelphia, 31–17
Next week: vs. Kansas City (Frankfurt)
Jalen Ramsey allowed one reception on three targets and logged a pick with a significant return in his debut. While this Dolphins defense may still be a piece away, the midseason return of Ramsey—and how the defense can shift from here—could be the single biggest second-half shape shift done by a team in the NFL this year.
8. Detroit Lions (6–2)
Last week: win vs. Las Vegas, 26–14
Next week: BYE
After allowing the Raiders to hang around for a half, the Lions reclaimed their ability to suffocate opponents on the ground. Jahmyr Gibbs has never looked more comfortable, and we are starting to better understand the breadth of his move set. I have not seen a rookie running back move as well in heavy traffic as Gibbs, who has the heavy shoulder to gain the extra yard, but can also pick up extra grass with a subtle head move and upfield cut. Credit to the Lions offensive staff and Gibbs, who worked through some early discomfort.
Michael Longo/USA TODAY NETWORK
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (6–2)
Last week: win at Pittsburgh, 20–10
Next week: BYE
Did anyone else turn on the Jaguars-Steelers game, see the deep blue ominous sky and the rain soaked turf and assume the team was still in London? I saw one of the plays on Sunday that I thought would be the hallmark of the Travis Etienne package: a screen before the half in which Etienne just barely grazed the free rushers and took the ball with green space ahead. The former first-round pick is getting the edge a lot more frequently. What a horrifying look for defenses when Trevor Lawrence pulled the trigger on a long bomb to Etienne. Defenses can never again assume he is a decoy on a play designed to get Calvin Ridley the ball.
10. Buffalo Bills (5–3)
Last week: win vs. Tampa Bay, 24–18
Next week: at Cincinnati
Six catches on six targets for Khalil Shakir was encouraging. Less so? Seven more rushes for Josh Allen, who is tied for the NFL lead in designed runs called for him, according to the 33rd Team’s EDGE tool. The dropoff from Stefon Diggs to any other receiver was so stark prior to their victory over Tampa Bay. Gabe Davis has about half the amount of targets at the moment. Turning Allen into more of a big point guard is the secret to getting him through November and December in one piece.
11. Seattle Seahawks (5–2)
Last week: win vs. Cleveland, 24–20
Next week: at Baltimore
I went back and watched the Seahawks’ strip sack of PJ Walker from Sunday and imagined what that pocket looks like with Leonard Williams in the fold. Jordyn Brooks walked freely into the backfield on a rare and well-timed blitz call from Pete Carroll. Jarran Reed drew a double team on the call. Would Williams also take on multiple defenders? How does that transform what was already one of the best pass rush win rates in the NFL?
12. New York Jets (4–3)
Last week: win at New York Giants, 13–10
Next week: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The absurd range of emotion that took place between Zach Wilson taking one of the worst sacks of his career, to the Jets stopping the Giants on third-and-3, to a missed field goal, to Wilson conducting an incredible drive culminating in a last-second spike that could end up being his defining moment as a Jet, was such a joy to take in. I don’t care what people say. I love the Snoopy Bowl. Wary and banged up, the Jets now host the Chargers. Beating them at full strength would be the team’s most significant rabbit hat pull this season.
13. Cleveland Browns (4–3)
Last week: loss at Seattle, 24–20
Next week: vs. Arizona
The Browns don’t have a ton of explosive offenses left on their schedule, which is why they may ultimately pass up the opportunity to improve at the quarterback position. But their margin for error is so incredibly small, and in games like this one (and the game last week against the Colts), it shows. Cleveland should realistically be 3–4 and is two horrific officiating calls away from being in the kind of public relations hell from which there is no returning.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (4–3)
Last week: loss vs. Jacksonville, 20–10
Next week: vs. Tennessee
Optimism surrounding Mitch Trubisky when he threw a brave, Shane Falco-esque fadeaway ball while taking a huge hit was washed away with the chucking of a ball into triple coverage in a one-possession game. This is always going to be the roller coaster in Pittsburgh. Kenny Pickett will need a better backup.
15. New Orleans Saints (4–4)
Last week: win at Indianapolis, 38–27
Next week: vs. Chicago
This was a cathartic one for Derek Carr, who was, perhaps, another uncomfortable start away from backing into some hot water. This is what the upgrade at QB can get New Orleans: a guaranteed win over a lesser opponent when that opponent’s secondary has been gutted. That is more than the Saints have had in the past, and may be enough to get them to the top of this division at the end of the year.
16. Los Angeles Chargers (3–4)
Last week: win vs. Chicago, 30–13
Next week: at New York Jets
While the Bears can make lots of teams look good, we saw what the Chargers can be under ideal circumstances. Justin Herbert didn’t look too hampered with his finger cast and gloved, and Austin Ekeler knifed open a defense with some good players. Now, let’s see them do it against the Jets and restore some flavor to the AFC West.
17. Atlanta Falcons (4–4)
Last week: loss at Tennessee, 28–23
Next week: vs. Minnesota
Replacing a quarterback mid-stream on this Falcons team is one thing, given that the handoff between QB1 and QB2 in Atlanta doesn’t feel all that drastic. Replacing Grady Jarrett, who, even at 30, remains an elite interior rusher and a solid run defender, is another. This young Falcons team will miss a player who was a critical part of their league-best rush defense (in terms of opponent EPA) through the first eight weeks of the season.
18. Houston Texans (3–4)
Last week: loss at Carolina, 15–13
Next week: vs. Tampa Bay
Apropos of nothing, Tank Dell’s end around carry at the end of the first quarter was one of the fastest-looking plays I have seen live on a football field. It felt like he could have taken out Noah Lyles if he had more open field. Also, CJ Stroud’s rifle ball to Noah Brown setting up a fullback touchdown was one of the best balls I’ve seen all year.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3–4)
Last week: loss at Buffalo, 24–18
Next week: at Houston
Had it not been for double-digit penalties, we may have been talking about a Buccaneers team surprising the hell out of the Bills. Alas, a few spurts of offensive prowess were not enough. Tampa Bay’s task from here: win the winnable. The Buccaneers get the 49ers just before Thanksgiving, but have the Texans, Titans, Panthers, Colts and Falcons all through early December. There is no reason to throw in the towel on this team just yet.
Denny Simmons/The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK
20. Tennessee Titans (3–4)
Last week: win vs. Atlanta, 28–23
Next week: at Pittsburgh
Sample size. That’s what we’re looking for now. The overreactions are in. A lot of people—self included—who liked Will Levis as a possible QB2 in this draft, had the platform to puff their chests yesterday. But, even the thirstiest football writers in America need to pump the breaks until we see him play again and, possibly, get the ball out a little quicker (Levis was in the Lamar Jackson range, 2.8 seconds per snap, according to Next Gen Stats). All that said, what a wonderful afternoon for the Titans.
21. Denver Broncos (3–5)
Last week: win vs. Kansas City, 24–9
Next week: BYE
The signature victory of the Sean Payton era behind them, Denver now looks at a completely different picture. Winners of three straight, what is the right path to choose at the trade deadline? How ironic would it be that the cost of getting Payton needs to be offset by unloading some of the same players helping him turn this ship around? I thought their most impressive moment was holding Kansas City after the Russell Wilson red zone sack and blocked field goal. Wilson completed five of his 12 balls to running backs. At his best in Seattle, Wilson threw more than 10% of his balls as checkdowns to the running back.
22. Los Angeles Rams (3–5)
Last week: loss at Dallas, 43–20
Next week: at Green Bay
The Rams just looked gassed this weekend. Matthew Stafford was throwing behind his receivers. The kickoff coverage and punt teams were asleep at inopportune times. Their offensive line was lucky it didn’t get Stafford’s arm snapped off on one particular Micah Parsons strip sack. A thumb injury is bad enough. The Rams have some hard questions to answer about where they go from here.
23. Minnesota Vikings (4–4)
Last week: win at Green Bay, 24–10
Next week: at Atlanta
Losing Kirk Cousins at this point is a backbreaker. I had heard the Sunday Night Football crew talking about how complex the Kevin O’Connell offense is and how difficult it would be to expect someone to walk in off the street and play well. But, I do remember Baker Mayfield joining the Rams off a red eye and beating the Raiders last year as well. Food for thought. O’Connell, a former quarterback, can adjust. At this point, the Vikings have no choice but to keep scrapping. A teardown isn’t in the cards.
24. Las Vegas Raiders (3–5)
Last week: loss at Detroit, 26–14
Next week: vs. New York Giants
The Raiders, like many teams facing the Lions this year, simply ended up falling under the tank treads. Las Vegas has a great pass rusher, but is far too banged up of a defense—and far too underwhelming of a defensive front—to hang with a team like Detroit. We can be hyper critical about drops, or anything else that the Raiders are not doing well, or we can acknowledge that Las Vegas is simply a lower middle-tier franchise that has not taken to the Josh McDaniels era.
25. Green Bay Packers (2–5)
Last week: loss vs. Minnesota, 24–10
Next week: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Green Bay is on pace to top last season’s penalty count by Week 10. I was re-watching the fourth-and-5 from Sunday, which was Green Bay’s last real shot at climbing back into this game. Beyond the myriad problems we’ve already seen the Packers contend with, I wonder where they are in developing an offense that vibes with Jordan Love. I don’t know what he saw on a play where he shoved the ball into double coverage, but I also didn’t see a lot of open bodies. On the fade previously to Christian Watson, I didn’t see a ton of battling (or a perfect ball, in fairness).
26. Indianapolis Colts (3–5)
Last week: loss vs. New Orleans, 38–27
Next week: at Carolina
I feel like I’m complementing the Colts, like the Cardinals, for merely being competitive on a week to week basis a lot. Certainly, at some point, that isn’t enough—and that may end up being the case in Arizona as it takes longer for the talent to catch up with the aspirations. With Indianapolis, it seems like the team is just a few healthy players away from winning this division. The Colts had this one in their sights until a bad third quarter interception and a long Saints touchdown drive.
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27. Washington Commanders (3–4)
Last week: loss vs. Philadelphia, 38–31
Next week: at New England
Here’s a strange hot take motivated mostly by the Commanders’ first touchdown drive: if the Commanders played in the NFC South, or the NFC North, they would be contending for first place right now. You can’t watch the way Eric Bieniemy and Sam Howell teamed up on that opening drive and tell me this isn’t a good football team with some upside. The offensive line played well for most of the game. Washington was designing receivers open and Howell continued to uncork some big league throws.
28. New York Giants (2–6)
Last week: loss vs. New York Jets, 13–10
Next week: at Las Vegas
Trading Leonard Williams was a massive step forward for the Giants, who wisely “bought” the second-round pick by scooping up a big piece of Williams’ salary. This team was not going anywhere, and has so many holes to fill heading into the 2024 draft if it is even slightly interested in competing for the division next year. The Giants’ loss to the Jets was magnified due to the cross-town “rivalry,” but a kicking decision feels like a strange point of gripe for a coach down to his third-string quarterback.
29. New England Patriots (2–6)
Last week: loss at Miami, 31–17
Next week: vs. Washington
Was anyone else, toward the end of the first quarter, wondering if their pick of the Patriots to win the AFC East would take hold? Just me? Then, Tyreek Hill got behind the defense, the Dolphins tied the score, and the unwinnable footrace began in earnest. New England had a chance to score a make-it-interesting touchdown in the third, but Mac Jones went down cradling the football like a person dropping his groceries.
30. Chicago Bears (2–6)
Last week: loss at Los Angeles Chargers, 30–13
Next week: at New Orleans
I don’t really buy the idea that Tyson Bagent was a one-game wonder. The undrafted free agent threw some beautiful balls in Sunday night’s loss to the Chargers including a for-sure touchdown that was dropped in the end zone. The opening call of the game was also a well thought out deep shot that showcased Bagent’s arm strength. Personally, I also thought it was ridiculous to have Cris Collinsworth say “he’s not at Shepherd anymore” after a bad pass. I think Bagent knows that. He’s good enough to play in the NFL, and actually outperformed seven other starting quarterbacks with far more experience in terms of EPA per play over the last two weeks.
31. Arizona Cardinals (1–7)
Last week: loss vs. Baltimore, 31–24
Next week: at Cleveland
In certain situations, the Cardinals were very good at the line of scrimmage, be it on open field tackles or all out blitzes. They had Lamar Jackson at a negative EPA, the 22nd-best quarterback in the NFL based on Sunday’s outcomes alone. Had Josh Dobbs not sailed a pick just before the half, leading to a quick momentum touchdown from Baltimore, we may have been talking about another Arizona upset.
32. Carolina Panthers (1–6)
Last week: win vs. Houston, 15–13
Next week: vs. Indianapolis
Want a little status update on Bryce Young? Watch when his pocket protector got blown up on a second-and-8 near midfield early in the second quarter. Watch him evade the hand grabbing the back of his jersey and watch him fling a perfectly placed, off-balance ball to Adam Thielen down the sideline to nearly set up a touchdown. Again, again, again. It’s not the play calling. It’s not the player. It’s the talent. Young is navigating minefields Houston’s CJ Stroud doesn’t have to. Wildly, the Panthers snapped a 56-game losing streak in contests where the team was trailing heading into the fourth quarter.
