NFL Week 8 Power Rankings

We are officially at the half way point of the season as the trade deadline has passed us and the push for the playoffs really kicks into gear.

Week 8 had the usual collection of frantic finishes, blowouts, heavyweight matchups, and snooze fests, but the dynamic of the 2020 NFL season is pretty much known now. Teams are mostly what they are at this point, but the parity among the teams in the middle of the pack is bound to create a number of wild scenarios as the playoff picture comes into focus.

But, at the midpoint of the season, how does the power in the NFL balance out?

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-0) 

One look at the stat sheet and you would be forgiven for thinking the scoreboard was wrong, but the Steelers went into Baltimore and knocked off the Ravens. They just found a way to win the game and stay undefeated. Despite not having the best game they found a way to win and came up with big plays when they needed them, which is often the sign of great teams.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-1) 

Just another day in the office for Patrick Mahomes and company. Another 400+ yards passing and five touchdown passes, and Tyreek Hill tied Randy Moss’ record of 23 touchdown catches of 40+ yards, despite being just 26 years old. The Chiefs are rolling, but still looking up at the Steelers. 

3. Seattle Seahawks (6-1) 

Speaking of just another day in the office... Russell Wilson was back to his mistake-free best as he shredded the San Francisco 49ers. More importantly, though, the defense really came to play. The final score may make it seem that wasn’t the case, but the Seahawks and Bobby Wagner stifled the ‘9ers all day and should get Jamal Adams back in training this week. 

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) 

Much like their slip against the Chicago Bears, the Bucs underperformed against an inferior team in primetime. This time they still got the win, but they certainly made it a lot harder than it should have been. Nevertheless, I don’t doubt their ability to beat any team in the NFL on their best day. 

5. Baltimore Ravens (5-2)

The Ravens have a serious big game problem. Not for the first time, ill-discipline and poor decision making undid this team against their biggest opponents. Lamar Jackson’s play is somewhat of a concern, but it isn’t all on him by any means. If there is any silver lining, it’s that despite four turnovers and gifting the Steelers 110 yards and five first downs on penalties, they were in it until the last play – and came awfully close.  

6. Tennessee Titans (5-2) 

Sunday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals may have been the latest instance of the curse of s’posta. The Titans played poorly, and the lack of production from Jadeveon Clowney and now-cut Vic Beasley is concerning. They did, however, just acquire Desmond King from the LA Chargers, who should be able to significantly improve their secondary.  

7. Green Bay Packers (5-2)

The Packers managed to claw themselves back into the game late to make the loss a little less one-sided, but it wasn’t a good day. A hot start on offense cooled off dramatically, and the defense was completely dominated by Dalvin Cook. This team could have seriously used a big addition at linebacker, but they opted to roll with what they have. It may cost them. 

8. New Orleans Saints (5-2) 

For the amount of talent the Saints have on their roster, their ability to struggle through games and let them be closer than they should is astounding. At the crux of the issue, though, is Drew Brees really isn’t the same QB. They need Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders back in the lineup desperately, but Brees’ arm is a concern. 

9. Buffalo Bills (6-2) +1

The Bills beat the New England Patriots for the first time in seven attempts, signaling what they hope is the definitive mark of their arrival as the top dog in the new AFC East. It wasn’t pretty, and they clearly still have a lot of work to do after their red hot start has significantly cooled, but they have the division in their control, and a building block win over daddy. 

10. Arizona Cardinals (5-2) +1

Kliff Kingsbury and co. had a week off after their big win over the Seahawks, but after this weekend they’re sitting very pretty for a playoff spot.

11. Indianapolis Colts (5-2) +3

The Colts passing offense had its cleanest game of the year as the team stomped on the Detroit Lions. The lack of a star pass catcher is growing into less of a problem as their committee approach is taking shape, and Philip Rivers is perhaps settling into his new digs. The defensive front-seven is also a force to be reckoned with. The Colts matchup with the Ravens this coming week will have huge implications come playoff time. 

12. Las Vegas Raiders (4-3) 

On a positively miserable day in Cleveland, thanks to the weather and certain officiating calls, the Raiders handled the Browns to get back in the win-column. It was an impressive performance and it now gives the team what could be a very important tie-breaker over the Browns come January and the playoffs. 

13. Los Angeles Rams (5-3) -1

Oof. Everybody who thought the Rams would leave Miami with the result they did put your hands up. I can’t imagine many people have their hands up. Despite some big plays on both sides of the ball, the Rams seriously struggled. Goff threw the ball 61 times, had two interceptions and just one touchdown, while only putting 17 points on the board. He must play better.

14. San Francisco 49ers (4-4) -5

The loss was bad enough for the 49ers, but the subsequent news that star tight end George Kittle could miss up to eight weeks and Jimmy Garoppolo will be out for the foreseeable future is bleak. Without those two, along with a horribly long list of other key injuries, this team feels like it could face somewhat of a plummet down the Power Rankings in coming weeks. 

15. Cleveland Browns (5-3)  

It is so Cleveland and so Browns that the vibe around a 5-3 team would be so negative. It’s a very good record, but I see 10-6 as their high water mark. Ultimately I think they’re an okay team who with some good breaks can finish above .500, but just a few the wrong way and they could easily be 7-9. 

16. Chicago Bears (5-3) +1

Much like the Browns, the Bears may have a good record now, but come the end of the season I can’t see them very far from the .500 mark. The offense is just simply not nearly good enough, and it doesn’t matter who the QB is. Can someone come and get Allen Robinson outta there? 

17. Miami Dolphins (4-3) +1

The Dolphins’ team performance on Sunday shows this team is more than capable of competing now. They aren’t a Super Bowl team by any stretch, but they could absolutely be the type of team who sneaks into the playoffs. Can Tua Tagovailoa lead them there when he doesn’t get as much help from special teams and the defense? He’ll have to improve on his lackluster debut. 

18. Carolina Panthers (3-5) -2

A somewhat promising start has fizzled. The Panthers struggled offensively on Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons and the defense seriously struggles to get anyone off the field. But the overall direction of this team is promising. 

19. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4-1) +4

Can we stop with the primetime NFC East games? Please? The Eagles made it look so difficult against a genuinely horrible football team, and yet will get a home playoff game come January. And we’re still forced to see them in primetime. The only perk of having the Eagles play primetime games is getting to see Travis Fulgham’s ascension up the NFL receiver ranks.

20. Detroit Lions (3-4) +1

The Lions got smacked. It represents the gap between the Lions and the truly good teams. The Lions are part of the middle tier of teams, they’re just currently in the lower portion of that group. And now without Matthew Stafford who is now on the COVID list, it could be a really rough stretch.

21. Denver Broncos (3-4) +1

The difference between the first and second half on Sunday was incredible. How much of it was due to the LA Chargers choking? A good amount, but the Broncos offense showed its potential as it came alive. But, like the Lions there ceiling this year is very limited. 

22. Cincinnati Bengals (2-5-1) +4

Joe Burrow is playing at a level among the best at his position right now. He has said the game is slowing down for him and it absolutely looks like it is, and that’s a threat. This team has a long list of issues, but the offense is coming alive behind its young stars, and finally the future is looking brighter in Cincy.

23. New England Patriots (2-5) -3

It just seems to be getting worse and worse for the Patriots. They are three games under .500, riding a four-game losing streak, and the rumors are swirling about a potential exodus of talent at the trade deadline – including Stephon Gilmore. Those trades never seemed likely and never came to fruition, but this team is finally seeing how the other side has lived in the AFC East and beyond. 

24. Minnesota Vikings (2-5) 

Dalvin Cook is a beast. Considering his talent and the talent of several players around him on this roster, it is still surprising Minnesota is in the position they’re in, especially considering their performances against teams like the Seahawks, Packers and Titans. Nevertheless, they’ve shown themselves to be an unreliable team at best. 

25. Los Angeles Chargers (2-5) -6

There is so much to like about this team. Be it Justin Herbert just balling or the collection of weapons playing at a high level, but this team just keeps finding ways to lose games. Ultimately that falls on the coaching staff, and Anthony Lynn has to find a way to fix that or he could find himself on the hot seat. 

26. Atlanta Falcons (2-6) +2

If not for Todd Gurley’s stumble into the endzone against the Lions, Raheem Morris would be 3-0 in his interim tenure. With that said, the talent on this roster should be carrying this team further, and they may go on to upset a few teams as the season progresses, but they’re too far back, now, to realistically expect a playoff push. 

27. Houston Texans (1-6) -2

The Texans had a bye this week to see which of their many issues they can fix, but I can’t imagine it will be many. Amazingly, the team wasn't able to move Will Fuller, as many expected, because they weren't getting the 2nd round pick they wanted - they got a second for DeAndre Hopkins.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6) -1

The Jaguars were also on a bye this week, but with Gardner Minshew’s injury the team is expected to start sixth round pick Jake Luton in Week 9 against the Texans. 

29. Washington Football Team (2-5) +1

Washington were the last of the teams with a bye in Week 8, and unbelievably will have been prepping for their push to win the division. 

30. New York Giants (1-7) -1

Daniel Jones, you were so close! The pass interference call on the failed two-point conversion could easily have gone either way, but it doesn’t remove the fact that Jones messed up. He was late and inaccurate to seemingly the primary read. That’s inexcusable. He also missed open receivers on big plays all night. He must improve quickly to validate his team’s effort and fight, and stay in the sorry battle for the NFC East crown.

31. Dallas Cowboys (2-6) 

Surprisingly, the defense actually came up with several big plays against the Eagles on Sunday night. Unfortunately, the offense led by Ben DiNucci was horrible. The fewer times we see the Cowboys in primetime the better. 

32. New York Jets (0-8)

Sunday’s result was ever even nearly in doubt for the Jets against the Chiefs, and as they keep jettisoning players to better situations it’s going to get even tougher within the organization.