NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand Heading into Week 9?

Week 8 did not disappoint.

Peyton Manning ran up the record books, Tom Brady reminded folks that he's still pretty dang good and the Detroit Lions guaranteed Mike Smith's Atlanta Falcons would have a long flight home from London.

From Thursday night all the way through the weekend, this was a wild set of games. With just two byes—the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants—the NFL brought us 15 games and few blowouts in a week that will be remembered for exceptional quarterback performances, rookie wide receivers making big plays and very little defense.

So, who moves up and down this week? A lot of teams. Winning teams moved down, losing teams moved up and even one on a bye goes down the board this week thanks to those around it winning and losing.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-6)

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Last Week: 32

This Week: 32

Change: 0

Another week, another loss for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

The owner of some of the NFL's most embarrassing losses this year, Tampa needed a morale-building win against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8. Instead, it was handed a crushing overtime loss after Anthony Barr forced an Austin Seferian-Jenkins fumble and ran it in for a touchdown to win the game. 

Now, the Buccaneers head into the second half of the season with just one win and already six losses. Those Greg Schiano days don't look so bad right now, which could lead to big changes on the roster before Tuesday's trade deadline.

31. Tennessee Titans (2-6)

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Last Week: 31

This Week: 31

Change: 0

The Zach Mettenberger era began in Tennessee, but the Titans looked the same as we've grown used to seeing through the first seven weeks of the season. It's still amazing to think this team dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in a Week 1 win.

Facing a solid Houston defense, the Titans struggled to generate yards and points until the game was out of hand. Mettenberger was predictably erratic but did get into a rhythm late, which is promising. If the team can get production from a pair of rookies in left tackle Taylor Lewan and running back Bishop Sankey, the offense may be in better shape for Week 10 when the Titans face a very good Baltimore defense after the bye.

The frustration continues, and it shouldn't be a surprise if Michael Griffin or other defenders are traded (like Akeem Ayers was) as the Titans start their rebuild early.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-7)

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Last Week: 29

This Week: 30

Change: -1

The Jacksonville Jaguars are playing for 2015, which makes any evaluation of their performance right now tough. There are no hidden expectations or hot seats in Jacksonville, as ownership just wants to see the young roster develop. And with so many rookies and second-year players who are still under 16 career starts, no one is expecting much each week.

The Jaguars are competitive, and you can see flashes of good play, but right now they're struggling through growing pains at every positional group. Notably, Blake Bortles (the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft) has been up and down as a starter. His 12 interceptions lead the NFL, and some of his decisions are flat-out bad. But Bortles is learning, and his young offensive line is learning around him while the young wide receivers and young running backs learn, too. 

The Jaguars may not be good in 2014, but this year is all about preparing to win next season.

29. New York Jets (1-7)

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Last Week: 26

This Week: 29

Change: -3

Rex Ryan is a fantastic football coach—I truly believe that—but he has to be worried about his job security after another loss.

Ryan came to New York as a noted football genius on the defensive side of the ball, but his team allowed Kyle Orton and the Buffalo Bills to score 43 points, as both the offense and defense failed miserably in Week 8. That is simply not good enough, and second-year general manager John Idzik has to know that his job is on the line next if Ryan (or whoever is head coach) can't win.

It would be arrogant to mention Ryan's failures here and not my own, though, so I'll take this space to acknowledge that Geno Smith has failed to live up to my predraft expectations. Smith ranked as my No. 1 quarterback and No. 14 overall player, and to date, he's not been a quality NFL starter. Smith, the offensive line and the coaching staff all share that blame, but at this point, he's not the player I thought he was.

28. Oakland Raiders (0-7)

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Last Week: 30

This Week: 28

Change: +2

You might wonder how the winless Oakland Raiders can move up after Week 8.

Simple—power rankings aren't entirely about records, but about how well a team is playing. The Raiders are a better team than those ranked below them right now. In a simple "who would you pick to win" strategy, the Raiders are playing better ball than the Jets, Jaguars, Titans and Buccaneers.

The current roster is likely to see many changes, but the big key is filling the head coaching position with the right person. That might be Jon Gruden, and it might be a college coach like Kevin Sumlin. Whoever it is, he should be happy to find a franchise quarterback in Derek Carr and a stud linebacker in Khalil Mack—a player who is already the most talented on the Oakland defense.

27. Minnesota Vikings (3-5)

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Last Week: 28

This Week: 27

Change: +1

An overtime win for the Minnesota Vikings has them moving up the rankings, but it also shows the toughness of this team. First-year head coach Mike Zimmer is figuring out his roster, and it's getting quality play from rookies Teddy Bridgewater, Jerick McKinnon and Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Anthony Barr. 

This is still an underperforming team if you consider the struggles on the offensive line and the absence of Adrian Peterson. Bridgewater hasn't had the protection or run game that was expected to be there for him, and that's caused his immature habits of holding the ball too long and staring down receivers to become bigger issues. We saw those problems somewhat subside in Week 8, though.

The Vikings are in a good spot to put together a winning streak with games against Washington and Chicago next on the schedule.

26. St. Louis Rams (2-5)

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Last Week: 25

This Week: 26

Change: -1

If you're wondering how the St. Louis Rams beat the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7, you are not alone. A loss to the Kansas City Chiefs has them moving back down to the bottom tier of the rankings.

When you watch the Rams play, you really have to wonder how much longer this current regime will be in place. This is the third year of Les Snead, Jeff Fisher and Brian Schottenheimer in St. Louis, and the team as a whole is a disappointment. And yes, you can point a finger at Sam Bradford's injury, but is this team really one questionable quarterback away from contending? I don't think so.

Snead's draft picks are panning out—defensive tackle Aaron Donald is a legitimate Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate—but misses on players like Tavon Austin (No. 8 pick overall in the 2013 draft) are painfully evident when the offense continues to struggle. 

The seats in St. Louis are getting hot, and a potential move for the Rams back to Los Angeles could come with a new general manager and head coach combination.

25. Washington (3-5)

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Last Week: 27

This Week: 25

Change: +2

Colt McCoy was always a good quarterback in the state of Texas—dating back to his high school days at Jim Ned High School and through his college career with the Longhorns. Maybe it shouldn't have been a surprise, then, for McCoy to lead Washington in a 20-17 upset win over the formerly 6-1 Dallas Cowboys on their home turf.

McCoy was athletic, accurate and poised. And the Washington defense was fantastic in creating panic where there had been none all season. The Cowboys looked as if they had never seen a blitz before, and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett wisely recognized this and pounced on the opportunity.

With Tony Romo injured and even out of the game at one point, Jay Gruden's team pulled off an unthinkable overtime win and get a nice move up the rankings this week.

24. Atlanta Falcons (2-6)

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Last Week: 24

This Week: 24

Change: 0

It was surely a long flight home from London after the Atlanta Falcons saw their 21-0 lead against the Detroit Lions become a 22-21 defeat on a last-second field goal. 

This loss was full of errors from the coaches and players, but the second-half meltdown is particularly noteworthy. This is becoming commonplace for Atlanta, and to lose to the Lions with so many Detroit players (Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush, three tight ends) out with injury adds to the disappointment.

I've used this space before to say head coach Mike Smith needs to worry about his job, and the Week 8 setback only confirms that. The Falcons are soft on defense, poorly stocked for their schemes and looking at a major shakeup if the losing continues.

23. Chicago Bears (3-5)

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Last Week: 19

This Week: 23

Change: -4

The Chicago Bears have too much talent to be 3-5. And yet, here they are. 

When you look at the offense, the Bears are struggling to protect Jay Cutler and have too often forgotten the run game. Sure, they have a great core with Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, but the lack of speed at wide receiver is becoming an issue as defenses can focus on comeback routes and not have to fear anything deep.

And the defense. It's bad. The front four looks better, and there are promising athletes at linebacker, but outside of Kyle Fuller the secondary isn't worth keeping. Until the youngsters in the middle of the defense mature, the struggles are going to continue.

22. Carolina Panthers (3-4-1)

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Last Week: 16

This Week: 22

Change: -6

A loss in a close game against the Seattle Seahawks would have been a badge of honor four weeks ago, but looking at this contest, it's hard to credit Carolina with much.

The offense was anemic all day, with Cam Newton struggling behind a porous offensive line and inconsistent play from his wide receivers. Kelvin Benjamin made the ridiculous catch over Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman, but he also dropped a touchdown that the team desperately needed in the 13-9 loss.

The Panthers, believe it or not, still sit atop the NFC South thanks to the terrible play of Atlanta and Tampa Bay. With the New Orleans Saints coming to town in Week 9, the Panthers have a chance to extend their lead in the division.

21. Houston Texans (4-4)

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Last Week: 23

This Week: 21

Change: +2

A Week 8 win brings the Houston Texans to 4-4 at midseason, and that's twice as many wins as they had in all of 2013. 

While the Texans may not be a playoff contender yet, they're getting closer to that level and are definitely outplaying early expectations. With J.J. Watt, Arian Foster and up-and-comer DeAndre Hopkins powering the early victories, the foundation for the team looks bright. If No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney can get going now that he's back from injury, this defense will be even more terrifying.

The offense will continue to run hot and cold with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback, but you can see the potential of this team. If it can get solid play at quarterback, wins will come.

20. Cleveland Browns (4-3)

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Last Week: 22

This Week: 20

Change: +2

The Cleveland Browns beat the lowly Oakland Raiders to move to 4-3, which in itself is a massive accomplishment.

That's not meant to crap on the Browns, but the staff in Cleveland is doing an amazing job coaching up the talent on the roster. The Browns have Brian Hoyer at quarterback, no Alex Mack, a rotating backfield, no Josh Gordon and yet they're competitive in a loaded AFC North. Let's get Mike Pettine and Kyle Shanahan on some Coach/Assistant Coach of the Year ballots.

The rest of the season won't be easy, given the schedule and dearth of talent, but I'm past betting against this team. The Browns are one of the NFL's grittiest clubs, and winning ugly, cold, muddy football games in November and December seems very realistic.

19. New York Giants (3-4)

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Last Week: 17

This Week: 19

Change: -2

The bye week comes at midseason for the New York Giants, and they have a chance to get healthy as they prepare for the stretch run. With a 3-4 record in the very tough NFC East, the rest and chance to get right for the second half of the year are big.

So, why the move down? It's nothing the Giants did wrong, but teams around them winning (Cleveland, Buffalo, Pittsburgh) means a small drop this week.

The Giants return with an unbearable schedule. Weeks 9 through 12 comprise a four-game stretch that could easily result in a 3-8 record. The Giants host the Colts, travel to Seattle, host the 49ers and then host the Cowboys. This stretch of games will ultimately make or break the Giants' season.

18. Miami Dolphins (4-3)

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Last Week: 15

This Week: 18

Change: -3

A victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars won't qualify as a signature win or anything that's "season saving," but it was still a victory. The only issue with the power rankings is that too many teams ranked below Miami last week won.

Moving to 4-3, and staying in the wild-card race in the tight AFC, is good news for the Miami Dolphins. Week 8's win was a complete dismantling of an offense, and the Dolphins deserve credit for not falling prey to a trap game on the road. That they forced three turnovers and won a tough ballgame with defensive scores is a positive.

That said, you'd like to see the Miami offense do more, as it was a very quiet day for Ryan Tannehill and Lamar Miller against a Jacksonville defense that has been gouged for big yards and points this season.

17. New Orleans Saints (3-4)

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Last Week: 18

This Week: 17

Change: +1

I really want to move the New Orleans Saints up more than one spot. Heck, anyone who reads this article weekly knows that I was very high on the Saints to begin the season (ranked No. 2 overall in the preseason), and I'd love nothing more than to be right about them.

But, there's no way of knowing if the Week 8 win over Green Bay is the real deal or not. This is a team with just three wins, and even in victory the defense struggled. Sure, every defense will struggle against Aaron Rodgers, but it's too soon to overreact to the victory and have the Saints jump way up the board.

If they can continue to win and play like they did on Sunday night, it won't be long until the Saints are back in the top 10.

16. Buffalo Bills (5-3)

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Last Week: 21

This Week: 16

Change: +5

Let this sink in: The Buffalo Bills are 5-3. It's amazing what a stout defense, young playmakers and Kyle Orton (yes, Kyle Orton) can do for you.

The recipe for winning in Buffalo hasn't been sexy, but it has been working. In Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods, the team has two exciting young wide receivers, and the offensive line has done enough while protecting Orton to give him time to work the ball down the field in the passing game.

But the real winner here is the defense. Jim Schwartz has done a fantastic job replacing Mike Pettine, and the unit continues to mature and develop into a three-tiered monster. And it's doing it with linebacker Kiko Alonso out with an injury.

A victory over the one-win Jets isn't a major accomplishment (even though I for some reason picked New York to win), but even so, the Bills deserve another big move up the board.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)

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Last Week: 20

This Week: 15

Change: +5

Keep doing what you're doing, Pittsburgh, and the rise up the rankings will continue.

The Steelers have been dominant the last two weeks—beating the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts while moving to 5-3 and staying alive in the AFC North. It wasn't that long ago that the team looked lost, too slow on defense and was losing by 21 points to the Cleveland Browns. 

The key for Pittsburgh is continuing the pass rush it has been able to summon in the past two weeks. James Harrison has been a nice addition, and the front seven's pressure has covered up the fact that this is an old, slow secondary. 

The good news is that the offense is red-hot and able to win games in a shootout. As long as Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and that ridiculous talent at wide receiver are clicking, the Steelers will remain tough to beat.

14. San Francisco 49ers (4-3)

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Last Week: 14

This Week: 14

Change: 0

The midseason break is over in San Francisco, and it's time for the 49ers to prepare for a second-half schedule that will test their talent and depth but offers winnable games and a chance to take the division.

There is more good news, as pass-rusher Aldon Smith may be back sooner than expected. Smith's absence has been felt as the team struggled to mount a consistent pass rush, but the return of NaVorro Bowman after Week 9 will be the real key to the 49ers' long-term stability in the NFC West.

A Week 9 game against the St. Louis Rams shouldn't be overlooked, but on paper, that appears to be a good matchup for the 49ers to ease back into things before facing the New Orleans Saints on the road in Week 10.

13. Seattle Seahawks (4-3)

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Last Week: 11

This Week: 13

Change: -2

The Seattle Seahawks won a road game in Carolina, but they move down this week. Why and how?

First off, the Seahawks offense looked terrible in scoring just 13 points on a Carolina defense that was allowing 28 points per game and gave up at least 30 points in four of its five previous games. Without a consistent run game and with the wide receiver corps suddenly thinned out, the Seahawks are without a true identity on offense. That shows up, and thankfully Russell Wilson is good enough to compensate for the lack of talent around him.

The defending champions are currently No. 3 in the NFC West and look disconnected on both sides of the ball. Their Week 8 win may be the galvanizing force needed to pull them back together, but right now, the Seahawks aren't scaring anyone.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)

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Last Week: 12

This Week: 12

Change: 0

The Kansas City Chiefs have quietly climbed back into the AFC playoff race with four wins in the last five games. That continued Sunday with a win over the I-70-rival St. Louis Rams in another high-efficiency passing effort from Alex Smith with the defense once again dominating and controlling the tempo of the game.

The AFC West will be tough to win with Denver playing so well, but much like the 2013 season, the Chiefs can definitely be a contender in the wild-card race. They'll be fighting with the Buffalo Bills and whichever team finishes second in the AFC North, but that's a winnable race for the Chiefs at the moment.

Keep an eye on this team as the trade deadline approaches. If it can add another pass-catcher, watch out.

11. San Diego Chargers (5-3)

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Last Week: 8

This Week: 11

Change: -3

The San Diego Chargers ran face-first into the Denver Broncos on Thursday night, and the result wasn't pretty. 

With Brandon Flowers out and Jason Verrett banged up, the San Diego secondary struggled to keep pace with the Denver wide receivers. The 35-21 result didn't feel that close for much of the second half, as the Chargers had trouble protecting Philip Rivers and even more trouble keeping up with Emmanuel Sanders.

A loss to Denver is nothing to be ashamed of, but the Chargers proved to be inferior to their big brother in the AFC West. They'll get their chance for revenge, but as of midseason, this looks like another wild-card season at best in San Diego. The trouble is the end of the schedule—at Baltimore, vs. New England, vs. Denver, at San Francisco and at Kansas City. That could mean five losses and an 8-8 season.

10. Baltimore Ravens (5-3)

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Last Week: 5

This Week: 10

Change: -5

The Baltimore Ravens moved farther down the board this week than I would've liked, but when you look at wins by Cincinnati (a team that has now swept them in the division), Detroit, Arizona and New England, then you understand the need to move them down so much this week.

The Ravens sit at 5-3 and are fighting for the AFC North, but two losses to Cincinnati hurt, and the suddenly hot Pittsburgh Steelers are always a tough game late in the year. We'll get that matchup next week, and it will have major playoff and power-ranking implications.

The Ravens can get back on track if Joe Flacco is protected and if the drops we saw in Week 8 disappear like they did after Week 1. This is a talented, balanced team with a good shot at bouncing back to take this division.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2-1)

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Last Week: 13

This Week: 9

Change: +4

After a dominant 3-0 start to the season, the Cincinnati Bengals looked like a different team in their Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots. They followed up that disappointing effort with a tie against Carolina and a blowout loss in Week 7 at Indianapolis. 

All that went out the window with the division lead on the line and a chance to sweep the Baltimore Ravens. With A.J. Green sidelined and few people expecting a win, the Bengals played the type of gritty, tough game you need to win the AFC North. In comeback fashion, they made up for blowing an earlier lead and moved to 2-0 on the year against the Ravens.

The Bengals make a jump this week and get back inside the top 10, a place they've spent much of the season.

8. Indianapolis Colts (5-3)

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Last Week: 3

This Week: 8

Change: -5

The Indianapolis Colts scored 34 points against the Pittsburgh Steelers but allowed 51 in a defeat. That's reason to move down the board, but it's not a gigantic drop-off for a team that's arguably still among the league's best.

The Colts were exposed in Week 8, as concerns that the defense couldn't hold up came to life. With Vontae Davis injured and no pass rush getting to Ben Roethlisberger, it was a record night for the quarterback and the Pittsburgh offense.

The Colts can rebound from this, and it's worth noting they have a comfortable lead in the AFC South. But their status as a top-tier AFC team is being questioned this week.

7. Green Bay Packers (5-3)

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Last Week: 4

This Week: 7

Change: -3

The Green Bay Packers looked relaxed, loose and ready to run through the rest of the season before clinching another NFC North title. The only problem is that someone forgot to tell the New Orleans Saints.

In a game that featured very little defense and a whole lot of points, the Packers kept pace through two quarters before falling behind and never quite making a comeback.

You can point to their early decision to throw a slant route in the end zone to Julius Peppers—the outside linebacker—instead of trusting the ball to Eddie Lacy, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Jarrett Boykin, Andrew Quarless or Richard Rodgers. The gimmick pass failed miserably. That drive netted three points, and the Saints started to pull ahead soon after.

The Packers need help on defense—badly—and until they can consistently stop the run and cover against a balanced offense, it will be tough to bet on Aaron Rodgers carrying them in 40-point shootouts each week.

6. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)

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Last Week: 6

This Week: 6

Change: 0

The Philadelphia Eagles suffered a tough loss late to the Arizona Cardinals. The frustrating aspect for Eagles fans is that the issues in this loss are the same as we've seen all season—the secondary is struggling, Nick Foles misses too many opportunities and every game becomes a shootout. 

That formula has led to five wins and just two losses, so people can't get too worked up, but the Eagles could very easily be 7-0 at this point. Their two losses were by a combined nine points, and each was winnable late.

The loss—and wins by Arizona and New England—hurts their spot on this list, but make no mistake: The Eagles are still one of the NFL's most dangerous teams.

5. Detroit Lions (6-2)

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Last Week: 9

This Week: 5

Change: +4

The Detroit Lions had plenty of excuses if their Week 8 game against the Atlanta Falcons resulted in a loss. The road trip to London, an early start time (9:30 a.m. ET), injuries to Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush, their top three tight ends and Nick Fairley, and the late-week suspension of defensive tackle C.J. Mosley—any one of those excuses would have made sense if the Lions lost.

And for two quarters, it looked like they might.

A 21-point deficit faded away as Matthew Stafford and Golden Tate pulled the Lions back into it. Corey Fuller stepped up. Theo Riddick stepped up. And by the end of the contest, Matt Prater had won it with a field goal thanks to a delay of game taking his missed attempt off the board.

Sometimes, the ugly wins are the best ones, and in Week 8, the Lions learned they can win dirty and shorthanded.

4. Dallas Cowboys (6-2)

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Last Week: 1

This Week: 4

Change: -3

The Cowboys played on Monday Night Football, and the 20-17 overtime loss to Washington set them up for an inevitable fall down the rankings this week.

The scary aspect of the game wasn't just the loss—every team will have a bad week and lose a game—but also that all the preseason concerns about Dallas came true in Week 8. The offensive line had trouble adjusting to blitz protection, the defense was picked apart, and in the final minutes (including overtime), Romo couldn't get the job done.

I know the idea that Romo isn't clutch is largely a myth, but look at the pocket on the final play of the game and you see an injured, timid Romo panic instead of stepping up and to his left to easily run for the first down.

Winning will cure any and all concerns in Dallas, but fans have seen a second-half collapse from this team before, and that has to be on everyone's mind heading into Week 9.

3. Arizona Cardinals (6-1)

Last Week: 10

This Week: 3

Change: +7

A huge win over the Philadelphia Eagles has Arizona moving way up in the rankings this week. Are the Cardinals ready to win the NFC West? How about the entire NFC?

Adam Lefkoe, Chris Simms and I discuss in the video above.

2. New England Patriots (6-2)

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Last Week: 7

This Week: 2

Change: +5

The New England Patriots are back. Or did they ever really go away?

A 6-2 record (with losses to Kansas City and Miami) puts them as the second-best team in the AFC standings, but on the field, they're also showing the type of commanding play that makes the No. 2 ranking legitimate.

The offense is rolling now that the line has continuity and with Brandon LaFell and Tim Wright becoming comfortable in the offense. A healthy Rob Gronkowski has been a nice addition, too, and we're seeing Tom Brady settle in and begin to attack defenses again. That 51-point outburst against the Chicago Bears? That's what they're capable of.

The Patriots should be considered a legitimate threat to the Denver Broncos in the AFC. And if they can keep playing at the level we saw in Week 8, they might be the only team capable of beating the Broncos in Denver. Thankfully, this all sets up perfectly for the Week 9 showdown between Denver and New England in Foxborough. 

1. Denver Broncos (6-1)

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Last Week: 2

This Week: 1

Change: +1

The Denver Broncos are the NFL's best team. You can qualify that however you'd like. They're the most talented, best on paper, tied for the fewest losses and my midseason pick to win the Super Bowl. 

In whatever way we measure or project, the Broncos are atop the NFL right now. Peyton Manning is playing at a level never before seen in terms of football intelligence at the quarterback position. And with targets like Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker, his decisions are leading to big yards and points.

But perhaps the best facet of this team is the defense. Led by Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Chris Harris and Aqib Talib, the Broncos are shutting folks down on a weekly basis. And while we all know how great Manning is, it's the defense that makes them my current choice to win the Super Bowl.