B/R Experts Week 9 NFL Power Rankings

We're eight weeks into the 2026 NFL regular season. And as is so often the case, things have gone like exactly no one expected.

Granted, some things have followed the script. We thought that the Buffalo Bills would be formidable—and they are. We thought that the Tennessee Titans would be a bad team—and they are.

However, there have been surprises galore. The Minnesota Vikings were the last team to suffer a loss, and they sit atop an NFC North where all four teams sport a winning record. After back-to-back 11-win seasons, the Los Angeles Chargers are still searching for win No. 1 on the season after another listless performance against the Rams.

The NFL landscape is constantly shifting—often in unexpected ways. And as they do every week, Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have come together to try to make sense of it all, by ranking all 32 teams from worst to first.

ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN | NE | NYG | NO | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SEA | SF | TB | TEN | WAS

32. Los Angeles Chargers (0-7)

AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Chargers QB Justin Herbert

Last Week: 32

Week 8 Result: Lost at Los Angeles Rams 24-9

The Los Angeles Chargers have been hard to watch for two months. They're the league's lowest-scoring team, and offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's unit hasn't improved.

Coming off a Week 7 bye, the Chargers didn't score a touchdown against the Los  Angeles Rams and turned the ball over twice. 

Los Angeles is stuck at the bottom of the power rankings, with an offense sinking into futility. -- Moton

31. Indianapolis Colts (2-6)

AP Photo/Kelly Jordan

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor

Last Week: 29

Week 8 Result: Lost at Jacksonville 42-7

At this point, the Indianapolis Colts have only two things they can accomplish through the rest of the 2026 campaign.

First, they can trade as many pieces as possible before the league's deadline on Nov. 10 to build a war chest of draft assets going into the '27 offseason. Second, Anthony Richardson needs to be placed in the lineup and see if his career can be salvaged.

Somewhere along the way, head coach Shane Steichen will likely be relieved of his duties--whether the decision occurs during the regular season or happens directly afterward--and the Colts will eventually move past quarterback Daniel Jones.

Indianapolis is readying itself for a full-blown rebuild, which has been needed for quite some time. -- Sobleski

30. Tennessee Titans (1-7)

AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar

Titans QB Cam Ward

Last Week: 31

Week 8 Result: Lost at Cincinnati 43-36 (OT)

Moral victories don't exist in a bottom-line business like the NFL. However, the Tennessee Titans can look at their performance Sunday, specifically the play of quarterback Cam Ward, and be more encouraged today than they were entering their contest with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Ward provided his best professional game to date. The 2025 No. 1 overall draft pick posted his first 300-yard effort and responded with back-to-back touchdown drives after the Bengals established fourth-quarter leads.

Ultimately, Tennessee's defense, beyond safety Amani Hooker, did little to slow the Bengals' potent offense. Joe Burrow became only the second player in NFL history with 450 passing yards, five passing touchdowns and a rushing score in a game. Even so, Ward did more than enough to lead his team to victory. Tennessee's defense failed in this instance. -- Sobleski

29. Miami Dolphins (1-6)

AP Photo/Doug Murray

Dolphins QB Malik Willis

Last Week: 30

Week 8 Result: Lost vs. New England 24-19

There are no moral victories in the NFL. And given that the Dolphins held a 13-3 lead over the Patriots at halftime Sunday, the team no doubt feels like this one got away from them.

But given how these Dolphins looked earlier in the season, there is progress being made in Miami—even if it's only incremental.

Perhaps most importantly for the Dolphins, after a rough start to his first season with the Dolphins, Malik Willis has looked better the last few weeks—he threw for 211 yards and two scores against the Pats and posted a passer rating north of 90.

In some respects, this may be the best-case for the Dolphins. Show some fight. Give young players a chance to impress. And keep stacking losses.

Because if Miami believes in Willis, bringing wide receiver Jeremiah Smith back to Florida wouldn't be the worst way to start the 2027 NFL Draft. – Davenport

28. New Orleans Saints (2-5)

AP Photo/Ella Hall

Saints WR Chris Olave

Last Week: 25

Week 8 Result: Bye Week

The good news is that the New Orleans Saints didn't lose for the fifth time in six games in Week 8.

The bad news is that it was the Saints' bye.

The Saints have multiple issues. With Travis Etienne on injured reserve, New Orleans can't run the ball. The defense ranks in the bottom-five in both yards and points allowed per game.

And while speaking at the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club, team owner Gayle Benson sounded like a woman whose patience was wearing thin.

"Kellen Moore and his coaches are responsible for preparing our players to perform," she said. "Mickey Loomis and our football staff are responsible for building a roster capable of sustained success. Our players are responsible for their preparation and execution. I am responsible for holding this organization accountable."

If many more losses pile up, big changes could be coming in The Big Easy. -- Davenport

27. Philadelphia Eagles (2-6)

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley

Last Week: 24

Week 8 Result: Lost at Washington 27-10

Mathematically, the Eagles aren't out of the NFC East race yet. However, it certainly feels like it's time for Philly to start preparing for the future.

Jalen Hurts isn't coming back this season, and injuries have eroded the Eagles' skill group. Both the defense and the offensive line are shells of what they were during the 2024 championship run. After consecutive blowout losses to divisional foes, Philadelphia sits at 2-6 with little hope of righting the proverbial ship.

The big question now is whether Howie Roseman will consider parting out the roster at the trade deadline. -- Knox

26. New York Jets (2-6)

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Jets WR Garrett Wilson

Last Week: 26

Week 8 Result: Lost vs. Las Vegas 38-33

Last week the New York Jets handed the previously winless Miami Dolphins their first victory of 2026. Somehow, what happened at Met Life Stadium in Week 8 might be worse.

The Jets out-gained the Raiders by over 100 yards and completely dominated the first half, only to see the defense fall apart after halftime. It was the team's fifth one-score loss of the season, and after the game head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters that the team's inability to seal the deal is frustrating.

"I'm upset in general because of where we're at as a team -- and I mean that, for the record -- because there's always things that you're going to be things that you want to get better at," Glenn said. "So, if anything, if I want to put my thumb on something, that's it -- the record that we have right now."

With the Chiefs and Bills next up on the schedule, the Jets are barreling toward another miserable season.

And Glenn's days as head coach are probably numbered. – Davenport

25. Washington Commanders (2-4-1)

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

Last Week: 27

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Philadelphia 27-10

The Washington Commanders got out of the NFC East basement with Sunday night's win over the Philadelphia Eagles. At 2-4-1, the Commanders still have a lot of ground to make up. However, they've found reasons for hope over the last few weeks.

Despite losing receiver Terry McLaurin to a season-ending injury in Week 6, Washington seemed to find some fight in its close loss to the San Francisco 49ers. They regained that intensity after a slow start on Sunday and rattled off 27 unanswered points to get win No. 2.

Washington can now think about climbing back into the playoff picture, but it'll need to start stacking complete performances like Sunday's. Next week will bring a good test, as the Commanders will host a talented, if underachieving, Los Angeles Rams team. -- Knox

24. Arizona Cardinals (3-5)

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

cardinals QB Gardner Minshew

Last Week: 28

Week 8 Result: Won at Dallas 33-30 (OT)

The Arizona Cardinals needed a little Minshew magic to manage an impressive overtime victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The Cardinals trailed 17-3 in the third quarter when head coach Mike LaFleur decided to bench Jacoby Brissett and play Gardner Minshew II. 

Minshew led Arizona to four straight second-half touchdowns before the Cardinals captured the win during extra time. Minshew's latest outing is a perfect example of what he does. The journeyman signal-caller can provide a short-term spark. But he's not the long-term answer. 

Maybe the Cardinals see what Minshew can do for a few weeks. Whatever the case may be, Arizona must eventually evaluate third-round rookie Carson Beck before going into the offseason. -- Sobleski

23. Atlanta Falcons (3-5)

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.

Last Week: 19

Week 8 Result: Lost at Tampa Bay 16-0

In Week 7, the Falcons posted their most impressive win of the season to date, knocking off the undefeated San Francisco 49ers.

In Week 8, Atlanta flushed every bit of momentum the team built in that victory.

Granted, the weather conditions in the game didn't do the team any favors. But Falcons quarterback Michael Penix had one of the worst games of his career—a third of the passes he completed were to players for the Buccaneers.

That's um, not ideal.

As ugly as the loss was, it's not the end of the world—the Falcons play in a division that seemingly no one wants to win. But the Falcons are entering a brutal stretch on the schedule that includes five straight games against teams with winning records.

If Sunday's performance was any indication, by the end of that stretch Atlanta will be closer to a goose than a Falcon.

Because they'll be cooked. -- Davenport

22. Dallas Cowboys (3-5)

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb

Last Week: 21

Week 8 Result: Lost vs. Arizona 33-30 (OT)

Halloween was on Saturday, which is fitting because the Dallas Cowboys stopped masquerading as a playoff contender in the middle of Sunday's home loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Dallas had a 14-point lead in the third quarter and again in the fourth. However, its defense, which is again one of the worst in the NFL, had no answers after Arizona made a quarterback change. The Cardinals scored touchdowns while the Cowboys settled for field goals down the stretch, and the result was a demoralizing overtime loss at home.

Franchise owner Jerry Jones told reporters after the game that he won't make a coaching change during the season. If something significant doesn't change soon, though, Jones will be evaluating a third straight losing season. -- Knox

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield

Last Week: 23

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Atlanta 16-0

After a 1-5 start, the return of quarterback Baker Mayfield has spurred back-to-back wins for the Buccaneers. The thing is though, Mayfield had next to nothing to do with either of them.

No, really. Nothing.

Since Mayfield returned, he has completed seven passes. Total. None of them came in Week 8—for the first time since 1974, a team played an entire game without completing a pass.

Mayfield told reporters he's fine with winning any way he can.

"I'll do whatever it takes to win," Mayfield said. "That's all that matters to me."

In the win over Atlanta the Buccaneers ran for a franchise-record 324 yards, and the team has amassed a staggering 600 yards on the ground. But with two high-octane offensive teams next up in the Bears and Lions, Tampa is going to need a more balanced offense to keep the winning streak going. -- Davenport

20. Houston Texans (2-5)

AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith

Texans EDGE Danielle Hunter

Last Week: 22

Week 8 Result: Bye Week

General manager Nick Caserio was blunt in his assessment of the Houston Texans' defense after disappointing through the team's first seven games. Houston's offense has played relatively well, but the defense underperformed after finishing as last year's top-ranked unit. 

"We're the worst team in the league in tackling," Caserio said. "Too many missed tackles. Giving up too many explosive plays. Take those two areas right there. If we tackle better and we give up less explosive plays, then (you'll) probably see a better result defensively."

Expect those previous problem areas to be points of emphasis coming out of the Texans' bye week, especially with the winless Los Angeles Chargers next on the docket. -- Sobleski

19. Baltimore Ravens (4-4)

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson

Last Week: 15

Week 8 Result: Lost at Buffalo 36-10

The Baltimore Ravens suddenly feel like a team that could be selling at the trade deadline and looking to prepare for next season. Baltimore's defense has shown some growth under new head coach Jesse Minter, but it hasn't been enough to consistently win games without Lamar Jackson.

Unfortunately, Jackson's return from an ankle injury lasted a single play, during which he suffered a thumb injury that will land him on injured reserve. It's unclear when or if Jackson will be back this season, and to make matters worse, backup Tyler Huntley was also injured on Sunday.

Baltimore currently sits in the AFC North basement, and with a Thursday matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars looming, it could be staring down a 4-5 record. -- Knox

18. Carolina Panthers (3-4)

AP Photo/Mike Roemer

Panthers QB Bryce Young

Last Week: 18

Week 8 Result: Lost at Green Bay 27-19

The bloom is coming off the rose with Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.

After pacing the NFL in passing yards over the season's first month, Young has struggled the last couple of times out. Thursday night in Green Bay, Young averaged just 5.1 yards per attempt, threw a pick and was sacked half a dozen times.

While speaking to the media, Young said he's aware both he and the team need to level up.

"They executed better," Young said. "A lot of stuff was on film, but they just do a really good job of disguising. They're a really good defense. So, we have a lot of respect for them. They were better than us today, for sure. They deserve that win. We should have been better. We've just got to execute better -- that's all it is."

Carolina is still in first place in the NFC South. But which each passing week, first place in that division means less and less. -- Davenport

17. Las Vegas Raiders (4-4)

AP Photo/David Becker

Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby

Last Week: 20

Week 8 Result: Won at New York Jets 38-33

The Las Vegas Raiders were well prepared for their second trip to the East Coast this season. They fell behind early, but Kirk Cousins showed why he still gives the Silver and Black the best chance to win, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns and scoring a touchdown on a quarterback sneak. 

For now, head coach Klint Kubiak is trying to stay in the playoff picture, so expect Cousins to keep the starting job for the foreseeable future. Rookie first-rounder Fernando Mendoza's time will come, but the .500 Raiders should keep riding Cousins' arm for now.

The Raiders are a flawed team with an inefficient ground attack, averaging three yards per carry, and a leaky defense, but Cousins and the passing game gives them a chance to pull off victories. -- Moton

16. Cleveland Browns (5-3)

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

Browns WR Denzel Boston

Last Week: 12

Week 8 Result: Lost at Pittsburgh 27-6

A few days after Jared Verse decided to open his mouth about the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cleveland Browns got punched in the mouth by their AFC North rivals.

Cleveland got outplayed, outcoached, and out-physicaled by the Steelers on Sunday while continuing a couple of alarming trends. The Browns fell behind early, again, and they committed more penalties (nine) than any playoff hopeful should.

Considering how uncompetitive the Browns have looked in blowout losses to the Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars, it's fair to wonder if they actually are a playoff-caliber team. It would be easier to take Cleveland seriously if it had at least one convincing victory on its resume. -- Knox

15. New York Giants (4-2-1)

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Giants QB J.J. McCarthy

Last Week: 17

Week 8 Result: Bye Week

The New York Giants may have lost starting quarterback Jaxson Dart for the season, but they're not going away. New York turned to trade acquisition J.J. McCarthy at quarterback two weeks ago and won an overtime thriller against the Houston Texans.

New head coach John Harbaugh has the Giants on an upward trajectory, and his fingerprints are all over this team. He effectively benched Cam Skattebo to send a message in Week 6 and got a masterful performance from the second-year running back in the win over Houston. New York's defense has been quite efficient against the pass, and the Giants are playing great complementary football overall.

This certainly feels like a team that can keep stacking wins, provided McCarthy doesn't fall back into the bad habits he exhibited early in his career. At 4-2-1, the Giants managed to stay atop the NFC East despite being off in Week 8. -- Knox

14. Los Angeles Rams (4-4)

AP Photo/Caroline Brehman

Rams WR Puka Nacua

Last Week: 16

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Los Angeles Chargers 24-9

At 4-4 after back-to-back wins, the presumptive Super Bowl favorite Los Angeles Rams are finally in a position where a run should be possible. 

Prior to the team's Week 11 bye, the Rams face the Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals. Both are winnable matchups, even if Los Angeles fell to the Cardinals just two weeks ago. 

Plus, help should be on the way. The NFL's reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, could play as early as this coming weekend. Though another week or two may be a more realistic possibility. 

The Rams haven't fielded their intended at any point of this season. But Garrett's return should definitely provide a jolt when Los Angeles needs it the most and revive the squad's previous expectations. -- Sobleski

13. Green Bay Packers (5-3)

AP Photo/Mike Roemer

Packers WR Christian Watson

Last Week: 14

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Carolina 27-19

Jordan Love had to carry the Green Packers offense with his arm while running back Josh Jacobs was on the commissioner's exempt list. 

In Jacobs' first two games back, Green Bay's ground attack has still been inefficient, averaging 2.8 yards per carry, but the defense is coming along under coordinator Jonathan Gannon, giving up an average of 19.5 points over the last two weeks.

With star edge-rusher Micah Parsons nearing a return from a torn ACL, the Packers defense could take pressure off Love and the passing attack by limiting opponents' scoring opportunities.

The Packers are on the rise after a 1-2 start. -- Moton

12. New England Patriots (5-3)

AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Patriots QB Drake Maye

Last Week: 9

Week 8 Result: Won at Miami 24-19

After coming up short in Chicago last week, the Patriots badly needed to get back on track in Week 8 lest they fall too far behind the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills.

The Pats didn't exactly pile up the style points in Miami, but thanks to an efficient game from quarterback Drake Maye and five sacks from the defense, New England got back on track and kept pace with the Bills.

While addressing the media after the win, head coach Mike Vrabel lauded the play of Maye, who has rebounded nicely after a rocky start to the season.

"(If) you want to be a great quarterback in the National Football League, there's not a whole lot of excuses," Vrabel said. "You go out there and find ways to win for your football team. That's who he is and that's what he wants to continue to be."  

The Patriots will need big games out of Maye that much more the next couple of weeks—matchups with a pair of NFC contenders in the Packers and Lions are next up before a Week 11 bye. – Davenport

11. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Bengals QB Joe Burrow

Last Week: 10

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Tennessee 43-36 (OT)

The bad news is that the Cincinnati Bengals' defense hasn't improved as much as many expected it would during the offseason. Even without standout rookie receiver Carnell Tate, the Titans racked up 36 points and took the Bengals to overtime on Sunday.

The good news is that Cincinnati's offense seems to have flipped a switch since entering halftime of Week 7 in a 13-0 hole.

Over their past six quarters, Joe Burrow and the Bengals' offense have looked like Super Bowl material. The defense will have to play with more efficiency and more consistency for Cincinnati to actually make a run at Super Bowl LXI. However, Cincinnati has a legitimate chance to win the AFC North this season. -- Knox

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt

Last Week: 13

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Cleveland 27-6

On a four-game winning streak, the Steelers are on top of the AFC North and looking like a team that could actually go deep in the playoffs.

Pittsburgh's defense has rounded into form, and its rushing attack has started to take off in recent weeks. The offensive line is imposing its will on opposing defenses, while Aaron Rodgers is largely putting the offense in position to be successful.

The Steelers haven't been great at attacking defenses deep, but if they can bolster their receiver corps at the trade deadline, they could have a complete roster capable of challenging the AFC's top contenders. -- Knox

9. Detroit Lions (5-2)

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Last Week: 11

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Minnesota 19-15

The Detroit Lions will get a much-deserved boost in the power rankings following a win over the Minnesota Vikings, the NFL's last undefeated team. 

Also, credit the Lions' defense. Detroit has held its previous two opponents to 17 points or fewer. This team doesn't need to win a scoring shootout; it can grind out victories as well, which is a key characteristic of an elite-level squad.

Currently 2-0 within their division, the Lions are making a strong case as the best team in the NFC North. -- Moton

8. Seattle Seahawks (4-3)

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold

Last Week: 7

Week 8 Result: TBD

The Seattle Seahawks are the reigning Super Bowl champions. But they also haven't been an easy team to get a bead on. At their best, the defense is stifling and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is unstoppable. At their worst, the offense becomes one-dimensional and Sam Darnold starts seeing ghosts.

When last we saw the Seahawks though, it was the former—and with both Zach Charbonnet and rookie Jadarian Price set to return soon the offensive balance that has lacked at times should get a major boost.

Calling Darnold a game manager is unfair—he won a Super Bowl last year. But when he can play within himself, Seattle is the toughest of outs—especially at home. -- Sobleski

7. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker III

Last Week: 4

Week 8 Result: Lost at Denver 28-24

The Kansas City Chiefs have some defensive question marks after consecutive losses. They didn't have two of their top three cornerbacks in the previous outing. The club placed L'Jarius Sneed on injured reserve and ruled out rookie first-rounder Mansoor Delane.

Against the Chiefs, quarterback Bo Nix had one of his most efficient outings of the season, completing 62.5 percent of his passes and throwing for 222 yards and two touchdowns. He didn't light up Kansas City's depleted secondary, but the Chiefs allowed touchdowns on back-to-back fourth-quarter drives.

There's no reason to panic in Kansas City, but the Chiefs need the upcoming matchup with the New York Jets to be a get-right game. -- Moton

6. Minnesota Vikings (6-1)

AP Photo/Rey Del Rio

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson

Last Week: 2

Week 8 Result: Lost at Detroit 19-15

The Minnesota Vikings were perfect in the standings for the first two months of the season, but that ended on the first day of November. Despite their mediocre quarterback play, the Vikings are still one of the league's best teams, so they should remain within the top 10 in the power rankings for now.

However, Minnesota could start to tumble in the next few weeks. They'll face the Buffalo Bills, the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, and the San Francisco 49ers. With Kyler Murray under center, the Vikings may struggle to keep pace with those teams.

Remember, when Minnesota beat Green Bay in Week 1, Carson Wentz came in and threw for three touchdowns. Murray has five touchdown passes in six games. -- Moton

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2)

AP Photo/Kelly Jordan

Jaguars QB Trevor lawrence

Last Week: 8

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Indianapolis 42-7

The Jacksonville Jaguars dominated a down-and-out opponent in the Indianapolis Colts--which is exactly what Liam Coen's squad should do as the AFC South's best squad.

Bhayshul Tuten continues to blossom into a legitimate lead back. The second-year ball-carrier set career-highs Sunday with 104 rushing yards and 55 receiving yards. His increased usage can take pressure off of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Case in point, Lawrence became the first quarterback since the 2015 season to throw for three touchdowns despite attempting fewer than 15 passes.

Through the rest of November, the Jaguars can run away with the division since they face a Lamar Jackson-less Baltimore Ravens, the Tennessee Titans (twice) and a JJ McCarthy-led New York Giants in the coming weeks. -- Sobleski

4. Chicago Bears (5-2)

AP Photo/Melissa Tamez

Bears QB Caleb Williams

Last Week: 5

Week 8 Result: TBD

The Chicago Bears head into their second Monday Night Football game of the season on a three-game winning streak. This time, they're on the road against the Seattle Seahawks, who are coming off a dominant 20-3 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

If the Bears win, they'll be a half-game behind the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings, who took their first loss in Week 8. -- Moton

3. Denver Broncos (6-2)

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Broncos QB Bo Nix

Last Week: 6

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Kansas City 28-24

The Denver Broncos avenged their season-opening blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, limiting running back Kenneth Walker III to 69 rushing yards after he had run for a career-high 173 yards in their previous meeting.

The Broncos conquered the AFC West's best team and moved to the top spot in the division. Although the other writers on this panel may not agree, Denver deserves a top-five spot in the power rankings because of its quality wins against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Chiefs. 

The Broncos have played through a tough schedule and have one of the league's best records, which speaks to their strong first-half run. -- Moton

2. San Francisco 49ers (6-1)

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

49ers QB Brock Purdy

Last Week: 3

Week 8 Result: Bye Week

The San Francisco 49ers have used the extra time around their bye to help retool their roster. The Niners are a legitimate contender, but injuries have once again played a significant role. So, general manager John Lynch continues to see what players might be available to pull off a trade. 

San Francisco already acquired three-time Pro Bowler DeForest Buckner to join Nick Bosa, Osa Odighizuwa, Keion White, Mykel Williams and rookie Gracen Halton along the defensive front. Lynch may not stop there. 

"San Francisco is still sniffing around for wide receiver help," the Athletic's Jonathan Jones reported. 

Mike Evans has been banged up, while De'Zhaun Stribling and Ricky Pearsall are on injured reserve. San Francisco should be looking for another target so they won't be forced to rely on Deebo Samuel, Brandin Cooks and Christian Kirk down the stretch. -- Sobleski

1. Buffalo Bills (6-1)

AP Photo/John Locher

Bills RB James Cook III

Last Week: 1

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Baltimore 36-10

Sunday's blowout win over the Ravens is at least a little misleading—Baltimore was forced to turn to an undrafted rookie quarterback after both Lamar Jackson (thumb) and Tyler Huntley (toe) went down. But elite teams win the games they are supposed to—and the Bills made short work of the undermanned Ravens.

It was a workmanlike effort. Buffalo wasn't great running the ball, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry. But James Cook topped 100 total yards, and both he and Josh Allen found the end zone. A much-maligned Bills defense didn't let the Ravens get anything going—Baltimore had under 150 total yards and turned it over three times.

That defense remains cause for concern, but Buffalo's schedule is manageable over the next few weeks—meetings with the Jets and Dolphins follow next week's trip to Minnesota.

The Bills are clearly the class of the AFC East, and a Week 12 meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs could set Buffalo on a path toward the AFC's No. 1 seed. – Davenport