NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Steelers and Falcons Rising, Vikings Falter Again
NFL Power Rankings Week 8 aren't entirely set in stone.
A handful of teams have yet to play their games or won't compete at all in Week 7. But that doesn't mean those teams can't go up...because other teams went down.
The Eagles really disappointed today because they lost against a quality team.
The Bills disappointed today because they had a chance to pull off a great upset, yet came up short.
The 49ers disappointed because they are just bad.
And the Broncos disappointed for about every reason imaginable.
However, not every team was a disappointment. Check out these power rankings to see where your team stands.
No. 32-21
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No. 32: Buffalo Bills (0-6)
Last Week's Rank: 32nd
Although the Bills deserve credit for taking the Ravens to overtime, they are now the only winless team in the league.
No. 31: San Francisco 49ers (1-6):
Last Week's Rank: 30th
This team is way too talented to have a record that is five games under .500 before Halloween.
No. 30: Carolina Panthers (1-5):
Last Week's Rank: 31st
Getting their first win is a start.
No. 29: Detroit Lions (1-5):
Last Week's Rank: 29th
The Lions' future looks bright.
No. 28: Cincinnati Bengals (2-4):
Last Week's Rank: 26th
They've lost three straight and their last win came against the 1-5 Carolina Panthers. Need we say more?
No. 27: Denver Broncos (2-4):
Last Week's Rank: 20th
After giving good efforts against good teams over the past month, they were an embarrassment today at home against the Raiders.
No. 26: Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4):
Last Week's Rank: 22nd
This team has fallen fast and it's no coincidence that it happened during David Garrard's absence.
No. 25: Cleveland Browns (2-5):
Last Week's Rank: 28th
Congrats to Colt McCoy and the team for defeating the Champs on the road, but they still aren't a contender.
No. 24: Oakland Raiders (3-4):
Last Week's Rank: 27th
If the Raiders can run the ball like they did today against Denver, they are a threat to win any game they play the remainder of the season.
No. 23: San Diego Chargers (2-5):
Last Week's Rank: 25th
They really showed promise in the fourth quarter against the Patriots today: a good sign for the two months.
No. 22: Dallas Cowboys (1-4):
Last Week's Rank: 24th
A win over the Giants could spark an incredible turnaround.
No. 21: Minnesota Vikings (2-3):
Last Week's Rank: 21st
They have the best back in the conference, Randy Moss makes both Percy Harvin and Visanthe Schiancoe even better, and the defense is exceptional, they still can't overcome Brett Favre's interceptions woes.
No. 20: St. Louis Rams (3-4)
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Last Week's Rank: 19th
Sunday: 18-17 loss at Tampa Bay
The Bucs are a better team than most people realize, but when you have an 11-point lead going into the fourth quarter, you've got to be able to hang on for a win.
Once again the offense did a fair job: Steven Jackson broke 100 yards and Sam Bradford had two touchdowns.
And although the offense did absolutely nothing in the second half today, the defense let the Rams down more. Tampa Bay converted two third downs and a 4th-and-3 on the game-winning drive.
No. 19: Arizona Cardinals (3-3)
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Last Week's Rank: 16th
Sunday: 22-10 loss at Seattle
Scoring one rushing and/or passing touchdown in the span of two games pretty much sets you up for failure.
The defense is pulling the weight and is the main reason this team isn't well below .500. It's the offense that is so unbelievably frustrating.
They have an offensive coach in Ken Wisenhunt, a future hall of famer in Larry Fitzgerald and a quality back in Beanie Wells. Yet they can't get anything out of their quarterback play.
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No. 18: Chicago Bears (4-3)
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Last Week's Rank: 13th
Sunday: 17-14 loss vs. Washington
The Bears are probably the worst 4-3 team the league has seen in a long time.
The defense has been very good all season, and today was no exception: They forced turnovers and pressured Donovan McNabb all afternoon, allowing just one offensive touchdown.
Once again, the offense squandered that performance. Jay Cutler is on the hook for five turnovers, but he wasn't the only player to lay an egg today.
The offensive line opened up few holes, so that partly explains why they didn't run Matt Forte and Chester Taylor more. Still, Mike Martz needs to mix it up a bit more.
No. 17: Kansas City Chiefs, (4-2)
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Last Week's Rank: 17th
Sunday: 42-20 win vs. Jacksonville
If the Chiefs end up winning the AFC West then they will certainly deserve their playoff berth. But that doesn't mean they are one of the NFL's better teams.
Their four wins have come against bad teams. How good have the Chargers been? The Browns are playing well now, but they weren't in Week 2. And Jacksonville was playing today with a guy signed off waivers last month.
KC's defense is solid and the Thomas Jones-Jamal Charles duo is very productive. But let's see what the Chiefs are capable of when they have to throw the ball more than 18 times.
No. 16: Green Bay Packers (3-3)
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Last Week's Rank: 15th
Sunday: 28-24 win vs. Minnesota
The third showdown against Brett Favre yielded a much better result than they the previous two episodes.
Aaron Rodgers misfired several times, Green Bay's defense couldn't entirely slow down Favre and the passing game--and they couldn't stop Adrian Peterson at all--but the win was impressive. Brandon Jackson turned in a pretty good game and the pass rush forced Favre into a handful of mistakes.A
Although they've lost 3 of their last 5 games, and technically they are trailing Chicago in the chase for the NFC North title--having lost to them back in Week 3--the Packers are still the best team in the division.
No. 15: New Orleans Saints (4-3)
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Last Week's Rank: 10th
Sunday: 30-17 loss vs. Cleveland
Yes, the Saints have not looked like World Champions, really anytime this year.
And a loss to the lowly Browns, at home, is a terrible sign of things to come. But this is virtually the same team that won the Super Bowl nine months ago.
It's just too hard to believe that they aren't a playoff-caliber team. And at 4-3, they are still in the hunt.
Let's give them another week: If anyone has the type of offense to overwhelm Pittsburgh, it's the Saints.
No. 14: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)
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Last Week's Rank: 23rd
Sunday: 18-17 win vs. St. Louis
Quarterback Josh Freeman looks like he could become a star. The offense wasn't outstanding, but a 16-play, 81-yard game-winning drive in the final minutes is the type of performance that builds great teams.
And don't forget about the Bucs defense. Not only did they keep St. Louis scoreless in the second half, the Rams ran just 23 plays after halftime and punted every time.
No. 13: Philadelphia Eagles (4-3)
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Last Week's Rank: 6th
Sunday: 37-19 loss at Tennessee
Because Michael Vick should return on the other side of the bye week, Kevin Kolb will be the scapegoat for this loss. And he did throw two interceptions.
But LeSean McCoy is only averaging 54 yards per game in the last five weeks, and the 10 penalties for 100 yards were a killer. So was the defense.
Despite keeping Chris Johnson under wraps, the unit really came up short. After letting the Titans drive from their own 3-yard line into field goal range, they squandered a nine-point fourth quarter lead, and allowed four scores in all during the final period.
Michael Vick will need better production around if the Philly fans expect a better all-around performance.
No. 12: Houston Texans (4-2)
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Last Week's Rank: 12th
Sunday: Bye
A week off costs the Texans a spot in this week's power rankings. The NFL is the quintessential "what have you done for me lately" business.
With a visit next week to Lucas Oil Stadium, however, the Texans will have a chance to break into the Top 10. Sweeping the conference champions would be a remarkable achievement.
No. 11: Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
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Last Week's Rank: 18th
Sunday: 22-10 win vs. Arizona
The main reason why Seattle can't be considered the unquestionable front-runner for the NFC West was the complete lack of a running game.
In his first home game since joining the team after being dealt out of Buffalo, Marshawn Lynch totalled more yards than any other Seattle back has since Week 12 of last year. And considering he only rushed for 89 yards, that says a lot about the Seahawks' running problems.
Lynch's debut needs to create more than just a spark—it needs to last all season. But if it does, the Seahawks have the defense and veteran quarterback leadership to wrap up the NFC West by early December.
No. 10: Indianapolis Colts (4-2)
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Last Week's Rank: 9th
Sunday: Bye
They proved against the Redskins that they can win on the road against a tough opponent.
And the bye week came at a great time. All three of their running backs are banged up, as is a vital defensive cog, linebacker Gary Brackett, and receivers Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon.
But the loss of Dallas Clark cannot be understated. Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie are going to see tighter coverage, making it tougher for Peyton Manning.
With the running game already a problem, the defense banged up, and games against Houston and Philadelphia, the Colts could fall on hard times.
No. 9: Miami Dolphins (3-3)
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Last Week's Rank: 11th
Sunday: 23-22 loss vs. Pittsburgh
It's not accurate to say that the referees stole a victory from the Dolphins today, although it has to feel that way for Miami fans.
Still, head coach Tony Sparano said it correctly in his post-game press conference. The Dolphins had other opportunities to put the game away, with or without the input of the referees.
Had the offense converted just one of those four field goals into a touchdown, the game would have never come down to Ben Roethlisberger's fumble.
The defense could have done a better job as well. They got to Roethlibserger for three sacks, but did not cover Hines Ward or Mike Wallace when they absolutely had to.
No. 8: Washington Redskins (4-2)
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Last Week's Rank: 14th
Sunday: 17-14 win at Chicago
Aside from Donovan McNabb, the Redskins don't have the star power of most other teams in the NFL. But they continue to play great team football.
The receivers made some clutch catches and Ryan Torain is a future Pro Bowler. By the time Clinton Portis returns from his injury, he might be Torain's backup instead of the reverse.
And sooner or later, people need to start talking about Washington's defense.
Today, they allowed just one score and forced five turnovers. The putrid Bears offense contributed some, of course.
No. 7: Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
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Last Week's Rank: 7th
Sunday: 37-34 (OT) win vs. Buffalo
Baltimore might very well be the best team in the AFC, which would probably make them the best team in football. Once Ed Reed returns to full-speed, the defense will be even more formidable.
But right now, no one can say that the Ravens are playing great football. They folded against the Patriots in the fourth quarter two weeks ago, letting Tom Brady pick them apart.
And today, Ryan Fitzpatrick was even better, completing 29 passes for 374 yards and four touchdowns.
Credit the offense for coming back in the second half, but their 2-for-11 effort on third down didn't help their defense out very much.
No. 6: New England Patriots (5-1)
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Last Week's Rank: 3rd
Sunday: 23-20 win at San Diego
The Pats won today and moved to 5-1, so they deserve a high ranking. But this once prolific offense has not been very good in recent weeks.
Apart from a few series today, and a solid fourth quarter and overtime last week, Tom Brady has not produced much for New England. The running game has produced even less.
New England's defense is doing a great job of 11-man football, but the offense has got to provide more if they think they can overtake the Jets in the second half.
No. 5: New York Giants (4-2)
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Last Week's Rank: 4th
Monday: At 1-4 Dallas
The Giants defense is the best unit in the NFC. That alone earns them a Top 10 spot. Who in the conference, aside from the Giants, has played consistent defense during the last month?
Across the ball, the Giants are developing a very powerful combination. Ahmad Bradshaw is looking like a feature back, and Brandon Jacobs seems content in his role as a critical backup.
Eli Manning's contributions are key, however. He has a really great corps of receivers to throw to. Putting a nail in the Cowboys' coffin on Monday sets them up for a run at the No. 1 seed in the postseason.
No. 4: Tennessee Titans (5-2)
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Last Week's Rank: 5th
Sunday: 39-17 win vs. Philadelphia
No one has played better football during the past five weeks than the Titans. During that stretch they are 4-1, with only a narrow loss to the Broncos.
What's most impressive during that stretch is the development of the passing game. Chris Johnson is always going to be a threat to rush for 150 yards and score two touchdowns.
But whether it's Vince Young or Kerry Collins throwing passes to them, the wide receivers have really improved their play over the last month. Kenny Britt and Nate Washington are a very capable pair.
If the defense continues to play their best football in the second half of games, then they are a safe bet to win the contentious AFC South.
No. 3: Atlanta Falcons (5-2)
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Last Week's Rank: 8th
Sunday: 39-32 win vs. Cincinnati
Bouncing back from the loss at Philadelphia was a big deal.
On the surface, the Falcons defense was pretty suspect today. But if not for a sloppy third quarter, they would have had the game locked up much earlier. They made mistakes—not bad plays. And much of that was the result of losing starters in the secondary in consecutive weeks.
Still, today, like it will be for the rest of the season, it was all about offense.
Matt Ryan is a fine passer who has a boatload of weapons.
The return of Michael Jenkins makes Roddy White even better—and he was an All-Pro candidate before.
And with Michael Turner and Tony Gonzalez, the Falcons are capable of putting up 30-plus points each week.
No. 2: New York Jets (5-1)
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Last Week's Rank: 1st
This Week: Bye
A week off will be huge for the Jets defense, which is a bit banged up.
Things haven't quite shaped up the way we expected in the preseason: offense has carried the Jets a little more than their counterparts. The additions of LaDanian Tomlinson and Santonio Holmes were risky gambles that paid off.
They still have huge showdowns remaining with the Patriots and Dolphins so don't lock up the AFC East just yet.
No. 1: Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1)
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Last Week's Rank: 1st
Sunday: 23-22 win at Miami
Without question, the Steelers did not bring their A-game to South Florida today. But they won, and doing that at less than your best is the sign of a great team.
There were a few mishaps at the beginning of the game. There were definitely a few at the end of the game, as well, and not just the Roethlisberger fumble: They did not look good near the goal line throughout that series.
But when they needed to get into scoring position, Hines Ward and Ben Roethlisberger got them there. And when they needed a defensive stop in the final minute, they got one.
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