NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Philadelphia Eagles and Teams with Much to Prove

If you felt like Week 7 of the NFL was sorely lacking, perhaps it was because six of the NFL’s best or, at the very least, intriguing teams were at home enjoying their bye weeks.

The emerging Buffalo Bills, upstart Cincinnati Bengals, stalwart New England Patriots, controversial Philadelphia Eagles, surprising San Francisco 49ers and intriguing New York Giants all did not play this week and many of these teams have something to prove when they return in Week 8.

Let’s take a look at the teams that need to come back from the bye with a bang.

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia pulled out a seven-point victory over Washington and finally stopped the bleeding and held off another comeback upset against them.

Now that win does not look as impressive after the Carolina Panthers whooped on the ‘Skins by 13.

The Eagles have a huge matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 and need to win to have a hope of making the playoffs.

Tony Romo vs. Michael Vick on Sunday Night Football is going to make for quite an evening.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills got another reality check in Week 6 against the New York Giants, losing by three-points in a game that saw their defense commit a number of penalties and Ryan Fitzpatrick throw a couple of interceptions.

Now they need to come handle their business at home against the sliding Washington Redskins.

This game will prove if the Bills are legitimate or just lucky.

San Francisco 49ers

I have them ranked No. 4 on the power rankings because of their 5-1 record and convincing win against the Detroit Lions.

Can coach Jim Harbaugh continue getting his squad to play at such a high level?

They take on the struggling Cleveland Browns this week and it will be interesting to see how this team does coming off a bye.

Week 8 Power Rankings

Rank	Team	Record
1	Green Bay Packers	7-0
2	New England Patriots	5-1
3	Baltimore Ravens	4-1
4	San Francisco 49ers	5-1
5	New Orleans Saints	5-2
6	Pittsburgh Steelers	5-2
7	Buffalo Bills	4-2
8	New York Giants	4-2
9	Detroit Lions	5-2
10	Houston Texans	4-3
11	Atlanta Falcons	4-3
12	San Diego Chargers	4-2
13	Cincinnati Bengals	4-2
14	New York Jets	4-3
15	Chicago Bears	4-3
16	Carolina Panthers	2-5
17	Dallas Cowboys	3-3
18	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4-3
19	Washington Redskins	3-3
20	Kansas City Chiefs	3-3
21	Philadelphia Eagles	2-4
22	Tennessee Titans	3-3
23	Oakland Raiders	4-3
24	Cleveland Browns	3-3
25	Seattle Seahawks	2-4
26	Denver Broncos	2-4
27	Jacksonville Jaguars	1-5
28	Arizona Cardinals	1-5
29	Minnesota Vikings	1-6
30	Indianapolis Colts	0-7
31	St. Louis Rams	0-6
32	Miami Dolphins	0-6