NFL Power Rankings: Detroit Lions Headline Teams with Most to Prove in Week 8

The Detroit Lions were the darlings of the NFL not but two weeks ago.

Now, after two straight home losses and an injury to quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Lions are reeling.

However, the star QB, who has been truly healthy for the first time in his career, only suffered a mild ankle sprain and is listed as day-to-day.

The Lions cannot afford to lose a third straight game heading into their bye week, or everything they built in that 5-0 start will be lost.

And they are not the only team with something to prove in Week 8.

Lions

A 5-0 start was almost unthinkable for the Lions when the season started. Now, dropping to 5-3 seems unthinkable.

It is a very real possibility, though, as they travel to Denver this week.

Sports Authority Field at Mile High will be rocking in Tim Tebow's home debut, and this will be a huge test for the Lions.

They are certainly a more talented group, but better teams have lost control of seasons before in the face of adversity. Losing two straight and going on the road before a bye week is a must-win for the Lions.

Eagles

This is just about the end of the line here for the Eagles. They got a huge win against the Redskins prior to the bye week and come right out to face another NFC East opponent.

The way the conference is falling, the Eagles stand to find a playoff berth only through a division title at this point.

The Redskins are falling by the wayside with injuries and internal matters, while the Giants have a chance to open at least a two-game lead this week.

If Philadelphia wants any chance at the playoffs, it has to beat Dallas this week or risk falling completely out of the race and having to win out to even stay relevant.

Chargers

This football team just finds a way to confuse people year after year.

Now, following their second loss of the season (both to AFC East teams, ironically enough), they travel to Kansas City to take on the surging Chiefs.

The defending AFC West champs were crushed by injuries earlier this season, but battled out of an 0-3 hole to even their record at 3-3. They're coming off of a big win against division rival Oakland and have a ton of momentum on their side.

If the Chargers want to avoid a mess, they have to win this weekend against their division rivals.

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