NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Kansas City Chiefs and More Surprising Climbers

Preseason expectations, and even early season performances, did a lot to unfairly place teams towards the bottom of power rankings polls everywhere.

Actually, let me rephrase that. The rankings were fair, particularly as they related to the early season performance. But what hasn't been fair is that people (like myself) were too stuck on them as the season progressed.

Now, we have some teams who have been playing good football recently that are starting to make their way up these polls. We may not have anticipated it, but it doesn't matter.

Kansas City Chiefs

This team was the NFL's worst after the first two weeks. They didn't just lose their first two games, but they were destroyed.

After a respectable loss to the Chargers in Week 3, the Chiefs looked done. Now, after a road blowout of the Raiders and a Chargers loss to the Jets, the Chiefs aren't far from legitimate contention.

The early season performance can't put them any higher than No. 20 right now. But if they beat the Chargers on Sunday, they will be much higher.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are only 2-5, which is hardly good. They share a division with three teams that are above .500, so their playoff chances are slim to none.

But they have been impressive in just about every week this season. That's largely because of their phenom quarterback, Cam Newton.

With a strong win against Washington, the Panthers showed that they are one of the best "bad teams" in the league.

With a home game against the Vikings, a bye, and a home game against the Titans, don't expect that ranking to drop any time soon.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have recovered nicely from a 1-2 start and now sit at 4-2. It's amazing to think that this team can actually compete with the Steelers or Ravens, but that's where they're at right now.

Granted, they haven't had to play either team this year, but I don't know that you can count on a disaster from those games.

The Bengals have been one of the most consistent risers in my power rankings all season. At No. 10, they are going to need to keep winning to keep rising.

Michael Dixon's Week 8 NFL Power Rankings

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