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AP Photo/Don Wright

2024 NFL Power Rankings: Week 8


There’s just one undefeated team remaining—the back-to-back defending champion Chiefs—as we hit Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season.

 

1. Kansas City Chiefs (6-0) | Last week: 1

Following another defensive-led win at San Francisco, the Chiefs acquired former All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans to give the offense a boost. It arguably could have been worse for teams hoping to knock off Kansas City, but keep in mind—especially in key moments—that Hopkins is someone that seems to get away with more push-offs than anyone.

 

2. Detroit Lions (5-1) | Last week: 2

Jared Goff and the Lions offense remained on fire, and the defense made enough plays to build a lead in the win versus the Vikings. It’s disappointing that receiver Jameson Williams is facing a two-game suspension, but he might be a guy that comes back with a vengeance.

 

3. Baltimore Ravens (5-2) | Last week: 3

The Ravens offense is pretty much unstoppable right now, and Lamar Jackson’s dominance on Monday nights and against the NFC continued in the victory at Tampa Bay. Again, it’s unbelievable that other teams allowed Baltimore to add Derrick Henry at the price they did.

 

4. Buffalo Bills (5-2) | Last week: 6 (+2)

While the Bills took a bit to get going at home—something they can’t afford to do against top teams in the league—they racked up 34 consecutive points after falling behind 10-0 against the Titans. Amari Cooper caught a touchdown in his first game with the club, and he feels like a seamless fit there.

 

5. Minnesota Vikings (5-1) | Last week: 4 (-1)

The pressure the Minnesota defense brought was handled easily by Jared Goff, but I am totally fine with the idea of living by the blitz and dying by the blitz. The Rams might have more trouble slowing down the Vikings defense tomorrow night.

 

6. Houston Texans (5-2) | Last week: 5 (-1)

Not having Nico Collins (hamstring) appears to be having more of a negative impact than expected in a deep receiving group for Houston. C.J. Stroud threw for just 86 yards in a tight loss to the Packers, though running back Joe Mixon (115 rushing yards, two touchdowns) is playing about as well as anyone right now.

 

7. Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) | Last week: 8 (+1)

It was against the Browns and the Giants, so this weekend versus the Bengals will be a much bigger test, but the Eagles defense has shown definite life over the past couple of weeks. Saquon Barkley went off for 176 rushing yards on just 17 carries in his return to MetLife Stadium.

 

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) | Last week: 9 (+1)

I mentioned last week that the hope for Mike Tomlin in making the quarterback switch was to open the passing game, but that it came in a difficult matchup with the Jets pass defense. Well, Tomlin’s move certainly worked out, with Russell Wilson clearly adding another element to a team that currently looks like a legitimate Super Bowl contender with a balanced offense and playmaking defense.

 

9. Green Bay Packers (5-2) | Last week: 10 (+1)

Led by a feisty secondary, the Packers defense—which got home with timely pressure in the win over the Texans—is playing outstanding over the past few games. Jordan Love has been a bit up and down, but Green Bay is so talented that he has many opportunities to make huge plays and will hopefully grow to limit the bad ones.

 

10. San Francisco 49ers (3-4) | Last week: 5 (-5)

Losing Brandon Aiyuk for the season due to a torn ACL and MCL is more tough injury luck for the 49ers offense, which also lost Deebo Samuel (no doubt a massive part of the week of preparation and gameplan) to pneumonia during the 28-18 loss to the Chiefs. So, it’s fair to give a bit of a pass to Brock Purdy and company. The Niners are seeking to keep up their dominance over the Cowboys this Sunday night.

 

11. Dallas Cowboys (3-3) | Last week: 13 (+2)

The Cowboys are hoping that pass rusher Micah Parson and cornerback DaRon Bland are good to go for the 49ers matchup. Either way, a lot is going to be on the plate of Dak Prescott and his receivers unless Dallas can get the run game going.

 

12. Seattle Seahawks (4-3) | Last week: 16 (+4)

Back on track with a convincing win at Atlanta, the Seahawks got two touchdowns from running back Kenneth Walker III on his birthday and picked off Kirk Cousins twice. It would be big if cornerback Riq Woolen is able to play for a home matchup with the Bills this Sunday.

 

13. Atlanta Falcons (4-3) | Last week: 11 (-2)

You can arguably chalk up Atlanta’s loss to the Seahawks—which mostly got out of hand into the second half—to an off day, but they are in a strong position in the NFC South thanks to injuries to Tampa and New Orleans. The Falcons will already face the Bucs for the second time this week and must find a way to get another win given how depleted the rival is.

 

14. Chicago Bears (4-2) | Last week: 14

I am anxious to see how the Chicago defense, which had the bye week to prepare, plays a Commanders offense that’s been excellent through several games. A matchup of No. 1 versus No. 2 pick in Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels might have to wait, though, as Daniels is dealing with a rib injury that knocked him out of last week’s win.

 

15. Washington Commanders (5-2) | Last week: 17 (+2)

Just watch what he did; Marcus Mariota played lights out in relief of Daniels. I can’t believe a team like the Raiders didn’t go after Mariota this offseason (they paid Gardner Minshew a lot more). Anyway, I’ll again say that offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury deserves a ton of credit for operating an attack his quarterbacks are comfortable with.

 

16. Los Angeles Chargers (3-3) | Last week: 15 (-1)

The Chargers are going to be in a bunch of tight games this year, and they couldn’t finish Monday night on the road with a win. Not finding the end zone and instead settling for five Cameron Dicker field goals might have been the deciding factor.

 

17. Denver Broncos (4-3) | Last week: 18 (+1)

Sean Payton had a triumphant return to New Orleans behind a balanced offensive attack with running back Javonte Williams rushing 14 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns—and Denver just missed on a bigger night from Bo Nix and the passing attack. Linebacker Cody Barton was one of the best players on the field with six tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble returned for a touchdown.

 

18. Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) | Last week: 20 (+2)

Like the Eagles—the team they interestingly face this week—the past two wins over the Giants and Browns might not say too much about where they stand. That said, the defense stepping up is still a good sign, and this Sunday will be a better test.

 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3) | Last week: 12 (-7)

I think Todd Bowles can keep this team in NFC South contention, but it’ll no doubt be a challenge after losing star wide receiver Chris Godwin likely for the year to a dislocated ankle—another tough injury to see for one of the league’s top players—and receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) for a few weeks. Look for Tampa to play through their three running backs and for rookie receiver Jalen McMillan to step up.

 

20. Indianapolis Colts (4-3) | Last week: 19 (-1)

Again a bit rough around the edges in his return after a two-game absence, second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson avoided a big mistake through the air and was not hesitant to use his legs (14 carries, 56 yards) in the 16-10 win over the Dolphins. Two fumble recoveries by the defense drove the victory, and now Indy appears set to get running back Jonathan Taylor and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back.

 

21. Arizona Cardinals (3-4) | Last week: 22 (+1)

The Cardinals had a nice bounce-back effort on Monday night, as getting a gritty win over the Chargers is no easy task. Next up, Arizona is seeking consecutive wins for the first time in 2024 when they go to Miami for Tua Tagovailoa’s return.

 

22. New York Jets (2-5) | Last week: 21 (-1)

They’re no doubt a bit more flashy and more talented on offense, but the Jets have largely felt like the same team as last season through seven games. The question is whether they can catch fire and go on a run at the right time.

 

23. Los Angeles Rams (2-4) | Last week: 24 (+1)

The victory over the Raiders sets the Rams up for a critical Thursday night matchup with the Vikings as Sean McVay’s squad attempts to contend in the NFC as they get healthier. Star receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) is poised to return after missing four games, but there’s reportedly a chance he’s traded if LA drops to 2-5.

 

24. Miami Dolphins (2-4) | Last week: 27 (+3)

Tua’s return will be good to see but will also have people holding their breath at least until he takes his first hit. The importance of Tagovailoa to operating the offense cannot be understated, and I expect everyone around him will see a jump in production.

 

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) | Last week: 29 (+4)

The Jaguars were one of a few teams to erase an early deficit with relative ease, eventually running the ball on 18 consecutive plays in the London win over the Patriots. They were probably the most desperate team in the league for a win in Week 7, but building on it won’t be easy when they host the Packers this weekend.

 

26. New York Giants (2-5) | Last week: 23 (-3)

The first game without star left tackle Andrew Thomas did not go well for the Giants, and Daniel Jones didn’t have much time to find Malik Nabers and others down the field in the loss to the Eagles. Giants owner John Mara must be sick after seeing Saquon go off while his own offensive line did not perform, and Bill Belichick had a spot on assessment of the situation:

 

 

27. New Orleans Saints (2-5) | Last week: 25 (-2)

The Saints have arguably been decimated by injuries more than anyone in 2024, but they just haven’t felt very competitive over the past six quarters. It’s not like the Broncos played conservatively when he was in the game at the end, so I think it’s fair to say it was a mistake not to play Jake Haener at quarterback with how good he looked.

 

28. Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) | Last week: 26 (-2)

I mentioned the possibility the Raiders could have had Mariota as a better quarterback option during free agency, and Gardner Minshew simply must do a much better job of protecting the football now that he’s back under center with Aidan O’Connell (thumb) out for a month. We’ll see if Vegas can get up for a matchup with the archnemesis Chiefs.

 

29. Tennessee Titans (1-5) | Last week: 28 (-1)

The Titans started fast at Buffalo with Mason Rudolph under center, but the Bills were simply too much and are a much better team right now. I’ve mentioned it before but will state it again after the Hopkins trade: I just don’t understand the decision-making and roster construction in Tennessee.

 

30. Cleveland Browns (1-6) | Last week: 31 (+1)

Deshaun Watson is done for the year with a torn Achilles, but Jameis Winston might ultimately be an upgrade at quarterback for a group that got running back Nick Chubb back last week and saw tight end David Njoku have a huge game. Winston should play through those two.

 

31. New England Patriots (1-6) | Last week: 32 (+1)

The talk of the week in New England is first-year head coach Jerod Mayo saying that his team is “soft” right now after losing to the Jags and dropping to 1-6. There’s a lot of work to be done in New England, and they are another franchise that’s made some questionable roster decisions recently.

 

32. Carolina Panthers (1-6) | Last week: 30 (-2)

The Panthers are simply a disaster at this point. Washington is the type of defense you should be able to be competitive against, but it was no contest on either side of the ball in the 40-7 loss.