The Week 8 Power Rankings are here, and it’s time to take a closer look at everyone’s resume. After all, not all 5-2 teams are built the same. Yes, we’re looking at you Washington and Buffalo. A good record built on empty calories doesn’t necessarily make a team a pretender, but it’s a good way to start figuring out where everyone should be slotted as the midpoint approaches. For instance, it’s the reason the Eagles are ranked in a spot that’s likely to rile the Philly folks. Remember, we’re putting a lot of weight on who you’ve beaten this week.
With that in mind, we have plenty of movement in this week’s rankings, starting at the top with a new No. 1.
Last week: 3
Sunday: Beat Minnesota Vikings 31-29
Who have they beaten?: Rams, Cardinals, Seahawks, Cowboys, Vikings
You could have argued before Sunday that the Lions had a weak resume. Then they beat the NFC’s only undefeated team. Detroit is averaging a league-best 40 points per game since Week 4. Jared Goff, who has thrown seven touchdown passes and no interceptions in his last three games, leads the NFL in passer rating (111.5).
Up next: vs. Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Last week: 2
Sunday: Beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers 41-31
Who have they beaten? Cowboys, Bills, Bengals, Commanders, Buccaneers
The Ravens defense has issues. Baltimore, uncharacteristically, is 26th in the league in points allowed (25.7 per game). With this offense, that might not matter. Derrick Henry had another 100-yard game Monday night (15 carries, 169 yards). That makes four in the last five outings for the 30-year-old. The Ravens are tied for the league lead in scoring (31.14) and have won five straight, with four of those coming against teams with a winning record.
Up next: at Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
3. Minnesota Vikings (5-1)
Last week: 1
Sunday: Lost to Detroit Lions 31-29
Who have they beaten? Giants, 49ers, Texans, Packers, Jets
How many good wins are we giving the Vikings credit for with the 49ers looking iffy? Honestly, Sunday’s loss to the Lions may have been Minnesota’s second-best showing. If Jake Bates misses a 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds left, the Vikings are still undefeated. Minnesota remains fourth in the league in point differential (61 points).
Up next: at Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
The 49ers’ shrinking window and how Brock Purdy fits (or might not): Sando’s Pick Six
Despite injuries and less-than-impressive stats, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs keep winning. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
Last week: 4
Sunday: Beat San Francisco 49ers 28-18
Who have they beaten? Ravens, Bengals, Falcons, Chargers, Saints, 49ers
The stats page doesn’t think the Chiefs are an elite team. Their offensive DVOA (13.2 percent) is seventh in the league but much closer to the Bengals (13 percent) than the Ravens (33.6 percent), according to FTN Fantasy. They are 16th in the league in yards per play (5.4) and 25th in the league in yards per carry (4.1), according to TruMedia. Patrick Mahomes is 23rd in passer rating (82.5) and has thrown more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (six) this year. And yet, here we are. The Chiefs are unbeaten and half of their wins have come against winning teams.
Up next: at Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Silver: Why Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs look capable of a three-peat
5. Green Bay Packers (5-2)
Last week: 7
Sunday: Beat Houston Texans 24-22
Who have they beaten? Colts, Titans, Rams, Cardinals, Texans
Sunday was only the Packers’ second win over a team with a winning record, and it took a 45-yard Brandon McManus field goal at the buzzer to do it. Josh Jacobs, who had 76 rushing yards against the Texans, is quietly fourth in the league in rushing with 540 yards. He also had his first career touchdown catch Sunday.
Up next: at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
6. Houston Texans (5-2)
Last week: 5
Sunday: Lost to Green Bay Packers 24-22
Who have they beaten? Colts, Bears, Jaguars, Bills, Patriots
C.J. Stroud had the second-worst passer rating of his career Sunday (58.8), and the Texans are now 0-5 when Stroud doesn’t hit at least 82 on that scale. Stroud, who completed 10 passes for 86 yards against the Packers, has been sacked on 8 percent of his dropbacks this season (which ranks 12th in the league) and hit 43 times, which is the seventh most. Joe Mixon’s 115 rushing yards were about the only bright spot against the Packers.
Up next: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
7. Buffalo Bills (5-2)
Last week: 8
Sunday: Beat Tennessee Titans 34-10
Who have they beaten? Cardinals, Dolphins, Jaguars, Jets, Titans
Josh Allen is third in the league in EPA per dropback (.24), fourth in passer rating (108.4) and fourth in passing touchdowns (12), all while still having no interceptions. He led Buffalo to 34 unanswered points on Sunday after the Titans had taken a 10-0 lead. However, this is the week we have to point out that the Bills’ wins have come over teams that are a combined 9-24.
Up next: at Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Josh Allen has grown as a game manager, and Sunday’s win shows why that’s crucial for Bills
8. Washington Commanders (5-2)
Last week: 6
Sunday: Beat Carolina Panthers 40-7
Who have they beaten? Giants, Bengals, Cardinals, Browns, Panthers
The DMV area got a distraction from the election cycle Monday as everyone waited breathlessly for an update on Jayden Daniels’ injured ribs. Coach Dan Quinn said the rookie quarterback is “week to week” but could play as soon as this week. We speak for everyone in the league, save maybe Eagles and Cowboys fans, when we say, “Whew.” The knock on the Commanders is that Washington hasn’t beaten a team with a winning record this season, and its five wins are over teams averaging 1.8 wins. How about Marcus Mariota, though? The veteran had a 132.8 passer rating after spelling Daniels on Sunday.
Up next: vs. Chicago Bears, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Last week: 14
Sunday: Beat New York Jets 37-15
Who have they beaten? Falcons, Broncos, Chargers, Raiders, Jets
It looks like Mike Tomlin picked the right time to switch quarterbacks. Russell Wilson made his Steelers debut and posted a 109 passer rating, connecting with George Pickens five times for 111 yards, against the Jets. The Steelers remain in first place in the AFC North, but they’ll be tested by the Commanders and Ravens in two of their next three games. Before that, though, they get the Giants and a bye week.
Up next: vs. New York Giants, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Brandon Marshall stops by the postgame presser and asks Mike Tomlin if it was one of his boldest decisions to start Russell Wilson.
Tomlin: “that’s why I’m well-compensated.” pic.twitter.com/fQ5bdMsOtA
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 21, 2024
10. Seattle Seahawks (4-3)
Last week: 15
Sunday: Beat Atlanta Falcons 34-14
Who have they beaten? Broncos, Patriots, Dolphins, Falcons
Not only did the Seahawks snap a three-game losing streak on Sunday, but they also beat just their second team with a winning record. DK Metcalf’s four catches for 99 yards were the highlight. The Seahawks, who are eighth in the league scoring (25.71 ppg), lead the NFC West by one game. They lost to the 49ers in Week 6 but get another shot in Week 11 in a game that will say a lot about this team’s playoff chances.
Up next: vs. Buffalo Bills, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
What we learned in NFL Week 7: Chiefs flip the script, Steelers’ bet pays off
11. Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
Last week: 9
Sunday: Lost to Seattle Seahawks 34-14
Who have they beaten? Eagles, Saints, Buccaneers, Panthers
The Falcons’ momentum under first-year head coach Raheem Morris hit a brick wall Sunday in a listless 20-point loss, but they are 3-0 in the NFC South and have gotten their young talent more involved this season. Bijan Robinson had his first 100-yard rushing game since Week 4 of his rookie year on Sunday (21 carries, 103 yards) and is sixth in the league with 483 yards. Tight end Kyle Pitts has had 65 or more receiving yards in three straight games, which is just the second time he has done that.
Up next: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
12. Philadelphia Eagles (4-2)
Last week: 18
Sunday: Beat New York Giants 28-3
Who have they beaten? Packers, Saints, Browns, Giants
Has any player been more important for team morale this season than Saquon Barkley? The Eagles’ new running back is third in the league with 658 rushing yards and has been a bright spot in a season that has encountered a few bumps on the way to four wins. On Sunday, Barkley carried the ball 17 times for 176 yards against his former team as Philly walloped the Giants. Week 11 against Washington is shaping up to be a showdown.
Up next: at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Saquon Barkley wanted the young guys to play instead of going for his record. What a teammate. @saquon | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/tJi8waO7MY
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 21, 2024
13. Chicago Bears (4-2)
Last week: 13
Sunday: Bye
Who have they beaten? Titans, Rams, Panthers, Jaguars
There are two ways to look at the Bears’ start. One: They have beaten teams with a combined record of 6-20. Two: They are sixth in point differential (47) and have won three straight behind rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Chicago, which is tied for fourth in turnover margin (six), will get a chance to prove itself against Washington this week. Hopefully, Jayden Daniels (ribs) will be