– Last Updated on November 20, 2022 10:18 pm
NFL Power Rankings Week 8
Looking for 2016 NFL Power Rankings? Week 7 of the NFL season is in the books – it was another crazy one to say the least! The Vikings were finally beaten (and rather badly), the Patriots survived the Roethlisberger-less Steelers, the Raiders kept their roll going and the Seahawks and Cardinals played one of the most unmemorable I can remember.
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It all equates to a pretty big shakeup in the Rankings this week.
So where does your favorite stand heading into Week 8? Let’s take a look in Dave B’s Week 8 NFL Power Rankings.
1. New England Patriots
(6-1) – Last Week: 2
The Patriots let the Ben Roethlisberger-less Pittsburgh Steelers hang around on Sunday but still got the road win.
They committed a few uncharacteristic turnovers and Brady and Gronk were just average – and they still won! With LeGarrette Blount in the backfield and the passing attack what it is, Bill Belichick and company find themselves in a familiar spot – as the best team in the NFL.
2. Dallas Cowboys
(5-1) – Last Week: 3
The Cowboys rise one spot in the Rankings despite being on their bye this week. With Dak Prescott defying the odds and with Zeke Elliot doing what he has done, the sky is the limit for this team.
They should get Dez Bryant back this week as well.
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The most dominant O-line in the game has carried this team so far – a date with Philadelphia this week should tell us a lot about this team going forward.
3. Minnesota Vikings
(5-1) – Last Week: 1
The Vikings are a lot like the Denver Broncos – aren’t they? They have a pedestrian offense and a stout defense but were exposed during their only loss of the season Sunday.
If they can’t run the ball or protect Sam Bradford there are some huge concerns. But as we saw last year, a team with an incredible defense can make up for a lot of deficiencies. The good news is that they play the Bears this week.
4. Denver Broncos
(5-2) – Last Week: 7
The Broncos handled the Texans at home on Monday night – the defense was absolutely remarkable. Denver seems to have rediscovered a semblance of a running game and Trevor Seimian was back to being his efficient, effective self.
5. Seattle Seahawks
(4-1-1) – Last Week: 4
It was ugly on Sunday night against the Cardinals but the Hawks, as good teams do, found a way.
My thought is that Seattle got a bad game out of their way and that they are still a top 5 team in the NFL – the defense is still insane and Russell Wilson will break out sooner than later.
Sure this team has flaws but the defense makes up for most of them. Some O-line help will be critical for this team to reach the promise-land however!
6. Kansas City Chiefs
(4-2) – Last Week: 9
The Chiefs are becoming a serious threat – the offense is rolling with Spencer Ware becoming the next NFL superstar and the defense has held its own without a few of its key guys – those of whom should be returning from injury sooner than later.
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KC is one of the most balanced teams in the league right now and a deserving #6.
7. Green Bay Packers
(4-2) – Last Week: 10
Who needs a running back? The Packers proved that they can win no matter who they put in the backfield – their game against the Bears on was on Aaron Rodgers’ shoulders – not a bad place to be.
Green Bay’s defense has been decent as well despite a rash of injuries. I’m not sure they can maintain with Rodgers throwing 56 times but for now Green Bay looks like a contender!
8. Oakland Raiders
(5-2) – Last Week: 11
How about them Raiders? Another road win in the Eastern Time zone has the team 5-2.
Derek Carr is being afforded tons of time to throw and he’s making teams pay while the return of Latavius Murray to the backfield gives this team a legitimately balanced offense.
Oakland’s nemesis is their defense but even they showed up on Sunday and played very well.
9. Atlanta Falcons
(4-3) – Last Week: 5
The Falcons have now lost two games in a row – the one against the Chargers at home on Sunday could prove to be huge! After dominating for a good chunk of the game, Atlanta’s defense was exposed by Philip Rivers.
But as long as Julio Jones is healthy and Matt Ryan keeps throwing darts Atlanta will be an interesting team to watch.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
(4-2) – Last Week: 14
The Eagles snapped out of a funk and beat the only undefeated team in the league Sunday – impressive.
It was all thanks to a defense that harassed Sam Bradford all game long and a rookie QB that was able to shrug off a couple of brutal mistakes to post the win.
Defense, special teams and an OK offense have proven to be a formula for success in the NFL – count Philadelphia as another example.
11. Arizona Cardinals
(3-1-1) – Last Week: 13
The Cardinals played well enough to win Sunday night against the Seahawks – darn kickers! They dominated the yardage battle and the time of possession but had to settle for the tie.
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Carson Palmer WILL get better and the tremendous David Johnson looks like the best player in the game right now. Arizona is still a top tier team on paper – they just have to start showing it on the field!
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
(4-3) – Last Week: 8
The Steelers will be without Big Ben for a few more weeks and Antonio Brown looks as though he nicked himself up on Sunday which is huge cause for concern.
That said Landry Jones was solid against the Patriots and LeVeon Bell still exists for this team. Pittsburgh just need to tread water until Big Ben comes back and then they are an automatic top 10 team.
13. Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) – Last Week: 16
14. Buffalo Bills (4-3) – Last Week: 6
15. Detroit Lions (4-3) – Last Week: 19
16. Washington Redskins (4-3) – Last Week: 12
17. New York Giants (4-3) – Last Week: 18
18. Houston Texans (4-3) – Last Week: 17
19. Baltimore Ravens (3-4) – Last Week: 15
20. San Diego Chargers (3-4) – Last Week: 22
21. Tennessee Titans (3-4) – Last Week: 21
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) – Last Week: 28
23. Miami Dolphins (3-4) – Last Week: 26
24. New York Jets (2-5) – Last Week: 29
25. Carolina Panthers (1-5) – Last Week: 25
26. Indianapolis Colts (3-4) – Last Week: 27
27. Los Angeles Rams (3-4) – Last Week: 24
28. New Orleans Saints (2-4) – Last Week: 23
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4) – Last Week: 20
30. Chicago Bears (1-6) – Last Week: 31
31. San Francisco 49ers (1-6) – Last Week: 30
32. Cleveland Browns (0-7) – Last Week: 32
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