2017 NFL Power Rankings: Week 8
The league is beginning to separate into teams that should already be looking ahead to 2018, teams that have the potential to quickly turn things around, and the true, genuine contenders. As we enter the halfway mark of the season, teams will be looking to prove what they have during the final stretch. Quite frankly, the top 10 and the playoff picture this year looks a lot different than it has in recent years. So where does your team land this week?
32. Cleveland Browns (0-7, Previous Ranking: 32)
Last Week: L, 12-9 (OT), vs. Titans
Next Week: vs. Vikings (5-2)
I believed in the Browns at the beginning of the season. I saw some potential for good things. But at 0-7 and without their best and most consistent player (Joe Thomas), the Browns will remain in the basement and compete for the #1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. You have to begin questioning when Hue Jackson will be out as HC.
31. San Francisco 49ers (0-7, Previous Ranking: 31)
Last Week: L, 40-10, vs. Cowboys
Next Week: at Eagles (6-1)
The 49ers still have some potential to be a decent football team beyond 2017 once they figure out the quarterback situation. They competed against teams this season, but this blowout against the Cowboys was painful to watch.
30. Indianapolis Colts (2-5, Previous Ranking: 29)
Last Week: L, 27-0, vs. Jaguars
Next Week: at Bengals (2-4)
I think the result of this game was more of a result of the Jaguars defense. But lets be real: this team is nothing without Andrew Luck. And truth be told, they’re probably still nothing with him. Until they shore up their drafting, they will never get better.
29. New York Giants (1-6, Previous Ranking: 30)
Last Week: L, 24-7, vs. Seahawks
Next Week: Bye
After beating the Broncos, it appeared that the Giants could be ready to turn it around. I guess that was a false narrative. Eli Manning hasn’t been able to do much with or without his weapons. The offensive line is still a liability. Just like the Colts, the Giants need to draft better and in a hurry.
http://gty.im/865502052
28. Arizona Cardinals (3-4, Previous Ranking: 23)
Last Week: L, 33-0, at Rams
Next Week: Bye
The Cardinals looked revived in Week 6 with the re-emergence of Adrian Peterson and a balanced offensive attack. Fast-forward a week, and AP is back to showing his age and Carson Palmer might have just played his last snap in the NFL. Goes to show you how the NFL is truly a week-to-week league.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4, Previous Ranking: 27)
Last Week: L, 30-27, at Bills
Next Week: vs. Panthers (4-3)
Sure, Buffalo has proven to be a difficult to play this season, but maybe the Buccaneers just aren’t who we thought they could be before the season? Three straight losses in close games means that not all hope is lost, but they can’t afford to drop many more this season.
26. New York Jets (3-4, Previous Ranking: 21)
Last Week: L, 31-28, at Dolphins
Next Week: vs. Falcons (3-3)
Another week, another close, heartbreaking loss for the Jets. Props to them for fighting until the end in each matchup and this could very easily be a 5-2 football team (2 months ago, that would’ve been impossible to imagine). At the end of the day, the Jets still aren’t out of it. But they need to stop dropping games in this fashion.
25. Baltimore Ravens (3-4, Previous Ranking: 26)
Last Week: L, 24-16, at Vikings
Next Week: vs. Dolphins (4-2)
The Ravens might have one of the worst offenses in the NFL. Joe Flacco is playing like one of the worst unquestioned starting quarterbacks in the NFL right now. As the Steelers continue to win and the Ravens continue to lose, they need to change something if they ever expect to win the AFC North.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (2-4, Previous Ranking: 19)
Last Week: L, 29-14, at Steelers
Next Week: vs. Colts (2-5)
Week 7 was a tale of two halves against the Steelers. The Bengals looked like their gameplan would allow them to keep pace with the Steelers, but they shut down in the second half. The Bengals are honestly in a better place than the Ravens right now, but that’s not saying much.
23. Oakland Raiders (3-4, Previous Ranking: 12)
Last Week: W, 31-30, vs. Chiefs
Next Week: at Bills (4-2)
And just like that, the Raiders decided to wake up after dropping four straight games. This was the type of win against an elite team that the Raiders needed to stay alive and attempt to build some momentum. They are far from a perfect team but in all reality, the AFC West is wide open with the re-emergence of the Chargers, the Chiefs riding a two-game losing streak, and the Broncos being a threat to win any Sunday. Things could heat up pretty quickly.
22. Green Bay Packers (4-3, Previous Ranking: 15)
Last Week: L, 26-17, vs. Saints
Next Week: Bye
Not that this comes as a surprise, but life without Aaron Rodgers isn’t fun. Brett Hundley didn’t have a terrible game, but the offense has clear limitations with him under center. Kudos on that nice touchdown run, though. The Packers can only hope to stay afloat and pray that Rodgers can return during the season. Or else, most hope will be lost.
21. Tennessee Titans (4-3, Previous Ranking: 22)
Last Week: W, 12-9 (OT), at Browns
Next Week: Bye
The Titans did enough to win and are currently in first place in the AFC South. But talk about unspectacular. This offense couldn’t get anything going against the Browns – the Browns – so other than securing the win and the defense doing just enough, it’s hard to find many positives from this game.
20. Chicago Bears (3-4, Previous Ranking: 25)
Last Week: W, 17-3, vs. Panthers
Next Week: at Saints (4-2)
Almost beat the Falcons and Vikings. Beat the Steelers, Ravens, and Panthers (after Mitchell Trubisky threw just SEVEN passes). The common denominator? A defense that has been surprisingly solid this season. They need Trubisky to do more but if the defense can bail them out and keep it close, that is doable.
19. Miami Dolphins (4-2, Previous Ranking: 20)
Last Week: W, 31-28, vs. Jets
Next Week: at Ravens (3-4)
Is it just me, or did it seem like Miami picked things up once Matt Moore entered the game for the injured Jay Cutler? The Dolphins have won 3 straight and while they haven’t been pretty, they’ve found a way to get the job done. Moore will likely start on Thursday against a meh Ravens squad, so we could see another solid performance from a player that honestly deserves some consideration as the starter moving forward.
18. Denver Broncos (3-3, Previous Ranking: 11)
Last Week: L, 21-0, at Chargers
Next Week: at Chiefs (5-2)
I said earlier this season that the Broncos will only go as far as Trevor Siemian will carry them. And at this point, that is about as far as a former 7th-round quarterback will take you: not very far. The Broncos have struggled mightily against inferior opponents in back-to-back weeks and are trending in the completely wrong direction right now. Things don’t get easier in Week 8.
17. Los Angeles Chargers (3-4, Previous Ranking: 26)
Last Week: W, 21-0, vs. Broncos
Next Week: at Patriots (5-2)
After starting 0-4, the Chargers have won 3 straight and are looking like a team on the move right now. The defense has clicked in a huge way during their streak and the offense hasn’t been too shabby either. Just like that, the Chargers are right back in the thick of the AFC West race. Playing in New England won’t be easy, but a win could really boost this team moving forward.
16. Carolina Panthers (4-3, Previous Ranking: 5)
Last Week: L, 17-3, at Bears
Next Week: at Buccaneers (2-4)
The Panthers are arguably the hardest team to read this season. With 11 days to prepare for this game, seeing this offensive dud was not what you want to see from a team trying to keep pace in the NFC South. Week 8 will be telling. If they can rebound against the division foe Buccaneers, maybe there will still be hope. But if they drop it, the team will not be in a place where it needs to be.
15. Atlanta Falcons (3-3, Previous Ranking: 10)
Last Week: L, 23-7, at Patriots
Next Week: at Jets (3-4)
Are the Patriots finally finding their groove? Or are the Falcons simply not the same team they were in 2016? I think both are true. Kyle Shanahan was the key factor in the turnaround we saw last season, not Matt Ryan and company. This offense struggles to get anything going and the defense hasn’t been much better. It isn’t time to panic yet, as the Buccaneers and Panthers are struggling too. But the Falcons aren’t the terrifying team they were a year ago.
14. Detroit Lions (3-3, Previous Ranking: 14)
Last Week: Bye
Next Week: vs. Steelers (5-2)
I can sum up the Lions in one word: inconsistent. All season, they have managed to fall behind early in games before waking up in the second half in an attempt to come back. That isn’t a recipe for success in the NFL. The defense has had moments of excellence but has largely been unspectacular in recent weeks. The Lions aren’t out of the fight yet, as some crucial players will return from injury soon. But they need to pick it up in the first half of games.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3, Previous Ranking: 18)
Last Week: W, 27-0, at Colts
Next Week: Bye
This defense is the real deal. They are constantly flying all over the field and make life a living nightmare for opposing offenses. The thing that people don’t realize? Blake Bortles had a solid game (shocking, I know). If he can play like this more often against better teams, the Jaguars could finally be here to stay.
12. Washington Redskins (3-3, Previous Ranking: 9)
Last Week: L, 34-24, at Eagles
Next Week: vs. Cowboys (3-3)
Even after losing a great opportunity to close the gap against the Eagles, the Redskins were in a position earlier in the game to take control but missed out. At 3-3, they aren’t out of it yet, as they have a pivotal matchup with the 3-3 Cowboys this week. Once the Redskins can get healthy, the could fight right back into the playoff discussion. That will likely have to be as a Wild Card team, though, as the Eagles are in the drivers seat in the NFC East.
11. New Orleans Saints (4-2, Previous Ranking: 16)
Last Week: W, 26-17, at Packers
Next Week: vs. Bears (3-4)
Through the first two weeks of the season, the Saints looked lost and in the midst of a nightmare season. Just as I always stress, you can’t write off teams that early in the season. Winners of four straight, the defense has turned it around in a major way and Drew Brees continues to air it out and move the ball around. All of a sudden, the Saints have the feel of a contender in the NFC and not a fluky bottom feeder in the NFC South.
10. Buffalo Bills (4-2, Previous Ranking: 12)
Last Week: W, 30-27, vs. Buccaneers
Next Week: vs. Raiders (4-2)
The Bills passing game will continue to be bland at best, but that rushing attack continues to be among the NFL’s best. It was a close game against the middling Buccaneers, but a win is a win and they found a way to close it out late. The Bills defense can try to stop the Raiders resurgent offense in Week 8 to continue their fight in the AFC.
9. Dallas Cowboys (3-3, Previous Ranking: 17)
Last Week: W, 40-10, at 49ers
Next Week: at Redskins (3-3)
The Cowboys desperately needed a statement win against the 49ers to regain some of their mojo and silence some of the doubters. I don’t think the Cowboys are quite there yet, but this win certainly gives them some juice moving forward. Getting Sean Lee back in the lineup was huge as well. He is the heart and soul of that defense (even if Demarcus Lawrence is the best player on the D right now and making a case for DPOY).
8. Minnesota Vikings (5-2, Previous Ranking: 13)
Last Week: W, 24-16, vs. Ravens
Next Week: at Browns (0-7)
With the inconsistencies of the Lions and the loss of Aaron Rodgers, the Vikings have quickly become the favorites in the NFC North. Case Keenum isn’t a starting quarterback, but with the weapons he has around him and a defense that is one of the best in the league, he does just enough to allow the Vikings to be a contender this year. At the end of the day, though, quarterback is the one position holding this team back.
7. Houston Texans (3-3, Previous Ranking: 7)
Last Week: Bye
Next Week: at Seahawks (4-2)
Injuries have piled up for the Texans, but this team just feels like a team poised to continue winning as long as Deshaun Watson keeps playing at an elite level as a rookie. The Seahawks defense could give him a solid test and further prove that he is in fact the real deal. After narrowly losing to the Patriots, this could be the big win that the Texans use to officially springboard them into the upper-echelon of the NFL.
6. Seattle Seahawks (4-2, Previous Ranking: 8)
Last Week: W, 24-7, at Giants
Next Week: vs. Texans (3-3)
The Seahawks appear to finally be settling down and finding their rhythm. The defense is looking like they’re back to form and the offense (specifically Russell Wilson) are getting this moving around the field. With the Rams suddenly the team to beat in the NFC West (something the Seahawks did already this season), the Seahawks need to keep winning.
5. Los Angeles Rams (5-2, Previous Ranking: 4)
Last Week: W, 33-0, vs. Cardinals
Next Week: Bye
Let me say it again: Sean McVay has flipped this team basically overnight. Jared Goff and Todd Gurley have really found their own this season and after looking average at times, the defense finally had a showing to be proud of. This offense can put points on the board almost effortlessly. It’s hard to not be impressed with what they have managed to do so far. Don’t look too much into the drop from 4 to 5 in the rankings. Simply based on the teams above them.
4. New England Patriots (5-2, Previous Ranking: 6)
Last Week: W, 23-7, vs. Falcons
Next Week: vs. Chargers (3-4)
Don’t look now, but the Patriots are finally finding their groove. The offense hasn’t been the problem, as Tom Brady continues to defy father time and play at an elite level. The defense, however, has shown slight improvements compared to the six straight 300-yard passers they had allowed to start the season. I didn’t put the Patriots higher because I would like to see this type of play over a longer duration but for the time being, the Patriots look like they are slowly getting closer to being the team they always are.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2, Previous Ranking: 2)
Last Week: L, 31-30, at Raiders
Next Week: vs. Broncos (3-3)
After being the last undefeated team in the NFL, the Chiefs have now dropped two straight games. These problems haven’t been just on offense, though, as the Chiefs rectified their shortcomings against the Steelers by putting on a strong performance against the Raiders. Defensively, however, the Chiefs are struggling. There are bright points (Marcus Peters, Justin Houston), but as a whole, the Chiefs need to improve if they want to stop their losing streak.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2, Previous Ranking: 3)
Last Week: W, 29-14, vs. Bengals
Next Week: at Lions (3-3)
The Steelers are doing almost everything well. The defense has become a major strength overnight and the offense has finally found the mojo it needs to put up major yardage. But at the end of the day, they still need to finish drives with touchdowns and not field goals and they need to continue to tighten up against the run. They can force turnovers. They can sack the quarterback. They can throw. They can run. If they can shore up some of the small issues they have, the Steelers are the most complete team in the AFC and are the team to beat.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (6-1, Previous Ranking: 1)
Last Week: W, 34-24, vs. Redskins
Next Week: vs. 49ers (0-7)
Enough is enough. Everyone needs to accept it: the Eagles are the best team in the NFL and Carson Wentz is playing MVP-caliber football right now. He makes all of the throws. He plays extremely cerebral football. He is mobile. He is everything you want from a quarterback. The Eagles are one score away on the road in Kansas City from being undefeated and as long as Wentz keeps playing like this, they’ll be in the Super Bowl conversation between now and February. Oh, and did I mention that the defense isn’t that bad either? Look out, NFL.
