Wednesday, October 25, 2017

NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand going into Week 8

1. Philadelphia Eagles

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Record: 6-1

Last week: Beat the Redskins, 34-24

This week: vs. San Francisco 49ers

One thing to know: By record and the eye test alike, the Eagles are the best team in football right now. While the loss of Pro Bowl tackle Jason Peters will hurt the franchise's 2017 campaign, the team's defense has done enough to keep things close and be a regular nuisance for opposing quarterbacks, and Carson Wentz has played like something close to an MVP candidate.

2. New England Patriots

2. New England Patriots

Record: 5-2

Last week: Beat the Falcons, 23-7

This week: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

One thing to know: Amid fears over the team's defense and offensive line, the Patriots nearly shut out the Falcons in a Super Bowl rematch. The defending champs have now won three in a row and seem to be getting their act together.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

3. Kansas City Chiefs

Record: 5-2

Last week: Lost to the Raiders 31-30

This week: vs. Denver Broncos

One thing to know: After starting off the year as the best team the league, the Chiefs have lost two straight games, although last Thursday's heart-stopping finish against the Raiders was a pretty rare fluke. Now they face a flailing Broncos team on Monday in a division rivalry game that will show which team can right the ship faster.

4. Minnesota Vikings

4. Minnesota Vikings

Record: 5-2

Last week: Beat the Vikings, 24-16

This week: at Cleveland Browns

One thing to know: Despite injuries to starting offensive players like Sam Bradford, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and running back Dalvin Cook, the Vikings continue to hold up, a testament to their depth.

5. Seattle Seahawks

5. Seattle Seahawks

Record: 4-2

Last week: Beat the Giants 24-7

This week: vs. Houston Texans

One thing to know: The Seahawks could still be a bit more impressive, but in a year where parity appears to rule over everything, a known quantity like the Seahawks feels like a solid place to put your faith, with a defense that can hang with any team and a quarterback ready to make the extra play to win.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 5-2

Last week: Beat the Bengals, 29-14

This week: at Detroit Lions

One thing to know: The Steelers are embroiled with trade drama, as wide receiver Martavis Bryant has requested a trade. Head coach Mike Tomlin said the team won't trade him.

7. Los Angeles Rams

7. Los Angeles Rams

Record: 5-2

Last week: Beat the Cardinals 33-0

This week: Bye

One thing to know: The Los Angeles Rams head into their bye week as the top team in the NFC West and a balanced team that has been within a score of every game they've lost. Not bad for a first-year head coach and sophomore quarterback.

8. Buffalo Bills

8. Buffalo Bills

Record: 4-2

Last week: Beat the Buccaneers, 30-27

This week: vs. Oakland Raiders

One thing to know: Tyrod Taylor has improved upon his 2016 season, posting a higher passer rating and touchdown percentage, and lower interception rate.

9. Dallas Cowboys

9. Dallas Cowboys

Record: 3-3

Last week: Beat the 49ers 40-10

This week: at Washington Redskins

One thing to know: While the case of Ezekiel Elliott's potential suspension still looms, Zeke is putting up big numbers in the mean time, including over 200 total yards against the Niners on Sunday.

10. New Orleans Saints

10. New Orleans Saints

Record: 4-2

Last week: Beat the Packers, 26-17

This week: vs. Chicago Bears

One thing to know: The Saints have rattled off four straight wins over quality opponents, moving them into first place in the NFC South. A big reason for the turn-around has been the defense: they're allowing the lowest opponent passer rating and are in the top four in points allowed.

11. Houston Texans

11. Houston Texans

Record: 3-3

Last week: Bye

This week: at Seattle Seahawks

One thing to know: The Texans have visited Seattle just once in the franchise's young history — a 2005 loss of 42-10 that would drop the winless Texans to 0-5. But that was a long time ago — Houston's starter Deshaun Watson would've just been celebrating his 10th birthday the last time the teams met in Seattle.

12. Jacksonville Jaguars

12. Jacksonville Jaguars

Record: 4-3

Last week: Beat the Colts, 27-0

This week: Bye

One thing to know: The Jaguars' Week 7 shutout of the Colts was a big win for two reasons — the team marched on without Leonard Fournette, and the defense continued to dominate.

13. Tennessee Titans

13. Tennessee Titans

Record: 4-3

Last week: Beat the Browns 12-9

This week: Bye

One thing to know: The Titans needed overtime to beat the Browns on Sunday, but were able to secure the victory and with it a winning record heading into their bye week. The AFC South is currently there for the taking, so the Titans will want to come back next week strong.

14. Carolina Panthers

14. Carolina Panthers

Record: 4-3

Last week: Lost to the Bears, 17-3

This week: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

One thing to know: As Cam Newton goes, so do the Panthers. The Panthers have now lost every game this season in which Newton has thrown more than one interception. For the year, he has 9 touchdowns to 10 interceptions.

15. Atlanta Falcons

15. Atlanta Falcons

Record: 3-3

Last week: Lost to the Patriots 23-7

This week: at New York Jets

One thing to know: The Falcons' once-prolific offense seems to have fallen apart in recent weeks. With two road games next on the schedule, Atlanta will need to clean up their act fast if they hope to put an end to their current three-game skid.

16. Denver Broncos

16. Denver Broncos

Record: 3-3

Last week: Lost to the Chargers, 21-0

This week: at Kansas City Chiefs

One thing to know: The Broncos have lost two of their last three games as their offensive problems of 2016 are resurfacing. A division game against the Chiefs doesn't make turning around the season any easier.

17. Green Bay Packers

17. Green Bay Packers

Record: 4-3

Last week: Lost to the Saints 26-17

This week: Bye

One thing to know: While Brett Hundley didn't look too awful in his starting debut in Aaron Rodgers' stead, the Packers by no means looked like world beaters on Sunday against the Saints. The bye week will be a good chance for Hundley to build up a rapport with the other starters.

18. Oakland Raiders

18. Oakland Raiders

Record: 3-4

Last week: Beat the Chiefs, 31-30

This week: at Buffalo Bills

One thing to know: Derek Carr helped save the Raiders' season with a chaotic, game-winning drive over the Chiefs. The team with perhaps the loftiest goals heading into 2017 are alive in the playoff chase, but it won't be easy.

19. Detroit Lions

19. Detroit Lions

Record: 3-3

Last week: Bye

This week: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

One thing to know: As the Lions head into their bye week, they have dropped two straight games in disappointing fashion. While it will be an uphill climb to the playoffs, Aaron Rodgers' season-ending injury opened up the race for the NFC North.

20. Los Angeles Chargers

20. Los Angeles Chargers

Record: 3-4

Last week: Beat the Broncos, 21-0

This week: at New England Patriots

One thing to know: Look out for the Chargers, who have now won three in a row, and have just four remaining opponents on their schedule that are currently above .500.

21. Washington Redskins

21. Washington Redskins

Record: 3-3

Last week: Lost to the Eagles 34-24

This week: vs. Dallas Cowboys

One thing to know: After beating the Eagles five straight times from 2014-16, the Redskins were swept by Philadelphia this season. They'll need a big game on Sunday if they hope to avoid yet another division loss at the hands of the Cowboys.

22. Miami Dolphins

22. Miami Dolphins

Record: 4-2

Last week: Beat the Jets, 31-28

This week: at Baltimore Ravens

One thing to know: With Jay Cutler injured, backup quarterback Matt Moore could have a chance to seize the starting job. He filled in in Week 7 and went 13-of-21 for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception while leading the game-winning drive.

23. Baltimore Ravens

23. Baltimore Ravens

Record: 3-4

Last week: Lost to the Vikings 24-16

This week: vs. Miami Dolphins

One thing to know: The Ravens have lost four of five games after a promising 2-0 start and remain one of the toughest teams to get a feel for in the league.

24. New York Jets

24. New York Jets

Record: 3-4

Last week: Lost to the Dolphins, 31-28

This week: vs. Atlanta Falcons

One thing to know: Six of the Jets' next seven opponents are currently .500 or above .500. It looks increasingly likely that the Jets' three-game win streak early in the season will be a blip in the radar.

25. Chicago Bears

25. Chicago Bears

Record: 3-4

Last week: Beat the Panthers 17-3

This week: at New Orleans Saints

One thing to know: With the help of two defensive touchdowns, the Bears were able to win their second straight game on Sunday despite the fact that quarterback Mitch Trubisky completed just four passes.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 2-4

Last week: Lost to the Bills, 30-27

This week: vs. Panthers

One thing to know: One of the more promising teams coming into the season, the Bucs are on the verge of losing control of their season entirely. A division game against the Panthers could go a long way in deciding Tampa Bay's fate.

27. Arizona Cardinals

27. Arizona Cardinals

Record: 3-4

Last week: Lost to the Rams 33-0

This week: Bye

One thing to know: With Carson Palmer out for close to eight weeks with a broken arm, the Cardinals bye week is coming at the perfect time. Backup Drew Stanton will use the extra week to get familiar with the first team offense and prepare to face the 49ers defense next Sunday.

28. Cincinnati Bengals

28. Cincinnati Bengals

Record: 2-4

Last week: Lost to the Steelers, 29-14

This week: vs. Indianapolis Colts

One thing to know: After rookie running back Joe Mixon after Mixon complained about a lack of carries in the Week 7 loss, head coach Marvin Lewis said: "You should show maturity just like everybody else. Everybody wants to be out there all the time."

29. Indianapolis Colts

29. Indianapolis Colts

Record: 2-5

Last week: Lost to the Jaguars 27-0

This week: at Cincinnati Bengals

One thing to know: While star quarterback Andrew Luck may not be cleared for game action until after the Colts have been eliminated from playoff contention, coach Chuck Pagano says the team plans to start him as soon as possible regardless.

30. New York Giants

30. New York Giants

Record: 1-6

Last week: Lost to the Seahawks, 24-7

This week: Bye

One thing to know: Giants GM Jerry Reese took blame for his team's struggle after falling to 1-6, saying: "This is the roster that I put together. I'm the reason we're 1-6."

31. San Francisco 49ers

31. San Francisco 49ers

Record: 0-7

Last week: Lost to the Cowboys 40-10

This week: at Philadelphia Eagles

One thing to know: The Niners streak of close losses came to an end on Sunday with a walloping at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys. Things aren't likely to get easier as San Francisco continues the hunt for its first win with a trip to Philadelphia to play the surging Eagles.

32. Cleveland Browns

32. Cleveland Browns

Record: 0-7

Last week: Lost to the Titans, 13-9

This week: vs. Minnesota Vikings

One thing to know: The Browns are sticking with DeShone Kizer at quarterback in Week 8, despite now owning a 3-11 touchdown-interception ratio. Each passing day, the decision to pass on Carson Wentz must look worse in Cleveland.


Source: Business Insider India