NFL Power Rankings: Week 8
16 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)
PR - 9
I wonder if Tom Brady regrets unretiring. I mean if he didn’t, his marriage wouldn’t be unfolding right now and he wouldn’t be losing to the legit worst team in the league in the Carolina Panthers. Honestly the Panthers waved the white flag last week when they started trading away their best players and the Bucs still lost to them 3-21! Absolutely absurd. This once vaunted defense was gashed for over 200 yards rushing by RB D’Onta Foreman and RB Chubba Hubbard. (This is my first time hearing their names too)
15 – Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)
PR - 10
It’s the same story with these Chargers. They all have all the pieces to be great but just can’t seem to put it together. It is unsustainable to have Justin Herbert throw it 50+ times a game. It simply isn’t working. Injuries are also starting to pile up - they lost starting CB JC Jackson for the year and WR Mike Williams for at least 4 weeks. This might be the perfect time for their BYE week.
14 – San Francisco 49ers (3-4)
PR - 11
The whole world is talking about how bad Jimmy G is and how the 49ers losing is his fault. There may be some truth to that but it isn’t as glaring as how atrocious the defense was this weekend. Jimmy G could have literally thrown for 500 yards and 5 touchdowns and they still would have lost! That’s how bad the defense was. It is becoming apparent that DT Arik Armstead is the key to this defense because without him, they can’t stop anything.
13 – Los Angeles Rams (3-3)
PR - 13
The Rams are coming off a much-needed BYE. Hopefully they were able to figure out their offensive line problems and WR Allen Robinson got invited to breakfast with QB Matt Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp.
12 – Seattle Seahawks (4-3)
PR - NR
And the Seattle Seahawks are sitting atop the NFC West – just like we all expected at the beginning of the season (that was sarcasm). Honestly though, who would have thought that the Seahawks would be here 8 weeks into the season? I certainly didn’t. But QB Geno Smith is making a strong case for Most Improved Player with his insane QB play and RB Kenneth Walker is now the front runner to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
11 – Miami Dolphins (4-3)
PR - NR
Tua made it back to the football field this week and he led his team to a victory against the Steelers. While it was good to have him back, it wasn’t always pretty. In fact, the outcome of this game could have been drastically different if the Steelers’ defenders knew how to catch the ball. There were 4 Tua interceptions that were just straight up dropped. Tua is good but he’s got to knock some rust off if he wants to win against harder competition.
10 – Tennessee Titans (4-2)
PR - 14
Nothing is certain except death, taxes and Derrick Henry rushing for over 100 yards a game. The offensive is showing us that after AJ Brown got traded, there is no passing game. On the defensive side, they were so dominant that they might have just ended Colts’ QB Matt Ryans’ career.
9 – New York Jets (5-2)
PR - 12
We all should’ve been paying attention of HC Robert Saleh and how he built this Jets team. He instilled a culture and didn’t cut any corners. He did it the right way and it is showing. Last week I praised the Jets in running a smashmouth type of offense predicated on the run. I felt terrible for the RB Breece Hall when he tore his ACL and was worried that the this type of offense could not continue. But the Jets promptly traded for Jaguars’ RB James Robinson further cementing the fact that they will indeed rely on their defense and mistake free football to win.
8 – Baltimore Ravens (4-3)
PR - 8
The Ravens almost gave up another 4th quarter lead but this time they kept their lead and came out on the winning side. Huge shoutout to RB Gus Edwards for making his season debut and comeback after tearing his ACL last preseason. He made a big splash in the offense with 66 yards rushing and 2 TDs.
7 – Minnesota Vikings (5-1)
PR - 4
Coming off their BYE week. There is really not much to say here other than fantasy managers are happy that WR Justin Jefferson and RB Dalvin Cook are back in their lineups.
6 – New York Giants (6-1)
PR - 7
Another week, another win that I feel is completely undeserved. At this point, I might be the idiot because they are 6-1 on the year. BUT they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-17 in a game that came down to Jags’ WR Christian Kirk and the 1 yard line. The Giants were 1 yard away from giving the game away. Let me rephrase my first sentence here – Another week, another lucky win.
5 – Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)
PR - 6
Last week I praised QB Joe Burrow on finally getting back to his 2021 form. This week, he showed that he is better than he was last year. He threw for 481 yards and 3 TDs while using all of his weapons. The Bengals have an embarrassment of riches at the WR position. Each week is someone different showing up big. 2 weeks ago was Ja’Marr Chase. Last week was Tyler Boyd. Fantasy managers get ready, Tee Higgins is primed for a big week.
4 – Dallas Cowboys (5-2)
PR - 5
The Cowboy’s defense is still elite. They did not allow a TD to the Lions (a team that is averaging 28 points a game) and also had 5 takeaways. The best part about this defense is that Dak doesn’t have to rush back and win the game for the Cowboys because the defense takes that pressure off of him. He can slowly shake the rust off at his own pace. Whatever version of Dak we get is going to be better than the best version of “Just Enough” Cooper Rush.
3 – Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)
PR - 3
The Chiefs had an absolute offensive clinic against the 49ers – a defense many (including myself) thought was the best in the game. QB Patrick Mahomes is continuing to show that he does not need big names or overly explosive WRs to win games but it definitely helps if he does. The Chiefs’ brass knows that and just traded for former Giants WR Kadarius Toney who’s measurables jump off the charts. A big field stretching WR like this is a nightmare for opposing defenses.
2 – Buffalo Bills (5-1)
PR - 2
The Bills are coming off a BYE so you have to believe that they are well rested for the upcoming matchup against the Green Bay Packers. In years past this would’ve been a dream matchup for fantasy owners and football fans alike but the Packers are a sorry team with as many good WRs as Tradon has wins in our In Season Stanley Cup – none.
1 – Philadelphia Eagles (6-0)
PR - 1
Another team coming off a BYE. Literally the worst BYE week for all fantasy managers and possibly the coaching staff who were relying on momentum from the 6 game win streak. You have to wonder how long this Eagles team can stay undefeated though. Over the next couple weeks they play the Steelers (2-5), Texans (1-4-1), Commanders (3-4) and Colts (3-3-1). It might be awhile until they lose another game.