NFL Power Rankings Going Into Week 8

As we head into Week 8 of the NFL Season, the rankings reveal a lot of what is to come in this week and in the next few weeks. The New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins 36-7 at Gillette Stadium on Thursday night, thus bumping the Pats record up to 7-0, with a 116-plus scoring margin. The Green Bay Packers, also undefeated, come in second with a 6-0 record. The Cincinnati Bengals, the Carolina Panthers, and the Denver Broncos round up the top five (all 6-0 as well).

Three teams in the league have struggled to maintain a strong record this season and are fighting for a playoff bid, and two of these three teams have fallen well below preseason expectations: The Indianapolis Colts, the New York Giants, and the Seattle Seahawks.

With a 3-4 record, the Colts will have a very tough time improving this record after facing off against the Panthers, the Broncos, and the Atlanta Falcons (6-1) in weeks 8, 9, and 11 respectively.

After a great year, Andrew Luck is Pro Football Focus’s lowest-rated quarterback out of a list of 50 QB’s: he falls below Nick Foles, Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel, and Michael Vick, as well as many others. Luck’s pass completion rate is at a weak 56%, and he has thrown 9 interceptions and made 38 total QB runs this season, the worst in his career thus far and third-worst in the league after Joe Flacco and Sam Bradford.

However, the Colts’ defense also has displayed a very poor performance this season, surrendering an average 408.6 yards per game.

The New York Giants have also had a tumultuous season, with back-to-back losses in the first two weeks. They have since recovered, bringing their record to 4-3 following their home win against the Cowboys last Sunday, after losing to Dallas in their season opener. Both Tony Romo and Dez Bryant were out for this past game: Matt Cassel started as QB for the Cowboys. The Giants exploited Kirk Cousins at the start of the season and were barely able to snag a victory against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Giants currently rank 29th in total defense and 31st against the pass. The defense has gotten only nine sacks in seven games, which is why the return of defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul after complete healing from his firework-injured hand will be so welcome.According to Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo, the Giants are hoping he will reappear this 2015 Season during Week 10’s matchup against the Patriots. The Giants are set to play the Saints and the Buccaneers on the road.

Just like last season, the Seattle Seahawks have already racked up four losses. Last season, the Seahawks started off rocky, with a 3-3 record, only to finish strong with a 12-4 final record. Despite missing safety Kam Chancellor, Seattle has reached No. 3 in defense, after the Broncos and the New York Jets. They also hold the league-worst number of total sacks (31). The Seahawks will have to defeat the 4-2 Minnesota Vikings and end up 9-7 in order to clinch a playoff spot.

Seattle lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime, and also lost to the Panthers. They are next set to play Dallas and Arizona, with a bye week in between.

Week 8 NFL Power Rankings
Rank Team Record
1 New England Patriots 7-0
2 Green Bay Packers 6-0
3 Cincinnati Bengals 6-0
4 Carolina Panthers 6-0
5 Denver Broncos 6-0
6 Arizona Cardinals 5-2
7 Atlanta Falcons 6-1
8 New York Jets 4-2
9 Pittsburgh Steelers 4-3
10 Seattle Seahawks 3-4
11 Minnesota Vikings 4-2
12 St. Louis Rams 3-3
13 Philadelphia Eagles 3-4
14 New York Giants 4-3
15 Buffalo Bills 3-4
16 New Orleans Saints 3-4
17 Miami Dolphins 3-4
18 Indianapolis Colts 3-4
19 Oakland Raiders 3-3
20 Washington Redskins 3-4
21 Dallas Cowboys 2-4
22 Kansas City Chiefs 2-5
23 San Diego Chargers 2-5
24 Baltimore Ravens 1-6
25 Cleveland Browns 2-5
26 Chicago Bears 2-4
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-4
28 Tennessee Titans 1-5
29 Houston Texans 2-4
30 Detroit Lions 1-6
31 Jacksonville Jaguars 2-5
32 San Francisco 49ers 2-5
Author’s Rankings