NFL Power Rankings Week 8

My current NFL Power Rankings for Week 8 of the 2022 NFL Season. The Bills cement the top spot.

I’m going to use these rankings as the order for my 2023 NFL Mock Draft during the early stages of the 2022 season. Follow @walterfootball.

I’ve gone from WORST to FIRST, so if you don’t see reverse numbering (via Javascript), don’t worry; the Jets and Texans aren’t my top teams.

NFL Power Rankings updated Oct. 25, 2022

Houston Texans (1-4-1) – Previously: 30.
The Texans were 22 combined points away from being 5-0 heading into the Raiders game! Houston kept things close against the Raiders – they were winning heading into the fourth quarter – but they couldn’t stop Josh Jacobs at the very end.

Carolina Panthers (2-5) – Previously: 32.
The Panthers are now just one game out of first place in the NFC South, somehow. Given that they’re a legitimate playoff contender, maybe they’ll trade for a talented running back.

Chicago Bears (3-4) – Previously: 29.
If Justin Fields runs around as much as he did versus the Patriots, he’ll have a chance to be Chicago’s long-term franchise quarterback. The problem is that Fields doesn’t run as often in most games. This was just the second time he had double-digit scrambles all year.

Washington Redskins (3-4) – Previously: 31.
It feels like the Redskins are 1-6 as opposed to 3-4, but they’ve crawled back to a near-.500 record. I have to wonder where they’d be if they had started Taylor Heinicke this entire time instead of Carson Wentz. I have to believe they would have prevailed in at least one of the games they lost, primarily the battle against the Titans. The sharps have been betting the Redskins every week.

Indianapolis Colts (3-3-1) – Previously: 20.
The Colts outgained the Titans twice in their matchups, yet they lost both games because they lost the turnover battle, 6-1. Indianapolis has potential, as we saw with their explosive win over the Jaguars, but the team keeps making so many mistakes. Matt Ryan has been benched, which won’t help.

Atlanta Falcons (3-4) – Previously: 27.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Falcons are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5) – Previously: 26.
The Steelers had the best result possible Sunday night. Kenny Pickett looked good, save for one of his interceptions, and yet the team lost to preserve its draft positioning. Check out my 2023 NFL Mock Draft to see whom Pittsburgh could draft.

Detroit Lions (1-5) – Previously: 25.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Lions are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Tennessee Titans (4-2) – Previously: 21.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Titans are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Cleveland Browns (2-5) – Previously: 15.
The Browns would have been 5-0 heading into Week 6 if Nick Chubb had not scored his third touchdown against the Jets, and the entire team didn’t implode in Atlanta with countless mistakes, and Cade York hit a field goal in the final seconds. Those losses are painful now, as the Browns needed a better record to counter some of their tougher games versus the Patriots and Ravens.

Green Bay Packers (3-4) – Previously: 8.
The Packers continue to embarrass themselves on a weekly basis. I know Aaron Rodgers has a thumb injury that is limiting him, but where is the defense? Why couldn’t it stop Taylor Heinicke?

New Orleans Saints (2-5) – Previously: 17.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Saints are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Denver Broncos (2-5) – Previously: 11.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Broncos are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Seattle Seahawks (4-3) – Previously: 28.
The Seahawks, with Geno Smith, two rookie offensive tackles and dreadful defense, are in sole possession of first place in a tough division. What in the world is happening this year?

Los Angeles Rams (3-3) – Previously: 18.
The Rams had a must-win game against a team replacing a head coach, defensive coordinator, and quarterback, and yet they struggled to put away their opponent. This is obviously not a good sign. Neither is Joe Noteboom’s injury.

Arizona Cardinals (3-4) – Previously: 24.
The Cardinals were very lucky to win the Saints game so easily because of those two ridiculous Andy Dalton pick-sixes. However, Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins will continue to get into a rhythm, while Rodney Hudson should be able to return after the mini-bye.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) – Previously: 23.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Jaguars are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4) – Previously: 9.
The Buccaneers need some time to figure out what they’re doing wrong, but they have just three days off before their next game versus Baltimore. They’ll really need the mini-bye after that, and perhaps they’ll even fire Byron Leftwich, who is doing a terrible job as offensive coordinator. I think Bruce Arians would die in a pit of snakes before seeing Leftwich lose his job, however.

Minnesota Vikings (5-1) – Previously: 16.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Vikings are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

New York Jets (5-2) – Previously: 22.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Jets are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

New York Giants (6-1) – Previously: 19.
Overrated NFL Team: See why the Giants are an overrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

New England Patriots (3-3*) – Previously: 14.
The Patriots were third in net EPA since Week 2 entering the Monday night game. I suspect that’ll be much lower after the beatdown from the Bears. That said, Bill Belichick often struggles versus scrambling quarterbacks, so perhaps this should have been expected.

Miami Dolphins (4-3) – Previously: 10.
The Dolphins beat the Steelers, but what the hell was that from Tua Tagovailoa? He nearly ended up costing his team a victory with four near-interceptions. If the Steeler defenders didn’t have hands of stone, Miami would have lost despite being a touchdown favorite.

San Angeles Chargers (4-3) – Previously: 5.
The Chargers had a sloppy offensive game against the Seahawks, but their dreadful rush defense continues to be a huge liability. I thought it would be a bit better this year, but they’re still getting gashed. That said, I don’t think the Chargers were trying very hard against Seattle. They purposely played Keenan Allen for just one half to rest him. It’s like the Chargers treated that contest like a preseason game.

Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) – Previously: 13.
Underrated NFL Team: See why the Raiders are an underrated NFL team in our Overrated-Underrated page.

Dallas Cowboys (5-2) – Previously: 12.
The Cowboys were lucky to beat the Lions. The score was 24-6, but Jamaal Williams fumbled at the 1-yard line, which prevented the Lions from taking the lead in the fourth quarter. Detroit also lost Amon-Ra St. Brown to a concussion on the second drive. The Cowboys looked out of rhythm with Dak Prescott returning prematurely, but things will improve eventually.

Baltimore Ravens (4-3) – Previously: 6.
The Ravens could be 7-0 right now. They lost fourth-quarter leads against the Dolphins and Bills, and they should have defeated the Giants. They outgained New York, 406-238, and averaged almost four more yards per play! That said, Lamar Jackson has played poorly the past three weeks. I thought he’d be better with Rashod Bateman being healthy, but that was not the case, as Jackson completed only nine passes versus Cleveland.

San Francisco 49ers (3-4) – Previously: 4.
And now we see why the 49ers spent the third-overall pick on Trey Lance. Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t a bad quarterback, by any means, but he’s not equipped to beat upper-echelon teams like the Chiefs. His interception that he threw up for grabs in the end zone was such a crushing blow that San Francisco was miserable in the second half.

Cincinnati Bengals (4-3) – Previously: 7.
It’s amazing what can happen when Joe Burrow gets tons of protection in the pocket. The Falcons had no chance because they have the worst pressure rate in the NFL. We’ll have to see if Cincinnati’s offensive line improves in the second half of the year.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-0) – Previously: 3.
The Eagles nearly blew a 20-3 lead against the Cowboys in the second half because of Lane Johnson’s concussion. The good news is that Johnson will have two weeks to get cleared during the bye week.

Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) – Previously: 2.
Patrick Mahomes seemed like the one who was seeking Super Bowl revenge this past week. There was no stopping him against a great San Francisco defense that was much healthier this week.

Buffalo Bills (5-1) – Previously: 1.
The Bills beat the Chiefs, yet they didn’t even play their “A” game. They made a number of mistakes, yet were able to overcome them and prevail. The difference at the end was Von Miller, forcing an interception because of pressure. That’s exactly why Buffalo acquired him.

2022 NFL MVP Race:

1. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
2. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
3. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
4. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
5. Micah Parsons, DE/LB, Cowboys