NFL Power Rankings, Week 8: Buccaneers hit high three; Cowboys’ descend continues

The Buccaneers shatter the head five for the principle time this season, including some noteworthy-wished conference steadiness at the very high of the NFL Power Rankings.

A leer at the head 10 shows an ultimate ruin up: five AFC groups, five NFC groups. The reigning Astronomical Bowl champion Chiefs are in the No. 1 pickle for the fifth time in seven weeks, whereas the defending NFC champion 49ers are inching succor toward the head 10 in a season stuffed with turbulence.

As for the NFC East? Three of the groups derive now settled into a cocoon of sadness out shut to Jetsland. Egads.

Don’t admire where your current team sits in the rankings? I would suggest you reach out to their team headquarters and quiz they play better. Let’s obtain to it:

Earlier snide: No. 1

The Chiefs can blow you out even when Patrick Mahomes plays quarterback savor a mortal. Mahomes managed true one touchdown lag and 200 yards via the air, nevertheless Kansas City peaceful hung a 40-burger on the Broncos for the reason that team made game-altering plays in all phases of the game. Daniel Sorensen had a bunch shut-six. Byron Pringle had a 102-yard kickoff return. Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran via four would-be tacklers on a touchdown jaunt. Playing in frigid circumstances, Mahomes failed to file a single third-down conversion, nevertheless the Chiefs proceed to jabber they don’t stay and die on the arm of their all-world QB. This used to be the second straight week that climate circumstances kept the air assault at bay — you obtain the feeling a bombs-away affair is coming. Oh peek, there’s the Jets in Week 8.

Earlier snide: No. 2

Typically it’s better to be lucky than true. The Steelers fell into a funk in the second half of in opposition to the Titans, nevertheless Stephen Gostkowski pushed a game-tying 45-yard self-discipline-aim strive huge true to ensure a 27-24 Steelers bewitch in Nashville. Ben Roethlisberger had an up-and-down day that integrated three interceptions, nevertheless the Pittsburgh offense continues to showcase its depth, with new playmakers stepping up a week. On Sunday, it used to be Diontae Johnson, who had two first-half of touchdown receptions in his return from a succor wound. JuJu Smith-Schuster also regained his space in the game belief, ending with 9 catches for 85 yards on a whopping 14 targets. Trail Claypool, the breakout superstar of most recent weeks, used to be focused true once and carried out with one capture for minus-2 yards. The Steelers are 6-0 for the principle time since 1978. 

Earlier snide: No. 6

Everyone is conscious of the Bucs derive a championship-caliber defense. However what would occur whilst you occur to paired that elite unit with high-stage Tom Brady? The G.O.A.T. passed savor it used to be 2007 on Sunday, rolling up 369 yards and 4 touchdowns in a blowout of the Raiders in Vegas. Speaking of crank-succor-the-clock performances, Decide Gronkowski has knocked off the rust and is beginning to play a minute bit savor the man who tore apart the league with Brady succor of their Fresh England salad days. And whereas Gronk partied, the defense made existence hell for Derek Carr, who used to be entirely stymied by Devin White and Co. as the Bucs pulled away in the second half of. Here’s the most effective doubtless team in the NFC.

Earlier snide: No. 4

How may possibly well well you now no longer admire the bewitch-now switch by Ravens general supervisor Eric DeCosta, who pulled the trigger on a substitute closing week to import Real Bowl defensive pause Yannick Ngakoue from the Vikings for a pair of draft picks? Ngakoue provides John Harbaugh a bookend lag rusher to line up opposite Matthew Judon, bringing more ferocity to a defense that entered the Week 7 bye tops in football in substances allowed per game (17.3) and tied for second in sacks (22). Ngakoue’s skill to bewitch one-on-one battles and reason havoc provides every other dimension to a Baltimore D that most ceaselessly relies on blitzing to acquire to the passer. The next five weeks will elevate matchups in opposition to Ben Roethlisberger (Week 8 and 12), Philip Rivers, Cam Newton and Ryan Tannehill. Baltimore’s defense needs to be ready for the matter.

Earlier snide: No. 7

When Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are locked in, there’ll not be any longer any more unpleasant twosome in football. The All-Real QB regarded to his superstar receiver early and fundamentally on Sunday, turning 16 targets into 13 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns in a blowout of the Texans. Adams carried out with essentially the most receiving yards by a Green Bay participant since Jordy Nelson’s 209 in Week 2 of 2014. It also marked Adams’ second day this season with 13-plus catches — he gathered 14 succor in Week 1. A gargantuan team performance by the Packers, who attach a disappointing Week 6 loss to the Bucs in the rearview.

Earlier snide: No. 5

The Seahawks derive relied on their offense to bail them out on a weekly foundation, a formula that worked across five straight wins on legend of Russell Wilson performed savor a demigod. However Sunday evening used to be a reminder Seattle needs to be more well-rounded to win this season particular. Wilson and the offense sputtered out in the remaining quarter and former traditional time in opposition to the Cardinals, and the defense — unable to depend upon the protection obtain it had enjoyed all year — failed to rise to the occasion in a 37-34 loss. This one used to be every bit as painful as the Week 5 prime-time comeback in opposition to the Vikings used to be exhilarating. Kyler Murray wasn’t sacked once as the Cardinals rolled up over 500 yards of offense and wiped out a 10-level deficit in the remaining five minutes of legislation. Seattle’s defense needs serious support.

Earlier snide: No. 3

We’ll give Mike Vrabel’s team credit score for exhibiting some moxie. The Titans didn’t pack it in after falling at the succor of the Steelers by 20 substances in the third quarter, chipping away at the deficit and at closing placing themselves in space for a game-tying self-discipline-aim strive in the remaining minute. Unfortunately, Inaccurate Stephen Gostkowski returned, and Tennessee’s comeback instruct fell short. Gostkowski’s inconsistent performance stays a trouble, nevertheless this loss needs to be held on a defense that couldn’t obtain ample stops. Pittsburgh remodeled on 13 of its 18 third downs, preserving the defense on the self-discipline and, more importantly, preserving Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry pinned to the bench. The Titans were hammered in the time-of-possession strive in opposition to, and it mark them.

Earlier snide: No. 8

The Jets did certainly present to be a obtain-true opponent for the Bills, nevertheless an 18-10 bewitch didn’t exactly practice the expected game script. Buffalo fell at the succor of 10 substances in the principle half of and failed to score a touchdown — as every other counting on six Tyler Bass self-discipline targets across eight (!) makes an strive to legend for all their scoring. Sunday used to be in regards to the lengthy-delayed rise of the Bills defense, which dominated the second half of to snap a two-game skid. Buffalo’s defense allowed true 4 yards in the second half of — now no longer a typo — and used to be led by Jerry Hughes, who wreaked havoc in the backfield and came down with the game-sealing interception on a deflection in the remaining minutes. 

Earlier snide: No. 9

Jared Goff and the Rams’ offense are in a tentative space true now, nevertheless Los Angeles continues to stack wins on legend of its defense is doing the job. The Bears may possibly well well no longer obtain anything going on Monday evening, held to true 279 yards with minute hope of success on the uncommon occasion they entered the crimson zone. Leonard Floyd, a extinct first-round set shut in Chicago, had two of Los Angeles’ four sacks, and Jalen Ramsey came down with the game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter. However whilst you occur to may possibly well be looking for out a superstar of the game, take a look at out the punter who may possibly well be headed to Canton in some unspecified time in the future. Johnny Hekker had five punts, every downed within the 10-yard line. In a low-scoring, self-discipline-space-pushed game, Hekker used to be a nuclear weapon.

Earlier snide: No. 10

Playing without his high two receivers, Drew Brees led the Saints to their most productive offensive performance of the season in a 27-24 bewitch over the Panthers. The vulnerable passer accounted for three touchdowns and threw for 287 yards, connecting with eight diversified receivers in a traditional Brees health heart of effectivity. Reserve wideout Marquez Callaway made essentially the most of his opportunity, ending with eight catches for 75 yards in an affect performance that ought to warrant persisted playing time, even when Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders return. And what else may possibly well be said about Alvin Kamara, who didn’t crack the pause zone nevertheless now has five straight video games with higher than 100 yards from scrimmage? He has been the rock for the Saints all season, the team’s unquestioned MVP.

Earlier snide: No. 14

An impossible comeback bewitch for Kyler Murray and the Cardinals, who rolled up 519 yards on the Seahawks and grew to change into the principle team this season to acquire a dent in Seattle’s beforehand impervious Let Russ Cook dinner advertising and marketing and marketing campaign. The Cardinals were gashed for 572 total yards — including 300 yards of total offense by Russell Wilson in the principle half of by myself — nevertheless in addition they compelled the superstar QB into three interceptions, including the Isiah Simmons set shut in previous traditional time that intention up Zane Gonzalez’s game-winner. The defense also compelled Seattle into two punts in the drives earlier the Simmons interception, a stand that allowed Arizona to wipe out a 34-24 deficit with much less than seven minutes to play in legislation. A thrilling bewitch that raises the bar in the desert.

Earlier snide: No. 17

The 49ers obtained a jump-originate on Halloween by crawling out of their delight in grave. Left for useless after a 2-3 originate to the season with a apparently impossible stretch of opponents forward on the time desk, the Niners derive righted the ship with succor-to-succor quality wins. On Sunday, it used to be a beatdown of the Patriots in Foxborough, a victory that wanted to be extra rewarding for ex-Patriot Jimmy Garoppolo and head coach Kyle Shanahan, the offensive coordinator of the Falcons at some level of their nefarious Astronomical Bowl LI crumple. The Niners whipped the Pats by staying factual to themselves: Per ESPN, the Niners ran by manufacture or used play-motion on 51 of their 63 offensive plays (81%), the very supreme percentage by any team in a game this season. Shanahan’s intention works, even when he doesn’t derive his easiest gamers on hand.

Earlier snide: No. 16

This stat, from ESPN’s Mike Wells, provides a dapper summation of the originate of the Philip Rivers abilities in Indianapolis: Within the Colts’ four wins, Rivers has thrown for 992 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions. In their two losses, he’s passed for 662 yards with one TD and 4 picks. Even as you peek at the panorama of vulnerable QBs who modified groups in 2020, he sits someplace in the guts: He hasn’t made the affect of Tom Brady in Tampa, nevertheless he’s now no longer the approved responsibility that Cam Newton has change into in Fresh England. He’s … gleaming noteworthy the the same Phil Rivers. Can Frank Reich support Rivers weed out his everlasting penchant for game-altering turnovers? If now no longer, this Colts season will doubtless pause up savor so many of Rivers’ years in San Diego and L.A. High substances, low substances, sooner or later unfulfilled promise.

Earlier snide: No. 13

The Raiders passed on linebacker Devin White to make a resolution Clelin Ferrell with the fourth total set shut in the 2019 NFL Draft. You wonder if that used to be working via the minds of Jon Gruden and GM Mike Mayock on Sunday as White — who went to Tampa Bay one set shut after Ferrell in that draft — destroyed the Raiders in a 45-20 Bucs bewitch. White used to be in each obtain, ending with 9 solo tackles, three sacks and one type out for loss. While we’re right here, Ferrell has 11 solo tackles all season and has yet to register a sack or compelled fumble. It’s peaceful early … nevertheless it with out a doubt may possibly well simply now no longer be too early to acknowledge the Raiders made a mistake.  

Earlier snide: No. 11

The Bears had a probability on Monday evening to jabber The United States their fleet originate wasn’t a fluke. As a replacement, a 24-10 loss to the Rams reinforced the total lot the doubters assumed: Here’s a median team with a extremely true defense and a deeply mediocre offense. That combination used to be true ample to acquire Chicago to 5-1, nevertheless the total team’s deficiencies are laid bare when the competitors jumps up. Slash Foles used to be a sitting duck all game, compelled into a series of low-percentage throws and pointless checkdowns. His inability to win plays along with his legs jumps out in the contemporary NFL — if the Bears can’t intention someone birth and his receivers don’t bewitch one-on-one, darkness descends. Matt Nagy deserves some flak for an unimaginative assault, in addition — right here’s true a drab offense. The surging Saints are up subsequent.

Earlier snide: No. 18

The Justin Herbert Order continues. The rookie quarterback attach collectively every other stellar performance in opposition to the Jaguars, setting occupation highs in passing yards (347) and speeding yards (66) in a 39-29 bewitch. Those 66 speeding yards also represented a franchise file. (It’s that you can assert of Philip Rivers didn’t derive 66 speeding yards total in 16 years with the Bolts.) The Chargers jumped out to an early lead, then fell at the succor of in the third quarter old to the Herbert-led assault exploded for 20 substances in the remaining 5: 34 of the length. The defense attach the clamps on Gardner Minshew after that, and Herbert sooner or later had his first occupation bewitch. Beat the Broncos in Denver this week, and folk are going to originate seeing the Chargers as a playoff contender. I’m already there.

Earlier snide: No. 12

Or now no longer it’s attractive to hunt down positives for the Patriots as they’re attempting to regroup from the worst home loss of the Invoice Belichick abilities. Fresh England used to be blown out on Sunday for the reason that defense made Niners reserve working succor Jeff Wilson peek savor a younger Gale Sayers, and Cam Newton stays entirely misplaced at sea since his return from the COVID-19 checklist. Newton threw three interceptions and managed true 98 passing yards old to being benched in prefer of Jarrett Stidham early in the fourth quarter. After the game, Belichick said Newton will “fully” remain the starter, nevertheless that will keep in touch more to the coach’s lack of a higher probability than to a perception that Cam will flip it around. That right here’s all going on whereas Tom Brady thrives in Tampa serves as a further twist of the knife.

Earlier snide: No. 19

A traditional what-if loss for the Panthers. Teddy Bridgewater took a sack on the team’s penultimate play from scrimmage, turning a skill 57-yard game-tying self-discipline-aim strive into a 65-yard would-be file-setting prayer. That prayer used to be nearly answered, too, as Joey Slye‘s kick used to be useless heart and missed the crossbar by a foot or so. “I in fact derive the leg energy to kick further than that,” Slye lamented after the 27-24 loss. Frustrating stuff, nevertheless Carolina’s skill to switch punch for punch with the Saints in the Superdome reinforces what we already knew: Matt Rhule’s team is well-coached and well-populated with playmakers who can win things occur, even with Christian McCaffrey‘s lingering absence.  

Earlier snide: No. 20

Or now no longer it’s Tua Time in Miami. We did no longer stare it coming, nor did Ryan Fitzpatrick, nevertheless you understand why Brian Flores and the braintrust made the switch. At 3-3, the Dolphins are a ravishing participant in the playoff flee, an underdog squad hoping to play the Cinderella characteristic in January. However what if Tua Tagovailoa is a straight away-affect performer? What if he can give Miami the Herbert Catch? Or now no longer it’s a noteworthy dice roll that lowers the Dolphins’ floor nevertheless also lifts their ceiling. Flores’ field is to persist with the choice, although rookie growing misfortune pause up taking the Fins out of the playoff picture.

Earlier snide: No. 22

What a reduction it must were for the Lions to be on the successful pause of a dramatic make for once. Todd Gurley‘s inability to prevent his momentum gave the Lions existence, and Matthew Stafford potentially saved Detroit’s season with a 75-yard touchdown power that spanned 64 seconds. That the Lions did it without the support of a timeout made their comeback the total more unlikely. Stafford’s successful touchdown lag used to be performed to T.J. Hockenson, who now has three ratings in his closing three video games and is beginning to tap into the promise that made him a first-round set shut a year ago. The Lions obtain the Colts at home old to the time desk lightens up. Here’s their probability to win a switch.

Earlier snide: No. 23

Watch out for Put up-54 Carson Wentz. Even as you do no longer ruin the monster in the principle 53 minutes of game time, he’ll abolish your season and haunt your needs. Appropriate quiz the Giants, who let Philadelphia cling on the periphery on Thursday evening, to disastrous outcomes. Wentz’s stat line over the remaining two drives: 5-for-7, 121 yards, two touchdowns, 153.3 passer score. The first of these scoring drives coated 78 yards on four plays; the second, 71 yards on six. Given the Cowboys’ retreat into laughingstock pickle, the Eagles derive a huge-birth path to an NFC East title and a home playoff game. Appropriate have to hunt down a technique to bewitch eight video games … or seven … OK, possibly six. Yeah, doubtlessly five.

Earlier snide: No. 21

If the Broncos are looking to be taken severely in the AFC West, let’s originate with being mildly aggressive in opposition to the Chiefs. We’re now no longer there yet, as evidenced by the 43-16 thumping at frigid Mile High on Sunday. That is 10 straight losses to Kansas City, turning this one-time competitors into a one-sided occasion. The Broncos were blown out despite preserving Patrick Mahomes to 200 passing yards and a single touchdown. It spoke to how poorly Denver performed in all other phases of the game. A frazzled Drew Lock used to be section of the matter, and or now no longer it’s now no longer unfair to originate wondering if Hall of Status quarterback John Elway has — all over all yet again — misjudged his delight in quarterback room.

Earlier snide: No. 24

The Texans managed some dreary cosmetic work to win things peek reliable, nevertheless it with out a doubt used to be sooner or later every other one-sided affair in a loss to the Packers on Sunday. Or now no longer it’s every other example of how a ways Houston has fallen, and the procedure in which noteworthy work needs to be done to return this team to contender pickle. “S— sucks, in fact,” Deshaun Watson said after the game. “I point out, right here’s new to me, so I lag via it true savor each person else.” Added J.J. Watt: “Frustrated, I’m indignant. I point out, it sucks. I don’t know what else I’m speculated to feel.” Watt is 31 with a lengthy checklist of accidents: Will he peaceful be around when the Texans obtain succor heading in the right direction? The handiest hope is that the presence of Watson will expedite the assignment.

Earlier snide: No. 25

The Falcons continually salvage a method … true now no longer in the style their followers would savor. Who else nevertheless this team may possibly well well flip a lag-forward touchdown dawdle with 1: 04 to play into the outlet salvo of every other football tragedy? Matthew Stafford wished true 64 seconds to capture the Lions 75 yards to a game-successful touchdown after Todd Gurley‘s unintended score, and Atlanta used to be all yet again the controversy of the league for the worst that you can assert of reason. You wonder if Dan Quinn watched the pause of this most recent crumple. As he sat on his sofa with a beer and a bowl of popcorn, did he lament no longer being section of the motion? Or used to be he relieved to be free of the Falcons’ enduring misfortune? Enable us to know, DQ.

Earlier snide: No. 27

When the Vikings obtained Yannick Ngakoue by assignment of substitute in dreary August, it used to be a clear signal the organization used to be going all-in on a Astronomical Bowl dawdle. His substitute closing week tells us management now sees the 2020 Vikings as broken previous repair, a 1-5 team that is as scandalous as its closing-space file signifies. Regaining draft capital for a vulnerable on an expiring contract is perfect, although it puts head coach Mike Zimmer in the sexy space of motivating a locker room that is conscious of the bosses are already taking a leer forward to 2021 with 10 video games to play.

Earlier snide: No. 28

So shut, yet to this level. The Bengals proceed to cling with most opponents on their time desk, nevertheless an inability to shut continues to haunt them. Cincinnati used to be beaten in the remaining minute by Baker Mayfield and the Browns on Sunday; it used to be the team’s third loss of the season in a game in which it entered the fourth quarter with a lead. The Bengals derive made easy development from a aggressive standpoint, with gargantuan rookie Joe Burrow below heart, nevertheless the outcomes are now no longer there for Zac Taylor, who has three wins in 23 video games as head coach and a 1-12-1 file in a single-score video games. He may possibly well derive to hunt down a technique to bewitch a couple of of these video games over the season’s closing two months to ensure he peaceful has the faith of ownership.

Earlier snide: No. 30

Washington hit its Week 8 bye on a excessive display, manhandling the hated Cowboys in a 25-3 bewitch that solid The United States’s Crew deeper into the abyss. Outplaying an wound-ravaged and dysfunctional Dallas team is no immense repeat, nevertheless it with out a doubt’s how Washington did it that makes you optimistic. Kyle Allen performed an everyday game that justified Ron Rivera’s decision to switch a ways flung from extinct first-round set shut Dwayne Haskins, whereas Antonio Gibson ran for 128 yards and a touchdown, every other signal he may possibly well be a lengthy-term solution in the backfield. Realistic QB play also allowed Terry McLaurin to acquire going all yet again, with seven catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. Everyone is conscious of the Washington defense can play — if the offense can obtain to reasonable, they’ve a staunch probability in the NFC East.

Earlier snide: No. 29

You wish to wonder if Daniel Jones — and in actuality, this total abilities of Giants football — shall be remembered for the quarterback’s would-be breakaway touchdown dawdle ruined by the villainous turf monster. It wasn’t Butt Fumble scandalous, nevertheless it with out a doubt used to be the form of lowlight that can advance to clarify a participant. If Jones is lucky, he’ll derive a lengthy occupation, and his tumble shall be a minor footnote recalled handiest by diehards and snarky media folk savor me. However if Jones would no longer pan out, and the Dave Gettleman regime is swept out in totality, we will all be conscious Jones’ proceed — its majestic originate and merciless pause. Oh, and let’s be swish to Danny Dimes: We’re now no longer even talking about this if Evan Engram makes that third-down capture dreary in the fourth quarter. No QB can create it by myself.

Earlier snide: No. 26

Extra embarrassment for the Cowboys on Sunday, this time in the form of a 25-3 loss to a Washington Soccer Crew that have to no longer be blowing someone out in 2020. Dallas is a total mess, and it obtained messier when Andy Dalton used to be knocked out of motion on an unlawful hit by Washington linebacker Jon Bostic. After the game, Mike McCarthy called out his delight in team for now no longer rallying around Dalton or getting after Bostic, who stood gleaming noteworthy off on his delight in whereas Dalton used to be attended to and at closing carted off the self-discipline. The Cowboys are by some means peaceful in the combine in a ridiculously watered-down NFC East, nevertheless this feels savor a team that is burning down from the within out.

Earlier snide: No. 31

Did you stare a couple of of these looks from D.J. Chark as Gardner Minshew missed on downfield throws dreary in Sunday’s 39-29 loss to the Chargers? Frustration is constructing for the Jaguars, who hit their bye coming off six straight losses after their season-opening bewitch in opposition to the Colts. Let’s strive to stay particular: James Robinson, an undrafted rookie, has been a revelation, outplaying most of the principle- and second-year working backs in the league via seven weeks. Robinson scored twice and had a occupation-excessive 119 flee yards and 137 scrimmage yards in opposition to Los Angeles, every other productive day in a season that is been elephantine of them. There’s masses of uncertainty in Jacksonville true now, nevertheless Robinson is securing his space in the franchise’s future.

Earlier snide: No. 32

Adam Gase relinquished play-calling obligations to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains on Sunday, nevertheless the outcomes were in regards to the the same in an 18-10 loss to the Bills. We seen an early spark as the Jets jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the second quarter, nevertheless the offense used to be shut down entirely after halftime in every other grim performance. Sam Darnold used to be sacked six instances and threw two interceptions in his return from a shoulder wound, and the Jets managed 4 total yards on 16 plays in the second half of. With the Jets barreling toward the No. 1 total set shut, the clock is ticking louder than ever for Darnold. He’ll have to be deal better in the remaining 9 weeks to stay in Fresh York’s lengthy-term plans.