NFL Power Rankings Week 8 Top Five And Bottom Five: The Bottom Fights Back

For the last few weeks, the bottom of the NFL had been the subject of embarrassing blowouts. That is, until week seven, one-win teams in the Giants, Patriots, Broncos, and Bears all got victories on Sunday. That means there are some shakeups at the bottom this week, while the top remains pretty stagnant.

For the last few weeks, the bottom of the NFL had been the subject of embarrassing blowouts. That is, until week seven, one-win teams in the Giants, Patriots, Broncos, and Bears all got victories on Sunday. That means there are some shakeups at the bottom this week, while the top remains pretty stagnant.

28. New England Patriots (2-5)

Last Week: 29-25 (W) vs. Bills
This Week: @Dolphins

Talk about picking yourself up off the mat. After three straight losses of incredibly depressing football, the Patriots were one of the biggest underdogs in football this week against the Buffalo Bills. But, they pulled off the upset, blowing a lead only to get it back courtesy of a perfectly executed two minute drill by quarterback Mac Jones and that much-maligned offense. Quite the way for Bill Belichick to get his 300th career win.

29. New York Giants (2-5)

Last Week: 14-7 (W) vs. Commanders
This Week: vs Jets

Was the problem with the Giants Daniel Jones all along? With Jones sidelined due to injury, the Giants have looked much better with Tyrod Taylor under center. After a close loss to the Bills in week 6, the Giants came back and beat the Commanders with a score that doesn’t fully capture how much better they were than Washington. The start to the season was disastrous, and their playoff hopes are likely gone, but it’s encouraging that they haven’t quit on their head coach, Brian Daboll.

30. Washington Commanders (3-4)

Last Week: 14-7 (L) @ Giants
This Week: vs. Eagles

After a 2-0 start, the Commanders have been awful, going just 1-4 in their last five. And, the two losses to the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants standout as terrible losses. This weekend’s performance against the Giants was simply putrid, as the team was dominated by a team with the worst point differential in the league. It seems like head coach Ron Rivera could be the first coach to be fired this year.

31. Arizona Cardinals (1-6)

Last Week: 20-10 (L) @ Seahawks
This Week: vs. Ravens

The Cardinals had the lowest expectations of any team coming into the season, and Jonathan Gannon’s team has, until now, kept themselves out of the bottom five. And, even after another loss, this time to the Seahawks, the Cardinals haven’t played an embarrassing game yet. Each week, they seem well-prepared and well-coached, but they’re simply not good enough. Josh Dobbs is earning himself a top backup job at quarterback somewhere next year with steady play, but he isn’t good enough to elevate a bad roster to a bunch of wins. And, with so many teams at the bottom winning this week, the Cardinals had to make their debut.

32. Carolina Panthers (0-6)

Last Week: Bye
This Week: vs. Panthers

The last winless team in the league had a bye in week 7. And, they had a lot of improving to do over that bye week if they want to win a few contests this year. Up next is a showdown between Bryce Young and the quarterback taken directly after him in the draft, CJ Stroud.

5. San Francisco 49ers (5-2)

Last Week: 22-17 (L) @ Vikings
This Week: vs. Bengals

It was just a few weeks ago when the San Francisco 49ers looked unbeatable. Since then, they’ve been quite pedestrian, and it starts with quarterback Brock Purdy coming back to earth. After playing at an MVP pace through the first five games of the season, he’s been dreadful, with three interceptions and many more turnover-worthy plays in the last two games, both losses. Yes, the team has some injuries, most notably to LT Trent Williams and WR Deebo Samuel. But, they’ve lost to the Browns without Deshaun Watson and the Vikings without Justin Jefferson the last two weeks. Those are bad losses, no matter how you spin it.

4. Miami Dolphins (5-2)

Last Week: 31-17 (L) @ Eagles
This Week: vs. Patriots

Yes, the Miami Dolphins have lost to the two good teams they’ve played this year in Philadelphia and Buffalo. But, to me, this is still a top five team and one that is only going to get better and better as they get key players like LT Terron Armstead and CB Jalen Ramsey back from injury. But, they are going to have to get tougher in the trenches on both sides of the ball if they want to win the Super Bowl, as the Eagles won on Sunday night in the trenches, and that was the difference.

3. Baltimore Ravens (5-2)

Last Week: 38-6 (W) vs. Lions
This Week: @ Cardinals

I loved the Baltimore Ravens coming into the season. I think John Harbaugh is an excellent head coach, and I was a believer in Lamar Jackson playing in Todd Monken’s, who just won two national titles at Georgia, offense. Puzzling losses to the Colts and Steelers kept them out of the top five. That’s until they absolutely demolished the Lions, who were in the top five last week, 38-6, on Sunday. Lamar Jackson looks more and more comfortable each week in that offense, and he arguably has the best group of pass catchers he has had in the NFL. I think this is the team that is best designed to beat the Kansas City Chiefs come playoff time.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (6-1)

Last Week: 31-17 (W) vs. Dolphins
This Week: @ Commanders

After a few shaky performances in a row, the Philadelphia Eagles found their footing once again, as they beat a fellow top five team in the Dolphins. And, as it always does when the Eagles are successful, it started on the lines. The Eagles offensive line won the battle in the trenches, especially on the “brotherly shove plays”, where the Dolphins frequently felt helpless. And, the defensive line harassed Tua Tagovailoa all night, holding the best offense in the league to just ten offensive points. Jalen Hurts has to stop turning the ball over, but they’re clearly the class of the NFC right now.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (6-1)

Last Week: 31-17 (W) vs. Chargers
This Week: @ Broncos

The best team in the NFL remains the Kansas City Chiefs, who have still not lost with TE Travis Kelce and DT Chris Jones in the lineup. The defense continues to be the most pleasant surprise of any unit in the league this year. And, the offense is slowly improving. Rashee Rice has emerged as Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target of the young guns, and Marques Valdez-Scantling’s strong performance against the Chargers has him feeling more comfortable, as well. The Mahomes-Kelce connection looks as strong as ever, too. Right now, they have to be the Super Bowl favorites.