As Thursday Night Football kicks off tonight, here are my NFL Power Rankings as we head into Week 9. From: Sam Smith
From: Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs, 7-0
Week 8 Final: 27-20 Win at Raiders
Biggest Question Mark: Should the NFL be scared or encouraged by Mahomes struggles?
Although Kansas City have not had the strongest 7-0 start and have not necessarily looked like the best team in football, the Chiefs are still the Chiefs and are nearly unbeatable in the postseason. By acquiring wide receiver Deandre Hopkins via trade, Kansas City’s weapons for Mahomes are even deeper. Travis Kelce had a vintage performance, catching 10 balls for 91 yards and a touchdown. The defense is still sharp, giving up just 17.6 points a game. If Patrick Mahomes can heat up, this team should still be the favorites to win it all for a third straight year.
Detroit Lions, 6-1
Week 8 Final: 52-14 Win vs. Titans
Biggest Question Mark: Can the Lions defense perform well enough without Hutchinson to win a championship?
Detroit is firing on all cylinders right now and they currently look like the best team in football. Jared Goff has been extremely efficient and has looked like a top 5 quarterback in the league. Jahmry Gibbs and David Montgomery are nearly unstoppable powered by the best offensive line in football. Jared Goff has been extremely efficient with plenty of weapons to choose from. The defense has stepped up despite Aiden Hutchinson likely out for the whole season and lead the league in third down defense. Safety Brian Branch is having a breakout season forcing 5 turnovers. However, the story of the game in week 8 was punt returner Kalif Raymond, picking up 180 punt return yards along with a punt return touchdown and a receiving touchdown to go along with his historic game on special teams.
Buffalo Bills, 6-2
Week 8 Final 31-10 Win at Seattle
Biggest Question Mark: Can Josh Allen continue to play clean football?
Allen threw his first pick on Sunday. This would be the only negative during this game as Buffalo immediately forced a turnover to get the ball back and dominated after that. Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir have been solid after the loss of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis in the offseason. Recently acquired veteran Amari Cooper adds much needed depth to Buffalo’s receiving core. If Allen can keep on playing clean football along with the defense giving up just 18.3 points per game, Buffalo looks poised for another home playoff game or two and look like a top 3 team in football.
Philadelphia Eagles 5-2
Week 8 Final 37-17 Win at Bengals
Biggest Question Mark: Is Jalen Hurts back?
We all know Philadelphia’s roster on paper is elite both offensively and defensively. Although they have not seemed to be able to put this roster to its full potential since week 10 of last season, Philly’s week 8 performance seemed to put it all together. The game was close up until late in the third quarter until the offense exploded. Hurts roped a ball to Devante Smith to make it 24-17 and never looked back, scoring 13 more points and intercepting Joe Burrow. If the Eagles and Jalen Hurts can get hot, this team could make their second Super Bowl appearance in 3 seasons.
Green Bay Packers 6-2
Week 8 Final: 30-27 Win at Jaguars
Biggest Question Mark: Jordan Loves health.
Josh Jacobs has carried a big workload all season, leading the NFL in carries while being 4th in rushing yards. This is partially due to Jordan Love's absence and health concerns. While Malik Willis has looked fairly serviceable for Green Bay, they will not be able to compete in a difficult NFC North without a healthy Love. However, Matt Leflour is still an elite head coach and while the defense has been around average, there is still lots of upside. Next week will be their biggest test as they host the red hot Lions.
Baltimore Ravens: 5-3
Week 8 Final: 29-24 Loss at Cleveland
Biggest Question Mark: Can they close out games?
2024 has been a fairly odd season for Baltimore. Their 3 losses have all been extremely winnable as they were just a toe away from overtime week 1 vs the Chiefs, an unprecedented meltdown against the Raiders, and a loss vs the 1 win Browns where they were just a dropped interception from Kyle Hamilton away from clinching the win. However, Lamar Jackson has been elite all season and is a front runner for MVP along with the incredible resurgence of Derrick Henry, I still have the Ravens winning the AFC North, but closing out games is still a major concern for Baltimore especially come playoffs.
Houston Texans, 6-2
Week 8 Final: 23-20 vs Colts
Biggest Question Mark: Can Stroud perform in big games?
The Texans are 5-1 in one score games, with 2 of those games against the Anthony Richardson led Colts, along with the 2-6 Jaguars and Caleb Williams second game of his career. Although their offense has been elite on paper this year, Stroud has disappeared in big games, throwing for just 82 yards in a loss against Green Bay, and only managed to score 7 points against the Vikings in a week 3 blowout. The Texans are also facing an uphill battle as Stefon Diggs has a torn ACL and will be out for the season. The Texans will cruise through the AFC South, but will Stroud meltdown in big games like he did against Minnesota and Green Bay, or will we see the version we saw against Buffalo in week 5?
Pittsburgh Steelers, 6-2
Week 8 Final: 26-18 Win vs Giants
Biggest Question Mark: Can Russell Wilson keep pushing the ball down the field?
After head coach Mike Tomlin made the controversial decision to bench Justin Fields who led the Steelers to a 4-2 record in 6 starts, Russell Wilson would be named the starter quarterback. Wilson has looked sharp, pushing the ball downfield more than Fields had been in his 6 starts. Fields averaged just 4 air yards per attempt while Wilson has averaged 5.9 air yards per attempt in his first 2 starts, while in 2023, Wilson averaged an extremely low 3.8 air yards per attempt in Denver. If Wilson can show some glimpse of his former Seattle self, Pittsburgh has a chance to make a playoff run this winter.
Washington Commanders, 6-2
Week 8 Final: 18-15 Win vs Bears
Biggest Question Mark: Can Jayden Daniels level of play keep up with their poor defense?
The Commanders are on the winning side of a miracle finish as Noah Brown caught the game winning touchdown off a tip from defensive back Tyrique Stevenson. The Commanders have benefited off a fairly easy schedule with the Bears being the only team they have beaten with a winning record. Jayden Daniels is phenomenal, but can the defense perform well enough to win big games? Daniels put up arguably his best performance of the year vs Baltimore in week 6, throwing for 269 yards with 2 touchdowns and no picks. However, the defense did not show up, letting Derrick Henry run all over them for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns. The defense will hold them back, making them a wild card team at best. Daniels is also a rookie quarterback and is almost guaranteed to struggle at some point… right? Only time will tell for Washington.
Minnesota Vikings, 5-2
Week 8 Final: 30-20 Loss At Rams
Biggest Question Mark: Can Minnesota bounce back?
Minnesota has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season, starting off hot with a 5-0 record. After losing 2 straight in close fashion vs Detroit and the 3-4 Rams in a controversial ending, are the Vikings falling back down to earth? Minnesota’s defense has fallen apart over the last 2 weeks, giving up 28+ over their last 2 games. If defensive coordinator Brian Flores does not make the proper adjustments, Minnesota may be in danger to get cold.
San Francisco 49ers, 4-4
Week 8 Final: 30-23 Win vs Cowboys
Biggest Question Mark: Not “will”, but “when” will San Fran get hot?
After a close win over the struggling Cowboys, the 49ers moved to 4-4 through their first 8 games. This is not the first time San Francisco has started off cold and made a deep playoff run during the Shannahan era. In 2021, they started off 2-4 but ended hot, finishing with a 10-7 record while also making it all the way to the NFC Championship game. In 2022, they started 3-4, before going on a 12 game winning streak, losing to the Eagles in the NFC Championship game. They have been here before. Brock Purdy has been playing good football, and if reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Year winner Christian McCaffery can get healthy again, do not be surprised to see San Fran back in the playoffs and back in the top 5.
Atlanta Falcons, 5-3
Week 8 Final: 31-26 Win at Buccaneers
Biggest Question Mark: Can the defense show any signs of life?
The Falcons in 2024 have been good, not great. With 2 big wins over the Buccaneers already, Atlanta looks to be the favorites to win the NFC South. The offense is t7th in total yards and 12th in scoring offense (just .1 points away from being tied for 9th). However, the defense has been pitiful all season long. If Kirk can continue to utilize his talented skill players, the Falcons should be the front runners for the NFC South. However, if the defense cannot perform, it would be a shock if Atlanta wins multiple playoff games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4-4
Week 8 Final: 31-26 Loss vs Atlanta
Biggest Question Mark: Can the Bucs stay afloat in the NFC South without Evans and Godwin?
Baker Mayfield has looked elite in 2024, but without his 2 star receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, the Buccaneers might be in trouble. The defense is not elite like it used to be and with 2 close losses to the Falcons, the Buccaneers will have to make up a lot if they want to win they’re 4th consecutive division title.
Seattle Seahawks, 4-4
Week 8 Final: 31-10 Loss vs Buffalo
Biggest Question Mark: Is this team anything better than just average?
Seattle has been the epitome of average in 2024. The passing attack is elite, but the rushing attack and defense are well below average. The offense looked atrocious in the absence of DK Metcalf in a blowout loss against Buffalo this past week while the defense let the Bills get whatever they wanted through the air and on the ground. Seattle is destined to be average in 2024, just like they have been throughout the entire Geno Smith era.
Arizona Cardinals, 4-4
Week 8 Final: 28-27 Win at Dolphins
Biggest Question Mark: Can Kyler stay consistent?
After the Cardinals fell to 1-3 and would go to San Francisco, it seemed as if their season would most likely be over. Arizona had other plans, just barely edging out San Francisco, winning on a go ahead field goal with under 2 minutes left. Now they sit at 500 after wins against a Tua led Dolphins and Chargers on Monday Night Football. Kyler went ballistic against Miami, throwing for 307 yards and 2 TDs with no interceptions. The defense has not been great as expected, but if Kyler can start to consistently play good football, the Cardinals are headed in the right direction.
Los Angeles Chargers, 4-3
Week 8 Final: 26-8 Win vs Saints
Biggest Question Mark: Can the offense heat up?
Justin Herbert has not been putting up the elite numbers he has once put up in the past, playing a more conservative and run heavy scheme. He is 23rd in passing yards with only 8 touchdown passes. However, he has thrown just 1 interception all season long. The defense has been elite, giving up a league best 13 points per game while being top 10 in yards allowed per game. If the Chargers can start to utilize Herbert's arm talent more, they can go from average to a playoff team.
Denver Broncos, 5-3
Week 8 Final: 28-14 Win vs Panthers
Biggest Question Mark: Can the Broncos perform against better teams?
Unexpected by many, Denver is 2 games over 500 through the first 8 weeks of the season and are 5-1 over their last 6. However Denver has benefited from an easy schedule, beating a beat up Bucs team, the putrid Jets by 1, the 2 win Raiders, New Orleans, the coldest team in the NFL, and the Panthers who are the worst team in the league. Their next 2 games are on the road against the Chiefs and Ravens. If they can manage to win one of those games, I will consider them contenders, but as for now they are clear pretenders.
Indianapolis Colts, 4-4
Week 8 Final: 23-20 Loss At Houston
Biggest Question Mark: Can Joe Flacco lead another AFC team to the playoffs?
The Anthony Richardson experiment may be over for Indianapolis after announcing Joe Flacco as starter. Richardson has been atrocious with a horrid completion percentage of 44.4% along with just 4 touchdowns to 7 interceptions. Flacco on the other hand has thrown for 7 touchdowns to 1 interception in 4 starts.
Los Angeles Rams, 3-4
Week 8 Final: 30-20 Win vs Vikings
Biggest Question Mark: Can LA get hot like they did in 2023?
Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua made their return and made an immediate impact. Puka caught 7 passes for 106 yards, and Kupp had 5 receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. With Puka and Kupp back, the Rams are once again dangerous with a dominant offensive performance against an elite Minnesota defense.
Chicago Bears, 4-3
Week 8 Final: 18-15 Loss At Commanders
Biggest Question Mark: When is Eberflus gone?
After a nightmare finish to the Commanders, the Bears fall to 4-3. Chicago has no really good wins on their schedule and is in the hardest football division. Keeping Matt Eberflus around was already controversial going into the season, but after that week, it is clear there needs to be a change in coaching.
Cincinnati Bengals, 3-5
Week 8 Final: 37-17 Loss vs Eagles
Biggest Question Mark: Is it time to fire Zac Taylor?
With high expectations going into 2024, the Bengals have been extremely disappointing. Although Burrow has looked elite, the defense has been awful in all facets. The play calling has been questionable, leading some fans to believe it is time for Zak Taylor to be let go. What we have learned about the Bengals over the last couple seasons is to never count them out. Despite their playoff chances being super low, they still have some time to get hot and potentially sneak into the playoffs, but they have dug themselves into a hole very deep.
Dallas Cowboys, 3-4
Week 8 Final: 30-23 Loss At 49ers
Biggest Question Mark: Is the Cowboys season over?
Dallas has not lived up to any expectations coming into the season. This is partially due to many injuries including superstar linebacker Micah Parsons out for at least another 3 weeks, Dak has not been playing like the highest paid QB in NFL history. It is also time for Mike McCarthy to be let go. Dallas is just a mess and it will take a lot if they want to make a playoff push.
Miami Dolphins, 2-6
Week 8 Final: 28-27 Loss vs Cardinals
Biggest Question Mark: Should Tua just hang it up?
I personally believe it is time for Tua to retire. He has taken too many hits over his career and he needs to do what is best for his life and end his football career. Meanwhile, Miami lost another tight game even with Tua coming back, and their season is virtually over.
Jacksonville Jaguars, 2-6
Week 8 Final: 30-27 Loss vs Packers
Biggest Question Mark: When will Doug Pederson be gone?
It is clear the Doug Pederson experiment needs to be over. Trevor Lawrence has once again shown some glimpse of an elite quarterback, but he is far from being that guy. I think Jacksonville should give Lawrence one more year with new coaching, but the once bright future of Jacksonville is now getting dimmer and dimmer.
Cleveland Browns, 2-6
Week 8 Final: 29-24 win vs Ravens
Biggest Question Mark: Is it time to let go of Kevin Stefanski?
In perhaps the upset of the week, the Jameis Winston led Browns defeated the red hot Ravens. Winston was able to move the ball down the field for Cleveland better than Deshaun Watson had been able to all season long. Despite a great performance from Lamar, Winston was able to lead a game winning drive in under 2 minutes and make a final stop to secure the win. The question for the Browns future is whether or not to keep Stefanski around.
New York Giants
Week 8 Final: 26-18 Loss At Steelers
Biggest Question Mark: Is Brian Daboll actually good?
After a close loss to Pittsburgh, New York, if they weren't already, is ready for another rebuild after making the playoffs just 2 years prior. Daniel Jones is obviously gone but will New York keep Daboll around?
New England Patriots
Week 8 Final: Win vs Jets 25-22
Biggest Question Mark: Can Drake Maye show some development?
The situation around Drake Maye is one of the worst that a young QB can have, but if he can show any glimpses of being a potential franchise Quarterback, Patriots fans will be content.
Las Vegas Raiders, 2-6
Week 8 Final: 27-20 Loss vs Chiefs
Biggest Question Mark: How did this team beat the Ravens?
The Raiders are in full rebuild mode and the rest of the 2024 season will be unwatchable. At least they have Maxx Crosby!
New Orleans Saints, 2-6
Week 8 Final: 26-8 Loss At Chargers
Biggest Question Mark: What happened?
After the first 2 weeks of the season, New Orleans looked like an elite team. Since then, they have gone on a 6 game losing streak and have looked like the worst team in the NFL. Everything has collapsed for them and there is really no future in New Orleans at the moment.
New York Jets, 2-6
Week 8 Final: 25-22 Loss At Patriots
Biggest Question Mark: Is this the end for Aaron Rogers?
It is safe to say that the Aaron Rogers experiment is over in New York. The Jets have been awful all season long and are just overall a disaster. The defense has still been solid as they are 4th in total defensive yards. However, it is time for the Jets to enter rebuild mode, again.
Tennessee Titans, 1-7
Week 8 Final: 52-14 Loss At Lions
Biggest Question Mark: When is the offseason?
Will Levis is an obvious failed experiment and the Titans will look to pursue a new QB in the offseason. At least Calvin Ridley had a good game vs Detroit with over 100 receiving yards in the first quarter alone.
Carolina Panthers, 1-7
Week 8 Final: 28-14 Loss At Broncos
Biggest Question Mark: Can Bryce Young show any life?
Carolina is in the midst of a tank race. However, if Bryce Young can show any signs of being a serviceable quarterback, they might be able to find some value out of the former 1st overall pick this offseason.