NFL Power Rankings At Season’s Halfway Point
By Garrett Glaeser, Staff Writer
Week 8 Power Rankings
- Los Angeles Rams – They’re 7-0. Need I say more?
- Kansas City Chiefs – Pat Mahomes is an absolute gunslinger. Though their defense isn’t good, their offense is all the fun.
- New England Patriots – A solid win against a formidable Bears defense without Gronk leaves the Pats sitting pretty.
- New Orleans Saints – The away win against Baltimore’s tough D makes the matchup against the Rams in two weeks oh so sweeter.
- Carolina Panthers – Down 17-0 heading into the 4th, they clawed back for a statement win in Philadelphia.
- Los Angeles Chargers – A rising contender in the AFC with their only losses coming from the Rams and Chiefs.
- Minnesota Vikings – Aside from that inexplicable loss to the Bills, the Vikings are in a rhythm and Adam Thielen is looking like an MVP.
- Baltimore Ravens – Even with the loss to New Orleans, they are just an extra point away from potentially being 5-2.
- Washington Redskins – Leaders of the NFC East, the Alex Smith led ‘Skins are quietly relevant.
- Green Bay Packers – This team is Aaron Rodgers. Without him they’re unwatchable. With him and they’re dangerous.
- Cincinnati Bengals – The absolute pummeling on Sunday night by the Chiefs was indicative of their inability to play well under the spotlight.
- Houston Texans – Winners of 4 straight, the Texans are leading a woefully awful AFC South.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Early season locker room troubles seem to be in the past. A bye week should’ve done the Steelers well.
- Philadelphia Eagles – The defending champs are looking just average this year but with Carson Wentz they’re still in it.
- Detroit Lions – If Kerryon Johnson continues to relieve some of the pressure on Matthew Stafford this team might make the playoffs.
- Chicago Bears – A defense that has proved to be among the best and a quarterback who is capable of getting wins.
- Seattle Seahawks – It has been a disappointing 3-3 start, and it most likely will stay the same the rest of the way.
- Dallas Cowboys – America’s team is still struggling. Dak needs some more weapons to throw to. Amari Cooper should help.
- Miami Dolphins – They’re 4-3. But does this team really seem like a team that should be above .500? I didn’t think so.
- Tennessee Titans – A gutsy decision to go for 2 leaves the Titans second-guessing themselves.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – For a team that was one win away from the Super Bowl, they seem to be falling apart.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – FitzMagic is long gone and Jameis has done nothing to fix the problems.
- New York Jets – Sam Darnold has potential in the years ahead but this season is going to keep seeing growing pains.
- Indianapolis Colts – A team that feels like it is capable of more than just the 2 wins it has.
- Denver Broncos – The big Thursday night win over the Cardinals changes nothing. They need work.
- Atlanta Falcons – A tight win against the Giants keeps them barely afloat in the NFC South.
- Cleveland Browns – A 4th OT game means they’ve certainly been in some close ones but at 2-4-1 they are far from contention.
- New York Giants – On their way to another throwaway season, the Giants might have to let Eli go to get any better.
- San Francisco 49ers – With Jimmy G out for the year they are irrelevant.
- Buffalo Bills – Derek Anderson at QB was no better than anyone else. A date with the Patriots next week doesn’t help.
- Arizona Cardinals – That Thursday night loss was embarrassing. Give Josh Rosen time to grow and they get marginally better.
- Oakland Raiders – At this rate Coach Gruden might be traded again. Maybe even for Khalil Mack.