There is no change at the top of my Power Rankings for this week as the Detroit Lions are coming off a bye and the Indianapolis Colts continue to be one of the league's feel-good stories.
But a familiar team has crept into the top five, intent on reaching the Super Bowl for a fourth year in a row. They were down early, but the Kansas City Chiefs have emerged and they remain a powerhouse in a very competitive AFC.
- DETROIT LIONS --
The Lions are in good shape right now at 5-2, with their only losses coming against quality opposition in Green Bay and Kansas City. But imaging if they swung a trade for Myles Garrett!
- INDIANAPOLIS COLTS --
I believe in the 7-1 Colts – a team averaging 34 points per game with Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor leading the way. Pittsburgh and KC in two of the next three will tell us a lot.
- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS +6
Here they come! The Chiefs have won three in a row and, according to the bookmakers in Las Vegas, they are the favourites to lift the Super Bowl trophy in Santa Clara in February.
- SEATTLE SEAHAWKS -1
The 5-2 Seahawks have been explosive in attack with Sam Darnold and Jaxson Smith-Njigba. But they are also a very strong defensive team, making them a well-rounded contender.
- LOS ANGELES RAMS --
The Rams come out of their bye week at 5-2 knowing they are also a complete team who can make waves on both sides of the ball. Keeping QB Matthew Stafford healthy remains the key.
- GREEN BAY PACKERS --
With Jordan Love playing very well at QB when teaming with his receivers and Tucker Kraft at tight end; and with Micah Parsons closing out games, the Packers are in true contention.
- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES --
The Eagles finally uncorked Saquon Barkley in Week 8 and Jalen Hurts continued to shine, throwing four touchdown passes. The question remains… Will AJ Brown want out of town?
- BUFFALO BILLS --
For at least one week, the Bills were everything that Sean McDermott wants them to be as James Cook pounded the rock for more than 200 rushing yards against Carolina. KC up next.
- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS -5
This feels harsh on a Bucs team that is coming off a win that took their record to 6-2. They need the upcoming bye week to get healthy and then it's New England, Buffalo and the Rams.
- DENVER BRONCOS --
It also feels hard on the Broncos not bumping them after their huge win over Dallas on Sunday. But I like the teams ahead of them. There is a nice balance to this in-form team.
- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS --
Few quarterbacks are playing as well as Drake Maye, who has New England on a roll and top of the AFC East. Mike Vrabel and his QB have the Patriots' rebuild ahead of schedule.
- LOS ANGELES CHARGERS +4
With Ladd McConkey waking up and Oronde Gadsden emerging at tight end, there are more than enough weapons for Justin Herbert. This well-coached team is in the mix at 5-3.
- SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS -1
The 49ers got humbled and beaten up by the Houston Texans last Sunday, but they should welcome Brock Purdy back to the field with a 5-3 record. That's a pretty good effort.
- PITTSBURGH STEELERS -1
I know Aaron Rodgers is going to hold up his end of the bargain. What has shocked me is the regression of a defense allowing 386 yards (30th) and 25 points (22nd) per game.
- JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS --
The reaction of Liam Coen to the defeat in London tells me these Jags are in good hands. He took the blame for play-calling and that prompted players to own up to their mistakes.
- CHICAGO BEARS -2
Chicago's offense took a step back in their Week 8 loss to Baltimore. There were two field goals instead of touchdowns early and a painful Caleb Williams pick. The D also struggled.
- HOUSTON TEXANS +5
I expected Houston to put forth a good defensive effort against the 49ers. I didn't expect CJ Stroud to enjoy aerial success with the likes of Xavier Hutchinson and Jayden Higgins.
- BALTIMORE RAVENS +5
After a terrible start and with Lamar Jackson headlining many sidelined players, this fact remains. Baltimore are two games out of first place in their division with 10 to play.
- WASHINGTON COMMANDERS --
It was always going to be a tough ask to win at Arrowhead, but the Commanders should be in better shape moving forward when Jayden Daniels can team with his fit-again receivers.
- DALLAS COWBOYS -2
I know I'm going to sound like a broken record here, but it feels like the good work of Dak Prescott is going to be undone all season long by the NFL's worst D. Will Jerry trade for help?
- CAROLINA PANTHERS --
The Panthers missed Bryce Young at QB last Sunday, but the bigger issue was the defense's failings against the run; showing there is still work to be done ahead of the Packers this week.
- ATLANTA FALCONS -5
The Falcons put the league on notice with a Monday Night Football win over Buffalo. To follow that with dismal losses to San Francsico and the lowly Dolphins is pretty unforgivable.
- MINNESOTA VIKINGS -3
Carson Wentz heads to injured reserve after putting his body at risk behind a poor offensive line. It's not the best of environments to see how good second-year QB JJ McCarthy can be.
- CINCINNATI BENGALS --
Cincy missed a great chance to even their record at 4-4, allowing more than 500 total yards in a home loss to the Jets. Every defeat feels like a body blow for the rehabbing Joe Burrow.
- ARIZONA CARDINALS --
The Cards will be keen to snap a five-game losing streak, but they're not getting into the NFC race. They still have to play Dallas, Seattle, San Francisco, Tampa and the Rams (twice).
- NEW YORK GIANTS --
One half of the rookie duo that gave the Giants so much juice is gone for the season in first-year running back Cam Skattebo. That is only going to heap more pressure Brian Daboll.
- CLEVELAND BROWNS --
Mentioned at the top of this article, I would be shocked if Myles Garrett didn't want out of Cleveland. He had five sacks last Sunday and it counted for absolutely nothing.
- MIAMI DOLPHINS +3
If the Dolphins can play like they did in Atlanta the rest of the way, they can ruin a few playoff chances in a spoiler role. I just cannot see a path of their own back to contention in 2025.
- LAS VEGAS RAIDERS --
With the Raiders going nowhere fast at 2-5, I have to wonder if they get active in a selling role around the trade deadline. To me, it makes the most sense to free Maxx Crosby and rebuild.
- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS -2
The Saints have benched Spencer Rattler and are going to find out what they have in Tyler Shough. But the reality is that this team is picking a new QB high in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- NEW YORK JETS +1
When Justin Fields can play a clean game at QB and with Breece Hall producing in the backfield, the Jets can enjoy their offensive moments. They just lack consistency all around.
- TENNESSEE TITANS -2
This is officially a lost season for the 1-7 Titans, who need to massively upgrade their offense around Cam Ward for 2026. Now is the time to focus solely on the rookie QB's development.
