NFL Power Rankings – Week 8

1. New England Patriots (7-0): The Pats have given up a total of 48 points for the season in seven games. They are on a pace to set the defensive record for least points in a season. They also lead the NFL in most points scored. These guys are good. Next: -13 vs Cleveland Browns - Sun, Oct. 27

2. San Francisco 49ers (6-0): The 49ers acquired wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and a 5th round pick from the Broncos for a 3rd round draft pick and 4th round draft pick. This move gives the 49ers a #1 wide receiver. Next: -5.5 vs Carolina Panthers - Sun, Oct. 27

3. New Orleans Saints (6-1): What we know after seven weeks in the NFC Conference, is that the Saints, 49ers and Packers appear to be the best teams in the conference. With Drew Brees out, backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is 5-0 as the starter. The 49ers have the best record, the Saints may have the best team. Next: -10.5 vs Arizona Cardinals - Sun, Oct. 27

4. Green Bay Packers (6-1): Playing without top wide receiver Davante Adams, Aaron Rodgers played some of his best football ever, completing 25 of 31 passes for 429 yards and five touchdowns. Rodgers also rushed for a sixth touchdown. Rodgers was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Next: -4 at Kansas City Chiefs - Sun, Oct. 27

5. Buffalo Bills (5-1): Cornerback Tre'Davious White named was AFC defensive player of the week. White had an interception and forced a fumble, which led to 15 Buffalo points. Next: -1.5 vs Philadelphia Eagles - Sun, Oct. 27

6. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2): With the knee injury to Patrick Mahomes, backup Matt Moore will start at quarterback against the Packers. Moore, who played college football at both UCLA and Oregon State, has started 30 games in his 11-year career. He is 15-15 as a starter in the NFL. Next: -4 vs Green Bay Packers - Sun, Oct. 27

7. Minnesota Vikings (5-2): Adam Thielen will miss Thursday Night's games against the Redskins with a hamstring pull. The two-time pro bowl wide receiver had never missed a game in his six-year career. Next: -16 vs Washington Redskins - Thu, Oct. 24

8. Indianapolis Colts (5-2): Quarterback Jacoby Brissett was named the AFC offensive player of the week. Brissett completed 26-of-39 for 326 yards and four touchdowns in a 30-23 win over the Houston Texans. Next: -6 vs Denver Broncos - Sun, Oct. 27

9. Baltimore Ravens (5-2): Lamar Jackson led the Ravens in rushing yards and carries as he carried the team to victory. Jackson only completed 9 of 20 passes for 143 yards, but the important thing was the victory in Seattle. Next: N/A at New England Patriots - Sun, Nov 3

10. Seattle Seahawks (5-2): The Seahawks suffered their second home loss of the season to the Ravens. The Seahawks have struggled at home. They have a one-point win over the Bengals, a one-point win over the Rams and losses at home to the Saints and Ravens. Next: -3.5 at Atlanta Falcons - Sun, Oct. 27

11. Los Angeles Rams (4-3): The Jalen Ramsey trade is already paying off in multiple ways. The cornerback he replaced, Marcus Peters, was traded to the Ravens hours earlier. Peters made a big play for his former teammates, returning a 67-yard interception for a touchdown in Baltimore's win over Seattle. The loss by the Seahawks helped the Rams close the gap in the NFC West. Next: -13 vs Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Oct. 27

12. Dallas Cowboys (4-3): The Cowboys ended a three-game losing streak in their blowout victory over the Eagles. The Cowboys, despite their struggles, lead the NFL in total offensive yardage per game at 438 yards per game. Next: N/A at New York Giants - Mon, Nov. 4

13. Carolina Panthers (4-2): If anyone wonders where Christian McCaffrey got his speed, it was not from his Dad. It comes from his grandfather on his mother's side of the family. Dave Sime, his grandfather, was once the world's fastest human. Sime won the silver medal in the 100 meters in 1960, losing a photo finish. In 2010, Duke University named him their most outstanding athlete of the 20th century. Next: +5.2 at San Francisco 49ers - Sun, Oct. 27

14. Houston Texans (4-3): The Texans had control of the division and loss it in their defeat at the hand of the Colts. The Texans put eight men in the box to halt the Colts terrific rushing attack. They stopped the run, but quarterback Jacoby Brissett torched the Texans secondary. Next: -6.5 vs Oakland Raiders - Sun, Oct. 27

15. Oakland Raiders (3-3): The Raiders traded Gareon Conley to the Texans for a 3rd round draft pick. The Raiders now have three 3rd round picks in the 2020 draft. To replace Conley's roster spot, the Raiders signed defensive end Kasim Edebali. Next: +6.5 at Houston Texans - Sun, Oct. 27

16. Chicago Bears (3-3): The Bears are struggling to run the ball and outside of the Chargers, are the worst running team in the NFL. Wouldn't it be interesting if those two teams met? Next: -4 vs Los Angeles Chargers - Sun, Oct. 27

17. Arizona Cardinals (3-3-1): The Cardinals have a three-game winning streak. This means almost nothing in the NFC West, where the Cardinals are in last place. At least they are competitive. Next: +10.7 New Orleans Saints - Sun, Oct. 27

18. Detroit Lions (2-3-1): The Lions signed former UCLA running Paul Perkins off their practice squad to help fill their new void at running back with Kerryon Johnson on injured reserve. Next: -7 vs New York Giants - Sun, Oct. 27

19. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4): There is a statue of Nick Foles outside of Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, home of the Eagles. This is in honor of the team's only Super Bowl Championship. Do you think struggling quarterback Carson Wentz has noticed? Next: +1.5 at Buffalo Bills - Sun, Oct. 27

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4): Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus has an apparent core muscle injury that may cause him to miss the next four weeks. Dareus missed the Jaguars' first game of the season with an elbow injury and the defense was scorched for 40 points. His loss will be felt on the defense. Next: -6 vs New York Jets - Sun, Oct. 27

21. Tennessee Titans (3-4): Ryan Tannehill threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns in the Titans win over the Chargers. Wide Receiver Corey Davis caught six passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. For the first time this season, the passing game looked good enough to carry the Titans back to the playoffs. Next: -2.5 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Oct. 27

22. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4): Quarterback Mason Rudolph is back from a wicked concussion and will start Monday Night in this week's, Crummy Game of the Week against the Dolphins. ESPN gets stuck with this gem. Next: -14 vs Miami Dolphins - Mon, Oct. 28

23. Denver Broncos (2-5): Wide Receiver Emmanuel Sanders went to John Elway and asked for a trade and his request was granted. The Broncos, with another loss, may end up trading more players before the trade deadline, as they start another rebuild. Next: +6 at Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Oct. 27

24. New York Giants (2-5): Former Texas State linebacker David Mayo has a found a home with the Giants. Mayo, in his fifth season, signed with the Giants before the beginning of the season. Because of injuries, he has started the past four games, collecting 32 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He looks like a keeper. Next: +7 at Detroit Lions - Sun, Oct. 27

25. Los Angeles Chargers (2-5): The Chargers have a decision to make regarding running back Melvin Gordon. With the NFL trade deadline on October 29th, the Chargers need to decide if it makes more sense to trade Gordon or keep him in the hope of a late playoff run. Gordon is an unrestricted free agent in 2020. Next: +4 at Chicago Bears - Sun, Oct. 27

26. Cleveland Browns (2-4): The overhyped and overrated Browns will get a huge challenge this Sunday when they visit the Patriots in Foxborough. The best advice we can give the Browns is don't turn the ball over. A punt is better than an interception. Even better, hand the ball off to running back Nick Chubb, who is averaging 101.2 yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry. Next: +13 at New England Patriots - Sun, Oct. 27

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4): The Bucs have a good offensive unit that can beat anyone, as the Rams can attest to. They have got to stop turning the ball over and help their defense. This is an inconsistent team that can be very dangerous. Next: +2.5 at Tennessee Titans - Sun, Oct. 27

28. New York Jets (1-5): Sam Darnold was so confused on Monday Night against the Pats, that he thought he was" seeing ghosts." In a humiliating blowout home loss to the Patriots on national television, Darnold became a national punchline on television and social media. Next: +6 at Jacksonville Jaguars - Sun, Oct. 27

29. Washington Redskins (1-6): Running back Wendell Smallwood will likely get the start on Thursday Night against the Vikings. Running back Chris Thompson is out and Adrian Petersen is very questionable. Next: -16 at Minnesota Vikings – Thu, Oct. 24

30. Atlanta Falcons (1-6): The Falcons traded wide receiver Mohamed Sanu to the Patriots for a second-round draft pick. A good trade for the Falcons. Sanu had fallen out of favor in Atlanta and with wide receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, he was not really needed. Next: +3.5 vs Seattle Seahawks - Sun, Oct. 27

31. Cincinnati Bengals (0-7): The Bengals need to move on from a good portion of their roster. Wide Receiver A.J. Green and Quarterback Andy Dalton should be at the top of that list. They need to re-build. Next: +13 at Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Oct. 27

32. Miami Dolphins (0-6): Something positive needs to be said about the Dolphins. Mark Walton has taken the lead job at running back as the Dolphins are trying to find a way to win a game. Walton has been described as a physically and mentally very tough player and person who runs with a low center of gravity. He is a willing blocker and a good pass receiver. That's about it. Next: +14 at Pittsburgh Steelers - Mon, Oct. 28