Zak Drapeau's NFL Week 8 Power Rankings

Zak Drapeau
1 day ago
10 min read

by Zak Drapeau 10/21/2025 Sportz Nation

1. Detroit Lions /\1

5-2

Last Week: 24-9 Win vs TB

After a week away from the top spot Detroit regains the status after their decimation of the Buccaneers. Whether they were give home town advantage in penalties at the end of the game or not, the Lions were by far the better team and is the better team in the NFL than any other, with one of the strongest defenses in the league and lucky enough to be one of the least injured.

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2. Green Bay Packers --

4-1-1

Last Week: 27-23 Win at ARI

The Packers may have beaten the Lions Game 1 and have one of the highest win percentages in the league but they aren't as dominant of a team as them. Not to say they aren't a great team, they're the 2nd best after all. Green Bay just wins and both sides of the ball are among the best units in the league.

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3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers \/2

4-3

Last Week: 24-9 Loss at DET

The Buccaneers are starting to see some serious injuries on their team but still hold the #3 spot because of Baker Mayfield and Todd Bowles. They ran into a great team in an away game where their two-top receivers were reinjured, their #1 running back was out and their best corner got injured too. Todd Bowles' defense will keep them in games and I'm still not ruling out Baker for MVP but this team could really use some luck.

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4. Indianapolis Colts /\1

6-1

Last Week: 38-24 Win at LAC

The Colts have had some easy games on their schedule but have also shown that they likely have the best offense in the league. Daniel Jones has been good if not great and Jonathan Taylor has had an MVP-caliber season behind what may also be the best O-line in the league. Their defense is definitely top-half in the league even though their secondary is depleted as well.

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5. Buffalo Bills \/1

4-2

Last Week: BYE Week

The Bills BYE Week came at a perfect time after the team lost back-to-back games. Josh Allen has looked great but needs to stop turning the ball over and their defense ranks 16th in points. Still though it's the Bills and they are healthy so they will keep rattling off wins starting this week at home vs the Panthers.

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6. Philadelphia Eagles /\1

5-2

Last Week: 28-22 Win at MIN

The Eagles sorely needed that win in Minnesota and whether they won or Carson Wentz lost the game for the Vikings, a win is a win. Still not up to par with last season, the Eagles are still getting better especially on offense as Barkley and A.J. Brown still haven't gotten going.

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7. Kansas City Chiefs /\1

4-3

Last Week: 31-0 Win vs LV

It still bothers me that the Chiefs' schedule is as favorable as it is for their home games but nonetheless they have really turned it on in the past few weeks. As dominant of a win as we've seen this season, the Chiefs didn't let the Raiders have anything and looked instantly better on offense. Whether that was the re-acclamation of Rashee Rice or the homestand against the lowly Raiders... who know?

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8. Denver Broncos \/2

5-2

Last Week: 33-32 Win vs NYG

I'm not sure if the Broncos should be happy about one of the greatest comebacks I've ever seen last Sunday or they should be distraught about almost getting creamed by the Giants but ya know... a win is a win. The Broncos' offense looked tragic for the first 3 quarters and their defense wasn't that much better. The Broncos had early "Contenders" build in them but now I'm not too sure.

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9. Los Angeles Rams --

5-2

Last Week: 35-7 Win vs JAX

The Rams were somewhat underdogs this week as they met London's favorite team but BOY did they come out firing. A 21-0 lead in the first quarter and the game was already over. Even without Puka Nacua, Matt Stafford and Sean McVay have proved their offense is among the elite in the game and are now starting to get their defense in serious talks as well.

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10. Seattle Seahawks --

5-2

Last Week: 27-19 Win vs HOU

The Seahawks are starting to make believers out of me and is becoming one of the most complete teams in football. Smith-Njigba is absolutely in contention for OPOY this year and their double-headed RB group is breaking out this season. On defense, they are ranked #1 against the run and #3 in sacks. They are also undefeated on the road which is a sneaky great stat I love for them.

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11. New England Patriots /\1

5-2

Last Week: 31-13 Win at TEN

The Patriots are one step down from the Colts for me in the sense that they've had a cupcake schedule as well. Their win in Buffalo is absolutely impressive don't get me wrong... but Miami, New Orleans, Tennessee and the Panthers are not impressive wins. Their offense seems to really be clicking and defense is coming around too. Drake Maye's "MVP run" might be a bit preemptive but is deserving of a lot of praise form the 23-year old.

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12. San Francisco 49ers /\4

5-2

Last Week: 20-10 Win vs ATL

The 49ers are "next man up" personified this season and I love it but their injuries are huge enough to not let me put them any higher than #12. 3-1 on the road this season, San Francisco will need Mac Jones to return to his for from three weeks ago if they want to continue winning but for now are the poster-team for why coaching matters so much in this league.

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13. Atlanta Falcons \/2

3-3

Last Week: 20-10 Loss at SF

If anyone were to have told me the Falcons would be in the top-half of the league because of their defense before the year started I would have laughed in their face. With Bijan and London doing their thing this year and this pass rush being legit for the first time in a decade, the Falcons just need to figure out how to win on the road and I can really see them pushing for Top-10 status.

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14. Chicago Bears --

4-2

Last Week: 26-14 Win vs NO

The Bears may have had some "easy wins" so far this season but they are also 4-1 in their last 5. Ben Johnson has got this team in a very good place and most impressively hasn't allowed more than 24 points in a month. If Caleb Williams can take another step and become a difference maker down the stretch of games this team has the potential to be special.

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15. Jacksonville Jaguars \/2

Last Week: 35-7 Win vs LAR

The Jaguars may still be on the high of beating the Chiefs on MNF 3 weeks ago because they have looked bad the last two. Scoring 19 points combined in their last two games, their biggest problem is 3rd downs where they've been 7/31. You can make the excuse their last two games have been very difficult and I'd be inclined to disagree with you but even still, if you're a good team you find ways to win on the road and not be blown out.

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16. Carolina Panthers /\5

4-3

Last Week: 13-6 Win at NYJ

Checks notes... The Panthers are in the top-half of the league? Well don't look now but they've won 4 of their last 5 and are 3-0 at home. Bryce Young has been much better than I predicted this season but his ankle injury may be a big factor this week in Buffalo. Likely to lose this week the Panthers will drop back down the list but for now... good for them man.

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17. Los Angeles Chargers --

4-3

Last Week: 38-24 Loss vs IND

I believe the Chargers would be a Top-5 team if they were completely healthy but this is the league we play in and right now they are probably the second-most injured team in the league. The biggest issue is their O-line and they will be starting their #5 OT this Thursday Night against the Vikings. Justin Herbert can bail them out of a lot of bad situations but he will have to be Superman if this team plans on winning.

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18. Minnesota Vikings /\2

3-3

Last Week: 28-22 Loss vs PHI

Speaking of Minnesota, the Vikings have a chance to get back in the win column this week when the Chargers come to town. Their defense will have to get after it though because their offense has hit a serious ceiling with Carson Wentz as of late.

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19. Pittsburgh Steelers \/1

4-2

Last Week: 33-31 Loss at CIN

I've been saying for weeks that the Steelers were not as good as their 4-1 record would tell you and Joe Flacco just proved it. Their offense just isn't dynamic enough to win big games no matter how smart both sides of the ball are. When they give up 20+ points, I don't trust this team to do much of anything.

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20. Dallas Cowboys /\5

3-4

Last Week: 44-22 Win vs WAS

The Cowboys have scored 30+ points in 5 of their last 6 and now having Ceedee Lamb back might make them even better, as shown by their NFC East domination of the Commanders. Their defense still ranks #30 in points and #32 in yards which will obviously keep them down this season as they try their best to replicate the 2024 Bengals.

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21. Washington Commanders \/6

3-4

Last Week: 44-22 Loss at DAL

The Commanders were banged up this week as they have been most of the season but that's no excuse to "not show up" to Dallas this week. Jayden Daniels has proven he is one of the best in the league but the rest of the team is too inconsistent especially when they're missing most of their best offensive weapons.

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22. Houston Texans \/3

2-4

Last Week: 27-19 Loss at SEA

The Texans problems stem from their offense being flat behind OC Nick Caley and sorely missing ex-PGC Bobby Slowik. Their defense is Top-10 in the league and looks great but are running 3 runs in a row including a bad 4th Down attempt last week. C.J. Stroud is not the problem but he needs better plays, a better RB and a better O-line if he wants to return to prominence at all.

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23. New York Giants --

2-5

Last Week: 33-32 Loss at DEN

Photo by Isaiah J. Downing/ Imagn Images

The Giants were 5 minutes away from one of the most impressive wins of any team this season... then it happened. Shutting out the Broncos for three and a half quarters, they became the first team to surrender a 19-point win in the final 5 minutes of the game. Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo have REAL potential in this league but the G-men need to fire this entire staff in order for them to realize it.

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24. Cincinnati Bengals /\2

3-4 Last Week: 33-31 Win vs PIT

Joe Flacco baby! After giving the Packers a run for their money last week, Flacco carves up the Steelers defense like this was 2009 again. The best part for the Bengals may actually be the way the running game got going and completed their offense behind Ja'Marr Chase's obsurd 23-target day. The Bengals are still far from competing with that mess of a defense but boy are they fun.

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25. Baltimore Ravens \/3

1-5

Last Week: BYE Week

The Ravens are the 3rd most injured team in the league this year and haven;t been able to get the next man up like the 49ers or Chargers have. With their offensive and defensive captain missing their last two games along with their Left Tackle and head corner also missing time, this team can't be any higher until they get healthy. Watch for them to rocket back to Top-10 when they do though.

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26. Cleveland Browns /\2

2-5

Last Week: 31-6 Win vs MIA

Quinshon Judkins is the best thing that's happened to Cleveland since Baker Mayf... oops sorry Cleveland fans. Seriously though, this win may have been the best Browns fans have felt in years. Their defense has continued to be a problem for other teams and if their offense can get going, the Browns could string a few wins together by the end of the year.

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27. Arizona Cardinals \/3

2-5

Last Week: 27-23 Loss vs GB

After starting the season 2-0, the Cardinals have now lost 5 in a row and are 1-3 at home with their only win being a close game in Week 1 vs the Saints. Losing all 5 games by an average of 2.6 points, the Cardinals have been one of the worst 4th Quarter teams in the league and can't close out games. The worst part is they may have looked better with Jacoby Brissett in as Kyler's been injured.

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28. New Orleans Saints \/1

1-6

Last Week: 26-14 Loss at CHI

The Saints are 1-1 when scoring over 20 points this season. Do with that stat what you want but I take it as, Spencer Rattler may be doing better than we thought this year but he's not doing enough. Their defense and coaching has been adequate enough this season but the offense needs to do better unless this team is fine trying to tank for a Quarterback. Maybe get Kamara the ball for a change...

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29. Miami Dolphins --

1-6

Last Week: 31-6 Loss at CLE

I think it's time Miami. McDaniel needs to go and Tua needs to be benched after throwing 6 picks in the last 2 games. This team has a GOOD roster, not great by any means but certainly good enough to win a few games. To make matters worse, their only win was a home game against the Jets.

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30. Las Vegas Raiders --

2-5

Last Week: 31-0 Loss at KC

Photo by Charlie Riedel/ Associated Press

The Raiders have been the worst offense in the past three weeks and I don't see it getting better. Geno Smith isn't it, Ashton Jeanty can't get past his O-line and Jakobi Meyers is hurt. Pete Carroll's defense isn't even that bad but this team has no hope unless they change things on offense drastically.

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31. Tennessee Titans /\1

1-6

Last Week: 31-13 Loss vs NE

I'm going to say that the season is already over for the Titans and they should focus on Cam Ward's progress week-by-week and who they'll take with their Top-3 pick in April. This team has no potential and no direction for this season but even so have a better floor then one other team...

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32. New York Jets \/1

0-7

Last Week: 13-6 Loss vs CAR

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Jets are cursed. Their defense is around mediocre when compared to other teams but BOY, Aaron Glenn doesn't know how to offense. Scoring 17 points in their past two games AT HOME is embarrassing and now that Justin Fields has been benched I don't know where this team will go. Sad thing is, I still see potential for them to win 3-4 games somehow this season.

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