Causion's NFL Power Rankings: Pre - Week 8
Today I reveal my weekly NFL power rankings heading into week 8 of the season. I will take into account everything I know about these teams, and give heavy consideration to what was displayed on the field so far this season. This gives an accurate assessment of where teams are at in my opinion.
This Week's Rankings
1. New England Patriots
The Jets pushed them, but if they beat Miami this week they have a strong hold on the division, again. They are still the elite of the AFC East.
The Jets pushed them, but if they beat Miami this week they have a strong hold on the division, again. They are still the elite of the AFC East.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
The way they were playing, they might not have liked having their bye. If they beat the Steelers this week, it might be over.
The way they were playing, they might not have liked having their bye. If they beat the Steelers this week, it might be over.
3. Green Bay Packers
Tough game coming off the bye vs the best defense in the NFL, the Broncos. They will need to get Eddie Lacey going.
Tough game coming off the bye vs the best defense in the NFL, the Broncos. They will need to get Eddie Lacey going.
4. Carolina Panthers - 5 last week
Cam Newton is carrying this team, but that defense is why this team is undefeated. They keep them in every game and it travels.
Cam Newton is carrying this team, but that defense is why this team is undefeated. They keep them in every game and it travels.
5. Denver Broncos - 4 last week
At some point, they will get it going on offense. Peyton Manning needs help from the running game.
At some point, they will get it going on offense. Peyton Manning needs help from the running game.
6. New York Jets
They showed well at New England, but that isn't good enough to win the division. Todd Bowles still has this team heading in the right direction.
They showed well at New England, but that isn't good enough to win the division. Todd Bowles still has this team heading in the right direction.
7. Arizona Cardinals - 9 last week
They have to tighten up that defense again. They made it interesting late against the Ravens.
They have to tighten up that defense again. They made it interesting late against the Ravens.
8. Atlanta Falcons - 7 last week
The offense suddenly isn't scoring points. That has to be fixed. The schedule gives them time, starting this week with Tampa Bay.
The offense suddenly isn't scoring points. That has to be fixed. The schedule gives them time, starting this week with Tampa Bay.
9. Minnesota Vikings - 11 last week
At 4-2, they are in the thick of division race. With a lot of young players, they are only going to get better.
At 4-2, they are in the thick of division race. With a lot of young players, they are only going to get better.
10. Seattle Seahawks - 15 last week
The defense rebounded in a big way against the 49ers last Thursday. That's the Seattle defense we've come to expect.
The defense rebounded in a big way against the 49ers last Thursday. That's the Seattle defense we've come to expect.
11. Philadelphia Eagles - 10 last week
Is it time to start wondering if Sam Bradford is the right guy for Chip Kelly's offense? It sure looks like he isn't.
Is it time to start wondering if Sam Bradford is the right guy for Chip Kelly's offense? It sure looks like he isn't.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers - 9 last week
They have a chance to move right back up this week if they can beat the Bengals. Ben Roethlisberger is back, so they are a different team now.
They have a chance to move right back up this week if they can beat the Bengals. Ben Roethlisberger is back, so they are a different team now.
13. St. Louis Rams - 17 last week
Don't look now, but they are a legitimate wild-card contender. The running game with Todd Gurley is perfect for a Jeff Fisher-coached team.
Don't look now, but they are a legitimate wild-card contender. The running game with Todd Gurley is perfect for a Jeff Fisher-coached team.
14. New York Giants
They are in first place in the NFC East after the 0-2 start. Now they face a tough challenge against the Saints on the road.
They are in first place in the NFC East after the 0-2 start. Now they face a tough challenge against the Saints on the road.
15. Oakland Raiders - 20 last week
This team is surprising a lot of people with the .500 start. Beat the Jets on Sunday, and it will be time to consider them as a playoff contender.
This team is surprising a lot of people with the .500 start. Beat the Jets on Sunday, and it will be time to consider them as a playoff contender.
16. Washington Redskins - 19 last week
Kirk Cousins might hold off on screaming at media members until he strings two good games together. You like that?
Kirk Cousins might hold off on screaming at media members until he strings two good games together. You like that?
17. New Orleans Saints - 22 last week
Give Sean Payton credit for turning their season around. That's' what having Drew Brees does for a team.
Give Sean Payton credit for turning their season around. That's' what having Drew Brees does for a team.
18. San Diego Chargers - 13 last week
That was a damning and embarrassing loss at home to the Raiders. They have problems.
That was a damning and embarrassing loss at home to the Raiders. They have problems.
19. Miami Dolphins - 24 last week
Dan Campbell has turned this team around in a big way. Now comes a huge reality check: At New England.
Dan Campbell has turned this team around in a big way. Now comes a huge reality check: At New England.
20. Buffalo Bills - 16 last week
At 3-4, the Bills hardly look like the team many expected. Injuries have hurt, but that's not the only reason.
At 3-4, the Bills hardly look like the team many expected. Injuries have hurt, but that's not the only reason.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars - 24 last week
They found a way to win, which is big for a young team. They head to their bye only a game out in the division. Unreal.
They found a way to win, which is big for a young team. They head to their bye only a game out in the division. Unreal.
22. Cleveland Browns - 18 last week
It looks like it's Johnny Manziel time in Cleveland. That's a good thing for evaluation purposes.
It looks like it's Johnny Manziel time in Cleveland. That's a good thing for evaluation purposes.
23. Indiannapolis Colts - 12 last week
They are still in first place, but they sure don't look like it. This is a team with issues.
They are still in first place, but they sure don't look like it. This is a team with issues.
24. Dallas Cowboys
It's a shame what losing a quarterback like Tony Romo has done to this team. At least Greg Hardy is trying to fire up his teammates. Yeah, sure he is.
It's a shame what losing a quarterback like Tony Romo has done to this team. At least Greg Hardy is trying to fire up his teammates. Yeah, sure he is.
25. Chicago Bears - 21 last week
They've made strides this season in a lot off ways, but the roster is still limited. It will take time.
They've made strides this season in a lot off ways, but the roster is still limited. It will take time.
26. Kansas City Chiefs - 31 last week
They head to London off a victory that keeps them alive -- for now. They are still not a good football team.
They head to London off a victory that keeps them alive -- for now. They are still not a good football team.
27. Tennessee Titans - 27 last week
The defense showed up against the Titans, which is a good sign. Zach Mettenberger was too inconsistent.
The defense showed up against the Titans, which is a good sign. Zach Mettenberger was too inconsistent.
28. Detroit Lions
Remember all that talk about how they wouldn't miss Ndamukong Suh? Well, they are 29th in scoring defense. London will love seeing them.
Remember all that talk about how they wouldn't miss Ndamukong Suh? Well, they are 29th in scoring defense. London will love seeing them.
29. San Francisco 49ers - 26 last week
It's becoming clear that Colin Kaepernick isn't the long-term answer. But his line didn't help him much against Seattle. Now he gets to face the Rams front.
It's becoming clear that Colin Kaepernick isn't the long-term answer. But his line didn't help him much against Seattle. Now he gets to face the Rams front.
30. Tampa Bay Bucs
That was a stinging loss to the Redskins. At least they came off the bye looking better on offense.
That was a stinging loss to the Redskins. At least they came off the bye looking better on offense.
31. Baltimore Ravens - 32 last week
It's hard to believe they have one victory. That's incredible.
It's hard to believe they have one victory. That's incredible.
32. Houston Texans - 25 last week
This season is officially a disaster. That defense is terrible. Who expected that? Me.
This season is officially a disaster. That defense is terrible. Who expected that? Me.