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Ryan Kirksey ranks all 32 NFL teams after eight weeks of the 2023 season based on how well they have played through their first eight games.
As we head into the third month of the NFL season, we are starting to get a better sense of who these 32 teams are. Injuries, inefficiencies, and mega-popstar distractions have impacted NFL teams in different ways through the league's first eight weeks. On the other hand, there have been some major positive surprises and stellar play from unexpected sources.
Teams like the New York Jets, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have all moved drastically since our Preseason Power Rankings from early August. It's just further proof that the landscape of the NFL can change on a dime after any given Sunday.
So what do the NFL power rankings look like eight weeks into the regular season? Here is our ranking of all 32 NFL teams.
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Super Bowl In Their Sights
1. Philadelphia Eagles (7-1)
The one hiccup against the New York Jets looks more like an outlier as the weeks go by. The Eagles scored 14 in that game, but haven't scored fewer than 23 points in any other contest this year. Their next five games are against Dallas (twice), Kansas City, San Francisco, and Buffalo. If they make it out of that gauntlet with even a 3-2 record, they will be well-positioned to cruise to a number one NFC seed.
2. Miami Dolphins (6-2)
The record for most points scored by a team in one NFL season is 606 by the 2013 Denver Broncos. The Dolphins, averaging 33.7 points per game this year, are just behind that pace. Right now, they would score 578 points on the season if they continue their current trend.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)
I don't feel great putting the Chiefs third on this list after an embarrassing loss to Denver but consider the scenario. It was freezing weather in Denver. Patrick Mahomes legitimately had the flu. And -- most importantly -- Taylor Swift was not there! Is this the most important split ever recorded in NFL history?
4. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
The Cardinals only lost to Baltimore by seven last week thanks to a last-minute backdoor cover. That was their fourth win in five games and came on a day when Lamar Jackson was asked to do basically nothing. He rushed for his third-lowest total for a full game in his career.
5. Detroit Lions (6-2)
If you think this ranking for the Lions is too high, consider this. Detroit has one team left on their schedule with a winning record. A 13- or 14-win season is not out of the question for this team.
6. Dallas Cowboys (5-2)
The Cowboys have played seven games and just one of them was a one-score contest late in the game -- a 20-17 win over the Chargers. I believe in this team, especially their defense, but I want to see how Dak Prescott handles some fourth-quarter adversity of pressure before penciling them into a Conference Championship game. Because with the Texas Rangers winning, now the pressure is really on.
7. San Francisco 49ers (5-3)
Three straight losses don't bother me nearly as much as three straight weeks with no more than 17 points. The 49ers are getting stellar performances from George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey. Is it really all because of a shaky Brock Purdy? Once Deebo Samuel returns, the climb up the power rankings should resume.
Playoff Bound Or Their Fans Revolt
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2)
Don't look now, but the Jacksonville Jaguars are actually really good! Their defense has been elite and Travis Etienne looks like a tall Maurice Jones-Drew out there.
9. Buffalo Bills (5-3)
That's now five straight games without repeating a win or a loss. Who exactly is this team?
10. Seattle Seahawks (5-2)
It's put-up or shut-up time for the surging Seahawks over the next seven games. In that span, they face the 49ers (twice), Baltimore, Dallas, and Philadelphia.
11. Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)
Here's Joe Burrow not caring that the Bengals started 1-3 this season.
12. Cleveland Browns (4-3)
Let's check in and see if Deshaun Watson is putting in all the necessary and focused work to get back to the field completely healthy.
13. New York Jets (4-3)
(Furiously searching to see if there is a way to buy stock in ayahuasca).
14. New Orleans Saints (4-4)
The Saints really have no excuse for not winning this NFC South division, but man are they trying to find one. The definition of a mediocre franchise right now.
Stuck In The Middle With You
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
I'm not sure why this happened, but it did.
16. Atlanta Falcons (4-4)
Desmond Ridder and his career 64.8% completion rate and 84.8 quarterback rating will now give way to Taylor Heinicke and his career 63.7% completion rate and 86.1 quarterback rating. Here's an idea, Arthur Smith: GIVE THE BALL TO BIJAN, PITTS, AND LONDON!
17. Houston Texans (3-4)
There is now one professional sports team left in Texas that has never won a championship. No pressure, C.J. Stroud!
18. Los Angeles Chargers (3-4)
"Here's the game plan tonight, guys. Herbert is going to throw for three or more touchdowns and not throw a pick."
19. Minnesota Vikings (4-4)
I truly hope that was not the last we will ever see of Kirk Cousins, one of the all-around great guys in the NFL.
20. Indianapolis Colts (3-5)
Exactly one team has scored at least 20 points in every game this season. Care to guess who it is? Shane Steichen has this team playing at an incredibly fast pace this season.
21. Los Angeles Rams (3-5)
If Matthew Stafford misses time with his hurt thumb or anything else this season, the Rams are OK because they have a backup with more years of experience than Stafford.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)
Tampa Bay has lost three straight games. Here is Baker Mayfield trying to right the (pirate) ship.
Let's See What Our Backups Can Do
23. Tennessee Titans (3-4)
The first of two "our Week 1 starter is old and stinks so let's play the rookie" teams at least now has a springboard of hope after Will Levis went all bombs away against Atlanta for four touchdown passes. Now Levis goes on the road against a shaky Pittsburgh pass defense.
24. Las Vegas Raiders (3-5)
The Raiders, on the other hand, have this.
Already Starting to Check January Vacation Spots
25. Denver Broncos (3-5)
If you squint hard enough, you can see a path after Week 10 against Buffalo where Denver could end up with nine wins and a playoff berth. But Sean Payton needs to be held personally liable for the fact that the Broncos drafted Marvin Mims Jr. but refused to use him despite this:
26. Washington Commanders (3-5)
That 2-0 start to the season seems like a relic of the ancient past at this point. Washington has lost five of their last six games including games to lowly Chicago and the New York Giants.
27. Green Bay Packers (2-5)
GM Brian Gutekunst says the next 10 games are going to be "very important" for Jordan Love and his future. And the last 17 games where Love has just a 58% completion rate? What were those?
28. Chicago Bears (2-6)
I don't think the Bears fit into the next category because I think their management falls asleep to tape of Marvin Harrison Jr. instead. Currently with the second and third picks in the 2024 NFL draft, they have a lock on the stud receiver and his ability to do things like this:
We Fall Asleep To Tape Of Caleb Williams
29. New England Patriots (2-6)
How exactly did the Patriots score 29 points against Buffalo on October 22? After losing 31-17 to the Dolphins, the Patriots have 37 total points in their last four losses.
30. New York Giants (2-6)
LOL New York Giants.
31. Carolina Panthers (1-6)
This is your reminder that the Panthers do not have a first-round pick in this year's draft, so they have no incentive to keep losing. They really are just this bad of a team with Bryce Young struggling to find his way as a rookie.
32. Arizona Cardinals (1-7)
I guess Joshua Dobbs made them slightly too competitive in games despite Arizona possessing the league's worst record and the rights to the number one NFL draft pick in April. Insert Clayton Tune and the true tanking can begin!
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