NFL Power Rankings, Week 8: Chiefs roll, Ravens maul the Lions
By Grant Tuttle
9. Detroit Lions (5-2)
Last Week: 5 (-4)
This has been a Lions-positive Power Rankings for weeks. It's about time that Detroit takes a hit in these rankings. This week, they got pummeled by the Ravens in Baltimore. With a final score of 38-6, there is not much on the positive side for Jared Goff and the Lions. It was really, really awful this week.
10. Cleveland Browns (4-2)
Last Week: 12 (+2)
On some late game heroics from Kareem Hunt, the Browns managed to sneak out a victory against the Indianapolis Colts. In a game that seemed like it took forever, the Browns showed that they are capable of winning in more than one way; This time having a burst of offense and not relying wholly on their physical defense. Again, I think the Browns are a little bit underrated.
11. Buffalo Bills (4-3)
Last Week: 9 (-2)
The Bills are starting to see their nightmare come true: They missed their Super Bowl window again. While we can say that the Bills as very talented on both sides of the ball, they truly seem to be lacking the dominance that they once had. On top of the loss they had against the Patriots they had this week, they got beat by the Jaguars and Jets. It is not going well and it's certainly time to panic in Buffalo.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
Last Week: 21 (+9)
Once again, the Steelers in the power rankings are like a bouncy house. Up, then down, then up again. Pittsburgh hung on to beat the Rams in Los Angeles on the back of their great defense. While the offense continues to leave everyone wanting more, a great defense can take you the distance. Think of the Bears when they went all the way to the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman at quarterback because of the tremendous talent they had on defense. The 2006-2007 Bears are what the Steelers hope to be this year.
13. Houston Texans (3-3)
Last Week: 15 (+2)
(BYE WEEK)
14. Indianapolis Colts (3-4)
Last Week: 13 (-1)
It was close. It was hard fought. It was a loss. The Colts came up short against the Browns this week but flashed tremendous capability in the passing attack with Josh Downs and Michael Pittman making big plays down the stretch. The Colts are a team to watch as a potential Wild Card team. If they can find their identity without Anthony Richardson, they could be a tough team to beat.
15. Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
Last Week: 17 (+2)
Atlanta has all kinds of talent, but they are one of the classic "quarterback away" teams. Desmond Ridder would make for a great backup quarterback. He's a guy with good instincts and decision-making. The problem is, he has the same consistency as Ryan Fitzpatrick. In one game, he looks very good. In another, he looks like one of the worst at the position. Atlanta could be one of the teams in the hunt for a veteran quarterback this offseason. While the Falcons ultimately won a close one against the Bucs, there was nothing worth talking about other than how underwhelming Ridder is, even though he threw for 250 yards.
16. Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
Last Week: 7 (-9)
I want to believe in the Rams. I really do. The offense has all the makings of a contender. Between Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and Tutu Atwell, the Rams have an explosive offense that could be among the best in the NFL. Currently, however, they are not living up to that full potential. In fact, they found a way to fall short against the Steelers and only managed 17 points at home. Perhaps the Rams are not what I thought.