Nolan Anderson’s NFL Power Rankings: Post Week Eight
It’s hard to remember when the league featured so much parody. It is truly an ‘any team can win any week’ type of year.
CONTENDERS
- Eagles (last week #1)
The Eagles are flying high, and, according to football outsiders, have the easiest schedule for the remaining of the year. Slot them in as your NFC one seed.
- Bills (last week #2)
Speaking of favorites, the preseason consensus Superbowl pick, the Buffalo Bills, continue to dominate week to week. QB Josh Allen threw two picks in the second half against the Packers, and the Packers didn’t get close to making the game competitive.
- Vikings (last week #3)
Methodical and consistent. It’s been extremely hard to get a valid read on this Vikings team, but the ability to win games cannot be overstated. Though I am getting Titans 2021 vibes from this team.
- Cowboys (last week #8)
With halfback Zeke Elliot on the sidelines, back up Tony Pollard owned the ground game against the Bears, putting up almost 150 yards and three touchdowns. It might be time for Pollard to be the featured back in Dallas.
- Chiefs (last week #5)
During the bye week, the Chiefs still made news by trading for the Giants wideout Kadarius Toney. Another weapon for Mahomes?
PLAYOFF HOPEFULS
PLAYOFF HOPEFULS
- Ravens (last week #9)
At the brink of breaking into the contenders, the Ravens are on a four-game win streak, and one of our biggest risers on the rankings this week. In a “win now” move, on Monday the Ravens traded for linebacker Roquan smith, who should instantly bolster their defensive front.
- Seahawks (last week #10)
Geno Smith is leader the Seahawks have needed, and he has provided the spark for Seattle’s fast start. On the sideline this week, instead of smashing tablets and yelling at teammates like some quarterbacks this season, Smith was seen hyping up his WR Tyler Lockett after a bad drop, and during the next offensive series found Lockett for a tough TD. That’s a leader.
- Giants (last week #4)
Look, the Giants weren’t going to run the table and win the remaining of their games, but even in a loss, the Giants showed the tenacity and grit that has them in line for a wildcard spot.
- 49ers (last week #18)
Rumor was the 49ers outbid the Rams for the Christian McCafferty trade and it paid off in a big way this Sunday. Against the Rams, McCafferty was the first player in the NFL since 2005 to run, pass, and catch a touchdown in a single game.
- Titans (last week 11)
I begrudgingly slide the Titans into the playoff bound tier due to their 2-game lead in a lackluster division, but despite the record I am still not sure the Titans are a top ten team in the NFL. Running back Derek Henry was a monster on Sunday, but is this really the formula that wins in January?
PLAYOFF HOPEFULS (that I don’t feel good about)
- Dolphins (last week # 12)
Wideouts Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill are an impossible 1-2 combo to cover in the NFL. The two combined for over 200 yards receiving with three touchdowns.
- Bengals (last week #6)
The loss of Jamar Chase really hurt she Bengals this past week. Through three quarters, QB Joe Burrow was held to under 100 yards passing and no touchdowns.
- Patriots (last week #19)
Mac Jones, Billy Zappe, it doesn’t matter. The Head coach is still Bill Belichick, and he does NOT lose to the Jets
- Jets (last week #7)
The fun start for the Jets may soon be a distant memory. They have lost their dynamic rookie in Bryce Hall, and quarterback Zach Wilson is under performing. This season Wilson has the worst competition percentage in the league when blitzed at less than 20 percent.
- Falcons (last week #15)
Your NFC South divisional leaders!
- Chargers (last week #13)
Last year, the Chargers started slow, hit their bye week, and revamped their entire offense for a late season push. Let’s see if they can do that again after their bye this past Sunday.
- Commanders (last week #23)
It’s odd to say I know, but the Commanders seem pretty stable this season. The Commanders at 4-4 have put together back-to-back wins, and were able to move the ball quite effectively against the Colts.
- Rams (last week #29)
A funny thing happened Monday night, the Bears decided to treat QB Justin Fields as an actual offensive weapon, and the results were kind of great! Fields had easily the best game of his professional career, and the Bears finally have some offensive momentum.
- Browns (last week #25)
That is the formula for the Browns. A dominate D-line on defense, and a ground game that keeps the opposing offense on the sidelines.
- Cardinals (last week #16)
Even with the return of star wideout Deandre Hopkins, QB Kyler Murray is regressing this year. Murray is the only starting QB in the NFL to have zero passes of over 40 yards this season.
- Jaguars (last week #20)
In his first week as the feature back, Travis Etienne put down 100 yard and a TD by halftime. The Jags didn’t get the win, but the pieces are there to build this team into a formidable offense.
- Panthers (last week #31)
The Panthers are listening to offers on their entire roster, their top two QB’s are on IR, they have fired their head coach, but man did they look good on Sunday. Take away the excessive celebration penalty, and the Panthers would be tied for first in the division.
MAYBE NEXT YEAR
- Buccaneers (last week #21)
Brady is not having fun anymore. He looks miserable behind center, and every time the camera pans to him on the sidelines he is sulking or yelling at some random lineman. Brady is the G.O.A.T. but not this season.
- Broncos (las week #28)
Maybe doing four hours of knee-highs is the key to unlocking the Broncos offense, but probably not.
- Bears (last week #17)
The Bears lost to the Cowboys, but there was a lot of positive to take away from this game. Justin Fields is improving every week at the QB position and is looking like their QB of the future.
- Packers (last week #24)
The disparity of skill displayed on Sunday between Aaron Rogers and Josh Allen was an ocean. Rogers has looked washed the last few weeks.
- Saints (last week #27)
Wins are hard to come by in this division, and shutouts are even more rare. This Sunday on the back of Alvin Kamara, the Saints dominated against the Raiders. Despite the slow start on the season the Saints are just one game back for the division lead.
- Steelers (last week #28)
Going up against the buzzsaw that is the Philadelphia Eagles, the Steelers were outplayed and out coached this past Sunday. The silver lining is that this has happened to every Eagles opponent this season.
- Raiders (last week #29)
Quarterback Derek Carr called the Raiders performance “embarrassing” and I think that sums it up perfectly.
- Colts (last week #30)
Quarterback Sam Ehlinger didn’t look terrible on Sunday, but the Colts just do not have the scheme or weapons to put together wins behind this young QB.
- Lions (last week #30)
The Lions started out as that fun and frisky team, but as the season has gone on, they have regressed to the same ol’ Lions.
- Texans (last week #32)
There isn’t much to say about the Texans this season. After another loss, look for them to be sellers during the trade deadline.
