NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where every team stands heading into Week 8
- Week 7 of the NFL season was ugly and lopsided, with several blowouts.
- A few trends remained, however - the Patriots and 49ers are unbeaten, the Packers and Saints are surging, and the Chiefs and Eagles are moving in the wrong direction.
- Here's where all 32 teams stand heading into Week 8.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Week 7 of the NFL season was largely an ugly, sloppy affair.
Six games were decided by 14 or more points, while only three were decided by a touchdown (and extra-point) or less.
In the end, a few general trends continued - the Patriots and 49ers remain unbeaten and dominant, the Packers, Saints, and Vikings continued surging, and teams like the Chiefs and Eagles are going in the wrong direction.
As we head into Week 8, here's where all 32 teams stand in the NFL.
32. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 0-7
Last week: 31st
Week 7 result: Lost to the Jaguars, 27-17
Week 8 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Rams (in London)
One thing to know: For the first time this season, the Bengals have fallen below the Dolphins in our rankings. That's what happens when Andy Dalton throws three fourth-quarter interceptions while the Bengals managed just 33 rushing yards at home.
31. Miami Dolphins
Record: 0-6
Last week: 32nd
Week 7 result: Lost to the Bills, 31-21
Week 8 opponent: at Pittsburgh Steelers
One thing to know: The Miami Dolphins held the lead at halftime against the Bills. It was the highlight of their season so far. In a cruel twist, the Dolphins' next game will be in primetime on national television when they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers on Monday night.
30. Washington Redskins
Record: 1-6
Last week: 30th
Week 7 result: Lost to the 49ers, 9-0
Week 8 opponent: at Minnesota Vikings
One thing to know: Washington's Week 8 matchup with the Vikings is a revenge game for many parties: Case Keenum and Adrian Peterson facing their old teams and Kirk Cousins facing his former team.
29. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 1-6
Last week: 29th
Week 7 result: Lost to the Rams, 37-10
Week 8 opponent: vs. Seattle Seahawks
One thing to know: The Falcons disappointing season looks like it's only getting worse. Matt Ryan was forced to leave Sunday's game with an ankle injury and is out of practice to start the week as Atlanta prepares to play Seattle.
28. New York Giants
Record: 2-5
Last week: 25th
Week 7 result: Lost to the Cardinals, 27-21
Week 8 opponent: at Detroit Lions
One thing to know: Daniel Jones has crashed back to earth after a promising start, with 7 interceptions, two lost fumbles, and 13 sacks in the last four games.
27. New York Jets
Record: 1-5
Last week: 22nd
Week 7 result: Lost to the Patriots, 33-0
Week 8 opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars
One thing to know: Sam Darnold was mic'd up for "Monday Night Football" and admitted to "seeing ghosts" while attempting to read and react to the Patriots defense. His Jets teammates weren't pleased with the NFL's decision to broadcast the moment.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 2-4
Last week: 23rd
Week 7 result: Bye
Week 8 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins
One thing to know: The Steelers will be looking to get Mason Rudolph back this week after he cleared concussion protocol from a scary hit in Week 5. A win against the Dolphins would move the Steelers to 3-4 and perhaps back into the mix of things in the AFC North.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 2-4
Last week: 28th
Week 7 result: Bye
Week 8 opponent: at Tennessee Titans
One thing to know: Jameis Winston had six turnovers in the Buccaneers game against the Panthers in London. Another poor performance like that and Winston might find himself in the same situation as his fellow top pick in the 2015 draft Marcus Mariota — benched in favor of a backup.
24. Denver Broncos
Record: 2-5
Last week: 21st
Week 7 result: Lost to the Chiefs, 30-6
Week 8 opponent: at Indianapolis Colts
One thing to know: The Broncos traded wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to the 49ers. It is the next step in what has been a gradual rebuild.
23. Los Angeles Chargers
Record: 2-5
Last week: 26th
Week 7 result: Lost to the Titans, 23-20
Week 8 opponent: at Chicago Bears
One thing to know: The return of Melvin Gordon to the Chargers backfield has not gone according to plan. Rather than providing a spark, Gordon has averaged just 2.3 yards per attempt. On Sunday, he wound up costing the Chargers the game with a costly, if controversial, fumble at the goal line with just seconds remaining.
22. Tennessee Titans
Record: 3-4
Last week: 27th
Week 7 result: Beat the Chargers, 23-20
Week 8 opponent: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One thing to know: Ryan Tannehill gave the Titans a spark in his first start, completing 23-of-29 passes for 312 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. Is this the end of Marcus Mariota in Tennessee?
21. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 3-3-1
Last week: 24th
Week 7 result: Beat the Giants, 27-21
Week 8 opponent: at New Orleans Saints
One thing to know: Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury's offense seems to be clicking a bit, and the Cardinals have now won three straight games after starting the year out 0-3-1. Upcoming games against the Saints and 49ers should give a clearer idea of where Arizona stands against some of the better teams in the NFL.
20. Chicago Bears
Record: 3-3
Last week: 18th
Week 7 result: Lost to the Saints, 36-25
Week 8 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
One thing to know: Things are getting ugly quick in Chicago. There are calls for Mitch Trubisky to be benched while Matt Nagy's play-calling has been questioned. The defense appears to have taken a step back, too.
19. Cleveland Browns
Record: 2-4
Last week: 19th
Week 7 result: Bye
Week 8 opponent: at New England Patriots
One thing to know: Coming off of their bye week, the Cleveland Browns are hoping to reset the season with a big win over the Patriots this weekend. It won't come easy, with New England sporting a historically good defense through seven games this year.
18. Oakland Raiders
Record: 3-3
Last week: 17th
Week 7 result: Lost to the Packers, 42-24
Week 8 opponent: at Houston Texans
One thing to know: The Raiders traded cornerback Gareon Conley on Monday, as Jon Gruden and Co. shipped out yet another player from the previous regime. It's a reminder that the Raiders rebuild is still underway.
17. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 3-4
Last week: 13th
Week 7 result: Lost to the Cowboys, 37-10
Week 8 opponent: at Buffalo Bills
One thing to know: Head coach Doug Pederson promised victory heading into the Eagles' Sunday night showdown with the Cowboys last week, and had to watch as his team struggled in all facets of the game. After a miraculous run to the postseason last year, Philadelphia is not doing themselves any favors at making their path back to the playoffs an easier this time around.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 3-4
Last week: 20th
Week 7 result: Beat the Bengals, 27-17
Week 8 opponent: vs. New York Jets
One thing to know: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Eagles offered the Jaguars a first- and second-round pick for cornerback Jalen Ramsey but weren't willing to go higher. The Jaguars got two firsts and a fourth-round pick from the Rams, a nice haul for a player who made it known he wanted out.
15. Detroit Lions
Record: 2-3-1
Last week: 15th
Week 7 result: Lost to the Vikings, 42-30
Week 8 opponent: vs. New York Giants
One thing to know: The Lions have been competitive in three straight losses after a solid 2-0-1 start to the season. A game against the floundering Giants should serve as a good opportunity to get back on the right track this weekend.
14. Carolina Panthers
Record: 4-2
Last week: 8th
Week 7 result: Bye
Week 8 opponent: at San Francisco 49ers
One thing to know: Cam Newton is making progress in rehabbing his injured foot, but the Panthers are sticking with Kyle Allen at QB for now. Can Allen move to 5-0 as a starter? Beating the undefeated 49ers would be quite an accomplishment.
13. Houston Texans
Record: 4-3
Last week: 9th
Week 7 result: Lost to the Colts, 30-23
Week 8 opponent: vs. Oakland Raiders
One thing to know: The Houston Texans continue to go all-in on this season, trading for Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley to shore up what has been a questionable secondary so far this year. With the AFC looking pretty wide open, every move counts.
12. Los Angeles Rams
Record: 4-3
Last week: 14th
Week 7 result: Beat the Falcons, 37-10
Week 8 opponent: vs. Cincinnati Bengals (in London)
One thing to know: The Rams schedule may have done them a favor, as just as their offense was sputtering out of control, they got dates with the Falcons and Bengals, the fourth- and second-worst defense in the NFL, respectively.
11. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 4-3
Last week: 16th
Week 7 result: Beat the Eagles, 37-10
Week 8 opponent: Bye
One thing to know: The Dallas Cowboys got a much-needed win over the Eagles on Sunday to take sole possession of first place in the NFC East heading into their bye week. Through the second half of the year, the Cowboys have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL.
10. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 4-2
Last week: 12th
Week 7 result: Beat the Texans, 30-23
Week 8 opponent: vs. Denver Broncos
One thing to know: The Colts haven't missed a beat following Andrew Luck's surprise retirement. Better yet: Jacoby Brissett has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league this season, ranking fourth in touchdown passes and 10th in passer rating.
9. Seattle Seahawks
Record: 5-2
Last week: 4th
Week 7 result: Lost to the Ravens, 30-16
Week 8 opponent: at Atlanta Falcons
One thing to know: Russell Wilson's magic ran out against the Baltimore Ravens, throwing his first interception of the season on Sunday and watching as cornerback Marcus Peters jumped a route and returned the pick for a touchdown. Still, if Wilson continues to go 220 pass attempts between interceptions, the Seahawks should be in good shape for the rest of the year.
8. Buffalo Bills
Record: 5-1
Last week: 6th
Week 7 result: Beat the Dolphins, 31-21
Week 8 opponent: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
One thing to know: The 21 points the Bills gave up to the Dolphins were the most the defense has allowed all season. They'll look to get back on track vs. a struggling Eagles team.
7. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 5-2
Last week: 10th
Week 7 result: Beat the Lions, 42-30
Week 8 opponent: vs. Washington Redskins
One thing to know: Since being called out by his teammates and opponents, Kirk Cousins has been on fire over the past three weeks, throwing for 10 touchdowns and just one interception. If he can keep this level of play up, the Vikings are real contenders to take the NFC.
6. Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 5-2
Last week: 5th
Week 7 result: Beat the Broncos, 30-6
Week 8 opponent: vs. Green Bay Packers
One thing to know: The Chiefs lost Patrick Mahomes to a knee injury in Week 7. He's expected to miss several weeks, but the exact timeline is unclear. Though the Chiefs face a difficult schedule, they would be wise not to rush their franchise star back, particularly when they have no immediate threats in the division.
5. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 5-2
Last week: 11th
Week 7 result: Beat the Seahawks, 30-16
Week 8 opponent: Bye
One thing to know: Lamar Jackson showed on Sunday that he's one of the most dangerous players in the NFL even when he's not at his best. While he completed just nine passes against the Seahawks, he burned Seattle for 116 yards on the ground to lead his team to victory.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 6-0
Last week: 2nd
Week 7 result: Beat the Redskins, 9-0
Week 8 opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers
One thing to know: No defense — not even the Patriots — are as hot as the 49ers at the moment. They've allowed just 10 points total in their past three games.
3. New Orleans Saints
Record: 6-1
Last week: 3rd
Week 7 result: Beat the Bears, 36-25
Week 8 opponent: vs. Arizona Cardinals
One thing to know: Teddy Bridgewater and the Saints have moved to 5-0 since losing starting quarterback Drew Brees to injury in Week 2. Brees is hopeful to return this Sunday against the Cardinals, but Saints fans won't be worried if he needs another week or two before getting back under center.
2. Green Bay Packers
Record: 6-1
Last week: 7th
Week 7 result: Beat the Raiders, 42-24
Week 8 opponent: at Kansas City Chiefs
One thing to know: Look out, NFL — after a bumpy start, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers seem to be finding their groove in Matt LaFleur's offense. Rodgers threw for 429 yards on 25-of-31 passing with 5 touchdowns and a perfect passer rating in Week 7.
1. New England Patriots
Record: 7-0
Last week: 1st
Week 7 result: Beat the Jets, 33-0
Week 8 opponent: vs. Cleveland Browns
One thing to know: The Patriots defense is one of the most dominant units the NFL has ever seen. Paired with the masterful coaching of Bill Belichick, and it's no surprise New England are once again favorites to win the AFC.