Justin K. Aller/Ezra Shaw/Getty Images; Rachel Mendelson/Insider
- We're on to Week 8 of the NFL season, with the Bills and Eagles still a cut above the rest of the NFL.
- Below, we rank every team through seven weeks of football.
32. Houston Texans
Davis Mills calls for the snap against the Jacksonville Jaguars. AP Photo/Gary McCullough
Record: 1-4-1
Week 7 result: Lost to the Raiders, 38-20
Week 8 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans
One thing to know: The Houston Texans have scored more than 20 points just once through six games, and that offensive outburst of 24 points came in a 34-24 loss to the Chargers. At least the Astros are in the World Series.
31. Detroit Lions
Record: 1-5
Week 7 result: Lost to the Cowboys, 24-6
Week 8 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins
One thing to know: After opening the year with one of the best offenses in the league, the Lions have now scored just six total points over their past two games. Unfortunately, their league-worst defense from the start of the season has remained mostly the same.
30. Carolina Panthers
Record: 2-5
Week 7 result: Beat the Buccaneers, 21-3
Week 8 opponent: at Atlanta Falcons
One thing to know: The Panthers fired their head coach and traded away more than half of their offensive scrimmage yards, so of course they came out at home and pounded the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a win. Football is a weird sport.
29. Washington Commanders
Taylor Heinicke signals before a play against the Green Bay Packers. AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
Record: 3-4
Week 7 result: Beat the Packers, 23-21
Week 8 opponent: at Indianapolis Colts
One thing to know: Taylor Heinicke made his first start for the Commanders, and while his numbers weren't jaw-dropping — 201 yards passing, two touchdowns, one interception — he did enough to get Washington the win over the Packers. Carson Wentz might be without a job for the third time in as many years.
28. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 3-4
Week 7 result: Lost to the Bengals, 35-17
Week 8 opponent: vs. Carolina Panthers
One thing to know: Marcus Mariota has cleared 20 pass attempts just once in the past five games, with Atlanta going 3-2 over that span. The Falcons are zigging where the rest of the league zags, but at some point, they might need to start throwing the ball more, which could mean a turn to rookie Desmond Ridder.
27. New Orleans Saints
Record: 2-5
Week 7 result: Lost to the Cardinals, 42-34
Week 8 opponent: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
One thing to know: Jameis Winston started the first three games for the Saints before being forced out due to injury. In his place, veteran Andy Dalton has performed well enough. Now with both quarterbacks ready to play once again, the Saints haven't decided who will be under center against the Raiders just yet.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenny Pickett celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Record: 2-5
Week 7 result: Lost to the Dolphins, 16-10
Week 8 opponent: at Philadelphia Eagles
One thing to know: Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett has shown flashes of a bright potential future, but he needs to figure out a way to cut back on his turnovers. His seven interceptions is currently third in the league — and he's played in just half of the Steelers games thus far this season.
25. Cleveland Browns
Record: 2-5
Week 7 result: Lost to the Ravens, 23-20
Week 8 opponent: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
One thing to know: The Browns have lost four straight games and have tough matchups against the Bengals, Dolphins, and Bills on the horizon. By the time Deshaun Watson is eligible to return from his suspension, Cleveland might already be on the outside of the postseason picture.
24. Denver Broncos
Record: 2-5
Week 7 result: Lost to the Jets, 16-9
Week 8 opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars
One thing to know: Nathaniel Hackett's first year as head coach of the Denver Broncos just isn't working out. And with solid options like Sean Payton on the market for next year, Denver might decide it best to cut ties with Hackett sooner rather than later to get a head start on recruiting the next man for the job.
23. Indianapolis Colts
Sam Ehlinger warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. AP Photo/Zach Bolinger
Record: 3-3-1
Week 7 result: Lost to the Titans, 19-10
Week 8 opponent: vs. Washington Commanders
One thing to know: The Colts are turning to Sam Ehlinger at quarterback, benching Matt Ryan just seven games into his two-year deal with Indianapolis. While the switch to Ehlinger makes the Ryan deal look weird in retrospect, it indicates that the Colts are ready to look forward at quarterback rather than continue the sustained shuffle they've had going ever since Andrew Luck retired. Either Ehlinger proves he's the guy, or they need to find someone who is.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 2-5
Week 7 result: Lost to the Giants, 23-17
Week 8 opponent: vs. Denver Broncos
One thing to know: All five of the Jaguars losses this year have come by one score or less. Both of their wins this year have come by at least 24 points. Their record leaves them in third place in the AFC South, despite being the only team in the division with a positive point differential.
21. New England Patriots
Record: 3-4
Week 7 result: Lost to the Bears, 33-14
Week 8 opponent: at New York Jets
One thing to know: Both Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe got time at quarterback for the Patriots on Monday night against the Bears, and head coach Bill Belichick has provided no hints as to which player will get the starting nod moving forward.
20. Chicago Bears
Justin Fields looks up during a game against the Houston Texans. AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Record: 3-4
Week 7 result: Beat the Patriots, 33-14
Week 8 opponent: at Dallas Cowboys
One thing to know: The Bears finally decided to use Justin Fields to his full potential on Monday night, drawing up several designed run plays that take advantage of his elusiveness. The result? 82 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown for Fields, and a dominant win over the New England Patriots. How did it take Chicago this long to figure out what Fields was capable of?
19. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 3-4
Week 7 result: Beat the Saints, 42-34
Week 8 opponent: at Minnesota Vikings
One thing to know: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Kyler Murray once again got into an argument on the sidelines. This time, the Cardinals responded with a huge run of scoring to put the Saints out of the game. Still, the elevated tension between Kingsbury and Murray does not feel sustainable right now.
18. Las Vegas Raiders
Record: 2-4
Week 7 result: Beat the Texans, 38-20
Week 8 opponent: at New Orleans Saints
One thing to know: Josh Jacobs has been one of the most dominant rushers in the league of late, with 140 yards on the ground in three straight games, and a whopping six touchdowns over that same span. If the Raiders find a way to turn their season around, Jacobs will be one of the main reasons why.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady looks up after a play against the Carolina Panthers. AP Photo/Rusty Jones
Record: 3-4
Week 7 result: Lost to the Panthers, 21-3
Week 8 opponent: vs. Baltimore Ravens
One thing to know: Has age finally caught up with Tom Brady? He hasn't looked great, but neither has any aspect of the Buccaneers offense, as they've lost four of their past five games. While they still sit atop a weak NFC South division and remain in control of their own destiny, this team has a lot to figure out if they hope to be a factor in the postseason.
16. Green Bay Packers
Record: 3-4
Week 7 result: Lost to the Commanders, 23-21
Week 8 opponent: at Buffalo Bills
One thing to know: The Packers are another baffling former NFC powerhouse that look like a shell of their former selves. In three straight weeks, a team quarterbacked by Aaron Rodgers has lost to teams led by Daniel Jones, Zach Wilson, and Taylor Heinicke.
15. Los Angeles Rams
Record: 3-3
Week 7 result: Bye
Week 8 opponent: vs. San Francisco 49ers
One thing to know: Another team currently caught in no man's land, the Rams need to come out of their bye week looking strong, with two divisional games in the next three weeks. Win those, and they're back in the driver's seat in the NFC West.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions. AP Photo/Duane Burleson
Record: 4-3
Week 7 result: Beat the Chargers, 37-23
Week 8 opponent: vs. New York Giants
One thing to know: I'm not sure anyone who follows football would have picked Geno Smith to outplay the departed Russell Wilson in his first year under center with the Seahawks, but that's precisely what's happened. Maybe Pete Carroll and the Seattle front office are smarter than we thought.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 3-4
Week 7 result: Lost to the Chiefs, 44-23
Week 8 opponent: at Los Angeles Rams
One thing to know: Trading for Christian McCaffrey was a somewhat surprising all-in move from a team that isn't even starting the quarterback they wanted to be starting this season. Still, with a stellar defense and an NFC playoff picture that looks wide open, the 49ers decided it was time to push their chips into the center of the table.
12. Los Angeles Chargers
Record: 4-3
Week 7 result: Lost to the Seahawks, 37-23
Week 8 opponent: Bye
One thing to know: Just as wide receiver Keenan Allen is getting healthy enough to take the field, the Chargers look like they've lost wide receiver Mike Williams for a few weeks to a high-ankle sprain. When Los Angeles finally get both members of their dynamic duo on the field at the same time, they'll be a force, but they'll need to piece their offense together until then.
11. Miami Dolphins
Record: 4-3
Week 7 result: Beat the Steelers, 16-10
Week 8 opponent: at Detroit Lions
One thing to know: Tua Tagovailoa looked good enough in his first game back since suffering a concussion earlier in the season, and the Miami Dolphins still have not lost a game with him under center. With games against the Lions, Bears, and Browns coming up, the Dolphins could be set to make a run.
10. Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry scores a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts. AP Foto/AJ Mast
Record: 4-2
Week 7 result: Beat the Colts, 19-10
Week 8 opponent: at Houston Texans
One thing to know: Running back Derrick Henry has averaged 107.3 yards per game over the course of the Titans' four-game winning streak, with four touchdowns over that same span. As long as Henry is in top form, the Titans will be formidable.
9. New York Jets
Record: 5-2
Week 7 result: Beat the Broncos, 16-9
Week 8 opponent: vs. New England Patriots
One thing to know: The Jets lost rookie running back Breece Hall for the season to a torn ACL, which is a disappointing turn for one of the most surprising success stories of the NFL thus far. But rather than sit back and take the hit to their roster, the Jets made a move, trading for Jaguars running back James Robinson. New York is not ready to let this success slip away just yet.
8. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 4-3
Week 7 result: Beat the Falcons, 35-17
Week 8 opponent: at Cleveland Browns
One thing to know: After an up-and-down start to the year, Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense have put on a show the past two weeks, with Burrow throwing for 781 yards and six touchdowns to lead Cincinnati to back-to-back wins.
7. New York Giants
Record: 6-1
Week 7 result: Beat the Jaguars, 23-17
Week 8 opponent: at Seattle Seahawks
One thing to know: This Giants team just keeps finding a way to win. They're one of just two teams in the NFL with six wins at this point in the season, and all six of their victories have been by one score or less. It may feel a bit unsustainable, but until they actually lose a game, the Giants going to keep rising up the rankings.
6. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson warms up ahead of a game against the Buffalo Bills. AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
Record: 4-3
Week 7 result: Beat the Browns, 23-20
Week 8 opponent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One thing to know: The Ravens' three losses have come by a combined 11 points. With back-to-back road games against the Buccaneers and Saints next on the schedule, they have a chance to cement themselves as Super Bowl contenders despite their early losses, or to falter once again.
5. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 5-1
Week 7 result: Bye
Week 8 opponent: vs. Arizona Cardinals
One thing to know: Justin Jefferson is third in the NFL in receiving yards and a threat to pick up the first down basically every time he touches the ball. If one other receiver — Adam Thielen or K.J. Osborn — can step up to strike fear in the hearts of opposing defenses as well, the Vikings are going to be a tough out come playoff time.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 5-2
Week 7 result: Beat the Lions, 24-6
Week 8 opponent: vs. Chicago Bears
One thing to know: Dak Prescott is back under center for the Cowboys, and their defense is still one of the best in the league, most recently shutting down a Lions offense that has proven capable of putting points on the board. With their bye week looming after this week's matchup against the Bears, Dallas looks primed to be a factor in January.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes celebrates a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
Record: 5-2
Week 7 result: Beat the 49ers, 44-23
Week 8 opponent: Bye
One thing to know: In case anyone needed a reminder, Patrick Mahomes is proving once again that he is the best quarterback in the NFL, leading the league in passing yards, touchdowns, and quarterback rating through seven weeks. The Chiefs have also apparently turned to video games to help stay in sync with each other on the field. If it works, it works.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 6-0
Week 7 result: Bye
Week 8 opponent: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
One thing to know: Between the Eagles being undefeated so far this season, a surprise run by the Phillies into the World Series, the Flyers off to a solid 4-2-0 start, and a frisky Union team in the MLS playoffs, the city of Philadelphia is buzzing right now. Someone send the Philadelphia 76ers the memo.
1. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen celebrates a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. AP Photo/Joshua Bessex
Record: 5-1
Week 7 result: Bye
Week 8 opponent: vs. Green Bay Packers
One thing to know: The Buffalo Bills are so good that you notice them even on their bye week. Watching football last weekend with both the Bills and Eagles on their rest week, the quality of play felt worse. This is the best team in football, and anything short of a Super Bowl will feel like a missed opportunity.
