NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand going into Week 9
Now, check out what Tom Brady's understudies are up to...
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 7-1
Last week: Beat the 49ers 33-10
This week: vs. Denver Broncos
One thing to know: Philadelphia is flying high as the only one-loss team at the halfway point of the season. With the acquisition of Jay Ajayi, the Eagles sure up a running back core that needed improvement and signaled to the rest of the league that they are pushing for a Super Bowl win this year.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 5-2
Last week: Beat the Broncos, 29-19
This week: at Dallas Cowboys
One thing to know: The Chiefs saw their defense get on track in Week 8 when they forced five turnovers against the Broncos. With an explosive offense in place, the Chiefs might be scary if their defense rebounds.
3. New England Patriots
Record: 6-2
Last week: Beat the Chargers 21-13
This week: Bye
One thing to know: With the departure of Jimmy Garoppolo, the Patriots are counting on Tom Brady to play well into the future. At 40 years old, New England fans will hope that his TB12 method will keep him healthy and on the field.
4. Seattle Seahawks
Record: 5-2
Last week: Beat the Texans, 41-38
This week: vs. Washington Redskins
One thing to know: Lost in the hype for Deshaun Watson's performance was Russell Wilson going for 452 yards with four touchdowns, including the game-winning drive. The Seahawks traded for Duane Brown at the deadline, giving Wilson needed protection.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 6-2
Last week: Beat the Lions 20-15
This week: Bye
One thing to know: After a trip to Indianapolis following their bye, the Steelers will finish the season with five of their final seven games at home, setting them up nicely for a potential bye in the AFC playoff picture.
6. Buffalo Bills
Record: 5-2
Last week: Beat the Raiders, 34-14
This week: at New York Jets
One thing to know: The Bills have relied on their defense, with just enough from their offense, to reach 5-2 this season. After trading for Kelvin Benjamin at the deadline, they now add a No. 1 receiver to give Tyrod Taylor more options and open the field for LeSean McCoy. This time might be dangerous.
7. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 6-2
Last week: Beat the Browns 33-16
This week: Bye
One thing to know: The Vikings have proven to be one of the most reliable teams in the NFL, with a solid defense that has only given up 20 points once all season and an offense doing enough to win. With Aaron Rodgers out, Minnesota has all but assured themselves an NFC North title barring a total meltdown.
8. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 4-3
Last week: Beat the Redskins, 33-19
This week: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
One thing to know: Ezekiel Elliott is currently scheduled to serve his six-game suspension, barring any reversals in court, leaving Dallas without their most productive offensive player until December. Can the Cowboys make a postseason run without him?
9. Los Angeles Rams
Record: 5-2
Last week: Bye
This week: at New York Giants
One thing to know: Running back Todd Gurley has run for 100+ yards in four of his past five games. With a week of rest and facing a less-than-stellar Giants defense, he should have a good shot at hitting three digits again this week.
10. New Orleans Saints
Record: 5-2
Last week: Beat the Bears, 20-12
This week: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One thing to know: Rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore has been the spark behind the Saints' five-game win streak. Quarterbacks have just 33 passer rating when targeting Lattimore and he hasn't surrendered more than 38 yards in a game, according to Pro Football Focus.
11. Houston Texans
Record: 3-4
Last week: Lost to the Seahawks 41-38
This week: vs. Indianapolis Colts
One thing to know: Deshaun Watson impressed in the Texans loss to the Seahawks, throwing for 402 yards and three touchdowns. The young core of the team is putting it together, but the comments of owner Bob McNair have clearly not yet been forgotten by the players.
12. Carolina Panthers
Record: 5-3
Last week: Beat the Buccaneers, 17-3
This week: vs. Atlanta Falcons
One thing to know: The Panthers made the puzzling decision to trade wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin to the Bills, leaving Newton with a lack of receivers. Benjamin disappointed at times with Carolina, but who, exactly, will Newton throw to now?
13. Tennessee Titans
Record: 4-3
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Baltimore Ravens
One thing to know: The Titans have looked up-and-down this year, and did not impress in their last game, when it took overtime to take down the lowly Browns. At home coming off a bye week it's a good spot for Tennessee to assert itself if the team wants to be considered a contender.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 4-3
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
One thing to know: The Jaguars continued to bolster their defense, trading for defensive tackle Marcell Dareus near the deadline. Their defense remains stout; their offense will need to find consistency if they hope to make a postseason run.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 4-3
Last week: Beat the Jets 25-20
This week: at Carolina Panthers
One thing to know: The Falcons now sit in third in their division as the Saints, making this game something of a must-win if they hope to make the playoffs and have a shot at repeating as NFC champions.
16. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 4-4
Last week: Beat the Dolphins, 40-0
This week: at Tennessee Titans
One thing to know: Despite a scary hit that left him with a concussion, Joe Flacco is reportedly on track to play this week.
17. Green Bay Packers
Record: 4-3
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Detroit Lions
One thing to know: After snapping at a reporter for asking whether the Packers would reach out to Colin Kaepernick as a potential replacement for Aaron Rodgers, head coach Mike McCarthy is now getting criticism for reportedly pursuing Brian Hoyer. With Hoyer heading back to New England, the Packers will have to stick with Brett Hundley under center for the time being.
18. Denver Broncos
Record: 3-4
Last week: Lost to the Chiefs, 29-19
This week: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
One thing to know: Losers of four of their last five, the Broncos are reportedly making a change at quarterback and going with — Brock Osweiler!
19. Detroit Lions
Record: 3-4
Last week: Lost to the Steelers, 20-15
This week: at Green Bay Packers
One thing to know: The Lions didn't manage any touchdowns in Week 8, scoring five field goals instead. They rank 27th in touchdowns per red zone appearance, according to Football Outsiders
20. Miami Dolphins
Record: 4-3
Last week: Lost to the Ravens 40-0
This week: vs. Oakland Raiders
One thing to know: Miami traded away running back Jay Ajayi to the Eagles, leaving football fans to wonder what exactly the Dolphins goals for the season are despite having a winning record halfway through the year.
21. New York Jets
Record: 3-5
Last week: Lost to the Falcons, 25-20
This week: vs. Buffalo Bills
One thing to know: The Jets traded for 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson at the deadline, catching even head coach Todd Bowles off-guard. Said Bowles: "Did we? I wasn't aware of that, but I'll go upstairs and check on it."
22. Washington Redskins
Record: 3-4
Last week: Lost to the Cowboys, 33-19
This week: at Seattle Seahawks
One thing to know: Washington's offensive line is badly beaten up right now, which resulted in just 49 rushing yards and eight QB hits on Kirk Cousins. Injuries are a concern all over the field for Washington going forward.
23. Oakland Raiders
Record: 3-5
Last week: Lost to the Bills 34-14
This week: at Miami Dolphins
One thing to know: The Raiders offense doesn't have the spark it had last year, and now sitting in last in the AFC West, they'll be out of the playoff picture unless the team can turn things around fast. With remaining games against the Patriots, Eagles, Chiefs, and Cowboys, it won't be an easy road.
24. Los Angeles Chargers
Record: 3-5
Last week: Lost to the Patriots, 18-7
This week: Bye
One thing to know: According to ESPN, the Chargers have been outscored 50-21 in first quarters this season. Considering their score differential for the year is just -2, those slow starts have killed them.
25. Chicago Bears
Record: 3-5
Last week: Lost to the Saints, 20-12
This week: Bye
One thing to know: Last week Mitch Trubisky completed 14 passes for 164 yards. Both were career highs.
26. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 3-4
Last week: Beat the Colts, 24-23
This week: at Jacksonville Jaguars
One thing to know: Defensive end Carlos Dunlap played hero by grabbing an interception for a pick-six in Week 7. Oddly enough, Dunlap was told to "stop jumping" for batted passes by coaches and teammates, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell, but then ignored them.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 1-6
Last week: Lost to the Panthers 17-3
This week: at New Orleans Saints
One thing to know: Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers offense scored just three points last week in their fourth consecutive loss, moving them to last in the NFC South. If they have any hope of climbing back up the division standings, they'll have to steal a win here from the Saints in New Orleans.
28. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 3-4
Last week: Bye
This week: at San Francisco Cardinals
One thing to know: Head coach Bruce Arians said star running back David Johnson is unlikely to play again this season. It will be the Adrian Peterson show the rest of the season.
29. New York Giants
Record: 1-6
Last week: Bye
This week: vs. Los Angeles Rams
One thing to know: Things have been so bad for the Giants this year that they even found a way to lose on a week off — cornerback Janoris Jenkins was suspended indefinitely after failing to return from the team's bye week on time.
30. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 2-6
Last week: Lost to the Bengals, 24-23
This week: at Houston Texans
One thing to know: Andrew Luck is still apparently having shoulder pain, and doctors can't figure out why. Not great!
31. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 0-8
Last week: Lost to the Eagles, 33-10
This week: vs. Arizona Cardinals
One thing to know: With the acquisition of New England's backup/quarterback-in-waiting Jimmy Garoppolo, the Niners finally made a move that might give fans hope for the future in a largely lost season.
32. Cleveland Browns
Record: 0-8
Last week: Lost to the Vikings, 33-16
This week: Bye
One thing to know: The Browns nearly solved their quarterback crisis by trading for A.J. McCarron — but they reportedly botched the paperwork and timing. DeShone Kizer it is.
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