Football Power Rankings Week 8

Hi everyone, what a wonky Week 8 that was. We were waiting for a week of backup Quarterbacks and just total weirdness to take over the NFL. It most certainly did happy just the way we wrote it up. We all know who is at the bottom of the Rankings, which team is now at the top? You must read to find out!

32. Lions 0-8 (Drew Rating: -21.57 Projected Record 0-8) LW: 32

What in the hell was that D Town? The Lions got thumped by a very mediocre Eagles team at home on Sunday. The Lions missed a field goal early and then they put the Car in reverse for the rest of the day. Not to pick on Jared Goff but guess what friends, I am going to have to pick a little bit on Jared Goff. He is 0-15 in games he did not have Sean McVay as his head coach (0-15!!!). Jared Goff has less wins that Mike White (if you take away the McGenius), my apologies to the Goff family for this statistic.

31. Texans 1-7 (Drew Rating: -22.54 Projected Record 0-8) LW: 31

The most ridiculous backdoor cover ever happened in a game involving David Culley and Davis Mills in a positive manner. If your name started with a D and you had the Texans ats good for you (thankfully in my column I got the Rams at 15.5 instead of the kickoff line of 16.5). With all of this nonsense being said the Texans are still a god awful football team that is quite unwatchable. What could make the team southern Texas be at least watchable? Getting Tyrod Taylor back who was playing well in the first six Quarters of the season (something that may happen in a winnable game in Miami on Sunday).

30. Dolphins 1-7 (Drew Rating: -21.44 Projected Record 0-8) LW: 28

The Dolphins played on solid half of football before falling apart in the second half. What I believe to be good news is the Phins decided to audition Tua Tagovailoa for the rest of the season after all. The issue to begin with is that we had all of these rumors about Deshaun Watson going to south beach that makes it difficult for me to believe that the locker room believes that Tua is the guy. Want to know how to change the perspective of the entire locker room? Go out and play some good football and win some games down the stretch. At least for Tua’s sake he will get that opportunity.

29. Jaguars 1-6 (Drew Rating: -21.11 Projected Record 0-7) LW: 29

Vegas gave the Jags some respect and made them only a short road dog in Seattle on Sunday. That was a big mistake, the Jags proved that they are about equal to Miami in London but not even in the same stratosphere as the Seattle Seahawks. All I have to say is that Geno Smith completed his first 14 passes to prove that fact. The Jags now get to play the Bills at home in a game that will have a ton of Bills fans and the Jags are more than a two touchdown home dog, um good luck.

28. WFT 2-6 (Drew Rating: -18.57 Projected Record 1-7) LW: 27

Washington’s sad defense finally showed up to play on Sunday and the offense could only muster 10 points. The Taylor Heinicke experience has officially ended it’s journey. He is going to get to be the signal caller of the immediate future because the fighting football’s do not have any other viable option but scoring 13, 10 and 10 in the last three weeks in game that the defense had started to play better proves that the league has figured the wonder kid out. Poor Ron Rivera, he’s a good football coach but it’s hard to win when you do not have the guy behind center.

27. Jets 2-5 (Drew Rating: -17.96 Projected Record 1-6) LW: 30

The legend of Mike White!!! I do love the Colts to blast the Jets on Thursday night and turn the former Hilltopper/Bull into a pumpkin (fall joke for everyone). However, Mike White’s legend will stay steady for at least a few days. White threw for 405 yards on Sunday and in doing so became the first Jets Quarterback since 1998 to throw for over 400 yards and in turn also excited the Jets fan base (for a day!). If I am wrong and the Jets pull the upset to end Indy’s season and make them contemplate their own decisions about their what their future will look like behind center, only if that happens then we will begin the QB controversy in the big apple.

26. Giants 2-6 (Drew Rating: -3.92 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 26

Let’s begin this talk by saying that the metrics showed that the Giants outplayed the Chiefs last night. However, Big Blue still lost by three. Why did the Giants lose by three? Very simple I must say to all of my friends out there. The Chiefs kicked two field goals in the fourth Quarter and the Giants two final possessions ended in a punt and a turnover on downs. Well how did this happen, it is pretty simple, Patrick Mahomes made plays with the game on the line and Daniel Jones did not. Giants may be drafting a Quarterback next spring.

25. Bears 3-5 (Drew Rating: -17.52 Projected Record 1-7) LW: 22

The Chicago Bears are a bad football team. Not helping their cause is Khalil Mack dealing with a foot injury. Good news is Mack may return for next Monday’s game at the Steelers. Mack was even in trade rumors but was not moved today. The big Question for the Bears right now is head coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace going to be around at seasons end. These are questions that are paramount to the development of Quarterback Justin Fields. That unbelievable Touchdown run in the 4th Quarter of Sunday’s loss against the 49ers proved to the world is that the young man from Ohio State has an immense amount of ability.

24. Falcons 3-4 (Drew Rating: -12.30 Projected Record 2-5) LW: 21

Well that loss was so Falcons it hurt. The Falcons with a win could have put themselves in position to potentially battle for a playoff spot. But instead they had an inspiring 19-13 loss the the equally meh Carolina Panthers. The defense was carved up throughout the day and Matt Ryan could not sustain drives throughout the game. I want to wish Calvin Ridley the best in his battle with mental health. I applaud him for stepping away from football to better his overall well being and wish him the best.

23. 49ers 3-4 (Drew Rating: -1.03 Projected Record 3-4) LW: 25

Vegas is still overrating the 49ers as they are a pick em at home against the Cardinals on Sunday but I somewhat see the love the sharps give the 49ers. They have the ability to run the football and block, plus Kyle Shanahan has some of the most create running play designs in football. The 49ers could be a dangerous team moving forward with George Kittle returning this week. If they can beat the Cardinals and Rams in their next two games at home, the playoffs are a real possibility. Until then, they are a lower third team on the power rankings. Remember these rankings are not based on potential but performance.

22. Vikings 3-4 (Drew Rating: 3.19 Projected Record 4-3) LW: 16

The Vikings rightfully so got a huge drop in the Rankings due to them just flat out laying an egg to the Cowboys who were playing Cooper Rush at Quarterback on Sunday. The Vikes are a team that can play with any team in football (should have won at Arizona good, should have lost the Lions bad). This truly feels like the swan song is upon us for Mike Zimmer and Kirk Cousins. Too much talent on this roster to be toiling around .500 year in and year out.

21. Eagles 3-5 (Drew Rating: 3.56 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 24

The Eagles give up 5.4 yards per play (which is at an elite level). They have pummeled the Falcons and Lions on the road this season. What I have gathered from watching 8 weeks of the Eagles is they will beat up on the bad teams and are going to lose to the good teams. They have a fantastic defensive line and an above average offensive line. Even if you are weak at other areas (you know I have reservations about the coach) having good line play usually will help make up for other deficiencies and help you win some games. This is not a playoff team but the Eagles could win 7 or 8 games by years end.

20. Seahawks 3-5 (Drew Rating: 4.53 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 24

The Seahawks are in a good spot as they go into their bye week. They are at 3-5 and have much work to do, but they have Russell Wilson coming back and a defense that has played well over the past three weeks. I have to give defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. his due as the Sea Chickens have mirrored their defensive production of last season (historically bad early in season but turn it around midseason to be competent down the stretch). The schedule does have two Cards games and games at Green Bay and Los Angeles otherwise a very favorable schedule. If Seattle could go 6-3 (possible) that last playoff spot could be theirs.

19. Colts 3-5 (Drew Rating: 4.93 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 15

What a horrible loss for the Colts on Sunday against the Titans. Derrick Henry got injured in the game as well. If the Horseshoes would have pulled the game out they would be within a game of first and have a huge advantage having a very favorable schedule the rest of the way. However, being three back (or technically four) with nine games to play is an almost impossible ask which makes it wildcard or bust in a very convoluted AFC playoff picture. Those two interceptions late was the reason they lost and the Colts have to be thinking to themselves is Carson Wentz the guy.

18. Chiefs 4-4 (Drew Rating: -5.43 Projected Record 3-5) LW: 20

The Chiefs did save their season with a 20-17 win over the Giants last night but I am certainly not alone in stating that the Chiefs through the first half of the season just appear to be a mediocre team that looks to be heading towards about an 8 win season. Patrick Mahomes and the defense played better but this team just looks off to me. I believe this game against the Packers on Sunday is a fork in the road moment for this football team. A win changes everything, a loss and we might want to pack it in for the year, crazy times in BBQ land.

17. Steelers 4-3 (Drew Rating: -2.90 Projected Record 3-4) LW: 18

We cannot help to ask the Question. How in the hell are the Steelers doing this? They are one of the most unwatchable teams in the NFL, Ben Roethlisberger will make some of the most head scratching decisions week to week which makes us ask the Question is he a 17 year veteran or a rookie making his fourth start. We say all of this yet the Steelers are one game out of first and just won a game at Cleveland in which they did not even have a place kicker for much of the game. I cannot doubt you anymore Mike Tomlin, I am at your mercy!

16. Broncos 4-4 (Drew Rating: -1.90 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 17

Everything about this team from the Rocky Mountains screams average. Bad offense, good defense, bad coaching, mediocre special teams. The 3-0 start against three of the 7 worst teams in football and a win after a four game losing streak against another of the 7 worst teams in football has the Donkeys still in the AFC playoff hunt at the midway point. But with the Von Miller trade does anyone believe a month from now the Rocky Mountain Caballos are going to bein the hunt? I would have to say not, but well see what happens.

15. Panthers 4-4 (Drew Rating: -1.87 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 19

The Carolina Cats got a much needed win at Megatron’s butthole on Sunday to stop the bleeding. Sam Darnold played arguably his best game of the season before suffering an concussion in the 4th Quarter. In other good news Christian McCaffrey is nearing a return from his hamstring injury. One thing is true for sure, Christian McCaffrey is a huge difference maker in this offense. If the Panthers want to hold onto their current hold on the final playoff spot in the NFC they need their running back from Castle Rock Colorado (my former home!) to be healthy.

14. Chargers 4-3 (Drew Rating: .28 Projected Record 4-3) LW: 13

The Bolts suffered a bad home loss to the Pats on Sunday after their bye week. The biggest concern for the Chargers is the Bolts inability to stop the run. They have been terrible at stopping the run all year and teams have been dictating the terms too often and keeping Justin Herbert on the sidelines. Herbert had his second worst game of his career on Sunday (his worst game was also against the Pats last season), but I am less concerned about the stud from Oregon than the Bolts defensive front being able to slow down opposing rushing attacks.

13. Browns 4-4 (Drew Rating: 2.14 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 12

What was that Cleveland? The Steelers lose their field goal kicker and struggle even getting first downs for 2 and a half Quarters yet you still lose the game. Baker Mayfield’s stats were not horrible (20-31 for 225 yards) but he missed some easy throws and Jarvis Landry had two huge drops. The concern about the Browns is that with all of the talent they have that they still are a very inconsistent football team. Sometimes a team vastly outweighs their performance one way or the other. Not this Browns team, they have played like an average team and the record reflects that.

12. Patriots 4-4 (Drew Rating: 6.91 Projected Record 5-3) LW: 14

The Pats look like a real football team right now. They play sound defense, great special teams and they don’t turn over the football much. Mac Jones is completing 68 percent of his passes and has been improving every week. Adrian Phillips got a game changing pick six of Justin Herbert to take the lead and the Pats sealed the game with a long drive late. This feels a lot like the early 2000s Pats when they had a young Quarterback from a big name school who just managed the offense and would let a great defense and special teams win games and do what he had to do to put the team in a great position. That Quarterbacks name was Tom Brady, in other words oh oh.

11. Ravens 5-2 (Drew Rating: 3.45 Projected Record 4-3) LW: 9

Maybe unfair to drop the Ravens out of the top ten without playing but overall outside of Quarterback and Kicker where has the Ravens been above average thus far this year. They have some winnable games coming up and it would behoove the Ravens to take advantage of the upcoming stretch. A very high probability the Ravens will be 8-2 going into their Week 12 Sunday night tilt against the Browns. That will begin the real stretch of who is going to take home the crown in the AFC North.

10. Saints 5-2 (Drew Rating: 7.70 Projected Record 5-2) LW: 11

Huge win for the Saints as they can close to say that they are Tom Brady’s father. They cannot quite say that though because even though Tom is 0-3 against the Who Dat nation in the regular Season as a Buc he did beat them 30-20 in the game that mattered most (the divisional round even though Drew Brees retired early that day more than Tom won the game). We have to bow our heads in silence for Jameis Winston who tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of the year, a tough break for a QB who was having a career revival. Taysom Hill will now get his chance to prove once and for all that he is far more than a gadget guy.

9. Raiders 5-2 (Drew Rating: 9.71 Projected Record 5-2) LW: 8

The Raiders thanks to help from the Pats have sole possession of first in the AFC West as we near the midway point. The Raiders though keep having tough distractions happen after the news that wide receiver Henry Ruggs Killed a young woman in a car crash this morning while being under the influence (allegedly and reportedly). The Raiders have had quite a first year in Vegas (with fans at the games), but Derek Carr still has been better than ever even with all the turmoil. Can he continue his assault on the NFL without his coach and now his deep threat? We are excited to find this out.

8. Bengals 5-3 (Drew Rating: 9.94 Projected Record 5-3) LW: 7

I could be very harsh on the Bengals and drop them lower but they are still in the rankings good graces with that 41-17 thumping of the Ravens the previous week. One thing is true for the Bengals and was proved on Sunday in a shocking 34-31 loss at the hands of the New Jersey Football Jets. The Bengals aren’t used to being in a situation where they are expected to win and that more than showed (especially on defense). The Cardiac Cats will have to shrug off that performance quickly however as they have a critical game (as every game in the AFC North in 2021 is) against the suddenly reeling Cleveland Browns.

7. Titans 6-2 (Drew Rating: 3.47 Projected Record 4-4) LW: 10

The Titans have not been impressive metrically (still average far fewer yards per play than their opposition) but the record speaks for itself. The Titans have now come back twice on the road from 14 plus points holes and that cannot go unnoticed for how resilient this bunch is. The Derrick Henry stress fracture injury is a killer and is going to effect this offense in a big way. Ryan Tannehill has been vastly underrated during his time in Tennessee and this is a prime moment for the former Dolphin to show the league that the Nashville Tuxedos are truly his team.

6. Bills 5-2 (Drew Rating: 32.79 Projected Record 7-0) LW: 6

The Buffalo Bills are by far the best team in football in every metrics website known to man so far this season (not just mine). But we have to take the win loss record into consideration and the Bills are 5-2 with four blowout wins, a pseudo blowout win (the game on Sunday was far closer than the 26-11 final would indicate) and two close losses. But the fact of the matter is that even though the Bills are by far the best defense in yardage prevention (yards per play and yards per game) and a solid (but not spectacular offense) they need to continue winning games and not just dominating on the stat sheet to jump up our ratings.

5. Cowboys 6-1 (Drew Rating: 17.44 Projected Record 6-1) LW: 3

The Cowboys won on the road with a backup QB and I drop them two spot what for? It’s tough at the top and the Rams and Packers have both been slightly more impressive overall so they get the jump. That being said Cooper Rush was impressive in the second half and thoroughly outplayed Kirk Cousins in a game that the Cowboys did not get lucky with turnover luck or a dominant running game (which is a common recipe for a backup QB with no real experience to pull an upset). Dak Prescott will likely return this week and to be honest 6-1 on these rankings are so close right now it is interchangeable. So don’t fret too much Cowboys nation.

4. Bucs 6-2 (Drew Rating: 17.55 Projected Record 7-1) LW: 2

I almost put the Bucs behind the Cowboys but the Bucs beating the Cowboys head to head way back on the opening game of the season will keep the Bucs ahead of the Lone Stars for now. Tom Brady had an impressive game against the Saints on the stat sheet and for fantasy football (375 yards and four touchdowns). But anyone who watched that game knows that Tom Brady did not play very well. The Bucs can relax as they have a bye week before playing the most favorable schedule in the NFL over the last nine weeks, as I always say, god loves Tom Brady.

3. Rams 7-1 (Drew Rating: 16.36 Projected Record 7-1) LW: 4

The Rams took care of business in Houston on Sunday in a game that outside of degenerates that took the Rams -16.5 could care less about the Texans padding the stat sheets and final score with three fourth Quarter touchdowns. Cooper Kupp is quickly becoming the most unstoppable wide receiver in all of football. Through 8 games Kupp is having one of the best starts for a wide out in league history (63 catches for 924 yards and 10 touchdowns). Oh and the Rams just got Von Miller, the rich get richer.

2. Cardinals 7-1 (Drew Rating: 23.13 Projected Record 8-0) LW: 1

The Cards finally dropped their first game of the season in a game that was infuriating and impressive at the same time for team redbirds. The Cards could not get off the field on defense as the Packers ran for almost 5 yards a carry and had three drives of over six minutes in length. Even with the Pack playing keep away the Cards were able to get a goal line stand and drove 94 yards from their own 1 before a miscommunication ended in a back breaking interception to preserve the Packers seventh straight win. The bigger question is Kyler Murray’s ankle injury as the Cards can ill afford to have their diminutive signal caller out for any extended period of time.

1.Packers 7-1 (Drew Rating: 5.86 Projected Record 5-3) LW: 5

The Packers are 10th in the Drew Rating system behind teams like Patriots and Bengals. The Packers are 7-1 yet only have a point differential of plus 25, which is barely ahead of three 3-5 teams (Seahawks, Eagles, Colts). The offense has looked disjointed at times and the defense has had possessions where they look simply overmatched. That all being said how can I not put the cheesehelmets at number one after a well coached and well played 24-21 win in Arizona on Thursday night. The Packers look like a team that could be a team of destiny with everything that has happened since the end of last season (if you believe in those sorts of things). We mercifully get Rodgers/Mahomes Part I on Sunday, or the State Farm bowl!!