NFL Power Rankings - Week 8

Here are my NFL Power Rankings after Week 8, with last week's ranking in parenthesis:

Week: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1. Tennessee Titans (7-0) (1)

The Titans passed their first test of the season by beating the Colts on Monday Night. They will stay in the #1 spot as long as they are undefeated, but I would love to see them play the Giants right now.

2. New York Giants (6-1) (2)

The Giants were able to go into Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers in Week 8, which is something I didn't think they would be able to do. They caught a big break though when the Steelers long snapper got hurt and the replacement snapped it over the punters head for a safety, which lead to a Giants TD after the free kick.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) (3)

The Steelers caught a bad break against the Giants with their long snapper going down, but their offensive line let them down as well. I had worried about their offensive line in the past and the Giants were able to exploit it.

4. Washington Redskins (6-2) (4)

The Redskins host the Steelers on Monday Night in Week 9, which should be a great game. If the Redskins win, then I will move them ahead of the Steelers in the rankings and perhaps higher.

5. Carolina Panthers (6-2) (6)

Carolina just keeps winning games and continues to solidify themselves as a strong player in the NFC. I would still like to see more from them on the road, but they definitely look like they are going to be tough to beat at home.

6. Buffalo Bills (5-2) (5)

Buffalo lost a tough one down at Miami in Week 8 and will now face the ultimate gunslinger when Brett Favre and his recklessness visit in Week 9.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) (7)

The Eagles benefitted from a blown muffed punt call against the Falcons in Week 8 and they will now head to Seattle for one of those dreaded trap games.

8. Dallas Cowboys (5-3) (10)

The Cowboys were able to keep things together defensively with Wade Phillips calling the shots against Tampa Bay. They still have issues on the offensive side of the ball and I think that they could be in big trouble in Week 9 vs the Giants.

9. New England Patriots (5-2) (14)

The Patriots look to be headed in the right direction and might be the favorites in the AFC East again. Matt Cassell looks more comfortable every week for the Pats, who will now travel to Indy to face a desperate Colts team who is still searching for an identity this season.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-3) (8)

The Bucs weren't able to take advantage of the Dallas Cowboys and their poor offensive output in Week 8. They head to Kansas City in Week 9 and should be able to rebound in the W column.

11. Arizona Cardinals (4-3) (9)

Arizona loss a tough one on the road to Carolina. An Edgerrin James fumble really turned the game around, allowing the Panthers to score two touchdowns within 44 seconds to erase a 17-3 Cardinals lead. A Kurt Warner interception hurt them late too. They now travel to St. Louis, where the Cardinals might have more of a handful to deal with in the Rams then they thought they would a few weeks ago.

12. Green Bay Packers (4-3) (11)

The Packers head to Tennessee this week in hopes of being the first team to knock off the Titans. They are certainly capable, but it is going to be a tough task.

13. Chicago Bears (4-3) (15)

The Bears get the Lions this week, but they want to be careful not to take them too lightly. Since Chicago is coming off of a bye, I think they will be more than prepared and should be able to handle the Lions with ease at home.

14. New York Jets (4-3) (16)

The Jets barely pulled out the victory at home against the Chiefs and now head to Buffalo in what is a big game for both teams in determining what direction these clubs are headed in.

15. New Orleans Saints (4-4) (19)

The Saints came up with a big victory over the Chargers in Week 8, but the news about them possibly losing players for doping is not good for a team who already has been hurt by the injury bug all season.

16. San Diego Chargers (3-5) (13)

The Chargers defense is a mess and until they fix it, they are going to struggle against most teams in the NFL. Luckily for them the Broncos and their poor defense are in their division, so they still have a shot at the playoffs. Teams 16 through 25 are pretty much the same to me right now and I have a hard time ranking one over the other.

17. Indianapolis Colts (3-4) (17)

The Colts are just an average NFL team right now and if they lose to New Englad in Week 9 they could be on their way to missing the playoffs for the first time in years.

18. Denver Broncos (4-3) (18)

Denver hosts a scrappy Dolphins team in Week 9 and I think Miami just might be good enough to expose the Broncos defense and slow down their offense enough to pull out a victory.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) (12)

Jacksonville lost a tough on at home to the Browns and now must travel to Cincinnati to face the winless Bengals.

20. Atlanta Falcons (4-3) (20)

The Falcons put up a good fight against the Eagles on the road and this team looks like they will be competitive all season long. They travel to Oakland in Week 9 for a game they should be able to win, but is not a guaranteed victory.

21. Minnesota Vikings (3-4) (21)

The Vikings will face a hot Texans team in Week 9 and they better be ready to put up some points, because the Texans offense has been rolling of late.

22. Baltimore Ravens (4-3) (22)

The Ravens face the Browns in Week 9 and if they win and the Steelers lose to the Redskins, which is certainly possible, then Baltimore would be tied for first in the AFC North. I still think they have an outside shot to win the division at 9-7.

23. Houston Texans (3-4) (23)

The Houston offense has looked good lately, but their past 3 games have been at home, so I'm interested to see how they play on the road in Minnesota.

24. Cleveland Browns (3-4) (24)

The Browns just like the Ravens will be rooting for the Redskins to beat the Steelers in Week 9. If Cleveland knocks of Baltimore and the Steelers lose then they will only be 1 game out of first place.

25. Miami Dolphins (3-4) (25)

You have to give a lot of credit to Tony Sparano and Bill Parcells for turning Miami into a competitive team just one year after Miami only won 1 game. Tedd Ginn. Jr. had a breakout game with 175 yards receiving in Week 8 and could be a useful weapon for the Dolphins against the Broncos in Week 9.

26. Seattle Seahawks (2-5) (27)

Seattle destroyed the 49ers in Week 8, but they still don't have Matt Hassleback healthy yet and I can't see them doing much without him.

27. Oakland Raiders (2-5) (28)

The Raiders are just not good enough to win on the road right now. At home against certain teams they have a chance though. Atlanta in Week 9 is a game they could possibly win.

28. St. Louis Rams (2-5) (29)

The Rams look way better now then they did the first few weeks of the season. Rookie Donnie Avery is emerging opposite of Tory Holt as a consistent deep threat.

29. San Francisco 49ers (2-6) (26)

The 49ers got crushed by the pathetic Seahawks at home. Things are not looking good for this team and they will start Shaun Hill at QB now in hopes that he can turn things around for them.

30. Kansas City Chiefs (1-6) (32)

The Chiefs put up a decent fight against the Jets and might be able to squeek out another victory or two before the season is over.

31. Cincinnati Bengals (0-8) (30)

The Bengals are one of two winless teams left in the NFL, but I think they'll get into the win column before the Lions do.

32. Detroit Lions (0-7) (31)

I'm convinced the Lions will struggle to win 1 game this season, so I dropped them to bottom of the power rankings. The Lions are looking at Daunte Culpepper right now as a possible QB option for the rest of the season.