{"id":226687,"date":"2025-10-20T04:58:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T04:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/226687\/"},"modified":"2025-10-20T04:58:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T04:58:09","slug":"nfl-power-rankings-colts-broncos-vikings-commanders-slip-for-week-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/226687\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL power rankings: Colts, Broncos &#038; Cowboys buck up; Vikings, Commanders slip for Week 8"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The race to become the best team in the NFL near the midpoint of the 2025 regular season has been wide open. No team yet is standing out as the definitive favorite to win Super Bowl 60 with everyone having a loss or two that raises eyebrows.<\/p>\n<p>Although there are some familiar contenders from the NFC and AFC ready to make some big moves, from what&#8217;s happened so far through Week 7, here&#8217;s how all 32 teams look compared to each other, from a defensive-powered best to an offensive-deficient worst:<\/p>\n<p>NFL Power Rankings<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Micah Parsons\" image_resolution=\"16:9\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2237960754.jpg.webp.webp\" title=\"Micah Parsons\" typeof=\"foaf:Image\"\/>1. Green Bay Packers 4-1-1 (1)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/green-bay-packers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Packers<\/a>\u00a0survived a sloppy game at Arizona with a comeback sparked by Micah Parsons and the defense until the offense could find enough scoring late. That was an important road survival after the bad loss to the Browns.<\/p>\n<p>2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-1 (2)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/tampa-bay-buccaneers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Buccaneers<\/a>\u00a0have been living on the edge with high-scoring close games in which Baker Mayfield has been ready to win in the fourth quarter. That will be difficult to sustain against the Lions on the road on Monday night.<\/p>\n<p>3. San Francisco 49ers 5-2 (3)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/san-francisco-49ers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">49ers<\/a>\u00a0have had a few hiccups through their injury-riddled offense and also Nick Bosa and Fred Warner missing on defense. But they are staying methodical on both sides, getting by with scheming until they can score more.<\/p>\n<p>4. Philadelphia Eagles 5-2 (4)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/philadelphia-eagles\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Eagles<\/a>\u00a0still have issues running the ball, now with the &#8220;Tush Push&#8221; curbed on top of continued limitations for Saquon Barkley. But Jalen Hurts leaned on the deep ball to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in a breakout game against Minnesota.<\/p>\n<p>5. Kansas City Chiefs 4-3 (5)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/kansas-city-chiefs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Chiefs<\/a>\u00a0got Rashee Rice back and he immediately scored twice with Patrick Mahomes on point and the defense inspired to dominate against the Raiders. The real Kansas City has seemed to have arrived and emerge as AFC favorites again.<\/p>\n<p>MORE: <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/kansas-city-chiefs\/news\/patrick-mahomes-chiefs-offense-better-ever-rashee-rice-return\/72079f6b25392d874c109478\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Chiefs&#8217; offense with Mahomes better than ever with Rice return<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" image_resolution=\"16:9\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Jonathan Taylor 101925 getty ftr.jpg.webp.webp\" title=\"Jonathan Taylor\" typeof=\"foaf:Image\"\/>6. Indianapolis Colts 6-1 (9)<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/indianapolis-colts\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Colts<\/a>\u00a0are no fluke. They are running the ball at a high level with Jonathan Taylor and Daniel Jones feeding off an efficient passing game. The defensive front needs more credit for taking care of the win against the Chargers.<\/p>\n<p>7. Buffalo Bills 4-2 (6)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/buffalo-bills\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bills<\/a>\u00a0got a much-needed bye to regroup from their tough losses to New England and Atlanta. Josh Allen needs to clean up a few things with his receivers, while the defense looks for some kind of answer vs. the run.<\/p>\n<p>MORE:\u00a0<a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/news\/josh-allen-bills-most-alarming-weakness\/41b1f7a3bc43824999b3ee02\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Why Josh Allen can&#8217;t save the Bills from its most alarming weakness<\/a><\/p>\n<p>8. Detroit Lions 4-2 (7)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/detroit-lions\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lions<\/a>\u00a0are picking up the pieces after their second loss vs. the Chiefs tough defense, which felt much like the Week 1 setback in Green Bay. They should enjoy being back at home in Ford Field in what should be a high-scoring affair vs. Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n<p>9. Los Angeles Rams 5-2 (10)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/los-angeles-rams\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Rams<\/a>&#8216; young defense responded well in London to rev up the pass rush on the Jaguars. But the real story is Matthew Stafford&#8217;s absolute heater without Puka Nacua. This team is just getting hot again, so it&#8217;s a shame they are entering a bye week.<\/p>\n<p>10. Pittsburgh Steelers 4-2 (8)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/pittsburgh-steelers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Steelers<\/a>\u00a0need to clean up a few offensive issues with the running backs and tight end so that Aaron Rodgers to can move the ball efficiently. They also need get more defensive consistency when the pass rush is not clicking.<\/p>\n<p>11. New England Patriots 5-2 (12)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/new-england-patriots\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Patriots<\/a>\u00a0are rolling with Drake Maye in full control of the downfield passing game and now also boosting the rushing attack with scrambles and designed runs of his own. The action is also rubbing off on New England&#8217;s young defense to make plays as well.<\/p>\n<p>MORE: <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/new-england-patriots\/news\/how-drake-maye-broke-tom-brady-patriots-efficiency-record\/07b404d5c3a1fde1512a77e4\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">How Drake Maye\u00a0broke Tom Brady&#8217;s Patriots efficiency record<\/a><\/p>\n<p>12. Denver Broncos 5-2 (15)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/denver-broncos\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Broncos<\/a>\u00a0made a great escape with Bo Nix grinding to make plays to recover from early struggles against the Giants. That was a necessary character building win for the QB to help Denver&#8217;s defense and keep the team in first place.<\/p>\n<p>MORE: <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/news\/broncos-comeback-giants-bo-nix-denver-fourth-quarter\/c1e14a711baf35ae3f1ab27f\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">How Bo Nix led 33-point fourth-quarter in comeback vs. the Giants<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" image_resolution=\"16:9\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2242085228.jpg.webp.webp\" title=\"Bo Nix Broncos 101925\" typeof=\"foaf:Image\"\/>13. Seattle Seahawks 4-2 (13)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/seattle-seahawks\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Seahawks<\/a>\u00a0are a pleasant surprise with Sam Darnold playing at a high level and the defense putting it together for Mike Macdonald. They get a nice Monday night test vs. the rested Texans at home.<\/p>\n<p>14. Los Angeles Chargers 4-3 (11)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/los-angeles-chargers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Chargers<\/a>\u00a0have lost their way with their running game and injuries along the offensive line, getting suddenly too pass-happy with Justin Herbert out of necessity. But the defense giving up chunk runs and passes should be more concerning to Jesse Minter and Jim Harbaugh.<\/p>\n<p>15. Jacksonville Jaguars 4-2 (14)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/jacksonville-jaguars\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jaguars<\/a>\u00a0continue to work out offensive kinks as they struggle when they can&#8217;t run the ball with Trevor Lawrence off vs. the pass rush and the wide receivers having issues connecting. It&#8217;s a shame to let down their rising defense, which just cracked in London.<\/p>\n<p>16. Chicago Bears 4-2 (18)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/chicago-bears\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bears<\/a>\u00a0have won four in a row with their offense finding a way with more help from the running game for Caleb Williams under Ben Johnson. The defense needs to keep forcing turnovers to make up for the big plays.<\/p>\n<p>17. Carolina Panthers 4-3 (20)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/carolina-panthers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Panthers<\/a>\u00a0have made a great rally from 0-2 with their offense and defense taking turns making an impact on each side of the ball. That inconsistency is part of a young team growing into winner under Dave Canales. Carolina will hope Bryce Young can stay healthy to build on his recent positive play.<\/p>\n<p>MORE: <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/carolina-panthers\/news\/bryce-young-injury-update-panthers-qb-ankle\/8bde5259238ba22305053b4a\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bryce Young suffers ankle injury in Panthers&#8217; win vs. Jets\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>18. Dallas Cowboys 3-3-1 (21)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cowboys<\/a>\u00a0got a defensive break with the shorthanded Commanders just as their offense kicked it up a notch with CeeDee Lamb back. Dallas is alive and well again in the NFC playoff race.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" image_resolution=\"16:9\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/USATSI_19678685.jpg.webp.webp\" typeof=\"foaf:Image\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"image-credit\">          Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images    <\/p>\n<p>19. Atlanta Falcons 3-3 (16)<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/atlanta-falcons\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Falcons<\/a>\u00a0are pleased with improved defense, especially against the pass, but they need their passing offense to find some rhythm to get out of its inconsistent rut. Michael Penix Jr continues his streak of being either struggling or being spectacular.<\/p>\n<p>20. Minnesota Vikings 3-3 (17)<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/minnesota-vikings\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Vikings<\/a>\u00a0broke down defensively only a handful of times against the Eagles, but the focus on stopping the run cost them big-time vs. the pass. Carson Wentz is a gamer, but they should welcome back to J.J. McCarthy with open arms.<\/p>\n<p>21. Cincinnati Bengals 3-4 (24)<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/cincinnati-bengals\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bengals<\/a>\u00a0got what they wanted out of Joe Flacco &#8212; a competent, confident, experienced gunslinger who can make the most of their pass-heavy weapons, He gives them now a fighting chance for the playoffs should Joe Burrow return in the final month.<\/p>\n<p>22. Washington Commanders 3-4 (19)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/washington-commanders\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Commanders<\/a>\u00a0need to be really worried about Jayden Daniels having a long-term injury after already missing him badly for a few games. They&#8217;re not good enough to pick up the pieces when their top wide receivers are hurt.<\/p>\n<p>MORE: <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/washington-commanders\/news\/jayden-daniels-injury-update-commanders-qb-vs-cowboys\/304b26d5dbaae5cece24c3a2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jayden Daniels exits vs. Cowboys with hamstring injury<\/a><\/p>\n<p>23. Houston Texans 2-3 (22)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/houston-texans\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Texans<\/a>\u00a0are clawing back to relevance in the topsy-turvy AFC South to try to catch the Jaguars and Colts in the standings but they need C.J. Stroud to stay hot. The new-look passing game has a shot to come out of hostile Seattle with a win on Monday night.<\/p>\n<p>24. Baltimore Ravens 1-5 (26)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/baltimore-ravens\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ravens<\/a>\u00a0have been reeling defensively all season with piling injuries exacerbating the situation. Their offense tried its best to keep up but that was impossible without two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. They first need respectability before any thoughts of saving a season that&#8217;s probably already lost.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" image_resolution=\"16:9\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2240605262.jpg.webp.webp\" title=\"Jacoby Brissett Cardinals 101225\" typeof=\"foaf:Image\"\/>25. Arizona Cardinals 2-5 (23)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/arizona-cardinals\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cardinals<\/a>\u00a0have been showing some real fight with Jonathan Gannon&#8217;s defense and Jacoby Brissett grinding to get the most out of a limited offense. However, that&#8217;s still adding up to the clear fourth-best team in the tough NFC West.<\/p>\n<p>26. New York Giants 2-5 (25)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/new-york-giants\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Giants<\/a>\u00a0are getting what they want out of Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo to wake up Brian Daboll&#8217;s offense, but they&#8217;re still learning how to win without the critical late mistakes and defensive meltdowns.<\/p>\n<p>27. Cleveland Browns 2-5 (28)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/cleveland-browns\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Browns<\/a>\u00a0are showing fight at the right time to help save Kevin Stefanski&#8217;s job. Rookies Quinshon Judkins, Harold Fanning Jr. and Dillon Gabriel have provide a glimpse of hope for the offense but their jobs were obviously much easier as the defense dumped all over the Dolphins.<\/p>\n<p>MORE: <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/news\/how-browns-beat-dolphins-defense-run-game\/f8417e41a26019e195438f71\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Browns score biggest win in two years by routing Dolphins<\/a><\/p>\n<p>28. Las Vegas Raiders 2-5 (27)<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/las-vegas-raiders\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Raiders<\/a>\u00a0are going through the motions with Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly. The offense has no spark despite having Ashton Jeanty minus Brock Bowers. And now the defense may have lost Maxx Crosby for a while. Yikes.<\/p>\n<p>29. New Orleans Saints 1-6 (30)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/new-orleans-saints\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Saints<\/a>\u00a0should be happy that Spencer Rattler is growing in his passing confidence and execution every week. The turnover issues, however, say he won&#8217;t be long-term starter for this team and it might be a matter of time until Tyler Shough gets his chance for Kellen Moore.<\/p>\n<p>30. Tennessee Titans 1-6 (31)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/tennessee-titans\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Titans<\/a>\u00a0found a little bit of an offensive spark in the first game with Mike McCoy replacing fired Brian Callahan, but that quickly went away with the defense breaking down against run and pass again.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" image_resolution=\"16:9\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1760936289_72_Mike McDaniel 101225.jpg.webp.webp\" typeof=\"foaf:Image\"\/>31. Miami Dolphins 1-6 (29)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/miami-dolphins\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Dolphins<\/a>\u00a0are getting closer to a head-coaching change with the latest dysfunctional offensive performance with Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel. McDaniel is a lame duck coach, but is Tua also a lame duck QB?<\/p>\n<p>MORE: <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/miami-dolphins\/news\/will-dolphins-bench-tua-tagovailoa-quartertback-decision\/4a1517903cd6f2ff5a92a93f\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Should Dolphins bench Tua Tagovailoa for Week 8?<\/a><\/p>\n<p>32. New York Jets 0-7 (32)<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/new-york-jets\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jets<\/a>\u00a0have seen their offense sink with more turbulent play from Justin Fields. Tyrod Taylor can&#8217;t do much to save them if Garrett Wilson isn&#8217;t healthy, either. They face old friend Joe Flacco and the Bengals next.<\/p>\n<p>MORE: <a target=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/au\/nfl\/new-york-jets\/news\/justin-fields-benched-tyrod-taylor-jets-panthers\/dd7ff299ba0192b291f47e6e\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Why Jets benched Fields for Taylor vs. Panthers<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The race to become the best team in the NFL near the midpoint of the 2025 regular season&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":67110,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[64,63,593,85],"class_list":["post-226687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226687","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=226687"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226687\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=226687"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=226687"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=226687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}