NFL Week 8 power rankings: Reality check causes reshuffling on top as Colts show mettle

Editor’s note: Every​ week, Chad Graff and Josh Kendall rank and analyze all 32 teams from first to worst. 

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In a season of parity around the NFL, it takes time to sort out the good teams from the just OK ones. Now that we’re seven weeks into the 2025 season, it feels like we are starting to get a better sense of where everyone belongs.

Today, let’s offer a reality check for each team as we dive into our NFL power rankings.

1. Detroit Lions (5-2)

Last week: 6

Monday: Beat Buccaneers 24-9

Reality check: They can beat you multiple ways

The job Dan Campbell has done after losing both his offensive and defensive coordinators this offseason is awfully impressive. The defense dominated the Bucs on Monday night. Offensively, the Lions leaned on the running game as Jahmyr Gibbs took 17 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Campbell’s Lions haven’t lost back-to-back games since October 2022.

Up next: Bye

2. Indianapolis Colts (6-1)

Last week: 3

Sunday: Beat Chargers 38-24

Reality check: They’re actually good

Their point differential (plus-92) is easily the most in the league. Those waiting for their regression to the norm might be waiting a while. Daniel Jones was efficient and productive again, and Jonathan Taylor remains one of the league’s best running backs.

Up next: vs. Titans, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

https://t.co/gdEXX4IagN pic.twitter.com/wZrJcABPNW

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 19, 2025

3. Los Angeles Rams (5-2)

Last week: 2

Sunday: Beat Jaguars 35-7

Reality check: Once again, they’re true contenders

The Rams were barely in Europe for 24 hours when they took the field in London and throttled a Jags team we thought was pretty good. Without Puka Nacua in the lineup, Matthew Stafford hit 10 different targets and Davante Adams had three scores. They’re legit.

Up next: Bye

4. Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)

Last week: 5

Sunday: Beat Raiders 31-0

Reality check: They’re all the way back

Don’t look now, but the Chiefs are back to being Super Bowl favorites, per Bet MGM. With their receiver group fully healthy, they cruised to a win as Patrick Mahomes continues to rewrite records. His 93 regular-season wins are the most of any quarterback before turning 31 years old, and Sunday was his 28th game with at least three touchdowns and no interceptions, the most of any QB in his first nine NFL seasons.

Up next: vs. Commanders, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

5. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)

Last week: 8

Sunday: Beat Vikings 28-22

Reality check: They can throw the ball

Jalen Hurts was awesome this week, completing 19 of 23 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Both DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown topped 100 receiving yards with a touchdown (Brown had two). The good vibes are back in Philly.

Up next: vs. Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Jalen Hurts completed all five deep passes for a career-high 215 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Vikings. The Vikings defense had allowed only three deep completions all season entering Week 7.

Hurts finished the day with a perfect 158.3 passer rating.

Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/maxqEPqbmL

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 19, 2025

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2)

Last week: 1

Monday: Lost to Lions 24-9

Reality check: Late-game heroics are tougher against good teams

The Bucs have made a habit of pulling out close games with impressive comebacks. But they dug too deep a hole in Detroit on Monday night, and Baker Mayfield (28-of-50 for 228 yards and one touchdown) wasn’t nearly as efficient as he’d been in the first six games.

Up next: at Saints, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

7. Green Bay Packers (4-1-1)

Last week: 4

Sunday: Beat Cardinals 27-23

Reality check: They can win ugly

Sunday wasn’t a particularly impressive win, but Green Bay got the job done as Micah Parsons was dominant. With three sacks, he notched his 16th career multisack game, tied with T.J. Watt for the fifth most such games since the NFL began counting sacks in 1982. Oh, and Parsons is still just 26.

Up next: at Steelers, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

8. San Francisco 49ers (5-2)

Last week: 12

Sunday: Beat Falcons 20-10

Reality check: CMC can carry them

No team has dealt with more injuries to more important players than the Niners, yet they still keep finding ways to win. The latest came thanks to Christian McCaffrey, who put up 201 total yards of offense and two touchdowns.

Up next: at Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

9. Seattle Seahawks (5-2)

Last week: 9

Monday: Beat Texans 27-19

Reality check: Sam Darnold is playing like a top-five QB

Darnold entered Monday night leading the NFL in expected points added per dropback as well as average depth of target. And while his late interception didn’t help, he was solid in another win, validating the belief the Seahawks showed in handing him a $100 million contract this offseason.

Up next: Bye

Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s last three games:

◻️ 8 REC, 132 YDS, 1 TD
◻️ 8 REC, 162 YDS, 1 TD
◻️ 8 REC, 123 YDS, 1 TD@Seahawks pic.twitter.com/X82ntuwJRN

— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) October 21, 2025

10. Denver Broncos (5-2)

Last week: 7

Sunday: Beat Giants 33-32

Reality check: They’re a fourth-quarter team

In their crazy comeback win, the Broncos became the first team since 1970 to come back from 18 or more points with six minutes left and win in regulation. Their 33 fourth-quarter points were the second most in NFL history.

Up next: vs. Cowboys, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

FINAL: Broncos 33, Giants 32 📉

The Broncos’ win probability was as low as 0.7% with 6:38 left in the fourth quarter facing a 4th & 3, trailing 26-8.

It’s the most improbable comeback of the season & 8th-most improbable of the NGS era (since 2016).#NYGvsDEN | #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/NTv48b8RDJ

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 19, 2025

11. New England Patriots (5-2)

Last week: 14

Sunday: Beat Titans 31-13

Reality check: Drake Maye is a star

Sure, the schedule is full of cupcakes. But Maye isn’t just playing like the league’s best young quarterback — he might be playing like its best quarterback, period. Sunday, he broke Tom Brady’s franchise record for completion percentage in a game, hitting on 21 of 23 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 62 rushing yards.

Up next: vs. Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

12. Buffalo Bills (4-2)

Last week: 16

Week 7: Bye

Reality check: Where’d the running game go?

For the first time since 2023, the Bills are not atop the AFC East standings. Their once-dominant ground attack has been bottled up in back-to-back games, both losses. The defense is a liability. Until the running game gets going, they’re once again asking Josh Allen to be Superman.

Up next: at Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m., ET

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)

Last week: 11

Thursday: Lost to Bengals 33-31

Reality check: The defense needs to be better

Aaron Rodgers has revitalized the offense and has it ranked in the top 10 in expected points added per play and points per drive. But a Pittsburgh defense can’t allow 40-year-old Joe Flacco to carve it up.

Up next: vs. Packers, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

The Bengals beat The Steelers. What does this say about Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers, and each team? #NFL pic.twitter.com/Az7GjFXvmL

— PTI (@PTI) October 17, 2025

14. Chicago Bears (4-2)

Last week: 18

Sunday: Beat Saints 26-14

Reality check: Ben Johnson’s culture is sticking

Caleb Williams wasn’t at his best Sunday, but Johnson got the running game going. Chicago ran for 222 yards (compared to 44 from the Saints) as the Bears dominated the time of possession and cruised to a win.

Up next: at Ravens, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

15. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)

Last week: 13

Sunday: Lost to Colts 38-24

Reality check: Their defense is a problem

And not in a good way. “We looked like trash,” safety Derwin James said. They allowed the Colts to average 6.9 yards per play, recorded only one sack and allowed 24 first downs.

Up next: vs. Vikings, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

16. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3)

Last week: 10

Sunday: Lost to Rams 35-7

Reality check: Trevor Lawrence is … just OK

A blowout loss in London revealed a hard truth about the Jags. They’re just not one of the league’s better teams, which seemed possible after four straight wins earlier this season. They’ve undoubtedly come a long way in Liam Coen’s first season, but the passing game is still lacking.

Up next: Bye

17. Carolina Panthers (4-3)

Last week: 21

Sunday: Beat Jets 13-6

Reality check: Do they need one?

Surely, we don’t need to point out that the Panthers aren’t as good as their record suggests, especially with Bryce Young suffering a high ankle sprain Sunday that likely will cause him to miss time. But so what? They have a record over .500 for the first time in four years, and that’s worth enjoying.

Up next: vs. Bills, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

18. Dallas Cowboys (3-3-1)

Last week: 23

Sunday: Beat Commanders 44-22

Reality check: They have a top-five offense

For all the skepticism that came with Brian Schottenheimer’s hire, he has the Dallas offense playing like one of the best in the league. Now, the defense on the other hand? Not great. They might have the biggest discrepancy in the NFL between offense and defense.

Up next: at Broncos, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

19. Atlanta Falcons (3-3)

Last week: 15

Sunday: Lost to 49ers 20-10

Reality check: They need more offensively

Atlanta ranks 22nd in expected points added per play offensively, which is not what you’d expect from an unit with Bijan Robinson, Drake London, a promising quarterback and a solid offensive line.

Up next: vs. Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

20. Minnesota Vikings (3-3)

Last week: 17

Sunday: Lost to Eagles 28-22

Reality check: They may have chosen the wrong QB

It’s not just brutal for Vikings fans having to watch their team figure out its quarterback situation because so much of the rest of the roster is ready to win now. It’s also that the team chose not to re-sign Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones, who have been two of the NFL’s best quarterbacks this season. After Carson Wentz’s disaster on Sunday, perhaps the hope is J.J. McCarthy is ready to roll on a short week.

Up next: at Chargers, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

21. Washington Commanders (3-4)

Last week: 19

Sunday: Lost to Cowboys 44-22

Reality check: Jayden Daniels should rest up

As our David Aldridge wrote, the Commanders’ No. 1 priority is Daniels, and it’s clear this team isn’t good enough to win big. So after Daniels suffered a hamstring injury Sunday, it’d be wise for Washington to sit him until he’s totally healthy. There’s no sense in rushing him back.

Up next: at Chiefs, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

22. Cincinnati Bengals (3-4)

Last week: 27

Thursday: Beat the Steelers 33-31

Reality check: They might have something with Joe Flacco

Nine days into his tenure with the team, Flacco threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns as the Bengals offense returned to being watchable. Most importantly, he got the ball to Ja’Marr Chase, who had 16 catches on Thursday. That alone can make this offense functional.

Up next: vs. Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

23. New York Giants (2-5)

Last week: 22

Sunday: Lost to Broncos 33-32

Reality check: They’re fun again

Yes, that fourth-quarter debacle was rough. But for the first time in a few years, the Giants are no longer a bummer to watch thanks to Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo. The next step is turning those fun games into wins.

Up next: at Eagles, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

24. Houston Texans (2-4)

Last week: 20

Monday: Lost to Seahawks 27-19

Reality check: The O-line isn’t giving them a chance

Yes, C.J. Stroud needs to be better. He was off target way too much Monday night. And, yes, DeMeco Ryans’ defense needs to be better. But the Houston offensive line is doing nothing for the running game and is making things difficult for Stroud.

Up next: vs. 49ers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET 

25. Arizona Cardinals (2-5)

Last week: 24

Sunday: Lost to Packers 27-23

Reality check: The offense hasn’t looked worse with Jacoby Brissett

Maybe that’s a harsh way of putting it for Kyler Murray, but the offense has been fine with Brissett, which isn’t a great sign for what Murray brings when he’s healthy. The Cardinals did a lot of good things Sunday, but they also found a way to lose to a better team.

Up next: Bye

26. Baltimore Ravens (1-5)

Last week: 25

Week 7: Bye

Reality check: A turnaround isn’t coming unless the defense changes

Our playoff predictor still gives the Ravens a 40 percent chance of reaching the postseason. The offense will surely be fine once it (namely Lamar Jackson) gets healthy. But unless this defense fixes things, it’s a waste of time to talk playoffs.

Up next: vs. Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

27. Cleveland Browns (2-5)

Last week: 30

Sunday: Beat Dolphins 31-6

Reality check: Their blowout win over Miami probably says more about the Dolphins than it does about the Browns. But it’s still impressive for this group to win going away, thanks in part to three rushing touchdowns from rookie Quinshon Judkins.

Up next: at Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins rushed 15 times for 69 yards and 3 TDs from jumbo sets (6+ OL) in a Week 7 win over the Dolphins.

The Browns used an extra lineman on 22 of 52 plays overall (40.9%), the highest rate by any team in a game this season.#MIAvsCLE | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/Cf72DzqTG0

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 19, 2025

28. Las Vegas Raiders (2-5)

Last week: 26

Sunday: Lost to Chiefs 31-0

Reality check: They’re in free fall

The Raiders have lost four of five (with the lone win in that stretch coming against the Titans), and the offense is in disarray. They made Chip Kelly the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the league, but Geno Smith looks disjointed, and the offense managed just three first downs (against the Chiefs’ 30) on Sunday.

Up next: Bye

29. New Orleans Saints (1-6)

Last week: 28

Sunday: Lost to Bears 26-14

Reality check: It’s going to be a long season

Spencer Rattler cooled off after some impressive play earlier this season, and their leading rusher Sunday was Alvin Kamara with 28 yards on 11 carries. Their next two games are against the Bucs and Rams.

Up next: vs. Buccaneers, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

30. Tennessee Titans (1-6)

Last week: 31

Sunday: Lost to Patriots 31-13

Reality check: There was no interim-coach bump

They have the NFL’s worst point differential (minus-96) by a wide margin. Cam Ward had some nice moments in the team’s first game after Brian Callahan’s firing, but he inexplicably fumbled the ball while trying to pass, which went for a touchdown the other way.

Up next: at Colts, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

31. Miami Dolphins (1-6)

Last week: 29

Sunday: Lost to Browns 31-6

Reality check: Change is needed

That seems obvious to everyone except Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. Last week, Tua Tagovailoa seemed to throw players under the bus. This week, coach Mike McDaniel seemed to. This group just needs a meaningful change.

Up next: at Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

32. New York Jets (0-7)

Last week: 32

Sunday: Lost to Panthers 13-6

Reality check: It’s hard to figure out which QB to go with

And it might not matter. Aaron Glenn said Monday that he’ll consult with other coaches about the best way to proceed at quarterback. But as Justin Fields struggles, is there really much of a difference between him and backup Tyrod Taylor?

Up next: at Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET