Top 5
1. Buffalo Bills
Previous Week: #2
The Buffalo Bills move back into the top spot following the Cardinals loss to an undermanned Packers team on Thursday night. Speaking of the Packers, I’ve seen a few power rankings that have Green Bay in the top spot. I too will bump them up, but not that high given the continued success of the Bills and Rams
As expected, the Bills handled the one-win Dolphins 26-11 in week-8. Statistically, the Bills still have a top-five offense and the league’s number one defense. Those numbers just don’t lie.
By the way, the Bills are still in that extremely manageable three-game stretch. Buffalo will play the Jaguars and Jets over the next two weeks.
2. Los Angeles Rams (7-1)
Previous Rank: #3
No one is going to give the Rams a bunch of credit for beating the Texans 38-22, but it’s another convincing win. It’s important to point out the Rams led 38-0 after three quarters, and the Texans had some oh-by-the-way touchdowns in the fourth to make the scoreboard look a little better from an aesthetic standpoint.
Since their lone loss to the Cardinals early last month, the Rams have won four-straight, and they’ll get the Titans at home this week in primetime without the services of Derrick Henry. Man, I would’ve loved to see the Titans and Rams go at it at full-strength. Who knows? Maybe the Titans can rally without Henry and give the Rams a game. The Packers did it to the then-undefeated Cardinals in primetime without Davante Adams.
Matthew Stafford has made a world of difference, and as a result, the Rams have one of the league’s better passing attacks and a top-five offense. The defense has been a different story. That group has been middle-of-the-road up to this point, but general manager Les Snead just made a trade to acquire veteran pass rusher Von Miller. Maybe that will help out on that side of the ball.
3. Green Bay Packers (7-1)
Previous Week: #5
I strongly considered moving the Packers up to the number two spot. Handing the Cardinals their first loss in primetime is something to be applauded, especially without Aaron Rodger’s favorite target on the perimeter. For now, I’ll push Green Bay up to number three and see how they do this Sunday at Kansas City.
The Packers are strong on both sides of the ball, and other than two-to-three potential roadblocks, the remainder of the schedule is manageable.
4. Arizona Cardinals (7-1)
Previous Week: #1
It pains me to move the Cardinals down three spots after losing a 3-point game to the Packers, who are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Unfortunately, someone has to fall that probably shouldn’t and that’s the Cardinals this week.
The Cardinals are still an extremely well built football team with the potential to keep winning. The bounce back game will be interesting. The Cardinals travel to San Francisco this week to take on the 49ers, a team they beat in their first meeting in an uncharacteristic low-scoring affair. Arizona needs a win this week to prevent the dreaded slide.
5. Dallas Cowboys (6-1)
Previous Rank: NR
Here they are. America’s Team makes their first appearance in the power rankings after beating the Vikings in primetime with Cooper Rush at quarterback. It was Dallas’ sixth straight win since falling to the Bucs 31-29 in the first game of the NFL season. Hopefully I don’t sound too cliché here, but good teams find a way to win when they face adversity, and that’s exactly what the Cowboys did without the services of Dak Prescott.
Luckily for Cowboys fans, Dak is expected to be back in the saddle this week for a matchup with the Broncos. Dallas gets Atlanta the following week. That’s a very winnable two-game stretch
Bottom 5
28 – Washington Football Team: 17-10 (L) at. Broncos
Previous Rank: NR
29 – Miami Dolphins: 26-11 (L) at. Bills
Previous Rank: 29
30 – Jacksonville Jaguars: 31-7 (L) at. Seahawks
Previous Rank: 28
31 – Houston Texans: 38-22 (L) vs. Rams
Previous Rank: 31
32 – Detroit Lions: 44-6 (L) vs. Eagles
Previous Rank: 32
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