As October is finishing up, the NFL is in full swing. With contenders asserting themselves and teams looking to next year as they continue to struggle, here are the rankings.
32. Carolina Panthers
Last week's ranking: 32
Week seven result: 40-7 loss vs Commanders
Week eight opponent: Away vs Broncos
When do the Panthers return to Bryce Young to give him his final chance? Let me be clear: I don't think Andy Dalton has misplayed or is the problem for the Panthers, but the team is so bad that it makes no sense to play a quarterback who is 36 years old. The Panthers are the biggest mess in all of football at the moment. The defense can't stop anything, the offense still can't find any consistency, and I wonder if Dave Canales will survive year one.
31. Cleveland Browns
Last week's ranking: 30
Week seven result: 21-14 loss vs Bengals
Week eight opponent: Home vs Ravens
What a disaster it is right now for the Cleveland Browns. Deshaun Watson has an Achilles injury and is out for the season. While Watson wasn't playing very well, the offense didn't take a step forward with Dorian Thompson-Robinson. He went down with an injury, and in came Jameis Winston, and he provided a spark to the offense as they came back against the Bengals. It won't get any easier with the Ravens this week. On the bright side, Nick Chubb is back and looks like his old self. Always a good sign.
30. New England Patriots
Last week's ranking: 31
Week seven result: 32-16 loss vs Jaguars
Week eight opponent: Home vs Jets
We might return to week one of the NFL season and look at the win for the Patriots against the Bengals. How they won that game will still be a mystery to me. This is a really poor football team. One bright spot for the Patriots is Drake Maye. So far, he has impressed me, but he has no chance behind that injury-ravaged offensive line. Maye has the tools, but it is the Jaguar's defense.
29. Tennessee Titans
Last week's ranking: 27
Week seven result: 34-10 loss vs Bills
Week eight opponent: Away vs Lions
A quarterback change late in the week, with first-year head coach Brian Callahan making his first big-time move as a head coach. Mason Rudolph did some good things, but it wasn't nearly enough to compete with a juggernaut like the Buffalo Bills in the AFC. Whether Rudolph or Levis, it will still be a long season in Tennessee. It will look like the Titans will have a high draft pick.
28. New York Giants
Last week's ranking: 25
Week seven result: 28-3 loss vs Eagles
Week eight opponent: Away vs Steelers
The biggest question for the New York Giants is who the quarterback will be next week. Daniel Jones was benched for Drew Lock on Sunday against the Eagles as the Giants were looking for a spark on offense. Brian Daboll said after the game that Daniel Jones will remain the quarterback, but he is still not giving the offense anything that says he should remain. I don't know if Drew Lock should be the starter, but the Giants need to find anything they can on the offensive side. The defense has been solid, but the offense continues to be dysfunctional and will continue to cost the Giants.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last week's ranking: 29
Week seven result: 32-16 win vs Patriots
Week eight opponent: Home vs Packers
When they were down 10-0 in this game, it looked like the Doug Pederson firing would become more likely after the London games. When the backs were against the wall, they scored 25 unanswered points to save the season as the Jaguars got a much-needed win. The path is there for the Jaguars, as they will have to continue to win and try and climb back into the race in the AFC. They have the Packers, Eagles, Vikings, Lions, and Texans in their next five games. It will be tough.
26. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week's ranking: 26
Week seven result: 20-15 loss vs Rams
Week eight opponent: Home vs Raiders
The Raiders have to trend all their chips into the quarterback class 2024. With Aidan O'Connell injured and Garnder Minshew struggling, the Raiders season is quickly getting away from them. Minshew's turnovers resulted in all of the Rams' points. That is not a winning recipe, so the Raiders are not winning games.
25. New Orleans Saints
Last week's ranking: 18
Week seven result: 33-10 loss vs Broncos
Week eight opponent: At Chargers
The season is quickly going down the drain for the New Orleans Saints. Injuries are a big problem of why they are struggling so much. Even when Derek Carr comes back, they will continue to struggle. New Orleans has lost five straight games after such a hot 2-0 start. What has changed from now can be pointed towards several things. The offense is running on backups playing, and the defense has been very inconsistent. The season could quickly get away from the Saints.
24. Miami Dolphins
Last week's ranking: 28
Week seven result: 16-10 loss vs Colts
Week eight opponent: Home vs Cardinals
This team cannot generate any sort of offense without their starting quarterback. While they are 2-4, there's a glimmer of hope for the Miami Dolphins. Tua Tagovailoa is expected to return this week, and the schedule for the dolphins is about to soften. Whether Tua can get back to his old self will still be a question, but the Dolphins offense should be able to improve. The Dolphins have scored just 70 points this season in six games, so the offense will take anything they can get.
23. Los Angeles Rams
Last week's ranking: 24
Week seven result: 20-15 win vs Raiders
Week eight opponent: Home vs Vikings
It is much needed for the Rams to get back to 2-4 with all the injuries they have suffered. Reinforcements are expected to be coming, with Cooper Kupp expected to play this Thursday vs the Vikings. What you can take away from this game from Los Angeles is the defense and the constant improvement we have seen from such a young unit. I saw a rumor that Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp were gauging interest around the league in a potential trade. While I don't see this happening, you have to think about the future of the Rams. I still think Matthew Stafford is capable of playing at a high level.
22. New York Jets
Last week's ranking: 19
Week seven result: 37-15 loss vs Steelers
Week eight opponent: Away vs Patriots
People who thought the Jets team would instantly improve after the Davante Adams trade clearly don't understand this team right now. The offense has no consistency around them, and the defense is dealing with a flurry of injuries. They are not a cohesive unit, and it shows on the field. At 2-5, they better figure it out quickly. The schedule does get a bit softer, but the Jets will need a miracle to make a playoff run.
21. Arizona Cardinals
Last week's ranking: 23
Week seven result: 17-15 win vs Chargers
Week eight opponent: At Dolphins
This was a massive win for Jonathan Gannon and the Arizona Cardinals. It is a challenging path to the playoffs if they drop to 2-5, but they are right where they need to be at 3-4. It was a scrappy effort for Arizona to pull out the win vs the Chargers. The season for Arizona will rely on the defense. The offense has the firepower and explosiveness to play with anybody, but the defense has struggled. They played a great game on Monday, and Kyler Murray put together a big-time drive to get them in field goal range. Arizona is in the playoff picture in the NFC.
20. Indianapolis Colts
Last week's ranking: 21
Week seven result: 16-10 win vs Dolphins
Week eight opponent: At Texans
The Colts are in a very weird position with the quarterback situation. The team wants Anthony Richardson to become the franchise quarterback, but many feel that Joe Flacco offers them a better chance to win. At 4-3, they are in good shape in the AFC, but the teams' struggles cannot be ignored. Richardson was just 10-24 for 129 yards. Clearly, he has flaws in his game, but they have to keep rolling with the young quarterback to see what he is made of.
19. Dallas Cowboys
Last week's ranking: 17
Week seven result: Bye
Week eight opponent: At Niners
It hasn't been an easy season for Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys. He has received some criticism on the team's roster construction and even threatened to fire a radio host. The bye week came at a good time for the Cowboys. A big game looms on primetime against the Niners, one the Cowboys need badly to silence the doubters and get their season back on track.
18. Denver Broncos
Last week's ranking: 20
Week seven result: 33-10 win vs Broncos
Week eight opponent: Home vs Panthers
The Sean Payton return to the Superdome was a success for the former Saints coach. His team went in there and handled the Saints, with the offense looking good with rookie quarterback Bo Nix. The story for the Broncos this season has been the defense. They rank as one of the league's top units and will keep them in a lot of games. This is a frisky Broncos team. With that defense, the offense must be good enough to be a real playoff contender.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Last week's ranking: 22
Week seven result: 21-14 win vs Browns
Week eight opponent: Home vs Eagles
After an abysmal start to the season, Cincinnati has weathered the storm and has put itself in a position to make a run. If you look at years past, the Bengals have had the same thing happen. Start the season slow; everyone doubts them, and they climb back into the playoff picture. You always have a chance whenever you have Joe Burrow as your quarterback. The defense seems to be getting a little better, but the Bengals offense has the ability to play with anybody. It's a work in progress on defense, but 3-4 isn't the worst spot for the Bengals. They are very capable of turning their season around and making a run.
16. Atlanta Falcons
Last week's ranking: 8
Week seven result: 34-14 loss to Seahawks
Week eight opponent: At Bucs
One step forward, two steps back for the Atlanta Falcons. They just had a stinker on Sunday vs Seattle. Kirk Cousins and the passing offense really struggled vs a depleted defense in Seattle. I don't know if this game tells us more about the Seahawks or the Falcons. We have seen the Falcons offense perform at a high level, but this is a bad home loss. Another big division game looms for the Falcons as they travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Bucs.
15. Los Angeles Chargers
Last week's ranking: 13
Week seven result: 17-15 loss vs Cardinals
Week eight opponent: Home vs Saints
At all costs, this was a Jim Harbaugh type of game, but the Chargers just don't have enough talent on offense to win the game. The wide receiving core is a big question for the Chargers. Even with all that, they had a chance to win the game at the end, but the defense couldn't get a stop. Everything the Chargers are doing right now on offense worries me. They don't seem to have an identity. At 3-4, this is a significant loss. We could look at the end of the season to see why the Chargers missed the playoffs.
14. San Francisco 49ers
Last week's ranking: 11
Week seven result: 28-18 loss vs Chiefs
Week eight opponent: Home vs Cowboys
We will see what Brock Purdy is made of and if he can win without the weapons he is used to. He couldn't Sunday, as the Niners offense suffered all the injuries in the world and could not get anything going. Brandon Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season. Deebo Samuel had to go to the hospital for Pneumonia, and George Kittle left the game with an injury. Kyle Shanahan can only pull so many rabbits out of his hat, but the injuries will continue to pile on for San Francisco.
13. Seattle Seahawks
Last week's ranking: 14
Week seven result: 34-14 win vs Falcons
Week eight opponent: Home vs Bills
After looking terrible in the last three games, the Seahawks got a much-needed victory on the road versus the Atlanta Falcons. The big thing for Seattle is the defense. They will go as far as that group can take them. After a rough stretch of games, the offense looked much better, and Geno Smith looked like a franchise quarterback. They don't have a ton of stars, but they have a deep roster. They also dodged a bullet, with DK Metcalf only suffering an MCL Sprain.
12. Chicago Bears
Last week's ranking: 15
Week seven result: Bye
Week eight opponent: At Commanders
A bye week this week for the Bears, but they are right where they want to be in the race for the playoffs. Caleb Williams looks the part and has played better in every single game he has played. That is all you can ask for from a rookie quarterback. The defense is one of the best in the league and will keep the Bears in a lot of games this season. They are in perfect shape.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last week's ranking: 9
Week seven result: 41-31 loss vs Ravens
Week eight opponent: Home vs Falcons
The loss of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will be a big one for the Bucs to try and overcome. I question why Chris Godwin is even in the game with 40 seconds left and the team down 10. You have to feel sick for him, especially knowing he is in a contract year. The defense had many problems, as they could not stop Lamar Jackson. The offense goes how far the receivers can take them, and with them being out in the short-term, it will all come down to Baker Mayfield.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
Last week's ranking: 16
Week seven result: 28-3 win vs Giants
Week eight opponent: At Bengals
A much-needed win for Nick Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles, and it was not very close. A win like this could bring the locker room needs, and it may have saved Sirianni's job. He survives another week, but a big game for the Eagles in Cincinnati this Sunday. Saquon Barkley was spectacular in his return to New York.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week's ranking: 12
Week seven result: 37-15 win vs Jets
Week eight opponent: Home vs Giants
With Russell Wilson as the quarterback, the passing attack opened up big time for the Steelers. A slow start in the first quarter had Steeler fans clinging to a return to Justin Fields, but Mike Tomlin stuck with Wilson, who looked like the better quarterback. With the level we are used to seeing the Steelers' defense play at, they don't need a great offense to win many games. Mike Tomlin knew he had two quarterbacks with different strengths. Field's biggest threat is his legs and dual-threat ability. Wilson's biggest threat is the ability to throw the ball deep and command the offense. The Steelers will continue to play Wilson until something else shows they have to do something different.
8. Washington Commanders
Last week's ranking: 10
Week seven result: 40-7 win vs Panthers
Week eight opponent: Home vs Bears
While it was an impressive performance at home against a bad Panthers team, the question that needs to be answered is the health of Jayden Daniels. He suffered a rib injury in the first half and could not return. They didn't need him, as Marcus Mariota came in and did a fine job running the offense, but the Commanders have to monitor Jayden Daniels's health. If this game showed us anything, the Commanders have a legit backup quarterback in Marcus Mariota. Whether he can return against the Bears, a rib injury is brutal to deal with, especially for a quarterback.
7. Houston Texans
Last week's ranking: 5
Week seven result: 24-22 loss vs Packers
Week eight opponent: Home vs Colts
A bit of a mismanagement of the clock by Demeco Ryans at the end of the game for the Texans. It came down to the Texans not getting the production they needed from the receiving core on Sunday. Without Niko Collins, the passing attack has been very quiet. I don't think it is time to worry just yet, but the Texans need to figure it out fast, and C.J. Stroud needs to go back to playing at an elite level.
6. Buffalo Bills
Last week's ranking: 6
Week seven result: 34-10 win vs Titans
Week eight opponent: At Seahawks
Buffalo has proved that they are a juggernaut in the AFC. The offense gets a significant upgrade in the receiving room in Amari Cooper, which gives Josh Allen another top target on offense. The key for Buffalo is the ability to run the football. When they fired Ken Dorsey and promoted Joe Brady, he came up with the idea of running the ball, which opened up the passing game. The defense is playing high, and they are still missing some pieces. This is a scary team.
5. Green Bay Packers
Last week's ranking: 7
Week seven result: 24-22 win vs Texans
Week eight opponent: Away vs Jaguars
This was a very impressive win for the Green Bay Packers. The offense is still a work in progress, especially the passing attack, but Jordan Love is showing why he is one of the top quarterbacks in the league. The defense has been outstanding this season for the Packers, and they proved on Sunday that they can play and compete with anybody. Holding the Texans to only 197 yards on offense and C.J. Stroud to just 86 yards passing is impressive. This is one of the top teams in the league.
4. Minnesota Vikings
Last week's ranking: 3
Week seven result: 31-29 loss vs Lions
Week eight opponent: At Rams
The Vikings lost this game mainly because the defense was not like we have seen them before. The offense played very well and showed they could play with anybody, but the defense had an off day. That happens sometimes, especially when playing against such a prolific offense in the Detroit Lions. This game just came down to who had the ball last: the Lions. A coin flip game that went in favor of the Lions. The Vikings will be fine.
3. Baltimore Ravens
Last week's ranking: 4
Week seven result: 41-31 win vs Bucs
Week eight opponent: At Browns
Was anyone ever really worried for the Ravens season when they dropped the first two games of the season? They have rattled off five straight wins and look like the Ravens last year, with a king at running back. Derrick Henry gives this offense another dynamic we have not seen before with Lamar Jackson. What has impressed me so far this season has been the Ravens passing attack. Lamar Jackson has taken a massive step throwing the ball this season, and if he can throw the ball at a high level, the Ravens are almost unbeatable. The defense is struggling, but I trust they will figure it out.
2. Detroit Lions
Last week's ranking: 2
Week seven result: 31-29 win vs Vikings
Week eight opponent: Home vs Titans
The Detroit Lions and Dan Campbell continue to put up absurd numbers on the offensive side of the ball. This offense has no weakness; they have weapons all over the place, and a quarterback is playing at an MVP level. One thing that has me worried is the loss of Aidan Hutchinson. A trade for Maxx Crosby makes sense for the Lions, as that would give them a prolific pass rusher. Whether they can get it done is another question, but the Lions are one of the league's best. Jameson Williams will be tough to replace, but luckily, it will only be for two games.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Last week's ranking: 1
Week seven result: 28-18 win vs 49ers
Week eight opponent: At Raiders
At what point do we just crown the Chiefs and give them the three-peat? They went into San Francisco and did nothing well on offense, but they could still win. What worries me, and why I think the Chiefs are so dynamic, is that Patrick Mahomes has not played to the level we are used to seeing him playing at, and they are still undefeated. That worries me. You have to trust that Andy Reid and Mahomes will figure it out, but it is always nice to have a defense to rely on while the offense is working through some struggles. Until they lose, this spot will remain in Kansas City.
HN's NFL Power Rankings: Week 16
