I think Week 8 gave us some of the most exciting games of the year. On top of an AFC North battle between the Steelers and Ravens, we saw the Titans get exposed for who they are (frauds), the Rams out-gain the Dolphins by 300 yards and LOSE, and Dallas… they’re down, Gary.
Tonight, we’ll see the 49ers and the Packers play in a TNF matchup in which Kyle Shanahan won’t have a single member of his offense that played in the Super Bowl last year. But, before we jump into Week 9, let’s take one last look at last week’s action, and see where the 32 NFL teams have found themselves in our Super Official, Not Inaccurate, Week 9 Power Rankings.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last Week – 1)
The Steelers remained the last undefeated team in the NFL after downing the Ravens, 28-24. Lamar Jackson looked more like Daniel Jones, turning the ball over 4 times. Yeah, the Steelers defense is the most talented unit in the league, but some of these turnovers were mind-numbingly bad. Despite being undefeated, the Steelers offense isn’t where they want it to be, gaining just 2,373 yards this year (27th in NFL). Still, they’re the only team without a loss, so they’re the default #1 team.
Pittsburgh’s opponents so far have a 23-28-1 record, and their schedule doesn’t offer too many challenges down the stretch. They’re 10-point favorites against the Cowboys this weekend.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (Last Week – 2)
The Chiefs have shown themselves to be vulnerable in the first half of the season, but they still tout an impressive 7-1 record. However, Mahomes isn’t the front-runner for MVP, and that’s enough of a step back for Chiefs fans to start a petition to start Chad Henne. And you thought Sabres twitter was toxic? L. O. L.
They’ll host the Panthers this weekend who have been much more competitive than expected this year. They’ve been one of the stingiest pass defenses in the league, and that might be enough to keep this game close. Kansas City is -11 in this game, and I like the Panthers to cover that.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last Week – 3)
The Buccs are good. And I’m not happy. After struggling against the Saints in Week 1, they soon established themselves as the clear frontrunner to win the NFC South. It’s possible this is the most complete team in the NFL, despite being the only one who can’t figure out what to do at running back on a weekly basis. Their defense is 7th with 2,396 yards allowed, and their offense is second only to the Chiefs with nearly 3,000 yards through 8 games.
They’ll look to split the season series with the Saints this weekend, and I like them to cover -4.5 and bury Drew Brees.
Oh, and they have Antonio Brown now.
4. Seattle Seahawks (Last Week – 7)
Russell Wilson is so good. Who knew letting the best quarterback in the league throw the ball was a good idea? After dropping a tough OT loss to the Cardinals, they bounced back and had a sound defensive performance against the 49ers. The game wasn’t as close as the score lets on. They made Jimmy G look bad, because he is bad, and they didn’t really miss Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde.
I’m curious to see how this defense will play against better competition after adding Carlos Dunlap. They have the opportunity to make a statement against Josh Allen and the Bills this weekend. Seattle will have Jamal Adams back, who always played well against the Bills in New York. This’ll be a high scoring affair that could very well come down to the last possession.
5. Buffalo Bills (Last Week – 8)
The Bills won a close one against New England thanks to some fourth quarter heroics from Justin Zimmer, who forced a Cam Newton fumble that was recovered by Dean Marlowe. It wasn’t the prettiest win, but it allowed the Bills to put a stranglehold on the AFC East and effectively end the Patriots’ dynasty. The Patriots played much of the game with 6 or 7 DBs on the field, which forced the Bills to win the game on the ground, and they were able to do that for the first time this season (Welcome to the NFL, Zack Moss).
The second half of their schedule is significantly tougher than the first, and they’ll begin the latter half of this season in a gargantuan test against the Seattle Seahawks. If the Bills come away with a win, they’ll have made a jump into an elite group of teams that we can call Super Bowl Contenders.
6. Baltimore Ravens (Last Week – 5)
Lamar doesn’t look like an MVP anymore. The good news is that even though he turned the ball over 4 times, the Ravens still had a chance to take the lead inside the two minute warning. He’s not an easy quarterback to play against on a play-by-play basis, but he’s prone to mistakes, and a team like the Steelers is always prepared to take advantage of mistakes. Their defense is very good. Rookie LB Patrick Queen looks great. But Lamar has to protect the football better than he has been lately.
This week they’ll face the Colts, who also have a 5-2 record, in a game that could be very important when it comes to Wild Card seeding. Against the top defensive unit in the league, they have a chance to pick up a statement win and build on it.
7. Green Bay Packers (Last Week – 7)
The Packers failed to pull off a trade for Will Fuller V, and didn’t get Rodgers any help to make a playoff push. They’ve now lost 2 of their last 3, and it’s due in part to their lack of offensive weapons. The Vikings were triple teaming Davante Adams, and he still came away with 3 touchdowns. If Rodgers had another receiving threat, this offense could open up and score 40 points every week. But the GM and coach appear to be on different wavelengths when it comes to winning now, and being frugal with their draft capital.
This week they’ll be up against Nick Mullens, and the 49ers 2nd team offense. If they struggle tonight, it’s time to sound the alarm in Wisconsin.
8. Tennessee Titans (Last Week – 5)
The Titans just can’t get off the field on defense, allowing the highest 3rd down conversion rate in the league. And when your best offensive threat is your running back, it’s hard to claw your way back in a negative gamescript. The Bengals were starting a brand new offensive line, and Joe Burrow had all the time in the world. It seems like it’s not everyone against the Titans. It’s the Titans against themselves (and everyone else – fuck you Tennessee), as they find themselves in a tie for first the AFC South.
This week they get the Bears and are somehow currently 6 point favorites. I don’t see their struggles ending this week.
9. Arizona Cardinals (Last Week – 9)
Arizona had their bye week in Week 8, coming off of the best game of the 2020 season so far, in which they topped the Seahawks 37-34 in OT. Aside from their misuse of Chase Edmunds, the superior running back over Kenyan Drake, there’s not much to pick apart. Kyler Murray has shown some growth over the season so far, and the defense has been surprisingly good.
This week, they’ll look to hand Tua Tagovailoa his first career loss.
10. New Orleans Saints (Last Week – 12)
Man, the Saints look bad. Drew Brees is washed. Marshon Lattimore is allowing a near perfect passer rating. But, they’re 5-2 and they beat the Bears, who also look bad. There’s a significant drop off after the Top 9 teams. You can make the case for the Raiders or Colts to take this spot, but I don’t like either of them to beat the Saints head to head.
They seemingly have their division on the line this week. A loss to the Buccs will have them a game and half back of the division, with no idea when Michael Thomas could return to the lineup.
Teams Ranked 11 – 32:
- Indianapolis Colts (Last Week – 14)
- Las Vegas Raiders (Last Week – 16)
- San Francisco 49ers (Last Week – 10)
- Los Angeles Rams (Last Week – 11)
- Miami Dolphins (Last Week – 17)
- Philadelphia Eagles (Last Week – 19)
- Chicago Bears (Last Week – 15)
- Cleveland Browns (Last Week – 13)
- Cincinnati Bengals (Last Week – 26)
- Washington Football Team (Last Week – 20)
- Minnesota Vikings (Last Week – 23)
- Detroit Lions (Last Week – 19)
- Denver Broncos (Last Week – 25)
- LA Chargers (Last Week – 22)
- Carolina Panthers (Last Week – 21)
- New England Patriots (Last Week – 24)
- Houston Texans (Last Week – 27)
- Atlanta Falcons (Last Week – 29)
- New York Giants (Last Week – 30)
- Dallas Cowboys (Last Week – 28)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (Last Week – 31)
- New York Jets (Last Week – 32)