Week Seven of the NFL saw the top teams on their bye weeks and with them off the other teams fought for position in Week Eight of the 2022 NFL Power Rankings. This list was calculated by the averages of the three contributors and writers for this article. The contributors for Week Eight are Xavier Santos, David Loaiza, and Dylan Hargis.
2022 NFL Power Rankings: Week Eight
1. Philadelphia Eagles 6-0 (-)
BYE WEEK
2. Buffalo Bills 5-1 (-)
BYE WEEK
3. Kansas City Chiefs 5-2 (-)
The Chiefs took it to San Francisco and looked every bit the Super Bowl Contender we expected them to be. The loss to Buffalo and Philadelphia being 6-0 is the only reason they aren’t number one on the 2022 NFL Power Rankings.
4. Minnesota Vikings 5-1 (-)
BYE WEEK
5. New York Giants 6-1 (-)
Daniel Jones continues to make plays with his legs. He has yet to impress with his arm but he is doing enough to earn him and his team wins. To date, he hasn’t done enough to warrant a long-term deal but it could lead to the team franchising him and kicking the can down the road for a year.
6. Dallas Cowboys 5-2 (+1)
In truth, there is a chance Dallas is the best team in the NFC. They have the best defense and the return of Dak Prescott is sure to inject some life into their offense. Their last game against the Eagles will be a huge measuring stick for them this year.
7. New York Jets 5-2 (+1)
We don’t anticipate this team finishing this high to end the year but for now, they deserve a spot in the top 10 of the 2022 NFL Power Rankings. The wins are ugly but they don’t count any less than pretty ones.
8. Cincinnati Bengals 4-3 (+2)
Joe Burrow and Ja’marr Chase are on absolute fire. The line is playing better and it has greatly impacted their ability to get the ball down the field. Things are looking up for Cincinnati this year.
9. Los Angeles Chargers 4-3 (-3)
As a nation, we need to find a way to get Sean Payton to the Chargers. Yes, the team is injured but look no further than New York to see how a coach can make the most out of his talent. Unless there is a dramatic turnaround, this should be Brandon Staley’s last season as head coach.
10. Baltimore Ravens 4-3 (+1)
The Ravens struggled against the Browns and have yet to look like an elite team this season. For now, you have to consider the Bengals the best team in the AFC North on the 2022 NFL Power Rankings.
11. Miami Dolphins 4-3 (+2)
Tua Tagovialoa is back on the field with the Dolphins and the team won after three straight losses in previous weeks. However, the quarterback play was far from perfect, there were several passes that could have been intercepted and change the result of the game. In the end, the Dolphins’ defense feasted from Kenny Pickett with three interceptions, with two of those in the endzone during the fourth quarter.
12. Tennessee Titans 4-2 (+4)
The Titans have found themselves in the latest weeks. After an 0-2 start they have shifted to four wins straight and look more like the team that won the division last season. Derrick Henry is back with another 100-yard game and the offense is getting more yardage. The scores were the one thing missing this weekend but a pick-six from safety Andrew Adams was enough to get the win against the Colts.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-4 (-4)
What can we say about the Buccaneers? Maybe the most disappointing team of the season given their championship expectations before the season started and the pedigree that Tom Brady gives every team he has been on. This week they were limited to three points against the Carolina Panthers. Tampa Bay is lucky that the NFC South is in worst condition than the team is.
14. Seattle Seahawks 4-3 (+5)
So, who had the Seattle Seahawks as the leader of the NFC West? Pete Carroll is using all of his coaching experience to have this team in playoff contention and the surprise team of the season. Kenneth Walker has excelled at covering for Rashad Penny and this week he had 168 rushing yards with two touchdowns.
15. Los Angeles Rams 3-3 (-)
BYE WEEK
16. New England Patriots 3-4 (-4)
This one is a week to forget for Patriots fans. After three weeks recovering from a high ankle sprain, Mac Jones was subbed out in the second quarter after throwing an interception and completing just three passes for 13 yards. As soon as Bailey Zappe entered they scored two touchdowns but were blanked out in the second half of the game. Now, I’ll give you the question of the week: Who will start next Sunday against the Jets, Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe?
17. Green Bay Packers 3-4 (-3)
After a dominant 2021 season, in which the Packers finished with the best record in the NFC, Aaron Rodgers’ team has lost three consecutive games to three teams that should be inferior. This is the first time that the reigning MVP has a losing record after Week Seven. Receivers dropping passes, and special teams making crucial mistakes are only some of the problems of a very disappointing performance from the pride of Wisconsin.
18. Indianapolis Colts 3-3-1 (-)
Well, that was it for Matt Ryan. The loss against the Titans was the drop that spilled the cup and the team has announced that Sam Ehlinger will be the starting quarterback against the Washington Commanders. The Colts are stagnant on the 2022 NFL Power Rankings.
19. San Francisco 49ers 3-4 (+1)
It was a rough debut for Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers were blown out against the Kansas City Chiefs for their fourth loss of the season. They allowed 529 total yards and six touchdowns while San Francisco’s offense struggled in the red zone and gave away two interceptions and a fumble.
20. Arizona Cardinals 3-4 (+1)
In the opener of the football week on Thursday night, the Cardinals beat the New Orleans Saints to bring some hope to their fans. Hopkins made his return to the field with 10 receptions for 103 receiving yards. The defense also did its part with touchdown interceptions from Marco Wilson and Isaiah Simmons. Can Arizona continue to climb the 2022 NFL Power Rankings?
21. Atlanta Falcons 3-4 (-4)
Atlanta is supposed to be tanking this season, so the 3-4 record is a bit surprising. The offense has looked fairly good despite having unknown personnel on the roster. Tampa Bay is struggling hard and Atlanta is right behind them.
22. Chicago Bears 3-4 (+6)
The offense has suddenly sprung to life and the Bears find themselves at 3-4. We are not ready to call them playoff contenders, but the team is finally showing life this season. Their rushing game is one of the best in the NFL.
23. Washington Commanders 3-4 (+8)
Carson Wentz must actually be a bad luck charm because his teams seem to win when he isn’t on the field. This team just sent the Green Bay Packers into Week Eight with a 3-4 record. This isn’t sustainable, but enjoy it while it lasts. The rest of the NFC East is too good.
24. Las Vegas Raiders 2-4 (+3)
This team got a much-needed win against the Houston Texans coming off the bye in Las Vegas. A get-right game might have been exactly what they needed this week, but at 2-4 is it too late to think about the NFL Playoffs?
25. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-5 (-3)
There might have been a small moment when we believed in the Jacksonville Jaguars. Unfortunately, they just aren’t quite ready to win games consistently. Next year could actually be a good year in North Florida.
26. New Orleans Saints 2-5 (-3)
On Thursday Night Andy Dalton became the first quarterback since at least 2000 to throw two interceptions in the two-minute drill in the same game. A 14-14 game suddenly became a 28-14 game and the team never recovered. Not a side of history you want to be on. The Saints slide on the 2022 NFL Power Rankings.
27. Cleveland Browns 2-5 (-3)
The Browns have lost any momentum they built two years ago when they made the playoffs. We aren’t even sure a new quarterback will fix these problems. Good thing they didn’t pay 250 million dollars to one. That would suck.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers 2-5 (-2)
So, the offense is bad. With all the skill players they’ve drafted in the first rounds you would think it would be better, but here we are!
29. Denver Broncos 2-4 (-4)
Russell Wilson is a problem, but this game showcased that he is not THE problem with the Denver Broncos. We realize the team just hired a new Head Coach, but it is already time to find another one.
30. Carolina Panthers 2-5 (+2)
This team can’t even tank correctly. PJ Walker and the offense walked out there and actually had a competent game. Brian Burns controlled the game on defense and dominated Tom Brady. Still, this team doesn’t seem to realize they could really use the number one overall pick.
31. Houston Texans 1-4-1 (-1)
Please we are begging for a team to trade for Brandin Cooks. He deserves better than what this team is able to give him right now. They are nowhere near competing and could also use the number one overall pick.
32. Detroit Lions 1-5 (-3)
Speaking of teams that could use the number one overall pick. The Lions need more talent on their team and this week showed why. Dallas dominated them in every aspect of the game. They are the new bottom team on the 2022 NFL Power Rankings.
* The biggest movers of the week are the Washington Commanders (+8) and several other teams that lost four spots (-4) *
