NFL Week 8 power rankings: Reality check causes reshuffling on top as Colts show mettle
In a season of parity, it has taken time to sort out who's good and who's just OK. The Colts continue to impress, but there's a new No. 1.
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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: 6Monday: 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: 3Sunday: 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
3. Los Angeles Rams (5-2)
Last week: 2Sunday: 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: 5Sunday: 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: 8Sunday: 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
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2)
Last week: 1Monday: 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: 4Sunday: 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: 12Sunday: 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: 9Monday: 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
Quarterback Bo Nix threw for two touchdowns, ran for two more and drove the Broncos to a game-winning field goal,
all in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over the Giants.Matthew Stockman / Getty Images
10. Denver Broncos (5-2)
Last week: 7Sunday: 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
12. Buffalo Bills (4-2)
Last week: 6Week 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