New NFL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, plus a purpose for optimism for all 32 teams

Welcome to Week 9 of the NFL normal season.

Our energy panel — a group of a lot more than 80 writers, editors and Television personalities — evaluated how teams are stacking up by means of eight weeks.

There was movement in our major ten, but the major 3 stay unchanged. The Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons are two surprise teams that have played properly and earned a great jump in the rankings this week. And the San Francisco 49ers’ addition of Christian McCaffrey absolutely produced a distinction on Sunday and in these rankings. The New York Giants and New York Jets suffered losses that brought on them to drop, but time will inform whether or not they are great adequate to rise once more.

In addition to our updated rankings, we checked in with NFL Nation reporters across the league and asked them to give a single purpose for optimism on just about every group. There is nevertheless half a season left, and some teams ought to concentrate on what they have going for them and attempt to capitalize on it.

Let’s get to it.

Jump to a group:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | Car or truck | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

Week eight ranking: 1

Reason for optimism: Playing like the greatest group in the league

Let’s not make this difficult. There are so lots of factors to be optimistic about this group. The Bills are beating some of the league’s greatest teams from final season (five- against 2021 playoff teams). Josh Allen is placing up an MVP campaign with two,452 combined passing and rushing net yards, the second most by means of seven games in NFL history (Peyton Manning, 2013). Von Miller has produced the influence the group hoped for, and the defense leads the league in interceptions (11) regardless of losing security Micah Hyde (neck) for the season and dealing with a wide variety of other injuries in the secondary. Finding the positives about this group is not tough. — Alaina Getzenberg

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Week eight ranking: two

Reason for optimism: Stellar start out, uncomplicated finish

Philadelphia is 7- for just the second time in franchise history, matching the 2004 group that sophisticated to Super Bowl XXXIX. Dreams of dwelling-field benefit all through the playoffs are warranted: The Eagles have the easiest remaining strength of schedule, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. Playing in the resurgent NFC East, not even a divisional title is close to a lock at this stage, but they could not have asked for a superior start out or to be in a superior position for the dwelling stretch. — Tim McManus

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Week eight ranking: three

Reason for optimism: Patrick Mahomes

The Chiefs have 3 comeback wins immediately after trailing by ten-plus points currently this season. Mahomes is 13-9 (like playoffs) immediately after trailing by ten-plus points — he is the only QB due to the fact the start out of the 1950 season with a winning record immediately after trailing by double digits (minimum ten games). So they have great purpose to think they are normally in the title hunt as lengthy as they have Mahomes as quarterback. The Chiefs have lots of other factors to think they can win yet another championship, like an enhanced pass rush that has 19 sacks. — Adam Teicher

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Week eight ranking: six

Reason for optimism: Defense … but also offense

The defense has been the story of the initial eight games, providing up an typical of only 16.six points (ranked third in the league). The run defense, although, is a be concerned, providing up an typical of 135.1 yards.

But the offense is trending in the appropriate path due to the fact Dak Prescott’s return from a fractured appropriate thumb. The Cowboys have shown they can run the ball with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard regardless of circumstance, whilst the passing game is enhancing as Prescott gets reaccustomed to CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and Dalton Schultz. They’ll require it as the second half starts and the games get a lot more tough and critical. — Todd Archer

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Week eight ranking: five

Reason for optimism: Success in close games

The Vikings’ six-1 record is highlighted by 5 victories in a single-possession games. There is no doubt they have had some notable and regarding lulls on each sides of the ball inside games, but they are getting methods to win by dominating the hidden, tiny components of a game that can impact outcomes. That’s an exceptional trait to have as the playoff race approaches, and it is a reminder that teams can win independent of whether or not they have a superior offense and/or defense than their opponent. — Kevin Seifert

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Week eight ranking: 7

Reason for optimism: Favorable remaining schedule

Seven of Baltimore’s remaining nine games come against teams presently with losing records. ESPN’s FPI indicates the Ravens have the 11th-easiest schedule the rest of the way, but it appears softer than that. The combined record of Baltimore’s remaining opponents is 23-41 (.359). The Ravens face the struggling Steelers (two-six) twice, along with the Carolina Panthers (two-six) and Jacksonville Jaguars (two-six). Plus, Lamar Jackson is 21-7 (.750) in November and December as the Ravens’ QB. — Jamison Hensley

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Week eight ranking: ten

Reason for optimism: Tua Tagovailoa

It is wonderful to assume that a single year ago, the conversation surrounding Tagovailoa focused on whether or not the Dolphins would trade for yet another quarterback. In his third season, he has produced these arguments appear silly. He leads the NFL in quarterback rating and ranks third in completion percentage, fourth in touchdown-to-interception ratio and seventh in passing touchdowns regardless of missing two complete games. Miami’s offense ranks sixth in the NFL in yards per game, due in big aspect to the play of its quarterback. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

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Week eight ranking: 13

Reason for optimism: Rookie class

With 3 straight wins and a a single-game lead in the NFC West, the Seahawks have lots of factors for optimism. Their rookie class is a single of them, each for the lengthy term and the present. Six of their nine draft picks are currently large-time contributors. Charles Cross and Abe Lucas each rank in the major half of beginning tackles in ESPN’s pass block win price. Running back Kenneth Walker III has 5 touchdowns more than the previous 4 games. Cornerbacks Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant have forced a combined eight turnovers. Outside linebacker Boye Mafe has a pair of sacks. Undrafted security Joey Blount is producing an influence on specific teams as properly. — Brady Henderson

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Week eight ranking: 14

Reason for optimism: Offensive targets

The Niners relied so heavily on their defense in the initial 5 weeks of the season that some regression was only organic when that group got bit by the injury bug. But the 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey in hopes it would bolster the offense adequate to make up for what ever drop-off the defense could endure. Now, the Niners enter the second half of the season with McCaffrey, receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, operating back Jeff Wilson Jr. and tight finish George Kittle. Running back Elijah Mitchell and fullback Kyle Juszczyk are anticipated to come back immediately after the bye week. That’s a entire lot of firepower for QB Jimmy Garoppolo. — Nick Wagoner

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Week eight ranking: 11

Reason for optimism: Rush attack

Titans operating back Derrick Henry and the offensive line have hit a groove that incorporates 4-consecutive one hundred-yard rushing performances from Henry, like Sunday’s 219-yard day. Henry carried the Titans to the AFC Championship Game 3 years ago, so seeing him do so when once more is not out of purpose for Tennessee. As Mike Vrabel stated immediately after the Texans game, “The distinction involving us and the rest of the other teams is we have Derrick Henry.” — Turron Davenport

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Week eight ranking: four

Reason for optimism: Saquon Barkley

He is the Giants’ offense. Barkley has accounted for 38% of their total yards so far this season, second most of any player this season behind Tennessee’s Henry. He’s on pace for two,057 all-goal yards. That would major his rookie year numbers (albeit with an additional 17th game). Still, Barkley alone has been worth the value of admission. As lengthy as he remains healthier, there is no purpose to think that will transform. And he’ll probably lead this light-on-talent Giants group to the playoffs. — Jordan Raanan

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Week eight ranking: 9

Reason for optimism: A clicking offense

Ja’Marr Chase’s hip injury absolutely puts a damper on the offensive uptick the previous couple of weeks. But with how properly Joe Burrow looked prior to Monday Night Football, coupled with the depth at the major of the depth chart with receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati ought to nevertheless have adequate firepower to continue to have a single of the league’s greatest offenses. After a slow start out, the Bengals ranked fourth in the NFL in points and touchdowns per drive getting into Monday. That efficiency level is what Cincinnati lacked in the course of final season’s run to the Super Bowl. — Ben Baby

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Week eight ranking: eight

Reason for optimism: Dee-fense!

The Jets have held opponents below 23 points in 5 straight games, and their defense is great adequate to maintain them in the playoff conversation. Led by DT Quinnen Williams and cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed, the Jets are powerful on the front and back ends. Gardner is a powerful candidate for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Williams’ six sacks currently is a single shy of his profession higher. The Jets have feasted on a handful of backup QBs, a issue in their No. six ranking in total yards permitted, but it is nevertheless a top quality defense. — Rich Cimini

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Week eight ranking: 12

Reason for optimism: Cooper Kupp

The Rams’ offense revolves about Kupp this season, and he continues to be a constant target for Matthew Stafford. Kupp did injure his ankle at the finish of the Rams’ loss to the 49ers on Sunday, but he stated immediately after the game he feels “fairly great appropriate now.” The Rams’ offense has struggled to get into a constant rhythm for lengthy stretches, but if the unit is going to turn it about this season, it will probably be since the Stafford-Kupp connection requires more than games for Los Angeles. — Sarah Barshop

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Week eight ranking: 19

Reason for optimism: First spot in NFC South

Admit it, you did not have the Atlanta Falcons in initial spot at midseason. It’s OK. Not lots of individuals, if any one, did. But the Falcons have established themselves as the NFL’s No. four rushing attack by yardage. That they’ve carried out it with a converted wide receiver (Cordarrelle Patterson), a fifth-round choose (Tyler Allgeier), an undrafted totally free agent (Caleb Huntley) and a former cornerback (Avery Williams) is even a lot more impressive. If the Falcons are going to continue this the rest of the season, it’ll come with their identity — which means their run game — intact and continuing to be impressive. Doesn’t hurt, either, that only two Atlanta future opponents have an more than-.500 record at the moment. — Michael Rothstein

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Week eight ranking: 15

Reason for optimism: Joey Bosa

The Chargers have been decimated by injuries. A couple of, like left tackle Rashawn Slater and cornerback J.C. Jackson, are of the season-ending wide variety. The Chargers placed defensive finish Joey Bosa on injured reserve immediately after he suffered a groin injury in Week three that essential surgery, but coach Brandon Staley has continued to express optimism that the Pro Bowl edge rusher will return this season. That would be good news for a defense that — regardless of starring pass rusher Khalil Mack and security Derwin James Jr. — has underachieved this season. — Lindsey Thiry

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Week eight ranking: 18

Reason for optimism: Rhamondre Stevenson

The second-year operating back is coming into his personal as the uncommon form of just about every down alternative — energy on early downs and pass-catching prowess on third down. Sunday’s win more than the Jets was the most recent instance of how Stevenson is a single of the greatest points the Patriots have going, with 16 rushes for 71 yards and seven catches for 72 yards. — Mike Reiss

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Week eight ranking: 17

Reason for optimism: They’ve currently beaten the Falcons when

At three-five, there is not significantly to really feel great about in Tampa appropriate now, but it can take benefit of it getting a down year in the NFC South. The Bucs nevertheless have a 38% opportunity to win the division and a 44% opportunity of producing playoffs (this dropped from a 53% opportunity to win the division immediately after the Falcons beat the Panthers Sunday), according to ESPN Stats &amp Information. The Bucs also have the 12th easiest remaining schedule, according to ESPN’s FPI. The initial-spot Falcons have the second-easiest although, but that is why that head-to-head victory could come in handy if the Bucs can climb out of this mess they are in. — Jenna Laine

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Week eight ranking: 21

Reason for optimism: Defensive line

Defensive tackles Jon Allen and Daron Payne have played properly this season and have been a important aspect in enhanced defensive play general. In the previous six weeks, Washington’s defense ranks fifth in yards per carry, eighth in sack percentage per dropbacks, fifth in yards and ninth in points. And it begins up front, exactly where the Commanders have talent and depth. Allen has three.five sacks and nine tackles for a loss, two shy of his profession greatest. Payne has four.five sacks, a half sack shy of his profession greatest, and his six tackles for a loss are a single off his profession higher. Montez Sweat has played fine, but he ought to be helped by the return of Chase Young. Young is anticipated to practice Wednesday, but could not play till Week ten at Philadelphia. Still, his return will be a large increase. — John Keim

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Week eight ranking: 16

Reason for optimism: Aaron Jones

Jones ranks tied for fifth amongst all operating backs in yards per carry (five.87) and fifth in total rushing yards (575). He’s also tied for fifth in rushes of ten yards or a lot more (17) by a RB, so he could be the Packers’ greatest opportunity for explosive gains. With nothing at all else to hang their hat on offensively, the operating game (along with AJ Dillon) could be their greatest hope. — Rob Demovsky

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Week eight ranking: 26

Reason for optimism: They’re capable of playing error totally free football

The Saints have lamented getting their personal worst enemy for just about the whole season, turning the ball more than in a loss to the Bucs, enabling a late touchdown against the Bengals and throwing choose-sixes against the Cardinals. But they showed against the Raiders that they are nevertheless capable of playing the sort of defense that led them to wins in the previous couple of seasons. They also did not turn the ball more than on Sunday, sparking hope that probably Alvin Kamara’s accountability speech to the group helped them turn the corner. — Katherine Terrell

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Week eight ranking: 22

Reason for optimism: Defense

The Colts’ offensive benefits did not transform even although the quarterback did (from Matt Ryan to Sam Ehlinger). But the defense has been this team’s most constant element in 2022. Indianapolis is eighth in scoring defense, enabling 19.six points per game. In the previous 4 games, the Colts have permitted 16.three points against their defense (the Titans scored a defensive touchdown against the Colts in Week 7). Coordinator Gus Bradley’s unit is legit. — Stephen Holder

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Week eight ranking: 25

Reason for optimism: Offensive talent talent

Cleveland’s offensive talent talent has either met or exceeded expectations. Amari Cooper has performed like a genuine No. 1 receiver, Donovan Peoples-Jones has produced a ton of hard and contested catches and tight finish David Njoku was possessing a profession season till suffering a higher-ankle sprain final week (he ought to be back quickly). Throw in Pro Bowl RB Nick Chubb and the Browns could have a single of the league’s a lot more underrated talent contingents. That’s a large why Cleveland has ranked in the major ten in offensive efficiency for significantly of the season regardless of playing backup QB Jacoby Brissett. — Jake Trotter

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Week eight ranking: 20

Reason for optimism: DeAndre Hopkins

Hopkins has helped revive an offense that was stuck in the mud prior to he returned from a six-game suspension. He has at least one hundred yards getting in each and every of his initial two games back and has offered a jolt to an offense that necessary a single. If the Cardinals can figure out their self-inflicted blunders, they can make use of Hopkins in methods that could support them win games. — Josh Weinfuss

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Week eight ranking: 27

Reason for optimism: Defense

The offense has scored a lot more than 16 points in just two games this season, so it relied on the defense to be the supply of hope. And the Broncos have stood tall on that side of the ball by means of the initial eight games as they are amongst the league’s greatest in total defense, scoring defense and red zone defense. Ejiro Evero’s group has surrendered some rushing yards at occasions — most notably to the Raiders in Week four and the Jaguars in London this previous Sunday — but general they have overcome their personal offense’s failings most of the time. — Jeff Legwold

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Week eight ranking: 28

Reason for optimism: Justin Fields’ improvement

Fields has shown considerable development in Chicago’s previous two games — a win at New England and loss at Dallas — and appears like a unique quarterback from exactly where he was in Weeks 1-six. That tangible improvement is anything this franchise can be excited about lengthy term, thinking of how properly Fields has performed regardless of the lack of talent about him. The second-year QB posted the highest passer rating of his profession (120.) against the Cowboys and is displaying the Bears that he may possibly be their lengthy-term answer. — Courtney Cronin

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Week eight ranking: 23

Reason for optimism: Star energy at offensive talent positions

Sure, there is been many fits and begins as the Raiders continue to get acclimated to initial-year coach Josh McDaniels’ scheme, even immediately after seven games. But there is far also significantly star energy for Las Vegas to flounder about at two-five. Pro Bowlers abound, from QB Derek Carr to WRs Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow to TE Darren Waller to RB Josh Jacobs, so certainly they will appropriate their ship quickly, no? Plus, Las Vegas is about to enter the soft underbelly of their schedule. — Paul Gutierrez

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Week eight ranking: 30

Reason for optimism: NFC South is a mess

Despite Sunday’s overtime loss to the Falcons, the Panthers stay only two games back in the loss column to Atlanta and are only a single game out of second spot. They also are two-1 in the division and get the Falcons once more on Nov. ten for Thursday Night Football. So, like the 2014 season exactly where they had been three-eight-1 with 4 games left and won out to win the division, they nevertheless manage their destiny. And they are playing properly adequate now to win. — David Newton

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Week eight ranking: 24

Reason for optimism: Travis Etienne Jr.

Etienne is sixth in the NFL in rushing (571 yards) thanks to gaining 270 yards more than the previous two games, like 156 against the Denver Broncos in London on Sunday. Etienne began the season as James Robinson’s backup, but by the finish of the initial month he was outperforming Robinson. The Jaguars ultimately produced him the starter and traded Robinson to the New York Jets. Now, Etienne is on pace to come close to Fred Taylor’s rookie rushing record (1,223 yards in 1998). With the Jaguars on a 5-game losing streak, Etienne is a single of the couple of vibrant spots. — Michael DiRocco

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Week eight ranking: 29

Reason for optimism: T.J. Watt’s impending return

There’s not significantly to be optimistic about immediately after the undefeated Eagles soundly dismantled the Steelers, but some support is on the horizon with reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt set to make his return from injured reserve immediately after the bye. Without Watt, the Steelers have just eight sacks due to the fact Week two — tied for lowest in the league with the Falcons more than that stretch. Watt can not repair anything that ails the Steelers, but his presence can nevertheless give the defense a important increase. — Brooke Pryor

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Week eight ranking: 31

Reason for optimism: It’s Year two of the rebuild

The Lions national function on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” may possibly have offered the public some sort of false hope that they would be significantly superior than they basically are. Through seven games, a single win absolutely is not acceptable, but Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp told reporters final week that she continues to think in head coach Dan Campbell and common manager Brad Holmes to turn points about. Detroit has a pair of initial-round picks in the upcoming 2023 draft with a lot of young talent on the present roster, and if they are appropriately created could support transform the losing culture in Motown. — Eric Woodyard

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Week eight ranking: 32

Reason for optimism: Rookie class

Optimism may possibly look difficult to come across this season even so, there is a single: The 2022 draft class. The Texans rookie class yielded 4 starters in cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., left guard Kenyon Green, security Jalen Pitre and operating back Dameon Pierce. Quarterbacks have a 56% completion price when Stingley is the nearest defender and he has an interception Green has began the majority of the season Pitre has 5 tackles for loss, a single sack and two interceptions and Pierce leads all rookie operating backs in rushing (539) and is in the league’s major 12 in rushing. — DJ Bien-Aime