PFT’s Week 8 2022 NFL power rankings

NFL: OCT 16 Cowboys at Eagles
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1. Eagles (6-0; last week No. 1): If they can avoid trap games, they can keep winning and winning and winning.

2. Bills (5-1; No. 2): The Packers should consider staying home.

3. Chiefs (5-2; No. 3): When you can put 44 points on one of the best defenses in football, you’re doing something right.

4. Cowboys (5-2; No. 4): They could carry a winning streak right into Thanksgiving, when the Giants come to town.

5. Giants (6-1; No. 5): Brian Daboll will be smoking a few more victory cigars this year.

6. Vikings (5-1; No. 6): A couple of winnable games are looming. Can Minnesota keep winning the games it should win?

7. Jets (5-2; No. 7): It hurts to lose Breece Hall and Alijah Vera-Tucker, but this team is built to persevere.

8. Ravens (4-3; No. 8): In the same week, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen can give Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers the same treatment Michael Scott gave to Robert Dunder.

9. Titans (4-2; No. 9): The Titans have a way of quietly stockpiling wins, when no one is paying attention.

10. Bengals (4-3; No. 12): Joe Burrow and company are finding their groove.

11. Seahawks (4-3; No. 20): Maybe, just maybe, Pete Carroll knows what he’s doing.

12. Dolphins (4-3; No. 17): They’ll be a factor all year long.

13. Packers (3-4; No. 10): They’ve still got time to figure things out.

14. Buccaneers (3-4; No. 11): They’ve still got time to figure things out.

15. Chargers (4-3; No. 15): Will they ever figure things out?

16. 49ers (3-4; No. 16): Christian McCaffrey doing Christian McCaffrey things may not be enough to overcome Jimmy Garoppolo doing Jimmy Garoppolo things.

17. Rams (3-3; No. 18): How much healthier did they get during the bye week?

18. Bears (3-4; No. 29): Hibernation is officially over.

19. Patriots (3-4; No. 13): In one game, they went from having a “good problem” at the quarterback position to a bad one.

20. Cardinals (3-4; No. 25): Kyler Murray answered the Call of Duty.

21. Falcons (3-4; No. 14): They need to find some consistency.

22. Commanders (3-4; No. 27): They’re 2-0 since “Sell the Team” became the new official chant.

23. Colts (3-3-1; No. 19): Jim Irsay has had enough.

24. Raiders (2-4; No. 26): They’ll go as far as Josh Jacobs carries them.

25. Panthers (2-5; No. 32): Tankus interruptus.

26. Jaguars (2-5; No. 21): Any hope for the season hinges on whether they can beat the Broncos.

27. Browns (2-5; No. 22): Jimmy Haslam has to be thinking about who he can lure to Cleveland to coach Deshaun Watson in 2023.

28. Steelers (2-5; No. 23): The Black and Gold aren’t good enough to squander golden opportunities.

29. Saints (2-5; No. 24): The good news is that the division stinks.

30. Broncos (2-5; No. 28): Nathaniel Hackett could join the list of coaches who have their last tango in London.

31. Texans (1-4-1; No. 30): Alas, there was no post-Easterby bump.

32. Lions (1-5; No. 31): The only thing the Lions can consistently find is the reset button.

80 responses to “PFT’s Week 8 2022 NFL power rankings

  1. You obviously did not watch the Cowboys/Lions game LOL. Cowboys at 4? Lions took them to the 4th quarter and then the refs stepped in to save the day again.

  2. At 32, Dan Campbell has the Lions in perfect position to bite at the other teams’ kneecaps

  3. 19. Patriots (3-4; No. 13): In one game, they went from having a “good problem” at the quarterback position to a bad one.

    They never did have a “good problem”. Jones has regressed badly from his first year and Zappe is not an NFL QB like I’ve been saying for a few weeks now.

    The Bears defense just showed the whole league the blueprint on playing Zappe. Don’t rush him just flood his passing lanes and put your hands up. He had no answer.

    And I’ll repeat what I said a couple of weeks ago. It’s very possible and I’m now starting to lean a little toward probable that Mac Jones isn’t the guy and the Patriots will find a new guy to be the long term starter for this team.

    It won’t be Zappe. That’s a guarantee. You can take that to the bank.

  4. Nice to see my Giants compete. Too early to tell whether or not we are playoff contenders but competent coaching makes all the difference in the world. We are winning games that McApoo, Shurmur, and Judge would lose in the fourth quarter. You can tell the players are playing hard for Daboll despite not being the best roster on paper.

  5. you are gonna sit there and tell me the packers are 13? switch that 1 for a 2 and you might be right.

  6. Looks like a lot of potential HC turnover before next yr. Broncos, Browns, Colts and Lions all could be considered 50/50 right now and ROS will flip the odds and then teams like the Bucs, Chargers, Cardinals and Commanders you’d have to consider darkhorse candidates right now but its not unrealistic to say they could make changes.

  7. Why are the raiders so high up this week? So many better teams below them…..makes no sense.

  8. How utterly ridiculous that the Bungles and Bucs can be ranked ahead of the Steelers when we beat both of them?? We are literally 2 or 3 plays, and a couple blown calls away from being 6-1. It seems like a lot of people who know nothing about football are writing this team off.

  9. Bill and Chiefs are hands down the two best teams in the NFL…too bad they are both in the AFC.

  10. Wow, shouldn’t complain about the jump for the Bears, that was very generous, but the reality is it was one game. A fun one to watch but they need to string together a few solid performances before I’m a buyer.

    They’ve got a rough schedule for the second half of the season. I would expect them to play spoilers for several teams but not much else.

    Go Bears!

  11. Good job Mike and agree with most of this list but New England should be lower than the Commanders now.

    If they beat a Jets team that has now lost its 2 best offensive players they will move back up but the Patriots were the only team in the last month to lose to the reeling Packers and then got blown out by the Bears, while WAS just beat both in the last 2 weeks.

  12. “How utterly ridiculous that the Bungles and Bucs can be ranked ahead of the Steelers when we beat both of them?? We are literally 2 or 3 plays, and a couple blown calls away from being 6-1. It seems like a lot of people who know nothing about football are writing this team off.”

    Jags and Panthers are ranked higher than Steelers. You have bigger things to worry about.

  13. Eagles appear to be a very good team. But I can’t put them above the Bills and the Chiefs. Bills and Chiefs look like they’re at an entirely different level than the rest of the league.

    At least right now.

  14. There’s not single person who visits this site that could have predicted three of the top five slots, heading into week 8, would be held by NFC East teams

  15. As bad as I want to believe the Packers are even good enough to be #13, they don’t belong in the top 20.

  16. Still too high for the Packers. The baseline problem is Rodgers. He’s too involved in influencing the front office, and poorly I might add. He also passed on helping out the young receivers. Year in and year out the Packers have surrounded Favre and Rodgers with the best support they could afford after the bills were paid. The Packers have the second best win-loss record in the last twenty-five years because of it. So what’s the difference now? Receivers? Nope, it’s Rodgers. The Packers were intimidated into acquiescing Rodgers at every turn. They weren’t wrong in expecting his skillsets to diminish, they simply guessed wrongly when. They should’ve gotten rid of him when he was exposed as a deceptive, self-centered, privileged liar. Imagine struggling with Jordan Love at 3-4 but having draft picks galore to work with. It would be a lot more interesting than watching Rodgers run out of gas and looking at everybody like somebody else siphoned his tank.

  17. As a Pats fan, it actually used to be stressful when they were expected to compete for a SB every year. No I just watch the games with no expectations and am happy when they somehow put forth a competitive effort.

  18. I just don’t understand how you can drop the Steelers all the way down to 28 when they kept on pace to stay in second place in the AFCN which has traditionally sent two teams to the playoffs.

  19. Stefanski is in WAY over his head. You wanna be a OC? BE A FRICKING OC!! Resign and wait for a job to open up; take that poser Woods with you. While we’re at it; take the alleged Special Teams Coach with you as well. You learn in Pee Wee Football to stay in your lanes on punts and kickoffs; that currently is a non factor under this dude.

  20. No matter who’s your team chances are your coach will make a bonehead move in the playoffs just because of lists like this.

  21. One team is going to can their coach very soon, bet is on the Broncos or the Chargers. This will start a swath of coaches being canned–Detroit, Dallas (for Sean), Broncos, Chargers, Niners, Cardinals, Washington, Green Bay, Cleveland, Colts, etc–as desperate owners all scramble to get into the Sean Peyton derby.

  22. They just can’t fall out of love with Rodgers and the Packers. 3 lifeless losses in a row. A terrible loss to Washington and they drop 3 spots.

    The Packers simply cannot lose their way out of favor.

  23. Still perplexed by the Packers ranking (13?) You gotta be kidding me. Not sure how the 49ers are below them. Yes their records are the same but who is the better team right now? Not even close.

  24. nhpats2011 says:
    October 25, 2022 at 10:19 am

    As a Pats fan, it actually used to be stressful when they were expected to compete for a SB every year. No I just watch the games with no expectations and am happy when they somehow put forth a competitive effort.
    _______________________

    Completely understood. Still gotta be a litte tough… The Pats where the gold standard for 20 straight years.

  25. as desperate owners all scramble to get into the Sean Peyton derby.
    ——————
    Payton is over-rated.
    9-8 playoff record(6-8 if you remove the SB season)with a HOF QB.

  26. When I saw the Packers Power Ranking this morning, it brought a big, broad smile to my face.
    I was absolutely thrilled with anticipation, just thinking about reading all the butt-hurt comments for a subjective opinion piece that I’m utterly convinced is created for this very response.
    Needless to say, I wasn’t the least bit disappointed. Thank you, all.
    So many tears in here I should’ve worn my waders. 🤣
    Go Pack!!!

  27. As good as any. I’m still wary of the NFC East, they have the top 4 easiest schedules this year. It’s hard to log an NFL win, but they are playing with house money at the moment.

  28. Eagles may be #1, but there’s no denying they have a cupcake schedule.
    ————————————————————————

    Also the Eagles have played their toughest opponents at home. Vikings, Jags, and Cowboys. Let’s see how they do playing a good team on the road.

  29. 32 is where you have the Lions ranked. Coincidentally, that’s also the same number of the collective I.Q. of their organization….

  30. You never know how a great coordinator is going to work out when he moves to a HC position. It’s so great to see Daboll make that transition so successfully. He was meant to be a head coach – he has changed the culture there rapidly, and is getting the best out of a team that doesn’t have a huge amount of talent.

    And he is the QB whisperer. He’s getting the best out of Jones – he’s focusing on those things that Jones does well, and making that the emphasis. That’s what good coaches do.

    Congrats the Giants – there should be some good years ahead. And I want a rematch of 1990.

  31. buffalo69 says:
    October 25, 2022 at 10:27 am
    Eagles may be #1, but there’s no denying they have a cupcake schedule.
    ————————————————–
    I mean, they’ve beaten 2 teams in the top 6. What other team can say that?

  32. 25. Panthers (2-5; No. 32): Tankus interruptus. – Ok you get credit for this one being damn funny.

    27. Browns (2-5; No. 22): Jimmy Haslam has to be thinking about who he can lure to Cleveland to coach Deshaun Watson in 2023. – The Devil would probably be the perfect psychological match for this QB but no top coach wants to have this horse leading his cart. Maybe Beelzebub is available?

    And having been a life long Jets fan (since they were the Titans) there is no way they should be at #7. Can we wait till we’re 10-12 games into the season before we try to shove them into the top #10?

  33. footballer23 says:
    October 25, 2022 at 9:42 am
    How utterly ridiculous that the Bungles and Bucs can be ranked ahead of the Steelers when we beat both of them?? We are literally 2 or 3 plays, and a couple blown calls away from being 6-1. It seems like a lot of people who know nothing about football are writing this team off.
    ———————
    Steelers are much closer to 0-7 than they are to 6-1.

  34. The Patriots don’t deserve to be at 19. They deserve to be lower after taking a beat-down from the Bears, of all teams. Those same Bears will probably take a beating of their own in Dallas on Sunday.

  35. No way eagles are #1. It’s chiefs or bills. Either of those two would spank the eagles. Cowboys at #4 after barely getting by against the lions? Wow

  36. 13. Packers (3-4; No. 10): They’ve still got time to figure things out.>>>>

    Let it goooo….Let it goooooo. Psst, The Packers aren’t great this year. It’s ok to accept it guys.

  37. Solid list, Mike. Looks great to me.

    Just trying to counteract the weekly Wailing And Gnashing Of Teeth.

    I’m also pretty sure such a comment has never been made, on any Power Rankings, anywhere. Ever.

  38. Usually, the top 10 would seem pretty strong. But why does every team after the Chiefs seem not very good?

  39. I can’t help but get the feeling that my favorite team is ranked so high mostly because all the other NFC simply stink, and gloriously some much stinkier than others.

  40. Bills or Chiefs vs….. Eagles??? Mmmmm…Don’t think so. Bills & Chiefs are scary good, period.

  41. Not that I necessarily agree with the rankings but how crazy is it that 3 NFC East teams are in PFT’s top 5? And three AFC West teams are in the bottom 18?

  42. If I were to make a current “Power Rankings” list based purely on how teams have played so far this season (with more recent performance weighted more heavily), looking beyond just W-L record and disregarding past reputation (ala Packers):

    1. Bills
    2. Eagles
    3. Chiefs
    4. Bengals
    5. Cowboys
    6. Vikings
    7. Giants
    8. Jets
    9. Titans
    10. Seahawks
    11. Dolphins
    12. Ravens
    13. 49ers
    14. Rams
    15. Falcons
    16. Chargers
    17. Bears
    18. Raiders
    19. Cardinals
    20. Buccaneers
    21. Commanders
    22. Packers
    23. Patriots
    24. Colts
    25. Saints
    26. Steelers
    27. Jaguars
    28. Browns
    29. Broncos
    30. Panthers
    31. Texans
    32. Lions

  43. Everyone points to how easy the NFC East is and attributes that to the records of Philadelphia, Dallas & New York. But they fail to realize that the Eagles, Cowboys & Giants have a combined ONE loss outside of their division! And that came in week 1 when the Cowboys lost to the Bucs. Other than that, those three teams combined have beat everyone outside their division. That said, I still think the Bills & the Chiefs are the top 2 teams in the NFL. But the Eagles, Cowboys, Vikings, Giants (in that order) are clearly the top 4 teams in the NFC. There’s not even a close 5th.

  44. Bengals are a little low and should be ahead of at least the Jets who they beat at home. Three losses by a combined 8 points, and some freakish bad luck especially against the Steelers and their Super Bowl hangover already seems to be over.
    As for the Jets you have ahead of the two teams that beat them at home, so your rationale for having them ahead of Cincinnati and Baltimore simply doesn’t exist.
    Meanwhile the Titans are still a fraud. Losses the Giants at home, getting absolutely wrecked by the Bills and then wins over the Colts(twice), Raiders, and Commanders just shows they can beat crappy teams and do not deserve to be in the top ten.

  45. If the Bills or Chiefs make the Super Bowl, I don’t see any NFC team getting past them, not even the Eagles. Those 2 teams are on a whole other level than any other NFL team, in my opinion, because of their QB’s and the fact that they make very few mistakes.

  46. Washington JUST beat the Packers, who have lost three straight. Packers are 13. Washington is 22. They have identical records.

  47. trentdilfer08 says:
    October 25, 2022 at 9:22 am
    Is anybody else NOT buying the Eagles??

    —————————

    6-0. Has the host takeaways at 14 and the least turnovers at 2 for a league best +12 in turnover differential. Hurts is first with 8.2 yards per attempt and they also run the ball pretty damn good. They are third in TDs scored in first 6 games with 20 (bills 22, chiefs 21). They have the top 2 rated corners in the league and they have two receivers in the top 19 in receiving yards (6th and 19th). They have scored more points and have the best point differential in the 2nd quarter through 6 games in NFL history… I could go on and on and on…. But you know…. If you are not buying the Eagles than idk what you’re watching.

  48. So many people interested in the Packers rank. I guess that’s why the tend to get so much national TV coverage for their non-primetime games.

  49. I keep seeing so many people saying the bills and chiefs are better than the eagles. Not so fast. I know we are in a generation where high flying offenses are the sexy pick but do you ever for one second look at how the eagles are constructed? Do you think the bills and chiefs are going to fly over the field against the eagles corners? Expect the score to be held down to a reasonable amount. And the eagles on offense can score in soooo many different ways. I mean think about for a second. I think the eagles would beat both of them tbh…

  50. The Colts beat the Chiefs. The Dolphins beat the Bills. Yet every one says there’s NO WAY any NFC is going to beat the Bills or the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. I find that laughable Every team in the NFL has a weakness. At the moment, I believe the Bills and the Chiefs are the best teams, but neither team is without flaws. To say either team is unbeatable in a Super Bowl is ridiculous. Let’s wait until they actually make a Super Bowl before making that proclamation.

  51. If you break the league up into tiers, it’s easier to reconcile. In order:

    Tier 1 – Bills Chiefs
    Tier 2 – Eagles
    Tier 3 – Cowboys Vikings Bengals
    Tier 4 – Giants, 49ers, Jets, Miami, Seattle, Ravens
    Tier 5 – Everyone else in no particular order
    Tier 6 – Lions, Panthers, Texans

  52. footballer23 says:
    October 25, 2022 at 9:42 am
    How utterly ridiculous that the Bungles and Bucs can be ranked ahead of the Steelers when we beat both of them?? We are literally 2 or 3 plays, and a couple blown calls away from being 6-1. It seems like a lot of people who know nothing about football are writing this team off.

    21252Rate This

    Calling out the bengals for gift wrapping a week one blowout for your squad then claiming exceptions why Steelers should be 6-1. Lol. 7 sacks. 5 turnovers and you needed extra time to beat Bengals. They would have won in regulation had the long snapper not been injured on a punt earlier in the game.

  53. buffalo69 says:
    October 25, 2022 at 10:27 am
    Eagles may be #1, but there’s no denying they have a cupcake schedule.
    ————————————————————–
    The NFC East teams could each win a minimum of 11 Games. Most of their games are winnable.

  54. nite2al says:
    October 25, 2022 at 12:50 pm

    Usually, the top 10 would seem pretty strong. But why does every team after the Chiefs seem not very good?

    ===

    I think you’re right. I don’t really trust any team lower than the Chiefs. I think the Ravens & Bengals will join that group as the weeks pass, but right now it seems really dodgy after #3.

  55. Eagles even picked up the W on the bye week, with the Saints loss. Owning the saints first rounder next year. Currently a Top 5

  56. Rodgers ripped one in a crowded elevator and, unable to accept that he stinks, blames anyone who looks his way. Does that help sum up the state of the Packers?

  57. skoldaddy2020 says:
    October 25, 2022 at 9:17 am
    Packers at 13 while Bears loom at 18? Surely you jest…
    ————-
    You’re right, the Packers should be #1.

  58. “10. Bengals (4-3; No. 12): Joe Burrow and company are finding their groove.”

    They beat up a very weak team and that makes them “find their groove”? Seriously?

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