"NFL Power Rankings: Week Eight, Be Great"

Well, well, well! Low, and behold we're heading into week eight of your 
2025 NFL season. There's plenty of football left and more to dissect the 
following top ten teams in my rankings. Buckle up, it's going to be a fast 
drive!

1. Indianapolis Colts: 6-1 (Wk 7 ranking: 2nd)
As I said prior to the season starting, Indianapolis' revival of winning
football is back! The biggest surprise nobody would've guessed or be
asking if they're legit. Out of their six wins, three have come against the
AFC West. *Denver, Las Vegas and Los Angeles Chargers.* That's
pretty impressive, considering Denver and LA are playoff contenders. A
dominating win over the Chargers ponied Indy into my top spot. Head
coach Shane Steichen has done wonders with quarterback Daniel
Jones. Running back Johnathan Taylor looks refreshed playing and
winning games again. A couple more challenges await for Indianapolis
as slated games against Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Kansas City, the Colts have
enough horses to gallup with their opponents.

2. Los Angeles Rams: 5-2 (Wk 7 ranking: 3rd)
Battle tested, championship pedigree, stout defense and quarterback
Matthew Stafford has played very well. A trip across the pond and
defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars was light work against a team which
some consider an AFC playoff contender. As the Rams regroup, this
NFC West division is looking very tight each week. As their counterparts
in San Francisco and Seattle are tied with the same record as them. A
much needed bye week to get star wide receiver Puka Nacua back for
the playoff push, LA faces a gauntlet of games to start November: New
Orleans (should win), San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa Bay and Carolina,

you can say having a healthy team will be their best chances of taking
control in the NFC West and playoff fate.

3. San Francisco 49ers: 5-2 (Wk 7 ranking: 8th)
Ravaged with injuries across the roster, hats off to head coach Kyle
Shanahan for keeping this team in tact! Considering what he's done
with no offensive playmakers outside of CMC, it's by committee.
Quarterback Mac Jones is making the most of his opportunities while
Brock Purdy is out. The defense with no Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and
now Bryce Huff, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has plugged
rookies and second year players into the fold. In spite of this, the
biggest "IF" is CMC. Yes, he had a monster game Sunday night, but is it
sustainable down the stretch? Two winnable road games at Houston
and New York Giants; followed by the Rams and Cardinals, Panthers
and Browns. If everyone is healthy for the playoff push, we could have
ourselves some interesting races in December.

4. Detroit Lions: 5-2 (Wk 7 ranking: 4th)
Small portions of kneecaps were bitten Monday night, as Detroit stays
put in the fourth spot. A slow-paced game with the roaring offense but
defense won this game. It was an highly anticipated showdown with
Tampa Bay and it felt like a not so entertaining high scoring game
everyone enjoying Detroit's defense show their teeth. For the Lions, it's
simple: play to win every possession without inflicting harm. Head coach
Dan Campbell will be ultra aggressive and make you think twice. With a
second tier gauntlet in the pride lands, Minnesota sails into town before
two tough road games in Washington and Philadelphia. Back to back
home games against New York Giants and their annual Thanksgiving
matchup versus Green Bay. Can the roar and keep pace in the NFC?

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5-2 (Wk 7 ranking: 1st)

A missed opportunity for Tampa Bay Monday night as the Bucs suffered
another loss and likely wide receiver Mike Evans due to a broken
clavicle and concussion. Was this an outlier for Baker Mayfield being
exposed against a stronger front in Detroit? Or the play calling being too
conservative? Either way, Tampa Bay looked lost and unprepared to
play. Could a trade occur to keep afloat at wide receiver? As the waters
get heavier, Tampa faces New Orleans (winnable) New England, at
Buffalo before a flight to LA and play the Rams. It looks easy but as we
know, wins are difficult to come by in the NFL.

6. Seattle Seahawks: 5-2 (Wk 7 ranking: 7th)
This was tough ranking the Seahawks in my rankings. Up and down
offense with Sam Darnold after Monday night's game versus Houston.
But... Seattle's defense kept the game out of reach despite Darnold's
turnovers. It was a sore eye game but nevertheless, a win is doable. I
like this defense and how well it plays. My biggest concern is an offense
who can look potent and average from week to week. Wide receiver
JSN is among the best young players at his position. I need to see more
in the run game to help and I mean HELP Darnold as we approach
midseason. With a bye week in place, Seattle makes an east coast flight
for a Sunday night matchup in Washington; with Arizona, LA Rams, at
Tennessee, Minnesota and Atlanta, Seattle has to clean up and prepare
for plenty of flights.

7. Buffalo Bills: 4-2 (Wk 7 ranking: 6th)
Buffalo's bye week came at the right time; as a gauntlet of tough games
stare them in the face. After the disappointing loss in Atlanta, I believe
the Bills regroup and get back into the playoff chase. With red hot New
England Patriots atop of the AFC East, it's going to be who wants it
more as we approach November. Reigning MVP Josh Allen will have to
play all-world without turnovers and this defense... Please stop the run
and cover receivers. This roaming gauntlet of games in the pasture: at

Carolina (gaining traction), Kansas City (potential AFC title game
rematch)? At Miami (very winnable) Tampa Bay, at Houston and a tough
road game in Pittsburgh. Are the Bills well rested enough to restore their
winning ways? Or they get caught in traps trying to get out?

8. Philadelphia Eagles: 5-2 (Wk 7 ranking: 9th)
Drama, passive aggressive behavior, subliminal dialogue and whatever
else happened has been the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles. After two
losses, the Eagles flew into Minnesota and got their wings straightened
out. It was more of a sigh in relief knowing all is back to brotherly love.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been the consummate professional while
all the noise has swirled. Star wide receivers AJ Brown and Devonta
Smith had solid days against the Vikings defense. The biggest downfall
and needs to be addressed: getting Saquon Barkley involved in the run
game. Sounds easier said than done, but it's part of the reason Philly's
success hasn't hit full throttle. Their secondary is still very susceptible
and can be torched. With the bye week around the corner, a home
game versus New York Giants is their opportunity to get back at the
blowout loss at MetLife. A turbulent flight of games wait: At Green Bay
(Nov 2nd), Detroit (Nov 16th) at Dallas (Nov 23rd) home versus Chicago
(Nov 28th). Four games in a span of seventeen days will test the
makings of this Eagles team. Can they handle the flight ahead?

9. New England Patriots: 5-2 (Wk 7 ranking: 10th)
Winning football is back in New England; as the Patriots sit atop in the
AFC East. Quarterback Drake Maye has played exceptionally well and
not turning the ball over. Establishing the run game and airing it out to
Stefon Diggs, this Patriots team could run the tables in their division. I
like the defense in general as it takes after head coach Mike Vrabel.
Good pass rush, linebackers, secondary and just a team whose identity
has been cemented. A favorable schedule heading into week eight and
beyond: Back to back home games versus Cleveland and Atlanta; at

Tampa Bay, versus New York Jets, at Cincinnati. If they can win three of
five, New England can find themselves in a good spot heading into
December.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers: 4-2 (Wk 7 ranking: 5th)
Did I put them in my top ten too soon? What was I thinking? But...
Pittsburgh's offense was sensational a few days ago in Cincinnati as the
"IcyHot Bowl" between Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco played like it was
2012 all over again. I don't blame the Steelers offense for not showing
up... There's no blame with it whatsoever... On to this "expensive
defense" which was supposed to be among the best... What in the
name of Chuck Noll was that? By far the worst performances in recent
memory and the numbers back it up. Through seven games,
Pittsburgh's defense is practically near the bottom in front of Baltimore
and Dallas. Head coach Mike Tomlin's area of credibility has fell further
than a black hole. A missed opportunity to distance themselves from
Cincinnati, Baltimore and Cleveland. "Shame." With a very interesting
gauntlet of hot off the press games: Back to back home games versus
Green Bay (Aaron's former team) and Indianapolis; followed by a west
coast trip to play the LA Chargers, home game versus Cincinnati, at
Chicago and close out November with Buffalo coming to town.
If there's any glimmer of playoff hopes for Pittsburgh, it starts this
coming Sunday night. ZERO room for error and no time to point the
fingers at anybody.