The 2024 NFL season has hit the halfway point with Week 8 beginning on Thursday, and every game becomes even more important for playoff seeding.
Many teams are still alive for the playoffs and have begun to separate themselves into legitimate contenders, while others are beginning to realize that their seasons could already be coming to a close with a few more losses.
But how should those teams be ranked against their peers heading into Week 8? The official Dallas Express Week 8 NFL Power Rankings have arrived.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (Previous Ranking: 1)
The defending Super Bowl champions stay atop the power rankings after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 28-18 in Week 7, making the Chiefs the only undefeated team remaining in the league at 6-0. Despite being decimated by injuries on offense, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid find ways to score just enough points. Combine those two with one of the best defenses in the league and the Chiefs should remain the clear favorite to once again win the Super Bowl.
2. Baltimore Ravens (Previous Ranking: 2)
Baltimore has continued to look dominant against nearly every team in the league as they utilize their rushing attack to open up the passing game on offense. Although the defense has looked questionable at times during the early portion of the season, it looked very solid on Monday night against the Buccaneers. This Baltimore team is nowhere near perfect, with the biggest concern coming with the struggles of the offensive line, but they have proven multiple times that they can easily beat some of the better teams in the league.
3. Detroit Lions (Previous Ranking: 4)
Detroit looks scary. Jared Goff has looked incredible in the Lions’ last two games against very good defenses, putting up 595 passing yards and five touchdowns across those last two matchups. The loss of Aidan Hutchinson will continue to loom large until the front office can make a move for another defensive lineman, but every part of this Detroit team looks prepared to make a run to the Super Bowl.
4. Minnesota Vikings (Previous Ranking: 3)
The Vikings have made it very clear that their hot start to the year is not a fluke, as they nearly took down the Lions in Week 7 and are still 5-1 on the season. Minnesota has weapons everywhere on offense and continues to look solid on defense under Mike Flores. Minnesota is here to stay and should be considered one of the top contenders in the NFC this year.
5. Green Bay Packers (Previous Ranking: 7)
Yet another team from the NFC North shows how strong this division will be all season, meaning that it could be tough for any one of these teams to finish the regular season with the top overall seed. Teams that lost the turnover battle by three or more were a combined 82-753-2 since 2000, but the Packers managed to defeat one of the top AFC contenders in the Texans despite these mistakes, per Theo Ash. The defense has looked like one of the most dynamic in the league under Jeff Hafley, and less recklessness from Jordan Love could take this team to another level.
6. Buffalo Bills (Previous Ranking: 8)
Amari Cooper arrived in Buffalo and immediately made an impact on the receiving room, catching four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown in his debut with the team. Adding another weapon to this team will open the field even more for Josh Allen and James Cook, who have each looked incredible to begin the year. Buffalo still has salary cap room to make more moves and should be active at the trade deadline later in the season, making them another team that could come out of the AFC this season.
7. Houston Texans (Previous Ranking: 5)
The Texans’ passing offense looked rattled in Week 7 against the Packers, as CJ Stroud managed just 86 yards while completing only 10/21 passing attempts. However, running back Joe Mixon looked fully healthy as he ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns, which will add more juice to an already explosive offense. The Texans can look forward to the return of Nico Collins from the injured reserve later this season and still have a stout defense that forced two interceptions, making them one of the most dangerous teams in the league when they are playing well.
8. Washington Commanders (Previous Ranking: 11)
Jayden Daniels went down with a rib injury in Week 7 and left the game after less than one quarter, but this injury did not matter against the Carolina Panthers. Daniels’ injury will be something to monitor for this team as they prepare to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 8. The Commanders’ secondary could use some work but the explosive offense will keep them alive in nearly every game this season, and they should be considered the favorites to win the NFC East.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (Previous Ranking: 12)
Philadelphia had their first blowout win of the season, which came at the perfect time as Head Coach Nick Sirianni has been under fire for talking trash to his own fanbase. Jalen Hurts has now gone two straight games without fumbling or throwing an interception and has seemingly placed an emphasis on avoiding turnovers since their bye. The Eagles’ defense still poses concerns regarding their lack of pressure and consistent play in the secondary, but these issues can be overcome if the offense plays smart football in close games.
10. San Francisco 49ers (Previous Ranking: 6)
Injury concerns have hit the 49ers harder than any team in the league, as star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has now been ruled out for the season after being diagnosed with a torn ACL. San Francisco sits at just 3-4 and only has the tiebreaker over the Seahawks in their division. With a difficult schedule remaining this season, the 49ers could be in real danger of missing the playoffs if they do not string together a few wins. The return of Christian McCaffrey in the coming weeks should provide a spark to this team, but the hope is that their season is still alive by the time he returns.
11. Atlanta Falcons (Previous Ranking: 9)
Kirk Cousins and the Falcons looked unable to figure out anything against the Seahawks’ defense in Week 7, resulting in a brutal 34-14 loss that included three total turnovers. When this team is clicking, they have shown to be an explosive offense that can compete with any team in the league. However, the offense can also struggle heavily if the defense can get pressure on Cousins and force him to leave the pocket. The Falcons are a team that could beat any opponent in the league with the right game plan, but they could also be in danger of losing badly if there is a different game script than originally planned.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (Previous Ranking: 14)
The Bengals are just 3-4 on the year and have not looked great to begin the year, yet they are still in playoff contention and could be back in if they win against the Eagles in Week 8. This team has one of the best offenses in the NFL but will have to win many of their games in shootout fashion, as the defense has shown no ability to get stops in critical moments.
13. Chicago Bears (Previous Ranking: 13)
Chicago was on a bye week and remained in the same spot as they were in leading into Week 7. The defense has continually forced turnovers and the offense has looked more impressive every week, but these wins have all come against teams that are really struggling to begin the year. Defeating the Commanders in Week 8, assuming Daniels is healthy enough to play, will show a lot about this young Bears team and their potential for the rest of the year.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Previous Ranking: 10)
The Buccaneers fell to the Ravens in Week 7, but the losses of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will be even more impactful than the extra loss on their overall record. Evans will likely be sidelined for a few weeks as he recovers from a hamstring injury while Godwin has already been ruled out for the year with a dislocated ankle. These two players accounted for 49% of the Buccaneers’ receiving yards and 61% of the team’s receiving touchdowns, meaning the offense may have to find a new identity for the rest of the year. Tampa Bay has a difficult schedule coming up in the next few weeks and could begin to struggle without its two biggest receiving threats.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (Previous Ranking: 18)
Moving off Justin Fields to Russell Wilson as the Steelers’ starting quarterback is already looking like a smart decision by Mike Tomlin despite the backlash he faced. Wilson threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns against a stingy Jets defense en route to a dominant 37-15 win that included 31 unanswered points. Adding a more explosive offense to one of the best defensive groups in the league could move the Steelers up to another level this season. With Pittsburgh sitting at 5-2 on the season, they are in a great position to compete for the top spot in the AFC North.
16. Seattle Seahawks (Previous Ranking: 24)
Seattle has almost every piece of a championship contender, but the offensive line has been so bad to begin the season that it has limited how effective the offense can be. The Seahawks are currently in first place in the NFC West at 4-3 and control their own destiny for the rest of the season. With DK Metcalf now considered week-to-week with an injury, the Seahawks will have to play at the top of their game to take control of the division for the rest of the year.
17. Dallas Cowboys (Previous Ranking: 17)
The wheels seem to be coming off for the Cowboys despite the Week 7 bye, as owner Jerry Jones has made headlines for his radio appearances in back-to-back weeks. Jones scolded radio hosts for asking questions about the team’s lack of moves in the offseason following their blowout loss in Week 6. The 82-year-old then made another appearance on Tuesday and said the team is “designing bad plays” on offense, seemingly calling out Head Coach Mike McCarthy. Dallas has a very difficult schedule coming up and the team must start winning before Jones begins to consider irrational decisions.
18. New York Jets (Previous Ranking: 15)
Many people believed that trading for Davante Adams would solve every issue the Jets have, but that is not a reality for a team that is now just 2-5 on the season. New York still has a bad offensive line, questionable coaching, and a quarterback who seemingly struggles to rally his team during difficult times. The Jets will face off against the New England Patriots in Week 8 and many people will crown them as a great team if they end up winning, but beating the Patriots was never the goal for this team. Aaron Rodgers has continually talked about winning Super Bowls, but that is looking less likely for this team as the season continues.
19. Denver Broncos (Previous Ranking: 21)
The Broncos have found a formula that produces wins despite a struggling rookie quarterback, which is a good sign for a team that also has very few impactful skill position players on offense. The Broncos’ defense has impressed all season and has shown no signs of slowing down, which will be pivotal as the offense continues to work through issues. Winning the AFC West division is unlikely with the Chiefs poised to have one of the best records in the league, but the Broncos could have their eyes on a playoff spot due to a relatively soft schedule for the rest of the season.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (Previous Ranking: 19)
The Chargers need to get Justin Herbert more receiving options either at the trade deadline or during the 2025 offseason. Herbert continually shows to be one of the better quarterbacks in the league, but giving him one of the worst pass-catching groups in the league will not result in consistent wins for Los Angeles. Although Head Coach Jim Harbaugh continues to play with a formula that will keep the Chargers in close games, the overall talent on the roster is not up to par with many other teams in the league.
21. New Orleans Saints (Previous Ranking: 16)
New Orleans had one of the hottest starts of any team this season, but they quickly fell off after injuries decimated their offense and forced rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler to be the starter in Week 7. Unsurprisingly, Rattler struggled with a backup offensive line and a heavily injured receiving group, resulting in a blowout loss to the Broncos. A healthy Saints team will be tough to beat this season, but injuries could continue to derail the impressive start this team had in the first two weeks of the season.
22. Los Angeles Rams (Previous Ranking: 23)
The Rams are another team that has been destroyed by injuries early in the season, but there is still hope for this team moving forward. Los Angeles is expecting wide receiver Cooper Kupp to play in a pivotal Week 8 matchup against the Vikings, which could determine whether the Rams’ season is over in the first half of the year. Despite having a difficult schedule over the next three weeks, the Rams could still be alive for the playoffs if they manage to go 2-1 in these games.
23. Indianapolis Colts (Previous Ranking: 22)
Anthony Richardson returned for the Colts for the first time since Week 4 and looked awful, completing just 41.7% of his passing attempts for 129 yards and zero touchdowns. While Richardson brings the big play ability that the Colts rely on during games, backup quarterback Joe Flacco was leading a much more stable offense that worked their way down the field to score points. Indianapolis is committed to working with Richardson as he grows as a player, but the best option for this team to win games this season would be to have Flacco assume the role of starting quarterback.
24. Arizona Cardinals (Previous Ranking: 20)
Arizona will be alive in many games this season due to the incredible play of Kyler Murray, but defeating the best teams in the league will be tough due to the issues along the offensive line. Regardless, having Murray on your team opens up a lot for the offense due to his escape abilities and knack for keeping a play alive. No team should overlook the Cardinals during a game this season, but they should not be expected to be competing for a playoff spot by the end of the year.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (Previous Ranking: 27)
Jacksonville has more talent than their 2-5 record shows, but this season might already be coming to a close for a franchise that has now gone 3-10 in their last 13 regular season games. The Jaguars will now have to travel back to the United States after two straight weeks in London and take on the red-hot Packers in Week 8, where a loss could officially bring their playoff hopes to a close.
26. Miami Dolphins (Previous Ranking: 25)
This has been a disappointing season for the Dolphins as they have fallen to 2-4 and have little hope of winning the division. Despite the narrative that anyone would be able to run the offense under Head Coach Mike McDaniel, the absence of Tua Tagovailoa has nearly ended the Dolphins’ season after just seven weeks. With Tagovailoa expected to return at some point in the next few weeks, the Dolphins are still technically alive but may need other teams to collapse in the back half of the year.
27. Tennessee Titans (Previous Ranking: 26)
Mason Rudolph was given the chance to start for the Titans in Week 7 and did very little with this opportunity, leading the team to only 10 points and effectively ending the season with a 1-5 start. Tennessee’s only win this season came against the Dolphins without Tagovailoa, with nearly every other appearance being disappointing on offense. Although the defense has looked stout through the first portion of the season, the issues at quarterback will prevent this team from winning consistently this season.
28. Cleveland Browns (Previous Ranking: 28)
Cleveland has been one of the worst offenses in the entire NFL as they are still the only team that has yet to score 20 or more points in a single game, and the loss of Deshaun Watson will once again change the look of the Browns’ offense. While losing a starting quarterback is never a good sign for an NFL team, the addition of either Jameis Winston or Dorian Thompson-Robinson could actually help this Cleveland offense find some life.
29. Las Vegas Raiders (Previous Ranking: 30)
Las Vegas failed to score a touchdown in Week 7 for the first time all season, coming as no surprise due to the injuries and trades that have depleted the Raiders’ offense. Tensions are seemingly running high as edge rusher Maxx Crosby has been open about his desire to compete for a Super Bowl, but the Raiders are not close to making this desire a reality.
30. New York Giants (Previous Ranking: 29)
The Giants once again looked incompetent on both sides of the ball during the 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Daniel Jones became the only quarterback since 2000 to throw zero passing touchdowns in six straight home games, yet Head Coach Brian Daboll is still committed to him moving forward. New York should begin looking at potential options at quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft since this team will not be winning any meaningful games with Jones for the foreseeable future.
31. New England Patriots (Previous Ranking: 32)
Drake Maye is already looking like he will be the quarterback of the future for the Patriots, but this team still has holes throughout the rest of the roster. The offense is in desperate need of more pass-catching playmakers and offensive line help, while the defense could use more skill along the defensive line. The rest of this season should be about developing Maye and making sure he does not get injured behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league, as the Patriots are not going to be competing for a playoff spot by the end of the season.
32. Carolina Panthers (Previous Ranking: 31)
After spending the last few weeks away from the lowest ranking in the league, the Panthers are once again at the bottom after getting destroyed by Marcus Mariota and the Commanders. Losing a game against one of the more explosive teams in the league would be no surprise for this Carolina team, but the Commanders lost Jayden Daniels and still had no issues taking apart the Panthers. Nearly every aspect of this team is below the league average and multiple positions are at the complete bottom, meaning the front office will have a busy offseason with various high draft selections.
