NFL Power Rankings - Week 8: Eagles knock Chiefs from top spot, Saints rising fast

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, Mitch Sanderson, and Arun Srinivasan.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (6-1)

Previous Rank: 2nd

The Eagles have their savior and sit atop the small group of good teams this season. Could this be the year the Super Bowl drought finally ends? - Browne

2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)

Previous Rank: 1st

Kansas City is still in good shape despite two straight losses, but with two hungry opponents in the Broncos and Cowboys up next, the Chiefs need to put the pedal back down to the metal to stay atop the AFC. - Sanderson

3. New England Patriots (5-2)

Previous Rank: 4th

That's the Patriots we all know and ... respect? New England's offense took it to Atlanta, and the defense finally looked solid. Any need for the fog machines though, Bill? - Browne

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)

Previous Rank: 3rd

The Steelers may lead the NFL in internal feuds, but Antonio Brown is submitting an MVP campaign and they remain the class of the division - somehow. - Srinivasan

5. Los Angeles Rams (5-2)

Previous Rank: 5th

Hats off to the Rams. Whether this success lasts or not, they've gone from a bottom-five squad to one of few teams playing well on both sides of the ball in less than two months. - Sanderson

6. Seattle Seahawks (4-2)

Previous Rank: 6th

Seattle came out on top against the Giants in the battle of teams without offensive lines. The recovery from a 1-2 start seems to be almost complete, but the Seahawks are missing that marquee win. - Sanderson

7. Minnesota Vikings (5-2)

Previous Rank: 11th

Harrison Smith ought to be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, and the Vikings have weathered injuries at running back and quarterback. They're going to be a very tough out for the rest of the year. - Srinivasan

8. Houston Texans (3-3)

Previous Rank: 10th

One of the league's highest-scoring offenses will have to contend with some of the NFL's best defenses in the second half. - McClymont

9. New Orleans Saints (4-2)

Previous Rank: 13th

The Saints are among the hottest teams in the league. They can't possibly slip up against the Bears the way the Falcons and Panthers did before them. Right? - McClymont

10. Buffalo Bills (4-2)

Previous Rank: 16th

It might not always be pretty, but the Bills are finding ways to win, and under Sean McDermott, they're playing with a newfound belief. When's the last time you could say that about Buffalo? - Browne

11. Dallas Cowboys (3-3)

Previous Rank: 17th

Demarcus Lawrence is on pace to break the NFL's single-season sack record. He's also an impending free agent. If the Cowboys don't break the bank to keep him, someone else will. - Browne

12. Atlanta Falcons (3-3)

Previous Rank: 8th

The Falcons were nearly shut out by the team that haunts their dreams. That loss in Foxboro could have lingering effects on the remainder of the season. - McClymont

13. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3)

Previous Rank: 14th

#Sacksonville can kick back during the bye week and prepare for a stretch run that begins with five favorable matchups (Bengals, Chargers, Browns, Cardinals, Colts). - McClymont

14. Carolina Panthers (4-3)

Previous Rank: 7th

If someone can explain this Panthers club to us, we're all ears. - McClymont

15. Denver Broncos (3-3)

Previous Rank: 9th

Denver's offensive line has been a major weakness the last few weeks and that needs to stop if the club doesn't want to miss a second consecutive postseason. - Sanderson

16. Detroit Lions (3-3)

Previous Rank: 12th

Coming off the bye, the Lions will try to take advantage of a Steelers team that is dealing with internal strife. - Srinivasan

17. Washington Redskins (3-3)

Previous Rank: 18th

Huh, seems like letting both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon leave in free agency was a bad idea. - Browne

18. Miami Dolphins (4-2)

Previous Rank: 21st

Two amazing comebacks have saved the Dolphins' season. It's going to get even better when Matt Moore proves he should have been Ryan Tannehill's replacement all along. - Browne

19. Tennessee Titans (4-3)

Previous Rank: 19th

The Titans struggled to put away the Colts and Browns in consecutive weeks, but remain in control of their division. Such is life in the AFC South. - McClymont

20. Oakland Raiders (3-4)

Previous Rank: 26th

In a wild Thursday nighter, Oakland finally showed signs of having the offense everyone expected before the season. The Raiders need to keep building to fight their way back into the playoff picture. - Sanderson

21. Green Bay Packers (4-3)

Previous Rank: 15th

Brett Hundley's audition as an NFL quarterback isn't off to a great start, but the bye week is a perfect time to assess his flaws and keep it moving. - Srinivasan

22. Los Angeles Chargers (3-4)

Previous Rank: 25th

Just like that, the Chargers are alive in the AFC West. They're still at the bottom, but they're making noise - which is more than you can say about their fan base. - Sanderson

23. New York Jets (3-4)

Previous Rank: 22nd

The Jets will either rally from the backbreaking loss to the Dolphins or collapse into the team we all thought they'd be. The club's at a crossroads when it comes to head coach Todd Bowles' future. - Browne

24. Arizona Cardinals (3-4)

Previous Rank: 20th

Without Carson Palmer - who was already playing questionably - the Cardinals may as well pack up and go home before Larry Fitzgerald gets hurt. No one wants to see that. - Sanderson

25. Chicago Bears (3-4)

Previous Rank: 27th

It'll likely take more than seven passes from Mitchell Trubisky for the Bears to get another win. They're stuck between tanking and run-of-the-mill mediocrity. - Srinivasan

26. Baltimore Ravens (3-4)

Previous Rank: 23rd

The Ravens have been good, and they've been bad, but they've never been forgettable - until now. Will anyone recall a single moment from this year's team come next fall? - Srinivasan

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4)

Previous Rank: 24th

Jameis Winston has held up his end of the deal. The rest of the roster better join him before it's too late. - McClymont

28. Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)

Previous Rank: 28th

It's an hour-and-a-half drive from Cincinnati to Louisville, which is a roundabout way of saying that the Bengals should start scouting Heisman winner Lamar Jackson. - Srinivasan

29. New York Giants (1-6)

Previous Rank: 29th

The Giants have never actually fired a general manager. Barring a miraculous turnaround, that could change this offseason. - Browne

30. Indianapolis Colts (2-5)

Previous Rank: 30th

It doesn't get much more embarrassing than a shutout loss to a Jaguars team resting Leonard Fournette. Yet, incredibly, head coach Chuck Pagano remains employed. - McClymont

31. San Francisco 49ers (0-7)

Previous Rank: 31st

After performing admirably in every game until Sunday's 40-10 loss, it will be interesting to see if the 49ers bounce back to their previous form or if all the losing has worn them out. - Sanderson

32. Cleveland Browns (0-7)

Previous Rank: 32nd

Round and round the quarterback carousel goes. Check back later this week to find out who'll start for the morose Browns! - Srinivasan