B/R Experts Week 9 NFL Power Rankings

Week 9 marks the end of the first half of the 2025 NFL regular season—and so far the season has gone exactly like everyone expected.

If by everyone you mean not one person.

Sure, there have been teams who have followed the script. The Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions have played well. The Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints have not.

However, there has been no shortage of madness in the NFL. The league's best team after eight weeks is the Indianapolis Colts—that is not a misprint. Multiple playoff teams from a year ago entered Week 8 with losing records.

On top of that, the Miami Dolphins rolled the Atlanta Falcons on the road, and the New York Jets erased a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to earn their first win of 2025—also away from home.

In what has been a weekly occurrence this year, the league's pecking order got the snow-globe treatment in Week 8, and Bleacher Report NFL Analysts Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have come together as the flakes stop falling to rank the league's teams from the bottom to the top.

Last Week: 31

Week 8 Result: Lost vs. Indianapolis 38-14

The Titans aren't a good team, hence their 1-7 record. Yet, the primary goal of this season remains the same: Cam Ward's development is at the forefront of everything the franchise does. 

That frame of mind led to Brian Callahan's midseason firing. Mike McCoy might not have been the best choice to help Ward, but the next step is what's important. 

Meanwhile, Ward is slowly but surely playing better each week. The wins have yet to come and his statistics aren't sterling. However, this year's No. 1 overall pick isn't being overwhelmed by constant pressure and still makes multiple plays/throws each week that provide hope. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 32

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Cincinnati 39-38

The Jets won a football game.

After a weird week that included the team's owner throwing his quarterback directly under the bus and head coach (for this year, anyway) Aaron Glenn refusing to name a starter under center until he had to start Justin Fields by default, Fields turned in easily his best effort of the season in a wild comeback win over the Bengals.

It wasn't pretty, and it came against a Cincinnati team sitting somewhere between bad and worse. But on the back of over 250 rushing yards and an efficient effort from Fields, the Jets finally got win No. 1.

Now they get an off week to bask in the glory of a win—followed by four games in five weeks against teams that presently sport losing records. -- Davenport

Last Week: 29

Week 8 Result: Lost 23-3 vs. Tampa Bay

In Week 8, the New Orleans Saints benched Spencer Rattler for Tyler Shough, which creates uncertainty at the quarterback position. 

At 1-7, New Orleans should focus on developing its young talent. Rattler is only 25, but Shough, a 2025 second-rounder, may have more untapped potential. 

Regardless of who starts, the Saints will have a top-five pick in the 2026 draft. They're not making out of the basement of our power rankings any time soon. -- Moton

Last Week: 30

Week 8 Result: Won at Atlanta 34-10

There wasn't a more surprising game in Week 8 than what happened in Atlanta Sunday.

Yes, the Falcons were down both quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and wide receiver Drake London, but nobody expected the hapless Dolphins to roll Atlanta on the road.

Tua Tagovailoa came into Week 8 nearly as embattled in Miami as head coach Mike McDaniel, and the QB responded emphatically against the Falcons with six incompletions against four touchdown passes to four different receivers.

The win isn't going to save Miami's season or McDaniel's job, but the Dolphins are stuck with Tagovailoa through at least 2026. Every solid effort he can post moving forward at least offers some hope the team isn't headed toward a ground-up rebuild.

They are, but keep hope alive. -- Davenport

Last Week: 27

Week 8 Result: Los vs. New England 32-13

The good thing about the 2025 Cleveland Browns is that they have several promising young players who can become foundational pieces.

The bad news is that Cleveland doesn't have the offensive line or the wide receivers needed to have success with a rookie quarterback—be it Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders.

It looks like Gabriel will remain the starter after Cleveland's Week 9 bye, though Sanders may get his opportunity before the season is over.

Accurately evaluating rookie QBs with the current supporting cast won't be easy, but Cleveland isn't going to accomplish much else this season—aside from wasting defensive efforts like Myles Garrett's five-sack game in Week 8. -- Knox

Last Week: 28

Week 8 Result: Bye

Coming out of their bye week, the Las Vegas Raiders will have a healthy Brock Bowers, which should help their 29th-ranked passing attack, and Geno Smith, who's struggling mightily to complete a pass 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.

Wideout Jakobi Meyers, who missed the team's previous outing with knee and toe injuries, could also be back in action against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Already near the bottom of our rankings with five losses in their last six outings, the Raiders could be sellers at the trade deadline, which may allow younger players to see the field.

If Las Vegas loses to the Jaguars, the team will likely win five or fewer games this season, though it could focus on developing younger players for the remainder of the campaign. -- Moton

Last Week: 24

Week 8 Result: Lost vs. Philadelphia Eagles 38-20

The Giants grew into a team that was fun to watch, mainly due to the play of rookies Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo. Unfortunately, Skattebo suffered a gruesome ankle injury that will end his first NFL season. 

Granted, Dart still provides plenty of hope, because he has the looks of a legitimate franchise quarterback. But he wasn't as dynamic or as creative during Sunday's action.

Over the last two games against good defenses, the rookie has been confused a bit and completed only 51 percent of his passes.  The season is now built around Dart and his growth. He won't have his running mate, which is unfortunate. Still, it's a quarterback-driven league. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 26

Week 8 Result: Bye Week

The Arizona Cardinals began the season looking like playoff contenders. Since starting 2-0, however, they've lost five straight and have experienced as many questions as close finishes.

Finishing has been a problem for the Cardinals, who have lost by four or fewer points in every defeat this season. That hasn't been the only issue, though, as the offensive play-calling has been questionable, and the defense keeps breaking down at the most inopportune times.

Arizona also needs Kyler Murray to get healthy and start playing up to his potential. The Cardinals have felt like a more efficient team in their two starts with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. -- Knox

Last Week: 22

Week 8 Result: Lost vs. Jets 39-38

Losses like Sundays are why it's hard to take the Cincinnati Bengals seriously, even with Joe Flacco playing well. Cincinnati racked up 398 yards and 38 points with a backup quarterback and still lost.

Yes, the Bengals' defense really is that bad.

Blowing a 14-point fourth-quarter lead to the previously winless Jets should put Zac Taylor firmly on the hot seat. A healthy Joe Burrow probably wouldn't have offset such a poor defensive performance. -- Knox

Last Week: 25

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Chicago 30-16

The Baltimore Ravens didn't have Lamar Jackson in Week 8, but their defense came out of the bye healthier, and the team got a chance to regroup. The result was a fairly convincing win over a Chicago Bears team that had been on a roll.

The Ravens still have defensive holes and would prefer to have Jackson back in the lineup. However, Baltimore can win games with Tyler Huntley and some timely defensive stops.

With several winnable games on the immediate horizon, the Ravens have a chance to climb back into the playoff mix. -- Knox

Last Week: 21

Week 8 Result: Lost 40-9 vs. Buffalo

In Week 8, the Carolina Panthers started backup Andy Dalton in place of Bryce Young, who's nursing an ankle injury, and it's clear the latter operates far more efficiently than the former in this offense, which wasn't clearly the case last year.

Coming off a bye week, the Buffalo Bills may have beaten Carolina with Young under center anyway, but the score margin would've probably been closer. According to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe, Young could return to action in Week 9. The Panthers need him to stay in the NFC playoff race. -- Moton

Last Week: 20

Week 8 Result: Lost vs. Denver 44-24

Dak Prescott played as well or better than any quarterback in the NFL through the first seven weeks of play. By Week 8, he sat on the bench watching his team finish the contest against the Broncos. 

Prescott threw two poor interceptions when facing the elite defense. The second was particularly devastating since it occurred in the red zone. Denver did a job on the Cowboys offense, and Prescott looked out of sorts. The run game never got going. The offensive line surrendered a combined 10 sacks/quarterback hits. Dallas fields an excellent offense. Even so, it was clearly unprepared for the Broncos' game plan. These issues don't even take into account the Cowboys defense surrendered 426 yards. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 18

Week 8 Result: Lost at Los Angeles Chargers 37-10

The Vikings should have paid Sam Darnold and traded J.J. McCarthy. It becomes more evident by the week.

Darnold has built on his 2024 success in Minnesota with the Seahawks. McCarthy has played one quarter of good football in 2025, and the Vikings will only be trotting him back out there in Week 9 in what has become something of a must-win game against the Detroit Lions because what's left of Carson Wentz was atrocious in last Thursday's blowout loss to the Chargers.

The Week 8 score notwithstanding, the Vikings may well be better defensively this year than last. There's no shortage of offensive weapons in the Twin Cities. One of two things is true after last week's debacle: Either 2024 was a fluke, or the Vikings wasted a really good team by botching the game's most important position. -- Davenport

Last Week: 17

Week 8 Result: Lost 34-10 vs. Miami

The Atlanta Falcons either need quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and wide receiver Drake London back healthy, a new play-caller or all three to get their offense back on track.

The Falcons have scored two touchdowns in two weeks. They're quickly falling in the standings (and our power rankings) while looking for answers on the offensive side of the ball. -- Moton

Last Week: 16

Week 8 Result: Loss vs. Kansas City Chiefs 28-7

At 3-5, the Commanders need quarterback Jayden Daniels back in the lineup sooner rather than later. Granted, the organization doesn't want to rush a soft-tissue injury, being that Daniels is dealing with a tweaked hamstring. However, the hope is he can return to the field in Week 9 after not being ready for Monday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

With Marcus Mariota in Daniels' stead, Washington holds a 1-2 record. The team currently finds itself in a three-game losing streak and three full games behind the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles. Eight different teams in the conference currently have more wins. Daniels may be exactly what Washington needs for a jolt to make a postseason push during the second half of the 2025 campaign. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 23

Week 8 Result: Won vs. 49ers 26-15

C.J. Stroud wasn't sacked a single time by the 49ers. Let that previous sentence sink in for a second. It's the first game of the season where the quarterback remained mostly untouched. The Niners only hit Stroud on two occasions. 

With the injuries San Francisco endured, the 49ers defense isn't operating at a high level. Instead, the unit became the salve that Stroud and Co. needed to finally get on track, even without the quarterback's WR1, Nico Collins, absent because of injury.

The Texans threw for 318 yards, with 475 total yards of offense. The confidence-builder was necessary for Houston with the Denver Broncos and their elite defense next on the docket. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 19

Week 8 Result: Bye Week

At 4-3 and 2.5 games behind the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South, the Jaguars are feeling the need to make something happen. 

"The Jaguars are listening to calls for WR Brian Thomas Jr., even if a move feels highly unlikely," The Athletic's Diana Russini reported. "They're also shopping for defense."

Those two stances seem counterintuitive. They're not. Thomas hasn't played well and the Jaguars can make a statement by moving their top wide receiver.

Conversely, a defensive addition can show Jacksonville isn't giving up on this season. The team has a manageable schedule coming out of its bye and needs to make a push sooner rather than later. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 14

Week 8 Result: Lost vs. Baltimore 30-16

The Bears entered Week 8 riding a wave of momentum. The team had won four in a row, head coach Ben Johnson was making a difference, and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams was making strides.

Things didn't go according to plan this week, though.

After getting handled by a Ravens team that had lost four in a row, how this young Chicago team responds over the next few weeks is going to define its 2025 season.

The Bears don't play a team with a winning record until hosting Pittsburgh on November 23. But after that comes trips to Philadelphia and Green Bay.

If the Bears are serious about being a factor in the NFC North, they need to shake off this setback and go back to winning games they "should."

Oh, and Chicago's first 4,000-yard passer? Williams is just over 25 yards off the pace. -- Davenport

Last Week: 13

Week 8 Result: Lost vs. Green Bay 35-25

The vibes surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't as bad as they were during their late 2024 slump with Russell Wilson at quarterback. However, the early Aaron Rodgers shine is starting to fade as Pittsburgh's weaknesses continue to rise to the surface.

At 4-3, the Steelers still hold the top spot in the AFC North. However, they've watched their lead dwindle after consecutive losses and have a very tough upcoming schedule.

If Pittsburgh hopes to get a firm grip on its division and possibly go on a postseason run, it needs to add a wide receiver and some high-end defensive help ahead of the trade deadline. -- Knox

Last Week: 12

Week 8 Result: Lost vs. Houston 26-15

The San Francisco 49ers have battled a myriad of injuries in 2025. However, they've managed to overcome more often than not, due to a promising young defense, steady play from backup quarterback Mac Jones and the high-volume role of Christian McCaffrey.

The 49ers have established a game plan for winning close, physical games, but Sunday's loss in Houston showed what can happen when San Francisco gets away from its script.

McCaffrey logged just eight carries, Jones turned it over, and the defense couldn't corral the Texans, who won the time-of-possession battle by more than double.

After losing two of their last three, the 49ers appear vulnerable—and their bye is still more than a month away. -- Knox

Last Week: 15

Week 8 Result: Won 37-10 vs. Minnesota 

Last Thursday, the Los Angeles Chargers looked like the team that won its first three games of the season. They played a physical, "violent" brand of football, something head coach Jim Harbaugh harped on in his postgame victory speech.

Los Angeles ran for 207 yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.8 yards per rush attempt. Its defensive unit sacked Carson Wentz five times. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback certainly felt the effects of those hits.

If the Chargers stick to their hard-nosed identity on both sides of the ball, they can regain some momentum in the second half of the season. -- Moton

Last Week: 10

Week 8 Result: Bye Week

The Seattle Seahawks entered their bye with as much momentum as any team in the NFL.

Seattle's Week 5 loss to the Buccaneers was a heartbreaker, but convincing wins over the Jaguars and Texans should give the Seahawks a ton of confidence heading into the second half of the season.

So will an undefeated road record and the fact that Seattle is one of the most balanced teams in the league. With a top-10 defense, a stout running game, arguably the league's best receiver and a quarterback in Sam Darnold who is proving that last season's Pro Bowl campaign wasn't a fluke, the Seahawks have the makings of a contender. -- Knox

Last Week: 11

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Cleveland 32-13

Look out Buffalo, the New England Patriots are back.

After dispatching the woeful Browns at Gillette Stadium Sunday, the Patriots have now peeled off five wins in row, including a win over the Bills.

New England dominated the Browns in just about every conceivable way, including another excellent performance from quarterback Drake Maye.

The arrival of head coach Mike Vrabel has changed the culture in New England compared to a year ago, but make no mistake—it's Maye's massive Year 2 jump that has had the biggest impact on the Pats' 6-2 start.

He entered Week 7 in the league's top 10 in passing yards and passing touchdowns, and his passer rating of 116.4 was tied for the best in the NFL.

Maye's passer rating against a Browns team that sports a top-10 pass defense? 135.9.

If he keeps playing like that, and the Patriots are going to be hard to beat. -- Davenport 

Last Week: 9

Week 8 Result: Won 44-24 vs. Dallas

The Denver Broncos' inconsistent offense found its rhythm in a matchup with the Dallas Cowboys' porous, injury-riddled 30th-ranked scoring defense. 

Regardless of how the final score looks, the Broncos get the bottom-line job done. They've won five consecutive outings and deserve more respect in the power rankings. -- Moton

Last Week: 8

Week 8 Result: Won 23-3 vs. New Orleans

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers only needed one offensive touchdown to beat the New Orleans Saints, thanks to an aggressive defense that forced four turnovers and Chase McLaughlin's kicking accuracy. 

Tampa Bay will need to grind out wins as its key offensive playmakers recover from injuries. Running back Bucky Irving could return from foot and knee injuries in Week 10. The team hasn't placed wideout Chris Godwin (fibula) on injured reserve, which indicates he could soon be back on the field.

Yet still, led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, the Buccaneers are a playoff-caliber team. -- Moton

Last Week: 7

Week 8 Result: Won at Carolina 40-9

Granted, it came against a bad Carolina Panthers team playing a backup quarterback, but the Bills team we saw coming out of the bye week was the Super Bowl contender we expect.

The Bills dropped almost 250 rushing yards on Carolina—with 216 and over 11 yards a carry coming from James Cook. Josh Allen only attempted 19 passes, but he was efficient and avoided mistakes. Buffalo allowed fewer than 250 yards of offense and forced three turnovers.

Given the opponent the blowout win doesn't erase all the concerns created by Buffalo's back-to-back losses before the bye. But the emphatic victory gives the Bills a nice head of steam heading into next week's massive home showdown with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Win that game, and the Bills can reclaim their status as one of the favorites in the AFC. – Davenport

Last Week: 6

Week 8 Result: Bye Week

Remember when everyone freaked out after the Packers wrecked the Lions at Lambeau Field in Week 1? Those were wild times.

The Lions also came up short against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead in Week 6. But Detroit responded to that setback with an emphatic win over the 6-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, and they'll head out of the bye in the thick of the race not only for the NFC North title but also the conference's No. 1 seed.

Detroit has a couple of winnable games on tap before heading to Philadelphia for a Week 11 brouhaha that will have major ramifications in the NFC. These Lions aren't that much different from last year's squad. The offense is choked with talent. The defense flashes at times but needs to be more consistent.

If the Lions figure that second part out, the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance is there for the taking. – Davenport

Last Week: 5

Week 8 Result: Won vs. New York Giants 38-20

The consternation over the Eagles offense and it sputtering during a two-game losing streak now feels like a distant memory, particularly after Sunday's performance. 

Philadelphia generated 427 yards. Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw four touchdowns passes. Meanwhile, running backs Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby both ran for more than 100 yards. 

As long as Barkley stays healthy—he left Sunday's game early with a groin pull, though he said he's fine—the Eagles can recapture the magic formula that led to last season's Super Bowl victory.

Those previous concerns over what the Eagles can and cannot do when they have the ball should serve as a little in-joke between the team and its fans. -- Sobleski

Last Week: 4

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Pittsburgh 35-25

We got another glimpse of what the Packers can be on Sunday: Relentless on both sides of the ball.

A week dominated by talk of Aaron Rodgers vs. the Packers turned into a game where Jordan Love did something the veteran never did in Green Bay and complete 20 passes in a row. Pittsburgh had no chance on third-and-long, because it was terrified of Green Bay's pass rush.

Only one team in the NFC has fewer than two losses—and that gets the Packers the highest ranking in the conference from this writer. -- Davenport

Last Week: 2

Week 8 Result: Bye

It may seem strange to have the Rams ranked this far ahead of the 49ers, who won in L.A. in overtime in Week 5. Team health plays a significant factor here, though.

The Rams haven't been bitten quite as hard by the injury bug, and while they have just one fewer loss than San Francisco, the gap feels much larger.

The Rams have also felt like a more dominant team when everything is clicking. The offense didn't miss a beat without Puka Nacua in Week 7 because the group has balance and because Matthew Stafford is playing at an MVP level.

Los Angeles' defense, meanwhile, is quickly becoming one of the better units in the league. There's little reason to think the Rams won't be one of the last teams standing in the NFC this season. -- Knox

Last Week: 3

Week 8 Result: Won 28-7 vs. Washington 

Once again, the Kansas City Chiefs look like an NFL powerhouse with a complete pass-catching group.

After serving a six-game suspension, wideout Rashee Rice has elevated Kansas City's aerial attack, and Patrick Mahomes is back to showing everyone his pocket-passing wizardry. 

The Chiefs are ranked higher than several two-loss teams in the power rankings for a reason. Following a slow start to the season, they've picked up steam, winning three consecutive outings and five of their last six games. -- Moton

Last Week: 1

Week 8 Result: Won vs. Tennessee 38-14

The Colts are rolling with the NFL's best record. We've long passed the point where questions about whether they're real or not persist. 

Indianapolis isn't perfect. The defense can play soft at times. The unit lacks an edge-rusher capable of consistently applying pressure. The linebacker spot next to Zaire Franklin was suspect enough to sign Germaine Pratt midseason. The secondary is also beset with injuries. 

At the same time, Daniel Jones has played well enough where reports of the Colts' desire to re-sign the quarterback already surfaced before reaching the 2025 campaign's halfway point. Running back Jonathan Taylor should be the league's leading MVP candidate at this moment. The Colts' offensive line has consistently bulldozed opponents as well.

Indianapolis' schedule becomes more difficult in the coming weeks, but this squad is built to win. -- Sobleski