Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season brought many bye weeks, a few predictable outcomes, and others that were shocking. In other words: Welcome to the NFL and its constant parity. For the first time all season, the Top 2 teams heading into the week are the same teams heading into Week 9. The elites are starting to separate themselves, while other fringe teams are heading in opposite directions after deciding games on Sunday afternoon. In the end, the season is still a long way from being over, but the picture of contenders and pretenders becomes clearer each passing week. Who is up and who is down in Week 9’s installment of our WCG Power Rankings? Let’s find out together.

1. Indianapolis Colts (7-1) Previous Week: 1

The Colts keep on rolling, and for that, they are the first team this season (outside of Weeks 1 and 2) that has found themselves in the top spot for more than one game. Although it’s hard to imagine many people had them losing against the Titans, they once again showed that they are one of, if not the best, teams in the league. Suppose you had told me that back in August, I would have laughed. Yet, this is the reality of the 2025 season. There are surprise teams every year, and the Colts happen to be at the top of that pile through eight games of the season. Quarterback Daniel Jones continues to play great football, and that’s the most shocking part of all of this, but Jonathan Taylor’s season thus far should have him leading the MVP race, even if it’s a quarterback award.

2. Detroit Lions (5-2) Previous Week: 2

The Lions enter the bye week having won five of their last six games. Despite losing both coordinators during the offseason, the offense is still firing on all cylinders, and the defense looks considerably better under Kelvin Sheppard. For a second straight season, the NFC North looks like a gauntlet. Right now, it appears that Detroit’s primary contender will be the Packers, but with a (2-0) divisional record, they are in good shape when they kick off their second half of the season in Week 9.

3. Green Bay Packers (5-1-1) Previous Week: 4

The Aaron Rodgers reunion tour ended in grand fashion for the Packers. Despite trailing by nine points heading into the half, it was all Green Bay for the final 30 minutes of the game. Quarterback Jordan Love dropped a 300-yard performance, en route to a blowout win on the road, and in the process, they have complete control of first place heading into the final nine games of the season. Barring something unexpected, the Packers look primed for yet another playoff appearance in 2025. Whether that’s an NFC North division title or a Wild Card berth seems like the bigger question.

4. Los Angeles Rams (5-2) Previous Week: 3

Following an impressive win over the Jaguars in London, the Rams received a well-earned bye week to get healthy, with key players like Puka Nacua expected back in the lineup on Sunday. So far, it’s been a pretty consistent product for Los Angeles. They’ve hung tough in their losses, but have looked good in almost every game they’ve played. Similar to the NFC North, the NFC West is shaping up to be a three-team race for the foreseeable future. We’ll see if veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford can hold up down the stretch with that bad back that hasn’t been a factor through seven games.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) Previous Week: 5

It hasn’t been a pretty picture on the offensive side of the ball over the last two weeks, but the Bucs were able to rebound after an ugly Monday night performance against the struggling Saints for a 23-3 victory in New Orleans. I’ve learned that NFC South clashes are never games to take lightly, which makes this one even more impressive. At some point soon, you’d have to assume that Tampa Bay will get healthier on the offensive side of the ball, and the consistent production will return. For now, they are sitting in a poll position to win the NFC South yet again in 2025.

6. Buffalo Bills (5-2) Previous Week: 6

Sometimes all a team needs is a well-timed bye week to get back on track. That’s exactly what it felt like for the Bills on Sunday after their impressive 40-9 victory on the road in Carolina. Sure, Andy Dalton was the starting quarterback, but more often than not, the Panthers have been a pesky squad for opposing teams to put away. Instead, Buffalo rode James Cook to a career performance, and it appears all is well for the Bills moving forward. Next up: A critical mid-season matchup with the Chiefs next Sunday.

7. Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) Previous Week: 7

Alright, yeah. The Chiefs are definitely back. The offense continues to roll, and the defense isn’t far behind. Despite quarterback Patrick Mahomes throwing a pair of first-half interceptions, he rebounded nicely in the second half with a trio of touchdowns. It’s a bit of an uphill battle with the Broncos playing great football, but I’ve learned not to bet against this team, especially in crunch time and down the stretch. Hopefully, everyone in the AFC enjoyed the short break, because things are about to get interesting.

8. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) Previous Week: 9

Two weeks ago, it felt like the sky was falling when the Eagles were blown out on the road against the Giants. Trade rumors began to swirl around key players like A.J. Brown, while others questioned the offensive scheme as a whole. Following back-to-back wins, the Eagles are back on track and primed for an easy coast to the finish line en route to their second-straight NFC East crown. It sounds like Brown will return after the bye, and assuming things keep trending in the right direction, any concerns of unhappy players should slowly fade away in the coming weeks.

9. Seattle Seahawks (5-2) Previous Week: 8

By the metrics, Seattle has been one of the best teams in the league. Their defense is playing with an edge, and for the most part, Sam Darnold has continued to look the part. Helping out their offense is a two-headed attack at running back and Jaxson Smith-Njigba, who is finally living up to his draft status. Beating the Rams and 49ers will be the key for them to break through in the division, but this is a well-rounded team with a decently favorable schedule over their final 10.

10. Denver Broncos (6-2) Previous Week: 12

The Broncos keep rolling, despite it feeling like every other game, they are about to come back down to earth. After barely beating the Giants in Week 7, they blasted the Cowboys en route to a 44-24 victory at Mile High. With a competitive division, I won’t go so far as to say the Broncos are in “full control” of the AFC West, but they are in a firm position to find themselves back in the playoffs come January. With an elite defense and an offense capable of scoring in bunches, they aren’t a team that anyone wants to see on their schedule.

11. New England Patriots (6-2) Previous Week: 13

At some point soon, we’re going to have to start talking more seriously about Drake Maye’s candidacy in the MVP conversation. He became just the fifth player in NFL history to have 200-plus passing yards and a 100-plus passer rating in seven straight games. Head coach Mike Vrabel has this team playing out of its mind, and even if they don’t win the division, this is a clear playoff contender with real upside. We’ll see how active they are at the deadline in searching for additional help, especially at receiver.

12. Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) Previous Week: 17

Are the Chargers back? Following up three losses in a four-game stretch, with a 37-10 blowout victory on Thursday Night Football is one way to get back on track. Justin Herbert is still taking too many hits, but with Joe Alt back at left tackle and an offensive line that is getting healthier, it’s easy to envision a scenario where this group can get back on track in a hurry. With a deep division and the Kansas City Chiefs figuring it out again, the Chargers are bound to be locked into a heated divisional battle all year.

13. San Francisco 49ers (5-3) Previous Week: 10

Head coach Kyle Shanahan and his staff have done a fantastic job keeping this team afloat, despite an unreal amount of injuries. Frankly, I’m shocked they’ve won five games, but Sunday’s loss to the Texans felt like regression setting in. With Brock Purdy’s turf toe causing an unclear timeline for his return, it’ll be interesting to see how they respond on Sunday. There have been plenty of reports floating around that they are heavily involved in the trade market, which could provide a boost. A get-right game against the Giants, albeit on the road, could be precisely what the doctor ordered next weekend.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) Previous Week: 11

The Steelers had an opportunity to make a statement with a big win against the Packers, and for the first half, it looked like that’s exactly what they were going to do. Instead, the script completely flipped in the second half, and the Steelers melted down, like they do far too often with stupid penalties and poor execution at key points in the game. Luckily for Pittsburgh, they have a commanding lead in a weak division. Barring a surprise from Cincinnati, the only team that they’ll remotely have to worry about is a surging Ravens team in the coming weeks.

15. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3) Previous Week: 15

Following their blowout loss to the Rams in London, the bye week feels like it’s coming at an ideal time for first-year head coach Liam Coen and company. After jumping out to a (4-1) start, they’ve lost two in a row, and more importantly, their defense hasn’t looked the same. Fifth-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence continues to be as inconsistent as they come, which is a bit surprising considering Coen’s track record with quarterbacks. We’ll see if they can get back on track in Week 9.

16. Chicago Bears (4-3) Previous Week: 14

Reality hit hard for the Bears and their fans on Sunday. In a game that felt like a huge opportunity to solidify themselves as playoff contenders, they ended in disappointment, as they were widely dominated on the road by the desperate Ravens. Quarterback Caleb Williams has yet to throw a touchdown in two straight games, and the offense continues to struggle getting into the end zone. To make matters worse, their defense is about as banged up as anyone in the league. It’s gut-check time with a pair of winnable games against the Bengals and Giants coming up before a brutal eight-game finish in November and December.

17. Minnesota Vikings (3-4) Previous Week: 19

Thursday Night Football kicked off with a drubbing on national television featuring what should be quarterback Carson Wentz’s final start (barring the health of J.J. McCarthy). As a whole, this doesn’t look like the same group from last year, and it’s not just the quarterback play. The defense isn’t nearly as dominant as they were, and the running game hasn’t been nearly as effective either. It’s not over for the Vikings quite yet, but without considerably better quarterback play and/or drastic defensive improvement, this season feels like it’s going nowhere in a hurry.

18. Houston Texans (3-4) Previous Week: 24

After being thoroughly dominated on Monday Night Football, the Texans came back swinging to keep their season alive. Quarterback C.J. Stroud eclipsed the 300-yard marker for the first time this year, and the defense was playing with some much-needed attitude. The 49ers have been overachieving all season, but the Texans controlled the game from start to finish. We’ll see if this is the catalyst for getting them back on track. A tough test awaits at home next week against the streaking Broncos.

19. Baltimore Ravens (2-5) Previous Week 23

Lamar Jackson or no Lamar Jackson, the Ravens earned a much-needed win to keep their season alive on Sunday. The saga of whether or not the star quarterback would play was a strange one to follow most of the week, but in the end, it didn’t matter. That was the closest we’ve seen the Ravens to reaching the form we had all expected before Week 1 started. Now we’ll see if they can continue to piece it together, with very little room for error over their final 10 remaining games.

20. Atlanta Falcons (3-4) Previous Week: 16

Michael Penix or Kirk Cousins, the quarterback play should produce similar results in most games. Yet on Sunday, the Falcons got taken out to the woodshed and did not return against a one-win Dolphins team. I don’t know how anyone properly digests a 34-10 blowout loss at home, but Atlanta continues to defy logic almost every week. We’ll see if they can find a way to rebound against the (6-2) Patriots or the (7-1) Colts, but it’s worth noting that both games are on the road.

21. Washington Commanders (3-5) Previous Week: 18

2024 was a magical season for many reasons, including the number of close games they won. In reality, the Commanders were always one of the league’s top regression candidates, especially when combined with Jayden Daniels’ lack of health in 2025, and their overall roster age. I’m not going to call it a wrap on the Washington’s season quite yet, but if they are going to get back in the race, they are going to have to earn it. They’ll face a gauntlet of a schedule with the Seahawks, Lions, and Broncos upcoming over the next four games. Good luck.

22. Cincinnati Bengals (3-5) Previous Week: 20

It does not appear, despite plenty of optimism surrounding one Thursday night game, that the Bengals are back… At all. Similar to the Falcons, gifting a bad team a win at home is about as tough as it gets, yet that’s exactly what the Bengals did in Week 8. Joe Flacco or Jake Browning, the defense remains a huge issue. Getting 39 points hung on them by a lowly Jets offense is impossible to stomach. Their season will be on the line against the Bears next week. Luckily for them, it’s at home.

23. Carolina Panthers (4-4) Previous Week: 21

The Panthers’ up-and-down season continued on Sunday with a 40-9 blowout loss at home to the Bills. Although Bryce Young wasn’t the starting quarterback due to a high ankle sprain, I’m not sure he would have made much of a difference. Carolina has shown progress, but there’s a clear ceiling on this team, and I’m not sure anything can change that in 2025. Their road doesn’t get any easier in Week 9, when they head to Green Bay to take on the Packers.

24. Dallas Cowboys (3-4-1) Previous Week: 22

All of those good vibes surrounding the Cowboys have gone up in smoke in the matter of 60 minutes on Sunday afternoon following a blowout loss to the Broncos in Denver. Quarterback Dak Prescott finished the game with no touchdowns and two interceptions, and the defense remains an absolute mess. Owner Jerry Jones can shop around for veteran pass rushers all he wants, but it won’t bring back Micah Parsons. At this point, I’m still not convinced the Cowboys should be considered a playoff contender.

25. Arizona Cardinals (2-5) Previous Week: 25

Five losses by a combined 13 points or not, the Cardinals are trending in the wrong direction, especially after starting a perfect (2-0). Quarterback Kyler Murray should be back after the bye, but considering how strong the division has begun, their playoff focus (if there is one) should be solely focused on the Wild Card. This feels like a critical stretch of games for head coach Jonathan Gannon and his staff, especially given their struggles in Year 3 of their rebuild.

26. New York Giants (2-6) Previous Week: 26

Two weeks ago, the Giants pulled off one of the more shocking upsets of Week 6, dominating the Eagles at home on Thursday Night Football. In many ways, it felt like the Giants were breaking through with a young core, but after a disastrous blown lead in Week 7 and a blowout loss in Week 8, their upset win was more of an aberration than anything resembling progress. Losing Cam Skattebo is a big blow, too.

27. Cleveland Browns (2-6) Previous Week: 27

For the first half, it seemed the Browns’ defense would keep them in another game, but then Drake Maye and the offense got going. It was all downhill from there, despite Myles Garrett registering a career-high five sacks. Inserting rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel into the starting lineup gave this team a boost for a short time, but we’re already seeing many of his shortcomings. Could we see Shadeur Sanders in the coming weeks? I’d almost bet on it.

28. Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) Previous Week 28

Although all signs point to the Raiders keeping star edge rusher Maxx Crosby, it’s worth wondering whether this roster might be better off entering a full-blown rebuild. I’ll admit, I expected better, but outside of their early-season win, it’s been a lot of ugly football. Geno Smith has tailed off hard, and the selection of Ashton Jeanty is working out about as well as expected behind a putrid offensive line. Head coach Pete Carroll didn’t sign up for a rebuild, but it’s hard to see a quick way out of this. Good luck, Pete. You’re going to need it.

29. Miami Dolphins (2-6) Previous Week: 30

Without the Michael Penix injury, maybe Sunday’s game would have gone differently, but what Miami did against a solid Falcons squad was impressive. It wasn’t like they were facing a scrub backup quarterback, either. The Dolphins laid down the law on Sunday in a 34-10 victory, all while quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was dealing with a swollen eye and was questionable to play. I’m not sure how much this will do for the Dolphins in the long run, but their fans at least received a bit of a reprieve after a disastrous start to the season.

30. New Orleans Saints (1-7) Previous Week: 29

Nobody is surprised that the Saints are a complete disaster this season, but it feels like it’s just getting worse each week. On Sunday, they were thoroughly dominated by the Bucs, and to make matters worse, starting quarterback Spencer Rattler was benched in favor of the No. 40 overall pick in April’s draft, Tyler Shough. The 36, I mean, 26-year-old rookie thrown into the fire, but played decently well, completing 17-of-30 passes for 128 yards, and an interception. With the Rams as their upcoming opponent, the road won’t get any easier in Week 9, but maybe a quarterback change will spark renewed interest from their fanbase.

31. New York Jets (1-7) Previous Week: 32

The Jets did it! They finally did it… After a miserable seven-game stretch of disappointment, they are finally on the board with their first win of 2025. Even sweeter for some of the players in the locker room was that it came with Justin Fields at quarterback, despite being benched earlier in the week. The Bengals came in with plenty of hype following their big win last Thursday night, but in the end, the Jets pulled out a 39-38 road victory. We’ll see if this jumpstarts their season.

32. Tennessee Titans (1-7) Previous Week: 31

The nightmare season for No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward and the Titans continued on Sunday with an absolute drubbing on the road against the divisional rival Colts. Ward continues to get sacked and chased around the field, while, in general, the Titans have little fight left once they fall a few scores behind. The regular season can’t end soon enough in Tennessee, but the bad news is that there are still nine games remaining before they can kick off their head coaching search. We’ll see if they land the No. 1 overall pick again in next April’s draft.