NFL: Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers
Sep 20, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) celebrates with quarterback Brock Purdy (13) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
And then there was one. Well, two different ones to be exact. The NFL is now down to just one unbeaten team and one winless team since last Sunday.
So, after 7 weeks of football, the Minnesota Vikings stand alone as the only team that has yet to suffer a loss, and the Los Angeles Chargers have the dubious distinction of being the sole winless team.
Here are the NFL Week 8 power rankings as we head into Sunday’s games.
Ranks 32-25
Oct 11, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass against the Denver Broncos during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
#32 Los Angeles Chargers:
They avoided their 7th straight loss last week thanks to the mercy of the schedule gods who gave them the week off. We shall see if that week did anything to help this anemic offense, as they will have their hands full in a road game at home against their roommates, the Rams. Luckily for the Bolts, they’re used to the crowd at SoFi Stadium rooting for their opponents, so it shouldn’t be much of a distraction.
#31 New York Jets:
This may seem a bit harsh, but they just lost at home to the Dolphins. Right now, they have to be considered one of the worst teams in the league.
#30 Tennessee Titans:
They followed up their first win with a tough game against the Browns. Despite Tony Pollard’s best efforts, they came up short, so here they sit at #30 with a record of 1-6. Jeffrey Simmons was shipped out this week in what could be the first of a few moves by the Titans as they continue to rebuild.
#29 Miami Dolphins:
The Dolphins shot up these rankings from dead last to #29 after just one win. Let’s not get too excited quite yet, but Malik Willis looked like a competent NFL QB.
#28 Washington Commanders:
The week off should have helped this team get healthy, yet somehow they lost a key player in practice this week. Now the defense looks like it will be without Daron Payne, who joins Javon Kinlaw on the inactive list. The Commanders take on the Eagles this week in a battle for the NFC East Cellar.
#27 Indianapolis Colts:
Another loss last week has the Colts at 2-5. Now the fire sale has begun as wholesale changes are coming to Indy. Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner were the two chips to move, with Josh Downs and Jonathan Taylor likely next. Things are going to get worse before they get better here.
#26 Philadelphia Eagles:
Injuries just keep piling up, and this team looks like it’s “drawing dead” at this point in the game. (It’s a poker term; there aren’t any cards coming that will make this hand any better.) They get Washington this week in a contest to see who is the Least in the East.
#25 Arizona Cardinals:
They try, but usually things don’t go their way each week. (Unless they are playing in SoFi Stadium.) This week they return to Dallas to see if they can repeat last season’s upset victory over Dak and the Cowboys. Will lightning strike twice?
Ranks 24-18
NFL: New Orleans Saints at New York Giants
Oct 18, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) drops back to pass against New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter (3) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
#24 New Orleans Saints:
They had to travel all the way to France last week to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. If they knew that they would have to travel almost 5,000 miles just to lose and upset a bunch of people who speak French, they probably could have just stayed home.
#23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Baker is back, and the offensive line celebrated by mauling the Panthers. It’s still just 2 wins, so we are going to keep the Bucs down here for one more week and let’s see how they do against the Falcons.
#22 Dallas Cowboys:
The win against the Eagles was nice, but this defense still looked weak early in the game as Saquon Barkley looked like he was going to have his way with them all day until he aggravated his hamstring injury, and then it spread to his back. Dak is going to have to keep the offense moving in every game if the Cowboys are going to get hot and win the East.
#21 Carolina Panthers:
The last two games have been awful for Carolina, dropping them to 3-4 and into a tie for first with the Falcons. This division looks like it will be more of the same as last year, with the champ sneaking into the playoffs with maybe 8 or 9 wins.
#20 Atlanta Falcons:
Beating an unbeaten team is an accomplishment, no matter how banged up that team was when they limped into your stadium. Michael Penix, Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts comprise the best core 4 of any offense in this division, and that might just be enough to win the South. This week they travel to Tampa to face Baker and the Bucs.
#19 New York Giants:
The NFC East and the NFC South are going to send two teams to this year’s playoffs. You have been warned. At this juncture, the Giants are the best of the bunch after last week’s impressive win in Houston. They get a bye this week to bask in the glory of their 4-2-1 record.
#18 Las Vegas Raiders:
Four straight losses feel rough, and folks are calling for Fernando Mendoza. Seems sort of silly to panic and replace a QB who leads an offense that is 3rd in the league in passing and 5th in points scored. Maybe the fact that the losses came against the Chiefs, Patriots, Bills, and Rams (combined 17-9 record) might have more to do with it. This week they get the Jets, so let’s see if things are any different.
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Rankings 17-11
Oct 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
#17 Houston Texans:
Reports of their resurrection may have been a tad premature. Despite their 2-5 record, the Texans are still the only team in the AFC South that represents the slightest threat to the Jaguars this season, but their margin for error is now zero. They get this week off to lick their wounds, and then it will be back to work in week 9 against the Chargers.
#16 Los Angeles Rams:
That win against the Raiders was impressive when you consider that they played without Davante Adams and still don’t have Myles Garrett. Those two players remain out this week as they take on the Chargers, but Garrett is getting close to returning. More concerning is that the Seahawks and 49ers each made trades this week to improve, while the Rams are still trying to get their roster healthy.
#15 Baltimore Ravens:
Lamar is coming back for this Sunday’s game against the Bills, and the Ravens should be thrilled that they were able to keep their heads above water while he was out. The entire AFC North is bunched together between 5-2 and 4-3, and the Ravens still have to be considered a favorite to win the division despite sitting in 4th place.
#14 Cleveland Browns:
They are tied with the Steelers for first in the North, but they feel like one of the weakest 1st-place teams outside of Carolina… and New York. OK, a few teams in first place can’t make the playoffs, so maybe the Browns aren’t so bad. Welcome to today’s NFL.
#13 Pittsburgh Steelers:
Aaron Rodgers went to France. Wearing his Peaky Blinders hat and pants. He took on the Saints, who played more like Ain’ts. Now all the Steelers fans can sing and dance. OK, that was terrible, but this team isn’t that much better, despite their 5-2 record.
#12 Cincinnati Bengals:
Might as well keep this whole division lumped together. Much like the NFC North, the AFC version is going to be a tight race all year and will actually feature teams with winning records.
#11 Green Bay Packers:
Josh Jacobs is back, and he’s helped the run game a little. They still don’t run block very well as a team, but Jacobs gives them a goal-line presence and someone who can catch the ball out of the backfield. He is also facing new allegations, so who knows how long he will be back for. Luckily, Jordan Love, Matthew Golden, and Christian Watson can carry the offense most weeks.
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Top 10
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up ahead of the game between Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up ahead of the game between Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
#10 Detroit Lions:
Dan Campbell is not going to coach this team to a Super Bowl win. Despite his decision-making, the Lions still manage to win games, but relying on the other team’s kicker to miss chip shots won’t work every week. This team is still one of the most fun teams in the league to watch, and we expect them to challenge the Vikings and their unbeaten record this Sunday.
#9 New England Patriots:
They come off of a mini bye after last week’s Thursday Night loss to the Bears in Chicago. AJ Brown will miss some time, and TreVeyon Henderson is dealing with an illness, but the Pats should be OK this week as they take on the Dolphins.
#8 Seattle Seahawks:
They may be getting Jadarian Price as well as Zach Charbonnet back to boost their run game, and the defense is playing at last year’s championship level. As long as Sam Darnold doesn’t have to be Superman, this team is going to be fine.
#7 Denver Broncos:
Bo Nix and the offense looked great. Was this Sean Payton unlocking something in his young QB, or was it just a case of playing the Cardinals? This week the test gets tougher as they take on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
#6 Kansas City Chiefs:
They suffered their first loss, and looked terrible in the process. Patrick Mahomes can only do so much without a supporting cast, and the Chiefs hope a returning Rashee Rice will be enough to get them back into the win column. They should still be looking to add another WR before the trade deadline.
Top 5
Oct 11, 2026; Tottenham, ENG; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) drops back to pass during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
#5 Jacksonville Jaguars:
They had a week off and got to sit back and watch the rest of their division implode. The Texans lost at home against the Giants while the Colts and Titans both called it quits on the season and started selling off players. The Jags need to stay focused and pile up wins if they want to advance in the playoffs because they have a team that’s good enough to make the Super Bowl. We just aren’t sure they can win in Buffalo or Kansas City in January.
#4 Chicago Bears:
They get some extra rest after playing last Thursday and not having to suit up again until Monday night. Adding Jeffrey Simmons to their D-line makes them a Super Bowl contender, since their defense was the only thing that would hold them back in the playoffs.
#3 Buffalo Bills:
Josh Allen is still doing his thing. The Bills come back from their bye and should be well rested for what should be a fun game against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. When these two teams met last season, the score was 41-40. Buckle up!
#2 San Francisco 49ers:
Last week’s loss cost them the top spot in our rankings, but they’re still one of the best teams in the league. Their bye comes at the perfect time as they can now rest up for the second half of the season. A healthy Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel should be back in week 9 as the 49ers take on the Raiders.
#1 Minnesota Vikings:
Standing as the lone undefeated team after 7 weeks means something. Sure, their opponents have collectively been garbage over the last 4 games, but the Vikings still have been impressive each week. Brian Flores has his defense playing at an elite level, and this week it should be interesting as they take on a more formidable opponent in the Lions. We will see how Kyler Murray responds when the team needs him to get this team into the end zone.