We are nearing the halfway point of the NFL season. Isn’t it crazy how fast the 2022-23 season has gone?
With each passing week, the contenders and pretenders of both conferences make their appearance known. This is also the time of year when top teams can either begin to lose a couple of games or get right against teams that aren’t so good.
So where does each NFL stand after eight weeks? Let’s get to it.
32. Detroit Lions (1-6)
The Lions just fired their secondary coach, and the team blew a 10-point halftime lead to Miami. This defense is bad. It doesn’t look like it’ll get any better either.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6)
Kenny Pickett hasn’t looked awful in his rookie season. The issues with Pittsburgh are more than just the quarterback. The OL stinks, the receivers aren’t separating, the running game is nonexistent, and the defense desperately misses TJ Watt.
30. Carolina Panthers (2-6)
The Panthers are playing hard with Steve Wilks, but that doesn’t make them a good football team. PJ Walker and DJ Moore had the throw of the week, but a missed makeable field goal attempt highlights how far Carolina still needs to go.
29. Denver Broncos (3-5)
I want to give Denver props for winning in London against Jacksonville. I just can’t. The offensive issues are still there and Bradley Chubb could also be leaving by 4 pm this afternoon.
28. Indianapolis Colts (3-4-1)
The Colts were on the precipice of staying pact with the Titans at the top of the AFC South…then Taylor Heinicke and Terry McLaurin happened. Indy just has absolutely no answers on either side of the ball.
27. Houston Texans (1-5-1)
Wikipedia is going to change the owner of Houston from a middle-aged man to Derrick Henry. Seriously, four games of 200+ yards against the Texans is absurd and shows how much further Houston needs to go.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)
I really wanted to trust Doug Pederson but we’re starting to see why he was fired in Philadelphia in the first place. When the RPOs don’t work, there’s just no creativity on offense.
25. Chicago Bears (3-5)
The Bears have changed their offense and it’s led to Justin Fields playing well through the last couple of weeks. Still, the trade for Roquan Smith had a good return but Fields will need to begin to move the ball more with his arm.
24. Las Vegas Raiders (2-5)
Just when you think Vegas is turning a corner, they come out and lay a complete egg against New Orleans. Being shut out in an NFL game with that collection of talent is inexcusable and directly implicates the coaching staff.
23. New Orleans Saints (3-5)
Is there a team that makes as little sense in the NFL as the New Orleans Saints? It appears Andy Dalton has won the job over Jameis Winston. They’ll be shopping for a quarterback next year.
22. Cleveland Browns (3-5)
If there’s one team that the Browns look like a dynasty against, it’s the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns got after Burrow repeatedly Monday night and looked excellent on offense.
21. Arizona Cardinals (3-5)
Tough loss to a really good Vikings team but in a middling NFC West, the Cardinals are one of the NFL’s biggest disappointments to start this season.
20. Green Bay Packers (3-5)
Speaking of disappointment, the Packers played arguably the best team in the NFL Sunday night and promptly were blown out. There are a lot of issues that not even the trade deadline can solve in Green Bay.
19. Washington Commanders (4-4)
There is a legitimate chance the NFC East could be the first division to send every team of theirs to the playoffs. Incredible to think about, but Washington has won two straight.
18. LA Rams (3-4)
The Rams were blown out again. It doesn’t get any easier when they play a pissed-off and desperate Tom Brady next week. The Rams are in serious trouble.
17. New England Patriots (4-4)
Impressive win in New York for the Patriots who used Zach Wilson’s arrogance to effectively outlast a Jets squad that is greatly improved. There are still some offensive questions, but the Patriots are just a game back from a playoff spot.
16. New York Jets (5-3)
Dan Orlovsky said it best when talking about Zach Wilson: he needs to grow up. He trusts his arm far too much. The bad news? The Jets play the Bills next week. The good news? It’s not the end of the world if the Jets drop that game.
15. Atlanta Falcons (4-4)
Arthur Smith would be running away with the NFL Coach of the Year award if not for Brian Daboll. The Falcons pulled off an unlikely win and now sit atop the NFC South.
14. LA Chargers (4-3)
The Chargers were on a bye so no major changes. The team needs to be better in pass pro, and Justin Herbert needs to start showing he can win football games.
13. NY Giants (6-2)
The Giants came back down to heart with a tough loss in Seattle. Usually, losses come in bunches which means the 6-1 start could turn pretty quickly. That being said, they are two muffed punts from winning in a tough environment.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-4)
Just when you think the Bengals have turned a corner, they lay an egg on national television. Cincy’s OL is one of the most inconsistent in the NFL and will need to figure out how to move the ball without Jamarr Chase.
11. Tampa Bay Bucs (3-5)
Who would have thought that Devin White, Tom Brady, and even Mike Evans would look this bad through eight weeks? There is plenty of time to right the ship but this is the most disappointing team in the NFL.
10. Tennessee Titans (5-2)
After starting 0-2, the Titans remembered they have arguably the best back in the modern game and decided to use him. Henry has the Titans as winners of their last five games and in the driver’s seat in a bad AFC South.
9. Miami Dolphins (5-3)
The Dolphins have one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL and they showed out in the second half against Detroit. There are still questions about the defense, and even Tua’s decision-making, but the Dolphins are 5-0 with him under center.
8. San Francisco 49ers (4-4)
Can a 4-4 team strike fear into the NFL’s elite like the 49ers do? Christian McCaffrey looked excellent Sunday and San Fran looks to be turning a corner here.
7. Baltimore Ravens (5-3)
The Ravens had a big Thursday night win, and the trade for Smith almost can help clinch the North alone. Lamar Jackson continues to make chicken salad amongst chicken…well, you know the rest.
6. Seattle Seahawks (5-3)
Is Geno Smith the frontrunner for NFL MVP? It’s certainly an option with both Hurts and Allen having top squads around them. Noone expected Seattle to be as good as they have looked and Geno is a big reason why.
5. Dallas Cowboys (6-2)
The Cowboys are probably the most dangerous team in the NFL. The defense is elite, their offense is starting to hit its stride, and they still have a favorable schedule. Philly better keep winning because it doesn’t look like Dallas is going to go away anytime soon.
4. Minnesota Vikings (6-1)
Are the Vikings the most surprising 6-1 team in NFL history? A new coach has helped Minnesota flip their one-score game woes and has the Viking faithful thinking of an NFC North title.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)
The chiefs were on the bye this week but got better with the trade for Kadarius Toney. I like the Chiefs’ chances here of getting a top-two seed in the NFL playoffs.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (7-0)
For those who complain about the schedule, the Eagles have as many wins against teams over .500 as the Chiefs, Cowboys, and Vikings do. Two wins against the Cowboys and Vikings (two teams with six wins) also look very impressive.
1. Buffalo Bills (6-1)
The Bills absolutely overwhelmed the Packers and remain the NFL’s best team to this point. They are starting to run the ball a lot better without Josh Allen too.
