The Maryland Miracle received the weekend, with the Commanders topping the Bears in a battle of prime draft picks, nevertheless it was a pair of losses that shake up my rankings this week. The Vikings and Ravens suffered disappointing defeats, leaving openings for the Texans and Packers to slip up.
The Chiefs and Lions, in the meantime, proceed to carry agency to the highest spots. And there is one thing brewing on the backside of the Prime 10, with the Steelers, Payments and Eagles displaying that they might be groups to reckon with within the second half.
This is my Prime 10 for Week 8 of the 2024 season.
1. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Final week: 1
Andy Reid’s squad lacks the flash of a few of his earlier championship groups, nevertheless it retains stacking wins in opposition to high quality competitors. Led by a disruptive protection that creates turnovers and splash performs, the Chiefs can depend on Chris Jones & Co. to make sufficient game-changing performs to maintain the squad till Patrick Mahomes regains his MVP type. Contemplating the Chiefs have raced out to a 7-0 begin with out No. 15 taking part in his finest ball, the remainder of the league ought to pay shut consideration to how the defending champs are getting it carried out with out relying extensively on the quarterback to make it occur every week.
2. Detroit Lions
Final week: 2
Dan Campbell’s staff focuses on punching opponents within the mouth behind a dominant offensive line and damaging defensive entrance. Although Detroit’s dynamic ability gamers routinely seize the headlines, the blue-collar frontline gamers set the tone for a staff constructed on grit and toughness. With the Lions’ trench play able to masking some inconsistencies on the perimeter, the NFC’s prime staff appears to be like like a formidable title contender.
3. Houston Texans
Final week: 7
Joe Mixon’s re-emergence as a high-end again has elevated an offense sputtering with out Nico Collins within the lineup. Mixon has 4 100-yard video games in 5 begins, flashing the power, energy and explosiveness that earned him Professional Bowl honors in 2021. Because the Texans depend on a balanced offense to take the load off C.J. Stroud and complement an opportunistic defensive unit that suffocates opponents, Mixon’s manufacturing because the No. 1 again is crucial to the staff’s sturdy begin.
4. Inexperienced Bay Packers
Final week: 6
Malik Willis doesn’t appear like the identical QB prospect who flamed out in Tennessee as a third-round choose. The third-year professional stuffed in admirably for Jordan Love (groin harm) as an emergency sub in Week 8 with a powerful second-half culminating in a game-winning drive. Given the Packers’ turnover-obsessed protection and adaptable offense, Matt LaFleur has a staff that may win in varied methods.
5. Washington Commanders
Final week: 5
The legend of Jayden Daniels continues to develop, with the Hail Mary cementing his superhero standing. The dynamic dual-threat can single-handedly carry the Commanders to a win with or with out his supporting solid taking part in as much as par. As Dan Quinn continues to tweak the defensive lineup and ways to maximise his personnel, the Commanders can relaxation simple understanding No. 5 can throw on his cape and rescue them from any scenario.
6. Minnesota Vikings
Final week: 3
Again-to-back losses have led to some considerations over the Vikings’ ultra-aggressive strain ways. The protection has given up too many large performs in essential moments attributable to blown assignments or misaligned defenders. Although DC Brian Flores has dialed again the strain to stability out his method, the protection must get again on monitor earlier than the remainder of the division leaves the Vikings within the mud.
7. Baltimore Ravens
Final week: 4
A disappointing loss to a bitter division rival raises considerations over Baltimore’s defensive efficiency. The secondary is surrendering large performs at an alarming price, with the move rush unable to masks the inconsistent protection. Although John Harbaugh has made some lineup adjustments and added a mentor to assist DC Zachary Orr repair the issues, the Ravens protection may hold them from difficult the heavyweights within the AFC.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
Final week: 8
A win in opposition to the New York Giants will hold the Steelers within the hunt as a dark-horse contender. As Russell Wilson will get extra snug operating the offense because the Steelers’ new QB1, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith may broaden the playbook so as to add extra variety to a unit that has relied on a ground-and-pound method within the first half of the season.
9. Buffalo Payments
Final week: 9
Do not look now, however the Payments have gotten the juggernaut that some envisioned when Josh Allen stepped onto the scene. The MVP candidate challenges defenses together with his distinctive skills as a dual-threat playmaker on the perimeter. Whether or not throwing lasers to an unheralded solid of pass-catchers or rumbling between the tackles on designed QB runs, the 6-foot-5, 237-pounder is an unstoppable drive with the ball in his fingers.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
Final week: Not in Prime 10
It has taken the Eagles just a little longer than anticipated to seek out their identification, however the Jalen Hurts-Saquon Barkley mixture has helped the staff get again to its roots as a grind-it-out squad with big-play potential. The duo’s physicality and dominance as runners set the tone for an offense at its finest when pushing opponents round on the level of assault. With the protection rounding into type beneath Vic Fangio, the Eagles once more appear like a possible title contender.
Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. He additionally breaks down the sport for NFL Community and as a cohost of the “Transferring the Sticks” podcast. Observe him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
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