FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Three months after their closing, I'd like you to think back to the Summer Olympics for a moment. Specifically, the track events.
A large number of the races I observed during those two weeks of sports bliss evolved in a similar pattern. Immediately after the gun, all of the racers were mostly bunched together and running at what appeared to be the same speed. Very quickly, though, a chunk of runners would fall behind. Then, that main cluster began to elongate and form a few little sub-groups within the larger structure.
What inevitably came next in those races I watched mirrors our current NFL moment. The rest of the group didn't sink back, but rather the superior runners began to pull away. Through eight weeks, there are only two teams in a tier of their own — and for different reasons. However, a really nice crop of teams forms the main cluster behind them. Which ones can start separating?
Here are my updated NFL power rankings after Week 8.
(6-1)
1
Detroit Lions
The Lions have scored 130 points in their last three games. That offense is ROLLING.
(7-0)
2
2
Kansas City Chiefs
Are the Chiefs the quietest 7-0 team in history? It feels like it, and that only makes them more dangerous.
(6-2)
3
4
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have scored the second-most points and allowed the third fewest during the last two weeks.
(6-2)
4
1
Green Bay Packers
Even with Jordan Love hurt, the Packers found a way to win. That's what good teams do at this time.
(5-3)
5
3
Baltimore Ravens
Nobody saw the Browns beating the Ravens, but I'm willing to give Baltimore a one-time pass.
(6-2)
6
Washington Commanders
Washington was held out of the end zone until the final play of the game. Everything is breaking right.
(5-2)
7
4
Minnesota Vikings
Back-to-back losses after a 5-0 start will add some pressure in Minnesota. Let's see how the Vikings respond.
(6-2)
8
Houston Texans
Nobody has forced more turnovers than Houston the last two weeks, but its offense is going through a rough patch.
(6-2)
9
1
Pittsburgh Steelers
Russell Wilson looks like a great fit for this offense, and T.J. Watt is a heck of a closer to have.
(5-3)
10
4
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta is 4-0 in the division with a big tiebreak against Tampa, and its best football may still be to come.
(5-2)
11
1
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia has won its last two games by double digits and has the NFL's best point margin in that time.
(5-3)
12
3
Denver Broncos
A 400-yard day on offense was a welcome sight, but it was against Carolina. The defense is still elite.
(4-3)
13
4
Chicago Bears
Chicago's defense held down Washington's high-powered offense until the final play, but the loss still stands.
(4-4)
14
3
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have weathered injuries fairly well to this point, and the offense was humming on Sunday night.
(4-3)
15
3
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert and Ladd McKonkey really clicked on Sunday, and the defense has been quietly excellent.
(4-4)
16
5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay had a chance to win even without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. They should hang around.
(4-4)
17
4
Seattle Seahawks
The Bills dominated the middle two quarters against Seattle, which gained just 32 yards on the ground.
(4-4)
18
3
Arizona Cardinals
Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr. each went over 100 yards on Sunday.
(4-4)
19
Indianapolis Colts
There's no doubt Anthony Richardson is going through a slump right now.
(3-4)
20
3
Los Angeles Rams
That Thursday night win for the Rams was huge. With Kupp and Nacua back, can they get rolling?
(3-5)
21
5
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals' defense allowed six straight scoring drives against Philadelphia. Tough to win that way.
(3-4)
22
2
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb may be the best QB-WR duo in the league, but they can't do it alone.
(2-6)
23
7
Cleveland Browns
Do I think the Browns' offense will look like that each week? No. Was it way better on Sunday? Yes.
(2-6)
24
1
New York Giants
Tyrone Tracy was a revelation for the Giants on Monday, but it wasn't enough.
(2-6)
25
1
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags are a movie with a great cast and solid trailer but you leave the theater wondering how it went wrong.
(2-5)
26
Miami Dolphins
The loss almost doesn't even matter at this point (it still does) because the offense was drastically better.
(2-6)
27
4
New England Patriots
Drake Maye left the game in the first quarter, but the Patriots found a way to get the win.
(2-6)
28
6
New York Jets
Is there a more disappointing team this season than the New York Jets?
(2-6)
29
1
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders' run game was non-existent and it led to a fourth-straight loss for Las Vegas.
(2-6)
30
3
New Orleans Saints
Spencer Rattler got benched and the Saints scored just six points on offense.
(1-6)
31
2
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee and Detroit were tied 14-14 at one point, and then the rest of the game happened.
(1-7)
32
Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young returned to the starting lineup for the Panthers, but the end result remains unchanged.
