The year 2020 has been unlike any other, but through seven weeks, the NFL landscape feels, well, ordinary. Last week saw two more teams suffer their first loss of the season. The Week 8 NFL Power Rankings are tasked with stacking up one undefeated team, one winless team, and a whole bunch of mediocre teams. NFL normalcy indeed.
As the first half of the NFL season comes to a close, the league’s trade deadline draws ever closer. The last day for NFL teams to make trades until the offseason is Tuesday, November 3rd. Per usual, trade rumors are swirling with the deadline approaching. With this in mind, the Week 8 NFL Power Rankings below include either a position(s) of need or a player(s) who could be on the move for all 32 NFL teams.
Week 8 NFL Power Rankings
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 7 Ranking: 2
Trade Deadline Watch: OL, DE, LB
The Chiefs reemerge atop the Week 8 NFL Power Rankings on the heels of a blowout divisional win over the rival Denver Broncos. Patrick Mahomes was rather ordinary in the game and that was plenty enough as the Kansas City defense took care of business. With the NFL trade deadline approaching, the Chiefs might seriously consider bolstering either their offensive or defensive fronts. With the loss of guard Kelechi Osemele, the Chiefs are hurting at guard and could look to bring in reinforcements to open up more rushing lanes for rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire and the recently signed Le’Veon Bell. Defensively, Kansas City could sorely stand to improve when it comes to stopping the run.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 7 Ranking: 4
Trade Deadline Watch: LB
The Steelers are proving to be every bit as good as expected coming into the season and maybe better. After holding on to knock off the Tennesee Titans in a high-profile AFC battle this past Sunday, the Steelers will now gear up for an enormous AFC North confrontation against Baltimore this coming week. After losing Devin Bush for the season, Pittsburgh could be in the market for a linebacker as the trade deadline approaches. Keeping one of the NFL’s top defenses fully stocked is key to the Steelers championship aspirations.
3. Baltimore Ravens
Week 7 Ranking: 3
Trade Deadline Watch: WR
The Ravens sat idle in Week 7 and now have their sights set on Sunday’s clash for AFC North supremacy against the Steelers. Both teams bring stellar defenses to the table. It will be up to Lamar Jackson to outduel Ben Roethlisberger and the loaded Pittsburgh offense. Baltimore already acquired defensive end Yannick Ngakoue this past week, but more moves could be coming before the trade deadline. With Marquise Brown being the only consistent wide receiver, an addition at the position could be a major priority.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 7 Ranking: 7
Trade Deadline Watch: DL
Tom Brady and the Buccaneers continue to flex both with their on-field play and the additions they are making off of it. The latest this past week was signing receiver Antonio Brown. With Chris Godwin needing surgery on a finger fracture, Brown could prove vital in bolstering the receiver corps going forward. The Bucs also traded for defensive tackle Steve McLendon to replace the injured Vita Vea. Could the team look to add another pass rusher before the deadline? I wouldn’t put it past them.
5. Green Bay Packers
Week 7 Ranking: 6
Trade Deadline Watch: DE, WR
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers got back to their winning ways this past week, working their way back into the top-5 of the Week 8 NFL Power Rankings. As good as Green Bay has been, there are several positions that could stand to be upgraded as the NFL trade deadline approaches. Adding an edge rusher to team with Za’Darius Smith and/or a sure-handed wide receiver to complement Davante Adams are likely to be at the top of the Packers’ wish list.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Week 7 Ranking: 1
Trade Deadline Watch: DE
D.K. Metcalf’s track down of Buddha Baker on what looked like a certain pick-6 was the play of the 2020 NFL season as far as a hard-working guy like me is concerned. As amazing as both that hustle and the Seattle offense was, the Seahawks still lost to the division-rival Arizona Cardinals in overtime. Allowing 28.7 points per game simply isn’t good enough if the Seahawks hope to contend in the loaded NFC West. As a result, defense, and by that, I mean pass rushers, are the clear priority here.
7. Tennessee Titans
Week 7 Ranking: 5
Trade Deadline Watch: OT, DE, CB
The Titans fell just short in their rally against the Steelers last week, dropping from the ranks of the unbeaten as a result. While they may no longer be in the top-5 of the Week 8 NFL Power Rankings, make no mistake about it: this is one of the best offenses in football. Losing tackle Taylor Lewan for the year could lead Tennessee to prioritize addressing the position at the deadline. The more noted weakness of the team is the defense, where an edge rusher or cornerback could greatly help to improve a very mediocre pass defense.
8. New Orleans Saints
Week 7 Ranking: 8
Trade Deadline Watch: Michael Thomas, DE, S, WR
It wasn’t easy, but the Saints managed to hang on against the division-rival Carolina Panthers and keep pace with the Buccaneers in the NFC South race. New Orleans will have reinforcements returning from within in the coming weeks, namely star wide receiver Michael Thomas (who has been rumored to be on the trading block himself). If the Saints were to make a move at the NFL trade deadline as a buyer, look for an edge rusher or secondary player to be their primary focal points.
9. Los Angeles Rams
Week 7 Ranking: 10
Trade Deadline Watch: DE, LB, S
The Rams got a much-needed quality win over the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football last week. Not only did it get them their first win over a non-NFC East opponent, but it keeps them on firm ground in the crowded NFC West division picture. Los Angeles has been active at the deadline in recent years, and there are certainly a handful of defensive positions at all three levels of the unit that could stand to be bolstered via trade.
10. San Francisco 49ers
Week 7 Ranking: 11
Trade Deadline Watch: DE, CB, RB
Jimmy Garoppolo got the better of his former head coach Bill Belichick in a big way last week. The 49ers have worked their way back into the top-10 of the Week 8 NFL Power Rankings and are managing to keep pace within their crowded division. With injuries still littering the roster, San Francisco could find themselves looking to make an NFL trade deadline deal. Pass rushers and secondary reinforcements would be the most ideal additions, while perhaps an offensive playmaker to assists a depleted backfield would be of lesser importance.
11. Buffalo Bills
Week 7 Ranking: 12
Trade Deadline Watch: DL, CB, S
12. Arizona Cardinals
Week 7 Ranking: 16
Trade Deadline Watch: DE
13. Chicago Bears
Week 7 Ranking: 9
Trade Deadline Watch: OL, DT, WR
14. Indianapolis Colts
Week 7 Ranking: 13
Trade Deadline Watch: WR
15. Cleveland Browns
Week 7 Ranking: 14
Trade Deadline Watch: CB, WR
16. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 7 Ranking: 15
Trade Deadline Watch: CB, DE
17. Caroling Panthers
Week 7 Ranking: 18
Trade Deadline Watch: Curtis Samuel
18. Detroit Lions
Week 7 Ranking: 20
Trade Deadline Watch: Kerryon Johnson, Marvin Jones, DB
19. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 7 Ranking: 22
Trade Deadline Watch: Tyrod Taylor
20. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 7 Ranking: 19
Trade Deadline Watch: CB, Alshon Jeffery
21. New England Patriots
Week 7 Ranking: 17
Trade Deadline Watch: Stephon Gilmore, Sony Michel
22. Miami Dolphins
Week 7 Ranking: 21
Trade Deadline Watch: Xavien Howard, Ryan Fitzpatrick
23. Houston Texans
Week 7 Ranking: 23
Trade Deadline Watch: Brandin Cooks, J.J. Watt
24. Minnesota Vikings
Week 7 Ranking: 24
Trade Deadline Watch: Kyle Rudolph
25. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 7 Ranking: 25
Trade Deadline Watch: Carlos Dunlap, A.J. Green
26. Atlanta Falcons
Week 7 Ranking: 26
Trade Deadline Watch: Julio Jones, Matt Ryan
27. Washington Football Team
Week 7 Ranking: 30
Trade Deadline Watch: Ryan Kerrigan
28. Denver Broncos
Week 7 Ranking: 27
Trade Deadline Watch: DaeSean Hamilton
29. Dallas Cowboys
Week 7 Ranking: 28
Trade Deadline Watch: Michael Gallup
30. New York Giants
Week 7 Ranking: 29
Trade Deadline Watch: Golden Tate
31. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 7 Ranking: 31
Trade Deadline Watch: Dede Westbrook, TE
32. New York Jets
Week 7 Ranking: 32
Trade Deadline Watch: Quinnen Williams, Sam Darnold
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