2021 Post-Week 8 NFL Power Rankings: Las Vegas Raiders enjoy the bye week
By Brad Weiss
2021 Post-Week 8 NFL Power Rankings: Las Vegas Raiders enjoy the bye week
No. 19 through 15
. Previous: 21st. San Francisco 49ers. 19. team. 42.
Despite all the noise surrounding the San Francisco 49ers quarterback situation, and whether or not Jimmy Garoppolo has the backing of the franchise, the team went out and got a solid win in Week 8. Jimmy G threw for 322 yards in the contest, the running game averaged nearly six yards per carry, and the defense stepped up big time against the Chicago Bears.
. Previous: 20th. Seattle Seahawks. 18. team. 36.
The Seattle Seahawks are without Russell Wilson for the foreseeable future, but on Sunday, they got great play from his backup, Geno Smith in a drubbing of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Smith led the Seahawks to a 31-7 victory, tossing two touchdowns, while also running one in himself. It was an outstanding effort from the veteran.
Cleveland Browns. 17. team. 53. . . Previous: 13th
It has been a strange season for the Cleveland Browns, and if they do not pick up the pace, they are going to be left for dead in the AFC playoff picture. Baker Mayfield started this game, but was wildly ineffective, as the Pittsburgh Steelers went into Cleveland and won a crucial AFC North battle on the road.
. . Previous: 16th. Indianapolis Colts. 16. team. 46
The Indianapolis Colts gave the Tennessee Titans all they could handle on Sunday, as this was a high-scoring and exciting AFC South matchup. In the end, the Colts would go on to lose 34-31 in overtime, as turnovers were a killer for Carson Wentz and company late.
. . Previous: 17th. New England Patriots. 15. team. 47
The New England Patriots were not expected to go into Los Angeles and beat the Chargers, but that is exactly what they did, coming away with their best victory of the season. The Patriots’ defense was able to make Justin Herbert look human, and in the process, have made some headway in the playoff picture in the AFC.