NFL Power Rankings for Week 8: The unlikely Browns rise can no longer be ignored
What if the Browns had not lost to the hapless Jets in Week 5?They would have a six-game winning streak and would be one of five teams in the NFL with one or fewer losses.Even with that blemish, the Browns are one of the surprise stories in the NFL.Under 60-year-old first-time head coach Todd Monken, they are off to their first 5-2 start since 2020.It’s the first time they have had a share of first place with a 5-2 record since 1993, when the head coach was Bill Belichick.Yes, the Browns are one of the NFL’s top 10 teams entering their AFC North showdown with the Steelers (5-2).Here are The Post’s NFL power rankings for Week 8:Blake Cashman notched 12 tackles, two sacks, four passes defended and three quarterback hits in a 16-10 win against the Colts.
Harrison Smith’s 40th career interception ended with him planting the ball at the 40-yard line.Kyler Murray threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass after the Colts led for more than three quarters of the game.
Will Reichard kicked three field goals.The Bills are averaging a league-best 32.8 points per game coming out of their bye, and James Cook is among the league leaders in carries of at least 10 yards.First-year defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s unit is having difficulty stopping the pass – especially on third down – despite Greg Rousseau and Deone Walker providing a pass rush.For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs never even reached the red zone and tied for their fewest points scored with the MVP quarterback under center in a 20-3 loss to the Seahawks.
Harrison Butker missed two field goals, including one that would’ve made it 13-6 in the fourth quarter.Mahomes was pressured 14 times.After committing just six turnovers in their first six games, the 49ers gave the ball away four times and didn’t take it away in a 29-20 loss to the Falcons.
Christian McCaffrey missed most of the first half with a thigh injury and then was limited after returning.Brock Purdy’s second inter...