By Bill Seals - Fred Altieri
Sports Reporters - PFWA Members 

2022 NFL Power Rankings – Week 08

Chargers, Rams Hover in the Middle

 

November 3, 2022

Brevin Townsell - LA Rams

Rams rank 11th in league rushing defense, allowing 4.2 yards-per-carry

1. Philadelphia Eagles (6-0): The rich get richer. The Eagle acquired pass rusher Robert Quinn from the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round draft pick in 2023. Quinn, 32, is a three-time Pro Bowler. With a top five offense and a top five defense, adding Quinn almost seems unfair. Next: -10.5 vs Pittsburgh Steelers – Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 43 (ATS: 4-2 – O/U: 3-3)

2. Buffalo Bills (5-1): The Bills are coming off a bye week with a deep squad and not much standing in their path to the AFC Championship game. The Bills failed to acquire running back Christian McCaffrey from the Panthers, but they really did not need him. Next: -10.5 vs Green Bay Packers - Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U 47 (ATS: 4-1-1 – O/U: 1-5)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2): The Chiefs crushed the 49ers on Sunday in San Francisco, 44-23. But they are not taking the bye week off. The Chiefs have acquired speedy wide receiver Kadaris Toney from the Giants in exchange for a 2023 third-round compensatory pick and a 2023 sixth-round pick. Toney was a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft. A talented Chiefs offense just got better. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A vs Tennessee Titans - Sun, Nov. 6 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 3-4 – O/U: 4-3)

4. Dallas Cowboys (5-2): The Cowboys are still in third place in the NFC East. Quarterback Dak Prescott has returned from injury but running back Ezekiel Elliott may miss this week's game with a knee sprain. Next: -10 vs Chicago Bears - Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U 42.5 (ATS: 5-2 – O/U: 2-5)

5. Minnesota Vikings (5-1): The Viking got a road win in Miami and are getting closer to locking up the NFC North division. They are up by three in the loss column over the Bears and Packers and have beaten both head-to-head. Next: -3.5 vs Arizona Cardinals – Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 49 (ATS: 2-4 – O/U: 3-3)

6. New York Giants (6-1): The Giants are 6-1 and have won four in a row after defeating the Jaguars, 23-17. The Giants are 6-1 in games decided by less than eight points. The "Smoke & Mirrors Gang" continues to find ways to win close, ugly games. Next: -3 at Seattle Seahawks – Sun, Oct. 30 - O/U 44.5 (ATS: 6-1 – O/U: 2-5)

7. Miami Dolphins (4-3): Thanks to the Steelers, the Dolphins were able to end a three-game losing streak with a 16-10 win at home. Tight end Mike Gesicki could be traded before the trade deadline. Gesicki had 73 receptions in 2021. Next: -3.5 at Detroit Lions - Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 51.5 (ATS: 3-4 – O/U: 2-5)

8. Tennessee Titans (4-2): The Titans do not overwhelm teams, but they have somehow managed to get to 4-2 for the season and are in first place in the AFC South. The Titans used three Colt turnovers and 128 yards in rushing from Derrick Henry to beat the Colts, 19-10. Next: -3 at Houston Texans - Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U 41 (ATS: 4-2 – O/U: 2-4)

9. New York Jets (5-2): The Jets beat the Broncos in Denver, but lost rookie running back Breece Hall for the season with an ACL injury. The Jets traded for running back James Robinson of the Jaguars to provide some depth, but the load at running back will likely be carried by Michael Carter. Next: +2.5 vs New England Patriots - Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 40 (ATS: 5-2 – O/U: 3-4)

10. Baltimore Ravens (4-3): The Ravens got a needed victory over the Browns and the Texans send their thanks. Justin Tucker's chip shot 55-yard field goal was the difference in the victory for the Ravens. Next: +2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Thu, Oct. 27 – O/U 46 (ATS: 2-4-1 – O/U: 2-5)

11. Seattle Seahawks (4-3): Rookie running back Kenneth Walker ran wild against the Chargers, rushing for 167 yards and two touchdowns in the Seahawks blowout road win. Former Charger quarterback Geno Smith threw for two touchdowns in the victory. The Seahawks are alone in first place in the NFC West. Next: +3 vs New York Giants - Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 4-3 – O/U: 4-3)

12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-3): Quarterback Joe Burrow was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 7. Burrow completed 34 of 42 passes for 481 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, he will be without the services of his top receiver, Ja'Marr Chase, who will miss several weeks due to a hip injury. Next: -3.5 at Cleveland Browns - Mon, Oct. 31 – O/U: 45 (ATS: 5-2 – O/U: 2-5)

13. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3): The Chargers are being wrecked by injuries and subpar performances. Yet they are still 4-3 after their blowout home loss to the Seahawks. Getting healthy would help. The Chargers should be active in the NFL trade market before the NFL trade deadline on November 1st at 1:00 pm PST. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at Atlanta Falcons, Sun, Nov. 6 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 4-3 – O/U: 4-3)

14. Los Angeles Rams (3-3): The Rams need a running back and the Browns want to trade running back Kareem Hunt. This trade has got to happen if the Rams have any hope of making a playoff run this season. Next: +1 vs San Francisco 49ers – Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U 42 (ATS: 2-4 – O/U: 1-5)

15. Indianapolis Colts (3-3-1): The Colts have decided to go with quarterback Sam Ehlinger for the rest of the season after their loss to the Titans. Ehlinger, a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft from Texas, could energize the Colts with his running ability. Next: -3 vs Washington Commanders – Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U 39.5 (ATS: 3-4 – O/U: 1-6)

16. San Francisco 49ers (3-4): The 49ers got boat-raced in the second half by the Chiefs at home, 44-23. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 417 yards and three touchdowns in the rout. The 49ers defense gave up a total of 529 yards in offense to the Chiefs. Next: -1 at Los Angeles Rams – Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U 42 (ATS: 3-4 – O/U: 2-5)

17. Arizona Cardinals (3-4): The return of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from suspension made a huge difference for the Cardinals, who scored a season high 42 points in their win over the Saints. Hopkins had 10 receptions for 103 yards. Next: +3.5 at Minnesota Vikings - Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 49 (ATS: 4-3 – O/U: 2-4-1)

18. Green Bay Packers (3-4): The Packers have a three-game losing streak after falling to the Commanders, 23-21. The losing streak consists of losses to the Giants, Jets, and Commanders. At the beginning of the season, Packer fans would have put a "W" by those three games. Next: +10.5 at Buffalo Bills - Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 47 (ATS: 2-5 – O/U: 3-4)

19. New England Patriots (3-4): The Pats got embarrassed on Monday Night football by the Bears at home, 33-14. The Pats gave up 243 yards on the ground to the Bears, which will not sit well with head coach Bill Belichick. Next: -2 at New York Jets – Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U 40 (ATS: 3-3-1 – O/U: 4-3)

20. Atlanta Falcons (3-4): The Falcons are tied for first place and have a decent shot at winning the NFC South. They Falcons play the Panthers twice in the next three weeks, the struggling Chargers at home, the Bears, the Commanders, the Steelers, and the Saints. Anything is possible for the Falcons. Next: -4 vs Carolina Panthers – Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 41 (ATS: 6-1 – O/U: 4-3)

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4): The Bucs have lost four of their last five games and quarterback Tom Brady cannot stop the bleeding. It was announced this week that his divorce to his wife Gisele Bundchen has been finalized, because he would not give up football. Maybe he should have retired at age 44. Next: -2 vs Baltimore Ravens - Thu, Oct. 27 – O/U 46 (ATS: 2-5 – O/U: 1-6)

22. Chicago Bears (3-4): The Bears rushed for 237 yards last week against the Commanders and against the Patriots ran for 243 yards in their surprise victory on Monday Night over the Pats. The Bears may have found a formula for offensive success. Next: +10 at Dallas Cowboys - Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 42.5 (ATS: 3-3-1 – O/U: 3-4)

23. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4): The Raiders got the right opponent at the right time and in the right place which equaled the right results, a 38-20 win over the Texans in Las Vegas. The Raiders were led by running back Josh Jacobs, who had 143 yards rushing and three rushing touchdowns. Next: -1.5 at New Orleans Saints - Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 49.5 (ATS: 3-3 – O/U: 4-1-1)

24. Washington Commanders (3-4): The Commanders have won two in a row, with victories over the Bears and the Packers. They are in last place in the NFC East and are a long shot to make the playoffs, but it must feel good to have a winning streak. Next: +3 at Indianapolis Colts – Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 39.5 (ATS: 3-4 – O/U: 3-4)

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5): The Jaguars have lost four in a row since their stunning blowout win over the Chargers on the road. They decided to trade running back James Robinson to the Jets because they apparently wanted to help a team with actual playoff hopes. The Jets will send a 2023 conditional sixth-round pick to the Jaguars. In 2020, Robinson had 1,414 yards in total offense and ten touchdowns with the Jags. Next: -2.5 at Denver Broncos - Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 2-5 – O/U: 4-3)

26. Cleveland Browns (2-5): The Browns are shopping running back Kareem Hunt and will likely move him before the trade deadline on November 1st. The Browns are looking for trade compensation to makeup for the loss of a first and third round pick in the 2023 NFL draft due to the acquisition of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Next: +3.5 vs Cincinnati Bengals – Mon, Oct. 31 – O/U 45 (ATS: 3-4 – O/U: 5-2)

27. Denver Broncos (2-5): The offensively challenged Broncos were held to nine points in their 16-9 loss to the Jets. The Broncos could be shopping wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who has a lot of upside potential if he can ever overcome the drops. Next: +2.5 vs Jacksonville Jaguars - Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U 40.5 (ATS: 2-5 – O/U: 1-6)

28. New Orleans Saints (2-5): The Saints lead the NFL in turnovers with 16 and that is a reflection of their troubles on the field. The Saints have lost five of their last six games yet are just one game behind the first place Falcons and Bucs in the NFC South. Next: +1.5 vs Las Vegas Raiders – Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 49.5 (ATS: 2-5 – O/U: 5-2)

29. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5): The Steelers broke a four-game losing streak in Week 6 with their upset win over the Bucs, but unfortunately can only play the Bucs once this season. In Week 7, the Steelers lost again, this time to the Dolphins. Next: +10.5 at Philadelphia Eagles – Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 43 (ATS: 3-3-1 – O/U: 2-5)

30. Carolina Panthers (2-5): The Panthers, who had appeared to be circling the drain and ready to give up on the season, shocked the NFL football world with a 21-3 victory over the Bucs at home. Quarterback PJ Walker threw for two touchdowns and the Panthers rushed for 173 yards on the suddenly hapless Bucs. Next: +4 at Atlanta Falcons - Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U 41 (ATS: 2-5 – O/U: 2-5)

Mike Nowak - LA Chargers

Chargers rank last in league rushing defense, allowing 5.7 yards-per-carry

31. Houston Texans (1-4-1): The fans in Houston will be focused on the Astros in the World Series for the next week, which should keep their minds off the Texans for at least a week. Any hope for the Texans in the future will lie in their ability to draft and develop talent. The Texans could have two top ten picks next season, with their pick as well as the pick acquired from the Browns for Deshaun Watson. Next: +3 vs Tennessee Titans – Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U 41 (ATS: 3-2-1 – O/U: 3-3)

32. Detroit Lions (1-5): Lions owner Sheila Hamp gave the team's leadership the dreaded vote of confidence this week, despite a 1-5 record. The Lions will have a high first round pick next season and with a first-round draft pick from the Rams as well in 2023, they will be sticking plenty of pins in their Rams voodoo doll in hopes of a high pick from the Rams. Next: +3.5 vs Miami Dolphins – Sun, Oct. 30 – O/U: 51.5 (ATS: 3-3 – O/U: 4-2)

 

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