Week 8 was the most unpredictable week of the 2020 NFL season, right before the halfway point. While the top contenders have started to separate a bit, some of the other playoff-caliber teams ran into unexpected snags.
Going into Week 9, four teams have emerged as favorites to get to the NFC and AFC championship games. They take their rightful places at the top of our power rankings.
Here's a look at the complete NFL pecking order from 1-32 with a midseason edition of Sporting News' NFL power rankings:
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NFL power rankings
1. Kansas City Chiefs 7-1 (last week: 1)
The Chiefs had a free Bingo space against the Jets at home, but they used it to rev up Patrick Mahomes and their big-play passing offense. The pass defense also has imposed its will the past two weeks.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers 7-0 (2)
The Steelers got a little grittier than the Ravens to steal one in Baltimore and stay undefeated as the new unquestioned AFC North favorites. They still need to clean up a lot defensively to feel better about eventually upending the Chiefs.
3. Seattle Seahawks 6-1 (3)
Russell Wilson got back to his prolific passing without mistakes to take full control of the MVP race. The Seahawks' defense made a statement, too, containing the 49ers' running game and getting more out of the pass rush.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-2 (4)
The Bucs are starting to put it all together with Tom Brady leading the offense and their defense flexing equally against run and pass. They are rolling into the Saints game next Sunday night with revenge and first place on their mind.
5. New Orleans Saints 5-2 (8)
The Saints had to make the long march to survive the Bears in overtime but their defense had some much-needed big moments and the offense proved it could get creative to grind through a tough matchup outside. That kind of physical and mental mettle will be needed in trying to sweep the Bucs.
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6. Baltimore Ravens 5-2 (6)
The Ravens have no problems running the ball and throwing in the red zone when needed, but Lamar Jackson's inconsistency caught up to them again vs. the Steelers. Their defense has become a stronger backbone, however.
7. Buffalo Bills 6-2 (9)
The Bills don't care how they beat the Patriots to open up a 3.5-game lead in the AFC East. They are well positioned to win their first division title in 25 years and have rebounded with two gritty victories after losing to the Chiefs and the Titans. A good development is getting more out of their running game.
8. Green Bay Packers 5-2 (5)
What was that? The Packers will have no problems passing and racking up yards with Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers, but their defense against running backs — both as rushers and receivers — was exploited badly by the Vikings' Dalvin Cook. They need to fix that, stat, with the nemesis of the 49ers looming on a short-week long road trip.
9. Arizona Cardinals 5-2 (10)
The Cardinals enjoyed a bye, which is the only thing that could stop the momentum of Kyler Murray and the offense. They should come out playing better defense against the Dolphins at home.
10. Indianapolis Colts 5-2 (15)
The Colts are getting the strong QB play they expected with Philip Rivers spreading the ball around and are back in the groove with their deep stable of running backs. The defense also is much different with Darius Leonard back making plays for it.
11. Tennessee Titans 5-2 (7)
The Titans' defensive woes showed up badly against the Bengals as they failed to stop the run or mount a pass rush. There's little margin for error with Ryan Tannehill and the offense and it keeps showing.
12. Los Angeles Rams 5-3 (12)
The Rams should have fared better against the Dolphins but Jared Goff had a rough outing and their special teams were awful, too. Their defense continues to hold its end of the deal with Aaron Donald.
13. Chicago Bears 5-3 (13)
The Bears fought hard to help their defense against the Saints with Nick Foles pushing it in the passing game and David Montgomery getting everything he could in the running game. They will be in games in most weeks and got a break from the Packers losing.
14. Miami Dolphins 4-3 (17)
The Dolphins won with defense and special teams but know they need more from their now Tua Tagovailoa-led offense going forward to feel good about their AFC wild-card chances. The Cardinals will be a great interconference test to see where they really are.
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15. San Francisco 49ers 4-4 (11)
The 49ers are doing their best to navigate through injuries but defensively, they were too weak for Wilson and offensively they're not quite right when Jimmy Garoppolo isn't. They need to figure things out quickly again with the Packers looming.
16. Las Vegas Raiders 4-3 (16)
The Raiders showed they could grind with Jon Gruden in their successful battle of attrition with the Browns. That win was big for their AFC wild-card chances. They had to be pleased with the defense and running game picking up Derek Carr.
17. Cleveland Browns 5-3 (14)
The Browns saw their running game contained in windy conditions and that brought down Baker Mayfield again to start November. They're still working on a complete team to be more reliable as a wild-card contender.
18. Philadelphia Eagles 3-4-1 (19)
The Eagles took care of the Cowboys as expected without looking too far ahead in the division. First place is rather secure for the second half even with a slim lead. They desperately needed their Week 10 bye to get healthy and rest up for a stronger stretch run.
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19. Detroit Lions 3-4 (18)
The Lions couldn't run the ball on the Colts and also lost wide receiver Kenny Golladay to a new injury. Matthew Stafford managed as well as he could but Matt Patricia's defense got ripped too much for the QB to make a difference. Consider the coach back on a hotter seat.
20. Denver Broncos 3-5 (22)
The Broncos showed fight in rallying to beat the Chargers with Drew Lock having arguably his best game of the season. They are finally playing their best skill players overall minus Courltand Sutton and saw overdue dividends from their second-year quarterback.
21. Carolina Panthers 3-5 (20)
The Panthers desperately need Christian McCaffrey to make their offense more consistent and dangerous. Teddy Bridgewater needs the extra rest to break out of his mini slump and recover from the scary hit against the Falcons. The Chiefs aren't exactly a get-well game for that.
22. Cincinnati Bengals 2-5-1 (26)
The Bengals had three-fifths of their starting offensive line out and didn't really matter with Joe Burrow throwing fire all over the field against the Titans. There's no doubt there are bigger things ahead with Burrow once they fix a few more things around him.
23. Minnesota Vikings 2-5 (27)
The Vikings' pass defense is something that can't be fixed with a limited pass rush and an injury-depleted young cornerback corps. But they can do whatever they want offensively when Dalvin Cook is cooking. They'll try to keep out-scoring teams and hope to sneak back into the wild-card race.
24. Los Angeles Chargers 2-5 (21)
What was that? The Chargers actually might be cursed, given they somehow keep losing despite stellar quarterback play from first-round rookie Justin Herbert. The good news is they have major upside with Herbert going forward, even if they need to wail until 2021.
25. New England Patriots 2-5 (23)
The Patriots fumbled away their chance to get back into the AFC playoff race. Cam Newton played better, but still made the critical costly mistake. Bill Belichick really can't magically solve these problems after four straight losses.
26. Washington Football Team 2-5 (24)
WFT had a bye to see how it can better compete with the Eagles for the NFC East title, knowing it beat Philadelphia way back in Week 1. Washington has a real chance with the Giants, Lions, Bengals and Cowboys in the next four weeks.
27. Atlanta Falcons 2-6 (28)
The Falcons were able to finish a game in Carolina as their much-maligned defense is making notable strides and their offense is flexing its versatility, explosiveness and toughness. They need to keep building positives for their next full-time coach.
28. Dallas Cowboys 2-6 (25)
The Cowboys showed a lot more life against the Eagles with Ben DiNucci and a more motivated defense, but the Eagles just had too much for them. They will keep getting pounded with the Steelers next.
29. Houston Texans 1-6 (30)
The Texans will try to finish the season strong after the bye as there's too much separation between them and the Titans and the Colts. Getting the Jaguars, Browns, Patriots and Lions over the next month will help.
30. New York Giants 1-7 (29)
The Giants are done with Daniel Jones in Year 2. Their defense has shown some fight but it's not good enough to overcome one-dimensional offensive ineffectiveness.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-6 (31)
The Jaguars are looking at a quarterback change to Jake Luton after the bye with Gardner Minshew hurting and struggling. Maybe he can be another rookie bright spot like undrafted feature back James Robinson.
32. New York Jets 0-8 (32)
The Jets did their best to hang with the Chiefs with a little more energy with Sam Darnold under Adam Gase. But their injuries and defensive woes eventually drag them further down to the bottom.
