Welcome to Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season! It’s been a whirlwind, with some surprising twists and turns shaking up the standings. Last week saw the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots pull off unexpected wins, while the Baltimore Ravens and Minnesota Vikings, who were riding high in the top 10, faced shocking defeats.
As we dive into this week’s Power Rankings, the Kansas City Chiefs throne at top has been taken by Detroit Lions, but the race for playoff positioning is tightening. Along with the rankings, we also asked our NFL Nation reporters to highlight the best offseason additions for each team—whether it’s a rookie stepping up or a veteran making a significant impact.
Let’s see how the teams stack up as we head into the heart of the season!
1. Detroit Lions (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Beat the Titans 52-14
Week 8 Ranking: 2
Best Offseason Addition: Kicker Jake Bates
Bates, signed in June, has been remarkable, converting all 11 field goals and 27 extra points this season. His clutch 44-yard kick in Week 7 earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, demonstrating his reliability.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated the Raiders 27-20
Week 8 Ranking: 1
Best Offseason Addition: Wide receiver Xavier Worthy
Worthy, a first-round draft pick, leads the team with five touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field has opened up opportunities for other receivers, although he has just 19 receptions in seven games. He shows promise for future development as he is still only 21.
3. Buffalo Bills (5-2)
Week 8 Result: Overcame the Seahawks 31-10
Week 8 Ranking: 3
Best Offseason Addition: Wide receiver Keon Coleman
Coleman had a breakout game in Week 7 and continued to impress with 70 yards and a touchdown against Seattle. His performance has been bolstered by the presence of veteran Amari Cooper, which helps the young receiver thrive.
4. Green Bay Packers (6-2)
Week 8 Result: Narrowly defeated the Jaguars 30-27
Week 8 Ranking: 5
Best Offseason Addition: Safety Xavier McKinney
McKinney has transformed the Packers’ defense with a league-leading six interceptions, helping the team generate 19 turnovers so far, which is more than they managed in the entirety of last season.
5. Houston Texans (6-2)
Week 8 Result: Beat the Colts 23-20
Week 8 Ranking: 7
Best Offseason Addition: Running back Joe Mixon
Mixon averages over 100 rushing yards per game, proving to be a game-changer when the passing game struggles. His presence has significantly boosted the team’s scoring average.
6. Baltimore Ravens (5-3)
Week 8 Result: Lost to the Browns 29-24
Week 8 Ranking: 4
Best Offseason Addition: Running back Derrick Henry
Henry has excelled, leading the league with 946 rushing yards and scoring in every game. His performance is among the best starts for a running back in Ravens history.
7. Washington Commanders (6-2)
Week 8 Result: Defeated the Bears 18-15
Week 8 Ranking: 9
Best Offseason Addition: Quarterback Jayden Daniels
Daniels has been dynamic, throwing for 1,736 yards and rushing for 424 yards, making him a strong candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year and bringing optimism to the quarterback position.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Week 8 Result: Beat the Giants 26-18
Week 8 Ranking: 8
Best Offseason Addition: Safety DeShon Elliott
Elliott has made significant contributions on defense, leading in tackles and making impactful plays, including interceptions and fumble recoveries.
9. Minnesota Vikings (5-2)
Week 8 Result: Lost to the Rams 30-20
Week 8 Ranking: 6
Best Offseason Addition: LB Andrew Van Ginkel
Van Ginkel has been a standout, tied for the team lead in sacks and returning two interceptions for touchdowns, showcasing his defensive prowess.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
Week 8 Result: Defeated the Bengals 37-17
Week 8 Ranking: 11
Best Offseason Addition: Running back Saquon Barkley
Barkley has been exceptional, ranking high in rushing yards and consistently contributing over 100 scrimmage yards per game, solidifying the Eagles' run-heavy strategy.
Remaining Teams
11. Atlanta Falcons
12. San Francisco 49ers
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
14. Seattle Seahawks
15. Chicago Bears
16. Denver Broncos
17. Los Angeles Chargers
18. Arizona Cardinals
19. Los Angeles Rams
20. Dallas Cowboys
21. Indianapolis Colts
22. Cincinnati Bengals
23. Miami Dolphins
24. New Orleans Saints
25. Las Vegas Raiders
26. Cleveland Browns
27. New York Jets
28. New York Giants
29. New England Patriots
30. Jacksonville Jaguars
31. Tennessee Titans
32. Carolina Panthers
