NFL Power Rankings for Week 8: Lights unexpectedly shining brightest in Indianapolis

The NFL already annually hosts the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Maybe it should move the NFL Honors ceremony there this year, too.

Jonathan Taylor (Offensive Player of the Year), Daniel Jones (Comeback Player of the Year) and Shane Steichen (Coach of the Year) have staked midseason claims to major awards, so it naturally follows that the Colts have the NFL’s best winning percentage. Not that anyone saw that coming before the season.

For the fourth straight week, there is a new No. 1 team in The Post’s NFL power rankings

The Colts will try to avoid the hex placed on the Bills, Lions and Buccaneers after ascending to the top spot in this Sunday’s game against the Titans.

Here are the rest of the Week 8 power rankings:

1. Colts 6-1 (3)

Taylor’s third three-touchdown game of the season and another two touchdown passes by Jones fueled a 38-24 win against the Chargers. Taylor was untouched on all three runs – the product of a great offensive line. The defense held the vaunted Chargers’ rushing attack to a season-low 54 net yards. The Colts’ last win in Los Angeles was in 1986.

Jonathan Taylor (28) celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Daniel Jones (17) against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. AP

2. Packers 4-1-1 (2)

Originally a game-time decision, Josh Jacobs rushed for two touchdowns, including the game-winner with less than two minutes remaining, in a 27-23 victory against the Cardinals. Micah Parsons tallied a career-high three sacks and five quarterback hurries. The Packers overcame a 10-point first-half deficit to win on the road for the first time.

3. Lions 5-2 (4)

An injury-ravaged defense, particularly in the secondary, cooled off MVP candidate Baker Mayfield (50 pass attempts) and the red-hot Buccaneers with a 24-9 victory. Jahmyr Gibbs gained 222 yards from scrimmage and rushed for two touchdowns, leaving a line of missed tackles in his dust. The Lions haven’t suffered back-to-back losses in their last 51 regular-season games.

4. Buccaneers 5-2 (1)

Playing without three of their top offensive weapons, the Buccaneers punted on their first five possessions and then committed back-to-back turnovers in a listless first half that set the stage for the loss to the Lions. Cade Otton had team highs of seven catches for 65 yards, but he also had a ball ripped away for an interception.

5. Bills 4-2 (5)

The Bills had a well-timed bye week to lick their wounds and figure out what’s wrong after back-to-back losses to the Patriots and Falcons. Four pass-catchers have between 234 and 287 receiving yards, but it would be nice for Josh Allen if Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman or Joshua Palmer separated from the pack.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) is sacked by Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Micah Parsons (1) in the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

6. Eagles 5-2 (6)

There shouldn’t be any in-fighting this week after Jalen Hurts threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns (two to malcontent A.J. Brown and one 79-yarder to DeVonta Smith) in a 28-22 victory against the Vikings. Hurts only missed on four of 23 passes. Jalyx Hunt returned an interception for a touchdown against former Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz.

7. Rams 5-2 (7)

Matthew Stafford threw five touchdown passes, including three to Davante Adams and the first of rookie Konana Mumpfield’s career, in a 35-7 rout of the Jaguars in London. Advantage teacher (Sean McVay) over his coaching pupil (Liam Coen). Byron Young and Nate Landman combined for three of the Rams’ seven sacks.

8. Seahawks 5-2 (8)

Long known for their home-field advantage, the Seahawks improved to .500 at home by beating the Texans. But it’s their 3-0 road record that jumps off the page in the tightly condensed NFC West. Sam Darnold is proving that his breakout year with the Vikings was no fluke and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is playing like an All-Pro.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

9. Chiefs 4-3 (10)

Patrick Mahomes earned the fourth quarter off by throwing for 286 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-0 rout of the Raiders. Two of Mahomes’ scoring strikes went to Rashee Rice, who was making his season debut after serving a six-game suspension. The Chiefs celebrated their fourth and most-lopsided shutout victory in the 133-game rivalry series. 

10. 49ers 5-2 (12)

A vintage Christian McCaffrey game (23 carries, 114 yards and two touchdowns plus seven catches for 72 yards) took the pressure off when the red-hot Mac Jones reverted to a pumpkin in a 20-10 victory against the Falcons. Tatum Bethune’s 10 tackles led the way for a defense that stifled superstar Bijan Robinson on the ground.

11. Patriots 5-2 (16)

Mike Vrabel coached the Patriots to a fourth straight win – their longest streak since 2021 – but this was a little extra special since it was at the expense of the team that fired him not long ago. Drake Maye threw for two touchdowns, and K’Lavon Chaisson recorded two sucks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the 31-13 win against the Titans.

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel reacts to a call during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

12. Jaguars 4-3 (9)

13. Broncos 5-2 (13)

14. Falcons 3-3 (14)

15. Bears 4-2 (17)

16. Steelers 4-2 (11)

17. Cowboys 3-3-1 (21)

18. Chargers 4-3 (15)

19. Panthers 4-3 (19)

20. Vikings 3-3 (20)

21. Commanders 3-4 (18)

22. Texans 2-4 (22)

23. Bengals 3-4 (25)

24. Giants 2-5 (23)

Authors of one of the most stunning collapses in NFL history, the Giants went from pitching a 45-minute shutout to allowing four fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 33-32 loss to the Broncos. The Broncos’ 33 fourth-quarter points were the most in NFL history by a team that was getting shut out. Jaxson Dart accounted for four touchdowns with his arm and legs.

25. Ravens 1-5 (24)

26. Cardinals 2-5 (26)

27. Browns 2-5 (28)

28. Raiders 2-5 (27)

29. Saints 1-6 (29)

30. Titans 1-6 (30)

31. Dolphins 1-6 (31)

32. Jets 0-7 (32)

Spoiler alert: Changing quarterbacks did nothing to liven up the NFL’s worst offense. Especially with Garrett Wilson sidelined. Justin Fields was benched after the offense failed to score a first-half touchdown for the sixth straight game. Tyrod Taylor came in and threw two second-half interceptions. The end result? A 13-6 loss to the Panthers.