Power Rankings: Week 8

What’s Scary: Jeremiah Smith

Ok, this may not be totally fair, but it feels necessary here. The season is likely over, and with how tough the schedule is for LA, they will likely hold a top 5 pick, if not a top 3 in this year's NFL Draft. That means in all likeliness, the Chargers will get one of the best WR prospects we’ve seen in a very long time. I think the thought of finally giving Herbert a weapon, and it just so happens to be Jeremiah Smith, could be very scary next season.

What’s Scary: Saleh’s defense

Much like the Dolphins, it was hard to find something to be scared of here, but I think the reality is that Saleh can be a good coach, he just has to get the right pieces on his defense. This has been a relatively middle of the pack defense with disappointing results from key free agents, so I imagine as he constructs the defense for the next few years, it could go from a middle of the pack defense to a feared one.

What’s Scary: Young defensive players

Guys like Jacob Rodriguez, Chop Robinson, and Michael Taafe have had pretty solid seasons so far, despite being a part of the worst defense in the league. They have been noticeable bright spots, and good signs for the future of this franchise. There hasn’t been much to be scared of when it comes to this 1-5 Dolphins team, but I think the ceilings of these players certainly could be.

What’s Scary: Mike LaFluer

Given the circumstances that he was coming into, a division with 3 of the best teams in the entire league, the hardest schedule, and a QB you don’t have much faith in, it’s shocking that they aren’t bottom of the league in everything. They’ve scrapped a couple of wins out here and there, and have shown glimpses on offense and defense. Most importantly, they don’t really feel like they’re being outcoached, it’s just that most other teams have far better rosters.

What’s Scary: Jonathan Taylor

I get that there is a good chance that he is traded before the deadline, but as long as he’s a Colt, I think we have to give him credit. The Colts have the 5th best rushing offense this year, and that is ALL thanks to Taylor. Jones has had almost no impact this season with his legs, and the rest of the team is bottom of the barrel at everything. Team’s still have to gameplan around this man.

What’s Scary: Howie Roseman

Howie Roseman is one of the best GM’s in the history of the NFL, I think he is going to handle the roster, the QB position, and the head coach in a positive way. He has built enough trust that he can turn this team around potentially by next year.

What’s Scary: Tyler Shough

I think Shough has proved himself through 7 weeks this year. He has been the entire Saints offense so far this season, and they have not given him much help at all. I think changes could come to this franchise by the end of the season, but I am 100% confident that Shough is not one of them. He has been excellent.

What’s Scary: Lack of Mistakes on Offense

This could feel like a reach here, but I'm serious. This offense doesn’t turn the ball over hardly at all. That is a good quality trait, especially when you play defenses that rely on that kind of thing. That’s why their game with San Francisco was so close, and why they have been in just about every game they’ve played this year. Give credit to Daniels and the offense for protecting the ball, the defense just hasn’t had their back.

What’s Scary: This team’s future

The Jets are littered with good young talent all over the roster. From David Bailey, to Omar Cooper, they have pieces that they can build around. The best part is they have a ton of draft capital in the next few years, including THREE first round picks next year, in which all of them could be in the top 10. That is truly absurd. They could come away from next year's draft with a franchise QB, OT, and CB. They could have more picks if they sell at this year’s deadline, and get another first rounder if they trade Garrett Wilson.

What’s Scary: Great situation for Mendoza

Sure, the season took a turn for the worse, but there are still good foundations set for this team long term. The offensive philosophy works, and they are easily able to evaluate what parts work and what parts don’t. That makes it incredibly easy for Mendoza to slot in and succeed right away.

What’s Scary: Passing attack

Houston has had a pretty disappointing season, but it is certainly not on the passing attack. Stroud is playing the best football of his life, and the receiver room may be the best in the entire league. If this offense can fully tap into the potential of how good this passing game could be, they could beat anyone. Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel, Tank Dell, Marvin Harrison, Xavier Hutchinson? There isn’t a team with enough DB’s to possibly stop all of those guys.

What’s Scary: Bucky Irving

Maybe the most underappreciated running back in the entire national football league. If we look at the top rushing attacks, we know and respect them, such as Josh Allen/James Cook, Kenneth Walker, Christian McCaffrey… Well, Bucky Irving and the Bucs are right there with them. He is a premier running back, and is the main piece that opposing defenses have to gameplan for. You can give some credit to the other backs and the offensive line, but he is the guy on that offense.

What’s Scary: Pass defense

I personally feel like it is difficult to get a read on what this Giants team is good at, between the strength of their opponents and the inconsistency on both sides of the ball. The one consistency however has been their pass defense. Their pass rush and their secondary have been pretty effective so far this season, and if you pair that with a team that can run the ball, then you can see how they have a winning recipe.

What’s Scary: Offensive Line

For a unit coming into the year that had a couple of question marks, they have been excellent. Only 7 sacks allowed through 7 games, and have stepped up in the run game as well. Being good in the trenches is the cherry on top when you have the firepower that this Cowboys offense has.

What’s Scary: Bryce Young

Don’t look at last week, and just look at the season as a whole, Bryce Young looks legit as a franchise QB. His poise, accuracy, and pocket presence have all been amazing this season, and his connection with his top two receivers has been special as well. As a whole, he has led a very good offense, and has been a major reason that they have 3 wins.

What’s Scary: Mason Graham and E.M.W.

Young players emerging into good players has been the story of the season for the Browns, and the guys on offense have gotten their credit, the guys on defense have been just as impactful. Graham already looks like one of the league's best defensive linemen, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren looks like a complete weapon to be used, like Emmanwori.

What’s Scary: Chris Shula

This is an incredibly well coached defensive unit. I know that because they have been borderline top 10 without Myles Garrett and other injuries, but they have been fantastic situationally. They are top 5 on 3rd down, 4th down, and in the redzone. When this defense needs to step up, they typically do.

What’s Scary: Michael Penix Jr

I think it’s time to give the Falcons signal caller some credit. He just diced the Niners defense, and has been 3-2 since taking over as QB1, and has been a top 10 QB in my eyes and by QPR so far. Sure he has great weapons around him, and a good offensive line, but that hasn’t been enough in the past and with other QB’s. Props to the Falcons for sticking with him.

What’s Scary: Lamar Jackson

I get that this injury is very frustrating for a lot of people, as it has been gone about in a terrible way by everybody, but when he’s been on the field he’s been the best QB in the AFC. He’s been masterful through the air, and they have started doing designed runs for him again. Yes the injury is frustrating, but this is a scary team when he is healthy.

What’s Scary: Jaylen Warren

It appears he’s starting to get some recognition, but Warren is easily the best player on this offense, and has done a lot of heavy lifting in both the rushing and passing game for Pittsburgh. They have a top 10 rushing attack, which is a fantastic way to take the game out of Rodgers hands.

What’s Scary: The Defense

I don’t exactly know what happened to this defense for them to go from giving up 30+ to Carson Wentz, to locking down some of the best offenses in the league, but it’s pretty insane. They played Chicago, Dallas, and Detroit, three teams with top 7 offenses in the NFL, and held them to 7, 13, and 20 respectively. Meanwhile, they create the most turnovers per game out of any team in the league. They are doing this all without Micah Parsons. This defense is playing out of their mind right now.

What’s Scary: Jared Goff

He has arguably been the best QB in the league this year. He just isn’t making mistakes, passing with volume, and throwing touchdowns. It’s been near perfect play from Goff, and he should be in MVP discussions.

What’s Scary: (a confident) Drake Maye

I understand how bad he was playing the first 3 games, but he has almost more than made up for it with how he’s played since. Considering that his running game has been dealing with injuries all year, AJ Brown has been disappointing, and the defense is good but not all that special, Maye is overcoming again. He is playing good football all around, and I think is still continuing to develop.

What’s Scary: The offensive line

When you have the best offensive line in the league, it’s pretty easy to fix any issues you have on offense. If the offense plays mistake free, and you just let your guys win in the trenches, combined with that defense, you can win a lot of games. The offensive line deserves a lot of credit for not faltering amid the offensive inconsistencies.

What’s Scary: Pass rush

The Bengals are tied for the most sacks in the league with the 4 other teams, despite only playing in 6 games so far. Being able to rush the passer is a quality that Bengals teams in the past have lacked, but this team is elite at. Pair that with a solid offense, this is a well-rounded team.

What’s Scary: Caleb Williams

Sometimes I feel like we give Ben Johnson too much credit. Not saying he doesn’t deserve any, but we have to give more credit to Caleb. He is playing at a superstar level consistently, and is making plays that I am convinced only he can make. I think if it weren’t for the games he missed, he would be a favorite to win MVP.

What’s Scary: The offense

The defense for the most part has sort of cooled off for Jacksonville, but not the offense. They are the only team in the AFC to have a top 10 passing and rushing attack, which is massive for what has felt like a relatively weak AFC so far. This offense can beat you in so many different ways with so many different players, that it is only to be feared.

What’s Scary: Kenneth Walker III

Obviously. Yes he was stuffed by Seattle, but that’s likely the only team that’s going to do that to them for the rest of the season. He’s going to be dominant, and in OPOY conversations.

What’s Scary: The Offense

The offense is the best in the league, and it doesn’t even feel like they are getting the most out of their passing game, with their WR1 missing significant time. They can beat you on the ground, and they can beat you in the air. Scoring about 30 points is a near given for this team.

What’s Scary: They just got Quentin Nelson

So as of writing this the Seahawks just traded for Quentin Nelson, and didn’t give up much to do so. This is massive for their run game and their pass game, and it shows that this team really thinks they can go back to the Super Bowl.

What’s Scary: The Defense AND Special Teams

We talk about how good the defense is, and it is the best defense in the league currently, but not enough is talked about the special teams. They have the best kicker and return man in the league, along with blocking field goals. Those things make way bigger impacts on the game than you would imagine, and we have to give credit to the special teams unit as well.

What’s Scary: Everything

Brock Purdy, the running game, the defense, everything looks very good so far for the 49ers, and they still sit pretty comfortably atop the NFC West with wins over the Hawks and Rams. I think if this team can get a little more healthy by playoff-time, they will be the team to beat.