This week, we’re uncovering a scary trend for each team that might leave fans trembling in fear on Halloween.
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ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SEA | SF | TB | TEN | WAS
1. Kansas City Chiefs (7-0)
Previous rank: 1
The Chiefs have seven wins in as many games, but history may not be on their side. The last remaining undefeated team hasn’t won the Super Bowl since the 2006 Colts.
2. Detroit Lions (6-1)
Previous rank: 2
Detroit’s defense could use more from Terrion Arnold. The 2024 first-round corner has allowed 354 yards in coverage and has been flagged for eight penalties, according to PFF.
3. Baltimore Ravens (5-3)
Previous rank: 3
Baltimore has dropped four interceptions this season, tied for the most in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Info. The team’s most recent drop would’ve sealed a Week 8 win, but Kyle Hamilton’s mistake ultimately resulted in a Browns comeback.
4. Buffalo Bills (6-2)
Previous rank: 7
The Bills look great right now, but they haven’t beaten a top AFC contender, having fallen short against the Ravens and Texans. Buffalo plays Kansas City in three weeks.
5. Green Bay Packers (6-2)
Previous rank: 5
Green Bay has been racking up takeaways on defense, but quarterback Jordan Love needs to protect the ball better. Love is tied for the league lead with nine interceptions despite only playing in six games.
6. Minnesota Vikings (5-2)
Previous rank: 4
Minnesota’s defense got off to a hot start but has come back down to earth in back-to-back losses. The Vikings rank 31st in dropback success rate and EPA/play over the last two weeks.
7. Houston Texans (6-2)
Previous rank: 6
C.J. Stroud has been sacked 22 times in 2024, losing 173 yards as a result. Only Deshaun Watson has lost more yardage on sacks (191).
8. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
Previous rank: 9
The Eagles exploded on offense for 37 points against the Bengals, but they’re still the NFL’s only team that hasn’t scored a point in the first quarter.
9. Washington Commanders (6-2)
Previous rank: 8
Washington’s defense played well against Chicago, but the team will need to do a better job of slowing down opposing QBs if it wants to be a Super Bowl contender. Through eight weeks, the Commanders’ defense ranks dead last in EPA/dropback.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Previous rank: 10
Several wide receivers have come off the trade market recently, leaving Pittsburgh with fewer options in their search for a new weapon. Davante Adams joined the Jets, DeAndre Hopkins is now on the Chiefs, Cooper Kupp is expected to stay with the Rams, and Christian Kirk is out for the season with a collarbone injury.
11. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
Previous rank: 12
Atlanta’s defense hasn’t ranked inside the top 20 in sacks since 2017, and it’s trending in that direction again. The club sits last in sacks (six) and pressure rate (25.9%) through eight weeks.
12. San Francisco 49ers (4-4)
Previous rank: 13
The 49ers are 1-2 in divisional play and sit outside the playoff picture heading into Week 9. With a tight race in the NFC West, losses to the Rams and Cardinals early on could come back to haunt them.
13. Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
Previous rank: 11
Geno Smith leads the league in passing yards per contest, but the lack of a run game lowers the offense’s ceiling. The club sits last in run-play rate and 24th in EPA/rush.
14. Denver Broncos (5-3)
Previous rank: 18
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix is coming off a strong Week 8 performance, but the Broncos still rank second in the NFL with 46 poor throws this year, according to Football Reference.
15. Arizona Cardinals (4-4)
Previous rank: 19
With a lack of talent in the secondary outside of Budda Baker, Arizona’s pass defense has failed to slow down opposing offenses. The Cardinals rank 29th in yards per pass play and EPA/dropback.
16. Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
Previous rank: 23
With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back in action, the Rams can make a run at the NFC West crown. However, they need to play better away from SoFi Stadium, as they’re 0-3 on the road and have been outscored by 43 points.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)
Previous rank: 14
With Chris Godwin done for the season and Mike Evans out for the next few games, the Bucs need another receiver to step up. However, Sterling Shepard is their only other wideout with more than 110 receiving yards.
18. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)
Previous rank: 20
The Chargers are above .500 in their first seven games with Jim Harbaugh, but they should also thank a favorable schedule for that. Los Angeles is only 1-3 against teams that are .500 or better.
19. Chicago Bears (4-3)
Previous rank: 16
Chicago’s offensive line has done a poor job of protecting first overall pick Caleb Williams, as it’s allowed the third-most sacks per game.
20. Dallas Cowboys (3-4)
Previous rank: 15
Dallas’ run offense and defense have been its Achilles heel in 2024. The club ranks 32nd in rushing yards per contest and 31st in rushing yards allowed per game.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)
Previous rank: 17
With its latest loss to Eagles, Cincinnati is 0-4 at Paycor Stadium. The 1-6 Titans are the only other AFC team yet to win a home game in 2024.
22. Indianapolis Colts (4-4)
Previous rank: 21
Among the 44 QBs who attempted at least 200 passes over the last two seasons, Anthony Richardson ranks dead last with a 50.2% completion rate, according to Football Reference.
23. New York Giants (2-6)
Previous rank: 24
The Giants’ home crowd has had little to cheer for this season. In four games, New York is 0-4 at MetLife Stadium with zero touchdown passes and a minus-62 point differential.
24. New York Jets (2-6)
Previous rank: 22
The Jets are the second team this century to lose five straight games without being underdogs of at least three points in any of them, according to ESPN Research.
25. Miami Dolphins (2-5)
Previous rank: 27
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle had eight and three games, respectively, with at least 100 receiving yards in 2023. This year, however, the duo only topped that mark in Week 1.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)
Previous rank: 26
In a Week 8 loss to the Packers, Trevor Lawrence lost his 22nd career fumble, the most in Jaguars history.
27. New England Patriots (2-6)
Previous rank: 28
New England’s group of skill-position players has been a major disappointment. No Patriots player has more than one receiving TD so far, and Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte are the only wide receivers with 100-plus yards.
28. Cleveland Browns (2-6)
Previous rank: 32
Browns quarterbacks have been sacked 37 times in 2024, easily the worst mark in the NFL. The Patriots rank second with 27.
29. New Orleans Saints (2-6)
Previous rank: 25
New Orleans’ offense has struggled during its six-game losing streak, but the defense has been the club’s biggest issue. The Saints have allowed 6.1 yards per play, the league’s worst mark.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)
Previous rank: 29
The Raiders lead the NFL in giveaways (17) and recently became only the 14th team to fall behind by double digits in each of their first eight games, according to Josh Dubow of The Associated Press.
31. Tennessee Titans (1-6)
Previous rank: 30
Tennessee has built an above-average defense, but forcing turnovers remains an issue. The Titans’ three takeaways rank dead last in the NFL.
32. Carolina Panthers (1-7)
Previous rank: 31
Carolina has four 20-plus-point losses and is tied for the worst point differential (minus-147) through eight games since the 1970 merger.
