2021 NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Titans make statement, Chiefs free fall

2021 NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Titans make another statement, Chiefs continue free fall

By Randy Gurzi | Oct 25, 2021

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 24: Matthias Farley #21 and David Long #51 of the Tennessee Titans celebrate after Farley recovered a fumble in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in the game at Nissan Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 24: Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches the ball for a touchdown during the second half in the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

team. 56. . . Previous: 12th. Cincinnati Bengals. 9

NFL Power Rankings, Week 8: Bengals soaring

It’s not even a question anymore, the Cincinnati Bengals are for real. If anyone was still doubting them — they shouldn’t have been — there’s no way they can now. Joe Burrow and his team took it to the Baltimore Ravens in a big way.

On the road against Baltimore, Cincinnati put up 41 points while holding the home team to just 17. Lamar Jackson looked human against this defense, putting up 257 yards passing but was just 15-of-31. He did have 88 yards on the ground but it wasn’t Jackson’s norm as those yards meant little toward the final score.

Burrow was by far the better player on this day with 416 yards and three touchdowns. He hit tight end C.J. Uzomah twice for scores and Ja’Marr Chase once. As for Chase, it was another huge performance for him as he hauled in eight passes for 201 yards. He continues to prove the team right in taking him with their top pick this season, despite the criticism they faced after the move.

Defensively, they were all over the place and recorded five sacks. Sam Hubbard had 2.5 of those with their free-agent additions Larry Ogunjobi (1.5) and Trey Hendrickson (1.0) grabbing the others.

This was the first time the Bengals were able to beat Baltimore with Jackson under center. They also handed him his first loss in October, which was just a little cherry on top.

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