2022 NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Tampa Bay melts down, Browns implode
By Randy Gurzi
Previous: 17th. New England Patriots. 16. team. 47. .
16. New England Patriots
Plays on Monday Night Football vs. Chicago Bears
The New England Patriots have turned things around following a slow start and have had two convincing wins in a row with Bailey Zappe under center. Mac Jones started out struggling this year but the mid-round rookie has been a pleasant surprise.
He hasn’t done anything crazy but he’s just keeping the offense moving. They knocked off the Lions 29-0 then blew out the Browns 38-15. They could make it three big wins in a row as they now take on the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
Chicago has been terrible on offense and the Patriots’ defense has been suffocating. This could end up being one-sided as New England reminds us all they won’t go away quietly.
44. . . Previous: 12th. Atlanta Falcons. 15. team
15. Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons’ recent winning streak ends at one. They were a surprise winner in Week 6 when they beat the 49ers but Joe Burrow and the Bengals brought them back down to earth as they ran them out of the building in a 35-17 loss.
Atlanta had no answers for Burrow, who threw for 481 yards and three touchdowns while Tyler Boyd had 155 yards and Ja’Marr Chase had 130.
They’ve had their moments and still share the lead in the NFC South with Tampa Bay at 3-4 but it’s hard to compete in the NFL when the passing game scares no one — and Marcus Mariota completing just eight passes is clearly not scaring anyone.