The NFL’s Week 8 of the 2025 season arrives after an exciting day that included a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader. In one of the stellar matchups, the teams that led the Power Rankings from the previous week faced off: the Buccaneers and the Lions. Detroit took the victory after an exciting series of Sunday games, highlighting an amazing fourth quarter of 33 points by the Broncos against the Giants.
How do these teams stack up in our updated Power Rankings? We’ve restructured the NFL rankings for Week 8, which includes byes for six teams (Cardinals, Jaguars, Lions, Raiders, Rams and Seahawks). In addition to the rankings from 1 to 32, our NFL Nation reporters have selected a key role player or non-starter from each roster. Who is making a big impact with their limited field participation? Which non-starting players are putting up big performances in place of injured or released players?
Let’s start with team number 1. Our panel of experts, composed of more than 80 writers, editors, and television personalities, evaluated how NFL teams compare to each other, ranking them from 1 to 32.
NFL Ranking: Key Players and Notable Non-Starters
1. Detroit Lions (5-2)
Result of Week 7: Victory against the Buccaneers 24-9
Role player/non-starting player: WR Isaac TeSlaa
The rookie has had few playing opportunities behind receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond, but TeSlaa has produced highlight plays when given the chance. Originally from Hudsonville, Michigan, he has recorded only three receptions for 54 yards, although two of those receptions were touchdowns. The first was a spectacular one-handed catch in the season opener against Green Bay. His second career reception was another one-handed catch against Chicago in Week 2. TeSlaa also scored three receiving touchdowns during the preseason and is becoming a fan favorite. – Eric Woodyard
2. Indianapolis Colts (6-1)
Result of Week 7: Victory against the Chargers 38-24
Role player/non-featured starter: DE Tyquan Lewis
Lewis has never been a full-time starter in his eight seasons with the Colts, but they keep re-signing him because he provides consistent production on the field. Lewis has three sacks, four tackles for loss, and 10 quarterback pressures despite playing only 41% of the defensive snaps this season. His inside-out versatility makes him a key depth option because he can play multiple roles and provide flexibility. He is also equally effective against the run and the pass. – Stephen Holder
3. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)
Result of Week 7: Victory against the Vikings 28-22
Role player/non-featured starter: DT Moro Ojomo
Selected in the seventh round of the 2023 draft from Texas, Ojomo tends to occupy the second spot at defensive tackle behind the Georgia pair of Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. But Ojomo has been key in compensating for Milton Williams’ departure to the Patriots this offseason. He has three sacks, five quarterback hits, and three tackles for loss. “He’s a good football player. You have to stop being surprised by that,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said earlier this season. – Tim McManusAlex Smith: The Eagles need to ‘play with the foot on the accelerator’ Alex Smith and Damien Woody analyze how the Eagles abandoned a predictable offensive plan and defeated the Vikings.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2)
Result of Week 7: Loss against the Lions 24-9
Role player/non-featured starter: WR Sterling Shepard
With Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and Emeka Egbuka missing games due to injuries, and running back Bucky Irving also out, Shepard’s 267 receiving yards, 26 receptions, and nine third-down receptions rank second on the team. He made the Bucs’ last-second victory in Seattle possible with a touchdown catch to tie the game. “[He’s] very underrated, one of our most underrated players, but one of our best players,” said coach Todd Bowles. “He knows what to do, how to do it… He’s also done a great job blocking this year. He finds the open spaces, and he and Baker Mayfield have a connection that way.” – Jenna Laine
5. Los Angeles Rams (5-2)
Result of Week 7: Victory against the Jaguars 35-7
Role player/non-starting standout: RB Blake Corum
The Rams have a clear RB1 in Kyren Williams, but coach Sean McVay has said his goal is to give Corum around 35% of the snaps in a game, depending on the game script. He has 41 carries for 193 yards and a touchdown this season. And while the Rams, of course, hope it won’t be necessary, they believe Corum could be a productive starter if Williams had to sit out due to injury. – Sarah Barshop
6. Buffalo Bills (4-2)
Result of Week 7: Rest
Role player/non-featured starter: TE Jackson Hawes
Understated may be the wrong word, as the rookie drafted in the fifth round has received attention for his blocking ability and what he brings to the offense, but Hawes began the season as TE3 on the depth chart. His emergence has allowed the Bills to run different formations, especially more 13 personnel (three tight ends). He has appeared in the passing game with four receptions on four targets for 54 yards and a touchdown. When asked a couple of weeks ago if Hawes has exceeded expectations, coach Sean McDermott said: “That was a good pick for us. It’s early, but that was a good pick.” – Alaina Getzenberg
7. Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)
Result of Week 7: Victory against the Raiders 31-0
Role player/non-starting player: LB Leo Chenal
Chenal, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, has continued to improve throughout his career. He helped set the tone in their Week 4 victory over the Ravens by intercepting quarterback Lamar Jackson at the end of the first quarter. He has also been a consistent and reliable defender in limiting the production of several running backs, including Jahmyr Gibbs, Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and rookie Ashton Jeanty. Even in a pinch, Chenal can be effective as an additional pass rusher or as the spy defender. – Nate Taylor
8. Green Bay Packers (4-1-1)
Result of Week 7: Victory against the Cardinals 27-23
Role player/non-starting player: K Lucas Havrisik
He didn’t start the season as their kicker, and he probably won’t finish it as their kicker. But while Brandon McManus has missed the last two games due to a quadriceps injury, the free agent signing has been effective. Havrisik has made all 10 of his kicks (four field goal attempts and six PATs), including a franchise-record 61-yarder on Sunday. He’s so under the radar that even after two games, defensive end Micah Parsons said he still didn’t know the kicker’s name. “To be honest,” Parsons said, “I still don’t know half the team.” McManus is expected to return in a week or two and it’s possible that, instead of simply cutting Havrisik, they could get something in return in a trade. – Rob Demovsky
9. Seattle Seahawks (5-2)
Result of Week 7: Victory against the Texans 27-19
Role player/non-featured starter: WR Tory Horton
As the third receiver in an offense that rarely has three of them on the field at the same time, Horton has had to make the most of limited opportunities. And he has. He has caught just nine passes on 18 targets for 113 yards in seven games, but he has turned three of those receptions into touchdowns. The rookie drafted in the fifth round also returned a 95-yard punt for a touchdown against the Saints to set a franchise record. – Brady Henderson
10. San Francisco 49ers (5-2)
Result of Week 7: Victory against the Falcons 20-10
Role player/non-featured starter: WR Kendrick Bourne
Bourne didn’t even join the 49ers until Week 2, but with injuries devastating the receiver room, he’s been a crucial target for quarterback Mac Jones and someone the Niners can count on in addition to running back Christian McCaffrey. In six games, Bourne has 25 receptions for 385 yards, making him the most productive receiver without McCaffrey on the roster. Although the team hopes receivers Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) will return at some point, Bourne has earned the opportunity to continue getting plays. – Nick Wagoner
11. Denver Broncos (5-2)
Result of Week 7: Victory against the Giants 33-32
Role player/non-starting player: LB Justin Strnad
Strnad has only been a starter for the last two seasons when someone else was injured. In 2024, he entered the lineup after the ACL injury that ended Alex Singleton’s season in Week 3. This year, Strnad has started in place of Dre Greenlaw, who played on Sunday for the first time all season after dealing with hamstring injuries. Strnad was someone who didn’t play a defensive play for two seasons (2022 and 2023), then became one of the team’s best special teams players and an effective rusher (3.5 sacks). Now he is a reliable run defender after opponents used to target him, and his interception on Sunday fueled the Broncos’ improbable 33-point fourth quarter. – Jeff LegwoldSchefter: Giants’ loss to Broncos is ‘historic’Adam Schefter shares his thoughts on the Giants’ collapse against the Broncos on Sunday night.
12. New England Patriots (5-2)
Result of Week 7: Victory against the Titans 31-13
Role player/non-starting notable: DT Khyiris Tonga
The number 3 option behind headlines Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, Tonga came with a well-deserved reputation for stopping the run. This season, he has also shown an ability to push the pocket as a rusher. The Patriots haven’t allowed a rusher to gain more than 50 yards on the ground yet, and Tonga is part of the reason. He served as game captain in Week 6, and coach Mike Vrabel noted that he “does a lot of dirty work.” – Mike Reiss
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
Result of Week 7: Loss against the Bengals 33-31
Role player/non-starting standout: OLB Nick Herbig
Herbig is not a starter on the depth chart, but coach Mike Tomlin values his contributions so much that he introduced the third-year pass rusher as the team’s number 12 starter against the Browns. In five games this season, Herbig has one interception, two passes defended, one forced fumble, 4.5 sacks, and 13 quarterback hits. And now, with Herbig and teammate pass rusher Alex Highsmith both healthy, the Steelers have the option of deploying their three-linebacker formation with T.J. Watt. – Brooke Pryor
14. Chicago Bears (4-2)
Result of Week 7: Victory against the Saints 26-14
Role player/non-starting player: K Jake Moody
Moody was signed to the Bears’ practice squad after the 49ers cut him before Week 2. He was given time to reset before being asked to kick against Washington and New Orleans while starting kicker Cairo Santos recovered from a right hamstring injury. Moody made 4 of 5 field goal attempts, including a 38-yard game-winner, shortly after he found out he would be replacing Santos in the lineup against the Commanders. He made four field goals on Sunday. – Courtney Cronin
15. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)
Result of Week 7: Defeat against the Colts 38-24
Role player/non-starting player: TE Oronde Gadsden II
A fifth-round rookie, Gadsden was a healthy inactive for the Chargers’ first two games, but has become one of quarterback Justin Herbert’s favorite targets. Gadsden had his best performance in Week 7, and one of the best games by a Chargers tight end in recent memory, with seven receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown. Gadsden had the most receiving yards by a tight end since Antonio Gates in 2013. – Kris Rhim
16. Dallas Cowboys (3-3-1)
Result of Week 7: Victory against the Commanders 44-22
Role player/non-featured starter: C Brock Hoffman
After starting center Cooper Beebe was injured due to a fracture…
