Windy City Gridiron
Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season brought many bye weeks, a few predictable outcomes, and others that were shocking. In other words: Welcome to the NFL and its constant parity. For the first time all season, the Top 2 teams heading into the week are the same teams heading into Week 9. The elites are starting to separate themselves, while other fringe teams are heading in opposite directions after deciding games on Sunday afternoon. In the end, the season is still a long way from being over, but the picture of contenders and pretenders becomes clearer each passing week. Who is up and who is down in Week 9’s installment of our WCG Power Rankings? Let’s find out together.
1. Indianapolis Colts (7-1) Previous Week: 1
The Colts keep on rolling, and for that, they are the first team this season (outside of Weeks 1 and 2) that has found themselves in the top spot for more than one game. Although it’s hard to imagine many people had them losing against the Titans, they once again showed that they are one of, if not the best, teams in the league. Suppose you had told me that back in August, I would have laughed. Yet, this is the reality of the 2025 season. There are surprise teams every year, and the Colts happen to be at the top of that pile through eight games of the season. Quarterback Daniel Jones continues to play great football, and that’s the most shocking part of all of this, but Jonathan Taylor’s season thus far should have him leading the MVP race, even if it’s a quarterback award.
2. Detroit Lions (5-2) Previous Week: 2
The Lions enter the bye week having won five of their last six games. Despite losing both coordinators during the offseason, the offense is still firing on all cylinders, and the defense looks considerably better under Kelvin Sheppard. For a second straight season, the NFC North looks like a gauntlet. Right now, it appears that Detroit’s primary contender will be the Packers, but with a (2-0) divisional record, they are in good shape when they kick off their second half of the season in Week 9.
3. Green Bay Packers (5-1-1) Previous Week: 4
The Aaron Rodgers reunion tour ended in grand fashion for the Packers. Despite trailing by nine points heading into the half, it was all Green Bay for the final 30 minutes of the game. Quarterback Jordan Love dropped a 300-yard performance, en route to a blowout win on the road, and in the process, they have complete control of first place heading into the final nine games of the season. Barring something unexpected, the Packers look primed for yet another playoff appearance in 2025. Whether that’s an NFC North division title or a Wild Card berth seems like the bigger question.
4. Los Angeles Rams (5-2) Previous Week: 3
Following an impressive win over the Jaguars in London, the Rams received a well-earned bye week...
