Racked & Stacked: Week 8

Starting to see which teams are real and which teams are hype…but the Jets are still working the reverse undefeated…

1. Indianapolis Colts (6–1) — Upside: Lone six-win team; complementary ball travels. Downsides: Short-yard push • DB leverage busts at times • penalties in scoring range.
2. San Francisco 49ers (5–2) — Upside: Front seven tilts the field weekly. Downsides: Run game stalls at times • WR depth stress if injuries stack • third-quarter lulls.
3. Seattle Seahawks (5–2) — Week 8 bye — Upside: Defense closes space fast; pass rush alive. Downsides: Early-down rush inconsistency • flags in bunches • WR depth thin.
4. Detroit Lions (5–2) — Week 8 bye — Upside: Statement MNF win; ground game awakening. Downsides: Red-zone swings • back-end busts show up on crossers • drive-killing penalties.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (5–2) — Upside: Trenches travel; WRs winning. Downsides: Slow starts • red-zone D stress • occasional miscomms in zone.
6. Los Angeles Rams (5–2) — Week 8 bye — Upside: WR duo + creative answers stress coverages. Downsides: Red-zone finishing streaky • CB depth thin • specials up-and-down.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5–2) — Upside: Situational toughness, takeaway timing. Downsides: Offense streaky vs press • WR injuries biting • tiebreakers slipped after MNF.
8. Green Bay Packers (4–1–1) — Upside: Efficient QBing; stingy scoring D. Downsides: Short-yard variance • kick-coverage hiccups • timing with young WRs.
9. Denver Broncos (5–2) — Upside: Defense re-centered; sustained streak. Downsides: Red-zone sputters • turnover spikes • WR availability week-to-week.
10. New England Patriots (5–2) — Upside: Organized, mistake-averse, special teams edges. Downsides: Run game lacks pop • limited verticals • penalties in big spots.
11. Chicago Bears (4–3) — Upside: Defensive identity forming; run game heat. Downsides: Drive-finishing wobble • run-support variance • four-minute offense proof.
12. Buffalo Bills (4–2) — Upside: Top-10 balance + strong scripts. Downsides: Discipline dips late • run-fit leaks • red-zone stalls vs shells.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (4–3) — Upside: Money-down offense when on schedule. Downsides: Pass-pro wobble • soft zones get picked • week-to-week swings.
14. Kansas City Chiefs (4–3) — Upside: Defense rising; offense showed “glimpse” ceiling in Wk7. Downsides: WR churn • red-zone bog-downs • occasional late explosives allowed.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (4–3) — Week 8 bye — Upside: D tightening; statement comebacks in pocket. Downsides: Goal-to-go finishing • nickel run fits • backup OT vs power.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (4–2) — Upside: Veteran D wins leverage downs. Downsides: Pass-pro strain • explosive plays in spurts • creative red-zone answers needed.
17. Carolina Panthers (4–3) — Upside: Defensive speed + three-game surge. Downsides: QB health watch • third-down stalls • chunk runs allowed.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (3–4) — Upside: Division wins keep hope alive. Downsides: Negative point diff • late pass-pro strain • explosives thin.
19. Dallas Cowboys (3–3–1) — Upside: Splash-play defense; ceiling intact. Downsides: Goal-line gaffes • drops in key moments • explosive-play D vs top QBs.
20. Washington Commanders (3–4) — Upside: Defense can carry long stretches. Downsides: Red-zone finishing • third-down rate • edge run fits.
21. Minnesota Vikings (3–3) — Upside: Late-game poise; explosive upside. Downsides: Third-down droughts • run-fit inconsistency • protection vs pressure.
22. Houston Texans (2–4) — Upside: Competitive vs good O’s; defense scrappy. Downsides: Costly late giveaways • pass-pro wobble • scoring droughts.
23. New York Giants (2–5) — Upside: Proof-of-concept upset shows fight. Downsides: Protection issues linger • limited explosives outside scheme • rookie volatility.
24. Cleveland Browns (2–5) — Upside: Disruptive front can flip games. Downsides: Red-zone finishing • light run push • specials lack swing plays.
25. Atlanta Falcons (3–4) — Upside: Scripted offense sparks; QB mobility. Downsides: Post-script lulls • RT health ripple • few explosive runs.
26. Miami Dolphins (1–6) — Upside: Scheme still manufactures space. Downsides: WR injuries • secondary stress points • penalties piling up.
27. Las Vegas Raiders (2–5) — Week 8 bye — Upside: Second-half defensive adjustments. Downsides: Ground game inefficient • early coverage miscomms • flags drag drives.
28. Tennessee Titans (1–6) — Upside: Defense keeps scores manageable. Downsides: Sacks/TOs on money downs • clunky pass timing • little second-half punch.
29. Arizona Cardinals (2–5) — Week 8 bye — Upside: Physicality + timely rushing. Downsides: Drive finishing • handling games/stunts up front • ST hiccups.
30. New Orleans Saints (1–6) — Upside: Young DBs flashing. Downsides: Inconsistent offense • couldn’t slow better attacks • early-down efficiency swings.
31. Baltimore Ravens (1–5) — Upside: Fresh off bye with stars returning. Downsides: Finishing vs top foes • injuries mounting • late-game D wilts.
32. New York Jets (0–7) — Upside: Run game + QB legs give a floor. Downsides: Penalties/TOs piling • no-takeaway stretches • late collapses.