NFL Power Rankings: Ravens rise into the top 3 after win over Cardinals

4. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)

Week 8 ranking: 5

Team QBR: 59.4 (12th)

Lamar Jackson is living up to the five-year, $260 million contract he signed this offseason. In his first year in Todd Monken’s offense, Jackson is more accurate than ever, completing 70.5% of his passes (third best in the NFL). He’s still dangerous with his legs, whether it’s extending plays or delivering big gains on the ground. His 380 yards rushing tops all quarterbacks. Jackson’s playmaking ability is why Baltimore is tied for the best record in the AFC and holds a 1½-game lead in the AFC North. — Jamison Hensley

There were minimal signs of an emotional letdown for the Ravens after Week 7’s trouncing of the Lions. Lamar Jackson did little, but they didn’t need him to do much. They allowed Arizona to hang around too long, but in the end, this was a solid road win. They’ll take it, with the next three games (and six of the final nine) in Baltimore. That’s the good news. The bad? Most of the remaining opponents look fairly tough or better. And the AFC North has muscled up a bit since the Ravens last played a divisional game. Still, they’re 6-2, tied atop the AFC and arguably playing as well as anyone in the conference. This week’s opponent, the Seahawks, could be one big win away from making that claim on the NFC side. The Ravens’ steep march to the playoffs begins in earnest.

2. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
(Last week: 3)

Sunday: Beat Arizona Cardinals 31-24

Something scary (for others): Lamar Jackson under Todd Monken

The Ravens’ new offensive coordinator has the Ravens’ old quarterback playing at an MVP level. In the last three weeks, no quarterback in the league has more total expected points added (24.98) than Jackson, according to TruMedia, and his completion percentage (70.5) and yards per attempt (7.8) are on pace to be career highs.

Up next: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

They found a way against Arizona, but the passing game took a step back. That’s a concern for this group.

3. Baltimore Ravens 6-2 (3)

The Ravens don’t get a lot of style points for getting a little sloppy defensively at the end of their game at Arizona, but keep in mind they were riding the high of the Lions rout and had a mini letdown ahead of bigger matchups. Still, Lamar Jackson and the running game kept doing their thing.

2. Ravens (4): At 6-2 and leading their division, are they the AFC’s best team? Maybe, but they certainly seem to have the conference’s best safety tandem in Kyle Hamilton and emergent Geno Stone, who leads the NFL with five INTs.