We’re now at the point where it’s fair to ask if the Chiefs will ever lose. The answer is yes, they certainly will, but there’s no other team that knows how to win like this one.

They’re operating at a suboptimal level (by their lofty standards), but the defense has picked up slack and the coaching remains elite. They just contend, contend, contend with new faces around franchise pillars. We’re already in dynasty mode at this point. They seem that good, though the Ravens are so hot they might challenge for the throne in time.

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Both conferences have their elites, making postseason meetings a fun affair. There are some unexpected members of the middle class — we’re looking at you, San Francisco — that could make a move once healthy. The Vikings and Bears are in gut check territory in the NFC North, needing a run of wins to stay in the playoff hunt.

Now let’s take a look at how the NFL shakes out after eight weeks of the 2024 season. (NOTE: This will be updated after MNF):

1. Kansas City Chiefs (7-0): Hey, Travis. Welcome back.

 2. Detroit Lions (6-1): This David Montgomery-Jahmyr Gibbs partnership is truly special. So is the offensive line blocking for them.

3. Buffalo Bills (6-2): Bills are kind of like the Chiefs. Great QB. Different supporting cast. Same results.   

4. Baltimore Ravens (5-3): Ravens had a hiccup. Don’t care. They’re so good.

5. Green Bay Packers (6-2): Jordan Love hurt again. No matter. Josh Jacobs (an elite signing) carried the team on his back. He might have to do so for a few weeks.

6. Minnesota Vikings (5-2): Vikings started so hot. Sustaining it might be tough.

7. Houston Texans (6-2): Joe Mixon. What a signing, in the Jacobs class. Healances this Texans offense. Houston’s dynamic in both phases.  

8. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2): Philly finally looked like the juggernaut they’re supposed to be.

9. Washington Commanders (6-2): We’ve now seen Jayden Daniels live. Wow. That dude is electric.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2): Russell Wilson has been really good. Can he sustain it? Jury’s out.

11. Atlanta Falcons (5-3): Falcons always cut it close. That’s a tough way to live over 18 games.

12. San Francisco 49ers (4-4): George Kittle created National Tight Ends Day. Then he celebrated it right.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4): Baker’s a fighter, but you can tell he misses his best receivers. Injuries stink.

14. Chicago Bears (4-3): Justin Herbert getting good production from skill players you may not have  

15. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3): Lived in Georgia for a while. Ladd McConkey can play.

16. Denver Broncos (5-3): Bo Nix is getting better fast. That’s an empirical fact.  

17. Seattle Seahawks (4-4): Seahawks need D.K. Metcalf at his best or they struggle.  

18. Dallas Cowboys (3-4): Cowboys are getting the Jets treatment, ranking higher than they should. Are they ever gonna figure it out?

19. Arizona Cardinals (4-4): Kyler trolling fantasy sites is elite. He can say that after excellent recent play. Bears better he ready for a fight.  

20. Cincinnati Bengals (3-5): In order to emerge from an early funk, they have to stack wins. Haven’t done that consistently enough.

21. Los Angeles Rams (3-4): Stafford plus Kupp and Nacua equals a waaaaaaay better Rams team. We saw that against Minnesota.  

22. Indianapolis Colts (4-4): Anthony Richardson is so talented, so tough to watch. Dynamic talent. Lackluster accuracy.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6): Trevor Lawrence looks timid. Jags continue to find ways to lose. They have fallen so far so fast.  

24. New York Jets (2-6): If the Jets didn’t have Rodgers or Adams or Hall or Williams or Wilson, we’d put them near the bottom. Track records get a pass, but for how long?

25. Cleveland Browns (2-6): It’s amazing what competent quarterback play will do for a football team. Especially a talented one taken down by maybe the worst contract ever.

26. Miami Dolphins (2-5): Tua’s going to take some time to warm back up. Expecting otherwise is crazy.

27. New York Giants (2-6): Giants seem like their a thousand miles from being a contender.

28. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6): Raiders are drafting a quarterback next April. With a top five pick. Book it.  

29. New England Patriots (2-6): Having Drake Maye get hurt stinks. Having Jacoby Brissett step in and beat the Jets does not.

30. New Orleans Saints (2-6): Derek Carr will practice this week. Can’t come soon enough for the Saints. It won’t save the season, but it should help them compete.

31. Tennessee Titans (1-5): Giving up 52 is brutal, even to the Lions. Titans stand no chance. There’s some decent talent dying on the vine there.  

32. Carolina Panthers (1-7): We can right Carolina into the last spot in permanent ink.

Follow Bears Insider Scott Bair on X @ScottBairNFL. Also, a Bair Mail is coming up on Wednesday! Join the conversation by submitting a mailbag question or comment to mailbag@marqueesportsnetwork.com for a chance to be included in this relatively new content series.