NFL Power Rankings entering Week 9: Broncos are 6-2 but need to improve, perhaps with some pre-deadline trades

NFC East: Cowboys | Giants | Eagles | Commanders NFC North : Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings NFC South: Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers NFC West: Cardinals | Rams | 49ers | Seahawks

AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Patriots | Jets AFC North: Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers AFC South: Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans AFC West: Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers

The Denver Broncos went 14-3 last season with an inordinate amount of wins in close games. Everyone said that was unsustainable and they were due for regression.

This season, the Broncos are 6-2 with an inordinate amount of wins in close games. Take that, regression police.

Somehow, the Broncos are again pulling off what should be impossible. On Sunday they came back from a 24-13 deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Kansas City Chiefs , who have had their own fortunate run in close games. It was the Broncos' 15th straight win in games decided by eight points or less, tying the 2008-09 Indianapolis Colts for the NFL record, according to ESPN Insights .

One of two things has to be true: The Broncos are incredibly lucky in games that shouldn't be far off a 50-50 proposition and that's bound to flip, or they have some skill in winning close games that nobody else has possessed aside from Peyton Manning's Colts more than 15 years ago. Regardless of how they've gotten to their impressive record, Denver has overtaken Kansas City for the best chance to win the AFC West at 56.4%, according to DVOA .

"I think honestly, to answer that, I think it has to come from, well, we did it before," Broncos head coach Sean Payton said about winning close games, according to the team's transcripts. "Then there's a belief that can get stronger and then there's experience and then you're seasoned a little, but we still have a lot of things to fix. I honestly think that's where I believe it comes from."

If the Broncos decide they are on a heater in which the coin is repeatedly flipping on their side for a statistically improbable reason, they have some work to do before the trade deadline on Nov. 10. The offense, which has been inconsistent all season and was catching boos from the home crowd Sunday after three straight three-and-outs to start the second half, should be the focus.

Denver is just 30th in yards gained this season. A play-calling change from offensive coordinator Davis Webb to Payton hasn't helped much. The Broncos aren't getting a quarterback to replace Bo Nix but practically every other position group could be a candidate for an upgrade. The defense is good enough for a long playoff run, as it was last season. The variable is the offense.

Or maybe it just doesn't matter. The Broncos have beaten the odds for two seasons. They're 20-5 since the start of the 2025 season and 16 of those wins have been by eight points or less. They continue to laugh at the regression proclamations.

Here are the NFL power rankings after Week 8 of the NFL season, looking at the biggest need for each team before the trade deadline:

32 Los Angeles Chargers (0-7, Last week: 32)

The Chargers' season is lost, so the obvious move is to trade veterans who can help elsewhere. Mack is clearly at the top of that list. He has started all seven games, has three sacks and can add immediate legitimacy to a defense from the edge. He's a likely future Hall of Famer and while he isn't quite the same player at age 35, he's still an asset. He's also no stranger to being traded, having been dealt from the Raiders to the Bears and then the Bears to the Chargers earlier in his career.

"You've got to be where your feet are man, ultimately," Mack said, via Eric Williams of Fox Sports . "That can be the most difficult thing when you're dealing with a lot of outside noise and stuff. Just trying to be where your feet are at all time. That's kind of been my thing in years past."

Biggest need: Get value for Jonathan Taylor

The way the Colts gave up on Sunday, they probably should have made Taylor inactive. Everyone knows they're going to try to trade him after shipping off guard Quenton Nelson and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. The Colts need to restock their draft picks after a regrettable trade that sent two first-round picks, including their 2027 first, to the Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner. And, presumably, they feel some obligation to find a good home for Taylor, who has been a tremendous player for them through the years.

There will be plenty of teams, perhaps the Giants, Broncos, Packers and Vikings among them, talking about trading for Taylor, so the Colts should get a good return.

"And you know that day always comes for many players,'' Taylor said about the possibility of being traded last week, via Fox 59 . "Whether you like it or not, the day may come. You may get lucky enough to stay somewhere forever, but you understand the business of it.

Others, like defensive tackle Grover Stewart and receiver Josh Downs, could be traded too. It's going to be a rough rest of the season for Indianapolis.

Biggest need: Hang onto Garrett Wilson and others

The Jets are in a great spot. If the NFL Draft was today, they'd have the fourth pick from the Colts (Sauce Gardner trade), their own pick at No. 6 and the 10th pick from the Cowboys (Quinnen Williams trade). That would be historic.

Unlike last season, when the Jets were willing to deal young players for a stockpile of picks, the right move seems to be holding onto some foundational pieces. The one that would generate a ton of interest is Wilson, who has mostly been wasted away with the Jets. But he's 26 years old, signed through 2030, and is a legitimate No. 1 receiver. Perhaps there's a minor move to be made, like trading cornerback Nahshon Wright, but the Jets already did their trading work with the 2027 draft in mind and now it's time to stand pat.

Biggest need: Trade Moro Ojomo, maybe Saquon Barkley, and many others

Howie Roseman might be the busiest general manager with the trade deadline coming up. He usually does well in trades — we'll ignore that he traded two third-round picks for two tackles and zero sacks from Jonathan Greenard so far this season — and he has plenty of assets to move.

Barkley is the most interesting figure, even as the team reportedly won't move him . A trade would make too much sense for the Eagles to not entertain any inquiries. Any team that gets him would be gambling because Barkley has been injured most of the season and his numbers are way down since his magical (and high usage) 2024 season. Multiple teams are in need of a playmaking running back. It'll be interesting to see if the Eagles' stance on Barkley changes in the next week. The bigger piece might be Ojomo, a good defensive tackle who is about to be a free agent. The Eagles could keep him and try to re-sign him, but they have a lot of money invested at defensive tackle. Tight end Dallas Goedert, edge rusher Nolan Smith and cornerback Riq Woolen are others who should be available for the right price.

It would be surprising if the Eagles aren't very active.

Biggest need: Find draft picks for some aging vets

Once the Titans traded defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Bears, it was a sign that any veteran was available. And the Titans have a few who don't fit in the long-term plans.

Given the hot streak running back Tony Pollard has been on, he has emerged as perhaps the most intriguing piece. Receiver Calvin Ridley is buried on the depth chart but some team could take a shot on him for a third-day draft pick. Safety Amani Hooker, who is 28 years old, has been tremendous. Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II, in the final year of his deal, could be moved too. The Titans could have a ton of extra draft picks by the time the deadline is done.

Biggest need: Figure out what to do with Zach Sieler

Sieler has been a productive defensive tackle for many years, but he's also 31 years old. Still, the Dolphins haven't entertained trade talks for him, according to SI.com . Miami is in full rebuild mode and while Sieler helps the Dolphins now, a 1-6 team should be looking for the future, and trading a 31-year-old defensive lineman who still would have plenty of trade value makes sense. We'll see what the Dolphins do.

Trading offensive tackle Austin Jackson has also been speculated, and teams are always looking for line help. The stripped-down Dolphins roster doesn't have a lot of attractive veteran trade candidates, which makes the decision on Sieler that much more important.

Biggest need: Figuring out if they're buyers or sellers

A 2-5, last-place team should not be thinking about buying. But most teams don't have the luxury of playing in the NFC South, where 2-5 is just a game out of first place. There are pieces the Saints could trade and easily absorb the loss, like running back Kendre Miller and safety Justin Reid. Perhaps that's a way to straddle the line of competing for a division title and thinking toward the future. The Saints also should be getting running back Travis Etienne Jr. and rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson back from injuries as soon as this week, so that will feel like a pair of deadline acquisitions.

The Saints are very much in the race in a bad division. They're also early in a rebuild and their record indicates they're still in need of draft picks and young talent. That makes it a challenge to figure out what to do before the deadline.

Biggest need: Adding to the defense, maybe

At some point the Cowboys need to have an honest conversation about themselves, which seems impossible after team owner Jerry Jones proclaimed everyone is letting head coach Brian Schottenheimer down. Jones has talked about making big trades, and already made one in-season for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. A putrid defense that let Gardner Minshew tear it apart in the fourth quarter and overtime on Sunday needs a lot of help. But, is a team that has losses at home to a Buccaneers team led by an undrafted rookie quarterback and to a Cardinals team that came back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter really a defensive piece away from contending for a Super Bowl? Probably not.

It puts the Cowboys in a weird place. They're not out of the NFC East race because the division isn't good . They're also not very good themselves. It's not even outlandish for the Cowboys to look in the mirror after that hideous loss to the Cardinals and admit they should be sellers. That would require self-awareness, which isn't abundant in Dallas.

Biggest need: Making a move on two defensive standouts

The Cardinals should be feeling good about themselves after a win at Dallas, their third upset road win of the season. They should also be realistic. The Cardinals aren't going to compete for a playoff spot. The progress is great but it's still a rebuild. That makes them an interesting seller.

The top trade candidate is probably edge rusher Josh Sweat, who came over from the Eagles after helping Philadelphia win a Super Bowl and hasn't had a ton of impact on a non-contending team. There's also a question about safety Budda Baker, one of Arizona's best players but is 30 years old and signed through only 2027. Both of those players could fetch valuable draft picks in a deal.

There's also question now if quarterback Jacoby Brissett could move; he was benched on Sunday and replaced by Gardner Minshew, who has been named the starter for Week 9 vs. the Seahawks . Minshew and Carson Beck are higher priorities now. But the biggest key is finding the best return for Sweat and perhaps Baker.

23. Washington Commanders (2-4-1, LW: 24)

Like everyone else in the NFC South and NFC East, other than the Eagles, the Commanders should feel like they have a shot to be division champions. The Commanders are flawed, without question, but sit just two games behind the Giants in the division. It's not like New York is a lock to run away with it.

The biggest problem for the Commanders is the loss of receiver Terry McLaurin for the season. It leaves them thin at receiver, and the good news is there are a lot of veterans available at the deadline at various price points. The Commanders should be interested. They also should be interested in improving a secondary that ranks 27th in passing yards allowed.

The biggest question for the Ravens is this: Can Lamar Jackson return for the playoffs from a thumb injury suffered on Sunday? If the answer is yes, it's not outrageous for a team with a .500 record to see what it can do to keep playoff hopes alive until Jackson can come back. The problem is that it's hard to find any quarterback who can save a season (contrary to everything you see before the trade deadline, NFL teams aren't excited to trade away their backup quarterback). Still, the Ravens have to look. As much as the Ravens like Tyler Huntley, he's not the answer, especially now that he's dealing with a toe injury. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano is very, very unlikely to keep the Ravens in playoff contention.

However, if Jackson is done for the rest of the season with no hope for the playoffs, the Ravens probably have to turn the page and sell. It would hurt, but it would kickstart what could be a huge offseason of change in Baltimore . Because without Jackson, the Ravens' ranking of No. 22 here might be generous.

The Falcons are in a weird space. They're tied with the Buccaneers for second place in the NFC South, a half game behind the Panthers (3-4). They also are one of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL. They followed up beating the previously undefeated 49ers by losing to a Buccaneers team that didn't complete a single pass .

Atlanta is wildly inconsistent on offense, and that's why adding a receiver to go alongside Drake London makes sense. But the offense should be good enough, when it's not playing in a rainstorm like Sunday, to contend in the division. The defense needs help. And it could use it at almost every position aside from off-ball linebacker and safety. It's weird for a 3-5 team to clearly be buyers, but that's the 2026 NFC South.

A sub-.500 team that just fired its defensive coordinator also doesn't profile as a buyer, but the Panthers are in the 2026 NFC South. Their defense needs help, and firing Ejiro Evero doesn't solve all the problems. Being without cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, who are both on injured reserve, is tough to overcome. Getting some help there would be wise. A pass rusher would be nice too, considering Jaelan Phillips has been injured and isn't living up to his $120 million contract signed in the offseason.

It's not like the offense doesn't need help too, particularly the offensive line's depth because of injuries. Coming off an NFC South title and striving for another, the Panthers will be looking around before the deadline. There are a few areas that could use help.

The Texans made a big and questionable move in the offseason, trading fourth- and seventh-round draft picks, along with offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, to the Lions for running back David Montgomery. Scruggs has been more valuable this season than Montgomery, who has averaged 2.7 yards per carry and missed two games with injury. Woody Marks hasn't been much better. Houston has no running game and it's a big reason it is 2-5.

Do the Texans possibly trade for another running back? Do they trade for anyone at all? It's hard to give up the idea that Houston can still get back in the playoff race. It's a talented but underachieving team. But the Texans still have a 33.8% shot to make the playoffs, via DVOA , and can theoretically be a dangerous playoff opponent. Is that enough to ship off more picks, especially if it's for another running back?

Biggest need: Not being myopic about trading picks

A team two games under .500 now has a 57.4% chance to host a playoff game as a division winner, according to DVOA . The NFC South, everyone!

The Buccaneers might have been sellers two weeks ago, with veterans like receiver Chris Godwin Jr. and defensive end YaYa Diaby available, but that mentality likely changes after decisive wins over the Panthers and Falcons. Still, this is a 3-5 team and advanced metrics say the Bucs are pretty good as is (they rank a surprising fifth in DVOA). Tampa doesn't have a pressing need, though defensive help is always welcomed. The Buccaneers can stand pat, keep their picks and still be the favorite in the NFC South while not giving away any valuable picks for the future.

Biggest need: Remembering the long-term plan

It's hard for a franchise that hasn't had much success over the past few decades to have a level head over a solid start to the season. At 4-4, the Raiders can talk themselves into being playoff contenders. That makes it hard to be a seller. It would be an even harder thing to explain to longtime fans who are dying for a taste of success or a new fan base in Las Vegas that hasn't fully embraced the Raiders yet.

Realistically, the Raiders probably should be closer to sellers than they are to buyers. Could they find out if a team is willing to pay a heavy premium for Maxx Crosby like the Ravens (almost) did in March? It's not like the Ravens' concerns about Crosby's knee over the long term have vanished. However, ESPN reported the Raiders have no plans to trade Crosby. It also seems very unlikely the Raiders trade Kirk Cousins, but what if a desperate team is willing to overpay for a viable quarterback who already has 19 touchdown passes? Wouldn't they have to listen? It's not like Cousins is the future and they'll want to get Fernando Mendoza some valuable reps before the end of the season even if Cousins stays aboard. It seems foolish to be buyers when they're well behind the Broncos and Chiefs in the AFC West. And the big picture says that they should be quietly gauging the market on Crosby, Cousins and any others without long-term value, even if that would be unpopular to many Raiders fans.

Like the Raiders, it's fun for a team that has had almost no success to start 5-2. An uncompetitive loss to the Steelers on Sunday should put the Browns in a more realistic mindset. They can't keep living off last-minute wins, and their poor quarterback situation makes their level of success unsustainable. The five wins have already put the Browns in a bad spot to find a quarterback solution in 2027, but that's a conversation for next offseason.

The Browns can still be partial sellers without hurting their playoff hopes for this season. Receiver Jerry Jeudy is tradable and there are plenty of teams that could use him. Offensive tackle Dawand Jones, a backup who could provide depth elsewhere, can also be available. But with a promising young core, the Browns have to be careful to not get ahead of themselves despite a 5-3 record.

The Giants landing a running back is one of the easiest predictions of the trade deadline. They have plenty of injuries at the position, seem lukewarm at best on Cam Skattebo, but have a great chance to win a bad division.

How much do the Giants want to pay for a running back? Jonathan Taylor is the dream, but he won't be cheap. Perhaps Tony Pollard will be more reasonable, though he has played very well lately and that could increase the price.

The Giants will be looking at every possibility to help at running back, which could push them closer to a division title.

The Packers are one of a few teams in need of a running back and it's a different situation than the rest. If Josh Jacobs was a sure thing the rest of the season, the Packers might concentrate on more offensive line help or simply hold tight, knowing Micah Parsons is on the way soon.

But Jacobs' legal situation took a turn over the weekend after more allegations of abuse were reported. He denied wrongdoing, but the NFL can revisit the case. We have seen how poor the Packers' running game was without Jacobs. Green Bay doesn't want to be stuck again in that situation if Jacobs faces further punishment. Adding a viable starter would allow the Packers to move on from Jacobs entirely.

Biggest need: Receiver or cornerback, but probably nothing

A team that has among the oldest rosters in the NFL and is 6-2 before the deadline might generally be a big buyer to make a push with an aging team. Yet, it doesn't seem like there's one move that can put the Steelers on the same level as some of the NFL's elite teams.

Another receiver would be nice, but there's a lot of money tied up in DK Metcalf, and someone like Josh Downs would be redundant with the skill set of intriguing rookie Germie Bernard. Perhaps adding Jacksonville's Brian Thomas Jr. would make sense. Cornerback could help after trading away Joey Porter Jr., but the Steelers have been good at that position without him. An old team trading away valuable picks seems bad for the future. And a 6-2 team trading someone like edge rusher Alex Highsmith seems like the wrong move too. We might see Pittsburgh make a minor move or two but little else.

The Rams have already invested heavily into the 2026 roster, so what's the big deal in sending off more draft picks? For now, the Rams are playing coy, saying that players they could get back from injury, like Myles Garrett and Davante Adams, would serve as their deadline additions.

"Based on our situation, I mean the good thing for us is, what you look at is hopefully some of those trades will be guys getting back from injury that haven't played for us," head coach Sean McVay said, via the Los Angeles Times . "That's kind of the way we look at it."

Yet, it's hard to believe that because of the Rams' history. And while the idea of getting Adams back from a major hamstring injury is good in theory, he'll turn 34 on Dec. 24 and it's not a guarantee he returns to his normal level. The Rams are very thin at receiver behind Puka Nacua while Adams heals, and it's not like Nacua doesn't have a long injury history. Maybe the Rams stay put, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they talk themselves into a deal. Grabbing an exciting receiver might give the sluggish Rams a spark.

The Dolphins don't have a good pass rush but they still pressured Drake Maye often in Week 8. Maye overcame that with a strong second half to lead the Patriots to a win, but it's not like the line issues are going away. Guards Mike Onwenu and Alijah Vera-Tucker are on injured reserve. Getting a guard to help makes a lot of sense.

The Patriots have also had some trade speculation on the selling side. Cornerback Carlton Davis III could be dealt, according to Albert Breer of SI.com . Davis returned from a neck injury for Week 8 and played 96.9% of the defensive snaps, but it's possible the Patriots want to trade him for extra draft capital, which they could use to improve at guard.

Biggest need: Some help for Jaxon Smith-Njigba

It's surprising to see Smith-Njigba at a 36.3% target share entering Monday night's game, because it's rare for a receiver to get that many of a team's targets. But then you look around Seattle's offense and realize there's no other viable option. Smith-Njigba has 985 yards this season and Cooper Kupp is second on the team at 206.

The Seahawks decided to address their run game by adding guard Quenton Nelson instead of one of the name-brand running backs who might be available. Maybe that's their only big move. But for an offense that has been uneven most of the season, another receiving threat would help. It would help take pressure off turnover-prone Sam Darnold.

The idea that the Broncos could make a big move for Jonathan Taylor is dubious only because Sean Payton's history of using committees at running back without a standout workhorse. And the team has to be intrigued by rookie Jonah Coleman, who has played well and came up with two big plays to give Denver the lead in a huge win over the Chiefs on Sunday.

Perhaps Taylor or another big-time back could solve some issues on the offense. Or maybe it's a receiver or a tight end, after the Evan Engram signing in 2025 has been a dud. Even some depth on the offensive line isn't a bad idea. The Broncos are set on defense, so their focus can be how to add an impact piece to an inconsistent offense.

Biggest need: Defense, particularly at cornerback

The Lions' fan base wasn't happy when the Cowboys overpaid to get cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in a trade. They know that cornerback is an issue and it seems hard to believe the deadline will pass without Detroit doing something at the position.

Yet, there are other issues on a defense that has struggled most of the season, though it has allowed just 32 points the last two games. While the human element of linebacker Jack Campbell's neck injury is overwhelming, and his recovery is the biggest part of that story , there is a football side to it as well. Detroit will presumably be without one of the best off-ball linebackers in the NFL indefinitely. While the team's thoughts are primarily on their young star's health, the Lions also have to deal with the reality of perhaps adding a linebacker before the deadline.

Biggest need: Receiver, but don't forget about offensive line

This is no surprise: The Chiefs still need help at receiver. Their offense has been built around Kenneth Walker III to good results, but it's an incomplete unit. Rashee Rice is productive but not a dominant No. 1, Xavier Worthy hasn't broken out and there's not much else to speak of. Among the Chiefs' wideouts, Rice has 243 yards, Worthy has 230, Tyquan Thornton has 219 but he's on injured reserve and nobody else has more than 65. It's a team that is a perfect candidate to try to turn around Brian Thomas Jr.'s career.

But the Chiefs also can't ignore the offensive line. Guard Kingsley Suamataia was benched for the second time this season on Sunday. Offensive tackle Josh Simmons has been a problem and was put on IR. Receiver would be the more splashy move, but adding to the offensive line might be even more prudent.

Biggest need: Interior offensive line, and maybe Jonathan Taylor too

Trading for Jonathan Taylor, which has been rumored, would be a big headline in Minnesota before the trade deadline. Taylor would obviously help, but it's not like there aren't other issues on the offense. Quarterback might be one of them but Minnesota isn't going to make a difference-making move there.

The Vikings could add Taylor and still have trouble blocking for him. They're thin at guard after Donovan Jackson suffered a torn meniscus in Week 4. Their starting guards on Sunday, Joe Huber and Will Fries, rank 33rd and 41st among guards in Pro Football Focus' grades. But, an upgrade like Taylor could make everyone look better. It would be a fun trade for everyone.

Biggest need: More defensive help, this time on the back end

The Bengals got the win in overtime Sunday and a bump up in the rankings, but there were some troubling signs. Tennessee's offense was one of the worst in the NFL and it gained 440 yards and scored 36 points on the Bengals. Given Cincinnati's defensive issues in recent seasons, it was worrisome even in the win.

"I know we have the guys in there that are happy we won, but they're not satisfied with our overall performance," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said, via the team's transcripts . "Each position group will go through that and find things we have to be better at."

The Bengals' line has been better with additions Dexter Lawrence II and Boye Mafe (Lawrence came up with huge plays in the win over the Titans), but the back seven could use some work. Help at cornerback or safety would be nice, and while the Bengals are trying to see it through with young linebackers Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr., they could use an upgrade there too. Cincinnati is a respectable 15th in defensive DVOA, but the difference between it making a deep playoff run or losing early on could be a defensive addition at the deadline.

Biggest need: Still defense, though the big move was made

The Bears' front office understood the assignment. Chicago traded two first-round draft picks to Tennessee for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. If there's a bigger move at the deadline from any team, it'll be a surprise. Simmons is exactly what the Bears' defense needed as a disruptor on the line, and he notched a sack in his Chicago debut on Monday night against Seattle . Chicago clearly feels like it's a contender now and was willing to sacrifice some high future draft picks for a shot at making a deep playoff run.

That doesn't mean the Bears should be done on defense, though any other move wouldn't be major. A mid-round draft pick for pass rushing help would continue to improve the defensive front. A reunion with Khalil Mack would make a ton of sense. But make no mistake: The Bears already made their all-in move.

"Super Bowl teams all have what we call a 'red-level' interior defensive lineman," Bears general manager Ryan Poles said of the Simmons trade, via the Chicago Sun-Times . "You need one.

"We've been searching, but sometimes the draft doesn't provide that to you. Free agency doesn't really [provide them]; it's very hard for guys to get out of the building when they have all of those things that we're talking about. [Simmons] was an opportunity that we had to jump on."

Biggest need: Offensive and defensive line help

The aggressive mindset that general manager James Gladstone wants to be known for will be put to the test. The Jaguars are one of the best teams in the NFL. Jacksonville has also dealt with two major injuries that need to be addressed.

Left tackle Anton Harrison tore his ACL in Week 5. Then defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, who had been playing very well against the run this season, tore his quad Sunday and is done for the season. Walker Little has done a good job replacing Harrison, and perhaps that leads Jacksonville to look for offensive line depth rather than an impact starter. Replacing Hamilton with a high-end defensive tackle would be a strong move. Grover Stewart of Indianapolis might be a possibility, though the Colts might not want to trade within the division. If the Eagles trade defensive tackle Moro Ojomo, he could make a difference. It's time to see how aggressive Gladstone plans to be now that Jacksonville has one of the best teams in the NFL.

For once, finding weapons around Josh Allen isn't the top priority for the Bills. That has shifted to the defense. That group looked fine on Sunday, but that's because Lamar Jackson was knocked out after one play. Buffalo looked good against Baltimore's second and third quarterbacks, but the rest of the season has been rough. The Bills are 24th in yards and points allowed, and that's with an easy day against the Ravens included. Baltimore had 144 yards; Buffalo has given up at least 348 in every other game.

The Bills don't have the salary cap space to make a huge move on defense, but they should be looking into help at all three levels, with an emphasis on the back end. Only two teams are giving up more passing yards per game. Even if it's a mid-level move at cornerback or safety, the Bills know what they have to do. The Super Bowl window is wide open if the defense is good enough.

Biggest need: DeForest Buckner fills it, though maybe other moves are possible

The 49ers made a smart move to bring back DeForest Buckner in a trade with the Colts. Buckner might not be at his peak, like he was with his first go-around with the 49ers, but he's still a very good defensive lineman. The 49ers needed that. They also are hoping to get Nick Bosa back after the bye, which would be a big boost.

San Francisco has to weigh making improvements now for a team that has dealt with many injuries, particularly at receiver, vs. restocking with draft picks. The 49ers haven't drafted well in recent years and that has hurt their depth. That hasn't been a problem this season but it's looming. San Francisco also understands how a huge move can have a wide-ranging effect: A massive trade during the 2022 season for Christian McCaffrey boosted the team to a Super Bowl a season later and is still paying off. A trade for a receiver or defensive help would strengthen the 49ers' standing as the Super Bowl favorite, but they have to keep an eye on the future as well.