Chiefs back on top

"Ask Vic" will publish on M-W-F through the football season.

Here are my all-important Week 8 power rankings:
1. Chiefs -- LOL, they host the Jets.
2. Ravens -- Ready to make their move.
3. Steelers -- Tough!
4. Seahawks -- Defense not that good.
5. Titans -- Why were they flat?
6. Bucs -- Do they really need Antonio Brown?
7. 49ers -- That's how you run the ball!
8. Packers -- No muss, no fuss.
9. Bills -- Patriots' heir in the AFC East.
10. Cardinals -- Made a statement.
11. Rams -- Good team in a great division.
12. Saints -- Won't go away.
13. Browns -- Better off without Beckham.
14. Raiders -- Playoffs could be on the line in Cleveland.
15. Colts -- Who are they?
16. Bears -- Foles isn't the answer.
17. Panthers -- So close!
18. Eagles -- Pederson coachin' them up.
19. Lions -- Stafford saves the day.
20. Dolphins -- Here's Tua!
21. Patriots -- Remember when Belichick was a genius?
22. Chargers -- Arrow pointing straight up.
23. Broncos -- Drew Lock disappointing.
24. Falcons -- They did it again.
25. Giants -- Still in the hunt.
26. Vikings -- It's hammer time.
27. Washington -- Respectable.
28. Bengals -- They're gonna upset somebody.
29. Texans -- They quit.
30. Cowboys -- Ben DiNucci?
31. Jaguars -- Jax has good golf courses.
32. Jets -- Joe Namath is doing Medicare commercials.

Jason from Green Bay, WI
Are you enjoying football this year?
Yes, I am. Six games this past weekend were decided by three or fewer points. I think the NFL has done a sensational job managing the health of its players through this pandemic, and I hope play will continue to a full and uninterrupted conclusion.

Bradley from Charlotte, NC
You’d think Packers fans would be excited about starting the season 5-1 and not having to cancel any games due to the virus, despite Wisconsin being the worst state in the country in terms of infection rates. Instead, we are still complaining about not using our backup running back enough and Mike McCarthy. Are all fan bases like this?
It happens to fan bases when they get tired of winning. Losing is the cure.

Robert from Chicago, IL
Vic, why do some teams decide to fire head coaches/GMs in the middle of a season versus waiting until the end? Does it ever work?
The intent is to quiet the howl of the wolves. It sends a message to disgruntled fans change is on the way. In other words, you're getting what you want. Now shut up and wait for it. It usually works.

Koko from New York, NY
Nick Saban admits a good offense, not defense, wins championships in today’s college game because of the talent gap and lack of practice time. Are we seeing that in today’s NFL?
There is no talent gap between offense and defense in the NFL, and there's certainly not a lack of preparation time. The NFL has always used rules changes to tilt the field toward offense.

Reuben from Duluth, MN
You were a little unfair to Matthew regarding QB rules. Yes, the defenders now have the onus to avoid contact after the QB gives himself up, however, just last week Aaron Rodgers went to score a touchdown but was deemed to have given himself up short of the end zone. He still got lit up after going down, and the refs picked up the flag. Did the refs in Tampa need a drool bucket?
Rodgers went head first.

Aaron from Eau Claire, WI
The commentators on Sunday pointed out Rodgers was forced to throw off his heels a lot when facing the Buccaneers due to their pass rush, which looked to be part of the reason his throws were a little off that game (42 percent completion, ouch!). I noticed it a few times against the Texans, as well, even though Rodgers wasn't pressured nearly as much. Is there anything a quarterback can do to avoid that? Tom Brady always seems to be able to find an empty space in the pocket to throw, and I'm curious if Rodgers is getting skittish or if our line is getting suspect.
It's just one game. Let it go. I had to mute the TV on Sunday because every play was being analyzed.

Jack from Middleton, WI
Which player do you remember most transforming his body to fit a different role on a team?
Larry Brown, from a tight end to a tackle in the '70's for the Steelers.

Matt from West Allis, WI
Vic, I agree with your view on sports media becoming a jockocracy, but what do you take away from Aaron Rodgers' disdain for the media? He seems to have the view the media is looking to cause controversy and take quotes out of context, which is apparent from certain media personalities. While I'd rather see Rodgers on a show with professional sports writers, it's hard to blame him for choosing to go on a show where he knows he is in a safe space, so to speak.
I always felt he was respectful of the media and cooperative. Rodgers is one of my all-time favorite postgame interviews. He answered the questions and I always leaned on his answers for direction. Are you sure you're not sensing your own disdain for the media?

Samuel from Jacksonville, FL
Trevor Lawrence was quoted as saying he would consider staying an extra year at Clemson. Would you advise him to stay in college if the Jets had the first pick?
He's too good for New York?

Mike from Bridgeport, CT
Why doesn't the NFL step in and reject ideas like Atlanta's uniforms worn on Sunday? Ridiculous. I didn't think their old set could be downgraded but some well-paid designer accomplished the impossible. Gradient needs to go. Combined with the Lions' gray on gray made me want to puke. Nike has made every single team's uniform who had a re-design dramatically worse since they took over apparel rights about a decade ago.
There isn't one new uniform I like. Nike has failed miserably. Its uniforms are overstated and undignified.