NFL Week Seven Power Rankings
Josh Frey
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Week six brought a few matchups that everyone thought would be marquee. Instead, Tampa Bay blew out Green Bay, and Pittsburgh blew out Cleveland. We also had some really good teams on bye in Seattle, Las Vegas, and New Orleans.
We still got some great games though as Derrick Henry battled with Deshaun Watson into overtime, the Bears took down a frisky Panthers team, and the Broncos got an upset win over New England. Six of last week’s top ten teams either lost or were on Bye last week, which inevitably leads to lots of movement in the playoff picture. See below to find out how everyone stacks up!
Check week one’s rankings here, week two here, week three here, week four here, week five’s here, and week six here
- Baltimore Ravens
Last Week: 30-28 win @ PHI
Trending: —
Next Week: Bye
The score got close at the end, but this game was not nearly as close as the score makes it seem. The game was 24-6 with five minutes left in the third quarter, and 30-14 halfway through the fourth. The Ravens’ running game was in control throughout, with Lamar Jackson leading the way with 108 yards and a touchodown. The defense did their part too, holding Philly scoreless in the first half and forcing a Carson Wentz fumble.
- Kansas City Chiefs
Last Week: 26-17 win @ BUF
Trending: —
Next Week: 10/25 @ DEN
Both teams got off to relatively slow starts on Monday evening, but the Chiefs were able to get Clyde Edwards-Helaire involved to keep the Bills offense off the field. The defensive line did a great job of getting pressure on Josh Allen throughout the game, and if they can continue to do that, this team will continue to see great results.
- Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Week: 38-7 win vs CLE
Trending: ↑3
Next Week: 10/25 @ TEN
After Cleveland’s impressive 4-1 start to the season, many thought this would be a very competitive game. Instead, Pittsburgh took care of business, and unlike Baltimore, they never took their foot off the gas. Everything was running on all cylinders Sunday afternoon. The defense forced two turnovers, the running game scored three times, and Big Ben threw for a touchdown. The loss of Devin Bush is terrible for this defense, but we’ll see next week how they handle Tennessee.
- Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: Bye
Trending: —
Next Week: 10/25 @ ARI
The Seahawks got to enjoy a week at home watching their top NFC competition, the Green Bay Packers, get absolutely decimated by Tampa Bay, and their NFC West rival LA Rams get beat by the 49ers, giving them a two-game lead in the loss column for the division. This week, they begin a month-long very difficult stretch in which they play every NFC West team (Arizona twice) and the Buffalo Bills.
- Tennessee Titans
Last Week: 42-36 win vs HOU
Trending: ↑4
Next Week: 10/25 vs PIT
This was a tough choice. I think the top four are pretty clearly the top four, and then 5 to about 15 is a big group where anyone could beat anyone on any given week. However, I think Tennessee has earned the fifth spot more than anyone given their performances over the past couple weeks.
An offensive shootout is something that I didn’t expect the Titan’s run-dominant offense to be able to handle, but they managed to overcome a much improved Houston squad. Next week against Pittsburgh should decide whether or not they are a legitimate contender.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Week: 38-10 win vs GB
Trending: ↑10
Next Week: 10/25 @ LV
This Tampa Bay team is so confusing to follow. A week after not being able to get anything done against Chicago offensively, they destroyed Green Bay and made Aaron Rodgers look worse than he has in years. Maybe that’s just a testament that the Bears are legit. Either way, I’m not convinced the Bucs should be ranked this high. But hey, they dominated the team that was ranked second last week, and they deserve their credit.
- New Orleans Saints
Last Week: Bye
Trending: —
Next Week: 10/25 vs CAR
The Saints rested up this week, and hopefully they will have Michael Thomas back for a week seven matchup with Carolina. They begin a three week stretch with the Panthers, Bucs, and 49ers on the slate, and we should learn a lot about this team’s potential in the next month.
- Green Bay Packers
Last Week: 10-38 loss @ TB
Trending: ↓6
Next Week: 10/25 @ HOU
The Packers may have gotten slapped across the field on Sunday, but Rodgers is probably right. This team needed a beatdown to wake them up. They had cruised into the Bye week, and they probably spent a little too much time resting on their laurels. This was the first multi-interception game for Rodgers since 2017, and the run game and defense were both the worst they’ve been this season.
I don’t think this loss is a trend for Green Bay. As long as star left tackle David Bakhtiari isn’t seriously hurt, the Packers are clearly better on paper than any other team they will face until the week 17 matchup with Tennessee. However, they won’t be able to let their guard down as the schedule is full of teams that will compete every week like Houston, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Carolina.
- Arizona Cardinals
Last Week: 38-10 win @ DAL
Trending: ↑2
Next Week: 10/25 vs SEA
Any offensive troubles this team had going into Monday night were resolved in the first half. Kyler Murray started off shaky, completing just three of his first 12 passes. However, he started making plays with his legs that led to two long touchdown drives before an 80 yard bomb to Christian Kirk really broke this game open. A key matchup with Seattle awaits them in week seven.
- New England Patriots
Last Week: 12-18 loss vs DEN
Trending: ↓4
Next Week: 10/25 vs SF
The Patriots are coming off a week riddled with COVID issues, and it didn’t leave stars like Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore untouched. Newton looked like he hadn’t played football in a few weeks, throwing two interceptions and no touchdowns. I don’t take much stock in this loss, and I expect this team to look much better now that they have hopefully put the issues behind them.
- Buffalo Bills (pending MNF results)
Last Week: 17-26 loss vs KC
Trending: ↓1
Next Week:10/25 @ NYJ
Josh Allen had his second consecutive disappointing game, but you would be hard pressed to find a quarterback/team that has truly found success against the Chiefs over the past two years. The Bills are still certainly a playoff team, and they will get back on track against the Jets.
- Chicago Bears
Last Week: 23-16 win @ CAR
Trending: ↑1
Next Week: 10/26 @ LAR
At some point we have to stop saying this team is just lucky, right? The Bears are now 5-1 atop the NFC North, and they got yet another close win punctuated by great defensive play. Every week we expect this team to falter, and outside of the one game against Indy, they haven’t stopped. Next week is another road test against the Rams.
- Indianapolis Colts
Last Week: 31-27 win vs CIN
Trending: ↑2
Next Week: Bye
After falling down 21-0 early in the second quarter against Cincy, I thought the Colts were in serious trouble. Instead, they went on to score 21 points of their own in the second quarter. After everyone has spent the last two weeks questioning Philip Rivers, he is the winner of the week. He threw for 371 yards and three touchdowns, and without his output, Indy certainly loses this game. They get to enjoy a Bye this week before a very difficult close to the schedule.
- Dallas Cowboys
Last Week: 10-38 loss vs ARI
Trending: —
Next Week: 10/25 @ WSH
Everyone was worried about Andy Dalton being able to replace Dak Prescott, but the real problem with the Cowboys this week was Ezekiel Elliott. His fumbles on two second quarter drives translated directly into Cardinal drives for touchdowns. Even with the ugly Monday night game, they should be able to bounce back against Washington.
- Los Angeles Rams
Last Week: 16-24 loss @ SF
Trending: ↓7
Next Week: 10/26 vs CHI
The Rams got destroyed in time of possession, especially in the first half, and that led to San Francisco getting a big lead that they just never let go of. Goff wasn’t very good, and Garoppolo looked much better than he did last week when he got benched midgame. Next week brings a Chicago team that is sure to put up a fight.
- Las Vegas Raiders
Last Week: Bye
Trending:—
Next Week: 10/25 vs TB
The Raiders looked great going into the Bye, and now they get to face Tampa Bay after resting up. Sound like anyone familiar? The Packers were in this very situation last week, and they completely underestimated this team. Hopefully Las Vegas takes this as a note and doesn’t make the same mistake.
- Miami Dolphins
Last Week: 24-0 win vs NYJ
Trending: ↑3
Next Week: Bye
The Dolphins have outscored their opponents 67-17 over the last two weeks, and if they hadn’t played the injured Niners and Jets, I would say they are a pretty damn good football team. Even with the bad competition, I’m still not convinced they aren’t a good team. Either way, they get to enjoy a well-earned bye this week sitting in second place in the AFC East.
- Cleveland Browns
Last Week: 7-38 loss @ PIT
Trending: ↓6
Next Week: 10/25 vs CIN
The Steelers have owned Cleveland for years, so honestly, this loss isn’t that surprising. They might just be the Dallas Cowboys of the AFC, beating up on the bad teams and then losing to the good ones. Even so, Baker looked terrible, and he is probably hurt, which doesn’t bode well. They should get a win against Cincinnati this week, but after seeing how well they played against Indianapolis, the Bengals might not be as bad as their record indicates.
- Detroit Lions
Last Week: 34-16 win @ JAX
Trending: —
Next Week: 10/25 @ ATL
The Jaguars are bad, and the Lions took advantage of that. Matt Stafford wasn’t great, but D’Andre Swift had his breakout game scoring two touchdowns and going for 116 yards. There’s a world where the Lions are 4-1, but because they’re the Lions, they’re 2-3 instead. Next week is more than likely a shootout in Atlanta, but one that they should win if Swift remains productive.
- Carolina Panthers
Last Week: 16-23 loss vs CHI
Trending: ↓2
Next Week: 10/25 @ NO
The Panthers and Lions are very similar teams in my opinion. Both are not as bad as their records indicate, but because they are who they are, that is where their records stand. The Panthers could have come away from last week’s game with a win, but Teddy Bridgewater threw two bad interceptions, one of them essentially ending the game. Next week is a tough matchup with the Saints that they must win to stay in the playoff hunt.
- Los Angeles Chargers
Last Week: Bye
Trending: —
Next Week: 10/25 vs JAX
The Chargers’ remaining schedule is daunting overall, but they get to ease into it with a game against the reeling Jaguars. They will hopefully pull off a win here with a returning Austin Ekeler, and then we’ll see how they handle division rivals Denver and Las Vegas.
- San Francisco 49ers
Last Week: 24-16 win vs LAR
Trending: ↑2
Next Week: 10/25 @ NE
I’m still not convinced the Niners are back to normal, especially with Mostert going down again with another injury. I think they caught the Rams on a bad week, but a win is still a win in this league. Next week comes a matchup with the Patriots that New England probably is fired for after a disappointing loss in Denver.
- Houston Texans
Last Week: 36-42 loss @ TEN
Trending: —
Next Week: 10/25 vs GB
The loss against Tennessee, while disappointing, is still cause for hope for this Houston team. They are nowhere near competing for a playoff spot, but the Texans led by Deshaun Watson look rejuvenated with a new coach leading the way. Next week comes a promising matchup for Watson against the Green Bay defense.
- Denver Broncos
Last Week: 18-12 win @ NE
Trending: ↑3
Next Week: 10/25 vs KC
The Broncos showed that they can compete, at least against teams that have been ravaged by COVID issues. Denver has been one of the worst teams in terms of turnover differential all season, and they finally managed to draw even in a game this week, which led to a win. I doubt they manage to do that again against KC, but we’ll see.
- Philadelphia Eagles
Last Week: 28-30 loss vs BAL
Trending:—
Next Week: 10/22 vs NYG
The Eagles looked terrible for the majority of this game, but at least they fought back right? They could’ve done what Cleveland did and just thrown in the towel, but they didn’t and definitely put some uncertainty in the fourth quarter. Next week is somehow a very important matchup between two one-win teams in the midst of an NFC East battle.
- Cincinnati Bengals
Last Week: 27-31 loss @ IND
Trending: ↑1
Next Week: 10/25 @ CLE
The Bengals looked incredible at the start of this game, but by the end, they reverted into the good ole Cincinnati team we all know and love. The defense was awful after the first quarter, and this game really changed when Joe Mixon got hurt. Joe Burrow couldn’t carry the offense on his own, and I expect Cleveland to beat this team next week.
- Atlanta Falcons
Last Week: 40-23 win @ MIN
Trending: ↑4
Next Week: 10/25 vs DET
Atlanta finally got their passing game going against Minnesota, and while Todd Gurley wasn’t nearly as effective as he was in week five, the Falcons still made it a point to try to run the ball. The week seven matchup should be a fun one against Detroit.
- Minnesota Vikings
Last Week: 23-40 loss vs ATL
Trending: ↓5
Next Week: Bye
The Vikings are officially done. This game wasn’t even as close as the score indicates because while Kirk Cousins looked absolutely horrible when it mattered, throwing three first half interceptions, he looked like a completely different player when the pressure was taken off of him. Minnesota goes into a bye this week with nothing to feel good about.
- New York Giants
Last Week: 20-19 win vs WSH
Trending: —
Next Week: 10/22 @ PHI
The Giants have at least been competitive in back to back weeks against division rivals, and this week they pulled out a win. Without Saquon Barkley, that’s about everything you can ask for from this young team. Hopefully for them, this will continue into Thursday’s matchup with Philadelphia.
- Washington Football Team
Last Week: 19-20 loss @ NYG
Trending: ↑1
Next Week: 10/25 vs DAL
I’m moving Washington up a spot simply because Kyle Allen played decently well, and their defense really is not bad. If this team could ever establish a running game, they would be a pretty good team. Next week brings another divisional matchup with Dallas that they absolutely must win to have hope of a playoff spot.
- Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Week: 16-34 loss vs DET
Trending: ↓3
Next Week: 10/25 @ LAC
Of the bad teams (outside of the Jets of course), Jacksonville looked the worst. There was absolutely no run game, the defense looked awful, and if not for the Gardner Minshew-Keelan Cole connection, this offense would be stuttering to a standstill. I’m still not jumping off the Minshew bandwagon, but I am done with this version of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Bye Week
Yup, Adam Gase is still coaching the Jets.
- New York Jets
Last Week: 0-24 loss @ MIA
Trending:—
Next Week: 10/25 vs BUF
The Jets may be the worst team of all-time. They certainly are among the worst. The Joe Flacco-Frank Gore duo is not one that I ever saw starting together, but here we are. New York punted or turned the ball over on their first nine drives before missing a field goal and then…punting or turning it over on their final three drives. I would expect nothing short of a 30-point blowout next week.