Week 7 Power Rankings
We are firmly not entrenched in the meat of the NFL season. Last week we talked about teams finding their identities, but now it seems teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack. There were some big time performances last week including the Browns and Jets amongst others, but teams we thought we were out on, we might need to reconsider. The public has spoken and the overwhelming majority enjoyed the format last week, so we roll on putting teams in tiers. Lets get to it!
POWER RANKINGS - WEEK 6 (October 12th-October 16th)
Eyes on the Prize!
Detroit Lions (+3) For the first time in a while, we have a new number one. Both 5-0 teams went down this week, but the Lions (!) are the model of consistency in the NFL. Another test passed as they went into Tampa Bay and dropped the Bucs on cremesicle day.
San Francisco 49ers (-1) Drop the Niners one spot with their shocking loss to Cleveland with PJ Walker under center. The Browns do flaunt the best defense in the league, and they made Brock Purdy look like a human being. The injuries to CMC, Deebo and Trent Williams are concerning.
Kansas City Chiefs (+2) The only game they’ve lost this year is without their two best players not named Mahomes, and it was by one point. Everyone knows this team hasn’t fully clicked on offense yet, and they haven’t skipped a beat. The Chiefs are the new Patriots.
Miami Dolphins (-1) They drop due to no fault of their own. They continue to wear teams down with their offensive explosions every week. A small scare from Tyreek Hill, but he came back quickly. Jalen Ramsey’s 21 day window is officially open to help a defense that has struggled at times this season.
Knocking On the Door
5. Philadelphia Eagles (-3) Yup, I dropped the Eagles out of the first tier. This team has been flirting with getting away with bad play all year, and it finally bit them on Sunday. Another subpar performance from Jalen Hurts, who now has 7 INTs on the year, and the Eagles don’t seem like a team that SHOULD be 5-1. They have an absolutely monumental game against Miami next week on SNF at home.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (+1) This team went to London for 10 days and beat two teams who had winning records. They come back to Jacksonville and beat another team with a winning record. They are starting to find themselves. A trip to the Big Easy on a short week (and their 3rd city in 12 days) will be a big test with T-Law questionable to play.
7. Dallas Cowboys (+3) It’s not surprising that the Cowboys came out after a big loss and won a game on the road against a tough opponent. It’s how they will respond coming off that big win.
8. Buffalo Bills (-) For the second week in a row, the offense struggled mightily. This week it was against the lowly Giants at home on the national stage. Buffalo went through a small rut last year. Is this that rut?
WHAT ARE YOU - AFC NORTH EDITION
9. Baltimore Ravens (+3) We all watched that game Sunday morning. The Ravens are the exact same team as last year. You can’t convince me otherwise. For all the hype Todd Monken got over the off-season, this team’s play calling in the red zone was abysmal. It needs to be better.
10. Cleveland Browns (+6) This defense is unreal. They took the key out of the machine that is the 49ers and made them look like kids playing at a park. They did JUST enough offensively to squeak out a win. If the offense can be good consistently, look out.
11. Cincinnati Bengals (+7) After all the talk about how bad the Bengals were, and they were that bad early on, they go into their bye week one game out of first place. Un-frickin-believable.
I SEE YOU FAM !
12. Los Angeles Rams (+8) The Rams take a major step this week as they win a game they were supposed to win. Cooper Kupp is officially back and the Rams will be in this thing in December.
13. Seattle Seahawks (-7) This was a measuring stick game for the Seahawks, and they failed. They couldn’t protect Geno and only mustered 13 points against a struggling Bengals team. The defense continues to impress and Devon Witherspoon is now the clear front runner for the DROY.
14. Houston Texans (+5) DeMeco Ryans has this team grinding every week. These guys feel like they are never out of a game and always punch their opponent in the mouth - that’s a dangerous combination.
15. New York Jets (+6) Everyone wrote the Jets off, but they continue to show that their roster was more than A-Rod. A big, big win at home against the Eagles (for the first time) has them riding high into the bye. Their next 3 games (Giants, Chargers, Raiders) gives them a huge opportunity to put themselves in fantastic position. Time for Zach Wilson to put on his big boy pants.
PRETENDER TERRITORY
16. New Orleans Saints (-5) This team has an all world defense but has nothing to offer on offense. And it’s mind boggling with so many good players. I wouldn’t be shocked if they beat Jacksonville Thursday or got blown out. I know one thing - this teams inconsistency will hold them back.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8) Unfortunately, this is an unserious football team. They had two big tests this year (Eagles, Lions) and failed both miserably as they were outscored 45-17 in both contests. Its a cute story, but the Bucs aren’t a serious threat in the NFC.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) The drop here has to do with teams that are clearly better than them (Rams, Texans, Jets). They can prove me wrong this week by beating said Rams on the road.
19. Los Angeles Chargers (-2) Another big loss for this football team. Conversations need to be had about this offense and Justin Herbert. I don’t care that he’s second in the NFL in game winning drives since his arrival. How many big wins does this team have since he’s been there?
THE ABYSS
20. Washington Commanders (+2) As up and down a team as you will see. If things check out, they will lose to the Giants this week. I don’t know what this team needs.
21. Atlanta Falcons (-7) I am officially out on Atlanta. Desmond Ridder suffered his first home loss and was pathetic on Sunday. The clock is ticking on him, officially.
22. Minnesota Vikings (+4) The Vikings have won two games in a row and after an 0-4 start, they find themselves one game out of a wild card spot. They also have the 49ers on deck. I believe their season is on the line Monday.
23. Las Vegas Raiders (-) Out of any team in the NFL, the Raiders have an opportunity to make a big splash here. They now sit at 3-3, but their schedule is extremely favorable. Jimmy G being hurt isn’t great, but Brian Hoyer isn’t the worst backup in the world. I will say, Hoyer vs. Bagent Sunday is riveting TV.
24. Green Bay Packers (+1) They were on bye this past week and hopefully got healthy. If they want a playoff spot, beat the Broncos on the road.
BACK TO REALITY
25. Indianapolis Colts (-12) With AR probably out for the season now, we got a glimpse of what life with Gardner Minshew is like. Not great Bob. The sad reality is that this team would’ve been a threat with a growing AR, but it looks like it will have to wait another year.
26. Tennessee Titans (-2) As long as this team refuses to come into this decade, they will be what they are. And right now, they have become the worst team in the AFC South.
WILL YOU GIVE CALEB WILLIAMS A STOCK IN OWNERSHIP?
27. Chicago Bears (-) Remember when the Justin Fields hype was going on for like 10 days? Me too. That ended Sunday as well his time being on the field with an injury. Tyson Bagent time!
28. New York Giants (+2) For the first time in a month they looked like they didn’t belong in the California Penal League.
29. Arizona Cardinals (-) Without James Conner and Budda Baker give me one reason to watch the Cardinals.
30. Denver Broncos (-2) The firesale is coming. Pre-Order your tickets at www.denverbroncos.com
31. New England Patriots (-) You guys think Mac Jones is cross-eyed?
32. Carolina Panthers (-) At least Bryce Young likes Spider-Man.
