NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Updated Records, 2015-16 Super Bowl Odds
Going into Week 7, it's an odd time for the NFL, with five teams sitting at least at 5-0.
Such dominance and rather obvious power rankings fallout doesn't come around often. As such, the top 10 for any set of power rankings isn't hard to figure out.
ESPN's Field Yates put the league's stunning start to the season into context:
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Outside of the top 10, though, it's best to use one word: chaos.
Here's a look at updated power rankings and how Las Vegas feels about each franchise's shot at the Lombardi Trophy.
Week 7 NFL Power Rankings and 2015-16 Super Bowl Odds
| 1 | New England Patriots (5-0) | 3-1 |
| 2 | Green Bay Packers (6-0) | 3-1 |
| 3 | Cincinnati Bengals (6-0) | 9-1 |
| 4 | Carolina Panthers (5-0) | 20-1 |
| 5 | New York Jets (4-1) | 25-1 |
| 6 | Arizona Cardinals (4-2) | 12-1 |
| 7 | Denver Broncos (6-0) | 10-1 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) | 18-1 |
| 9 | Atlanta Falcons (5-1) | 20-1 |
| 10 | Dallas Cowboys (2-3) | 50-1 |
| 11 | San Diego Chargers (2-4) | 150-1 |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings (3-2) | 50-1 |
| 13 | Indianapolis Colts (3-3) | 25-1 |
| 14 | Buffalo Bills (3-3) | 75-1 |
| 15 | Seattle Seahawks (2-4) | 20-1 |
| 16 | Miami Dolphins (2-3) | 100-1 |
| 17 | Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) | 33-1 |
| 18 | New York Giants (3-2) | 20-1 |
| 19 | St. Louis Rams (2-3) | 100-1 |
| 20 | Chicago Bears (2-4) | 500-1 |
| 21 | New Orleans Saints (2-4) | 100-1 |
| 22 | Houston Texans (2-4) | 150-1 |
| 23 | Cleveland Browns (2-4) | 500-1 |
| 24 | Kansas City Chiefs (1-5) | 300-1 |
| 25 | Oakland Raiders (2-3) | 250-1 |
| 26 | Baltimore Ravens (1-5) | 500-1 |
| 27 | San Francisco 49ers (2-4) | 300-1 |
| 28 | Tennessee Titans (1-4) | 250-1 |
| 29 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) | 300-1 |
| 30 | Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) | 1000-1 |
| 31 | Detroit Lions (1-5) | 300-1 |
| 32 | Washington (2-4) | 200-1 |
Odds courtesy of Odds Shark.
Investment Worth a Look: Carolina Panthers (20-1)
It's time to buy stock in the Carolina Panthers—the team's undefeated mark isn't a fluke. Cam Newton and the Panthers ride a nine-game winning streak in the regular season, tops in team history and the NFL.
Bettors would be sure to point out the fact that the team faced an easy opening slate, with wins against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers—a fair criticism, with many circling Week 6 in Seattle for a date against the Seahawks as the prove-it ordeal.
Newton and Co. passed with flying colors.
The Panthers escaped with a 27-23 win in perhaps the league's toughest venue behind Newton's 269 passing yards and two total touchdowns. It helped the team control the ball for more than 32 minutes despite two turnovers.
Newton looks like one of the top considerations for MVP right now. Keep in mind he's doing this impressive work without No. 1 wideout Kelvin Benjamin. When a team's this hot, 20-1 looks great, especially in a division almost guaranteed to send two teams to the playoffs.
Don't Get Too Excited: Miami Dolphins (100-1)
It's an exciting time to be a fan of the Miami Dolphins, and bettors surely can't help but raise an eyebrow in the team's direction at 100-1.
Who can blame them? The Dolphins came out of the bye with a new head coach in place, recommitted to the ground game like many had beaten a drum over and got a 38-10 victory against the Tennessee Titans for their efforts, putting them one win away from .500.
Exciting times, yes, but don't place bets when it comes to a Super Bowl, folks. It's great an alteration to the scheme produced five sacks by the defense. Also great was the team unchaining Lamar Miller and watching him go for 113 yards and a score on 19 carries.
But in a broader context, the Titans are a one-win team. The Dolphins already have two losses in the division and the New England Patriots continue to pull away at 5-0. Miami has to play Tom Brady and Co. twice still, but the AFC East looks to have taken the self-cannibalizing honors away from the AFC North this year.
There's little chance the Dolphins break free. It's a great story right now, but this one should only see re-evaluation if the team pulls off a few more wins in the coming month.
Long Odds to Bet: Houston Texans (150-1)
What an impact a change under center can have.
The Houston Texans sit at 2-4, but it would be downright silly to dismiss J.J. Watt and Co. in a laughably bad AFC South. In fact, the Texans are just one game out of first place, with the 3-3 Indianapolis Colts leading the way.
Houston's only wins have come against the miserable Florida teams, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. But the team continues to make adjustments, including starting Brian Hoyer under center.
Hoyer responded with a 31-20 win against the Jaguars, with 293 yards and a trio of scores, earning high praise all around but especially from guard Brandon Brooks, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle:
It doesn't sound so important until one realizes Hoyer has thrown seven touchdowns to one pick since taking over under center. With one of the league's best to throw to in DeAndre Hopkins and someone of the same classification behind him in Arian Foster, this offense will surprise a few teams this year.
Remember, Houston won nine games last year and just missed the playoffs. This year, the division is wide open, and if the Texans can get in, literally anything is possible.
Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of October 18. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
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