NFL Power Rankings Week Seven: Setting the Records Straight

By this point, you should all know how I feel about NFL Power Rankings--they are ridiculous.

However, last week was a pretty good success, and some good conversation was generated. It was another great week in the NFL this week, so here is my second set of Power Rankings for this NFL season. Here is how I base my rankings:

1. Record/Win Percentage (6-0>5-0, 5-1>4-1, etc.)

I truly feel this to be an important factor when "ranking" then NFL teams. Winning is the most critical aspect to this league, as if that isn't obvious, and teams who win more should be ranked higher.

2. Opponents beaten (win percentage)

Teams will be ranked higher based on their beaten opponents' win percentage and overall record.

3. Head to head

If teams have the same record, regardless of opponents' win percentage or record, the winning team in a head-to-head matchup is favored in this system.

4. Opinion

If all of the other factors are equal between teams, then I base it off of my opinion. This has yet to happen.

Enjoy!

1. Denver Broncos (6-0)

The Broncos are on fire right now. After their win on Monday night, it is evident that they are the team to beat in the AFC after six games.

They have a lot to improve upon still, but they have put together their best start in over a decade thanks to good coaching, discipline, defense, and now offense and special teams.

2. Minnesota Vikings (6-0)

Minnesota showed some weakness defending the pass against Baltimore, but with Brett Favre this team is scary. The Vikings have not looked this good since the Culpepper to Moss days, and they are a very balanced team.

This team is the one to beat in the NFC thus far.

3. New Orleans Saints (5-0)

New Orleans, if not for their 5-0 record, would probably be ranked No. 1 on this list, and could be after this week based on the system.

This is a team that has forced a lot of turnovers defensively to help an offense that is on pace to shatter New England's record 2007 season, and they are led by MVP candidate Drew Brees.

4. Indianapolis Colts (5-0)

Indianapolis has had a great start to this season, but they have yet to beat a solid opponent.

Like I said last week, it's hard to discredit undefeated teams, but the Colts have something to prove this week, and I think they will get it done.

Peyton Manning has been outstanding so far this year.

5. New York Giants (5-1)

The Giants suffered their first loss of the season last weekend to the Saints, but they do not move down on this list because they are the only 5-1 team.

The loss to the Saints is discouraging though, as New Orleans was the Giants' first big test of the season other than Dallas, and they failed miserably.

6. Atlanta Falcons (4-1)

Atlanta is off to a good start, and they pulled out a gutsy win against the Bears on Sunday night. They are playing good ball on both sides, and are very well-coached.

It helps to have "Matty Ice" as your quarterback in clutch situations, and Michael Turner to hand the ball to when you need tough yardage.

They are doing a good job of keeping pace with New Orleans in the NFC South.

7. New England Patriots (4-2)

After a tough loss to Denver, the Patriots took out some serious aggression on the Tennessee Titans with a 59-0 crushing win.

Tom Brady doubled his touchdown pass total on the season in one game, and this Patriot offense may finally be clicking.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)

The "Cardiac Cats" were unable to pull out a win at home against the Houston Texans, but they still appear to have a formidable squad and are still in first place in the AFC North.

Carson Palmer has played well, but the real story is Cedric Benson, who is finally living up to his top five draft status.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)

Pittsburgh's offense is suddenly its biggest strength, namely the passing game, which ranks first in the entire NFL.

Ben Roethlisberger is having a career season, and Hines Ward leads the NFL in receiving.

10. San Francisco 49ers (3-2)

The 49ers jump into the top ten after their bye week, and are ranked ahead of teams such as Arizona because of a head-to-head win.

This is a team that is coming off of a huge loss to the Atlanta Falcons, and I think they will rebound this weekend with a solid defensive performance.

11. Arizona Cardinals (3-2)

Arizona played a good game against Seattle on Sunday, and Kurt Warner has really turned it on the last couple of games.

The Cardinals have a huge game next Sunday night against the New York Giants, which could have playoff implications.

12. Green Bay Packers (3-2)

Green Bay is a tough team to figure out, and they play in what has suddenly become one of the most competitive divisions in football.

Shutting out the Packers helps, but this team trails Minnesota by 2.5 games early on, and they could have trouble catching up.

13. Chicago Bears (3-2)

The Bears, in a word, are inconsistent. Jay Cutler looks like a Pro Bowl performer, but he makes a lot of mistakes in key situations.

The Bears have not benefit much from the blockbuster trade so far, as they currently sit at 3-2, the same as they were at this point last season.

This team needs to get hot, and fast if they are to keep pace with the Vikings.

14. Dallas Cowboys (3-2)

Dallas is coming off of a bye week, and they have to get on a roll soon or they will be doomed to fail yet again this season.

Wade Phillips has not done a good job coaching this team, but there is so much talent in Dallas that anything less than the post season should be considered massive failure.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (3-2)

Philadelphia has not beaten any noteworthy teams, and they just lost to the Raiders.

Ouch.

This team better figure it out, and quick.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)

Jacksonville is up, and then they're down. I don't understand them just quite yet, but they are definitely a team to watch for to earn a possible wild card spot.

Still, a close win against the Rams? What's that about?

A win is a win, and Jacksonville needs any they can get.

17. New York Jets (3-3)

After a 3-0 start, this team is really reeling. Mark Sanchez has played very poorly in their three losses this season, and they just lost Kris Jenkins for the season.

Things could be worse for the Jets, but they are certainly not feeling giddy after giving up the division lead to New England with a botched opportunity to beat Buffalo.

18. Houston Texans (3-3)

Houston's offense is dynamic when it wants to be, and this team can beat any in the NFL.

I don't understand how they are 3-3 because they have so much talent, so it must just be mental issues. If Houston can clear them up, they can be dangerous.

19. Baltimore Ravens (3-3)

I feel for this team, I truly do. They had the game won in Minnesota on Sunday, and Steven Hauschka blew a very routine field goal attempt at the end of a 33-31 loss to the Vikings.

This team has a good offense and a good defense, now they just need to get them clicking at the same time against the best competition. They are far from out of it.

20. San Diego Chargers (2-3)

San Diego always starts off slowly, but they have a huge deficit in the AFC West at 3.5 games. Unlike last year, Denver's defense is getting it done, and they cannot expect to come back from such a large hole two years in a row.

This team is one-dimensional offensively and their defense is porous. Playing an inspired Kansas City team doesn't help.

21. Miami Dolphins (2-3)

Chad Henne has played exceptional ball and the Dolphins have one of the NFL's top rushing attacks.

They are off to a slow start, but they could get it back together and get back in the AFC East race to defend their division title.

22. Carolina Panthers (2-3)

Carolina is one of the bigger disappointments so far this season, but they are not quite out of it just yet.

They have a tough division led by the Saints and Falcons, but a win over Tampa Bay gives them some confidence.

23. Oakland Raiders (2-4)

Oakland's win over Philadelphia was impressive, but Raider Nation should relish it.

If the Raiders don't play stellar defense like they did on Sunday every week from here on out, it will continue to be a long season for them.

Still, the energy and passion fans saw in Week One from this team were evident on Sunday.

24. Buffalo Bills (2-4)

Buffalo has to exhale after nearly blowing an opportunity to beat New York in regulation, but they got it done in overtime despite forcing five interceptions in one game.

This team is horrid offensively, but their defense has been decent so far. They need to string together some wins soon if they want to keep up with the Patriots.

25. Seattle Seahawks (2-4)

This is another tough team to figure out, but with Matt Hasselbeck, they should never be counted out.

26. Washington Redskins (2-4)

I cannot believe this team has won two games. They are horrendous. If not for the system, I would seriously consider them for the 32nd slot.

Still, winning is winning, but I don't expect this team to do a whole lot of it.

27. Kansas City Chiefs (1-5)

Kansas City won their first game of the season without scoring a touchdown, but it is a win nonetheless.

Still, this team is not very good and with a bad offensive line, they won't do much.

28. Cleveland Browns (1-5)

The Browns are going to vie for the No. 2 draft pick as the season goes on, but Josh Cribbs is making them at the very least a worthy opponent.

29. Detroit Lions (1-5)

Without Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson, this team is utterly un-watchable. Absolutely putrid and boring.

They were shut out by Green Bay and showed no signs of life.

Eek...

30. Tennessee Titans (0-6)

From 13-3 to 0-6, the Titans are the worst turnaround in football this year.

Vince Young has not made good use of his sparse playing time, and Kerry Collins is proving to be a free agent bust.

This team, at this point, is not better than its record indicates.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-6)

Tampa Bay has been at the very least a worthy opponent for some of their games. Still, the Raheem Morris era is not off to a good start.

This team is B-A-D, and somewhere Jon Gruden is laughing...

32. St. Louis Rams (0-6)

The Rams are awful, but at least they showed signs of life against the Jaguars.

This team probably will get the No. 1 draft pick, but I don't think we will see another 0-16 season this year from anyone, and that includes St. Louis.