NFL Power Rankings: Teams That Will Continue to Disappoint in Week 7

Richard LangfordJun 7, 2018

The Saints may have had a bye week and their first win of the season their last time out, but that can't save them from this list, or near the bottom of my power rankings.

Before we get into the Saints though, we'll discuss two other teams stuck in the season-long disappointment category.

No. 19 Detroit Lions

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After making the playoffs for the first time in ages with a strong core of young players, big things were expected from the Lions this year—far bigger things than they are equipped to live up to.

This flawed team sits at 2-3 and they will not cross the .500 barrier this season.

The passing offense remains the clear strength of this team. The Lions are second in passing yards per game, but their lack of balance is taking its toll.

Detroit is just 19th in rushing yards, and 21st in yards per rush, and that is with defenses keying on the passing game.

As a result the big-pass plays are getting hard to come by and the Lions are 17th in yards per pass. Also, Matt Stafford has five interceptions to four touchdowns.

Defensively, the Lions don't have a real strength. They are 17th in sack percentage and their lack of a pass rush leaves their secondary exposed.

They are 16th in passing yards allowed per game. They are a more respectable 12th in rushing yards, but that defense is not enough to consistently make up for their incomplete offense.

No. 24 Carolina Panthers

Many had the Panthers as a dark-horse playoff candidate, but it is not going to happen. They are just 1-4 and showing no signs of turning it around.

Cam Newton is suffering a sophomore slump and he is doing it in such a way you have to wonder if he will be able to turn it around.

Newton's accuracy has been atrocious. Never was that more apparent than on his 4th-and-goal throw to give his team a lead against the Seahawks late in the game that made it roughly halfway to his intended target before bouncing somewhat comically on the turf.

The Panthers had to carry this late-game failure with them into their bye, and there are undoubtedly questions within the team about Cam's ability to lead them to the promise land.

Defensively, this team was a mess last year, and they are only slightly better now. They are 18th in passing yards allowed and 23rd in rushing yards allowed.

This team will continue to struggle.

No. 28 New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints sit at 1-4. However, as we mentioned, they won their last game, and they have not lost a game by more than eight this season.

While that shows this team is not that far away, they won't be getting any closer to turning the corner.

New Orleans comes off the bye with two road games—the first in Tampa Bay and the second in Denver. This team has always performed better at home, and the offense will have a harder time carrying this terrible defense on the road.

Best-case scenario is they get a split in those two games and sitting at 2-5 will present a mental hurdle they cannot get over.

Outside factors aside, New Orleans is doomed to failure because of its defense. It is near the bottom of practically every category anyone would care to look at, and Football Outsiders ranks them 31st in their DVOA ratings.

It is time for the Saints to start planning for next year, and this reality will soon smack the players right in the face.

Langford's Week 7 NFL Power Rankings

1. Atlanta Falcons

2. Baltimore Ravens

3. Houston Texans

4. New York Giants

5. San Francisco 49ers

6. Arizona Cardinals

7. Green Bay Packers

8. Minnesota Vikings

9. Seattle Seahawks

10. Chicago Bears