NFL Power Rankings: Playoff Contenders That Will Bounce Back in Week 7

Another week in the books in the NFL and things are beginning to take shape.

Week 7 of the 2012-2013 campaign features some intriguing matchups, complete with playoff contenders trying to get back on track after a rough past week.

Here's a look at some playoff hopefuls that I expect to come away with victories in Week 7.

Minnesota Vikings (vs. Arizona Cardinals)

Taking over for the injured Kevin Kolb at quarterback last week, John Skelton completed two of 10 pass attempts for 45 yards and tossed one interception against a Buffalo Bills squad that gave up a combined 97 points in the two weeks before.

Forgive me if I don't see this going well against the Vikings.

Arizona has given up 28 sacks this season (most in the NFL) and the Vikings—complete with defensive end Jared Allen—figure to pressure Skelton all game long.

Minnesota's offense is coming along with second-year quarterback Christian Ponder developing and I expect the Vikings to score enough to win this one in Minneapolis.

Dallas Cowboys (at Carolina Panthers)

The Cowboys may be inconsistent and losers of two straight, but they are facing a much more forgiving defense in the Panthers in Week 7.

Carolina has allowed 25.0 points per game this season (21st in the NFL) and gave up a combined 66 points against the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons in Weeks 3 and 4 respectively.

A Cowboys squad that just scored 29 points against the Baltimore Ravens last week should be able to put up enough points on this defense to get it done.

Houston Texans (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

The Texans are probably still wondering where it all went wrong against the Green Bay Packers in a 42-24 loss last week.

I don't see this defense getting picked apart like that against the Ravens, and maybe not for the rest of the season. Every team has its bad game and I think that was it for Houston.

Aside from that, it's going to be much easier to score against the Ravens with Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb out for the season. Andre Johnson should have a field day at Reliant Stadium with Webb out and the running game should be productive, too.

New England Patriots (vs. New York Jets)

Yes, the Patriots are coming off a rough loss to the Seattle Seahawks and the Jets defense has been better through the past two weeks, but I still don't trust the Jets offense.

The Patriots defense has been much better than last season (allowing 22.8 points per game, tied for 15th in the NFL) and the Jets aren't going to explode against the Patriots like they did against the Indianapolis Colts.

I'm giving this one to the Pats in Foxborough.

Pittsburgh Steelers (at Cincinnati Bengals)

Sometimes sports are simple.

In this case, for me, it comes down to one thing. Ben Roethlisberger is a better and more experienced quarterback than Andy Dalton.

Both defenses have had trouble stopping opponents, but the difference will be that Roethlisberger will take more advantage of it. 

Plus, the Bengals just lost to the Cleveland Browns, 34-24.

NFL Power Rankings Week 7

Team	Record
1. Atlanta Falcons	6-0
2. Houston Texans	5-1
3. San Francisco 49ers	4-2
4. Baltimore Ravens	5-1
5. New York Giants	4-2
6. Chicago Bears	4-1
7. Seattle Seahawks	4-2
8. Green Bay Packers	3-3
9. New England Patriots	3-3
10. Denver Broncos	3-3
11. Washington Redskins	3-3
12. Minnesota Vikings	4-2
13. San Diego Chargers	3-3
14. Arizona Cardinals	4-2
15. St. Louis Rams	3-3
16. Miami Dolphins	3-3
17. Philadelphia Eagles	3-3
18. Dallas Cowboys	2-3
19. Cincinnati Bengals	3-3
20. Detroit Lions	2-3
21. Pittsburgh Steelers	2-3
22. Buffalo Bills	3-3
23. New York Jets	3-3
24. Tennessee Titans	2-4
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2-3
26. New Orleans Saints	1-4
27. Carolina Panthers	1-4
28. Indianapolis Colts	2-3
29. Oakland Raiders	1-4
30. Jacksonville Jaguars	1-4
31. Cleveland Browns	1-5
32. Kansas City Chiefs	1-5