NFL Power Rankings: Charting Each Team's Rank Through First 7 Weeks

After giving the Browns their first win of the season, the Bengals dropped another game against a divisional foe in Week 7 against the Steelers.

Andy Dalton has done a decent job building on a solid rookie season, but he has already thrown 10 interceptions.

A.J. Green currently ranks third among NFL receivers in yards, and only James Jones and Victor Cruz have as many touchdown grabs.

The Bengals need to win the games against inferior opponents. Losses to Miami and Cleveland should not be on a playoff contender’s resume.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Hopefully, the Chiefs did some major work on their bye week, because they have looked downright awful this season.

It all stems from the controversy under center.

Matt Cassel was knocked out against the Ravens in Week 5 with a concussion and was escorted off to a spattering of boos—from his home crowd.

Brady Quinn relieved Cassel of his duties but has not been any better, proving that his days of grace are still in South Bend. Neither is the long-term answer, so coach Romeo Crennel needs to make a choice and go forward with the season.

On paper, the Chiefs have one of the best rosters around—a Pro Bowl-caliber back, a physical specimen at wide receiver and a young and talented defense. So what’s the problem?

It may be time to press the reset button in Kansas City.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

In the battle of one-win teams, the Jaguars managed to blow a 14-point third-quarter lead against the Raiders. In the extra time, a costly fumble from Cecil Shorts III cost the Jaguars the game.

What stung more than the score was that running back Maurice Jones-Drew and quarterback Blaine Gabbert left with injuries. Losing even one of these guys would hurt the Jaguars, but both puts the Jaguars in a real predicament. Chad Henne and Rashad Jennings are not the duo fans want to see in the backfield.

The Jaguars' offense is last in every major offensive category except rushing yards (25th). Their defense is among the worst in the league as well.  The Jaguars will be lucky to squeak out two more wins this season.

30. Cleveland Browns

Coming off their first win of the season, the Browns fell flat against the Indianapolis Colts.

Rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden continues to improve. He did everything he could to rally his teammates Sunday, going 25-of-41 for 264 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, but he did not get enough help. A drop by wide receiver Josh Gordon in the Colts end zone was the shining example of this.

The running game could not get any traction with Trent Richardson sidelined with a rib injury.The former Alabama back has run into injury problems multiple times this season and it is likely that he won't be 100 percent for the remainder of the season.

The Browns face San Diego and Baltimore before their bye in Week 10. They are likely to go into the break with only a single win. Better than nothing.

29. Oakland Raiders

The Raiders got a win in Week 7, albeit it was against the lowly Jaguars.

The Raiders seem to love keeping the score close, no matter what team is on the other side of the ball. Last week, the undefeated Falcons needed a late field goal to escape with a win, but this week the Raiders needed overtime to dispose of the one-win Jaguars.

Carson Palmer is playing well in his first full year wearing the silver and black, but Darren McFadden has not lived up to the hype. The fifth-year back has only surpassed the 100-yard mark once this season.

28. Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson has a pulse!

CJ2K was looking like CJ0K before his stellar performance against the Bills in Week 7. Johnson rushed for 195 yards and two touchdowns on just 18 carries. It should be noted that it was against the NFL’s worst rush defense, though. Still, impressive.

Johnson’s importance to the offense cannot be overstated. The Titans will go as he goes, especially with the injuries at wide receiver and quarterback.

Will the Titans make a playoff run? Probably not, but their wins against the Steelers and Lions proved that they are going somewhat in the right direction.

27. Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck was dynamic in the Colts' win over the Browns Sunday, as he became the first Colts quarterback to run for two touchdowns in a game since 1988.

The win became even more valuable when the players found out that their leukemia-stricken head coach, Chuck Pagano, was watching from his home just hours after being released from the hospital.

The Colts are a young team that will use the rest of the season to evaluate what kind of team they have around their first overall pick.

They won’t contend for the AFC South crown this year, but wins like the one on Sunday gives fans hope for the future. Heck, they already have two more wins than they did all of last year.

26. Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills made a costly mistake, then missed an opportunity to regain the momentum late in their loss against the Titans in Week 7.

Ryan Fitzpatrick probably played his best game of the season against the Titans, but the ineptitude of the defense was the most glaring issue.

The Titans discovered that they could exploit the right side of the Bills defense and exposed Chris Kelsay, Nick Barnett and Kelvin Sheppard.

Also, Mario Williams has not been the game changer that the Bills thought they were getting when they signed him to a huge deal this offseason.

25. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers’ cannot manage to win games late, which led to yet another loss in Week 7 against the Cowboys.

Cam Newton is quickly using up the goodwill he earned during his record-setting rookie year. Currently, he has six interceptions to just five touchdowns through the air.

However, the Panthers offensive struggles cannot be put completely on the second-year quarterback. The once-dynamic duo of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams have not been a big enough part of the game plan. This has led to Newton leading the team in rushing through seven weeks.

The talent on Carolina’s roster is being severely mismanaged.

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Josh Freeman has posted consecutive big games after the team’s Week 5 bye. Against Kansas City, Freeman threw for 328 yards and one touchdown, but he was even more impressive in Week 7. The fourth-year QB posted a career-high 420 yards and three touchdowns in a controversial loss against the Saints.

The Bucs have a talented backfield and a competent defense. They should rely on this more going forward. In a tough division, wins may be hard to come by, but the team has enough pieces in place to tally wins. They have not lost by more than a one score so far this season.

23. New Orleans Saints

Are the Saints back? Maybe.

After starting the season 0-4 in the turmoil of Bountygate, the Saints have won two straight against San Diego and Tampa Bay.

Drew Brees has played phenomenally all season. The veteran quarterback has already thrown for 18 touchdowns and 2,097 yards. He has only thrown for fewer than 300 yards in one game this season (Week 3 vs. Kansas City).

The running game is the worst in the league, but they do not need to be productive with Brees slinging the ball the way he is. The defense is where they will have to improve going forward.

The Saints are allowing a league-worst 465.5 yards per game and are making mediocre quarterbacks look like All-Pros (see: Josh Freeman’s Week 7 performance).

22. Detroit Lions

The Lions garnered a lot of attention coming into the season, but have disappointed so far. The team has no running game to speak of and Matt Stafford has forced the ball to Calvin Johnson too much.

Stafford has the talent to be among the elite quarterbacks in the NFL, but he is often hurt and has been making bad decisions that have led to easy interceptions for opposing defense.

The Lions face two of the NFL’s top defenses in back-to-back weeks in Chicago and Seattle. A lot of questions about the team will be answered after those games.

21. Miami Dolphins

It’s still hard to grasp that the Miami Dolphins are contenders in the AFC East, but the reality is that they are two late field goals away from being 5-1. Both the Cardinals and Jets needed overtime to dispose of the Dolphins.

Rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been mediocre at best, but Reggie Bush seems to have hit his stride as an NFL back. Bush is on pace to break 1,000 yards for a second consecutive season and set a career high in touchdowns.

20. Cincinnati Bengals

After giving the Browns their first win of the season, the Bengals dropped another game against a divisional foe in Week 7 against the Steelers.

Andy Dalton has done a decent job building on a solid rookie season, but he has already thrown 10 interceptions.

A.J. Green currently ranks third among NFL receivers in yards, and only James Jones and Victor Cruz have as many touchdown grabs.

The Bengals need to win the games against inferior opponents. Losses to Miami and Cleveland should not be on a playoff contender’s resume.

19. New York Jets

The Jets are about as consistent as a roulette wheel, but Sunday they played well against the high-powered New England offense in a loss. Even Mark Sanchez played well, and that doesn’t happen too often.

Tebowmania hit its peak in New York the last few weeks after consecutive bad performances from Sanchez, but it looks like Tebow will continue to play his role as a blocker, running back, wildcat quarterback and sideshow attraction.

The Jets need a win against the Dolphins in Week 8 to go into their bye week on a good note.

18. St. Louis Rams

It’s hard to get a bead on the Rams. They beat tough Arizona, Seattle and Washington teams, but then lost a close game to Miami and got run out of the building against Green Bay in Week 7.

Sam Bradford is on pace for a good season, but veteran back Steven Jackson looks like he has hit a wall. Jackson has yet to go over 100 yards in any game this season.

Things won’t get any easier for the Rams. They face the Patriots, Jets, Cardinals and the 49ers twice before traveling to Buffalo in Week 14. After that gauntlet of games, the Rams could be well below .500.

17. Washington Redskins

I think it is safe to say that RGIII is the real deal. The rookie quarterback has given defenses fits with his mobility and has yet to have a truly bad game.

The defense has stuffed opposition running backs, but the secondary has been horrific. The Redskins are allowing 328.4 passing yards per game, the worst in the NFL.

The Redskins will go as RGIII goes this season, and like almost all rookie seasons, it is sure to be filled with up and downs. However, fans should find solace in the fact that they have their quarterback of the future.

16. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals were the surprise of the season when they came out of the gate with a 4-0 record. However, since the Cardinals suffered their first loss of the season in an ugly game against the Rams in Week 5, they have not been able to buy a win.

Arizona’s offense has been ravaged by injury. Both Beanie Wells and his backup Ryan Williams have been put on the injured reserve, leaving LaRod Stephens-Howling as the team's most proven back.

Then there is the problem at quarterback. John Skelton was originally chosen as the starter, but Kevin Kolb took the reins after Skelton was sidelined with an injury.

Kolb is now the one injured and Skelton has been back under center. Neither guy is a franchise quarterback, but the Cardinals need consistency—something they haven't had since Kurt Warner retired.

The defense has been among the best in the NFL, but the team may not be able to continually ride them to the playoffs.

The Cardinals' next three games are against San Francisco, Green Bay and Atlanta. The team will be lucky to escape from those games with one win.

15. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys won ugly Sunday against the Panthers, but they won’t be apologizing to anyone. A win is a win.

Dez Bryant continues to drop balls in the end zone, Tony Romo is good, but not great, and the running game has yet to get on track. All these things need to be fixed before the Cowboys can be seen as a true contender.

Jerry Jones is up there with Rex Ryan as the most annoying talking head in the NFL, saying his Cowboys are still very much Super Bowl contenders at .500. They will have to fix the little things before this statement is true.

14. San Diego Chargers

Chargers’ public relations director Bill Johnston released this statement on the team’s official website after their epic collapse on Monday Night Football against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos:

"

Time to take a chill pill. No one knows what will happen this season, yet alone the next game. That's the beauty of the National Football League. I don't know, you don't know, no one knows what's going to happen. If you want these players and coaches to succeed, then support them. Don't tear them down. What you want and what we all want, including your team, is to know people believe in them.

"

Should Charger fans take a “chill pill?” I don’t think so. A.J. Smith and Norv Turner aren't getting the job done and Philip Rivers has not played well since the midway point of last season.

The situation with the Chargers has the potential to get really bad, really fast. They have two cakewalk games against the Browns and Chiefs that they should win, but if they don’t, it will cause bedlam amongst the San Diego fanbase.

13. Philadelphia Eagles

The story in the City of Brotherly Love is turnovers. Michael Vick has turned the ball over much too often, so much so that it has led to speculation that Andy Reid would bench him in favor of rookie Nick Foles.

The first casualty of the Eagles' bad play came when defensive coordinator Juan Castillo was let go by Reid. If the Eagles do not improve, it will be Reid on the chopping block.

The defense has not played stellar football, but it is not the reason the Eagles are losing. The turnovers and inability to put up points have been. Also, Reid and the offense need to utilize LeSean McCoy a lot more.

They have enough talent to be a top five team—now they need to start playing like it.

12. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens were a top-three team just a week ago, but injuries to Ray Lewis, Lardarius Webb and now Ed Reed have devastated the defense. In the team’s first game without Lewis commanding the defense, the Ravens allowed the Texans to score 43 points.

The defense cannot take all the blame, though. The offense had their worst performance of the year. Joe Flacco threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown and later was tackled in his own end zone for a safety.

The Ravens most talented offensive player is Ray Rice. He only carried the ball nine times Sunday, something that cannot happen again.

Also, keep an eye on the defense to see if they can survive through all the injuries. Suggs looked like he was in midseason form in his return Sunday, but the Ravens have had problems stopping the run, not rushing the passer.

11. Denver Broncos

Two words: Peyton Manning.

Manning is on track to take home his fourth MVP trophy with his stellar play in his first year away from Indianapolis.

Willis McGahee has carried the load for the Broncos on the ground, totaling 432 yards and three touchdowns through seven weeks.

Denver’s three losses have come by the hands of New England, Houston and Atlanta—three very good teams.

Manning and the Broncos have a habit for starting late. The comebacks make great television, but playing two halves makes getting tallies in the win column much easier.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers bounced back in Week 7 after a stunning loss to the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football.

Like most good Steelers’ teams, the defense has been paramount to their success. They currently rank second in yards allowed.

The Steelers relied on a bunch of running-game fill-ins and a determined defense in the team’s first road win of the season.

The offensive line now has to deal with injuries to center Maurkice Pouncey and right tackle Marcus Gilbert, and Ben Roethlisberger’s ability to extend plays will prove to be very important.

9. Minnesota Vikings

People were quick to write off the Vikings after their loss last week to RGIII and the Redskins, but Sunday they captured another impressive win against the Arizona Cardinals.

It’s crazy to think that Adrian Peterson underwent knee surgery less than a year ago. He has come back with a vengeance, rushing for 652 yards through six games—only seven yards away from NFL leader Arian Foster.

Percy Harvin has been Mr. Do-It-All for the Vikings. He has twice as many yards and receptions than any other receiver on the roster. He also returns kicks and has carried the ball 17 times.

If the Vikings keep up this pace, there is no reason to think that the Vikings can’t compete for the NFC North crown.

8. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks lost a defensive battle against the 49ers on Thursday Night Football in Week 7, but they are still a top 10 team.

Even though they were the beneficiary of a bad call against the Packers in Week 3 that led to a win, the Seahawks defense is arguably the best in the NFL. The Seahawks have two physical corners, coupled with two athletic safeties, and the front seven, led by Chris Clemons, can rush the passer.

For how good the defense has been, the offense has been equally horrific. The Seahawks rank second to last in points per game (16.6) and 30th in yards (293.6). Wilson had his best day as a pro against New England in Week 6, but he has not done much outside of that.

Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch continues to impress, but defenses are beginning to stack the box and make the Seahawks beat them through the air.

7. New England Patriots

All is right in the world—the New England Patriots are back above .500.

Tom Brady and the Patriots offense are the best in the league, but they have had trouble against the NFL’s better defenses. The Patriots' three losses have come against the Cardinals, Seahawks and Ravens.

The Patriots went to overtime against the Jets, but a big hit from Rob Ninkovich jarred the ball loose and secured the victory for the Pats.

Sole possession of first place in the AFC East now belongs to New England.

6. Green Bay Packers

Records aside, the Green Bay Packers are one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL.

Aaron Rodgers connected on 30-of-37 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns to lift the Packers to 4-3.

The Packers' defense leads the NFL in sacks with a whopping 24 through seven weeks.

Rodgers' talent makes any wide receiver a threat. Even when defenses play well, there is no defense for the perfect throw—something Rodgers has been delivering on a regular basis lately.

5. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers had to make a statement after being exposed by the New York Giants in Week 6. The team did just that in Week 7 against the Seahawks.

Seattle is hardly an offensive juggernaut, but the 49ers didn't allow them in the end zone all game. A final score of 13-6 tells the story of a defensive battle.

Alex Smith will never be an MVP, but if he continues to contribute without turning the ball over, he will continue to have a job in San Francisco. He has only thrown multiple interceptions in one game this season.

4. Chicago Bears

Things came to a head in Chicago after Jay Cutler was caught pushing one of his linemen and being a complete jerk. However, the team came together and now sits at 4-1 and atop the NFC North.

Cutler had two bad games in a row, but he has played well in his last two outings.

There are no words to describe how the defense has played. The unit has been lights out. Opponents' running backs are only averaging 65.8 yards per game and their 14.2 points allowed per game is an NFL best.

Green Bay will push Chicago for the division crown, but this is one of the more talented Bears squad we have seen in years.

3. New York Giants

Washington made a game of it, but a late touchdown toss by Eli Manning to Victor Cruz let the Giants escape with a Week 7 victory.

The victory was the third in a row for the Giants and prevented the Redskins from moving into a first-place tie in the NFC East.

The Manning-led offense is top five in both points (29.3) and yards (411.6), and the athletic defense is making plays when they need to.

Sunday's win was important because it was the Giants' first win over a divisional opponent this season.

2. Houston Texans

The Texans played a complete game against the Ravens in Week 7.

The defense scored twice on an interception return and a safety, and Houston finally beat Baltimore, who'd won all six previous meetings and eliminated them from last year's playoffs

Houston heads into its bye week with a much better outlook after getting embarrassed by Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay last week.

Arian Foster continues to be one of the NFL's most explosive players on offense, and J.J. Watt is campaigning for Defensive Player of the Year.

1. Atlanta Falcons

The idle Atlanta Falcons remain No. 1 with the only perfect record in the NFL. The Falcons do not always win pretty, but they get the W—that's all that matters.

Matt Ryan is having his best season as a pro, and Julio Jones and Roddy White are the best receiver tandem in the NFL. Despite the talent on the outside, it is the ageless Tony Gonzalez who leads the NFL's top team in receptions.

The Falcons are unlikely to finish the season unscathed, but that is not their goal. Their goal is to win in the playoffs, something the team has been unable to do in the Matt Ryan era.