NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Updated 2014 Analysis Before Thursday Night Football

If Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas thinks scoring touchdowns is getting too easy, perhaps he should try his hand at crafting power rankings for a league that is driven by parity and puts up some bonkers results just about every single weekend.

We've had some time to digest the results from an exciting Week 6, so it makes sense to assess the NFL pecking order in anticipation of the Thursday night contest between the New York Jets and New England Patriots, a game that could very well turn out much like the midweek contests from Weeks 1-5 (you know, a blowout).

Here are my power rankings for all 32 teams after six weeks of NFL action. 

Power Rankings

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-6)

The Jaguars have been outscored 185-81 this season. Blake Bortles is promising, but he is still much too prone to committing costly turnovers for this team to have a chance against top opponents.

There aren't too many winnable games on the schedule for this team. The Jags' best bets for a victory look to be Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins or Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans. Outside of those two contests, the short-term future is very bleak.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5)

Quarterback Mike Glennon gives this team a chance against middling foes, but there is very little about this team to be excited bout. The defense has been atrocious, allowing 422.8 yards and 34.0 points per game, dead last in the league in both categories.

Cornerback Alterraun Verner and outside linebacker Lavonte David have very little help around them on defense, and the former was last seen getting torched by Steve Smith against the Baltimore Ravens. It's going to be a long season in South Florida.

30. Oakland Raiders (0-5)

The Raiders just might have something in Derek Carr, who threw four touchdowns against the San Diego Chargers. A rookie quarterback won't save this team from the NFL doldrums, but it does prevent them from being the absolute worst team in the league.

Speaking of rookies, the Raiders also struck gold with linebacker Khalil Mack. He has yet to record a sack, but is inching closer every single week. Josh Dubow of The Associated Press noted he came close several times against the Bolts in Week 6:

He also plays well against the run and looks wholly unfamiliar with the concept of fatigue.

Check back with this team in 2016; there are signs of life.

29. Tennessee Titans (2-4)

The Titans have a middling defense, giving up 375 yards per game, but it's not nearly good enough to make up for their poor offense. Charlie Whitehurst has been passable in place of Jake Locker, but he appears to be cut from the same stopgap signal-caller cloth as Kyle Orton: Good in the interim, but hardly the player you want leading the team in the future.

Tight end Delanie Walker could be a star, but there are few threats around him in the offense and he's not quite good enough to create consistent separation from linebackers.

28. Washington Redskins (1-5)

Apparently, Kirk Cousins is susceptible to bouts of the yips in pressure situations, per Joseph White of The Associated Press (h/t FoxSports.com): 

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But Cousins has succumbed to the NFL's high-pressure moments. His third-down passer rating is 39.8, more than 20 points below anyone else among those with enough attempts to qualify for the league's leaderboard. His second-half rating, which includes all of his interceptions, is 63.9.

"

White also pointed out Cousins leads the league in interceptions with eight—and that's without playing in the team's Week 1 loss to the Houston Texans.

Cousins' regression doesn't bode well for the 'Skins, although they do have winnable games against the Titans, Minnesota Vikings and Buccaneers within the next four weeks.

27. St. Louis Rams (1-4)

The Rams have just one measly sack on the season. Robert Quinn has been ineffective and is clearly missing the presence of the injured Chris Long.

Many predicted it would be a lost season for the Rams when quarterback Sam Bradford tore his ACL in August, but the team hasn't lost much with Austin Davis and his 89.6 quarterback rating—Bradford's passer rating in 2013 was 90.9. The defense and the rushing attack haven't held up their end of the bargain.

It's a sad state of affairs in St. Louis, but it doesn't have to be. If Quinn, Long and company can rediscover their form, this team could move into the middle of the pack by the end of the season.

26. New York Jets (1-5)

Just about any conversation about the New York Jets revolves around the uneven, dispiriting play of quarterback Geno Smith.

NFL.com's Judy Battista pointed out that Smith was much better against the Denver Broncos than he was in a shutout loss to the Chargers the week before, but his play isn't close to elevating the team's weak offense:

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Geno Smith was not the only -- or even dominant -- reason the Jets lost to the Broncos. But on a day when his only turnover came on a desperate end-of-game pass, he was nowhere near good enough to elevate an offense that features no downfield threat, minimal run blocking and ham-handed receivers. His defining moment Sunday came not on the pick-six that provided Denver's final margin of victory, but on a more dispiriting three-and-out on the previous drive, when the Jets, trailing by just seven points, still had a legitimate opportunity to stun the Broncos.

"

Head coach Rex Ryan continues to get strong performances out of the defense, which should allow them to scrape out a handful of wins this season, but the offense needs a Page 1 rewrite.

25. Minnesota Vikings (2-4)

Minnesota has allowed 22 sacks this season, second only to the Jaguars. The offensive line is doing no favors to rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who's struggled with limited time to throw and work through his progressions.

It will be shame if this stunts his development, as offensive coordinator Norv Turner is a fine quarterback guru and should be able to get the most out of the first-round pick. All he needs is an opportunity.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3)

The Steelers may be 3-3, but they've hardly been convincing in the past three weeks. They lost to the lowly Buccaneers in Week 4, beat the Jaguars by eight points and then got demolished by the Cleveland Browns. However, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is undeterred and believes his team can turn things around, per NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala:

There's still plenty of time for this team to turn things around, but it's going to be tough in the ultra-competitive AFC North.

23. New York Giants (3-3)

The Giants are a difficult team to pin down, but they do seem to live and die with quarterback Eli Manning. In the team's three wins, he's thrown eight touchdowns against one interception. In the three losses, Manning has tossed three scores against four picks and accrued less than 200 yards through the air in two of those contests.

Manning will have to straighten things out without the help of star wide receiver Victor Cruz, who tore his patellar tendon against the Philadelphia Eagles.

22. Buffalo Bills (3-3)

The Buffalo Bills' pass rush has been far and away the best part of the team in 2014. Led by Mario Williams and marauding defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, the Bills have racked up 19 sacks on the season. They will need to continue to harass opposing quarterbacks, as Kyle Orton is unlikely to win many shootouts, although he is proving to be a capable veteran signal-caller.

21. Miami Dolphins (2-3)

Ryan Tannehill is still working on putting together complete games from week to week, but he's shown flashes of brilliance this season. He is hoping to get more players involved in the offense, including wide receiver Brian Hartline.

"I think we have to get him involved," Tannehill said, via Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "He's such a consistent player that can be great for us in the pass game. To make teams defend both sides, Mike (Wallace) as well as Brian, I think it's important for us."

Hartline is a strong possession receiver who makes a great complement to the speedy Mike Wallace. Getting him more looks could very well open up things downfield for this offense.

20. Atlanta Falcons (2-4)

Matt Ryan's Falcons are primed to be in shootouts just about every week in the NFL, much to the delight of fantasy football owners and neutral fans. The offense is putting up 410 yards per game, second in the league, and veteran wide receiver Roddy White is looking stronger with each passing week.

On the other hand, the defense is giving up 419 yards per game. If Matty Ice can live up to his nickname, this team could end up with a winning record, but it's going to be very tough.

19. Houston Texans (3-3)

It's J.J. Watt's world, and we're just living in it. The all-universe defensive end makes amazing plays week after week and is the main reason this team is .500 and already has more wins than they did in all of 2013. As Pro Football Focus and ESPN Stats and Info point out, he's all over opposing quarterbacks and is supplementing the team's offense at the same time:

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So far J.J. Watt leads league with 41 combined sacks, hits & hurries. 2nd? Ryan Kerrigan with 30 & Dwight Freeney 3rd with 27

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) October 13, 2014"

With a healthy Watt and solid play from Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Texans should win eight or nine games.

18. New Orleans Saints (2-3)

Drew Brees will have to make do without his favorite target, tight end Jimmy Graham, for at least a couple of weeks. However, the offense should get a boost with the return of running back Mark Ingram, who is participating in practice and is "full go" for the team's upcoming fixture against the Detroit Lions, per ESPN.com's Mike Triplett. 

The Detroit Lions defense has been extremely tough this season, and it will take Brees' best for the Saints to come away with a win in this one.

17. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)

The Chiefs are coming off a bye week and could very well steal a game against the Chargers in Week 7, as the Bolts are surely looking forward to playing the Broncos the following Thursday. Running back Jamaal Charles has been excellent since returning to play against the Patriots in Week 4, racking up 192 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in his past two appearances

16. Chicago Bears (3-3)

Jay Cutler had one of his best games as a Chicago Bear in the team's 27-13 Week 6 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He threw for 381 yards and repeatedly hooked up with towering wideouts Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall.

The Bears haven't had much luck at the quarterback position as a franchise, making Cutler's play all the more encouraging for a team working with a banged-up defense.

15. Cleveland Browns (3-2)

The Cleveland Browns are playing some of the best football in the league right now and have an easy slate of games coming up. They could very well be 6-2 by the time they face the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 6, with the Jaguars, Raiders and Buccaneers on the calendar over the next three weeks.

14. Carolina Panthers (3-2-1)

Rookie wideout Kelvin Benjamin has been a revelation this season, racking up 31 receptions for 416 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Panthers could be without their budding star in Week 7, as he complained of a headache Monday and is going through the league's concussion protocol, per NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal.

If Benjamin can't play, the Panthers could find it very tough to keep up with Green Bay's dominant passing attack.

13. San Francisco 49ers (4-2)

The San Francisco 49ers continue to inch their way up the rankings and are riding a three-game winning streak. Colin Kaepernick looked fantastic against the Rams, throwing three touchdowns to three different receivers. As ESPN Stats and Info points out, he's been one of the best in the league at making big plays on the run:

They have to play the Broncos in Week 7, but after that they have four very winnable games against the Rams, Saints, Giants and Redskins on the schedule. The Niners might need to win all of those games to keep pace with the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West.

12. Arizona Cardinals (4-1)

Carson Palmer finally returned to the gridiron in Week 6 against the Redskins and had a fine game, throwing for 250 yards and two touchdowns. His right shoulder injury, which has kept him out of all but two games this season, seems to finally be on the mend. Palmer hopes to get it back to full strength by throwing the ball around plenty in practice this week, per ESPN.com's Josh Weinfuss:

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It's going to take a while. It's going to take at least a week of throwing, I would think. It's kind of what I'm expecting to really get it back. It just needs to get back in shape. It's just out of shape. It's like sitting on the couch after training camp -- you have a knee issue or high ankle sprain, you just get out of shape, you get out of the football shape. My arm's out of throwing shape, and that'll come back.

"

The Cardinals need Palmer to stay healthy, as rookie quarterback Logan Thomas just won't do in what could be the league's toughest division.

11. Green Bay Packers (4-2)

Aaron Rodgers continues to thrive with a pair of sterling wideouts in Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson. Cobb is second in the league with seven touchdown receptions and is averaging a solid 11.4 yards per catch. Nelson keeps the chains moving, with 32 of his 43 catches going for first downs. He's also leading the league in receiving yards with 632 on the year.

The Packers may not be good enough to catch the Lions in the NFC North, but they should be good enough to secure a playoff spot.

10. New England Patriots (4-2)

Tom Brady is still Tom Brady. The veteran quarterback has made it abundantly clear he is not one to be trifled with, and the doubters have clearly sparked something within the legendary quarterback who has very little, if anything, left to prove in his NFL career. Pencil this team in for another AFC East crown, so long as Brady and the defense can stay healthy.

9. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)

Once again, the Ravens have one of the stingiest defenses in the league, allowing opponents a paltry 16.2 points per game this season. Joe Flacco has done a fine job of taking care of the ball this year, throwing just three interceptions so far.

Baltimore can't count on him to throw five touchdowns every week, but a mistake-free performance from Flacco and hard running from Justin Forsett should be enough for this team to come out on top most weeks.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1-1)

Andy Dalton has done very well this season with limited resources at his disposal.

A.J. Green has played in four games and only been effective in three of them. Marvin Jones broke his foot in the offseason and has finally been placed on season-ending injured reserve, per NFL.com's Chris Wesseling. Tight end Tyler Eifert went down in Week 1 and Jermaine Gresham has struggled in his stead. 

It's a testament to this team's overall talent that they have a 3-1-1 record. The race for the AFC North crown between the Bengals, Ravens and (probably) Browns should be one of the most exciting storylines in the latter half of the season.

7. Detroit Lions (4-2)

The Lions defense is far and away the best in the league, but it's going to be tough for this team to move up the power rankings if the offensive line can't protect Matthew Stafford. He's already been sacked 21 times on the season and hasn't had the usual luxury of throwing to a healthy Calvin Johnson.

The running game has also been poor, putting up just 86.3 yards per game. Despite all of this, they are 4-2 and there is plenty of time for them to work out the kinks, get healthy and make a run at the top seed in the NFC.

6. Indianapolis Colts (4-2)

If you're physically incapable of picking Philip Rivers as the MVP of the season up to this point, then the vote must surely go to Andrew Luck.

The Stanford product has been pretty much as good as advertised since he joined the league in 2012, but he's taken his game to a new level this season. Luck's completed 172 of 260 passes for 1,987 yards and 17 touchdowns. Forget the Colts' 0-2 start; this team is bound for the postseason.

5. Seattle Seahawks (3-2)

Perhaps the Seattle Seahawks are relying a bit too much on reverence from their opponents to carry them through tough games this season. A 3-2 record is not a good start to the season, although those losses came against two elite opponents in the Chargers and Dallas Cowboys.

Wide receiver Doug Baldwin told Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times that the team is excited to prove they can play at a higher level:

"

Anxious, excited. We all know we’ve got an opportunity to be better. We’ve got to play better. The guys on this team, we’ve always had chips on our shoulders, for whatever reason. So it just kind of refocuses us and lets us know that we are not as good as we think we are and we are not as good as everyone thinks on the outside that we are. So we’ve got to go back to work and remember that chip on our shoulder and get back to the grind. But I think it’s a positive attitude that we’ve got in the locker room.

"

A trip to St. Louis against the lowly Rams should help this team get back on track.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (5-1)

The Eagles offensive line finally gave LeSean McCoy room to run in Week 6, and the Pro Bowl back delivered. He racked up 149 yards on 22 carries and looked genuinely explosive throughout the contest, although fantasy owners could have used a touchdown to make up for all the earlier letdown performances.

Nick Foles is still making some inexcusable mistakes—he stared down Giants safety Antrel Rolle in the flat before gifting him an interception with a lofted throw—but he's surrounded by plenty of weapons, and the team is on the rise.

3. San Diego Chargers (5-1)

The Chargers are just one point away from being undefeated, with the Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals the only blemish on the team's record. Philip Rivers wasn't superhuman in that game, at least not in the way he's been in the past five weeks.

It's a good thing he's been phenomenal because the defense, which has improved drastically from the dumpster fire it was in 2013, might not be as good as advertised.

According to Football Outsiders, the Chargers rank 20th in defensive efficiency. The performance against the Raiders certainly hurt, but it could be an aberration.

It's also worth noting that the defense has been banged up all season. Linebackers Melvin Ingram and Manti Te'o have combined to play just five games, impact rookies Jerry Attaochu and Jason Verrett have missed time, and cornerback Brandon Flowers picked up a knock against the Raiders.

If this defense gets healthy, expect them to improve rapidly (after they play the Broncos on Thursday in Week 8).

2. Dallas Cowboys (5-1)

This team has pretty much proved all of their doubters wrong through six weeks. Beating the Seattle Seahawks on the road only confirms that this early-season run is no fluke and the Cowboys are here to stay. Tony Romo has been superb, tossing 11 touchdowns against five interceptions, and DeMarco Murray has been a revelation.

The biggest danger for this squad is the possibility of running Murray ragged; he's on pace for 424 carries this season. This team can't afford to have him fade late in the season with a likely playoff run in store.

1. Denver Broncos (4-1)

Peyton Manning's squad is firing on all cylinders. Julius Thomas leads the league with a staggering nine touchdown receptions and has a legitimate shot at Randy Moss' single-season record for touchdown catches (23).

Wideout Demaryius Thomas racks up big yardage on a regular basis, and Ronnie Hillman stepped up in a big way for the injured Montee Ball in Week 6, racking up 100 yards rushing on 24 carries. This could be the most talented supporting cast Manning has ever had, and they have a fantastic shot at securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC this season and making another run at the Super Bowl.

All stats courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.