B/R Experts Week 8 NFL Power Rankings

Seven weeks into the 2026 season, the NFL landscape is taking shape. Just don't ask which shape it is—because this triacontadigon is constantly changing.

Heading into Week 7, three teams held perfect records. Now, just one team has an unblemished record—and if you had the Minnesota Vikings as the league's last unbeaten squad, then go buy Powerball tickets, because apparently you can predict the future.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, after the Miami Dolphins downed the New York Jets there's just one team still searching for win No. 1—and it's a Los Angeles Chargers squad labeled by many a playoff contender entering the season. In between, there are surprises galore—for better and for worse.

Another wild week of NFL action has shaken the league's pecking order—especially at the top. And just as they do every week, Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have gathered to try to make sense of it all by ranking all 32 teams from worst to first.

There's a new No. 1—and they didn't even play in Week 7.

ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN | NE | NYG | NO | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SEA | SF | TB | TEN | WAS

32. Los Angeles Chargers (0-6)

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

Chargers QB Justin Herbert

Last Week: 31

Week 5 Result: Bye Week

The Los Angeles Chargers lost during their bye week, because the team sat at home and watched as they became the league's only winless team. 

The marriage between quarterback Justin Herbert and offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel simply hasn't worked despite preseason excitement over the pairing. As a result, the Chargers will likely look different coming out of their bye. 

"Definitely looking at volume and where you can make [the offensive playbook] to where the players can understand," head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters.  At 0-6, something has to be done in an attempt to improve the situation. However, the Chargers' start has been so poor the organization should already be looking toward its future. -- Sobleski

31. Tennessee Titans (1-6)

AP Photo/John Amis

Titans QB Cam Ward

Last Week: 30

Week 7 Result: Lost vs. Cleveland 27-24

There are no moral victories in the NFL. The Tennessee Titans are no doubt kicking themselves after Sunday's last-second loss to Cleveland—especially given that the team was up 14-0 and one yard from going up 21-7.

But not that long the Titans weren't even that competitive. There are bright spots for the team. Running back Tony Pollard had his best game of the season, rushing for 129 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie receiver Carnell Tate remained a focal point in the passing game, catching five passes for 69 yards.

On the flip side though, cam Ward continues to be inconsistent (at best) throwing the football, and both Ward and Tate turned the ball over.

The Titans appear headed toward a top-five pick in next year's draft—and a decision.

Is Ward "The Guy?" Or do the Titans need to draft a quarterback two years after taking him No. 1 overall? – Davenport

30. Miami Dolphins (1-5)

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Dolphins RB Ollie Gordon

Last Week: 32

Week 7 Result: Won at New York Jets 28-25

The Miami Dolphins looked like an entirely different football team coming out of their Week 6 bye, at least offensively. Miami got another big game from running back Ollie Gordon II and got a strong dual-threat performance from quarterback Malik Willis (208 passing yards, 37 rushing yards, 3 total TDs).

Miami's defense still surrenders too many easy yards, and a win over the rival New York Jets won't rocket them toward the playoff picture. However, Sunday's win was huge for a couple of reasons.

This season is about evaluating Willis as a potential long-term quarterback and developing young skill players like Gordon, Caleb Douglas, and Chris Bell. It's also about developing an identity under new head coach Jeff Hafley.

The Dolphins have played like a scrappy underdog all season, and it finally paid off with a big divisional win. It probably won't be the only upset that the Dolphins deliver in 2026. -- Knox

Indianapolis Colts (2-5)

AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

Colts CB Sauce Gardner

Last Week: 27

Week 7 Result: Lost at Minnesota 16-10

Who's up for a Clearance sale?

There have been rampant rumors that the Colts could sell veteran players if the losses continue piling up, with players like running back Jonathan Taylor, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and guard Quentin Nelson all mentioned as veterans who could be dealt.

After a dispiriting loss to the Vikings that dropped the Colts to 2-5, the team is that much closer to just blowing things up—a stunning fall from grace for a team that started the 2025 campaign 8-2.

It has become clear that hot start was a mirage. The "win now" trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner last year and the extension handed to quarterback Daniel Jones were massive mistakes—mistakes that cost Chris Ballard his job.

Now, the path forward appears to be starting over in 2027—and using veterans to stockpile draft capital.  – Davenport

28. Arizona Cardinals (2-5)

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett

Last Week: 26

Week 7 Result: Lost vs. Denver 30-16

We're getting to time to figure out if Carson Beck is a thing or not.

He probably isn't. But it's just about time to find out.

We know what the Cardinals are with Jacoby Brissett under center—bad. There are some weapons in the desert in wideout Michaeel Wilson, tight end Trey McBride and running back Jeremiyah Love. But the defense is inconsistent at best, and the only games the team has won are at SoFi Stadium.

The Cardinals do not play home games there.

Beck probably isn't the long-term answer at quarterback, but he was a three-year starter at Georgia and then Miami. The Redbirds thought enough of him to spend a Day 2 pick on him.

And if they're going to get him some game reps, now is the time—after the Cowboys' non-existent defense in Week 8, the Cardinals face Seattle, the Rams and Kansas City.

This will be a 3-8 team (at best) by the end of November. -- Davenport

27. Washington Commanders (1-4-1)

AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

Last Week: 28

Week 7 Result: Bye Week

The Washington Commanders couldn't get out of their own way with poor situational awareness over the last two weeks. They should've had a chance to kick a game-winning field goal in Week 5, and head coach Dan Quinn had to answer questions about a fourth-down sequence in Week 6. 

To make matters worse, wideout Terry McLaurin will miss the remainder of the season with a torn patellar tendon.

The Commanders' season is on the brink of disaster. This team needed a Week 7 bye to regroup, as Quinn may be coaching to save his job.  Though in a mediocre division, Washington can still make a run for the NFC East title. -- Moton

26. New York Jets (2-5)

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Jets EDGE David Bailey

Last Week: 25

Week 7 Result: Lost vs. Miami 28-25

Changes may be coming for the New York Jets, and it's fair to wonder how significant they could be.

We have seen some positives in New York this season. The Jets have two wins after notching just three in all of last season. They've also seen early returns from young players like David Bailey, Omar Cooper Jr., Mason Taylor, and Kenyon Sadiq. Their defense has been good enough to at least keep them in games.

However, the offensive chemistry has been spotty at best, and head coach Aaron Glenn continues to struggle with situational management. New York is now 0-8 in AFC East games since Glenn took over last season, which is unacceptable for a franchise that hasn't won a division title since 2002.

The Jets own three 2027 first-round picks and are widely expected to draft their next QB of the future in the offseason. It's getting harder to believe that they won't be in the market for a new coaching staff, too. -- Knox

25. New Orleans Saints (2-5)

AP Photo/Steve Luciano

Saints QB Tyler Shough

Last Week: 24

Week 7 Result: Lost vs. Pittsburgh 16-10

Heading into 2026, the New Orleans Saints felt like a team that was poised to make a big jump. After seven weeks, it's clear that New Orleans is still at least a year away from being a legitimate contender.

Tyler Shough showed franchise-quarterback potential late in his rookie campaign, and he's largely built on last year's success this season. However, he hasn't been perfect enough to consistently carry an offense that has struggled to move the ball on the ground. On Sunday, he made a couple of big red-zone mistakes that cost the Saints in a very tight contest.

Defensively, New Orleans has been a total disappointment. The Saints entered Week 7 ranked 29th in yards allowed and 31st in points allowed. While they did hold the Pittsburgh Steelers to 16 points, they coughed up 343 total yards and allowed Pittsburgh to convert 10 of 16 third-down attempts.

Franchise owner Gayle Benson told reporters earlier in the season that the Saints "must do better."

If things don't start to change on the field before the end of the season, changes to the front office could come after it. -- Knox

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5)

AP Photo/Scott Kinser

Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield

Last Week: 29

Week 7 Result: Won at Carolina 43-13

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have only won two games this season, but they're 1-0 in the NFC South and made a bit of a statement in Week 7.

Tampa's defense has been good enough to keep the Bucs in games for most of the season. Their ground game has looked elite in each of their two victories, and quarterback Baker Mayfield returned from his dislocated thumb during Sunday's romp over the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers previously looked like a team that might run away with the NFC South. Now, things appear wide open, and the Bucs very much feel like a team that could slide back into the mix and steal the division.

Next week's matchup with the 3-4 Atlanta Falcons will be huge. -- Knox

23. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley

Last Week: 23

Week 7 Result: TBD

The Philadelphia Eagles will welcome back Saquon Barkley after a two-game absence with a hamstring injury. However, the Eagles will be without lead wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks Monday night.

Backup quarterback Tanner McKee, making his fourth career start and his second of the season in place of Jalen Hurts (blood clots), may hand off more than he throws downfield in an NFC East showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. -- Moton

22. Houston Texans (2-5)

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Texans WR Nico Collins

Last Week: 19

Week 7 Result: Lost vs. New York Giants 27-21 (OT)

After peeling off back-to-back wins, the Houston Texans appeared to have something cooking after four straight losses to open the season.

Now, the Texans just look cooked.

There are a number of reasons why the Texans have struggled. But the most surprising has to be the team's defensive collapse. Last year, Houston led the league in total defense and ranked first in the AFC in scoring defense. This season, Houston's defense has been average—on a good day. The Texans allowed 420 yards of offense in Sunday's overtime loss, including 188 yards and four scores on the ground.

The offense isn't without blame—taking on a Giants team short its best edge-rusher and green dot linebacker, the Texans had just 237 yards of offense and were 3-for-12 on third down.

Houston heads into their bye week facing an unpleasant reality—there will be no return to the playoffs in 2026. – Davenport

21. Dallas Cowboys (2-4)

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb

Last Week: 22

Week 7 Result: TBD

What's happened to the Dallas Cowboys offense? The Cowboys' Dak Prescott-led unit, with wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens and running back Javonte Williams, has averaged 14.5 points over the last two weeks. Dallas has more turnovers—five—than touchdowns—four in that span.

It won't be easy against Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, but the Cowboys must rediscover their offensive mojo to close the gap on the New York Giants in the NFC East. -- Moton

20. Las Vegas Raiders (3-4)

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Raiders TE Brock Bowers

Last Week: 18

Week 5 Result: Lost vs. Los Angeles Rams 35-21

The feelgood start to the Las Vegas Raiders' 2026 campaign came screeching to a halt when the calendar flipped to October. The Raiders turned into a pumpkin and lost all four games this month. 

At this juncture, the possibility of this year's No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, taking over Las Vegas' offense on a full-time basis must be under strong consideration. A Week 13 bye may be too late in the process to get the team's biggest investment onto the field, because he could use all of the snaps he can get. On the flip side of the coin, the Raiders still face four of the league's top 12 defenses over the next five games, which doesn't even include the Denver Broncos' talented unit.  So, the Raiders have a significant decision to make. Either the coaching staff and organization feels Mendoza is ready no matter who he faces, or the team will have to wait until December before pulling Cousins from the starting lineup. -- Sobleski

19. Atlanta Falcons (3-4)

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson

Last Week: 21

Week 7 Result: Won vs. San Francisco 29-20

The Atlanta Falcons looked like one of the worst teams in the NFL over the first two weeks, but they changed the narrative once Michael Penix Jr. returned to the lineup. Atlanta is 3-2 since then and has outscored opponents by 36 points in that five-game stretch.

Sunday's win over the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers showed that the Falcons can indeed be a dangerous playoff team.

Atlanta has a dangerous offensive skill group that will match most teams when Penix takes care of the football. While the Falcons' defense has been decidedly average, it showed on Sunday that it can punch above its weight when it generates turnovers.

The Falcons will have a prime opportunity to establish themselves as NFC South contenders against Tampa Bay next week. -- Knox

18. Carolina Panthers (3-3)

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Panthers DT Derrick Brown

Last Week: 11

Week 7 Result: Lost vs. Tampa Bay 43-13

Sunday's loss only dropped the Panthers to 3-3, but it may have revealed an alarming fact about Carolina. This isn't a team built to play from behind.

The Panthers came into Week 7 ranked 32nd in yards per carry allowed, and they failed to slow the Buccaneers (258 rushing yards) even after Tampa built an early lead and leaned heavily on the run. A large early deficit also placed a lot of pressure on quarterback Bryce Young, who threw a pair of picks and watched a sack-fumble get returned for a touchdown.

This is a team that can be very dangerous when they can maintain a balanced offensive approach. However, their defense is a massive liability, and Carolina has yet to record a come-from-behind win in 2026.

Carolina needs to show that it can stop the run and climb from behind if it hopes to be viewed as a legitimate NFC threat. -- Knox

17. New York Giants (4-2-1)

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Giants QB J.J. McCarthy

Last Week: 20

Week 7 Result: Won at Houston 27-21 (OT)

Maybe many of us were wrong about J.J. McCarthy—or the Houston Texans defense is downright awful. Either way, the New York Giants' decision to insert him into the starting lineup for Jameis Winston looks like the right move. 

In McCarthy's first start of the season, he was efficient, completing 71 percent of his passes. Although the Giants scored all four touchdowns on the ground, they should feel good about what they saw from their fill-in starter, who will likely keep the job while Jaxson Dart is out for the season.

Regardless of what happens on Monday night, the Giants are the best team in the NFC East heading into November. That said, running back Cam Skattebo suffered a hamstring injury—something to monitor as Big Blue goes into a bye week. Without him, the offense would take a significant hit. -- Moton

16. Los Angeles Rams (3-4)

AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Rams WR Puka Nacua

Last Week: 17

Week 7 Result: Won at Las Vegas 35-21

Credit where it's due—after last week's debacle at home against the Cardinals, the Rams desperately needed this win, and they got it—thanks largely to a rushing attack that averaged over eight yards a carry.

But the Rams were supposed to be an unstoppable juggernaut destined to once again win a Super Bowl in their own stadium. And folks, win or no win Sunday, the Rams aren't that.

There are glimpses of that team—the Rams roared out to a 28-3 lead Sunday and were dominant in the first half. But after intermission the Rams stalled, finally scoring a knockout touchdown only after the Raiders had pulled within 10.

If the Rams get healthy, this could be the proverbial team no one wants to play in the postseason.

But we're only seeing flashes of that squad right now.  -- Davenport

15. Baltimore Ravens (4-3)

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Ravens S Kyle Hamilton

Last Week: 10

Week 7 Result: Lost vs. Cincinnati 35-13

Lamar Jackson's return won't fix all of the Baltimore Ravens' flaws.

So far this season, the Ravens have scored six second-half touchdowns and were the second-lowest-scoring team in the second half entering Week 7.

Moreover, you'd expect a defense featuring recent All-Pro-caliber players like Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, Trey Hendrickson and an experienced leader like Calais Campbell to be better than average. 

Given that head coach Jesse Minter is a former defensive coordinator, it's unacceptable that the Ravens gave up five touchdowns in a half to the division rival Cincinnati Bengals in an abysmal second-half showing at home.

According to CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson, the Ravens were "shocked" that Jackson sat out Week 7, but he's confident about suiting up against the Buffalo Bills this week.

Jackson won't solve the Ravens' defensive issues, but he would give them a better chance than backup Tyler Huntley of winning a high-scoring game. Still, it's fair to be skeptical about this team's season outlook, which is why they've fallen in our power rankings. -- Moton

14. Green Bay Packers (4-3)

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Packers RB Josh Jacobs

Last Week: 12

Week 5 Result: Lost at Detroit 20-17

It's not hard to discern why the 4-3 Green Bay Packers are a mediocre team this fall. They're failing in two out of the three primary phases. ESPN Insights laid out plainly where Green Bay's greatest struggles lie. 

Coming out of Sunday's action, the Packers are dead last in pass-block win rate and rushing yards per game. Line play is an oft-overlooked aspect of performance. "The game is won in the trenches" became a cliche for a reason. Offensive and defensive line play are critical to any squad's success. In Green Bay's case, the primary issue revolves around its front five. Injuries have played a significant part, of course. Still, the team will only go as far as its big guys can take it since the group is struggling to run or pass block. 

Seven missed kicks from Green Bay's special teams certainly doesn't help matters. -- Sobleski

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)

AP Photo/Steve Luciano

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers

Last Week: 15

Week 7 Result: Won vs. New Orleans 16-10

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't winning any BCS-style rankings with their play, but they're a well-prepared, veteran-led team that will compete for first place in the AFC North in Week 8.

Riding a three-game winning streak, the Steelers will host the Cleveland Browns. If this matchup is anything like their Week 4 Thursday night battle, expect a tight game. The winner will surge in next week's power rankings. -- Moton

12. Cleveland Browns (5-2)

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

Browns WR KC Concepcion

Last Week: 13

Week 7 Result: Won at Tennessee 27-24

Under first-time head coach Todd Monken, the Cleveland Browns have found ways to win one-score games. They won an overtime nail-biter in Tennessee, keeping them atop the AFC North.

At this point, we have to give the Browns more respect in the power rankings, even if questions remain about their quarterback and limited offense. Cleveland is 5-1 in one-score games decided by five points or fewer. Monken has a battle-tested squad. -- Moton

11. Detroit Lions (4-2)

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Last Week: 16

Week 5 Result: Win vs. Green Bay 20-17

In a significant step forward, the Detroit Lions allowed fewer than 20 points for the first time this season. Despite the improvement, the Lions still own the league's worst defense. Still, the unit deserves some credit for gains, even if they're small. 

During Sunday's contest, the Lions harassed Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Even though Detroit registered only one sack, the unit created significant pressure against the Packers' ramshackle offensive front. Green Bay also didn't run the ball against the Lions, finished five of 15 on third downs and only converted one out of four red-zone trips into a touchdown. 

Meanwhile, Jared Goff is Mr. Consistency. With Sunday's performance, he became the first quarterback in NFL history at least 200 passing yards, a passing touchdown and no interceptions in each of his team's first six games, according to Pro Football Focus. -- Sobleski

10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Bengals QB Joe Burrow

Last Week: 14

Week 7 Result: Won at Baltimore 35-13

Coming off a bye week, the Cincinnati Bengals offense needed a half to hit its stride, but when it did, the unit looked unstoppable. That said, Cincinnati needs to establish a more efficient ground attack. The Bengals are averaging fewer than 3.7 yards per carry. Lead running back Chase Brown has rushed for 39 or fewer yards in three straight games.

Head coach Zac Taylor doesn't have a strong track record of fielding a productive ground attack, but it's something to consider when slotting the Bengals in the power rankings. -- Moton

9. New England Patriots (4-3)

AP Photo/David Banks

Patriots QB Drake Maye

Last Week: 5

Week 7 Result: Lost at Chicago 30-24

After seven weeks, we still don't know quite who the 2026 New England Patriots are.

The Patriots looked a lot like the same squad that reached Super Bowl XL during their three-game winning streak. However, injuries have started to mount for New England, and its 12th-ranked defense looked uncharacteristically bad against the Bears on Thursday night. Tackling was an issue, and the secondary let far too many Chicago pass-catchers run free in open field.

We also saw the brief return of bad Drake Maye in Week 7, as he threw an ill-advised interception into the end zone that changed the entire complexion of the contest.

The Patriots look capable of another deep playoff run when things are clicking, but they have to get healthier and cut out the preventable mistakes. Maye is now up to eight interceptions, and New England has turned it over at least once in every single game.  -- Knox

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)

AP Photo/Kin Cheung

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

Last Week: 7

Week 7 Result: Bye Week

The Jacksonville Jaguars entered their off week on a down note after losing a nailbiter last week to the Houston Texans in London. However, after watching every other team in AFC South lose in Week 7, the Jaguars should be feeling pretty good—because the division is theirs for the taking.

Sitting at least three games clear of every other team in the AFC South, the Jags are the prohibitive favorites to win the division title. Simply put, they are a vastly better team than Houston, Indianapolis or Tennessee.

The question now is less will the Jaguars make the playoffs than how much damage they can do in them. When playing at their best, we have seen these Jags boatrace the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots. But in both of their losses, Jacksonville couldn't put an opponent away late.

That could come back to bite them in January. – Davenport

7. Seattle Seahawks (4-3)

AP Photo/Kevin Ng

Seahawks LB Ernest Jones

Last Week: 9

Week 7 Result: Won vs. Kansas City 20-3

Sunday night's Emerald City beatdown was a reminder that "Any Given Sunday" is most assuredly a thing in the NFL.

And a reminder that the Seattle Seahawks can beat any team in the league—handily.

The Seahawks are admittedly flawed right now—Sam Darnold threw another interception against the Chiefs, and while the run game generated over 150 yards in took over 40 carries to do it.

However, teams who underestimate the power of Seattle's "Dark Side" defense do so at their peril—when playing at anything near their best, it's a unit capable putting the clamps on even high-end offenses.

The road doesn't get any easier in the short-term—next week brings a visit from maybe the NFL's best offense in Caleb Williams and the Bears.

But after dropping three of four, Seattle needed a performance like this. -- Davenport

6. Denver Broncos (5-2)

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Broncos QB Bo Nix

Last Week: 6

Week 5 Result: Won at Arizona 30-16

Finally, the Denver Broncos got a little juice instead of being held back by the quarterback position. 

Bo Nix opened up the Broncos offense with a 62-yard touchdown run. More importantly, the third-year quarterback began to push the ball downfield more against the Arizona Cardinals than he did during Denver's previous six games. 

As a result, the Broncos built a halftime lead and continued to score on its first three second-half drives. 

The performance was a welcome change of pace after Denver struggled to get anything going during the first half of previous contests--which makes the Broncos a more complete team as the season progresses. -- Sobleski

5. Chicago Bears (5-2)

AP Photo/David Banks

Bears WR Rome Odunze

Last Week: 8

Week 5 Result: Won vs. New England 30-24

The Chicago Bears are a different team with Caleb Williams in the lineup. The quarterback's hamstring injury may have slowed the Bears this season, but his return to the field reignited what looks like an elite offense and a team capable of competing against the league's best. 

Williams has thrown for over 300 yards in back-to-back games. He also didn't commit any turnovers during either of those contests. Most importantly, his Bears teammates believe in the quarterback as their leader. 

"(Williams) has the time to put it anywhere on the field at the end of the day," wide receiver Rome Odunze told reporters. "And we believe him to do that every single time he steps out there. So, he's on the money more often than not. So we got to be in the right positions to make those plays and we know he's gonna get the ball to us."

The Bears may be a game-and-a-half behind the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North, but no one would be surprised if Chicago eventually wins the division and Williams enters the MVP conversation. -- Sobleski

4. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce

Last Week: 2

Week 5 Result: Lost at Seattle 20-3

One team entered Sunday Night Football with an undefeated record, yet its opponent provided a dominant performance. The Kansas City Chiefs' had no answers for the Seattle Seahawks' outstanding defense. 

In fact, the Chiefs' three points tied for the lowest output during the Patrick Mahomes era. For the first time in Mahomes' career as the team's starter, Kansas City didn't enter the red zone during a contest. 

Kenneth Walker III was completely shut down in what was billed as a pseudo-revenge game. After averaging 133 yards per game through the first six contests, the league's leading rusher mustered a mere 36 yards.  This outing proved without a shadow of a doubt that the Chiefs need others to produce beyond Mahomes, Walker and Travis Kelce if Andy Reid's squad is going to be taken seriously as a contender. -- Sobleski

3. San Francisco 49ers (6-1)

AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox

49ers TE George Kittle

Last Week: 1

Week 7 Result: Lost at Atlanta 29-24

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

As dominant as the San Francisco 49ers have looked at times this season, the list injuries that have hit the team is almost laughably long. With Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel out Sunday in Atlanta, the Niners' top-two receivers were Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing. The Niners played part of Sunday's tilt with Atlanta without the services of star running back Christian McCaffrey.

Losing one game is hardly the end of the world—the team still retains a comfortable lead in the NFC West and has head-to-head wins over every team in the division. But the bye week comes at an ideal time for the Niners. Losing McCaffrey for a prolonged period of time might have been the straw that broke their backs, Instead, San Fran has two weeks to lick their wounds and get healthy ahead of two winnable games coming out of the bye. – Davenport

2. Minnesota Vikings (6-0)

AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn

Vikings EDGE Dallas Turner

Last Week: 3

Week 5 Result: Won vs. Indianapolis 16-10

The Minnesota Vikings continue to be buoyed by its defense. If a rising tide lifts all boats, Brian Flores' unit is a tsunami pushing an untethered rowboat to land. 

The contributions feel far too lopsided to go all-in with the league's only undefeated squad. A 6-0 start is wonderful, but it feels a little unwarranted. Minnesota's defense deserves all of the credit it gets. Flores is only getting more aggressive with his play-calling, too. In fact, the unit blitzed the Indianapolis Colts' Daniel Jones on 85 percent of his dropbacks Sunday, which was the most by an NFL team over the last 20 seasons. 

Meanwhile, Kyler Murray has yet to throw for 250 yards this season. Plus, the Vikings' running back room took another hit. Just when Jordan Mason returned, Aaron Jones Sr. left Sunday's game with an injury. Minnesota's offense somehow needs to generate more than it has to date. An unblemished record doesn't change that fact. -- Sobleski

1. Buffalo Bills (5-1)

AP Photo/John Locher

Bills QB Josh Allen

Last Week: 4

Week 7 Result: Bye Week

The Buffalo Bills got Week 7 off, and they probably needed the break. Buffalo has looked like one of the league's true Super Bowl contenders through the first month and a half. However, it has played a tight, one-score game in five of its six games.

Josh Allen and the Bills' offense have looked unstoppable at times. However, their 31st-ranked defense leaves a lot to be desired and has turned almost every contest into a nail-biter. After losing to the rival Patriots, stealing one from the Rams in overtime, and then narrowly outlasting the Raiders, the Bills probably needed a breather.

Ideally, head coach Joe Brady and coordinator Jim Leonhard found some defensive answers during the break, too.

Allen and the offense have been more than capable of offsetting that suspect defense when playing mostly mistake-free football. However, the Bills' early-season formula may not be sustainable against top-tier teams in January. -- Knox