NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Who's The NFL's Best Team?
Headlines of the Week: Key injuries to Antonio Gates, DeSean Jackson, Josh Cribbs, and Zach Follet unfortunately take away from another exciting week of football.
Ben Roethlisberger played in his first game of the season while his Pittsburgh Steelers beat rookie Colt McCoy's Cleveland Browns in the latter's first career start.
Two games went into overtime as the New England Patriots walked away with a win against the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins beat the Packers in Green Bay
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the matchup labeled the Panic Bowl.
The San Diego Chargers choked again, this time against the St. Louis Rams.
Climb of the Week: Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, St. Louis Rams (+5)
Fall of the Week: San Diego Chargers (-5)
Here are the updated Week 7 power rankings:
32. Buffalo Bills
1 of 32
Record: 0-5
Last Week’s Rank: 32
The Bills No. 1 goal the rest of the season offensively should be to get C.J. Spiller 15-20 touches an outing. Their most important games the rest of the year are on Saturdays as the coaches must decide who to draft between Jake Locker and Andrew Luck this upcoming offseason.
BYE
At the Plate: @Baltimore
On Deck: @Kansas City
In the Hole: Chicago
31. Carolina Panthers
2 of 32
Record: 0-5
Last Week’s Rank: 31
A season that began with promise turned into a nightmare quickly. Despite a 0-5 start, the Panthers can salvage their season if Jimmie Clausen can show signs of development and lead them to a couple of victories.
BYE
At the Plate: San Francisco
On Deck: @St. Louis
In the Hole: New Orleans
30. San Francisco 49ers
3 of 32
Record: 1-5
Last Week’s Rank: 30
The 49ers finally won a game, but a one-score win at home against the Raiders isn't good enough to move them up in the rankings. For the first time this year, Alex Smith didn't turn the ball over.
Outcome: W(17-9) Oakland
At the Plate: @Carolina
On Deck: Denver
In the Hole: Bye
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
29. Cleveland Browns
4 of 32
Record: 1-5
Last Week’s Rank: 29
The Browns were handed their worst loss of the season Sunday, but fans must have felt good about the future and Colt McCoy who threw for 281 yards and a touchdown against the best defense in the league. He had two interceptions, but off tipped passes. Josh Cribbs health status is currently the team's biggest question mark.
Outcome: L(10-28) @Pittsburgh
At the Plate: @New Orleans
On Deck: Bye
In the Hole: New England Patriots
28. Detroit Lions
5 of 32
Record: 1-5
Last Week’s Rank: 27
If it wasn't for three turnovers, the Lions may have been able to pull off the upset over the hot Giants, even with their non-existent ground game. Jahvid Best carried the ball 12 times for only 16 yards. It's the perfect time for the bye week as Matt Stafford is scheduled to come back just in time to play against Washington in Week 9.
Outcome: L(20-28) @New York Giants
At the Plate: Bye
On Deck: Washington
In the Hole: New York Jets
27. Denver Broncos
6 of 32
Record: 2-4
Last Week’s Rank: 25
There weren't many negatives for the Broncos Sunday besides blowing a fourth-quarter lead and Kyle Orton having his worst game of the season. On the bright side, the running game actually looked respectable and Tim Tebow got his first NFL touchdown.
Outcome: L(20-24) New York Jets
At the Plate: Oakland
On Deck: @San Francisco
In the Hole: Bye
26. Oakland Raiders
7 of 32
Record: 2-4
Last Week’s Rank: 24
The Raiders supposed savior in Jason Campbell has been anything but as he went 8-for-21 Sunday for 83 yards and two interceptions. Even JaMarcus Russell could have done better than that. Of course, maybe the offensive line is to blame as the running game had zero success as well.
Outcome: L(9-17) @San Francisco
At the Plate: @Denver
On Deck: Seattle
In the Hole: Kansas City
25. Dallas Cowboys
8 of 32
Record: 1-4
Last Week’s Rank: 22
The 'Pokes are 1-4? Seriously? If Jerry Jones tells the media Wade Phillips job isn't in jeopardy he is kidding himself. The Cowboys had Super Bowl expectations, but they may have to settle for a high draft pick.
Outcome: L(21-24) @Minnesota
At the Plate: New York Giants
On Deck: Jacksonville
In the Hole: @Green Bay
24. San Diego Chargers
9 of 32
Record: 2-4
Last Week’s Rank: 19
The Chargers' first three losses were a result of giving up big plays alone, but Sunday they were flat outplayed by the Rams. An already thin receiving core just turned anorexic as Antonio Gates' and Malcolm Floyd's injury statuses are up in the air.
Outcome: L(17-20) @St. Louis
At the Plate: New England
On Deck: Tennessee
In the Hole: @Houston
23. St. Louis Rams
10 of 32
Record: 3-3
Last Week’s Rank: 28
Is the greatest show on turf back? The Rams are still undefeated at home in 2010 as they upset the heavily favored Chargers. If they continue to overachieve, Sam Bradford is a lock for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Outcome: W(20-17) San Diego
At the Plate: @Tampa Bay
On Deck: Carolina
In the Hole: Bye
22. Seattle Seahawks
11 of 32
Record: 3-2
Last Week’s Rank: 26
In 2010, Mike Williams has more receiving yards than he had in the previous three years combined. He still has a long, long way to go to remove the bust label, but at 26 years old he definitely still has the potential to do so. The Seahawks defense led the way to victory again with six sacks as they are now tied for the division lead.
Outcome: W(23-20) @Chicago
At the Plate: Arizona
On Deck: @Oakland
In the Hole: New York Giants
21. Minnesota Vikings
12 of 32
Record: 2-3
Last Week’s Rank: 23
The Vikings won the Panic Bowl and kept their playoff hopes alive. They were out gained by the Cowboys 314 to 188 net yards, but Percy Harvin's 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown made up for those unimpressive numbers.
Outcome: W(24-21) Dallas
At the Plate: @Green Bay
On Deck: @New England
In the Hole: Arizona
20. Cincinnati Bengals
13 of 32
Record: 2-3
Last Week’s Rank: 20
The Bengals better have really reloaded during their bye week. The next four straight games they face clubs with winning records, and more of the same in seven out of their next eight games.
BYE
At the Plate: @Atlanta
On Deck: Miami
In the Hole: Pittsburgh
19. Arizona Cardinals
14 of 32
Record: 3-2
Last Week’s Rank: 18
The Cardinals may be tied for the lead in a pathetic NFC West now, but they must improve if they want to stay on top. They are ranked in the bottom 10, mostly bottom five, in every offensive and defensive scoring and yardage category.
BYE
At the Plate: @Seattle
On Deck: Tampa Bay
In the Hole: @Minnesota
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
15 of 32
Record: 3-2
Last Week’s Rank: 17
The Buccaneers have suffered two brutal losses so far this season, but they are still better off than anyone predicted. Their next two games are very winnable as they prepare to battle two NFC West squads.
Outcome: L(6-31) New Orleans
At the Plate: St. Louis
On Deck: @Arizona
In the Hole: @Atlanta
17. Miami Dolphins
16 of 32
Record: 3-2
Last Week’s Rank: 22
Dan Carpenter's overtime field goal kept the Dolphins in the race for the AFC East crown. If they have any chance to pull off a division title, Brandon Marshall must continue to dominate, but even Charles Woodson couldn't stop him from catching 10 balls for 127 yards Sunday afternoon.
Outcome: W(23-20) @Green Bay
At the Plate: Pittsburgh
On Deck: @Cincinnati
In the Hole: @Baltimore
16. Tennessee Titans
17 of 32
Record: 3-2
Last Week’s Rank: 16
The Titans' play-making defense should keep them in games all year, but their offense must become more consistent. If Chris Johnson, Vince Young, and the offense catch fire, this team's flame will be hard to put out.
Monday Night at Jacksonville
At the Plate: Philadelphia
On Deck: @San Diego
In the Hole: Bye
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
18 of 32
Record: 3-2
Last Week’s Rank: 15
Maurice Jones-Drew may be the Jaguars most talented player, but the player who decides if the team sinks or swims each week is David Garrard. In the Jaguars' victories, his quarterback ratings soar above 120, but in his losses he has ratings of 62.7 and 38.9.
Monday Night vs. Tennessee
At the Plate: @Kansas City
On Deck: @Dallas
In the Hole: Bye
14. Kansas City Chiefs
19 of 32
Record: 3-2
Last Week’s Rank: 14
Predictably, Matt Cassel had his best game of the year against the Texans' joke of a pass defense, but the Chiefs didn't have the firepower to keep up in what turned into a shootout. The trio of Thomas Jones, Jamal Charles, and Dexter McCluster managed to rush for over 200 yards combined.
Outcome: L(31-35) @Houston
At the Plate: Jacksonville
On Deck: Buffalo
In the Hole: @Oakland
13. Green Bay Packers
20 of 32
Record: 3-3
Last Week’s Rank: 11
The Packers were hit with their second straight overtime loss of the season Sunday against the Dolphins. Only one game out of first in the NFL North, they're fine in terms of being in the playoff race, but their injuries are really adding up.
Outcome: L(20-23) Miami
At the Plate: Minnesota
On Deck: @New York Jets
In the Hole: Dallas
12. Washington Redskins
21 of 32
Record: 3-3
Last Week’s Rank: 10
The Redskins kept it close the entire game, but couldn't pull ahead in the end Sunday night against the Colts. The loss drops them one game behind division rivals Philadelphia and New York Giants.
Outcome: L(24-27) Indianapolis
At the Plate: @Chicago
On Deck: @Detroit
In the Hole: Bye
11. Chicago Bears
22 of 32
Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 9
Jay Cutler woke up from a concussion which resulted from nine sacks just to get sacked six more times on Sunday. The Bears should commit their first two picks of the 2011 NFL Draft to offensive lineman without thinking twice.
Outcome: L(20-23) Seattle
At the Plate: Washington
On Deck: Bye
In the Hole: @Buffalo
10. Houston Texans
23 of 32
Record: 3-2
Last Week’s Rank: 12
The Texans rebounded after two blowout losses in a tough win over the Chiefs. They had phenomenal offensive efficiency as they scored five touchdowns and didn't settle for a field goal or turn the ball over once. That is the Texans offense the nation witnessed the first three weeks.
Outcome: W(35-31) Kansas City
At the Plate: Bye
On Deck: @Indianapolis
In the Hole: San Diego
9. Atlanta Falcons
24 of 32
Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 5
The Falcons' magic finally ran out as they were defeated by the Eagles. The Eagles fast start forced the Falcons to answer fast through the air which resulted in Michael Turner receiving only 15 carries.
Outcome: L(17-31) @Philadelphia
At the Plate: Cincinnati
On Deck: Bye
In the Hole: Tampa Bay
8. Philadelphia Eagles
25 of 32
Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 13
The Eagles' pair of lightning bolts in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin carried the team to an impressive victory over the Falcons. The team faces two huge question marks in the upcoming weeks: How will the offense respond to the loss of Jackson due to an injury, and with Kevin Kolb playing so well, who starts at quarterback when Michael Vick can play again?
Outcome: W(31-17) Atlanta
At the Plate: @Tennessee
On Deck: Bye
In the Hole: Indianapolis
7. Indianapolis Colts
26 of 32
Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 8
The Colts running game ripped off 170 yards on the ground after averaging around 80 in the first five weeks. Despite three turnovers and a very tight game—the Colts stay tied for the AFC South lead.
Outcome: W(27-24) @Washington
At the Plate: Bye
On Deck: Houston
In the Hole: @Philadelphia
6. New Orleans Saints
27 of 32
Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 7
After struggling in their victories and getting upset twice, the Saints finally started to fire on all cylinders against the Buccaneers. Drew Brees had his best performance of the year and undrafted rookie running back Chris Ivory ran for 158 yards on just 15 carries.
Outcome: W(31-6) @Tampa Bay
At the Plate: Cleveland
On Deck: Pittsburgh
In the Hole: @Carolina
5. New York Giants
28 of 32
Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 6
With an Atlanta loss, the Giants now are the undisputed front runner for the NFC crown. No defense in the NFL has made more plays than theirs has in the last three weeks.
Outcome: W(28-20) Detroit)
At the Plate: @Dallas
On Deck: Bye
In the Hole: @Seattle
4. Baltimore Ravens
29 of 32
Record: 4-2
Last Week’s Rank: 1
The Ravens lost in overtime in a game that would cost them home-field advantage if a tie were to occur. Very uncharacteristically, their defense gave up 394 yards of offense.
Outcome: L(20-23) @New England
At the Plate: Buffalo
On Deck: Bye
In the Hole: Miami
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
30 of 32
Record: 4-1
Last Week’s Rank: 3
A comeback from a four-game suspension couldn't have gone much better as Ben Roethlisberger threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns. With a Baltimore loss, the Steelers now own first place in the AFC North.
Outcome: W(28-10) Cleveland
At the Plate: @Miami
On Deck: @New Orleans
In the Hole: @Cincinnati
2. New England Patriots
31 of 32
Record: 4-1
Last Week’s Rank: 4
Randy who? Deion Branch stepped right in and caught nine passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. The divisional race between the Patriots and the New York Jets will be tight the rest of the year.
Outcome: W(23-20) Baltimore
At the Plate: @San Diego
On Deck: Minnesota
In the Hole: @Cleveland
1. New York Jets
32 of 32
Record: 4-1
Last Week’s Rank: 2
LaDainian Tomlinson daydreamed back to 2006 early in the fourth quarter and inspiringly erupted for two touchdowns. With the Jets now the AFC favorites, and the Giants NFC favorites, can you say New York Super Bowl?
Outcome: W(24-20) @Denver
At the Plate: Bye
On Deck: Green Bay
In the Hole: @Detroit
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")