NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Who's on Top of the NFC?
Week 7 is quickly approaching, and it's time to break down all 16 teams in the NFC and where they stand going in.
Some teams improved their ranking with their play last week, while others simply fell further.
But remember, these are power rankings. A quality record is one thing, but a winning streak is another, and you'll be surprised who comes in at No. 1.
No. 16: Carolina Panthers
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The only winless team in the NFC, the Carolina Panthers, at 0-5, kick off the rankings like no other team can.
They have a rookie quarterback starting in Jimmy Clausen, the worst offense in the NFL, a minus-58 point differential—we could go on forever. Simply put, they're last.
No. 15: Detroit Lions
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The Detroit Lions, with one win, a 44-6 thrashing of the St. Louis Rams in Week 5, have had a season to forget as well.
Calvin Johnson's mishap in Week 1 sparked a heartbreaking streak of close losses, and now the Lions look to be free-falling at 1-5.
No. 14: San Francisco 49ers
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No team perhaps has had as many gut-wrenching losses in six games as the 49ers. If there is a way to lose, San Francisco will find it, except on Sunday, when they picked up their first win against crosstown rival Oakland.
However, it's the Raiders, and one win won't get you very far in the NFL.
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No. 13: Dallas Cowboys
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After a nightmare 1-4 start to the season by the Cowboys, football pundits everywhere are taking back their NFC Super Bowl prediction from the preseason.
After a loss to the Vikings on Sunday in which Dallas continued to hurt themselves with penalties and turnovers, they find themselves at No. 13 in the power rankings—as if they need any more bad luck.
No. 12: St. Louis Rams
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The St. Louis Rams are surprisingly 3-3 through six games. But their unfortunate reputation hurts them in this instance.
They are flying high after a three-point win over an exploding Chargers team, but a 44-6 loss to Detroit on the schedule sticks out like a sore thumb, so they're not ready yet.
No. 11: Minnesota Vikings
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The Vikings were a Tony Romo non-interception away from possibly going 1-4 through the season's first six weeks.
But they got a much-needed win and now head back on the road to take on the Packers. A win there and they are sure to keep on climbing.
No. 10: Green Bay Packers
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Though their three losses are by just three points each, it's still not enough to keep the Packers out of the bottom half of the NFC.
They have more injuries than any other team, and everyone knows you can't win with the injury bug.
No. 9: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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The Buccaneers have quietly gotten off to a 3-2 start, but there was nothing quiet about their 31-6 loss at home to the Saints on Sunday, and that's why they come in at No. 9.
If not for a couple Carson Palmer interceptions, maybe they're 2-3 right now.
No. 8: Washington Redskins
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It would seem as if the Redskins have overachieved their way to a 3-3 record, but in reality they could be so much better.
A Sunday night loss at home to the Colts proved the offense is still lacking and the defense isn't quite there yet, but there's nothing wrong with being average.
No. 7: Arizona Cardinals
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Here they are again—the Super Bowl losers that won't go away. The Cardinals have shape-shifted their way to a 3-2 record, tied for the NFC West lead, where 8-8 could win the division.
Their blowout losses (minus-50 point differential) and lack of a consistent quarterback, however, raise questions and keep them from finishing any higher.
No. 6: Chicago Bears
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The Bears started out 3-0, and we knew it wouldn't last, but 1-2 since then won't get you into the top five.
One could even argue that Chicago is one ridiculous Matt Forte performance in Week 5 away from being 3-3. Still, they lead the NFC North by a game.
No. 5: Seattle Seahawks
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Bloodied but not beaten, the Seattle Seahawks round out the top five of the power rankings after beating the Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday.
At 3-2, no team in the NFC has fewer losses than the Seahawks, plus they are tied for the lead in the NFC West. Home wild card playoff game anyone?
No. 4: New Orleans Saints
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The Super Bowl champions have nothing to ashamed of. After all, it's only Week 7.
The Saints have been good enough through six games, 4-2, to be tied for the conference's best record. Unfortunately, four other teams have as well.
The Saints are fine, however, and with another good showing Sunday against Cleveland, they will likely move up in the rankings.
No. 3: Atlanta Falcons
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I will attempt to dismiss the Falcons performance against Philadelphia on Sunday as a fluke, only because this season has seen more parity than any other (five teams tied for NFC lead at 4-2).
Still, they are 4-2, and they beat the Saints in New Orleans, something no team has done since last year's regular season.
No. 2: Philadelphia Eagles
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Everything seems to be going right for the Eagles right now. They have two straight wins over the 49ers and Falcons, they have two quarterbacks capable of winning consistently and they feature a fast improving defense.
Tied for the best record in the conference, the Eagles have little to worry about except for injured wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who was knocked out of Sunday's game against the Falcons.
No. 1: New York Giants
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No more throwing helmets into the stands for the Giants. The G-Men are all smiles after picking up their third straight win Sunday against the Lions.
Their NFC-best 4-2 record and second-ranked pass defense will be tested, however, as they only have four home games left on their schedule.
For now, their consistency and defensive dominance land them at No. 1 in the NFC.
Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.
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