NFL Power Rankings Week 7 Edition: The NFL's 10 Best Teams

Anybody think the NFL lacks parity?

We enter Week 7 with no clear-cut favorite. Why do I think that? See below.

NFC East: 12-11 .522

NFC North: 10-13 .434

NFC West: 10-12 .454

NFC South: 11-11 .500

NFC Totals: 43-47 .478

AFC East: 12-9 .571

AFC North: 11-11 .500

AFC West: 9-14 .391

AFC South: 15-9 .625

AFC Totals: 47-43 .522

If you go by the numbers, the AFC South is the strongest division in the NFL, with the AFC West being the weakest. 

Let's play a game. Eliminate the eight division leaders from the mix and the NFL is left with 24 teams. Of the 24 remaining teams, 13 of them are either tied for the division lead or within one game. On top of that, another five teams are 1.5 games behind.

Breakdown

Eight division leaders

13 teams either tied, half game back or one game back

Five teams are 1.5 games back

26 of 32 teams either lead their division or are 1.5 games or less behind after six weeks of the NFL season.

That's pretty incredible. 

Keep reading for NFL POWER RANKINGS: Week 7's Top 10 EDITION 

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10. Kansas City Chiefs 3-2

Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Thomas Jones #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs gets a block from Tim Castille #46 and Branden Albert #76 against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt

I'm not going to say the officials stole one from the Chiefs in Week 6.

Who am I kidding?!

I'm definitely going to say it. The officials stole one from the Chiefs in Week 6. A horrible pass interference call on Brandon Flowers gave Houston a huge first down and eventually the win. 

Back-to-back division losses for the Chiefs. Not good!

Team MVP

Thomas Jones, Jamaal Charles and everybody who blocks for them.

Run game is tops in the NFL.

Key Win

Week 1, San Diego 21-14

Key Loss

Week 6, @ Houston 35-31

Defense gave up 21 points in the fourth quarter. Ouch!

9. Miami Dolphins 3-2

Doug Benc/Getty Images

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 23: Cornerback Jason Allen #32 of the Miami Dolphins tears the ball out of the hands of wide receiver Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots where it was eventually intercepted by safety Renaldo Hill #24 at Dolphin Stadium on Novembe

Week 1: 10 points allowed in a win

Week 2: 10 points allowed in a win

Week 3: 31 points allowed in a loss

Week 4: 41 points allowed in a loss

Week 5: BYE WEEK!

Week 6: 23-20 win @ Green Bay

The bye week came at the right time for the Miami Dolphins. 

Seems like the Dolphins lose if they give up more than 20 points.

Oh yeah, 3-0 on the road.

Team MVP

CB Jason Allen

Allen is a ball-hawk. His three picks and seven passes defended are both team bests.

Key Win

Week 2, @ Minnesota 14-10

Key Loss

Week 4, New England 41-14

8. New York Giants 4-2

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants sacks Caleb Hanie #12 of the Chicago Bear at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Has any team shown more guts in the past four weeks than the New York Giants?

After a Week 3 home blowout loss to Tennessee, the Giants have rebounded with three straight wins. Coach Tom Coughlin has his boys playing great football.

The Giants have a big matchup in Week 7 on the road against the Cowboys. A win would give them their fifth win and the Cowboys their fifth loss. Wowza!

Team MVP

The entire DEFENSIVE UNIT.

Ranked seventh in the NFL.

I was going to name Justin Tuck the team MVP, but he was nowhere to be found for the Giants the first three weeks of the season. Tuck has four sacks and one forced fumble during the Giants' three-game win steak.

Key Win

Week 3, Chicago 17-3

Season-changing win.

Key Loss

Week 2, Tennessee 29-10

7. Philadelphia Eagles 4-2

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 10: Jeremy Maclin #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs after a catch against Shawntae Spencer #36 of the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on October 10, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Ja

The Eagles have questions at quarterback. That sounds funny when you really think about it.  

Has a team ever had TWO awesome quarterbacks to choose from? Michael Vick or Kevin Kolb: Who's it going to be?

To be honest, I don't think it matters. Philadelphia has shown they can win regardless of who is under center.

Team MVP

WR Jeremy Maclin

Maclin's six TDs rank him first on the Eagles and are tied for first in the NFL in TDs for a WR. His play will be huge down the stretch with DeSean Jackson likely out a few weeks.

Key Win

Week 6, Atlanta 31-17

Key Loss

Week 4, Washington 17-12

6. New Orleans Saints 4-2

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Tight end Jeremy Shockey #88 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the football after a reception past Kerry Rhodes #25 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Oct

When the Saints crushed the Bucs on the road in Week 6, it reminded me just how good they are.

The emergence of RB Chris Ivory has given the offensive unit a huge boost that was desperately needed with No. 1 RB Pierre Thomas sidelined with an injury.

Team MVP

Drew Brees, of course.

Last year's SB MVP is completing over 70 percent of his passes in 2010.

Key Win

Week 6, @ Tampa Bay 31-6

Key Loss

Week 5, @ Arizona 30-20

5. Indianapolis Colts 4-2

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Wide receiver Austin Collie #17 of the Indianapolis Colts makes a 23 yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter as Perrish Cox #32 of the Denver Broncos defends at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010 in Denver, Col

To be perfectly honest, the only reason the Colts are ranked this high is because of Peyton Manning. He is a league changer.

I've seen the majority of Indy's games this season, and the following thoughts come to mind:

Is anybody on the Colts actually healthy?

Can the Colts win a game in the AFC South? The Colts' record sits at 4-2, with the two losses coming from inside the division.

Maybe they wanted to take it easy and lose games early in the season so they weren't stuck answering questions about being undefeated when the playoffs approach.

I feel like Manning is playing a big fat joke on us all and the Colts are going to win the Super Bowl.

Team MVP

WR Austin Collie

Collie's six TD catches are tied for first in the NFL for receivers.

54 targets

44 receptions

81 percent pass catch rate

Key Win

Week 2, NY Giants 38-14

Key Loss

Week 4, @ Jacksonville 31-28

4. New England Patriots 4-1

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The Pats scratched and clawed their way to a 23-20 win in OT over the Ravens last week. Remember this game come playoff time, because it's likely the pair will meet again.

With the Jets on bye, the Patriots can move into a tie for the division lead with a win over the best bad team in the NFL, the San Diego Chargers.

Team MVP

QB Tom Brady

Any questions?

Key Win

Week 5, Baltimore 23-20 OT

Key Loss

Week 2, NY Jets 28-14

3. Baltimore Ravens 4-2

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets gets sacked by Haloti Ngata #92 of the Baltimore Ravens during their home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Andr

If you haven't figured it out yet, the Steelers and Jets are in the top two.

Are you wondering how in the world are the Ravens ranked behind two teams they beat on the road?

Well, it's rather simple. The Jets offense was completely anemic the first week of the season, and the Steelers were without their best player and quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.

Joe Flacco has yet to fully break out this season. If and when he does, the Ravens defense won't be the only thing scares the opponent.

Team MVP

DT Haloti Ngata

Ngata has been dominant. He ranks third on the team with 36 tackles, leads the team with four sacks and leads the team with four tackles for a loss.

Aside from Ray Lewis, no other player is more important to the success of the defense than Ngata.

Key Wins

Week 1, @ NY Jets 10-9

Week 4, @ Pittsburgh 17-14

Key Loss

Week 2, @ Cincinnati 15-10

2. New York Jets 5-1

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 03: LaDanian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Jets won 38-14. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

After losing to Baltimore in embarrassing fashion to open the season, the Jets have reeled off five straight wins with the bye up next.

I entertained the idea of moving them down the list because of the somewhat lucky win over Denver, but their overall body of work is too strong.

Team MVP

QB Mark Sanchez

He's thrown nine TDs to only two INTs and has managed the Jets offense remarkably well in a few close games. Sanchez was the question mark heading into the season, and I think it's safe to say he is no longer being questioned. 

LaDainian Tomlinson would have been the obvious selection here, but is LT really that much better than Shonn Greene? Probably not.

Key Win

Week 2, New England 28-14

Key Loss

Week 1, Baltimore 10-9

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 4-1

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tries to get around the tackle of Sheldon Brown #24 of the Cleveland Browns on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Hands down, the Steelers have the best defense in the NFL. But now that Ben Roethlisberger is back in the lineup, the Pittsburgh offense MUST be considered one of the top offenses as well.

If you don't agree, James Harrison will probably enjoy hurting you.

Team MVP

Rashard Mendenhall carried the offense with his 91 rushes for 411 yards and four TDs while the Steelers were without their MVP QB.

Key Win

Week 2 @Tennessee 19-11

Key Loss

Week 4 vs. Baltimore 17-14

Best of the Rest

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT - OCTOBER 10: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams tries to get a pass of before being tackled by Cliff Avril #92 and Ndamukong Suh #90 of the Detroit Lions on October 10, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 44-6. (Photo

11. Houston Texans: Yes, they beat KC, but they got lucky.

12. Washington Redskins: The Skins are a confusing bunch. Good team with tough losses.

13. Atlanta Falcons: Looked awful against the Eagles. Interesting matchup up next at home vs. Cincinnati.

14. Tennessee Titans: Probably would be ranked higher if they had any consistency at QB.

15. Denver Broncos: Tough loss to the Jets. Have the Raiders at home next, which should get them back on track.

16. Chicago Bears: Does anybody know if the Bears are any good? I don't. Maybe they should have Jay Cutler practice throwing the ball while being sacked.

17. St. Louis Rams: If the Rams beat Tampa at home, I may move them up quite a bit. Big win over San Diego.

18. Minnesota Vikings: One player away from winning the division. Sidney Rice best get back before it's too late.

19. Seattle Seahawks: Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Very good against Chicago.

20. Green Bay Packers: One injury away from a lost season.

21. Arizona Cardinals: If Max Hall plays decently, AZ stands a chance.

22. Tampa Bay Bucs: Tampa isn't surprising anybody anymore. Run game is nonexistent.

23. San Diego Chargers: Top five offense and top five defense equal two wins.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars: Am I the only one who thinks MJD wants out of JAX?

25. Cincinnati Bengals: A loss to Atlanta could mean the loss of the season. AFC North is too good for the Bengals this year.

26. Dallas Cowboys: If they lose at home to the Giants, they'll move to 1-5. Flip those numbers around and I'll give you 5-1 odds Jerry Jones fires Wade Phillips the next day.

27. Detroit Lions: Have top 15 talent but haven't been able to put it all together. A healthy Matthew Stafford will help.

28. San Francisco 49ers: Jed York thinks they can still win the division. They need to beat somebody other than the Raiders before I take him seriously.

29. Oakland Raiders: Bad, bad and even more bad. Losing Darren McFadden was a huge loss. Luckily he's close to returning.

30. Cleveland Browns: Is Colt McCoy the future of the Cleveland Browns at quarterback? We shall see.

31. Buffalo Bills: Chan Gailey now knows why he was the only one who wanted the job.

32. Carolina Panthers: Switching back to Matt Moore is not going to make a difference. Running the ball more will.

Agree? Disagree? Have a list of your own? Let's discuss down in the comments section!