NFL Power Rankings: Week Seven

For the first five weeks of the season, the NFC East was king, as each of the division's four teams found themselves in the top five of my Power Rankings.  But with the Giants, Redskins, and Cowboys each suffering upset losses, while the Titans, Steelers, and Bills all had byes, Week six revealed that the AFC has regained dominance in the NFL.

1. Tennessee Titans (5-0)

The lone remaining undefeated team has wins over playoff contenders Jacksonville and Minnesota, not to mention the best defense in the National Football League.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1)

Despite a weak offensive line and injuries to his top two running backs, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was still able to lead the Steelers to a big win at Jacksonville in Week five.

3. Buffalo Bills (4-1)

The teams the Bills have played are a combined 10-17, while the Giants opponents are 8-19.

4. New York Giants (4-1)

We saw some of the old Eli Manning in Cleveland Monday night.

5. Washington Redskins (4-2)

How does a team win at Dallas and Philly and then lose at home to a previously winless Rams team?  Such is the unpredictability of the NFL.

6. Dallas Cowboys (4-2)

Defense has let the 'Boys down all year, so the special teams decided it was their turn in Week six at Arizona.  Dallas has now lost two of three and could drop even further with the loss of QB Tony Romo for the next month to a broken pinky.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)

How does a three-loss team crack the top seven?  Their three losses are to No. 1 Tennessee, No. 2 Pittsburgh and No. 3 Buffalo.  The Jags also just handed the Broncos a rare home loss.

8. Denver Broncos (4-2)

The Broncos are 1-2 when scoring less than 34 points.  Their only win?  Tampa Bay.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)

With Jeff Garcia back, the Bucs looked like a Super Bowl contender as they blew out Carolina, 27-3.

10. Carolina Panthers (4-2)

The Panthers were averaging 23 points per game before this past week's clunker against Tampa Bay.

11. San Diego Chargers (3-3)

The Chargers best wins are over the mediocre Jets and Pats, but of course they should have a victory over the Broncos as well.

12. Atlanta Falcons (4-2)

The Falcons stole a win from the Bears on Sunday after Chicago's ill-advised squib kick led to a game-winning Jason Elam field goal as time expired.

13. Chicago Bears (3-3)

How do you lose a game when kicking off with a lead and only 11 seconds remaining?  You squib kick.  The Bears are eight points away from being undefeated.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)

Philly picked up a nice west coast win at San Francisco in Week six.  If not for Andy Reid's poor play calling in the red zone, this team could have one or two more wins.

15. Indianapolis Colts (3-2)

The old explosive Colts offense finally came alive against a tough Baltimore defense this weekend.

16. New England Patriots (3-2)

The Patriots could be anywhere from the 12th best team in the league to the 19th.  Their performance on Sunday against the Chargers makes me lean towards the latter.

17. New York Jets (3-2)

The teams they've beaten are a combined 6-11 and the teams they've lost to are 6-5.  The middle of the pack seems about right for the Jets.

18. Arizona Cardinals (4-2)

The Cardinals have the second-highest scoring offense in the league, but their defense is 21st.

19. Green Bay Packers (3-3)

A date with the struggling Seahawks is exactly what Aaron Rodgers and the Packers needed after losing three straight games.

20. Minnesota Vikings (3-3)

The Vikes took advantage of a number of Saints mistakes in a Week five victory before taking advantage of a blown pass interference call in a Week six win over the Lions.

21. New Orleans Saints (3-3)

What a difference a week makes.  After turning the ball over four times against Minnesota, New Orleans played a perfect game in a 34-3 win over the Raiders.

22. Baltimore Ravens (2-3)

The Ravens gave up 56 points total in their first four games.  They surrendered 31 to the Colts in Week six.

23. Cleveland Browns (2-3)

The Browns offense finally started clicking in the fourth quarter of the Week four, Cincinnati game, and after a bye, Derek Anderson and the boys kept on rolling against the Giants on Monday night.

24. Houston Texans (1-4)

By far the best 1-4 team in the NFL.  The teams they've lost to are 15-6.

25. Miami Dolphins (2-3)

A win over Houston would've vaulted the 'Fins to around 19th, but their defense faltered in the fourth quarter.

26. San Francisco 49ers (2-4)

No conflicts here.  Both the teams they've beaten are below them and all four teams they've lost to are above them.

27. Oakland Raiders (1-4)

New coach, same result.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (1-4)

Not sure how they beat Denver earlier this year.

29. Seattle Seahawks (1-4)

No one fears the 12th man anymore.

30. St. Louis Rams (1-4)

Haslett's debut is a huge one.

31. Detroit Lions (0-5)

Should've gotten their first win at Minnesota.

32. Cincinnati Bengals (0-6)

The Bengals are awful.

Jordan Schwartz is Bleacher Report's New York Yankees Community Leader. His book "Memoirs of the Unaccomplished Man" is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and authorhouse.com. Jordan can be reached at [e-mail]