NFL Power Rankings Week 7: AFC South Teams Won't Get Much Better

If you take a look at the rankings below, you'll notice that there is only one AFC South in the top half of the rankings. Even at that, they are only ranked No. 15 of 32 teams.

At the beginning of the season, I expected that something like that would be said about the NFC West. But while the NFC West is far from a deep conference, the 49ers' hot start has them at a rightful high spot in the rankings.

Honestly, potential is one thing, but based on what the AFC South has done, it's hard to imagine these teams making any significant jumps this week, or this season.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are not an inept team, but they haven't proven capable of winning a game with anyone other than Peyton Manning as the quarterback since 1997. Until that happens, this team will find itself at the bottom of the rankings, which is where they belong.

Looking at the rest of the schedule, anything better than about 3-13 would be an ambitious goal for the Colts this season. The No. 1 draft pick is a distinct possibility.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Here's another team that has a strong chance at getting that No. 1 pick. I like Blaine Gabbert a lot as a quarterback, but he's playing like a rookie now, which is to be expected.

The rest of the team is just not that good. They have been marginally competitive against good teams this year, but haven't won since Week 1.

Quite frankly, it's hard to see them getting ahead of their current ranking of No. 25 for anything more than a week, if that.

Houston Texans

No team personifies empty promise more than the Texans. I know that they have had injuries, but this team should not be 3-3. Still, here we are through six weeks, and the Texans are 3-3.

On talent alone, Houston can be a 12-4 NFL team. As it is, I don't see anything better than a 10-6 season. I still think they will win the division and may inch towards the Top 10 through the season, but this will be another season that leaves the fans wanting more.

Tennessee Titans

This is the only team in the division worthy of positive feedback. Despite an early-season injury to Kenny Britt and little production from Chris Johnson, the Titans sit at 3-2, atop the division.

But in their last game, they were handily defeated by the Steelers. Look for them to hover around the .500 mark this season.

A 9-7 season wouldn't surprise me, but neither would 6-10. Actually, I am leaning much closer to 6-10 than 9-7.

Michael Dixon's Week 7 NFL Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers	6-0
2. New England Patriots	5-1
3. Baltimore Ravens	4-1
4. San Francisco 49ers	5-1
5. Detroit Lions	5-1
6. San Diego Chargers	4-1
7. Pittsburgh Steelers	4-2
8. Oakland Raiders	4-2
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4-2
10. New Orleans Saints	4-2
11. New York Giants	4-2
12. Washington Redskins	3-2
13. Cincinnati Bengals	4-2
14. Buffalo Bills	4-2
15. Tennessee Titans	3-2
16. Chicago Bears	3-3
17. Atlanta Falcons	3-3
18. New York Jets	3-3
19. Houston Texans	3-3
20. Philadelphia Eagles	2-4
21. Dallas Cowboys	2-3
22. Seattle Seahawks	2-3
23. Cleveland Browns	2-3
24. Kansas City Chiefs	2-3
25. Jacksonville Jaguars	1-5
26. Carolina Panthers	1-5
27. Arizona Cardinals	1-4
28. Denver Broncos	1-4
29. Minnesota Vikings	1-5
30. Indianapolis Colts	0-6
31. St. Louis Rams	0-5
32. Miami Dolphins	0-6