NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Detroit Lions and Teams That'll Plummet Down Rankings

The Detroit Lions slipped in the power rankings last week, but it's nothing compared to how far they are going to free fall after they lose to the Falcons for their second straight home loss.

They peaked after Week 5, but we're seeing the Lions for the team they really are. While decent, they aren't invincible. They aren't going to skate to a wildcard spot, and another painful loss will have them flirting with the middle of the pack, rather than the NFL's elite.

They aren't alone either. Here are three teams who will plummet down the rankings after Week 7.

Detroit Lions

With Jahvid Best sustaining a concussion last week and Jerome Harrison being diagnosed with a brain tumor in the process of trading for Ronnie Brown, Maurice Morris is now going to be getting a heavy dose of the carries.

Calvin Johnson proved he isn't invincible last week, as he was held out of the end zone for the first time all season. The Falcons will be keying on him and can virtually disregard the Lions' ground game. Michael Turner had a huge 139-yard, two-touchdown game last week, suggesting the Falcons are going to get back to their dominant run-first offense this week. That's bad news for Detroit.

Washington Redskins

Things are going to go from bad to worse this week for the Redskins. After a four-interception game, Rex Grossman had the plug pulled. John Beck is now the starter, and the quick start the Redskins got off to is going to be followed immediately by an epic meltdown.

They don't have the run game to help Beck when he struggles. They've gone from having a stable of capable backs to struggling to find one they can count on, with Ryan Torain carrying the ball 10 times for 22 yards against an awful Eagles run defense last week.

Cam Newton may be coming off the worst game of his brief NFL career, but he's by far the best quarterback in this game. The game is in Carolina and the Panthers will deliver a critical blow to the once highly-touted Redskins.

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers are 4-1, but the best team they've beaten this season is the Chiefs. They have faced a cupcake schedule and even coming off a bye won't save them from Rex Ryan and the Jets.

They are 3-0 at home this season, and though the Chargers have a fantastic passing offense that generates 293.4 YPG, they are going up against a top-5 pass defense this week that is going to be unforgiving.

The Chargers aren't as good as their record indicates and their uncharacteristically quick start is a result of how easy their schedule has been, not how solid their football team is. The rankings will reflect that next week.

Kyle Vassalo Week 7 Power Rankings
1	Packers
2	Ravens
3	Patriots
4	49ers
5	Saints
6	Lions
7	Raiders
8	Steelers
9	Chargers
10	Bills
11	Titans
12	Buccaneers
13	Bears
14	Bengals
15	Jets
16	Giants
17	Redskins
18	Texans
19	Falcons
20	Eagles
21	Cowboys
22	Browns
23	Vikings
24	Panthers
25	Seahawks
26	Chiefs
27	Broncos
28	Cardinals
29	Jaguars
30	Rams
31	Colts
32	Dolphins