NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 7
Cha-cha-changes
The Power Rankings were shaken up as two of the top teams were toppled. The Panthers continue to play poorly and one now has to wonder if the first-round pick they sent to Chicago will turn into Caleb Williams. As we head into Week 7, here’s how all 32 teams stack up…
32. Carolina Panthers (0-6, lost to Miami Dolphins)
Nothing like jumping to a 14-0 lead and still getting crushed. Frank Reich has his work work cut out just to plod through the remainder of 2023.
31. Denver Broncos (1-5, lost to Kansas City Chiefs)
The Broncos’ defense was okay against the Chiefs. The offense with Russell Wilson continues to take on water. Sean Payton has to be watching plenty of college replays during the week to see what quarterbacks he could get in the 2024 NFL draft.
30. New England Patriots (1-5, lost to Las Vegas Raiders)
The problems in New England are massive. It is easy to point every finger at Mac Jones. But there are way deeper issues than just a quarterback.
29. Chicago Bears (1-5, lost to Minnesota Vikings)
The Bears lost Justin Fields to a hand injury and then lost the game to the Minnesota Vikings. The win over Washington may turn into a temporary reprieve for Matt Eberflus.
28. Arizona Cardinals (1-5, lost to Los Angeles Rams)
The Cardinals played a great first half against the Rams and were dominated in the second. This is a familiar pattern and one that will lead to an eventual high draft pick.
27. New York Giants (1-5, lost to Buffalo Bills)
The Giants should have beaten the Bills. But… should have, could have, would have left the bank account empty after a day at the races.
26. Minnesota Vikings (2-4, defeated Chicago Bears)
The Vikings have won a couple in a row after a terrible start. Beating a Bears team that lost Justin Fields by six points isn’t exactly a reason for enthusiasm.
25. Green Bay Packers (2-3, bye)
The Packers remain in second place in the NFC North despite being far back of the Detroit Lions.
24. Tennessee Titans (2-4, lost to Baltimore Ravens)
The Titans are going in reverse and now reside in last place in the AFC South. Ryan Tannehill was injured against the Ravens and Malik Willis looked as inept as he did as a rookie. Will Mike Vrabel be coach of this team next season?
23. Atlanta Falcons (3-3, lost to Washington Commanders)
The Falcons lost for the first time at home in four tries in 2023. Still trying to figure out why Arthur Smith went for 2 when the team was down 8 — when a PAT would have made it a 7-point game. In NFL math, that makes absolutely no sense.
22. Las Vegas Raiders (3-3, defeated New England Patriots)
Josh McDaniels beat Bill Belichick. If this were a Patriots team of the past it would be a big deal. New England is awful. Green Bay is middling. Denver is horrendous. The Raiders have three wins by a total of 9 points against teams that are a combined 4-13. Don’t expect much out of the Silver and Black against strong foes.
21. Los Angeles Chargers (2-3. lost to Dallas Cowboys)
For all the talent that the Bolts are supposed to have, they always find ways to make mistakes and lose games. Monday at SoFi was no different with the final drive ending in a sack and a pick. Brandon Staley isn’t the answer. Kellen Moore might not be either.
20. Washington Commanders (3-3, defeated Atlanta Falcons)
Washington became the first team to solve the Falcons at home. An inconsistent squad with a young quarterback. Fasten your seatbelt, Ron Rivera.
19. Indianapolis Colts (3-3, lost to Jacksonville Jaguars)
The Colts are a good 3-3 despite absorbing a beating at Jacksonville. That’s with Anthony Richardson missing considerable time, possibly the rest of the season. The season will have speedbumps, but there is light in the future.
18. Houston Texans (3-3, defeated New Orleans Saints)
Another team in a parity-riddled league that is 3-3. It is a nice start to the DeMeco Ryans and CJ Stroud era. Expect this team to continue to grow and improve … finally.
17. New York Jets (3-3, defeated Philadelphia Eagles)
Did anyone think the New York Jets were going to be 3-3 after six games, having lost Aaron Rodgers four plays into 2023? The team has done a great job sticking together in the face of adversity.
16. Dallas Cowboys (4-2, defeated Los Angeles Chargers)
Despite all the excitement over the win against the Chargers, this is a team that needs a lot of work. Nothing was easy, and in many ways, they made it difficult on themselves. The pom-pom waving over beating a Chargers team that always finds ways to botch things for itself is far from certifying as a deep playoff contender.
15. Los Angeles Rams (3-3, defeated Arizona Cardinals)
The Rams were asleep in the first half and they woke up big time after the break to control Arizona and roll.
14. Cleveland Browns (3-2, defeated San Francisco 49ers)
The Browns are above .500 and Dorian Thompson-Robinson and PJ Walker have started two games. The defense is tremendous and kept the 49ers in check.
13. Seattle Seahawks (3-2, lost to Cincinnati Bengals)
Not tragic to lose on the road in Cincinnati. Pete Carroll and Geno Smith had chances to win the game but weren’t able to do so. A good performance but would have been impressed if they came away with the victory.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (3-3. defeated Seattle Seahawks)
The Bengals come away with a good win at home against the Seahawks. That’s great. The only bad thing? Their sputtering start still has them in last place in a rugged AFC North.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2, bye)
The Steelers got a week of rest and will be back at it in the most difficult of divisions.
10. New Orleans Saints (3-3, lost to Houston Texans)
The Saints are not playing up to their expectations. This is another team that instead of providing highlights simply goes from week to week with a win here, a loss there. Mind-numbing.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2, lost to Detroit Lions)
While the game showed the Lions are for real, it also proved the Buccaneers are like every other team in the NFC South. Pretty ordinary.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2, defeated Indianapolis Colts)
This is more like the Jaguars team that was expected to take the field in 2023, much like the way it closed last season. Trevor Lawrence’s knee is worth monitoring, though.
7. Buffalo Bills (4-2, defeated New York Giants)
Is it possible the Bills aren’t as good as believed? Beginning to seem so…
6. Miami Dolphins (5-1, defeated Carolina Panthers)
The Dolphins can’t fall behind many teams 14-0 and expect to win. They need Jalen Ramsey on defense, which seems close to happening.
5. Baltimore Ravens (4-2, defeated Tennessee Titans)
Like the way this team is built, and what it can now do on offense as well as defense. John Harbaugh belongs to be mentioned with Mike Tomlin and Bill Belichick among the best current coaches.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (5-1, lost to New York Jets)
The Jets had no timeouts and Nick Sirianni thought a pass was a good option. Rare questionable call by a coach who had been incredibly solid. The interception turned into the first loss for Philly.
3. Detroit Lions (5-1, defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
The Lions went into Florida and ran into the Creamsicle-wearing Buccaneers. They were not wowed or impressed. A solid win for a team that continues to grow and show it is legit.
2. San Francisco 49ers (5-1, lost to Cleveland Browns)
Losing to the Browns in Cleveland isn’t a shame. The weather was wet and occasionally wild. The Niners let Robbie Gould walk and banked on rookie Jake Moody. He cost them in Week 6, missing 2 of 3 field goals.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1, defeated Denver Broncos)
The top three teams all had opponents they were expected to beat. The Chiefs were the only ones to hold serve. That is why they are in the top slot. And there is no guarantee they are playing well enough to make this a long visit.
