Welcome to my first edition of the NFL Power Rankings. It’s now after week 7 and there’s no better time than now to rank some NFL teams.
1 Buffalo Bills 5-1
The Bills beat the Chiefs in a spectacular come from behind effort capped by a Dawson Knox go ahead TD with a minute remaining. The defense was very impressive forcing 2 Patrick Mahomes interceptions in key moments – 1 in the end zone and another after the go ahead TD by Taron Johnson to put the game on ice. They couldn’t be coming off a better win heading into their bye before they play the Packers.
2 Philadelphia Eagles 6-0
Philly continues their perfect to start the season with a big time win over a tough Cowboys team. The defense forced 3 Cooper Rush interceptions which ultimately proved the difference in the 26-17 win. Philly will head into the bye with sole possession of the top spot in the NFC East and the only undefeated team left. After their bye, they’ll get the Steelers at home.
3 Kansas City Chiefs 4-2
Despite the loss, I still believe this is one of the best 3 teams in the league. KC had a legit shot to win the game late after Buffalo took the lead, however Taron Johnson had other plans. Mahomes had 2 crucial interceptions in the game but I’m not worried about him at all. They’ll take on the 49ers in a rematch of the 2020 Super Bowl.
4 Minnesota Vikings 5-1
At the beginning of the season I had thought that this was Minnesota’s year to win the NFC North as the Packers got worse while they improved and so far it’s proven to be true. Kirk Cousins has been an ideal game manager and lets his stars – Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook, to do the work for him. They have a little cushion in the race for the NFC North as they head into their bye week.
5 Dallas Cowboys 4-2
Another team coming off a loss that I still really like is the Cowboys. A valiant 2nd half effort brought them back from 17 down to just a 3 point deficit. However, the true Cooper Rush showed up and had an absolutely horrid game finishing under 50% and throwing 3 interceptions. Dak Prescott should make his return this week and after last week it couldn’t be sooner as they take on the Lions in Dallas.
6 New York Giants 5-1
Its hard to argue with results and being 5-1. The Giants are this seasons surprise team as they open with a 5-1 record, this week boasting a come from behind victory over the Ravens, 24-20. Saquon Barkley scored the go ahead TD, Danny Dimes didn’t turn it over, and Kayvon Thibodeaux had a strip sack to end any hope of a Ravens win. The Giants head to Jacksonville to take on a falling Jaguars team in a hope to keep pace with the Eagles.
7 Cincinatti Bengals 3-3
The Bengals are starting to get going after an 0-2 start winning 3 of their last 4. This past week it was Joe Burrow having a huge game with 4 total touchdowns and throwing for 300 yards to lead the Bengals past the Saints in a game that turned into a shoot out late. They’ll take on another NFC South opponent in the Falcons who are also coming off a win.
8 Los Angeles Chargers 4-2
The Chargers walked off of MNF with a hard earned victory over the Broncos country. With that said, it wasn’t a particularly good game from the offense as they averaged 3YPC and Herbert only averaged 4.2 yards per attempt, a result of going for the check down often. If they want to compete in this division and the AFC Herbert will have to play much better. LA will take on Seattle this week in the 425 slot in what could be a bounce back week for Herbert.
9 Baltimore Ravens 3-3
Baltimore seriously could be 6-0 if they felt like finishing off games they have large leads in. 3 blown leads to the Dolphins, Bills, and now the Giants. I am still very much a believer in this team to be good and rival the giants of the AFC, but come playoff time they won’t survive if they disappear when it matters. A divisional game against a struggling Browns defense could be what they need to get back on track.
10 New York Jets 4-2
Another surprise of the season happens to be the Jets, as they find themselves at 4-2. Since Wilson’s return the Jets are 3-0 despite his play not being up to par. Breece Hall’s emergence has been huge for them in order to score and put them in a position to win games. They go on to Mile High to take on Broncos country this week.
11 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-3
I don’t understand what’s going on with this offense, now with getting healthier there isn’t really a reason as to why they’ve been so poor, unless father time has finally caught up with Tom Brady. The run game ranks last in the entire league while the passing offense ranks in the top 7, so maybe some more consistency from the run game and that could solve things. A perfect way to get into sync offensively this week as they take on the Panthers.
12 Los Angles Rams 3-3
The defending Super Bowl champs seemed to get things squared away last week in a 24-10 win over the Panthers. In the second half in particular, they started to look like the Rams from last season that won a Super Bowl, pitching a 17-0 shutout in the half. Unfortunately for them they hit their bye week just as they get some things figured out. After the bye they take on the 49ers in a hope to avenge an earlier loss.
13 Tennesse Titans 3-2
Coming off their bye they had a chance to get healthy before an important divisional matchup against the Colts; who they beat in week 4. The Titans lead the division but if they lose they fall to 2nd, so with a win they could gain some ground in the division race.
14 San Franciso 49ers 3-3
This team is so inconsistent it hurts my head. They boast some good wins where they played quality games, but then they go ahead and lose by 2 touchdowns to the Falcons. All this team needs is the bare minimum from Jimmy G and they’d be one of my favorites to come out of the NFC. It’ll be interesting to see which 49ers team we get Sunday as they get their toughest game yet at home against Kansas City.
15 New England Patriots 3-3
Could be my bias showing but I like how this team has played the last 3 weeks with Zappe at the helm. Coming off a dominant shutout win over the Lions, the Pats followed it up with another blowout victory over the Browns, 38-15. This week they have the chance to get above .500 for the first time of the season on MNF against the Bears.
16 Green Bay Packers 3-3
Just about everything that could go wrong this year for the Packers, has. Back to back losses to the Giants and Jets has me wondering if this team is even going to be a threat in the playoffs, if they make it, despite Aaron Rodgers. This weeks game against the Commanders could be very telling of how good the Packers will be.
17 Atlanta Falcons 3-3
This is a team that won 7 games last year and everyone expected them to be a bottom dweller, which I didn’t understand. Atlanta has a chance to play spoiler all season, perhaps maybe even compete for a wild card spot. They’ve had a shot to win every game they’ve played and have 3 losses with a combined differential of 11. They match up with an explosive Bengals offense and look to get above .500 and keep pace in the NFC South.
18 Las Vegas Raiders 1-4
All 4 of the Raiders losses have been by 1 possession, which is better than getting blown out but a loss nonetheless. They have 3 favorable matchups in a row with a legit possibility of getting to .500. The first of those 3 favorable matchups is this week against Texans at home.
19 Indianapolis Colts 3-2-1
No Jonathan Taylor last week apparently meant that Matt Ryan would have to throw out his arm in order for the Colts to win; which he did. Ryan threw 58 passes for 389 yards and 3 TDS leading them to a 34-27 over the Jags. Indy has won 3 of their last 4 since an 0-1-1 start and find themselves right in the thick of the AFC South race. This is a big week for them as they take on the division leading Titans in hopes to avenge a week 4 loss.
20 Seattle Seahawks 3-3
I didn’t expect Seattle to be competitive this season, however Geno Smith decided to not write back. Similar to the Falcons, I think this team could play spoiler all season long and might hang around the playoff picture late in the season. Seattle will go south to take on the Chargers in a game that could provide some information about how good both teams really are.
21 Miami Dolphins 3-3
3-0 with a win over my #1 team with Tua, 0-3 without Tua. Tua returns this week and I think that will be telling on if the Dolphins start was legit or not. This is another team that needs to get back on track to stay in the hunt for the playoffs as the rest of the division has caught up to them. Tua gets a home game in his return against the Steelers.
22 New Orleans Saints 2-4
Is it Andy Dalton, or Jameis Winston at QB going forward? I don’t know. I think Dalton has played very well replacing Winston in his absence however I also think Winston has a higher ceiling. Regardless, this team needs to answer that question going forward. They take on the Cardinals tonight on TNF.
23 Denver Broncos 2-4
Broncos country, let’s ride… a 3 game losing streak. Russell Wilson has not been the same guy since being brought over in the off season and that has been one of the main problems with the Broncos. They’ll take on the Jaguars on the road.
24 Cleveland Browns 2-4
Cleveland’s first 3 losses had all been close games, unlike their 4th last week where they were dominated by the Patriots. The offense turned the ball over 3 times. The defense allowed over 400 yards. A returner fumbled. As a whole they weren’t good. A big divisional matchup this week looms as they take on the Ravens.
25 Pittsburgh Steelers 2-4
Mitch Trubisky saves the day after Kenny Pickett left with a concussion. The Steelers upset the Bucs last week 20-18 and got themselves in a position to make a push back into the playoff picture. They welcome back Tua as they take on the Dolphins.
26 Arizona Cardinals 2-4
This is a team that has not lived up to my expectations for them as they are in sole possession of last place in the NFC West, even behind the Seahawks. Kyler Murray is the teams leading rusher, and neither Benjamin or Connor average 4 YPC. They draw a tough Saints defense tonight in hopes to jump back into the NFC West race.
27 Jacksonville Jaguars 2-4
After a hot 2-1 start including a blowout over the Chargers, 3 straight losses for the Jags sits them 3rd in the AFC South. It doesn’t get any easier for them as they take on a red hot 5-1 Giants team this week.
28 Washington Commanders 2-4
Carson Wentz is out for 4-6 weeks with a finger injury which means Taylor Heinicke will take over the reigns and hopefully provide a spark for a lack luster offense. The Packers come to town as both teams look to gain some ground in the NFC playoff picture.
29 Chicago Bears 2-4
Chicago had a chance to get to .500 all the way up until the end of the game before the pass was caught short of the end zone as they lost to the Commanders on TNF. Fields showed some flashes of what everyone thought he could be coming out of Ohio State however the OL and WR didn’t help him out at all. They get the primetime matchup against the Patriots on MNF.
30 Detroit Lions 1-4
Coming off a bye that they needed very much the Lions could be able to play spoiler with how well the offense has played, but the defense has been awful. They go on the road to take on the 4-2 Dallas Cowboys.
31 Houston Texans 1-3-1
Dameon Pierce and Derek Stingley have been the only bright spots of this team as they’ve both have exceeded expectations. Pierce is 8th in rushing and could be higher had he been getting carries from the get go. Another squad coming off their bye, they look to make it 2 in a row against the Raiders.
32 Carolina Panthers 1-5
I don’t think there’s much controversy surrounding my pick of the worst team in the NFL. The offense is the worst in the NFL, despite having stars like DJ Moore and Christian McCaffery. Baker Mayfield had been dreadful before getting hurt, and now its PJ Walker being dreadful. They get the Buccaneers this week in what could be a defensive struggle.
This week of the NFL should be a very good one. Just about every game I could see going either way, and that’s the ideal NFL for me. Let me know your thoughts and who should be higher or lower.
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