Week 7 NFL Power Rankings: Ravens and Raiders Soar! Browns, Bills Slide

 The week of blowouts in NFL football! At least in the early window of games on Sunday, we saw blowout after blowout and then there were some close games sprinkled in throughout the rest of the day. The top teams in the league seem to keep winning while the mid-tier teams continue to beat each other just when you think they are getting hot. Without further explanation, let's get into the ranks for week 7!

1. Arizona Cardinals (6-0)
Previously #2 +

It seems like there's no way to beat this team. They faced a lot of uncertainty on Sunday as they traveled to Cleveland without their head coach and playcaller Kliff Kingsbury (COVID) to face a Super Bowl contending Browns team. It was no issue at all. The Cardinals got out to a hot start in the game just like they have all season and didn't look back. This defense is really stepping up with JJ Watt leading the way in this one. The first half of this season has been all Cardinals and Kyler Murray is threatening to run away with the league MVP. When will they lose? The Cardinals finally move to no. 1! 

2. Los Angeles Rams (5-1)
Previously #8 +

After a string of close games and poor play, the Rams left no doubt on the field during Sunday's game. While it was close in the first quarter, the Rams ran away with it and never looked back. Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford are near unstoppable together. How about Darrell Henderson as well? He is stepping up so largely for the team in the absence of Cam Akers. He is a true RB1 and when Akers returns will have a great resume for a potential trade even though the Rams will likely utilize a really good 1-2 punch then. 

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1)
Previously #4 +

The Bucs are still the Bucs, but they have been playing in some tight games so far this season, and eventually figure to come out on the losing end of a few. They really let their foot off of the gas against the Eagles on Thursday night. They almost blew the game if it weren't for the refs bailing Tom Brady out with a BS taunting call (NFL needs to fix that rule, seriously). To be fair, the team is super banged up and right now is relying on some very suspect players at CB. At full health, expect the Bucs to be back to their dominant selfs.

4. Baltimore Ravens (5-1)
Previously #7 +

What a grueling schedule the Ravens have faced early on this season...and how about the fact that they have just 1 loss and it was in OT week 1. The Ravens have moved to a 5-game winning streak and are coming off potentially their best win yet. They just flat out embarrassed a team we had in the top 3 of the ranks last week. Almost a 30 point win against Justin Herbert's Chargers. The Ravens can win any game and in any way you might think. Lamar Jackson is playing better than his MVP year right now. The Ravens are the best team in the AFC right now.

5. Dallas Cowboys (5-1)
Previously #6 +

The Cowboys are so for real. They are Super Bowl contenders. This is not a drill! In a grind it out kind of game against a tough Patriots squad, Dallas prevailed. This was a trap game we saw coming and they would be likely to lose it in the past, but they proved to us that they are improved and can now win these kinds of games. The Cowboys ride high into their bye week and have shown the NFL world they have a chance to play for the Lombardi trophy this Winter. Dallas finally moves into the top 5.

6. Green Bay Packers (5-1)
Previously #5 -

Aaron Rodgers has his swagger back. After rushing for a 6 yard TD in the team's win over the Bears on Sunday, Rodgers' mic picked up a sound byte of the QB screaming "I STILL OWN YOU" to the Bears faithful. We love to see it from Rodgers. He plays at his best with a little swag. Everything seems to be clicking right now for this team including a vastly improved defense from last season even without Jaire Alexander who is out for around a month with injury.

7. Buffalo Bills (4-2)
Previously #1 -

What a shocking loss for the Bills on Monday night. Previously our top team, the Bills just couldn't seem to finish some of their drives and it cost them in the end. That defense of theirs that has been so good throughout the beginning of the season wasn't all that in this one as Derrick Henry ran wild. While Josh Allen wasn't bad at all, some of his decisions and also just the offensive play calling entirely on the final drive was suspect. A tough loss for the Bills who fall hard after this one.

8. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)
Previously #3 -

I did not expect this from the Chargers. Even though predicting the winner of the game between them and the Ravens was a toss-up, I didn't think one team would win so decisively. To the Chargers' horror, they were the team to lose, decisively. While I still have a lot of confidence and hope for this team, that was a bad loss. Nothing looked right for the club that is usually carried by a high flying offense. They scored just 6 points. Not great. They will need to bounce-back this week against the Patriots or they could quickly find themselves in some trouble.

9. Tennessee Titans (4-2)
Previously #12 +

A statement victory for the Titans on MNF. Led by Derrick Henry (as usual), the Titans pulled off the upset victory of the year so far. Doubted by so many, the Titans stayed with the Bills the entire game and then pounced at the end of the game as they took a late lead and then held on defense. What a final drive by the defense, stopping Josh Allen and the Bills within the 5 yard line to seal the victory. DT Jeffrey Simmons is really coming into his own. He was a menace in the run stopping game but also as a rusher. He is a budding superstar. The Titans have new life following this win and look like a playoff contender who can hang with anyone.

10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)
Previously #10

I was glad to see the Bengals bounce-back in such a big way this weekend vs the Lions. They barely lost a heartbreaker vs the Packers last week and you can never predict how it will effect a young team. They put it right behind them and smoked a sorry Detroit team. Joe Burrow is so good. His connection with his receivers is so great to watch. The Bengals look like a playoff team right now.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
Previously #11

Despite the win, I think the Chiefs are in trouble. The final score might lead one to believe that the Chiefs have put some of their troubles behind them, but for much of the game, that was not evident. Patrick Mahomes made some terrible, boneheaded plays including a downright insanely bad interception throw in which he launched the ball straight up in the air and it landed 5 yards in front of him in the arms of a Washington defender. The Chiefs needed this win, but I still don't think they have what it takes anymore to win the Super Bowl this season. They look more and more like the post-Patriots Super Bowl Seahawks from years ago by the week.

12. Las Vegas Raiders (4-2)
Previously #19 +

After an awful week, the Raiders were able to come away with a massive victory. With former HC Jon Gruden gone, the Raiders looked reborn. Both the offense and defense were playing better than we've really seen them play all year en route to a blowout win in Denver. The Raiders might still be a potential playoff team after all. The new coaching staff clearly likes to use the players they have as Kenyan Drake finally was featured and was amazing! The Raiders are back!

13. Cleveland Browns (3-3)
Previously #9 -

Things continue to get worse in Cleveland. They've now dropped 2 straight and can't afford to make it 3 straight with a quick turnaround as they face Denver this Thursday night. Injuries have been killing this team that has sky high potential. Nick Chubb along with both of the team's starting OTs were out in this one and then things got worse as Kareem Hunt and star rookie Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah went down with injuries that are now confirmed to both be multi-week ones. The Browns are one of the most talented football team's in the league, but they are going to have to find out how to win without being at full health, otherwise there may be no post-season in Cleveland after a promising start to the season.

14. New Orleans Saints (3-2)
Previously #14

The Saints hit their bye week at the perfect time to try and get some of their offensive skill players healthy. The team hopes the return is near for star wideout Michael Thomas along with other pass catcher Tre'Quan Smith. Jameis Winston has been up and down but with the two of these guys potentially returning soon, the Saints offense could really kick it up a notch. The Saints will head to Seattle this coming Monday Night for a crucial match for either side.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3)
Previously #23 +

It took the Steelers almost 5 quarters to take down a Geno Smith-led Seahawks team on Sunday night. That summarizes how poor this team has been this year yet somehow they have a .500 record. Big Ben was alright vs the Seahawks poor defense but the story of this game for the team was TJ Watt. He is just unfair. In my eyes, he's the best defensive player in football. With 2 sacks and the game sealing forced fumble, he really singlehandedly won this game for the Steelers. I don't think this team will continue to win very many games, but for now, they ride high off the TJ Watt wave.

16. Minnesota Vikings (3-3)
Previously #21 +

That Vikings/Panthers game took years off of both sets of fans for either team. The Vikings got out to a hot start and looked to be running away with a big win in Carolina before letting the Panthers cook in the 4th quarter and watching them storm all the way back to force OT. The Vikings won on a beautiful drive in OT capped by an amazing KJ Osborn TD for the win. This team is so hard to read. They will really let any team back into the game but have the firepower on offense to combat almost any defense. They head into their bye at .500 which they can be sort of happy about before the terrifying schedule that awaits them when they return. 

17. Seattle Seahawks (2-4)
Previously #13 -

You have to feel for Seahawks fans. This season was supposed to be another Super Bowl push. Things have just gone so wrong. They now know what life without Russell Wilson looks like as Geno Smith started in the loss on Sunday night vs Pittsburgh. It wasn't pretty. While this much maligned defense actually looked a lot better, the offense was non-existent. OC Shane Waldron refused to let Smith uncork it a little and it cost them in the end when he suddenly had to be the hero all by himself and got stripped by TJ Watt in OT to cost them the game. The Seahawks aren't out of it yet, but will need at least a win or two by Smith to keep the team in the hunt for when Wilson returns. The team would be in a much better place also if Jamal Adams was able to catch the football...

18. San Fransisco 49ers (2-3)
Previously #15 -

The bye week came at a great time for the Niners who were down multiple starters including QB Jimmy Garopollo. It's been a tough start to the year for this team that had high aspirations going into the year, but there is still much time to rebound. They get a nice match with the Colts this weekend that is going to say a lot about either side. I have confidence in the Niners, they just need to get healthy and get hot and could be right back in the Super Bowl discussion. 

19. Carolina Panthers (3-3)
Previously #16 -

After the impressive 3-0 start, the Panthers are now 3-3. This team is not for real. Injuries have been a problem for them, but it doesn't excuse losing some very winnable games like this weekend vs the Vikings or the meltdown they had last week vs the Eagles. Stephon Gillmore is likely to make his Panther debut in week 7 which is great for this team that clearly needs all the help it can get suddenly. 

20. Chicago Bears (3-3)
Previously #17 -

Justin Fields with the help of Khalil Herbert and the team's defense had a brief moment of hope in the first half when they had a little lead on the Packers, then they fell apart. The Bears are just impossible to judge. They look decent at times and like they are maybe poised to jump into a playoff contending team and then they just randomly meltdown like they did on Sunday. Justin Fields clearly shouldn't be out there. He still needs more development. The Bears have .500 written all over them.

21. New England Patriots (2-4)
Previously #22 +

I keep saying the same thing every week, the Patriots had a good loss. This has to be like the third or fourth time this season already. They are able to hang with any team but just can't find a way to come out on top in the end. Mac Jones is so impressive. The coaching staff needs to allow him to do more, they will win. Run, run, short pass every drive isn't going to cut it. They forced OT with the Cowboys who are one of the hottest teams in the league but ultimately couldn't get the job done. I have a lot of hope for this team in the future, but it is clear they aren't there yet.

22. Indianapolis Colts (2-4)
Previously #26 +

What a win for the Colts. Sure, it was against the Texans, but this team needed this game. The Colts have lost so many close games and heartbreakers already this year and it was just so good to see Carson Wentz lighting it up again. Maybe he is finally figuring it out and getting adjusted to the offense. With the AFC South so bad as a whole, the Colts are really still in the midst of the playoff race. They are looking better and better by the week and might just be peaking at the perfect time. Also, welcome back TY Hilton, what a game he had on Sunday.

23. Denver Broncos (3-3)
Previously #18 -

Just like the Panthers, after starting out 3-0, the Broncos now find themselves at 3-3. It's looking like a wrap already for this season in Denver as now even Teddy Bridgewater is starting to come undone. Usually the turnover free QB had 3 picks on Sunday and had this offense looking medieval. The defense had its moments but overall could not contain Derek Carr and Kenyan Drake along with the rest of the Raider offense. If this team is serious about winning this season, they will need to turn it around right away.

24. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)
Previously #20 -

Similarly to the Patriots, the Eagles continue to lose well. They were SO close to completing the comeback against Tom Brady and the Bucs on Thursday night but fell just short as the refs screwed them on a stupid taunting penalty. It's a crushing loss for this team but at the same time they can build off of this and realize that they have what it takes to hang with contenders. Jalen Hurts is still so raw, but man does he have potential if he works on his accuracy a little bit.

25. Atlanta Falcons (2-3)
Previously #25

After building some momentum with a win over the Jets in London last week, the Falcons entered their bye week feeling good. They are going to get some WRs back from injury this week like Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage which is huge for an offense that is already improving vastly by the week. I don't really know what to make of this team as of now but they have a real shot of getting back to .500 this weekend with a match against the lowly Dolphins on tap.

26. Washington Football Team (2-4)
Previously #24 -

This abysmal start to the season is proving how much of a fluke that the end of last season was. It is all coming undone for this team. The defense is becoming one of the worst in the league just one season after it was a top 5 unit in the league. Where is Chase Young? The former DROY has disappeared. Taylor Heinicke REALLY is not it. He was bad against the 32nd ranked Chiefs defense on Sunday. The WFT had all the chances to win this game if they could move the ball on offense, and they just couldn't. Ron Rivera could be out of a job again soon if they can't turn it around whenever Ryan Fitzpatrick returns.

27. New York Jets (1-4)
Previously #30 +

The Jets move up due to the luck that they were on bye. They didn't have a game they were able to lose while many other teams in this trash tier did. The bye came at a pretty good time for the Jets who have so many young players starting and it will hopefully get them recharged and ready to improve in the coming weeks.

28. New York Giants (1-5)
Previously #29 +

Oof. This team is just not good. While they have a small excuse in the fact that they are really banged up, it doesn't excuse losing in the ways that they do. After a competitive first quarter, the Giants just imploded. In the span of a few minutes, the Rams grew their lead by like 21 points. The Giants need to pray that rookie WR Kadarius Toney re-aggravating his ankle injury isn't too serious and he will be able to return soon because he has singlehandedly been this entire offense throughout the past 3 weeks.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5)
Previously #32 +

They did it! The Jags won a game! The 20+ game losing streak is over! Urban Meyer and Trevor Lawrence both have NFL win no. 1 under their belts. In a game played in London where the Jags have many fans, they came out victorious in a great game down to the wire. Newly signed Kicker Matthew Wright was the star of the game. He nailed a 50+ yard kick to tie the game late in the 4th and then nailed another for the win with the final seconds ticking off the clock as the kick went through the uprights. It was nice to see this team win and they will hope to be able to build off of it after their bye in week 7.

30. Miami Dolphins (1-5)
Previously #27 -

What is going on. Brian Flores and co. built such a nice roster over the course of the past two seasons in Miami only to see the team suddenly fall to crap in 2021. Even with the return of Tua Tagovailoa from IR this week, it didn't matter. The Dolphins were the team to lose to the Jags. You cannot be that team. You just cannot. Things are not looking good in Miami right now as Tua is seeming more and more like he isn't the franchise guy by the week. Even better news, their first round pick that will likely be top 5 belongs to Philly...

31. Houston Texans (1-5)
Previously #28 -

I don't have much to say on this terrible team. They were blown out by a fellow 1 win team. Davis Mills is too young to be starting right now. This team is awful.

32. Detroit Lions (0-6)
Previously #31 -

The Lions are now the only winless team in the sport. Again, I love HC Dan Campbell, but this team is running out of life. Jared Goff is now being questioned as the starter as this team just cannot figure out how to win. There's a good chance they go the whole season without a win and become the first 0-17 team in NFL history.