NFL Power Rankings after Week 7: Chiefs undefeated, Ravens take over Lions at two, Vikings lose drop to four

Week 7 gave us a Super Bowl LVIII rematch, a showdown between two of the top young QBs in the Tundra, an NFC North clash of titans and a revenge tour in the Meadowlands. The Chiefs stayed perfect in San Fran, Green Bay had too much Love against the Texans, the Vikings were mauled by the Lions, and Saquon Barkley had a day to remember against a team that is trying to forget about him.

Here are our NFL Power Rankings after Week 7.

1) Kansas City Chiefs 6-0, last week 1

How to be perfect without being perfect? Ask the Chiefs who keep finding ways to win. We keep on hearing this phrase complimentary football, and if you’re uncertain of what that means just watch a Chiefs game. It’s not always pretty, or dominant, but it’s effective. The defense comes up with three picks, Mecole Hardman breaks the Niners hearts for a second time in eight months, Kareem Hunt runs in a couple TDs, and Mahomes had a massive play with his feet on a day that he didn’t have a great game passing the football.

2) Baltimore Ravens 5-2, last week 3

Ladies and gentleman meet your Super Bowl favorite through 7 weeks of the season. I backed myself into a corner weeks ago when I said that the Chiefs don’t move out of No. 1 until they lose, so out of principal the Ravens are No. 2. Their Monday night game was enough to bump the Lions out of their two spot, because this is one of the most dominant offensive football teams we seen in a long time. Lamar Jackson is playing like the best QB, and Derrick Henry is the best running back in the league. The defense has a ways to go until they catch up with the offense, but Jackson, Henry and company are so explosive they don’t need to be great. That’s five off the rip, and to be honest I’m not sure if anyone can beat this team.

3) Detroit Lions 5-1, last week 2

Wins like the Lions had over the Vikings is how championship teams are formed. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish and the Lions know how to finish games. Goff had another perfect performance and Jahmyr Gibbs took advantage of Montgomery’s minor injury to take the game over with some big time runs on this Vikings defense they made look pedestrian. The Lions defense did get to Darnold four times, but Aidan Hutchinson’s absence was noticeable. As long as Goff continues to play perfect, the defense will have time to figure things out when it comes to the pass rush.

4) Minnesota Vikings 5-1, last week 4

It was their chance to make a statement to the world and they came up just short. The defense let them down, as Justin Jefferson and Sam Darnold did everything they could to hang on tight and try to keep pace with the Lions pass attack. A loss to the Lions hurts double considering it’s a division loss, but this is really when the Vikings have to make a statement. Are they going to be one of those undefeated teams that respond after their first loss or will we forget about them in a few weeks time?

5) Buffalo Bills 5-2, last week 8

The Bills hosted one of the worst teams in the league, and did them the courtesy of spotting them 10 points. Luckily Josh Allen doesn’t need too much time to catch fire, and luckily for the Bills, the Titans have no clue how to keep a lead. Forget Davante Adams, the biggest trade that happened over the last week was Amari Cooper going to Orchard Park. He caught 4 passes for 66 yards and a TD, while Keon Coleman broke out of his shell going for 125 yards on 4 catches. A few weeks ago Buffalo lost two straight games, and we weren’t sure if this team had what it took to be a contender. The way they rebounded tells you they are ready to put up a fight in the AFC.

6) Green Bay Packers 5-2, last week 10

What a game against two young, talented, winning quarterbacks in Green Bay. You got the feeling whichever QB had the ball last was going to win the game, and that’s exactly what Jordan Love did. It was far from flawless, and Love did make some mistakes against a good Texans defense, but you could see him on the bench as Houston took the lead on their go ahead drive. He looked like he couldn’t wait to get the ball back, a lot like Aaron Rodgers used to look a handful of years ago. He knew he was going to get his team in position to kick a game winning field goal and gave Brandon McManus his chance to become an instant local legend just days after signing with the Packers.

7) Houston Texans 5-2, last week 5

Houston lost a tough game, in a tough place against a tough team. There’s no shame in that. They got blown out by the Vikings early this year. That was unacceptable, but you can understand this loss. The only thing I would be worried about if I’m a Texans fan is their tendency to take their foot off the gas in the second half. Not for the first time, the Texans came out of the halftime break flat and were blanked until deep in the fourth quarter.

8) Washington Commanders 5-2, last week 9

Commanders’ fans worst nightmares came true in a game against the dreadful Carolina Panthers on Sunday in Washington. He is without question the Rookie of the Year, and an MVP candidate. There is nothing to criticize him about, except the fact that he has to know how to get down and protect himself. There are times where he will need to put his body on the line and take a hit instead of sliding, but doing that on the first snap on the game against the Carolina Panthers ain’t the time to be risking it all.

9) Philadelphia Eagles 4-2, last week 12

Saquon. Saquon. Saquon. This was it. This was the game. Finally, the fire that needed to be lit for Saquon and the Eagles was lit. They looked locked in for the first time all season, and all it took was Barkley getting a chance to smash the hearts of fans who turned on him after their front office let the only good thing to happen to the franchise in years go this offseason. Saquon said it wasn’t personal. That he didn’t see it as a revenge game, but you can’t tell me 176 yard and a TD doesn’t sound like he had a bone to pick. In the end, he showed mercy and declined to go for his career high late in the game, but believe me this is going to set Saquon and the Eagles off for the reset of the season.

10) Pittsburgh Steelers 5-2, last week 13

The scoreline would certainly tell you that Mike Tomlin made the right decision in making the switch to Russell Wilson on Sunday night in Pittsburgh. The reality is, Wilson didn’t look all too convincing against the Jets, especially in the first few possessions of the game. Fortunately for Wilson, just being ok is enough when you play a team in complete implosion mode. Wilson did lead the Steelers into the end zone four times which this team, and more specifically their dominant defense, desperately needed to see. So far so good for Wilson, but will it last once those six remaining divisional games come rolling around?

11) Atlanta Falcons 4-3, last week 6

What we saw in Atlanta from the Falcons was a let down that was long over due. You can’t keep being involved in one possession games without that taking it’s toll, and it finally did on Sunday against the Seahawks. They got held to just 14 points to a team that was giving up 35 a game in their previous three games heading into Atlanta. Cousins had trouble moving the ball down the field, but kept the Falcons in the game until early in the 4th quarter when he got strip sacked and the Seahawks took it for a scoop and score, and then threw an interception on the next series. There’s a long way to go before this group of guys is a really good team, and games like this allow Raheem Morris’ guys to realize that.

12) Seattle Seahawks 4-3, last week 17

Seattle is an enigma. After winning three straight, we knew this team wasn’t as good as their record showed. After losing the next three, we also knew they weren’t as bad as they looked in Weeks 4-6. So with a clean slate, and a .500 record they go into Atlanta looking to prove themselves against a team that was just starting to hit stride. They clipped the Falcons with a defense masterpiece of all things. The team that gave up 105 total points in their three losses kept Cousins and company to just 14 points, and made the key scoop and score late in the game. Does this mean the Seahawks are a good team? I have no idea, and I’m not sure they do either.

13) Denver Broncos 4-3, last week 16

This was just the kind of game that Bo Nix and the Broncos needed on Thursday night. The got a chance to flex their muscles on primetime against an injury plagued team, and finally the run game came to play and take a little of the pressure off the rookie QB. Javonte Williams had two TDs with 88 yards on the ground and the defense put the cherry on top of a perfect night with a fumble return taken to the house as the Broncos climbed to over .500.

14) Chicago Bears 4-2, last week 14

BYE

15) Indianapolis Colts 4-3, last week 18

The Colts are the most under the radar team in the NFL. Their quarterback situation gives us the impression that this team isn’t a real contender in the AFC South, but they are just a game back of the Texans despite the questions surrounding Anthony Richardson. Richardson got the start, and completed just 10/24 passes as the Colts scraped by the Dolphins. It’s clear the Colts want their young QB to take the keys to the car, but Joe Flacco puts them in a better position to win now.

16) Cincinnati Bengals 3-4, last week 22

Is this team finally starting to find their rhythm? We knew it would come sooner or later, and unfortunately for the Bengals fans it came later. The problem with that is there is no room for error. Against Cleveland having no room for error is not a problem, but against other teams that might start to get messy. The Bengals were never in a position to lose the game against the Browns, but they also weren’t in a position to run away with it and that should be concerning against a team with just one win and a back up quarterback.

17) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-3, last week 7

A week after the city of Tampa avoid total destruction at the hands of Hurricane Milton the residents could breath a sigh of relief. On Monday night against the Ravens, disaster struck at Raymond James Stadium as the Bucs not only lost to Baltimore but lost Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to what look to be long term injuries. This team that was slowly building their case as a contender in the NFC has now been reduced to a team that is going to hope to make a run at the division. I love Baker. I root for Baker. But I’m not sure Baker can carry this team all on his own.

18) San Francisco 49ers 3-4, last week 11

It’s hard to criticize the Niners for losing to the Chiefs. First of all, it’s the Chiefs. They are back to back champs for a reason. On top of that, the WR corps was an injury away from having to bring the hot dog vendor down to the field and line him up in the slot. Losing Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk in the same week is a tough obstacle for anyone to overcome, but Brock Purdy and the Niners had their chances to make it a game. The three interceptions didn’t help the cause, but until the INT in the end zone in a nine point game killed any chance of a miracle win from the San Fran. This team needs their Week 9 BYE desperately, but first they are going to have to try and take down the Cowboys next week.

19) Dallas Cowboys 3-3, last week 20

BYE

20) Arizona Cardinals 3-4, last week 23

On the shoulders of Kyler Murray and James Conner everything is possible. Well, maybe not everything, but at last a much needed win against a Chargers team that didn’t bring in on Monday night in the desert. Conner had 151 total yards and Murray ran in the lone touchdown of the game on what turned out to be the sole big play of the game. The defense kept LA out of the end zone and even out of the red zone for all but one of their possessions. Don’t look now, but the Cards are just a game back of the Seahawks and they still haven’t figured out how to play a complete game just yet.

21) Los Angeles Chargers 3-3, last week 15

I’m not a Chargers fan, or a lover of the Harbaugh’s, or a defender of Justin Herbert. I had no dog in the fight watching the Chargers play in Arizona, but watching LA play was getting on my every last nerve. They can’t tackle. The defense looked like they were a mid level college team trying to tackle Boise State’s Ashton Jenty. And don’t get me started on the offense, which was supposed to be some next gen, inventive scheme under QB genius Jim Harbaugh. Herbert dinked and dunked his way to a game played with in the 20s, getting into the red zone just one and being held out of the end zone all game. I’m not a Chargers fan, but if I was that would have just about been my last straw.

22) New York Jets 2-5, last week 19

It’s hard enough to put a team together during the offseason months. OTA’s, training camp and preseason usually doesn’t get a team prepped enough for Week 1, so obviously trying to piece a team together two months into the season is going to present some problems in New York. Davante Adams was brought in to be the Messiah in New York, but Beanie Bishop Jr. (who plays DB for the Steelers) almost had a many catches as Adams on Sunday night. Rodgers went back to pointing the finger at everyone else in the post game presser, claiming the energy wasn’t there pre-game, but the fact of the matter is, the Jets are 2-5 with Rodgers and they were 4-3 at this stage of the season without him last year.

23) Jacksonville Jaguars 2-5, last week 26

The Jags win against the Patriots isn’t going to put them in the playoff picture, but it will put them in the good graces of all of the Brits who showed up to Tottenham Stadium instead of heading to high tea or a Sunday roast at their local pub. They better put on a good face for their foreign fans because I don’t think people in Jacksonville are going to be too happy to see them come home with a 2-5 record.

24) Los Angeles Rams 2-4, last week 27

Games like that are going to be what the Rams need until their star receivers return. The offense isn’t going to win them many games, because their offensive line can’t’ protect Matthew Stafford and the run game suffers with the lack of down field options. The defense stepped up and had a huge night turning over the Raiders four times and taking one of those back to the house to end the day with more points than the Raiders offense scored. Unfortunately the Rams don’t play the Raiders every week, but at least they are supposed to get Cooper Kupp back for their game against the Vikings next week.

25) New Orleans Saints 2-5, last week 21

You look at the injury report for the Saints heading into their game on a short week, and there was no way they were going to win that game. New Orleans fans have to be thinking what could have been, after their first two games made the Saints the talk of the town. Since then they have lost five straight and their biggest playmakers have been dropping like flies.

26) New York Giants 2-5, last week 24

When you are a Giants fan losing is something you are used to. By now you should be numb to the pain, but some losses hurt more than others, and Sunday’s loss to the Giants had to one of those losses. Getting your heart broken is hard enough, but getting your heart broken by someone who goes to your mortal enemy and is happy than ever is the beginning of a super villain saga. The Giants didn’t want to put a ring on it, so Saquon marched his way down the I-95 and got cozy with the Eagles. Even though he said he didn’t, he had this game circled on the schedule and all he did was put up a near career high day.

27) Las Vegas Raiders 2-5, last week 25

The Rams defense scored more touchdowns that the Raiders offense did on Sunday afternoon from Sofi. When you don’t have a quarterback to run the offense that tends to happen. LV kicked five field goals as Garner Minshew failed to find the end zone on the Raiders two trips to the red zone. They crossed the 50 yard line five times, and turned the ball over four times. Their inability to do anything on the offensive end is going to cost them on the other side of the ball. If Maxx Crosby leaves Las Vegas this team is going to lose the only identifiable star the franchise has, and things will really start to spiral out of control.

28) Cleveland Browns 1-6, last week 28

I’ve been tough on Deshaun Watson, but you never want to see someone carted off the field in tears. Credit to Jameis Winston for sticking up for his guy, and showing Browns fans what it’s like to be a decent human being. Cheering for an injury that’s going to keep one of your guys out for the rest of the season? That’s classless. It’s embarrassing. It’s the lowest thing you could do when you step in to a stadium to go watch players put their life and body on the line. I know it wasn’t everyone in Hunting Bank Stadium, but Cleveland fans deserve to see their team fall apart which is exactly what’s happening.

29) Miami Dolphins 2-4, last week 29

It seems like the Tim Boyle, Tyler Huntley, Skylar Thompson era is coming to an end as Tua inches closer to making a long awaited and much needed return in Miami. Seeing the QB chart is troubling considering Tua’s injury history. Skyloar Thompson hurt his ribs in his first start. Tyler Huntley suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday and had to be placed by what is the Dolphins 4th QB of the season. I’m rooting for Tua. I want to see him return and succeed. I just don’t know if he has the offensive line to keep him safe enough in the pocket.

30) New England Patriots 1-6, last week 30

Drake Maye showed he can hang, but maybe not ready to hang for four quarters. Starting in the NFL as a rookie QB is never easy, even less so across the pond. The Pats season is going to be about seeing progress. Progress across the board on both sides of the ball. But more importantly progress in their future face of the franchise.

31) Carolina Panthers 1-6, last week 31

There’s pathetic, and then there is what the Panthers did in Washington. They weren’t even playing Jayden Daniels for most of that game and still got embarrassed. There is a lack of pride, and a lack of desire visible in each and every player that puts on a Panthers jersey. It’s palpable if you ever are forced into a situation in which you have to watch them. How the fans haven’t started a revolution and stormed the gates of Bank of America Stadium is beyond me, because it’s been dooms day in Charlotte for way too long.

32) Tennessee Titans 1-5, last week 32

Will Levis, rest easy. It’s not just you who is responsible for the downfall of the Titans. I keep on seeing the Titans at the top of the yards per game allowed charts, which made me think maybe their defense is ok, but then I realized that’s just because they have a knack for giving other teams the ball with a short field through turnovers or terrible special teams play.