NFL Power Rankings Entering Week 7
The NFL Shuffle heads toward Week 7
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The shuffle continues in our NFL Power Rankings, with a wild ending in the Monday Night Football game against the Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills adding to the shift. Teams that started 3-0 are at .500, while others are making statements that they are contenders and threats to menace come playoff time.
32. Detroit Lions (0-6) (lost to Cincinnati Bengals)
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They couldn’t catch the Cincinnati Bengals looking ahead to Baltimore. The Lions are 0-6 and starting to cement their futility in 2021. Could they go winless? In Week 7, Jared Goff vs. Matthew Stafford. Next: at Los Angeles Rams
31. New York Giants (1-5, lost to Los Angeles Rams)
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The Giants are a miraculous comeback against the Saints away from being winless. (Some results will never make any sense.) The good news: the focus on Sam Darnold’s return to MetLife might add pressure that could help the sinking Big Blue squad. Next: vs. Carolina Panthers
30. Miami Dolphins (1-5, lost to Jacksonville Jaguars)
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The Dolphins went to London and fell asleep against the Jacksonville Jaguars (who had lost 20 straight). A team that was believed to be a playoff contender is in sad shape. And, remember, Miami’s first-round pick in 2022 belongs to the Philadelphia Eagles. Brian Flores’ seat on the plane home may have been getting warmer. Next: vs. Atlanta Falcons
29. New York Jets (1-4, Bye Week)
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A week when both New York teams didn’t lose. Oh, the Jets had this one off to recoup from their defeat against the Falcons in London. Next: at New England Patriots
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5, defeated Miami Dolphins)
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The Jacksonville Jaguars managed to defeat the Miami Dolphins in London on two long field goals by Matthew Wright. No truth to the buzz Urban Meyer was so moved by the triumph he decided to spend a couple of extra days in Jolly Ol’ England to celebrate. Next: Bye Week
27. Houston Texans (1-5, lost to Indianapolis Colts)
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I’m beginning to wonder if David Culley’s team is heading for a repeat of what Jacksonville did last season—win the opener and lose every game after that. The only thing that could prevent that fate is a win in the rematch on December 19. Next: at Arizona Cardinals
26. Washington Football Team (2-4, lost to Kansas City Chiefs)
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The WFT defense continues to be absent. What was expected to be one of the league’s best is showing up as one of the worst. Another soft effort against the Kansas City Chiefs, and of course, the offense wasn’t going to help Next: at Green Bay Packers
25. Philadelphia Eagles: (2-4, lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
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A solid effort came up short against the Super Bowl champs. The Bucs gave those Philly backers a break at the end of the game, though, by taking multiple knees and failing to add on to the six-point margin. Next: at Las Vegas Raiders
24. Denver Broncos (3-3, lost to Las Vegas Raiders)
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That comfy seat for Vic Fangio at 3-0 is getting warm now that the Broncos have lost three straight. There was frustration on the sideline during the game against the Raiders—Teddy Bridgewater threw his tablet a couple of times—and you’d have to think that will only continue to escalate as the season moves forward…and the Broncos don’t stop the streak. Next: vs. Cleveland Browns (Thursday Night Football)
23. Atlanta Falcons (2-3, Bye Week)
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The Atlanta Falcons had the week off, and they can prepare for a team that is collapsing in Week 7. Next: at Miami Dolphins
22. New England Patriots (2-4, defeated Houston Texans)
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Tough loss in a season of brutal beats for New England. They had it won, appeared to have lost it, had it won again, and then lost it in overtime. Next: vs. New York Jets
21. Carolina Panthers (3-3, lost to Minnesota Vikings)
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The Panthers deserved to lose—then deserved to win for the gritty comeback. It wasn’t to be as the Vikings dealt Sam Darnold & Co. their third straight loss. Darnold has not looked sharp, either, and will be without Christian McCaffrey for at least two more games. Next: at New York Giants
20. Chicago Bears (3-3, lost to Green Bay Packers)
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The Bears were owned by Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. At least it gives fans something to look forward to when the NFC North teams meet again in Wisconsin. Next: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19. Minnesota Vikings (3-3, defeated Carolina Panthers)
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The Vikings can’t do anything easy. Anything. They had the Panthers down, let them up, and needed overtime to reach the .500 mark. If you like excitement, then they are a great team to follow. Just keep a defibrillator ready. Next: Bye Week
18. Seattle Seahawks (2-4, lost to Pittsburgh Steelers)
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The Seahawks showed grit overcoming a 14-0 deficit but in the end, they fell to the Steelers. Geno Smith was adequate and Seattle was inspired in the second half. However, adequate and inspired aren’t going to translate to victories until Russell Wilson returns. Next: vs. New Orleans Saints (Monday Night Football)
17. Indianapolis Colts (2-4, defeated Houston Texans)
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The Colts came back strong against a weak team, routing Houston. The problem is they are 2-4 and will need a lot of help and a string of wins to overcome this start. Next: at San Francisco 49ers
16. San Francisco 49ers (2-3, Bye Week)
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The Niners had a week off to try and shake their aches. This team is snakebit. Have to wonder what Kyle Shanahan thinks. Next: vs. Indianapolis Colts
15. New Orleans Saints (3-2, Bye Week)
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The New Orleans Saints had the week off and watched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win again. Sean Payton faces an uphill climb trying to defend the NFC South crown. Next: at Seattle Seahawks (Monday Night Football)
14. Cleveland Browns (3-3, lost to Arizona Cardinals)
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Don’t look now, but cracks are beginning to show in Cleveland. The Browns were without Nick Chubb against Arizona. Kareem Hunt and Baker Mayfield were banged up. Oh, they also have to play on Thursday. Next: vs. Denver Broncos (Thursday Night Football)
13. Las Vegas Raiders (4-2, defeated Denver Broncos)
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A strong performance after an incredibly turbulent week for Las Vegas. The Raiders pulled it together for a convincing division victory over the slumping Denver Broncos. Next: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3, defeated Seattle Seahawks)
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Talk about a thrilling Sunday Night Football game. The Steelers topped the Seattle Seahawks on an incredible play in OT by T.J. Watt that set up a field goal by Chris Boswell. The Steelers head into their bye 3-3. They still have to answer many more questions to be considered for real. Next: Bye Week
11. Los Angeles Chargers: (4-2, lost to Baltimore Ravens)
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The Ravens were the team playing on the short week, but it was the Chargers that played like it was out-of-gas. Not a good game. A rare stinker from Justin Herbert. Is Baltimore that good or is LA not as good as we thought? Next: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2, defeated Detroit LIons)
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Have to like the fact the Bengals went into Detroit and took care of business, as a good team should. They handled the Lions and didn’t show any signs of taking their winless opponent lightly. Things get tougher in Week 7, though. Next: at Baltimore Ravens
9. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3, defeated Washington Football Team)
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Order has been restored (for now) as the Chiefs are back to .500 and looked like themselves in whipping Washington. Next: at Tennessee Titans
8. Tennessee Titans (4-2, defeated Buffalo Bills)
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Derrick Henry was an absolute beast on the ground and the Titans defense refused to let Josh Allen gain a yard late inside their 5 on fourth-and-1. Huge win for the AFC South contenders. Next: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
7. Los Angeles Rams (5-1, defeated New York Giants)
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After a sputtering start, the Rams put 28 on the board in the second quarter and absolutely blitzed the New York Giants. This team is rock-solid and is looking at another cupcake in Week 7. Next: vs Detroit Lions
6. Buffalo Bills (4-2, Lost to Tennessee Titans)
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The Bills and Josh Allen slip to seventh as a quarterback sneak in the final seconds on fourth-and-1 failed against the Titans on Monday night. Ouch! Next: Bye Week
5. Dallas Cowboys (5-1, defeated New England)
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The Cowboys came away with their fifth straight win in a thriller over the New England Patriots. This team shows a lot of the good traits a contender needs to display. They find ways to win and they are powerful on offense and have a threat on defense in Trevon Diggs. Next: Bye Week
4. Arizona Cardinals (6-0, defeated Cleveland Browns)
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Talk about for real. The Cardinals were without their head coach and clocked the Browns in Cleveland. There may be something special cooking in the desert. Next: vs. Houston Texans
3. Baltimore Ravens (5-1, defeated Los Angeles Chargers)
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A strong performance on a short week. The Ravens were great in taking the Chargers apart. This is a team to fear, regardless of the conference. Next: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
2. Green Bay Packers (5-1, defeated Chicago Bears)
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Ho-hum, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers handled the Chicago Bears. This is a team that is looking at its third straight season of 13 wins … or more. Matt LaFleur was a superb hire. (Or does he just have a great QB?) Next: vs. Washington Football Team
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1, defeated Philadelphia Eagles)
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers put on a solid if not stellar performance in handling the Eagles on the road. They get to settle a score with Chicago in Week 7. (Remember, Tom Brady lost track of what down it was in 2020. I don’t think the internet has forgotten, at least not in the Windy City.) Next: vs. Chicago Bears
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