Kansas City, the last undefeated team in the NFL, went down. The Chiefs lost 13 to 19 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Did KC also drop out of first place in my NFL Power Rankings? Yep. They most certainly did. Check out my new 2017 NFL Week 7 Power Rankings.
2017 NFL Week 7 Power Rankings
1. Philadelphia Eagles (5-1)
Philly grabs the top spot on my power rankings after their impressive 28 to 23 win over the Carolina Panthers. It’s difficult to stop Philly’s offense. In the win over Carolina, it was the defense that came up huge, though. The D picked off Cam Newton three times.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)
The Chiefs’ offense played like molasses versus what had been a susceptible Pittsburgh defense. Sometimes, coaches just have trouble calling games against certain franchises. Maybe, Andy Reid can’t call a game when the Chiefs face the Steelers. The 13 to 19 loss isn’t the end of the world. Now, if KC loses straight up to Oakland this Thursday night, it might be.
3. Carolina Panthers (4-2)
I can’t move Carolina too far from Philadelphia. Yep, the Panthers lost at home as a favorite against the spread. Cam had arguably his worst game of the season. He still had a shot to get the Panthers the victory in the final four minutes. Then, he threw his third pick of the night.
4. Seattle Seahawks (3-2)
Seattle was on a bye. The Seahawks move to 4 by default. Seattle played exceptionally well to beat the L.A. Rams on the road in Week 5. The Seahawks’ defense might be rounding into form. If it is, they’ll contend in the NFC.
5. Los Angeles Rams (4-2)
The Rams marched into Jacksonville as a slight 1-point dog. They exited Jacksonville with a 27 to 17 win. What impressed me is how the Rams’ defense stepped it up. I also loved how coach Sean McVay went to the rushing attack instead of forcing the passing game.
6. New England Patriots (4-2)
New England managed to get by the New York Jets in Week 6. The 24 to 17 win wasn’t without some controversy. The Patriots’ defense is playing better. It’s still not where it needs to be if New England wishes to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.
7. Minnesota Vikings (4-2)
The Vikings leaped to the head of the NFC North Division by beating Green Bay 23 to 10. QB Case Keenum had another terrific performance as Sam Bradford’s back-up. RB Jerrick McKinnon once again showed he can carry the load as Dalvin Cook’s back-up. I think Minnesota’s for real.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
I moved Pitt back into my Top 10 after they beat Kansas City 19 to 13. The Steelers are probably closer to the 19 to 13 win over Kansas City than they are to the 9 to 30 loss at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL Week 5. If Pitt can gain some consistency, they should win the AFC North.
9. New Orleans Saints (3-2)
After their third straight impressive victory, there’s no way to leave New Orleans out of the Top 10. The Saints might be the best team in the NFL right now. The defense dominated Matthew Stafford and Detroit’s offense. It wasn’t even close. New Orleans drubbed the Lions 52 to 38. If New Orleans can win without Drew Brees having to throw for 200 yards, he only threw for 186 on Sunday, the Saints can win the Super Bowl. Yes, the defense and running game appear to be that good.
10. Denver Broncos (3-2)
I was close to dropping the Denver Broncos directly out of my Top 10. Then, I started to ponder their 10 to 23 loss to the New York Giants. It’s tough to change strategies in the middle of a football game. That’s what I believe happened to Denver in their game against the Giants. New York rushed the football. Denver thought for sure the Giants were going to pass the football. It didn’t work out for the Broncos.
11. Green Bay Packers (4-2)
I, like every other football fan on the planet, is bummed out about Aaron Rodgers’ broken collarbone. Great players like Rodgers is why we watch the NFL. UCLA product Brett Hundley has some talent. It’s fallen on his shoulders with Rodgers out for the season. Hundley’s job is a lot easier than it would be for other back-up quarterbacks. Worse comes to worse, just throw it to Jordy.
12. Buffalo Bills (3-2)
The Bills had a much needed bye in NFL Week 6. The key for Buffalo is to build on their surprising start to the NFL Season. I think the Bills can do it. I see the offense getting better while the defense remains one of the best in the NFL.
13. Washington Redskins (3-2)
Washington beat the San Francisco 49’ers while Atlanta lost to the Miami Dolphins. That’s why Washington is a spot ahead of Atlanta on my 2017 NFL Week 7 Power Rankings. I’ll admit, Washington did nothing to impress me in their sloppy 26 to 24 win over the 49’ers.
14. Atlanta Falcons (3-2)
The Falcons 17 to 20 loss to Miami was flat out embarrassing. Atlanta lost the game as much as Miami won the game. One thing to note, Matt Ryan’s familiarity with the offense hasn’t gotten any better. Not only that, but offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian doesn’t seem to know the difference between the NFL and college football. Why did Devonta Freeman only get 9 carries? Yeah, I don’t get it either.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)
The Jaguars were due for a letdown performance after dominating the Steelers in Pittsburgh in NFL Week 5. But, Jacksonville should have played the run much better versus the Rams than they did. That’s the problem with Jacksonville’s defense. There doesn’t appear to be enough run stoppers.
16. Houston Texans (3-3)
Houston dominated the Cleveland Browns 33 to 17 in Week 6. The defense stepped it up without JJ Watt that impressed me more than anything.
17. New York Jets (3-3)
Was tight-end Austin Seferian-Jenkins play at the goal line a catch for a TD? I don’t really know. What I do know is that if you’re up 14 to 0 over a rival like the New England Patriots, you must find a way to win the game. You can’t lose it 24 to 17.
18. Detroit Lions (3-3)
Detroit’s a bit like Atlanta this season. The defense is just okay. So, unless QB Matt Stafford bails out the defense, like he did in Week 1 versus the Arizona Cardinals, the Lions are always in danger of losing the game. There was no way Stafford could have bailed out the Lions versus the Saints this past Sunday, though. Detroit just faced a better team.
19. Arizona Cardinals (3-3)
Arizona gets into my Top 20 after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38 to 33. The Cardinals found a starting running back in Adrian Peterson. Peterson looked like the AP of old when running right through the Buccaneers’ defense. I wouldn’t say that AZ is a contender in the NFC West. Not yet.
20. Miami Dolphins (3-2)
Miami jump all the way to 20 on my rankings after upsetting Atlanta 20 to 17 in NFL week 5 as a +11 road dog. The Dolphins didn’t exactly look great on offense. The defense took advantage of plenty of Atlanta mistakes, though. The Fins have an important game this Sunday versus the New York Jets. When was the last time anyone’s written that?
21. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)
Cincinnati had their bye in Week 6. The Bengals should come out of their bye ready to take it to the Pittsburgh Steelers in NFL Week 7. If Cincy were to beat Pittsburgh, they’d be a half a game behind the Steelers and tied with the Ravens in the NFC North. Things can change quickly in the NFL.
22. Tennessee Titans (3-3)
Tennessee still must solve its defensive woes. The Colts scored 22 points versus the Tennessee defense. At one time, it was Colts 19 and Titans 9. But, Tennessee pulled through for a 36 to 22 win. How? The Titans leaned on RB Derrick Henry. Henry dominated. Time to take trade offers for DeMarco Murray? I think so.
23. Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
Dallas had their bye. The Cowboys got some news as a judge upheld Ezekiel Elliott’s 6-game suspension. Zeke is out until Week 13. Dallas battles San Francisco at Levi’s Stadium this Sunday. That’s not a cakewalk game for the Boys.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)
Losing Jameis Winston to a shoulder injury pretty much ended Tampa Bay’s chances in this game. Actually, that’s not true. Winston had nothing to do with Tampa Bay allowing Adrian Peterson to rush for 134 yards from 26 carries. Arizona blitzed Tampa’s defense, which isn’t consistent enough to help the offense win football games.
25. Chicago Bears (2-4)
Within 2 seasons, the Chicago Bears should challenge for the NFC Championship. Coach John Fox knows what he’s doing. The Bears have a young QB in Mitch Trubisky. The rushing attack is ranked third in the NFL while the defense is ranked sixth in the NFL in yards allowed. On Sunday, Chicago beat Baltimore 27 to 24 in overtime. Chicago’s on the cusp of being relevant.
26. Baltimore Ravens (3-3)
I really thought that Baltimore’s road win over Oakland in Week 5 was a turning point. Man, was I wrong. Baltimore did it again. The Ravens have a tendency to just not care. No, I mean it. This time, Baltimore allowed Chicago to beat them in overtime. Baltimore is a tired franchise.
27. Los Angeles Chargers (2-4)
The Bolts won their second game of the season by beating the rival Oakland Raiders 17 to 16 as a +3 dog. The Chargers’ defense has come together while the offense has finally gotten into a groove. It’s not too late for the Chargers to make a blistering rush to a wildcard berth. LAC is only a game behind Denver in the AFC West while Kansas City has run away with the division.
28. Oakland Raiders (2-4)
It’s been a full month since the Oakland Raiders have won a football game. Whatever the Raiders try to do, it hasn’t worked out for them in 4 straight. It’s early in the season, but if the Raiders have any hopes of winning the AFC West, beating KC at home on Thursday is necessary.
29. Indianapolis Colts (2-4)
The Colts have major problems all across the board. If I’m Indianapolis, I must consider trading QB Andrew Luck. Jacoby Brissett hasn’t been DeShaun Watson good. He’s been decent, though. Indy’s best chance of being competitive in the future is to build as strong of a defense as it can muster. One thing that was nice about Indy’s performance versus Tennessee is that the offensive line didn’t allow a single sack.
30. New York Giants (1-5)
The Giants got off the losers’ train by beating the Broncos in Denver. That puts them ahead of San Francisco and Cleveland. I’m not sure if the win was a turning point for the New York Giants. They face a tall task beating Seattle this Sunday. If they do, who knows? Teams have gone on runs before in the NFL.
31. San Francisco 49’ers (0-6)
Week 5 was the week. The San Francisco 49’ers were supposed to finally notch a win this season. SF had Washington dead to rights. Washington outscored SF 9 to 7 in the fourth quarter for the win. I hate to do it because the Niners are a competitive bunch, but it’s impossible for me to put San Francisco ahead of anyone else save for Cleveland.
32. Cleveland Browns (0-6)
After a while an experiment simply becomes a failed experiment. Attempting to replicate the Oakland A’s moneyball style of running a sports organization in the NFL is a failed experiment.