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NFL power rankings: Caleb Williams has the Bears on the rise, while Cowboys plummet
Week 6 of the regular season saw many sloppy performances and even more dreadful displays of coaching.
The Chicago Bears embarrassed the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, but not as badly as the Detroit Lions humiliated the Dallas Cowboys. Meanwhile, the race for the 2025 No. 1 overall pick is on, with the Las Vegas Raiders emerging as a contender for the selection after making a blockbuster trade with the New York Jets.
While the majority of our top 10 remains unchanged, there has been plenty of shuffling done in this week's power rankings. Here's a look at where each team stands entering Week 7.
(Week 7 matchups are on Sunday unless noted.)
1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)
The Chiefs remain atop our power rankings for the seventh consecutive week and don't be surprised if they maintain the top spot in our next edition. After all, Chiefs HC Andy Reid is 21-4 after the bye week during his illustrious career.
Week 7: at San Francisco (4:25 p.m. ET | Fox)
2. Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
Coming off its bye, Minnesota faces its toughest test of the season in Week 7 against a red-hot Lions team in a pivotal NFC North clash. Fortunately for the Vikings offense, the unit is well-positioned to see its success continue against Detroit, considering star edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson will be sidelined with a leg injury.
Week 7: vs. Detroit (1 p.m. ET | Fox)
3. Detroit Lions (4-1)
The Lions took last season's controversial Week 17 loss to Dallas personally. OC Ben Johnson dug deep into his bag of tricks to humiliate the Cowboys, handing them their most lopsided loss since 1988, according to StatMuse.
Week 7: at Minnesota (1 p.m. ET | Fox)
4. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
The Ravens defense continues to display vulnerabilities, though it doesn't matter much since the offense has been humming. During its current four-game winning streak, Baltimore has averaged the most yards (471.8) and second-most points (33.5) among teams.
Week 7: vs. Washington (1 p.m. ET | CBS)
5. Houston Texans (5-1)
Houston handled its business in Week 6, dominating the lowly Patriots as it forced four turnovers and scored a season-high 41 points. The return of RB Joe Mixon, who missed three games due to an ankle injury, energized the Texans offense, as the former Cincinnati Bengal racked up 132 all-purpose yards and two total touchdowns.
Week 7: at Green Bay (1 p.m. ET | CBS)
6. Buffalo Bills (4-2)
Buffalo isn't ready to give up the AFC East throne just yet, as it held off the Jets to earn a 23-20 road win on "Monday Night Football." As long as the Bills defense can maintain the momentum from Monday's second half, during which the unit allowed three points, the team should be able to kickstart another winning streak.
Week 7: vs. Tennessee (1 p.m. ET | CBS)
7. Green Bay Packers (4-2)
If QB Jordan Love hadn't suffered an MCL sprain in Green Bay's season opener, it's fair to wonder whether he'd be one of the leading candidates for MVP honors. Not only does the 2020 first-round pick rank second in passing yards per game (282.8), but he also averages the most touchdown passes per contest (three).
Week 7: vs. Houston (1 p.m. ET | CBS)
8. Atlanta Falcons (4-2)
The Falcons, winners of their last three consecutive games, continue to climb up our power rankings as the Kirk Cousins-led offense keeps rolling. The NFC South is emerging as a two-horse race, and Atlanta should feel confident about its chances of clinching its first division title since 2016.
Week 7: vs. Seattle (1 p.m. ET | Fox)
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)
Although QB Baker Mayfield committed three turnovers, he managed to recover, throwing for 325 yards and four touchdowns during Tampa Bay's drubbing of New Orleans. Third-round rookie DB Tykee Smith has also emerged as a draft steal, tallying five tackles, two pass breakups, one interception and a forced fumble against the Saints.
Week 7: vs. Baltimore (Monday at 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN)
10. Washington Commanders (4-2)
Even though the Commanders lost, they proved that their 4-1 start was not by accident. Washington held its own on the road against one of the NFL's best teams, providing the franchise with even more confidence that it is equipped to make a playoff run this season.
Week 7: vs. Carolina (4:05 p.m. ET | CBS)
11. Philadelphia Eagles (3-2)
The Eagles narrowly survived an upset bid by the spiraling Browns, but the biggest story that came from Sunday's win was HC Nick Sirianni's embarrassing sideline antics. Nonetheless, Philadelphia's offense must find consistency, particularly on the ground, though it's possible the unit can do so this week during RB Saquon Barkley's MetLife Stadium homecoming.
Week 7: at Giants (1 p.m. ET | Fox)
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
The Steelers snapped their two-game losing streak this past Sunday, thrashing the Raiders behind RB Najee Harris' season-high 106 yards and one touchdown. With matchups against the Jets and Giants on the horizon, it wouldn't be shocking to see Pittsburgh boast a 6-2 record heading into its Week 9 bye.
Week 7: vs. Jets (8:20 p.m. ET | NBC)
13. San Francisco 49ers (3-3)
While injuries continue to pile up for San Francisco, its dominant "Thursday Night Football" win over Seattle showed that it is still the team to beat in the NFC West. Even so, this week's Super Bowl rematch will be an excellent opportunity to see just how seriously the Christian McCaffrey-less 49ers should be taken going forward.
Week 7: vs. Kansas City (4:25 p.m. ET | Fox)
14. Chicago Bears (4-2)
Caleb Williams is proving that we shouldn't write off rookie quarterbacks after a few underwhelming performances to begin the season. Over the last four games, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick has averaged the ninth-most passing yards in the NFL (262.5) and has thrown nine touchdown passes, tied for the fourth-most among signal-callers.
Week 7: Bye
15. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2)
Los Angeles built a 23-point lead to help knock off the Broncos on the road this past Sunday in a game where the team generated its most total yards of offense this season (350). HC Jim Harbaugh has undoubtedly changed the Chargers' culture and he's putting his team in a position to be a legitimate threat to make the postseason.
Week 7: at Arizona (Monday at 9 p.m. ET | ESPN+)
16. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)
The Seahawks have faded since starting the season 3-0, with injuries, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, largely contributing to their struggles. Perhaps the recent acquisition of ex-Jaguars defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris will provide the spark Seattle needs to get back in the win column.
Week 7: at Atlanta (1 p.m. ET | Fox)
17. Indianapolis Colts (3-3)
QB Joe Flacco's late touchdown pass to WR Michael Pittman Jr. helped Indianapolis secure a thrilling come-from-behind victory over its division rival Tennessee in Week 6. Considering how effective Flacco has been through the air this season (716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception), it's fair to question whether the Colts should turn back to the oft-injured Anthony Richardson.
Week 7: vs. Miami (1 p.m. ET | Fox)
18. Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)
After allowing 29 points per game across the team's first five contests, the Bengals defense finally turned things around in Week 6. While the playoffs are still a long shot for Cincinnati, if the defense can build off its dominant performance, perhaps Joe Burrow and Co. can make another improbable run.
Week 7: at Cleveland (1 p.m. ET | CBS)
19. Dallas Cowboys (3-3)
Dallas limps into its bye week after being humiliated at home by the Lions on owner Jerry Jones' 82nd birthday. While QB Dak Prescott isn't “hitting the panic button” just yet, the Cowboys probably should, considering their offense ranks 19th in scoring while the defense has allowed the third most points per game among teams (28).
Week 7: Bye
20. Denver Broncos (3-3)
The final score might not reflect it, but the Broncos were completely outclassed by the Chargers, having been shut out in the first half for the third time this season. QB Bo Nix has struggled mightily to begin his rookie season, ranking 27th in QBR and 26th in EPA, raising doubts about his potential to be a franchise quarterback.
Week 7: at New Orleans (Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET | Amazon Prime Video)
21. New York Jets (2-4)
New York's coaching change didn't help the team change its fortunes in Week 6, though the offense showed signs of improvement, with QB Aaron Rodgers throwing for a season-high 294 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. With the season on the verge of completely unraveling, the Jets made the aggressive move to reunite Rodgers with WR Davante Adams, acquiring the six-time Pro Bowler from the Raiders on Tuesday.
Week 7: at Pittsburgh (8:20 p.m. ET | NBC)
22. Arizona Cardinals (2-4)
Just when it seems the Cardinals finally start turning the corner, they crash back down to Earth. After pulling off a surprising upset over NFC West rival San Francisco in Week 5, Arizona allowed 34 points to Green Bay while committing three turnovers and a staggering 13 penalties.
Week 7: vs. Chargers (Monday at 9 p.m. ET | ESPN+)
23. New Orleans Saints (2-4)
Fifth-round rookie QB Spencer Rattler was solid to begin his first career start but fizzled out in the second half once the game was out of reach, finishing 22-of-40 passing for 243 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. While Rattler has the potential to develop into a quality backup, it's hard to imagine him leading the Saints to many, if any, wins, especially considering how poorly the team's defense has fared in recent weeks.
Week 7: vs. Denver (Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET | Amazon Prime Video)
24. New York Giants (2-4)
The Giants defense continues to impress, though the unit's efforts have been wasted due to starting QB Daniel Jones' lackluster play. If the losses keep piling up for New York, it should consider benching Jones to ensure his $23 million injury guarantee for 2025 doesn't kick in.
Week 7: vs. Philadelphia (1 p.m. ET | Fox)
25. Los Angeles Rams (1-4)
The injury-riddled Rams enjoyed a much-needed bye week ahead of Sunday's matchup with Las Vegas, and their offense could receive a significant boost from star wideout Cooper Kupp. The Super Bowl LVI MVP appears to be on track to return from a high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 2, which would dramatically elevate a unit averaging the 15th-fewest passing yards over the last three games (235).
Week 7: vs. Las Vegas (4:05 p.m. ET | CBS)
26. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4)
HC Antonio Pierce's decision to start QB Aidan O'Connell over Gardner Minshew II couldn't give Las Vegas the spark it needed, with the 2023 fourth-rounder throwing for just 227 yards, one touchdown and an interception against Pittsburgh. In light of the Adams trade, it appears the Raiders are already calling it a season to prepare for the future, and it'll be fascinating to see whether they make any more noteworthy deals.
Week 7: at Rams (4:05 p.m. ET | CBS)
27. Tennessee Titans (1-4)
QB Will Levis continues to hold Tennessee back, with the Kentucky product completing just 59.3% of his passes for 95 yards, one touchdown and an interception in Week 6. Although it's unlikely the Titans can climb out of their 1-4 hole, they shouldn't keep wasting a defense that has allowed the fewest yards per game by starting the turnover-prone Levis.
Week 7: at Buffalo (1 p.m. ET | CBS)
28. Miami Dolphins (2-3)
The bye week came at a perfect time for the Dolphins, who anxiously await the return of starting QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion). If Miami can stay afloat in Tagovailoa's absence and perhaps get back to .500, it's possible the team can make a run for a wild-card spot.
Week 7: at Indianapolis (1 p.m. ET | Fox)
29. Cleveland Browns (1-5)
Despite becoming the first team in 10 seasons to score under 20 points in each of their first six games of the season, the Browns are sticking with Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback. HC Kevin Stefanski believes Watson gives the team "the best chance to win," which may be true if his goal is to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Week 7: vs. Cincinnati (1 p.m. ET | CBS)
30. Carolina Panthers (1-5)
It was a tale of two halves for starting quarterback Andy Dalton, who threw two touchdown passes before halftime against Atlanta only to toss two interceptions in the second half. At some point, the Panthers may have no choice but to reinsert Bryce Young into the starting lineup, even though no quarterback change will truly fix Carolina’s disastrous situation.
Week 7: at Washington (4:05 p.m. ET | CBS)
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5)
While the Jaguars have more talent than Carolina, that doesn't mean much when the players in the locker room quit on the team, as safety Andre Cisco suggested his teammates did during this past Sunday's embarrassing loss. Jacksonville may have a Trevor Lawrence problem, but it must see what the former No. 1 overall pick can do with a better coaching staff before giving up on him.
Week 7: vs. New England (in London) (9:30 a.m. ET | NFL Network)
32. New England Patriots (1-5)
The Patriots have the worst roster in the NFL, but rookie quarterback Drake Maye provided some encouraging flashes of potential in his first career start that should provide optimism about the team's future. The third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft threw more touchdown passes against Houston (three) than former starter Jacoby Brissett did in five games (two).
Week 7: at Jacksonville (in London) (9:30 a.m. ET | NFL Network)
More must-reads:
- Browns HC gives health update on star running back Nick Chubb
- Flaws in voting approach could prevent Bengals' Joe Burrow from winning first MVP
- The 'No. 3 NFL draft pick' quiz
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