NFL power rankings, Week 7: Falcons fall, Texans rise
After six weeks, the Atlanta Falcons look to be in some trouble while Deshaun Watson has the Houston Texans playing like real contenders.
32
Cleveland Browns 0-6
Last week: L, 33-17 at HOU
Last rank: 31st
This team is a disgrace. The Browns don’t even bother to show up on most weeks.
31
San Francisco 49ers 0-6
Last week: L, 26-24 at WSH
Last rank: 32nd
All but one of San Francisco’s losses have been by a field goal or less. This team fights hard.
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> Last week: L, 36-22 at TEN
When exactly is Andrew Luck coming back?
30
Indianapolis Colts 2-3
Last week: L, 36-22 at TEN
Last rank: 28th
When exactly is Andrew Luck coming back?
29
New York Giants 1-5
Last week: W, 23-10 at DEN
Last rank: 30th
The Giants finally got off the mat. Can they keep it going with another big upset against the Seahawks?
28
New York Jets 3-3
Last week: W, 17-14 at CLE
Last rank: 24th
The Jets had a real chance to beat the Patriots. Still, a loss brings us back to reality.
27
Chicago Bears 2-4
Last week: W, 27-24 (OT) at BAL
Last rank: 29th
Mitchell Trubisky was bad, but the running game was legit. The Bears have some building blocks.
26
Oakland Raiders 2-4
Last week: L, 17-16 vs. LAC
Last rank: 22nd
Four straight losses and now a visit on a short week from the angry Chiefs. This isn’t going well.
25
Baltimore Ravens 3-3
Last week: L, 27-24 (OT) vs. CHI
Last rank: 19th
At some juncture, the Ravens have to start aggressively looking to move on from Joe Flacco. He’s impossibly bad.
24
Los Angeles Chargers 2-4
Last week: W, 17-16 at OAK
Last rank: 27th
Los Angeles has won two straight to get back onto the fringe of playoff contention. Can the Chargers now come home and beat the Broncos?
23
Arizona Cardinals 3-3
Last week: W, 38-33 vs. TB
Last rank: 26th
Arizona completely thrashed the Buccaneers. Now, can it build off that success or was the win a mirage?
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> Last week: W, 36-22 vs. IND
Beating the Colts doesn’t exactly move the needle. The Titans now have another layup with the Browns.
22
Tennessee Titans 2-3
Last week: W, 36-22 vs. IND
Last rank: 23rd
Beating the Colts doesn’t exactly move the needle. The Titans now have another layup with the Browns.
21
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-3
Last week: L, 38-33 at AZ
Last rank: 16th
Tampa Bay has to get its act together. At what point does the talent on this roster turn into victories?
20
Miami Dolphins 3-2
Last week: W, 20-17 at ATL
Last rank: 25th
The Dolphins win ugly games, but a win against the Falcons, after trailing 17-0, is nothing to sneeze at.
19
Jacksonville Jaguars 3-3
Last week: L, 27-17 vs. LAR
Last rank: 17th
Who are the real Jaguars? Man, if this team had a real quarterback…
18
Buffalo Bills 3-2
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 20th
Buffalo comes off its bye in good shape and hosting the Buccaneers. Time to make a move in the AFC.
17
Cincinnati Bengals 2-3
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 21st
If the Bengals can go into Heinz Field and beat the Steelers, we have a race in the AFC North.
16
Green Bay Packers 4-2
Last week: L, 23-10 at MIN
Last rank: 3rd
This is all because of Aaron Rodgers’ injury. Without him, this is a bad team with no hope in 2017.
15
Detroit Lions 3-3
Last week: L, 52-38 at NO
Last rank: 9th
When you give up 52 points after a tough home loss, that’s never a good sigh.
14
Dallas Cowboys 2-3
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 14th
If the Ezekiel Elliott suspension holds up, it is a rough go of it for the Cowboys.
13
Denver Broncos 3-2
Last week: L, 23-10 vs. NYG
Last rank: 6th
You can’t lose at home, off a bye, to the Giants. The Broncos have no offensive ability.
12
New Orleans Saints 3-2
Last week: W, 52-38 vs. DET
Last rank: 18th
The Saints are starting to look like a real threat in the NFC South. Don’t sleep on this group.
11
Minnesota Vikings 4-2
Last week: W, 23-10 vs. GB
Last rank: 13th
The Vikings have suddenly become the frontrunner in the NFC North, and could have Teddy Bridgewater back soon.
10
Washington Redskins 3-2
Last week: W, 26-24 vs. SF
Last rank: 12th
Washington held on to beat the 49ers, giving it a nice foothold in the NFC playoff race.
9
Carolina Panthers 4-2
Last week: L, 28-23 vs. PHI
Last rank: 8th
Carolina took a step back against the Eagles, but can rectify by beating the Bears on Sunday.
8
Houston Texans 3-3
Last week: W, 33-17 vs. CLE
Last rank: 15th
With Deshaun Watson at the controls, Houston is a dangerous team with a potent offense.
7
Los Angeles Rams 4-2
Last week: W, 27-17 at JAX
Last rank: 10th
Nice bounce back here from the Rams, who took care of business on the road.
6
Seattle Seahawks 3-2
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 7th
Seattle needs to come out of the break playing well, or risk falling into a hole behind the Rams.
5
Atlanta Falcons 3-2
Last week: L, 20-17 vs. MIA
Last rank: 2nd
Atlanta has to get its act together. The Falcons have a huge test on Sunday night against the Patriots.
4
Pittsburgh Steelers 4-2
Last week: W, 19-13 vs. KC
Last rank: 11th
Pittsburgh got right with a huge win over the Chiefs. Now the Steelers have to make it stick by beating Cincinnati at home.
3
New England Patriots 4-2
Last week: W, 24-17 at NYJ
Last rank: 5th
The Patriots still don’t look impressive, but this team tends to figure out its problems.
2
Philadelphia Eagles 5-1
Last week: W, 28-23 at CAR
Last rank: 4th
After beating the Panthers on the road, on a short week no less, the Eagles appear the class of the NFC.
1
Kansas City Chiefs 5-1
Last week: L, 19-13 vs. PIT
Last rank: 1st
Even with an ugly loss, the Chiefs stay here. They have the best résumé in the NFL and remain the team to beat in the AFC.