2022 NFL power rankings, Week 7: Giants and Falcons on the rise
There were Sunday showdowns at Kansas City and at Philadelphia. But did those results change the top of the NFL Power Rankings?
This past week in the NFL, the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans got the week off. That means 12 other teams that reached the playoffs in 2021 were in action. There were games in Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Philadelphia in which two clubs in the postseason a year ago clashed.
Scoring continues to be at a minimum. But there were plenty of surprises in Week 6.
32. team. 87. . 1-5. Previous: . Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have a new head coach in Steve Wilks, who replaced fired sideline leader Matt Rhule. The Panthers traveled to Los Angeles to take on the Rams and it was a long afternoon for quarterback P.J. Walker and the Carolina offense, which never found the end zone.
There was also drama with wide receiver Robbie Anderson, who was sent to the locker room during the game. And on Monday, the big-play performer was dealt to the Arizona Cardinals.
Previous: . Detroit Lions. 31. team. 50. . 1-4
Four weeks into the season, no team in the league had scored more points (140) and allowed more points (141). But the last time the Detroit Lions took the field, Dan Campbell’s squad was blanked at Foxborough.
Quarterback Jared Goff has had a solid season and the club has averaged 411.8 yard per game on offense. But Campbell’s club has given up at least 127 points in each of their five contests and has given up 18 offensive TDs in those outings.
. 1-3-1. Previous: . Houston Texans. 30. team. 10
Lovie Smith’s club was the last to win a game this season and that happened the last time they played as they went to Jacksonville and held the Jaguars to a pair of field goals. The Houston offense has had its issues but one bright spot has been rookie running back Dameon Pierce, who has totaled 86 carries for 412 yards and three scores.
Veteran Jerry Hughes has four of the team’s 11 sacks. But second-year quarterback Davis Mills has been shaky.
29. team. 58. . 2-4. Previous: . Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders made its first appearance in the Windy City since 2016. And this was an ugly contest in many ways. But Ron Rivera’s club – limited to 214 yards of total offense – got a bit break on a muffed punt by the Bears midway through the final quarter. It led to a Brian Robinson one-yard TD run.
Quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a fractured finger in the victory, had surgery on Monday (via ESPN’s John Keim) and will be out four to six weeks.