Some of the league’s heavyweights were off in Week 7. And what to make of the mess that is the NFC? There have been some changes to the NFL Power Rankings.
The Buffalo Bills (5-1), Los Angeles Rams (3-3), Minnesota Vikings (5-1) and Philadelphia Eagles (6-0) combined for an impressive 19-5 record the first six weeks of NFL 2022. And none of those teams were in action this past Thursday, Sunday or Monday.
There were 11 other playoff participants in action in Week 7 and more than half of them took it on the chin. So what effect did a few of those startling results have on this week’s NFL Power Rankings?
The well-rested Lions took on the Cowboys at Dallas. By the game’s end, Dan Campbell’s club finished with six points and five turnovers. And for the second straight game, the team failed to score a touchdown.
After scoring an NFL-high 140 points during the first four weeks of the season, the Lions were shut out by the Patriots and limited to a pair of field goals by the Cowboys. Jared Goff had four of those five miscues and was sacked five times in the loss.
The Texans were back in action after an off week and were in Las Vegas to take on the Raiders. Rookie running back Dameon Pierce continued to open eyes and finished with 117 total yards from scrimmage – 92 of those yards on the ground.
Second-year pro Davis Mills threw for 302 yards and a pair of touchdowns. But his lone interception was taken back 73 yards for a score. And the Houston defense had no answers for the Las Vegas’ ground attack.
Brett Rypien got the start for the struggling Broncos as quarterback Russell Wilson was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Denver entered Week 7 dead last in the NFL in points per game and those issues were evident once again.
Still, Nathaniel Hackett’s squad did own a 9-7 second-quarter lead. But the Broncos were shut out in the second half. The Denver defense was solid once again – giving up just 260 total yards in what was a fourth straight loss.
The Jaguars had dropped three straight games entering Sunday’s clash with the improved Giants. And that 2-1 start seems like a distant memory. Still, Doug Pederson’s squad took a 17-13 lead into the fourth quarter.
But the Jacksonville defense was eventually overwhelmed by New York’s ground attack to the tune of 236 yards. Travis Etienne ran for 114 yards and one touchdown. But he also lost a fumble in the second quarter that proved costly.
It was a short week for Dennis Allen’s club as the team was in the desert for a Thursday night contest. Quarterback Andy Dalton came up with his share of big plays and the Saints owned a 14-6 lead early in the second quarter.
But while Dalton threw for 361 yards and four scores, he also served up three interceptions – two of those returned for TDs late in the second quarter. Allen’s club gained 494 yards of total offense but couldn’t overcome the miscues.
Late Thursday evening, versatile running back Christian McCaffrey was dealt to the 49ers for a total of four draft picks (3 in 2023). On the field, the Panthers hosted Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
And Steve Wilks’ team was more than up for the challenge, shutting out their NFC South rivals for better than three quarters. On the other side of the ball, D’Onta Foreman (118) and Chuba Hubbard (63) combined for 181 yards rushing in the victory.
Mike Tomlin’s club looked to build on last week’s surprise of the Buccaneers. The Steelers were down 13-0 after one quarter and the defense was on the ropes against Miami’s passing attack. But Pittsburgh adjusted and stayed in the game.
Down 16-10 in the fourth quarter, the Steelers saw two drives end with Kenny Pickett interceptions. The rookie signal-caller wound up throwing for 257 yards and one score but was picked off a total of three times.
Kevin Stefanski’s struggling team brought a three-game losing streak into Baltimore. The Cleveland defense limited the Ravens to 254 total yards and sacked Lamar Jackson three times.
But it’s the run defense that has been the biggest issue as of late and Joe Woods’ unit gave up 160 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, Browns’ quarterback Jacoby Brissett had a rough day, sacked five times and committing one of the team’s two turnovers in the loss.
Frank Reich’s club was playing its fifth divisional game in seven weeks as they took on the Titans in Nashville. The Colts have now dropped five straight games in this AFC South rivalry after being swept in this series for the second straight year.
Matt Ryan was sacked three times and threw two more interceptions, one of those returned for a touchdown in the second quarter. The Indianapolis ground game was limited to a mere 65 yards by the game’s end.
The team had a few extra days to prepare for its Monday night clash with the Patriots in Foxborough. And that time appeared to have paid off. Chicago jumped out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead, fell behind 14-10 and the proceeded to score the final 23 points of the evening.
The Bears’ ground attack rolled up 243 yards, Justin Fields had some early issues. But he ran for one score and threw for another and the team came up with four takeaways.
With Carson Wentz out for a few weeks, Taylor Heinicke got the start vs. the visiting Packers. And he was in control of a balanced attack that ran 72 plays and gained 364 total yards (166 on the ground).
Heinicke threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns but did serve up a pick-six. Washington’s defense limited Green Bay to just 38 yards rushing and 232 total yards. The Commanders have now won back-to-back games after dropping four straight contests.
Both the Raiders and visiting Texans – each with just one victory entering this contest – had Week 6 off. Then, the clubs clashed in Sin City. The afternoon belonged to running back Josh Jacobs, rolling up 143 yards on the ground and three touchdowns on 20 carries.
Derek Carr was sharp, connecting on 21-of-27 passes for 241 yards and a TD pass to Mack Hollins. And safety Duron Harmon returned a Davis Mills’ interception 73 yards for a score.
A pair of 2-4 teams clashed on Thursday night in the desert as the Cardinals hosted the Saints. Down 14-6 early in the second quarter, Arizona responded with 22 straight points thanks in part to a two-yard TD run by Keaontay Ingram and a pair of interception returns for scores by Marco Wilson (38 yards) and Isaiah Simmons (56 yards).
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins finished with 10 catches for 103 yards in his return from a six-game suspension.
The Niners were coming off a surprising loss at Atlanta and now took on the explosive Chiefs. Kyle Shanahan’s club owned an early 10-0 lead but the NFL’s top-ranked defensive unit entering Week 7 was lit up for 529 total yards.
After giving up a combined 61 points in their first five games, the Niners have surrendered a total of 72 points in losses to the Falcons (28) and Chiefs (44). Jimmy Garoppolo was sacked five times and committed two turnovers.
Off lopsided wins over the Lions and Browns, the Patriots looked to get above .500 by beating the Bears on Monday night. Mac Jones returned to the starting lineup but threw an interception and gave way to rookie Bailey Zappe.
He sparked the team and the Pats took a 14-10 second-quarter lead. But he also committed three costly turnovers. Chicago had its way with the New England defense, rolling up an impressive 243 yards on the ground.
It has been an erratic year for the reigning Super Bowl champion as nothing has come easy for Sean McVay’s club. All three of the team’s losses have been by double digits. Entering Week 7, the Rams were tied with the Saints in leading the league in turnovers (13).
Meanwhile, veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford – with 11 of those miscues (8 interceptions) – has yet to regain his 2021 postseason form. The club’s running attack is virtually non-existent.
The resurgent Falcons have won three of their last four games after a 0-2 start and now headed to the Queen City. But Atlanta’s defense was torched by Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow early and often on Sunday.
Arthur Smith’s club was down 21-0 just five seconds into the second quarter but would trail just 28-17 at intermission. But the Falcons had no answers for a Cincinnati offense that finished the day with a gaudy 537 yards of total offense.
The Buccaneers were looking to bounce back from an unexpected loss at Pittsburgh and took on the Panthers at Carolina. And this time around, Todd Bowles’ team was shut out for better than three quarters and limited to a 27-yard field goal by Ryan Succop.
The Bucs played turnover-free football but had big issues on third (2-of-12) and fourth (1-of-3) down. And Tampa’s defense was surprisingly gouged for 173 yards on the ground in the upset loss.
Brandon Staley’s team was right on the heels of the Chiefs in the AFC West. They had won three straight games entering Sunday’s meeting with the Seahawks. But the inconsistent Chargers’ defense was a no-show again as Pete Carroll’s club gained 404 total yards – including 214 on the ground.
Meanwhile, the Chargers ran for just 53 yards. While Justin Herbert threw for 293 yards and two scores, he was sacked three times and had a pair of turnovers.
Off back-to-back losses to the Giants and Jets, Matt LaFleur’s struggling team made its way to Washington. The Packers owned a 14-10 lead at intermission despite gaining just 76 yards of total offense.
And LaFleur’s club not only finished with just 232 total yards on only 47 offensive plays but failed to convert on third (0-for-6) and fourth (0-1) down the entire afternoon. Meanwhile, Green Bay’s disappointing defense gave up 166 yards on the ground.
The team looked to snap a three-game losing streak when they hosted the Steelers in prime time. Miami owned a 13-0 first-quarter lead as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the offense got off to a fast start.
But when it was all said and done, a Dolphins’ team that had picked off just one pass and forced only four turnovers in their first six games intercepted Steelers’ rookie Kenny Pickett three times – twice in the fourth quarter – as Miami held on for the win.
John Harbaugh’s club renewed its rivalry with the Cleveland Browns at home on Sunday. Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson would finish the day with just 120 yards through the air, hitting on nine of his 16 attempts.
The key offensive performer of the afternoon was Gus Edwards, who missed all of 2021 with a torn ACL. He totaled 16 carries for 66 yards and two touchdowns while dependable Justin Tucker added field goals of 32, 34 and 55 yards.
The improving Seahawks headed south for the first of their two appearances at SoFi Stadium as they took on the talented Chargers. And quarterback Geno Smith continued his amazing season, with a little help from rookie running back Kenneth Walker.
The latter ran for 168 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Smith did turn over the ball twice but also threw for 210 yards and two TDs. The Seattle defense limited the Bolts to just 53 yards rushing.
The Jets were seeking their fourth straight win as they headed to the Mile High City. Rookie running back Breece Hall got the team off to a good start as he ripped off a 62-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter.
But Hall would soon go down with a torn ACL. Down 9-7 late in the second quarter, Robert Saleh’s club would blank the Broncos for the rest of the game. Greg Zuerlein booted three field goals.
Mike Vrabel’s team was not only looking for a fourth straight win since their 0-2 start, the Titans looked to make it five consecutive victories over the rival Colts.
Tennessee’s offense gained only 254 total yards and never reached the end zone as safety Andrew Adams’ 76-yard return of a Matt Ryan interception in the second quarter was the club’s lone touchdown of the day. Derrick Henry ran for 128 yards and Randy Bullock connected on four field goals.
It’s been a rollercoaster-type season to date for the defending AFC champions. But the Bengals wasted little time in overwhelming the visiting Falcons. Quarterback Joe Burrow staked his team to a 28-7 second-quarter lead. And by halftime, he had hit on 21 of his 25 throws for 344 yards and three scores.
Zac Taylor’s club rolled up 537 total yards on 66 plays by game’s end. Meanwhile, the unsung Cincinnati defense limited Atlanta’s attack to 214 yards.
The surprising Giants one again rallied for a win and extended their current winning streak to four games. The team played turnover-free football and the club’s running game dominated in the second half.
Brian Daboll’s club gained 175 yards on the ground in the final two quarters. Running back Saquon Barkley (110) and quarterback Daniel Jones (107) each eclipsed the century mark. And Jones ran for one score and threw a touchdown pass.
The Cowboys hosted the Lions as Mike McCarthy’s club look to get back on track after last week’s loss at Philadelphia. And the Dallas’ defense continued its fine showing this season. Detroit fumbled four times and the Cowboys came up with three of those mistakes.
The pass rush also got to Jared Goff five times and picked off the Lions’ quarterback twice. Ezekiel Elliott carried just 15 times for 57 yards but scored on a pair of one-yard runs.
Under the guidance of new head coach Kevin O’Connell, the team is off to its best start since 2016. But it is worth noting that the club that season won its first five games and wound up finishing 8-8 and out of the playoffs.
This year’s edition of the Purple Gang has found a way to win the close games – something this club had struggled to do a season ago. The Vikings are already 3-0 vs. their NFC North rivals and the only team in the division above .500.
The Chiefs and 49ers squared off in San Francisco in the clubs’ first meeting since Super Bowl LIV. Andy Reid’s club found itself down 10-0 in the first quarter and then proceeded to outscore the Niners 44-13 the rest of the way.
Patrick Mahomes fumbled once (zero turnovers) and threw one interception. But he also wound up with 423 yards through the air and three scores. One of those TDs was to wideout Mecole Hardman, who also ran for two scores.
As good as this team has looked in the early stages of 2022, Sean McDermott’s squad can still be a little careless at times. The Bills have committed 10 turnovers in six games (6 by quarterback Josh Allen) – albeit four of those came in the season-opening rout of the Rams.
But McDermott’s club also came up with 13 takeaways during its 5-1 start. Allen has already thrown for 1,980 yards and 17 TDs (4 interceptions) and leads the team with 257 yards rushing.
The last time the Birds won their first six games was 2004, when the team opened 7-0 on its way to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX. But this club more resembles the Eagles’ squad that hoisted a Lombardi Trophy on 2017 (LII) due to their solid play on both the offensive and defensive lines.
Entering Week 7, this balanced team had averaged the third-most total yards per game in the NFL and also ranked fourth in the league in total defense.