NFL power rankings: Lions, Packers, Bears all rise; Cowboys plummet for Week 7
How do all 32 teams in the NFL stack up against each other as they go from Week 6 to Week 7 of the 2024 regular season?
Although the two best ? and only undefeated ? teams in the league were off on byes last week, there was plenty of fluctuation behind them despite favorites going 13-0 through Sunday's action.
However, given the blowout nature of some losses, there are some significant risers and fallers to consider again in the league's latest hierarchy.
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NFL Power Rankings Week 7
1. Kansas City Chiefs 5-0 (previous ranking: 1)
They got a needed rest to get closer to full health in their quest for a Super Bowl three-peat, but the offense should come back sharper around Patrick Mahomes while the defense becomes a steadier force with bigger games to come. It starts with the Super Bowl rematch in San Francisco in Week 7.
WEEK 7 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
2. Minnesota Vikings 5-0 (2)
The Vikings' defense and its big playmaking could only be cooled off by a bye week. They also could use better health to get players like tight end T.J. Hockenson back in the mix on offense, but with DC Brian Flores putting forth a "Coordinator of the Year" effort, this team can play with anyone.
3. Detroit Lions 4-1 (4)
The Lions demolished the Cowboys in Dallas with a heavy dose of the running game and more big explosive pass plays from Jared Goff playing off it. They might need even more from the offense with Aidan Hutchinson (leg) unfortunately down for the long-term. In the short term, NFC North supremacy is on the line when they travel to Minnesota in Week 7.
MORE: Aidan Hutchinson injury update | Top trade targets to replace Hutchinson
4, Houston Texans 5-1 (3)
The Texans got a little sloppy, but they took care of business with C.J. Stroud having a get-well game in New England, helped by the rushing attack and the defense making timely plays. Up next is a good interconference test vs. Green Bay.
5. Baltimore Ravens 4-2 (5)
The Ravens have erased their 0-2 start from existence with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry making their offense hum. They also have adjusted for more efficient passing to minimize the damage from some shaky pass coverage. They remain the Chiefs' biggest AFC threat.
MORE: Comparing Jayden Daniels' and Lamar Jackson's Week 6 stats
6. Green Bay Packers 4-2 (8)
Jordan Love made a few mistakes vs. the Cardinals, but he far outweighed that by aggressively making clutch plays at Lambeau Field. He'll need to stay sharp to outduel C.J. Stroud at home in Week 7.
MORE: Dontayvion Wicks injury update
7. Pittsburgh Steelers 4-2 (9)
Justin Fields keeps getting the job done, and he has to love Najee Harris and the running game starting to come alive to help that job become easier. T.J. Watt and the front-running defense have been doing that all year.
8. Washington Commanders 4-2 (6)
The Commanders made it a fun, one-possession game down the Beltway against the Ravens, thanks a lot to the rookie-veteran wide receiver combination of Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin. They are starting to figure things out more defensively to further stamp their playoff contender status.
MORE: Jayden Daniels puts on show with Lamar Jackson in Week 6 showdown
9. Buffalo Bills 3-2 (7)
The Bills have cooled off big time after their hot offensive start, as Josh Allen has gone into a slump with inconsistent usage of his supporting weapons. But the bigger fix needs to be the run defense and coverage of running backs, which continues to be exploited by top teams.
MORE: James Cook injury update
10. Atlanta Falcons 4-2 (10)
The Falcons were a little slow out of the gate in Carolina, but for a change, they kept Kirk Cousins from Captain Comeback mode and just decided to dominate with Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, and the running game. They are in control of a two-team NFC South race.
11. Philadelphia Eagles 3-2 (12)
The Eagles got their offense going again with Jalen Hurts rekindling his relationship with top receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. They also continued to jell better defensively after the bye, but the Browns weren't the best test there.
MORE: Nick Sirianni explains why he talked trash to home fans after Week 6 win
12. San Francisco 49ers 3-3 (13)
Brock Purdy is lighting it up in the downfield passing game at the exact right time before getting his rematch chance vs. Patrick Mahomes. The 49ers might need to stay aggressive passing amid another backfield injury.
MORE: Jordan Mason injury update | 49ers RB depth chart
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-2 (14)
Baker Mayfield had a wild game vs. the Saints that included three interceptions, but he tossed four more TDs while getting a greater boost from the running game minus Rachaad White (foot). The defense also needed that get-well game vs. a rookie QB before facing Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.
MORE: Baker Mayfield reacts to Texas players planting flag in Oklahoma jersey
14. Chicago Bears 4-2 (18)
The Bears can feel great that, like the Commanders, they have hit on their franchise QB. Caleb Williams has shown the past three weeks why he went No. 1 overall and why he's already much better for Chicago than Justin Fields and Mitchell Trubisky.
MORE: Caleb Williams hits bittersweet milestone with four TDs vs. Jaguars
15. Los Angeles Chargers 3-2 (16)
The Chargers haven't needed Justin Herbert to do much, but he looked healthier post-bye throwing the ball around on the Broncos while leaning well on the run. L.A. is also seeing plenty to love about Jesse Minter's defense, and it can breathe easier that Jim Harbaugh is beyond his own health scare.
MORE: Jim Harbaugh briefly exits vs. Broncos with heart issue
16. Dallas Cowboys 3-3 (11)
What was that? The Cowboys already couldn't stop the run or run the ball on the mighty Lions, but then their pass defense went into the tank and they couldn't get enough done through the air with Dak Prescott. Dallas needs to figure out something quickly during its Week 7 bye to save coach Mike McCarthy.
MORE: Will Cowboys fire Mike McCarthy? | 5 biggest problems for Cowboys | Cowboys' worst losses
17. Seattle Seahawks 3-3 (15)
The Seahawks' offense is coming down to earth, as the passing volume for Geno Smith doesn't always add up to efficient results. The real concern is a defense that's breaking down vs. the pass after already being gashed in the running game for Mike Macdonald.
MORE: Geno Smith slams tablet against head during sideline tantrum
18. Denver Broncos 3-3 (17)
The Broncos are seeing good fight and playmaking from Bo Nix, as he tends to counterpunch well in every game. The offense now needs to start faster to keep the run defense from being exposed.
19. Cincinnati Bengals 2-4 (20)
The Bengals just need to find ways to win to get back in AFC wild-card contention, and Joe Burrow did just that with his legs and arm vs. the Giants. The defense needed that, too, ahead of another favorable matchup vs. the Browns.
MORE: Joe Burrow gutsy performance leads Bengals past Giants on SNF
20. New York Jets 2-3 (21)
Aaron Rodgers has a new head coach and offensive play-caller in a critical Monday night home game vs. the Bills. They need this spark to work for their division and AFC playoff hopes.
ROBERT SALEH FIRING:
Why did Jets fire Robert Saleh? | Top 7 Jets coaching candidates | Who is interim coach Jeff Ulbrich?
Nathan Ray Seebeck
21. Indianapolis Colts 3-3 (25)
Joe Flacco is fearless in putting the ball in the air, and it's his show without the running of Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Anthony Richardson (oblique). That said, the Colts really need to have their rushing backfield back soon.
22. Miami Dolphins 2-3 (24)
The Dolphins are coming out of a bye with some big offensive questions related to Mike McDaniel being able to adjust to key personnel injuries. They need to come out run-heavy vs. the Colts.
23. New Orleans Saints 2-4 (19)
The Saints are marching toward finding a new coach next season, as Dennis Allen's defense is falling apart, failing to give Spencer Rattler or any other potential fill-in QB for Derek Carr (oblique) a real chance.
MORE: Grading Spencer Rattler's starting debut | Chris Olave injury update
24. Arizona Cardinals 2-4 (22)
Kyler Murray didn't play well in Green Bay even before losing Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion). The now-veteran QB was better late, but the pass defense keeps putting him in tough, high-pressure situations.
MORE: Marvin Harrison Jr. injury update | James Conner injury update
25. Las Vegas Raiders 2-4 (26)
The Raiders offense didn't look much better with the QB change, meaning their true answer lies in the 2025 draft. The defense is also falling apart away from Maxx Crosby.
MORE: Maxx Crosby explains why he shoved Raiders assistant coach vs. Steelers
26. New York Giants 2-4 (23)
The Giants have gotten more interesting offense with Brian Daboll unleashing all the youngsters around Daniel Jones, but it hasn't always been productive. New York has to stop wasting strong defensive efforts.
MORE: Will Giants fire Brian Daboll?
27. Los Angeles Rams 1-4 (27)
The Rams are getting closer to having their receivers healthy for Matthew Stafford to help them be more competitive offensively. They need to score big points given the defensive holes.
28. Tennessee Titans 1-4 (29)
The Titans want to see more of good Will Levis before making the final call on turning the page to another QB in 2025, but hiding him with the running game isn't going to help that.
MORE: Calvin Ridley goes on NSFW tirade after catch-less game | Will Levis takes out ball boy on scramble
29. New England Patriots 1-5 (31)
The Patriots got a nice spark from Drake Maye in a losing ? but much livelier ? outing against the Texans at home. That was a good start toward his accelerated development.
MORE: Grading Drake Maye's starting debut
30. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-5 (28)
Doug Pederson might have lost his team in London. Will he lose his job next? The Jaguars' offense has no identity, and the defense has just become awful everywhere.
MORE: Travis Etienne injury update | Why Jaguars are playing twice in London | Jaguars S says team showed 'a lot of quit'
31. Carolina Panthers 1-5 (30)
The Panthers are doing their best to stay competitive with Andy Dalton, but it gets more difficult each week when they can't stop the run or big pass plays from the other side.
32. Cleveland Browns 1-5 (32)
The Browns hung in there better defensively against the Eagles, but sticking with Deshaun Watson keeps sinking the offense. Kevin Stefanski may be OK abandoning ship at this point.
