Week Seven of the NFL season saw a clash between two AFC North teams battling for the top of the division. The Ravens and Bengals have both impressed to start the season, but who would come out on top? Here are the power rankings for Week Seven of the NFL season.
32. Detroit Lions (0-7) Prev: 32
Give the Lions credit. They lost, but they did not just lay down and die against the Rams. They faked two punts and even converted a surprise onside kick. We’ll make fun of them because they’re the Lions, and they’re an easy target, but this will not be the first 0-17 team.
Team MVP: Kalif Raymond (6 rec, 115 yds)
Next: vs Eagles
31. Houston Texans (1-6) Prev: 31
The Texans were beaten by a team that has arguably their two best players in franchise history, the Arizona Cardinals. Deandre Hopkins burnt his former team for a touchdown, while JJ Watt finished with a TFL and a QB hit. The new era Texans remain outclassed by the old era of the Texans.
Team MVP: Jonathan Greenard (4 tackles, 2 sacks)
Next: vs Rams
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) Prev: 30
Jacksonville had a bye week this week. I hope Urban Meyer was on his best behavior.
Next: at Seahawks
29. New York Jets (1-5) Prev: 29
When you get 50 points dropped on you, it is very rarely the second-place story, but that is the case here. Zach Wilson left with an injury, but he will only miss a few weeks, as he avoided a major injury. With that out of the way, the Jets got 50-burgered. The Jets recently traded for Joe Flacco, but he can only help their temporary QB issue, not their longstanding defense issue.
Team MVP: Michael Carter (37 yds, 8 rec, 67 yds)
Next: vs Bengals
28. Miami Dolphins (1-6) Prev: 26
Tua is back, but he didn’t help Miami get back in the win column. The big story out of Miami is the intensifying trade rumors for Deshaun Watson. Watson hasn’t played for Houston whatsoever this season, partially due to his holdout from Houston and partially due to the impending lawsuits hanging over his head.
Team MVP: Mike Gesicki (7 rec, 85 yds, TD)
Next: at Bills
27. Philadelphia Eagles (2-5) Prev: 25
The Eagles played well on offense this week, but it was the defense that let them down this time. They gave up 33 points in a loss to the Raiders. In addition, Derek Carr only threw three incomplete passes. The Eagles don’t seem like they’re going to be able to put it all together anytime soon.
Team MVP: Jalen Hurts (18/34, 236 yds, 2 TDs, 61 rush yds)
Next: at Lions
26. New York Giants (2-5) Prev: 28
The Giants were winners this week. They took full advantage of Sam Darnold’s regression into Jets Sam Darnold, as they only gave up three points. They were missing Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay, and Kadarius Toney, which makes the win more impressive.
Team MVP: Azeez Ojulari (5 tackles, 2.5 sacks)
Next: at Chiefs
25. Chicago Bears (3-4) Prev: 23
Matt Nagy needs to get out of Chicago. He has done such a bad job of preparing Justin Fields for the NFL, and it’s showing in his performances. He threw for less than 200 yards and three interceptions against a decimated Buccaneers secondary. Fields is so talented, and he deserves better.
Team MVP: Khalil Herbert (100 yds, 5 rec, 33 yds)
Next: vs 49ers
24. Washington Football Team (2-5) Prev: 20
Washington fell to the Packers this week. They continue to fall further and further away from the NFC East crown. There’s not much else of note going on with Washington as of right now, besides Terry McLaurin balling out like usual.
Team MVP: Terry McLaurin (7 rec, 122 yds, TD)
Next: at Broncos
23. Seattle Seahawks (2-5) Prev: 19
Geno Smith is reminding everyone why he is no longer an NFL starting quarterback. Outside of a deep connection to DK Metcalf, Smith completely imploded and was pretty much the sole reason that Seattle lost. Russell Wilson can’t come back soon enough.
Team MVP: DK Metcalf (2 rec, 96 yds, TD)
Next: v Jaguars
22. Atlanta Falcons (3-3) Prev: 27
Atlanta scored another big win over the Dolphins this week. The Falcons won like they always have, on the back of their offense. Kyle Pitts is looking like the weapon that was promised when Atlanta drafted him.
Team MVP: Kyle Pitts (7 rec, 163 yds)
Next: vs Panthers
21. Indianapolis Colts (3-4) Prev: 24
The Colts scored a Sunday Night Football victory over the 49ers. Carson Wentz continues to dodge interceptions, something that plagued him last year. The Colts have a big division showdown coming up, one that if they win, they will steal the momentum of the Titans.
Team MVP: Jonathan Taylor (107 yds, TD)
Next: vs Titans
20. Minnesota Vikings (3-3) Prev: 21
The Vikings had their bye this week. They will look to find consistency coming out of the bye.
Next: vs Cowboys
19. New England Patriots (3-4) Prev: 22
New England put a 50 burger on the Jets in a confidence-building win. The Patriots have a stretch that will make or break their season. They get the Chargers, Browns, and Panthers in the coming weeks, all of which appeared to be games they would lose but are now very winnable.
Team MVP: Mac Jones (24/36, 307 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: at Chargers
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) Prev: 18
The Steelers had their bye this week. They will look for more offensive consistency after their bye.
Next: at Browns
17. Denver Broncos (3-4) Prev: 17
That is now four straight losses after a 3-0 start for Denver. You have to wonder if they make the switch to Drew Lock at quarterback. The Broncos need to find something to get them back to winning, so they don’t lose too much ground in the race for the AFC West.
Team MVP: Javonte Williams (20 yds, 6 rec, 32 yds, TD)
Next: vs Washington
16. San Francisco 49ers (2-4) Prev: 16
San Fran had a good first half, but the second half was nowhere near as good. They abandoned the run game with which they had bludgeoned the Colts, and that led to their downfall. The NFC West has been divided with the Cardinals and Rams at the top and Seattle and San Francisco at the bottom.
Team MVP: Elijah Mitchell (107 yds, TD)
Next: at Bears
15. Carolina Panthers (3-4) Prev: 15
Sam Darnold is having a meltdown. He’s gone full Jets Sam Darnold, and it is costing the Panthers big time. Carolina looked inept on offense, and the Panthers are too talented for that. The sooner Christian McCaffrey gets back, the better.
Team MVP: Derrick Brown (6 tackles, sack)
Next: at Falcons
14. Kansas City Chiefs (3-4) Prev: 10
Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to hit the panic button for the Kansas City Chiefs. The defense is not improving, and Patrick Mahomes seems to be getting worse. He’s tied for the league lead in interceptions, and it’s a problem that shows no signs of stopping.
Team MVP: Willie Gay (2 tackles, INT)
Next: vs Giants
13. New Orleans Saints (4-2) Prev: 13
New Orleans was victorious in a lackluster Monday Night game. They should have put up way more than they did on Seattle’s weak defense, but they seemingly played down to their competition. The Saints will need to play a lot better next week to win.
Team MVP: Alvin Kamara (51 yds, 10 rec, 128 yds, TD)
Next: vs Buccaneers
12. Cleveland Browns (4-3) Prev: 12
The Cleveland Browns may be a running back factory. Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and now D’Ernest Johnson. Johnson ran all over the Broncos Thursday night. Even with a backup quarterback, if the Browns can run like that, they will probably win.
Team MVP: D’Ernest Johnson (146 yds, TD)
Next: vs Steelers
11. Las Vegas Raiders (5-2) Prev: 14
The Raiders are rolling once again without Jon Gruden. They currently sit at the front of the AFC West, alongside the Chargers, and look to be one of the top teams in the AFC. We’ve seen this movie before with the Raiders, and we’ll see how long they can sustain this.
Team MVP: Derek Carr (31/34, 323 yds, 2 TDs, INT)
Next: Bye
10. Baltimore Ravens (5-2) Prev: 4
Baltimore was thought to be the best team in the AFC for a moment, but they may not be the best team in their division. The Ravens were dominated by the Bengals, and this game will probably damage Lamar’s MVP case. Nonetheless, the Ravens will get a bye to sort things out.
Team MVP: Marquise Brown (5 rec, 80 yds, TD)
Next: Bye
9. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) Prev: 11
Wow, Bengals! They are certainly in consideration for the surprise of the season and could very well take the AFC North. They dominated the Ravens and took control of the division while doing so. Cincinnati’s offense has been completely transformed by the Burrow and Chase connection.
Team MVP: Ja’Marr Chase (8 rec, 201 yds, TD)
Next: at Jets
8. Tennessee Titans (5-2) Prev: 9
The Titans dominated the Chiefs, getting revenge for the AFC Championship Game 2 years ago. Derrick Henry may not have reached 100 yards, but he was able to impact the game in other ways, throwing a touchdown. The Titans get ready for a heated division battle next week.
Team MVP: Denico Autry (3 tackles, 2 sacks)
Next: at Colts
7. Dallas Cowboys (5-1) Prev: 8
The Cowboys had their bye this week. They were red hot before their bye, so hopefully, this doesn’t kill their momentum.
Next: at Vikings
6. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2) Prev: 7
The Chargers had their bye this week. Justin Herbert will look to stay hot of the bye next week.
Next: vs Patriots
5. Buffalo Bills (4-2) Prev: 6
The Bills had their bye this week. The Patriots are starting to make ground on them for the AFC East, but Buffalo has a bit of an easier schedule considering the talent between the two teams.
Next: vs Dolphins
4. Green Bay Packers (5-1) Prev: 5
The Packers were victorious against Washington. Their biggest story came on Monday, when Davante Adams tested positive for COVID, putting his status for Thursday’s showdown with the Cardinals in jeopardy. If Adams is not there, Green Bay may not be up to the task.
Team MVP: Rashan Gary (7 tackles, 2 sacks)
Next: at Cardinals
3. Los Angeles Rams (6-1) Prev: 3
It was the Matthew Stafford revenge game, as the Rams knocked off the now 0-7 Lions. The Stafford to Cooper Kupp connection has been strong, and he may be the best wide receiver Staford has had since Calvin Johnson. The Rams will look to continue marching ahead.
Team MVP: Cooper Kupp (10 rec, 156 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: at Texans
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-1) Prev: 2
The Bucs were victorious in a game that saw Tom Brady throw his 600th touchdown. And then Mike Evans threw the ball into the stands. The Bucas were able to get the ball back, but not before the fan managed to get a variety of loot from Tampa Bay in return.
Team MVP: Mike Evans (6 rec, 76 yds, 3 TDs)
Next: at Saints
1. Arizona Cardinals (7-0) Prev: 1
It was the Deandre Hopkins and JJ Watt revenge game, as the duo defeated their former team. Arizona continues to roll, already guaranteed at least a 7-10 season. there is virtually no scenario where Arizona loses every game for the rest of the season, but it is nice to know that they will finish with at least a respectable record.
Team MVP: Markus Golden (3 tackles, 2 sacks)
Next: vs Packers
