NFL Power Rankings - Week 7
Running back C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos rushes for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado.
(Oct. 24, 2016 - Source: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images North America)
1. (1.) New England Patriots (6-1)
The Patriots had to work hard to beat a Roethlisberger-less Steelers team at Pittsburgh. RB LeGarrette Blount ran for 127 yards on 24 carries and 2 touchdowns.
2. (3.) Seattle Seahawks (4-1-1)
The tie at Arizona was Seattle’s first since entering the NFL in 1976. It was also the first tie without a touchdown since 1972. K Stephen Hauschka missed a 27-yard field goal with 7 seconds left in overtime.
3. (4.) Green Bay Packers (4-2)
It took a second-half rally to turn a deficit into a convincing 26-10 win against the Bears. QB Aaron Rodgers threw for 326 yards and 3 touchdowns. WR Davante Adams caught 13 passes for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.
4. (2.) Minnesota Vikings (5-1)
There is no unbeaten team left in the NFL as the Vikings lost at Philadelphia 21-10. The offensive line had no answer for Philadelphia’s pressure and surrendered 6 sacks.
5. (9.) Denver Broncos (5-2)
RB C.J. Anderson and RB Devontae Booker combined for 190 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns as the Broncos beat the Texans 27-9 to end their two-game losing streak. Ironically, the defense gave up 140 yards on the ground.
6. (6.) Dallas Cowboys (5-1)
Let’s see if the bye week had an impact on Dallas’ momentum as they host division rivals Philadelphia on Sunday.
7. (5.) Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
I suppose we are on “Big Ben” watch regarding his return from injury. After the bye week, the Steelers have games at Baltimore and against the Cowboys and need a healthy Roethlisberger.
8. (8.) Arizona Cardinals (3-3-1)
The Cardinals dominated the Seahawks but could not finish them off. K Chandler Catanzaro missed a game-winning 24-yard field goal attempt in overtime. It was the Cardinals’ first tie since 1986.
9. (7.) Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
QB Matt Ryan played his 46th consecutive game with 200+ passing yards. That’s a new NFL record. His 273 yards weren’t enough to beat the Chargers at home as the Falcons are on a two-game losing streak now.
10. (10.) Kansas City Chiefs (4-2)
The Chiefs beat the Saints 27-21 and have now won their last nine home games. It was a nice present for HC Andy Reid who was coaching his 300th game.
11. (11.) Oakland Raiders (5-2)
RB Latavius Murray scored 2 touchdowns on his return from injury. The Raiders are 4-0 on the road after winning at Jacksonville 33-16.
12. (12.) New York Giants (4-3)
It wasn’t pretty but the Giants capitalized on turnovers and beat the Los Angeles Rams in London. New York managed just 36 yards on the ground, ranking them last with 70.3 yards per game.
13. (15.) Philadelphia Eagles (4-2)
Interestingly, the Eagles stopped their two-game losing skid by ending Minnesota’s unbeaten run. KR Josh Huff’s 98-yard touchdown put Philadelphia on track for the win.
14. (13.) Houston Texans (4-3)
So far the Texans won all their home games and lost each of their away games. If they carry on like this they’ll finish with an 8-8 record.
15. (23.) San Diego Chargers (3-4)
The Chargers are on a two-game winning streak after beating the Broncos last week and a dramatic win at Atlanta on Sunday. You can never count them out.
16. (14.) Buffalo Bills (4-3)
Buffalo’s four-game winning streak came to an end at Miami. RB LeSean McCoy will likely sit out the game against New England after reaggravating his hamstring injury.
17. (16.) Washington Redskins (4-3)
Washington’s four-game winning streak comes to an end as they lose 20-17 at Detroit. Turnovers proved to be costly, resulting in two field goals for the Lions.
18. (19.) Indianapolis Colts (3-4)
QB Andrew Luck now is 8-0 against the Titans after the Colts beat them 34-26. The 27-year old signal caller completed 27 of 39 passes for 353 yards and 3 touchdowns.
19. (17.) Carolina Panthers (1-5)
Let’s see if the Panthers were able to sort themselves out during their bye week. The next game will be at home against Arizona.
20. (20.) Cincinnati Bengals (3-4)
The good news is that the Bengals won the Battle of Ohio 31-17. The bad news: Every time the Bengals won this season they went on to lose the next two games. The Redskins and Giants are their next opponents.
21. (27.) Detroit Lions (4-3)
The Lions are on a three-game winning streak and very much in the playoff race. Upcoming road games at Houston and Minnesota may tell us where the team really stands.
22. (24.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3)
It comes as no surprise that the Buccaneers rushed for a lot of yards at San Francisco; 249 yards to be precise. RB Jacquizz Rodgers accounted for 154 yards. Rookie RB Peyton Barber carried the ball 12 times for 84 yards and his first career touchdown.
23. (18.) Baltimore Ravens (3-4)
The Ravens are on a four-game losing streak after the 24-16 defeat at the Jets. They have a bye next but it may take them until week 10 (Cleveland at home) before they win again.
24. (28.) Miami Dolphins (3-4)
RB Jay Ajayi became the fourth running back in NFL history with consecutive games of 200+ rushing yards. He ran for 214 yards and 1 touchdown against the Bills.
25. (22.) Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
The bye week cannot come soon enough after losing their last three games. QB Case Keenum threw an interception on Los Angeles’ final offensive play in each of the last three games. Let the quarterback debate commence again.
26. (25.) New Orleans Saints (2-4)
QB Drew Brees became the first player in NFL history to throw for 300+ yards in 100 games. He was 37-for-48 for 367 yards and 3 touchdowns in the loss at Kansas City.
27. (29.) New York Jets (2-5)
The most impressive statistic in New York’s win against the Ravens: The defense held Baltimore to 6 yards on the ground.
28. (21.) Tennessee Titans (3-4)
Tennessee’s highlight of the game was a 10-yard touchdown catch by LT Taylor Lewan.
29. (26) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4)
Jacksonville’s only home win of the season occurred in London. Maybe that’s where their home field advantage lies.
30. (30.) Chicago Bears (1-6)
As bad as QB Brian Hoyer’s injury is for the Bears, it’s a blessing in the sky for QB Jay Cutler. He’ll get the start against the Vikings on Monday night.
31. (31.) San Francisco 49ers (1-6)
I recently watched a video of Barry Sanders’ top 10 runs of his NFL career. I wonder how many yards he would have amassed against this defense.
32. (32.) Cleveland Browns (0-7)
As if it isn’t bad enough that the Browns remain the only winless team in the league, they’re also down to their sixth quarterback this season. Undrafted rookie QB Kevin Hogan wound up running for 104 yards and 1 touchdown. His passing, though, left a lot to be desired.
