Causion's NFL Power Rankings: Pre - Week 7
Today I reveal my weekly NFL power rankings heading into week 7 of the season. I will take into account everything I know about these teams, and give heavy consideration to what was displayed on the field so far this season. This gives an accurate assessment of where teams are at in my opinion.
This Week's Rankings
1. New England Patriots
They just keep on rolling with a great offense. But don't sleep on that defense. It's getting better. Brady is using every weapon flawlessly.
They just keep on rolling with a great offense. But don't sleep on that defense. It's getting better. Brady is using every weapon flawlessly.
2. Cincinnati Bengals - 3 last week
That was a big-time win at Buffalo, especially after a victory over Seattle the week before. They are rolling.
That was a big-time win at Buffalo, especially after a victory over Seattle the week before. They are rolling.
3. Green Bay Packers - 2 last week
They don't look as crisp as we've come to expect for the NFC's best team. That pass defense needs work during the bye.
They don't look as crisp as we've come to expect for the NFC's best team. That pass defense needs work during the bye.
4. Denver Broncos - 3 last week
The defense is carrying this team. It will be a great matchup with the Packers offense next week.
The defense is carrying this team. It will be a great matchup with the Packers offense next week.
5. Carolina Panthers - 6 last week
Cam Newton is playing well now, and that was huge win in Seattle. The defense faces a stiff test with the Eagles this week.
Cam Newton is playing well now, and that was huge win in Seattle. The defense faces a stiff test with the Eagles this week.
6. New York Jets - 8 last week
At 4-1, Todd Bowles has his team off to a fast start. The defense is playing really well, and now faces a huge test at the Patriots.
At 4-1, Todd Bowles has his team off to a fast start. The defense is playing really well, and now faces a huge test at the Patriots.
7. Atlanta Falcons - 5 last week
Was that a reality check for the Falcons? They have been living in comeback wins for much of the season, but this time it caught up to them. They have to sure up their O line issues.
Was that a reality check for the Falcons? They have been living in comeback wins for much of the season, but this time it caught up to them. They have to sure up their O line issues.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers - 9 last week
They deserve huge credit for winning two games without Ben Roethlisberger against two good teams. Landry Jones will have all the weapons at his disposal this week.
They deserve huge credit for winning two games without Ben Roethlisberger against two good teams. Landry Jones will have all the weapons at his disposal this week.
9. Arizona Cardinals - 7 last week
That really was a bad loss at Pittsburgh without Ben Roethlisberger in the lineup. They could have taken a real hold of the division lead.
That really was a bad loss at Pittsburgh without Ben Roethlisberger in the lineup. They could have taken a real hold of the division lead.
10. Philadelphia Eagles - 19 last week
They have suddenly moved to the top of the NFC East. Those early-season woes seem like a long time ago.
They have suddenly moved to the top of the NFC East. Those early-season woes seem like a long time ago.
11. Minnesota Vikings
They are 3-2 and they really haven't done a lot on offense. They have to get that side of the ball going.
They are 3-2 and they really haven't done a lot on offense. They have to get that side of the ball going.
12. Indiannapolis Colts - 13 last week
They showed better against the Patriots than they did a year ago, but what was with the dumb special-teams call? Horrible.
They showed better against the Patriots than they did a year ago, but what was with the dumb special-teams call? Horrible.
13. San Diego Chargers - 14 last week
Philip Rivers is playing great football, but it's going to waste. They have to get it going soon.
Philip Rivers is playing great football, but it's going to waste. They have to get it going soon.
14. New York Giants - 10 last week
At 3-3, they are still tied with the Eagles in the NFC East. They made way too many mistakes against Philly.
At 3-3, they are still tied with the Eagles in the NFC East. They made way too many mistakes against Philly.
15. Seattle Seahawks - 12 last week
What has happened to that defense? It used to be a calling card. That unit is struggling. The team is lucky to have 2 wins.
What has happened to that defense? It used to be a calling card. That unit is struggling. The team is lucky to have 2 wins.
16. Buffalo Bills - 15 last week
They head to London to play the Jaguars in need of a victory. The team is so inconsistent. Losing Watkins may hurt but getting Shady back at full strength is most important.
They head to London to play the Jaguars in need of a victory. The team is so inconsistent. Losing Watkins may hurt but getting Shady back at full strength is most important.
17. St. Louis Rams - 16 last week
As they headed to the bye, there was some talk of sitting down quarterback Nick Foles. It's too early for that. Who should play?
As they headed to the bye, there was some talk of sitting down quarterback Nick Foles. It's too early for that. Who should play?
18. Cleveland Browns - 19 last week
They competed against the Broncos, which is a good sign. The defense showed some signs of life and offense is explosive.
They competed against the Broncos, which is a good sign. The defense showed some signs of life and offense is explosive.
19. Washington Redskins
When does the Kirk Cousins experiment end? The defense has kept them in games and its all for nothing.
When does the Kirk Cousins experiment end? The defense has kept them in games and its all for nothing.
20. Oakland Raiders - 18 last week
They've done some good things this season as they come off the bye. Now it's about growing the rest of the way.
They've done some good things this season as they come off the bye. Now it's about growing the rest of the way.
21. Chicago Bears
They have made a lot of strides this season, but they just lack talent. Jay Cutler has improved a bunch, and Jeffery is back.
They have made a lot of strides this season, but they just lack talent. Jay Cutler has improved a bunch, and Jeffery is back.
22. New Orleans Saints - 28 last week
By beating the Falcons last Thursday, they might have saved their season. They aren't done.
By beating the Falcons last Thursday, they might have saved their season. They aren't done.
23. Dallas Cowboys
They come out of the bye with a new quarterback in Matt Cassel. Is that a good thing?
They come out of the bye with a new quarterback in Matt Cassel. Is that a good thing?
24. Miami Dolphins - 29 last week
The Dan Campbell era is off to a good start. They looked like a different team against the Titans.
The Dan Campbell era is off to a good start. They looked like a different team against the Titans.
25. Houston Texans - 30 last week
In a bad division, they are still alive. The defense still has major issues. Even in beating Jacksonville that showed up.
In a bad division, they are still alive. The defense still has major issues. Even in beating Jacksonville that showed up.
26. San Francisco 49ers - 31 last week
If Colin Kaepernick can play like he did against the Ravens, they can be a .500 team. They have a short week with a game against division rival Seattle Thursday night.
If Colin Kaepernick can play like he did against the Ravens, they can be a .500 team. They have a short week with a game against division rival Seattle Thursday night.
27. Tennessee Titans - 22 last week
They will almost certainly be without Marcus Mariota for a few games. That means it's Zach Mettenberger time.
They will almost certainly be without Marcus Mariota for a few games. That means it's Zach Mettenberger time.
28. Tampa Bay Bucs
They come off their bye with a winnable game against the Redskins. Can they get to .500?
They come off their bye with a winnable game against the Redskins. Can they get to .500?
29. Detroit Lions - 32 last week
They won a game by letting Matthew Stafford play loose and free. It needs to stay that way.
They won a game by letting Matthew Stafford play loose and free. It needs to stay that way.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars - 24 last week
At 1-5, they are struggling in big way. The heat is on coach Gus Bradley.
At 1-5, they are struggling in big way. The heat is on coach Gus Bradley.
31. Kansas City Chiefs - 27 last week
There is one way to describe their season: Failure. There was so much optimism, but it's gone.
There is one way to describe their season: Failure. There was so much optimism, but it's gone.
32. Baltimore Ravens - 26 last week
Losing the way they did in San Fran was the final straw. They are the worst team playing right now. Of course their games have been close, but their is no excuse for this team to be 1-5.
Losing the way they did in San Fran was the final straw. They are the worst team playing right now. Of course their games have been close, but their is no excuse for this team to be 1-5.