2018 NFL Power Rankings - Week 7

2018 NFL Power Rankings - Week 7

1. Los Angeles Rams (7-0) - The Rams face Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes over the next four weeks. If they come out of that stretch 11-0, only injuries will keep them out of the Super Bowl. Next: vs Green Bay Packers - Sun, Oct. 28

2. Kansas City Chiefs (6-1) - If the Chiefs can improve enough on defense, they could be the team to beat in the AFC. Getting Eric Berry healthy would help and a trade for defensive help would not be a bad idea. Next: vs Denver Broncos - Sun, Oct. 28

3. New Orleans Saints (5-1) - The 2017 Saints started off the season with a loss against the Vikings and ended up the season with a loss against the Vikings. They should be focused and motivated for this week's game against the Vikings. Next: at Minnesota Vikings – Sun, Oct. 28

4. New England Patriots (5-2) - Bill Belichick says that running back James White "asks questions like a coach would ask them." White also plays well, leading the Pats in receptions with 45 and receiving touchdowns with 6. Next: at Buffalo Bills - Mon, Oct. 29

5. Los Angeles Chargers (5-2) - Western Oregon star Tyrell Williams has come alive after a slow start. Williams had back-to-back 118 yard receiving games the last two weeks. He leads the AFC with 21.4 yards per catch. Next: at Seattle Seahawks - Sun, Nov. 4

6. Minnesota Vikings (4-2-1) - Former Raider Latavius Murray has led the Vikings in rushing for the past three games and they have won all three games. He is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and giving the Vikings a credible rushing attack. Next: vs New Orleans Saints - Sun, Oct. 28

7. Washington Redskins (4-2) - Jay Gruden has somehow got this Redskin team to 4-2 and a 1.5 game lead in the NFC East. He is making a very strong argument that he is the best head coach with a surname of Gruden in the NFL. Next: at New York Giants - Sun, Oct. 28

8. Baltimore Ravens (4-3) - The Ravens lost a tough game to New Orleans at home, but the play of Joe Flacco does have the team excited. The former Super Bowl MVP is averaging 295 passing yards per game, a career best. Next: at Carolina Panthers - Sun, Oct. 28

9. Carolina Panthers (4-2) - Cam Newton was named the NFC Offensive player of the week for overcoming a 17-0 fourth quarter deficit with three 4th quarter touchdown drives, to win on the road at Philadelphia. Next: vs Baltimore Ravens - Sun, Oct. 28

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2-1) - James Conner has played well in place of holdout Le'Veon Bell, which begs the question: What do the Steelers do with Bell when he returns? Bell will make $855,000 per week, Conner is making $578,000 for the season. Next: vs Cleveland Browns - Sun, Oct. 28

11. Cincinnati Bengals (4-3) - The Bengals are not good enough defensively to be anything more than annoying. They are ranked #31 defensively in the NFL, which means a team like the Chiefs can beat them 45-10. Next: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Oct. 28

12. Green Bay Packers (3-2-1) - The Packers playoff hopes start and end with Aaron Rodgers. He needed the bye week to get his knee better. The Packers travel to Los Angeles this week and he will need to be at his best to beat the Rams. Next: at Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Oct. 28

13. Chicago Bears (3-3) - There is no truth to the rumor that the Raiders are sticking pins in a Khalil Mack voodoo doll to make him ineffective. Mack does need to get his ankle better to help a suddenly ailing Bear defense. Next: vs New York Jets - Sun, Oct. 28

14. Houston Texans (4-3) - The Texans are in the midst of an ugly four game winning streak. They won at Jacksonville this week despite only getting 139 yards in passing. The Jags are simply so bad offensively that they will beat themselves, as they did against the Texans. Next: vs Miami Dolphins - Thu, Oct. 25

15. Detroit Lions (3-3) - The Lions rushed for 248 yards in a surprisingly easy win over the Dolphins. That was their best rushing performance in 21 years. A consistent rushing attack would make this Lion team tough to beat. Next: vs Seattle Seahawks - Sun, Oct. 28

16. Miami Dolphins (4-3) - The Dolphins are the worst 4-3 team in the NFL. They have lost three of their last four games. They are bad on both sides of the ball, ranked #27 in the NFL in both offense and defense. Next: at Houston Texans - Thu, Oct. 25

17. Seattle Seahawks (3-3) - With the passing of Seahawks owner Paul Allen, the question of who will be the next owner of the Seahawks is now being discussed within the NFL. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is the popular choice. Next: at Detroit Lions - Sun, Oct. 28

18. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) - The Eagles are not going to repeat as Super Bowl Champions this season. The road to the NFL Championship will go through the Vikings, the Saints and Rams and will be on the road. Next: at Jacksonville Jaguars - Sun, Oct. 28

19. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) - The Jags have lost four of their last five games. The season is going in the wrong direction and without Leonard Fournette there is nothing on offense that scares anyone. Next: vs Philadelphia Eagles - Sun, Oct. 28

20. Dallas Cowboys (3-4) - The Cowboys made a bold move and traded a #1 pick for Amari Cooper, whom they hope will help their struggling passing attack. We will see. Cooper has been a disappointment the last two seasons in Oakland and Dak Prescott has had problems with his accuracy. Next: vs Tennessee Titans - Mon, Nov. 5

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) - The Bucs are ranked #1 in the NFL in offensive yardage per game and #1 in passing yardage per game. They are exciting to watch, but they are last in points per game allowed and are in a tough division. Next: at Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Oct. 28

22. Cleveland Browns (2-4-1) - In losing their 24th consecutive road game, the Browns were penalized 14 times for 114 yards, lost a fumble near midfield in overtime and managed to turn four Tampa Bay turnovers into only seven points. Next: at Pittsburgh Steelers - Sun, Oct. 28

23. Tennessee Titans (3-4) - The Titans finally scored a touchdown this week. They ended up with two touchdowns and they played well against a good Charger team, but the decision to go for two was reckless. Next: at Dallas Cowboys - Mon, Nov. 5

24. Atlanta Falcons (3-4) - This is the 3-4 team that no one wants to play. Matt Ryan leads the NFL in passing yardage, has completed 71% of his passes and has thrown 15 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. Next: at Washington Redskins - Sun, Nov. 4

25. New York Jets (3-4) - Because Derek Carr had a bye, Sam Darnold was able to grab the NFL lead with most interceptions thrown at ten. Darnold had a tendency to throw too many interceptions at USC as well. Next: at Chicago Bears - Sun, Oct. 28

26. Denver Broncos (3-4) - The Broncos broke a four-game losing streak with a victory over the hapless Cardinals. This should help the Broncos feel better, but it won't change the fact that they are in the same division with the Chiefs and the Chargers. Next: at Kansas City Chiefs - Sun, Nov. 28

27. Indianapolis Colts (2-5) - Former Raider and Steeler safety Mike Mitchell signed just two weeks ago, was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Mitchell had seven tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and two passes defensed. Next: at Oakland Raiders - Sun, Oct. 28

28. Buffalo Bills 2-5) - The Bills have scored a total of 81 points this season, the worst in the NFL. With 1/3 of those points coming in the 27-6 win over the Vikings, the Bills are averaging 9 points per game in the other six games. Next: vs New England Patriots - Mon, Oct. 29

29. San Francisco 49ers (1-6) - The 49ers were playing competitive football recently until they ran into the juggernaut called the Rams. The Rams defense held the 49ers to 228 yards in offense, forced 4 turnovers and collected 7 sacks. Next: at Arizona Cardinals - Sun, Oct. 28

30. New York Giants (1-6) - The Giants have started the fire sale, trading two defensive starters, cornerback Eli Apple and Damon Harrison for draft picks. There should be more to come as the Giants start rebuilding for 2019. Next: vs Washington Redskins - Sun, Oct. 28

31. Oakland Raiders (1-5) - The Raiders are tanking, and they need a home for the 2019 season. The Oakland Coliseum lease will expire at the end of the 2018 season and the Raiders are being sued by the city of Oakland. They could end up being the Oakland Raiders of San Diego in the 2019 season. Next: vs Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Oct. 28

32. Arizona Cardinals (1-6) - Unlike the Raiders, the Cardinals are not tanking. They are actually trying to win now. Which makes the performance even more ridiculous considering the fact that in 2020, the Vegas Raiders will be moving in less than 300 miles from Phoenix and will be loaded with young talent and $100 million in cap space. The Cardinals need to rebuild now. Next: vs San Francisco 49ers - Sun, Oct. 28