Week 7 Power Rankings

The Patriots dominated the Cowboys and remain undefeated while the Rams and Dolphins have yet to record a win. Here are the rankings going into week 7.


1. New England Patriots
Move from Week 6: 0
Why?-Do you even have to ask why? Their 5-0 record was put to the test against the 5-0 Cowboys and ended up scoring 48 points. This is not only the best team in the NFL right now, it is one of the best teams of the NFL in years.


2. Indianapolis Colts
Move from Week 6: 0
Why?-Its hard to be in the shadow of the Patriots, but it shouldn't take away from another great season this team is having. They'll face a challenge against the Jags next week.


3. Dallas Cowboys
Move from Week 6: 0
Why?-I refuse to move this team down right now. Yeah they lost last week, but to the Patriots and they actually had a lead in the 3rd quarter at one point. They are still the dominant team in the NFC.


4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Move from Week 6: 0
Why?-Has anyone noticed how great Willie Parker is doing this season? His run average per game is ranked number 4 in the NFL.


5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Move from Week 6: +2
Why?-After a questionable performance in game 1, their defense has been spectacular in the 4 games that have followed. If they beat the Colts next week they'll be a definite playoff team (no shit right?).


6. Green Bay Packers
Move from Week 6: -1
Why?-They escaped with a win against a good Redskins team making them second to only Dallas out of NFC teams. It will be interesting to see if the team can keep finding a way to win for the rest of the season.


7. Tampa Bay Buccaneeers
Move from Week 6: +7
Why?-This team has really impressed me. They were 4-12 last year, lost their star RB and still managed to pull of a win against a tough Titans team. Here is your sleeper team folks.


8. New York Giants
Move from Week 6: +2
Why?-They beat up on the Falcons which was expected and now have 49ers to face at home and the Dolphins away before the bye. This practically almost a lock for a 6-2 record before the bye(I'm a Giants fan and am worried I just jinxed it). Lets see whether they can actually take advantage of a potential 6-2 record or screw everything up like last year (2-6 after the bye).


9. Tennessee Titans
Move from Week 6: -3
Why?-This could be the last time you see this team ranked in the top 10. Vince Young is injured (Madden curse strikes again!) meaning Kerry Collins will be the QB for now. He might have done well last week, but I can't see him performing nearly as well as Vince.


10. Baltimore Ravens
Move from Week 6: +1
Why?-A lot of people have them ranked higher, but their wins have all been pretty sloppy. The defense looks great however. I expect this team to get crushed against a good Steelers team next week.


11. Washington Redskins
Move from Week 6: -3
Why?-People look at their 3-2 record and say it is better than expected of this team, but honestly they are really close to a 5-0 start. They lead at the half against the Packers and Giants and couldn't hold on for the win.


12. San Diego Chargers
Move from Week 6: +1
Why?-It looks like the Chargers we all know are back. In my opinion, this team is too good to revert to the horrendous performance they displayed their first 4 games of the season.


13. Carolina Panthers
Move from Week 6: +6
Why?-I was expecting to move this team even further down in the rankings after last week, but Testaverde played really well and surprisingly carried this team to a win. If he plays 3 weeks in a row well then I'll be convinced.


14. Seattle Seahawks
Move from Week 6: -5
Why?-There are always one or two bipolar teams in the NFL every season and this looks like one of them this year. After looking like easy division winners they get destroyed by the Steelers (although they are a really tough team) and lose to a winless Saints.


15. Detroit Lions
Move from Week 6: +2
Why?-Other teams not performing well made this team move up in the rankings while they were on a bye. They face a big challenge against the Bucs next week. To me, that is the biggest game of their season.


16. Arizona Cardinals
Move from Week 6: -4
Why?-All is not lost for this team yet although they need to figure out their QB situation quick or their playoff hopes will be shattered.


17. Kansas City Chiefs
Move from Week 6: +5
Why?-I had them going 9-7 at the beginning of the season and everyone laughed at me after their first two games. Then they picked it up and started to perform well. Then they started sucking again. Now LJ is showing signs of life and this team is looking better. This is your other bipolar team ladies and gentlemen.


18. Cleveland Browns
Move from Week 6: +2
Why?-A rare move to the teens in the rankings for this team. Derek Anderson has rejuvinated this entire organization. They have an easy game after the bye against the Dolphins so this team can very well be above .500 for the first time in god knows when.


19. Houston Texans
Move from Week 6: -4
Why?-After a promising start, this team looks like their old selves. I've said this before, but they really really need Andre Johnson.


20. Denver Broncos
Move from Week 6: -4
Why?-It is slightly unfair to move a team down 4 spots when they are on a bye, but I honestly couldn't put this team above the higher ranked teams. They are 2-3 and facing a really tough schedule.


21. Philadelphia Eagles
Move from Week 6: +3
Why?-I'm not convinced yet that this team is back on track. They had one good win and another mediocre win against a horrific Jets. The Eagles offense should not have only scored 16 points against the Jets. If they beat up on the Bears defense like everyone else than maybe I'll move them up to the teens.


22. Minnesota Vikings
Move from Week 6: +5
Why?-Finally the offense has arrived! Adrian Peterson has been having a great year, but last week's performnace against the Bears was ridiculously good. If he can keep it up the Vikings could be looking at a 8-8 season.


23. Oakland Raiders
Move from Week 6: -2
Why?-They lost last week, but it was against a recently very good Chargers team. A big game next week against the bipolar Chiefs.


24. Chicago Bears
Move from Week 6: -6
Why?-Hester is a very exciting player to watch. The rest of the team isn't. The once unpenetrable Bears defense is pretty easy to score points against now. Honestly if this team has any shot of being playoff contenders they need to give Hester the ball as much as possible.


25. New Orleans Saints
Move from Week 6: +5
Why?-Huge win against the Seahawks (to state the obvious). Upcoming games against the Falcons and 49ers are just what this team needs to get back on track.


26. San Francisco 49ers
Move from Week 6: -3
Why?-Even though they were on a bye week, the Eagles and the Saints wins caused this team to move down in the rankings. I feel like the Giants defense will have a field day against a struggeling (thats an understatement) 49ers offense.


27. Buffalo Bills
Move from Week 6: -2
Why?-Losman might be healthy enough to come back next week, but the Bills need to stick with Edwards. Under his leadership the team is 1-1 with a last second lost against the Cowboys. They need to test the waters with this guy and see where he can take them.


28. Cincinnati Bengals
Move from Week 6: -2
Why?-It's all over folks. Rarely do I give up on a team who is supposed to be good, but I am. They needed to beat the Chiefs to save their season and they couldn't. Sure they might win next week against the Jets, but the next game is against the Steelers so they are looking at a 2-5 record for a best case scenario. Plus who says that they will even beat the Jets they way the Bengals are playing.


29. Atlanta Falcons
Move from Week 6: -1
Why?-They started off the first quarter well against the Giants (especially in terms of rushing), but they failed to score any more points after they scored 10 in the first. I really don't expect this team to win more than 3 games this season.


30. New York Jets
Move from Week 6: -1
Why?-This team is so bad it's painful. Chad Pennington couldn't QB if his life depended on it and the team is following suit. In order for any chance for this team to get some dignity back they need to beat the Bengals next week.


31. Miami Dolphins
Move from Week 6: 0
Why?-Everyone likes to put this team last in the rankings and the Rams at 31, but they play the Bills in 4 weeks at home and I see this being the first win that either them or the Rams record.


32. St. Louis Rams
Move from Week 6: 0
Why?-Who is this team going to beat this season? Look at their schedule and I honestly only see them winning one game, home against the Falcons, 7 weeks from now which means this team will be 1-11 at that point. Yes they are playing the Saints and the 49ers, but they are away and the Saints are starting to show signs of life and the 49ers are still a better team than the Rams.