NFL Power Rankings After Week 7
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 10/27/2026
1. San Francisco 49ers
6-1 /\ 1
Last Week: 20-29 Loss at ATL
It's definitely a take to not only have the 49ers at my #1 spot after their loss last week but to move them up 1 spot as well. But I stand by it, they had a hard fought game in a tough stadium in Atlanta and in my opinion are still the best team on any given Sunday.
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2. Denver Broncos
5-2 /\ 1
Last Week: 30-16 Win vs ARI
The Broncos offense woke up last week and if that's a sign to come this team will be very tough to beat moving forward. They've already lost to the 49ers which is why I din't wuite pull the trigger with them at #1 but the gap between them is very thin.
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3. Seattle Seahawks
4-3 /\ 4
Last Week: 20-3 Win vs KC
The Seahawks win over the Chiefs on SNF may have been the biggest statement win of any team this year. We'll see if they can keep it up moving forward but one thing's for sure, the Seahawks' defense is ELITE at home.
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4. Kansas City Chiefs
5-1 \/ 3
Last Week: 3-20 Loss at SEA
The Chiefs are still a great team even after being embarressed at home. They did show their offense isn't quite as good as we thought when Kenneth Walker is shut down but they're still winners and losing in Seattle is nothing to dwell on.
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5. Minnesota Vikings
6-0 /\ 1
Last Week: 16-10 Win vs Colts
The final undefeated team in the NFL is the Minnesota Vikings, who are also owners of the best defense in the league as well. Their offense and more specifically the consistency of Kyler Murray is why they're only #5 after way to many missed throws that should be layups.
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6. Chicago Bears
5-2 /\ 3
Last Week: 30-24 Win vs Patriots
The Bears may not break offensive records like Ben Johnson promised but they are VERY good. Their defense is also surprisingly tough even with some injuries right now and as long as Caleb can stay healthy, this team will continue to get better.
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7. New England Patriots
4-3 \/ 3
Last Week: 24-30 Loss at Bears
They may have lost last week but the Patriots are still one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL. The Patriots biggest problem is their turnovers which they have the 2nd most of in the NFL. If they can clean up their offense, they could beat any team on any given Sunday.
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8. Buffalo Bills
5-1 \/ 3
Last Week: BYE Week
It's not exactly fair that the Bills fall 3 spots after their BYE Week but I stand by the fact that all 7 teams above them could beat them in a vaccuum. Josh Allen may be in the midst of another MVP season but this defense is still very shaky.
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9. Jacksonville Jaguars
4-2 \/ 1
Last Week: BYE Week
The Jaguars also fall during their BYE Week but not by much and continue to be my dark horse to win the AFC Championship. Trevor Lawrence is finally living up to his potential and their defense has been VERY underrated as the #3 scoring defense in the league at this point.
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10. Cincinnati Bengals
4-2 --
Last Week: 35-13 Win at BAL
They may have faced a Lamar Jackson-less Ravens team last week but BOY did the Bengals look great after their BYE Week. I mentioned last week that their offense will be fine but their defense needs to step up again and they did so they make it to my #10 spot for a 3rd straight week.
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11. Detroit Lions
4-2 --
Last Week: 20-17 Win vs GB
The Lions also stay put at their spot for a 3rd straight week after a huge win and statement in the NFC North against the Packers. They may have gotten A LOT of help from the refs but they still won. Like the Bills though, this offense is being CARRIED by their defense and will need to adjust before a playoff run.
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12. Los Angeles Rams
3-4 /\ 1
Last Week: 35-21 Win at LV
Last week was the first week I didn't rank the Rams inside the Top-5 and rightfully so, they went to Vegas and dismantled the Raiders as they should have. They have a long way to go to get themselves back ot being Super Bowl favorites inluding beating other Playoff teams but... it's a start.
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13. Green Bay Packers
4-3 /\ 2
Last Week: 17-20 Loss at DET
The Packers looked great in defeat and were a few officials' calls away from beating Detroit in Detroit. Josh Jacobs has given them a foundation running the ball again and they have quietly become the #1 defense in takeaways.
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14. Atlanta Falcons
3-4 /\ 5
Last Week: 29-20 Win vs SF
The Falcons are absolutely inconsistent, but when they're good they are REALLY good. Like beating the #1 team in the league good. Michael Penix is usually the catalyst for how this team plays and has been great lately with no turnovers in 4 straight weeks.
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15. Cleveland Browns
5-2 /\ 2
Last Week: 27-24 Win at TEN
The Cleveland Browns... are actually Top-15 and 5-2 so far this season. Their wins have come against team that are a combined 14-19 and their offense hasn't put up 30 points in a game yet this season, but the coaching and defense has kept them in every game since Week 2 and are legitimately building a winning vculture right now.
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16. Baltimore Ravens
4-3 \/ 2
Last Week: 13-35 Loss vs CIN
The Ravens got exposed last week on defense for the first time this season, with Joe Burrow RIPPING them up. They are still waiting for Lamar Jackson to get healthy and while they do they aren't the premier team their potential says they should be.
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17. Carolina Panthers
3-3 \/ 5
Last Week: 13-43 Loss vs TB
Here's the thing, even if Bryce Young has his best season, which he is, the Panthers' defense and more specifically their run defense will not allow them to be a serious playoff team. After allowing 258 yards on 49 carries, the Panthers are the worst run defense with over 150 yards against them per game.
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18. Houston Texans
2-5 \/ 2
Last Week: 21-27 Loss vs NYG
I cannot remember an example of a team's identity and wekaness completely flipping from one season to the next like the 2026 Texans. After an unbelievable defense carried a lackluster Quarterback to the Playoffs last season, CJ Stroud is having to throw a cape on for this team to be competitive so far in 2026. He may be a Top-7 QB this season but as far as the team goes, I think they did better with a good defense.
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19. Pittsburgh Steelers
4-3 /\ 2
Last Week: 16-10 Win vs NO
Do we all realize that Aaron Rodgers has been incredible over the past 3 weeks including leading the Steelers to a 3-game win streak? Because he has and they have. Not only is Rodgers getting in a groove but this defense is Top-6 in both yards and points.
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20. Dallas Cowboys
3-4 --
Last Week: 38-21 Win at PHI
I swear Dak Prescott is one of the most underrated Quarterbacks in the NFL and just carved up a VERY good Eagles' defense last night. He doesn't show up every week and their defense is still very bad but this team still has hope.
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21. New York Giants
4-2-1 /\ 5
Last Week: 27-24 Win at HOU
In some ways it seems wrong to put a team with twice as many wins as losses not in the Top-20 but this Giants team still seems lost to me. JJ McCarthy could bring some stability to their offense and Cam Skat is back but still... I wouldn't trust them, would you?
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22. Las Vegas Raiders
3-4 \/ 4
Last Week: 21-35 Loss vs LAR
After starting 3-0, the Raiders have now lost their last 4 but have done so against the Chiefs, Pats, Bills and Rams to be fair to them. Kirk Cousins is probably the team's MVP this year and should continue to start but their schedule doesn't get much easier.
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23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2-5 /\ 5
Last Week: 43-13 Win at CAR
I would've thought Baker Mayfield coming back last week would;ve been the reason they'd beat the Panthers but the Buccs' defensive and moving the rock play style was very old school and worked like a charm. If they can keep it up and get Baker back in his rhythm, look for this team to rattle off some wins.
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24. Philadelphia Eagles
2-5 \/ 2
Last Week: 21-38 Loss vs DAL
The Eagles are still decent even with all of their injuries but the fact is they won't be competitive against the better teams in the league. Tanner McKee is not the answer and if I were Howie Roseman, I'd call San Fran about Mac Jones before the deadline.
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25. New York Jets
2-5 \/ 2
Last Week: 25-28 Loss vs MIA
The Jets' defense was supposedly their calling card through Week 6 but they just gave up a MONSTER game to Malik Willis so I don't know anymore man. This team really should be good on paper with their roster but the Jets are gonna be the Jets man.
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26. New Orleans Saints
2-5 \/ 1
Last Week: 10-16 Loss vs PIT
The Saints offense is SUPER hot one week, then abysmal the next. And maybe this week it was Tyler Shough's first international game but they seem to be falling back to old habits and disappointing more often than not on both sides of the ball.
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27. Arizona Cardinals
2-5 \/ 3
Last Week: 16-30 Loss at DEN
Here's what I'll say, the Cardinals are probably the best, bad team in the NFL. They can't really win games when it matters but they put up a fight just about every game and Jacoby Brissett is totally a respectable starting QB.
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28. Indianapolis Colts
2-5 /\ 2
Last Week: 10-16 Win at MIN
I said last week that my Colts season was all but over and while that may have been jumping to conclusions, they still can't be hopeful for the Playoffs. Still, this team's defense is finding their footing a bit and Jonathan Taylor is capable of single-handedly winning games for this club.
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29. Washington Commanders
1-4-1 \/ 2
Last Week: BYE Week
The Commanders have a bottom-5 defense for the 2nd straight year and I have to believe that Dan Quinn's job is on the line with every passing week. Very surprisingly, this team ranks #1 in the league with only 2 giveaways on the year but Jayden Daniels has been too average to make up for their woeful defense.
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30. Miami Dolphins
1-5 /\ 2
Last Week: 28-25 Win at NYJ
Things are looking up as Malik Willis and the Dolphins offense had an actual great game against a Jets' defense that has been very good this year in New York. They're still a dreadful roster and probably won't get more than 2 or 3 wins this year but this may have been their season highlight.
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31. Tennessee Titans
1-5 \/ 2
Last Week: 24-27 Loss vs CLE
The Titans are definitely finding their footing on offense with Carnell Tate and Tony Pollard becoming legitimate factors for them but their defense and specifically their coaching isn't doing them any favors.
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32. Los Angeles Chargers
0-6 \/ 1
Last Week: BYE Week
With the Dolphins win over the Jets, the Chargers are now the only winless team in the league and have the most giveaways to boot. This team should still be pretty good on paper but we have yet to see it AT ALL this season.
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