2020 NFL Power Rankings – Week 07

1.Seattle Seahawks (5-0): The Seahawks are coming off a bye and will now face the toughest part of their schedule. The next five weeks they play the Cardinals on the road, then get the 49ers at home, followed by the Bill in Buffalo and the Rams in Los Angeles, with the tough five game stretch ending with the Cardinals at home. Next: -3.5 at Arizona Cardinals – Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 56

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-0): The Steelers became the second team in league history, joining the 1985 New York Giants, with at least three sacks and an interception in each of their first five games of the season. The Steelers lead the NFL in sacks with 24. Next: +1 at Tennessee Titans – Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 50.5

3. Tennessee Titans (5-0): The Titans were a two-point conversion by the Texans from losing their first game if the season. They got the stop, then came back to tie the game in regulation, before winning in overtime. In the NFL, any win is a good win. The Titans did not play well defensively but gained 607 yards of offense in overcoming four touchdown passes from Texan quarterback DeShaun Watson. Next: +1 vs Pittsburgh Steelers – Sun, Oct. 25 – 50.5

4. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1): A loaded Chiefs offense added free-agent running back Le'Veon Bell to their roster last week. Bell, who was released by the hapless Jets, should give them added depth at running back, a strong running force inside and a back that can catch passes out of the backfield. The rich just keep getting richer. Next: -9.5 at Denver Broncos - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 45.5

5. Baltimore Ravens (5-1): Defenses are beginning to find ways to slow down the Ravens passing attack, which has not been effective this season. Running a college offense has worked in some places but has also not taken the passing game to where it needs to be in those places. Next: Bye - Following week: N/A vs Pittsburgh Steelers – Sun, Nov 1 – O/U N/A

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2): The Buccaneers are not a finished product yet, but you can see the potential. In their rout of the Packers, tight end Rob Gronkowski finally looked like his old self, catching five passes for 78 yards and one touchdown. Next: -3.5 at Las Vegas Raiders - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 53.5

7. Green Bay Packers (4-1): The Packers were flying high after four games and it looked like nothing had changed after the first quarter in Tampa Bay, with the Packers leading 10-0. Then the roof caved in, quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown and the Packers got hammered, 38-10. Next: -3.5 at Houston Texans - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 57

8. Chicago Bears (5-1): The Bears are 5-0 in games decided by seven points or less this season. They just find a way to win each week and while their offense does not scare anyone, they are somehow all alone in first place in the NFC North. Next: -6 at Los Angeles Rams - Mon, Oct. 26 – O/U 45

9. Buffalo Bills (4-2): The Bills have lost two in a row and are suddenly struggling on both sides of the ball. Against the Chiefs, rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed for 161 yards against the Bills and quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw two touchdown passes to tight end Travis Kelce. Next: -12.5 at New York Jets - Sun, Oct. 25 – 45

10. Las Vegas Raiders (3-2): The Raiders are developing a team that can cause a lot of matchup problems on defense. In wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, they have their Tyreek Hill. In tight end Darrin Waller, they have their Travis Kelce. In Josh Jacobs, the Raiders have a running back that can be their Derrick Henry. They just need consistent play from their defense. Next: +3.5 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 53.5

11. Indianapolis Colts (4-2): Quarterback Philip Rivers had his best game of the season, completing 29 of 44 passes for 371 yards and three touchdowns. Rivers was able to bring the Colts back from an early 21-point deficit to pull out the win at home. Next: Bye - Following week: N/A at Detroit Lions - Sun, Nov. 1 – O/U N/A

12. Los Angeles Rams (4-2): The Rams got spanked on Sunday Night television by the 49ers and no one looked worse in this game than Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. The fourth-year wideout caught just three of the nine passes thrown his way, gaining only 11 yards, and he dropped a perfectly thrown touchdown pass in the end zone. Next: -6 vs Chicago Bears - Mon, Oct. 26 – O/U 45

13. Cleveland Browns (4-2): The Browns were crushed at Pittsburgh on Sunday and did not look good losing. Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield was hurting with sore ribs and the Steelers put a physical beating on the Browns in the 38-7 win over the Browns, who have not won in Pittsburgh since 2003. Next: -3.5 at Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 50.5

14. New Orleans Saints (3-2): The Saints hope to get All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas this weekend. Thomas has not played since Week 1 and only has 3 catches for 17 yards. Thomas suffered a high ankle sprain in the opener. His presence in the lineup could ignite the offense, which has struggled at times this season. Next: -7.5 vs Carolina Panthers – Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 51

15. New England Patriots (2-3): The Patriots are in third place in the AFC East and they may stay there for the remainder of the season. The depth on the team is not that good and the size on the defensive line is lacking. Next: -2 vs San Francisco 49ers – Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 43.5

16. Carolina Panthers (3-3): The Panthers saw their three-game winning streak end to the Bears, 23-16. The Panthers are a well-coached team that has managed to stay competitive in a very tough division. They have also done well without their superstar running back, Christian McCaffrey, who could return in Week 8. Next: +7.5 at New Orleans Saints - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 51

17. Arizona Cardinals (4-2): The Cardinals rushed for 261 yards, led by running back Kenyan Drake with 164 yards and quarterback Kyler Murray, who added 74 yards on the ground. With the talent they have at wide receiver, the Cardinals should be in contention for the NFC West title. Next: +3.5 vs Seattle Seahawks - Sun, Oct. 125 – O/U 56

18. Miami Dolphins (3-3): The Dolphins came through with an easy win over the hapless Jets, 24-0 on Sunday. Head coach Brian Flores celebrated by demoting starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and elevating first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa to starter. Next: Bye - Following week: N/A vs Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Nov. 1 – O/U N/A

19. Los Angeles Chargers (1-4): The Chargers have lost four in a row, but three of those losses came to NFC teams. That could help if the Chargers can string some victories together. With the expansion to seven playoff teams, the Chargers could get in at 9-7 because one of the tiebreakers is conference record and losses to the NFC will not hurt as much as losses to AFC teams. Next: -7.5 vs Jacksonville Jaguars - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 49

20. San Francisco 49ers (3-3): After two subpar performances versus the Eagles and the Dolphins, the 49ers woke up and dominated the Rams in the first half and they never recovered. The 49ers led 21-6 at halftime, with 291 total yards of offense to 102 total yards of offense for the Rams. Next: =2 at New England Patriots – Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 43.5

21. Philadelphia Eagles (1-4-1): Quarterback Carson Wentz never gave up and the Eagles, trailing 24-6 after three quarters, rallied to close the score to 30-28. The two-point conversion failed, but Wentz deserves a lot of credit for never giving up the fight. Next: -4.5 vs New York Giants - Thu, Oct. 22 – O/U 44.5

22. Dallas Cowboys (2-4): Quarterback Andy Dalton and the Dallas Cowboys were horrible on Monday Night at home, getting crushed by the Arizona Cardinals 38-10. The Cowboys are in first place in the weak NFC East, but miles from being a good football team. Next: PK at Washington Football Team - Sun, Oct. 25 - O/U 46

23. Minnesota Vikings (1-5): The Vikings are in last place in the NFC North and there are just not enough games with the NFC East to give them some hope. Against the Falcons, the Vikings were garbage time warriors, scoring all their points after the Falcons had taken a 23-0 third quarter lead. Next: Bye - Following week: N/A at Green Bay Packers – Sun, Nov. 1 – O/U N/A

24. Houston Texans (1-5): The matchup of the NFL worst Texan run defense and Titan running back Derrick Henry predictably turned out to be a mismatch. Henry rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns and by the end of the game, the Texan defense looked like Roberto Duran at the end of his second fight with Sugar Ray Leonard: "No Mas." Next: +3.5 vs Green Bay Packers – Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 57

25. Detroit Lions (2-3): The Lions used the Jaguars to get well and notch their second victory of the season. There is talent on the offensive side of the ball, but it has not consistently come together in games. Next: +2.5 at Atlanta Falcons – Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 55

26. Cincinnati Bengals (1-4-1): With the NFL trade deadline on November 3rd, the A.J. Green watch has started. If a team is looking for a good wide receiver, Green may be available. The seven-time pro bowl wide receiver could be of help to a team like the Eagles or 49ers. Next: +3.5 vs Cleveland Browns - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 50.5

27. Denver Broncos (2-3): Bronco kicker Brandon McManus is the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second consecutive week. McManus connected on all six field goal attempts, accounting for all 18 of the Broncos points in the upset win over the Patriots on the road. Next: +9.5 vs Kansas City Chiefs - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 45.5

28. Atlanta Falcons (1-5): Interim head coach Raheem Morris won his first game as head coach in the 40-23 win over the Vikings. The trade rumors continue to swirl around the head of wide receiver Julio Jones, who had an outstanding game with 8 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Next: -2.5 vs Detroit Lions - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 55

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5): The Jaguars have lost five in a row and are slowly circling the drain. In the last four weeks, the Jags have lost by 18 to the Dolphins, by 8 to the Bengals, by 16 to the Texans and by 18 to the Lions. None of these teams have a winning record and unfortunately for the Jags, the Jets are not on the schedule this season. Next: +7.5 at Los Angeles Chargers - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 49

30. New York Giants (1-5): The Giants got their first victory, an unimpressive win over the WFT. This week the Giants take on the Eagles on Thursday Night football. This is easily The Crummy Game of the Week. Next: +4.5 at Philadelphia Eagles - Thu, Oct. 22 – O/U 44.5

31. Washington Football Team (1-5): Trailing 20-13, the WFT got a Kyle Allen touchdown pass to close the gap to 20-19 with 36 seconds left in the game. Head Coach Ron Rivera made the decision to go for two and the win. The two-point conversion failed, and the Giants had their first win. The Giants had been held to 240 yards offensively and their anemic offense would have struggled to score three points in overtime, which made the decision to go for two a strategic mistake for Rivera. Next: PK vs Dallas Cowboys – Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 46

32. New York Jets (0-6): The Jets have scored a total of 75 points for the whole season in six games, easily the worst in the NFL. The Jets could end up with the worst record in the NFL and may decide to pick Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first pick. But would Lawrence play for them under their current management? Plus, what do they do with quarterback Sam Darnold, who might be a good quarterback if he had some talent around him. Next: +12.5 vs Buffalo Bills - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U 45