As the weather starts to cool down and we move into Week 7 of the NFL season, the competition is heating up. Teams are beginning to reveal their true identities, with some separating themselves as contenders and others struggling to keep pace. Here's how the rankings stand heading into another pivotal week of action.
32. Carolina Panthers
Last week's ranking: 31
Week six result: 38-20 loss vs Falcons
Week seven opponent: At Commanders
While the offense has made strides with Andy Dalton under center, the defense can't seem to stop anything. That is a problem that first-year general manager Dan Morgan must address in the offseason. They have pieces to build on but not a lot of depth and rely too much on veteran players. It all comes down to what the Panthers want to achieve this season. Since the defense is so bad, Andy Dalton must keep them in many games. But Andy Dalton is not the future of the Carolina Panthers. They aren't winning football games and aren't contending this year, so do they move back to Bryce Young to give him one final chance?
31. New England Patriots
Last week's ranking: 32
Week six result: 41-21 loss vs Texans
Week seven opponent: Away vs Jaguars (London)
Drake Maye certainly looked the part on Sunday in losing against the Texans. He looked poised back there, didn't make mistakes, and took what the defense gave him. New England is a bad team with no great pieces around him, but the season will be a success if you see Drake Maye improving every week. So far, so good. With all the injuries on the offensive line and limited weapons in the passing attack, I thought Drake Maye played reasonably well, given the cards he was dealt. Something to build off of.
30. Cleveland Browns
Last week's ranking: 29
Week six result: 20-16 loss vs Eagles
Week seven opponent: Home vs Bengals
The decision to continue playing Deshaun Watson could cost Kevin Stefanski his job. And it might not be his fault. When the Browns traded for Watson in March of 2022, the hope was that he was finally the answer for the quarterback they were searching for a quarter of a century. With this, they extended him without him even playing a snap. That could go down as the worst contract in NFL history. Not only is Watson overpaid for how he is playing, he is costing his team's games. The Browns have tried to restructure contracts around him, but they are just pushing back the inevitable of paying him north of $70 million a year. A really tough situation is happening in Cleveland right now.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last week's ranking: 28
Week six result: 35-16 loss vs Bears
Week seven opponent: Vs Patriots (London)
Owner Shad Khan has expressed trust and faith in head coach Doug Pederson. When an owner has to go out and say that, it is probably not the truth. It is no secret Doug Pederson is coaching for his job against the Patriots. If they lose that one, I would expect a move to be made. They are a mess on all three assets of the game. It is awful. This has to end soon.
28. Miami Dolphins
Last week's ranking: 27
Week six result: Bye
Week seven opponent: At Colts
A much-needed bye week for Miami, as the question remains about Tua Tagovailoa's health. What gives Miami hope is the struggling AFC East. With the division so up and down, Miami could get right back in the thick of things. They just have to tread water while Tua Tagovailoa is back.
27. Tennessee Titans
Last week's ranking: 30
Week six result: 20-17 loss vs Colts
Week seven opponent: At Bills
The biggest issue with the Tennessee Titans is that they don't have an identity on offense. That can fall on several people. The quarterback or the coach will get most of the blame, but the whole offensive unit is not doing well right now for the Titans. The receivers have been lackluster this season after making two significant acquisitions in the offseason. Will Levis be inconsistent? Could a move to Mason Rudolph benefit the Titans and give them a spark on offense? It could be worth a try.
26. Las Vegas Raiders
Last week's ranking: 26
Week six result: 32-13 loss vs Steelers
Week seven opponent: At Rams
The Raiders tried to turn to Aidan O'Connell to spark the offense. The bad thing is they had to go up against one of the better defensive units in the league. It doesn't matter who the quarterback is; the Raiders are not producing enough on offense. It won't help that they did trade Davante Adams to the New York Jets for a third-round pick. Good job by Las Vegas to realize Adams would not work out here long-term.
25. New York Giants
Last week's ranking: 24
Week six result: 17-7 loss vs Bengals
Week seven opponent: Home vs Eagles
If you are only scoring seven points in today's day of football, you aren't going to win a lot of games. Simple as that. You can tell that this team missed Malik Nabers on Sunday night. While his status is still up in the air, it is trending toward him being available on Sunday in a big division game vs the Eagles. Daniel Jones' record in primetime is 1-14. Doesn't seem like a franchise quarterback to me.
24. Los Angeles Rams
Last week's ranking: 25
Week six result: Bye
Week seven opponent: Home vs Raiders
This is a team that has dealt with a lot of injuries this season. The main goal for them is to get healthy. Cooper Kupp could be available to return as early as this week. Puka Nacua will be out another week, but the Rams have a winnable game vs the Raiders this week. The season is still alive for the Rams; they just need to get healthy.
23. Arizona Cardinals
Last week's ranking: 22
Week six result: 34-13 loss vs Packers
Week seven opponent: Home vs Chargers
No team has been more inconsistent this season than the Arizona Cardinals. They can put it all together one week and look like a top team; the next, they pull off a stinker like this. Jonathan Gannon is looking for any sort of consistency when it comes to team defense. The offense can be good in spurts, but they are also inconsistent on that side of the ball. They are not playing to the ability we have seen the Cardinals play in the past.
22. Cincinnati Bengals
Last week's ranking: 23
Week six result: 17-7 win vs Giants
Week seven opponent: Away vs Browns
It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win for the Bengals, and they will take it. The defense took a significant step forward in this game, which the Bengals have been waiting to see all season. The next three games are against the Browns, Eagles, and Raiders. The Bengals could be 5-4 and suitable in the mix of the playoff hunt. The Bengals should be feeling good about themselves.
21. Indianapolis Colts
Last week's ranking: 21
Week six result: 20-17 win vs Titans
Week seven opponent: Home vs Dolphins
Another week for Indianapolis, another week without Anthony Richardson as their quarterback. We have heard that Richardson is healthy and will be the starting quarterback once he is healthy, but right now, it is the Joe Flacco show. He didn't do anything special in this game, but he stepped up and made some throws, which was good enough for the Colts to win. The defense took a significant step up against the Titans. Sitting at 3-3 with the Dolphins coming up, the Colts are in a good spot.
20. Denver Broncos
Last week's ranking: 18
Week six result: 23-16 loss vs Chargers
Week seven opponent: Away vs Saints
Life with a rookie quarterback in today's NFL can be challenging. That is what the Denver Broncos are going through right now. They are limited on the offensive side of the ball, and although Bo Nix is going through growing pains, he has still looked good so far. After trailing 23-0 in the fourth quarter, Bo Nix and the offense led a comeback but fell just short. With this team relying so much on the defense, Patrick Surtain II's health has to be a big concern for Denver. Denver should be satisfied with 3-3 at this point of the season.
19. New York Jets
Last week's ranking: 20
Week six result: 23-20 loss vs Bills
Week seven opponent: At Steelers
When it rains, it pours for the New York Jets. After firing Robert Saleh last week and going through the ups and downs of firing a coach midseason while wanting to remain a contender, losing vs the Bills didn't do the Jets any good. Though the offense looked better, and they played a good game, the Jets elected to push all their chips to the middle and went out and traded for Davante Adams. It was always the destination we thought Adams would end up. He is now reunited with Aaron Rodgers and will try to right the ship on a downward season for the Jets. New York has a massive game this week in Pittsburgh; as a win, they will keep their season alive and get them to 3-4.
18. New Orleans Saints
Last week's ranking: 16
Week six result: 51-27 loss vs Bucs
Week seven opponent: Away vs Saints
After starting 2-0 and looking unstoppable, New Orleans has dropped their last four and now sits at 2-4 with the season slipping. It didn't matter that Derek Carr could not play in this game, the offense seemed fine without him. The big problem is the Saints defense. With Dennis Allen being a defensive-minded coach, allowing the Saints 51 points at home is awful. It doesn't matter what they do on offense if they cannot stop anybody. Spencer Rattler did some excellent things and showcased himself well for a rookie quarterback. He will be the starter for the next coming weeks as Carr is still dealing with an injury. Time to see what the young kid can do.
17. Dallas Cowboys
Last week's ranking: 12
Week six result: 47-9 loss vs Lions
Week seven opponent: Bye
With the Cowboys being a play away from 2-4, they are lucky to sit here at 3-3 today. Mike McCarthy's seat is getting hot in Dallas. How many times will they have these significant types of games and not show up in them? I get that the defense has a bunch of injuries, and they are out a game-wrecker in Micah Parsons, but there is no excuse for what has happened to the offense. Dallas paid Dak Prescott all this money in the offseason, and he is not playing like a top quarterback in the league. How patient will Jerry Jones be with Mike McCarthy? Time will tell.
16. Philadelphia Eagles
Last week's ranking: 11
Week six result: 20-16 win vs Browns
Week seven opponent: At Giants
A win is a win, but this was a complete disaster of a day for the Philadelphia Eagles. They got in a dogfight with a depleted Browns team, struggled on offense, and the defense is still suspect. Now comes the case of Nick Sirianni. Sirianni was seen after the game yelling back at the Philly fans and bragging about the win. Has he lost his mind? When you do this and shave your head for a change, Sirianni might just be fed up with Philly. After taking his team to the Super Bowl in his second season, a collapse last year added to a slow start this year, the time is running out for Nick Sirianni in Philly. You don't argue with the fans no matter what happens, and you don't brag about beating a 1-5 team. Whatever this guy does in the next couple of weeks, nothing will surprise me.
15. Chicago Bears
Last week's ranking: 17
Week six result: 35-16 win vs Jaguars
Week seven opponent: Bye
How the time has changed for Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. From starting the season, Williams struggled heavily on offense and did not get much help from his offensive line. The Bears have looked like a completely different team in the last few weeks. Chicago's defense will be able to keep them in many games this season. This defense now has allowed 21 or fewer points in 12 straight games, dating back to last season, and it has forced two or more turnovers in five of the six games this season. It depends on Williams and the offense, but the Bears must feel good about themselves.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Last week's ranking: 14
Week six result: 36-24 loss vs 49ers
Week seven opponent: At Falcons
After starting 3-0, the Seahawks have dropped their next three games and are now sitting at 3-3. What has gone wrong for Seattle has been several things; the defense has been and will continue to be a big problem for the Seahawks. With the defense struggling, they have relied heavily on Geno Smith and the offense. While they are still a work in progress, they have improved and will give the team a chance to win. It is time for Mike Macdonald to figure out the defense.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
Last week's ranking: 19
Week six result: 23-16 win vs Broncos
Week seven opponent: At Cardinals
It is safe to say the bye came at the perfect time for the Chargers. They were dealing with a number of injuries on the defensive side of the ball, as well as the offensive line and the quarterback. They came off the bye and dominated the Broncos. A late comeback from Denver made this game close, but the Chargers controlled it the whole time. I don't know how high of a ceiling this team has, but they will be a solid team that will compete and try to win the line-of-scrimmage battle. The Jim Harbaugh special. The Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh to gain stability in the organization, and he has done that so far.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week's ranking: 13
Week six result: 32-13 win vs Raiders
Week seven opponent: Home vs Jets
The defense looked much better for the Steelers on Sunday, and the offense made some strides against a depleted Raiders team. The question is what quarterback Mike Tomlin will roll with against the Jets. Russell Wilson is fully healthy from a calf injury he injured, but the Steelers have a 4-2 record with Fields at the helm. Fields hasn't been great at throwing the ball, as he still has his misses here and there and some accuracy issues. However, his legs are a big-time threat and will give Mike Tomlin a difficult decision to make. My gut tells me they start Wilson this week and see if that can open up the downfield passing attack, which has been missing all season from the Steelers.
11. San Francisco 49ers
Last week's ranking: 10
Week six result: 36-24 win vs Seahawks
Week seven opponent: Home vs Chiefs
Though they aren't clicking like we know they can on offense, Purdy and the crew made strides on Thursday night vs the Seahawks. The offense isn't rolling on all hands, but they are still not healthy on offense. We know what this team can be when they are all healthy. The red zone offense has been a disaster this season for San Francisco, and they could be 5-1 if they got just the league average of red zone efficiency. They should be all right once they get their guy all right, but they do face the Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch this Sunday.
10. Washington Commanders
Last week's ranking: 5
Week six result: 30-23 loss vs Ravens
Week seven opponent: Home vs Panthers
Though they didn't win, I am impressed by what I saw from Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. We have seen good teams go into Baltimore and get routed, but for the Commanders to get punched in the mouth early, battle back, and make it a close game says a lot about the things Dan Quinn is building in Washington. It is no secret that the Commanders are thin on defense, and Dan Quinn is trying to figure things out as they go, but they don't have the personnel to line up and play 60 minutes against the Ravens. Washington should be fine, but the defense has to be worried; they can't keep relying on a rookie quarterback to win them all these games.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last week's ranking: 15
Week six result: 51-27 win vs Saints
Week seven opponent: Home vs Ravens
This was as impressive of a win as I have seen in a long time. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs stormed into New Orleans and routed the Saints. After a close first half, the game got away from the Saints in the third quarter, with Baker Mayfield looking like an MVP candidate. What impressed me the most was the run game for the Bucs. They ran for 277 yards of offense and showed no sign of holding back. They will be among the best in the NFL if they can run the ball at this level.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Last week's ranking: 9
Week six result: 38-20 win vs Panthers
Week seven opponent: Home vs Seahawks
The offense is finally clicking for the Atlanta Falcons. After a slow start to the season coming off of an Achilles injury, Kirk Cousins has been playing at a high level. That's why they got him. It was a relatively easy opponent for the Carolina Panthers, but it is a good sign that Atlanta can handle business like that. The defense is quietly becoming one of the best in the league. It's a unit that's allowed only 11 receptions of 20-plus yards, which is second-fewest in the NFL. Opposing teams are averaging 5.9 air yards per attempt against the Falcons, which also ranks second. This was Atlanta's first game, which was not decided in the fourth quarter. A good win for the Falcons.
7. Green Bay Packers
Last week's ranking: 8
Week six result: 34-13 win vs Cardinals
Week seven opponent: Home vs Texans
Jordan Love looks to be back after struggling for a few weeks from his MCL injury. Love threw four touchdowns in the win vs. the Cardinals, and the offense took a big step up with him playing at a high level. It is refreshing to see the Packers' defense step up and play at the level we have seen them play at. Green Bay is a deep, well-coached team just getting their franchise quarterback healthy. At 4-2, they should be in good shape to make a playoff run and are in the hunt in the crowded NFC North.
6. Buffalo Bills
Last week's ranking: 7
Week six result: 23-20 win vs Jets
Week seven opponent: Home vs Titans
This was a massive win for Sean McDermott and the Buffalo Bills. To go into New York and face a team that just fired its coach and you knew they would play with a chip on their shoulder, to come out of that with a win was really impressive. The offense is playing high, with Josh Allen looking like an MVP candidate, and reinforcements are coming. The Bills traded for Amari Cooper on Tuesday, which will give Buffalo another weapon on the outside for Josh Allen, who has been missing all year. The defense is treading water, but they are dealing with several injuries. They could be one of the league's top units if they get healthy.
5. Houston Texans
Last week's ranking: 6
Week six result: 41-21 win vs Patriots
Week seven opponent: Away vs Packers
They just continue to win. It is impressive what Demeco Ryans has done this season. The expectations were superbowl for the Texans this season, but Demeco Ryans has kept the team focused and driven on a goal to take things one game at a time. They were never threatened by the Patriots in this game, and the defense stepped up big time with the pass rush, which caused a ruckus for Drake Maye. The offense was outstanding once again. The Texans have a big game this weekend and are taking on the Packers. Two teams who are playing exceptional football at the moment.
4. Baltimore Ravens
Last week's ranking: 4
Week six result: 30-23 win vs Commanders
Week seven opponent: At Bucs
Was anyone ever worried about the Ravens when they went 0-2 to start the season? They looked like one of the better teams in the league the past month. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry have legitimate MVP cases right now in the season, and the offense is clicking on all cylinders. Defensively, Baltimore has some things to clean up, but they have the offense to play with anybody.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Last week's ranking: 2
Week six result: Bye
Week seven opponent: Home vs Lions
A bye week this week for Minnesota, but they face a significant challenge in the Detroit Lions in a big division game at home in the NFC North. Brian Flores and the defense will have a big challenge trying to stop the Lions' offense, which has been clicking this season.
2. Detroit Lions
Last week's ranking: 3
Week six result: 47-9 win vs Cowboys
Week seven opponent: Away vs Vikings
It takes a lot for a one-loss team to be ranked ahead of an undefeated team, but the Lions fit this bill. They went to Dallas on Sunday and put a beatdown on the Cowboys. The most complete game we have seen a team play this season. While it was such a good day for the Lions, this team will have to deal with the loss of Aidan Hutchinson. He suffered a season-ending injury on Sunday, which did not look good. They will have to try and replace him on the defensive slide of the ball, which will be hard because Hutchinson has been playing like the defensive player of the year.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Last week's ranking: 1
Week six result: Bye
Week seven opponent: At 49ers
The Chiefs will officially be tested in a Super Bowl rematch on Sunday against the 49ers. We've seen the Chiefs' defense step up in a big way this season to give them an edge, but the offense has not played up to its potential. And they are still undefeated. A big matchup in San Francisco looms on Sunday.
