NFL Power Rankings - Week 7: Rams break into top 5, Packers sink without Rodgers

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, Mitch Sanderson, and Arun Srinivasan.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)

Previous Rank: 1st

Did anyone really think the Chiefs would go undefeated? They remain the NFL's best team until further notice. - Srinivasan

2. Philadelphia Eagles (5-1)

Previous Rank: 7th

The Eagles' schedule has been light so far, but they get full marks for being one of very few solid teams that haven't shot themselves in the foot yet. - Sanderson

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)

Previous Rank: 11th

The Steelers continue to play up or down to their competition. As long as they have a performance like Sunday's in them, they'll remain title contenders. - McClymont

4. New England Patriots (4-2)

Previous Rank: 6th

Only the Patriots could have Josh McCown be the sixth straight quarterback to rattle off 300 passing yards against them without getting written off as a terrible team. - Sanderson

5. Los Angeles Rams (4-2)

Previous Rank: 10th

Todd Gurley's first-quarter surge was no fluke and the third-year pro should definitely warrant consideration for Comeback Player of the Year. - Srinivasan

6. Seattle Seahawks (3-2)

Previous Rank: 9th

The Seahawks come off their bye week focused on getting their second Super Bowl in franchise history, with their core in the latter stage of its peak. Can they overcome their abysmal offensive line? - Srinivasan

7. Carolina Panthers (4-2)

Previous Rank: 5th

The Panthers remain in pole position in the NFC South, but unless they can lessen Cam Newton's workload and get the run game going, their ceiling is capped. - Browne

8. Atlanta Falcons (3-2)

Previous Rank: 3rd

Atlanta just had to blow a 17-point lead the week before a Super Bowl rematch with the Patriots. - Browne

9. Denver Broncos (3-2)

Previous Rank: 4th

Orleans Darkwa was the running back to finally crack the Broncos' second-ranked rushing defense. Whether that spells further trouble remains to be seen. - Srinivasan

10. Houston Texans (3-3)

Previous Rank: 19th

If Deshaun Watson can take it to the Legion of Boom, there will be no stopping his hype train - and for good reason. - Browne

11. Minnesota Vikings (4-2)

Previous Rank: 15th

The division is there for the taking. With Aaron Rodgers out and Matthew Stafford hobbled, the Vikings must overcome their own injuries and capitalize. - McClymont

12. Detroit Lions (3-3)

Previous Rank: 8th

Every time we want to believe in the Detroit Lions, they give us reasons not to. - McClymont

13. New Orleans Saints (3-2)

Previous Rank: 20th

Seriously: Is the Saints' defense good now? Just like in their 2009 Super Bowl run, New Orleans' oft-criticized unit is relying on creating turnovers. Drew Brees is praying this isn't a mirage. - Browne

14. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3)

Previous Rank: 12th

The Jaguars sit at a respectable 3-3, but how much longer can they accept Blake Bortles' inability to perform even the simplest quarterbacking tasks? - Browne

15. Green Bay Packers (4-2)

Previous Rank: 2nd

Pour one out for the Packers. We're about to see just how inferior the talent around Aaron Rodgers is, and it's going to get ugly. - McClymont

16. Buffalo Bills (3-2)

Previous Rank: 14th

Will Buffalo come out of its bye with a 3-2 record feeling confident, or is it time to return to earth? - Sanderson

17. Dallas Cowboys (2-3)

Previous Rank: 16th

Elliott has fought off his suspension for another week, but sooner or later we're going to have to see if Prescott can lead the offense without his backfield buddy. - Sanderson

18. Washington Redskins (3-2)

Previous Rank: 18th

Barely beating the 49ers isn't an accomplishment to hang your hat on, but a win is a win when most of the NFC is imploding to some extent. - Sanderson

19. Tennessee Titans (3-3)

Previous Rank: 22nd

The Titans stayed in contention for the division by beating the Colts for the first time in years. Marcus Mariota deserves serious props for basically playing on one leg. - Browne

20. Arizona Cardinals (3-3)

Previous Rank: 25th

As long as ageless wonder Larry Fitzgerald plays like he's 24 instead of 34, the Cardinals have a fighting chance. - Srinivasan

21. Miami Dolphins (3-2)

Previous Rank: 23rd

Forget their ugly start to the season for a minute - the Dolphins deserve a round of applause for beating the Falcons with a 17-point comeback and giving us all a good laugh. - Sanderson

22. New York Jets (3-3)

Previous Rank: 24th

Typically, a loss could be viewed as a good thing for the Jets, since they can't keep winning and get a top pick, but a win over the Patriots would have been sweeter than any kind of long-term strategy. - Sanderson

23. Baltimore Ravens (3-3)

Previous Rank: 13th

The Ravens' offense is at a Pop Warner level. Just about all their points came via special teams in an embarrassing loss to the Bears. - McClymont

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)

Previous Rank: 17th

Their matchup with the Cardinals was winnable, but as usual, the Bucs didn't play anywhere close to their talent level. Their season is teetering on the brink. - Browne

25. Los Angeles Chargers (2-4)

Previous Rank: 28th

The Chargers finally won a game on a last-second field goal, but it may have been too little, too late. - Srinivasan

26. Oakland Raiders (2-4)

Previous Rank: 21st

Even with Derek Carr back in action, this is a shell of the team that many pegged as Super Bowl contenders. - Srinivasan

27. Chicago Bears (2-4)

Previous Rank: 29th

That's the recipe for success. Hand the ball to Jordan Howard 36 times as Mitchell Trubisky continues to develop. - McClymont

28. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

Previous Rank: 26th

While you weren't watching, the Bengals put themselves in position to reach .500. They have favorable matchups with the Colts and Jaguars after a date with the Steelers. - McClymont

29. New York Giants (1-5)

Previous Rank: 30th

The Giants were clearly motivated by everyone counting them out before the game started, but how long will it take until they fall back into a rut without any offensive stars? - Sanderson

30. Indianapolis Colts (2-4)

Previous Rank: 27th

The Colts keep showing promise in the first half of games, only to fall apart due to poor coaching and a lack of discipline. It's finally time to show Chuck Pagano the door. - Browne

31. San Francisco 49ers (0-6)

Previous Rank: 31st

The 49ers are the only team in league history to lose five straight games by three or fewer points. In many ways, this is the ideal result for a team in a long-term rebuild. - Srinivasan

32. Cleveland Browns (0-6)

Previous Rank: 32nd

Twenty-two games under Hue Jackson, and the Browns' only win came last year against the Chargers. Week 13 can't get here soon enough. - McClymont