NFL Analysis
10/15/24
15 min read
2024 NFL Week 7 Power Rankings: Cowboys Tumble Outside Top 15
NFL Week 6 wasn't the most competitive week of NFL action, but we did learn a lot about these teams coming out of the weekend.
The elite teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack, and it's becoming clear who the worst teams are in the league this season. But which teams cracked our top-five coming out of Week 6?
Here is our full set of power rankings heading into Week 7:
NFL Week 7 Power Rankings
1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) 
Previous Ranking: 1 
The Kansas City Chiefs were off in Week 6, and it’s hard to put any team ahead of them. They haven’t looked as dominant as the Vikings, but their big-game experience is what puts them here at No. 1.
It’ll be fascinating to see if the Chiefs add a receiver before the trade deadline, as that’s easily the weakest spot on the roster, but with their limited resources, it might not be possible.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. 49ers
2. Minnesota Vikings (5-0) 
Previous Ranking: 2 
The Minnesota Vikings are no September fluke. They are the real deal, and the biggest reason is their coaching staff. The Kevin O’Connell-Brian Flores duo is among the best in the NFL, and their defense should keep them in just about every game.
If T.J. Hockenson returns in Week 7 or Week 8, it’ll make them even more dangerous on offense. After five games, the Vikings appear to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender in the NFC.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Lions
3. Baltimore Ravens (4-2) 
Previous Ranking: 3
It certainly wasn’t perfect, but the Baltimore Ravens took care of business and beat the red-hot Washington Commanders by a touchdown in Week 6. Baltimore has now won four straight games and easily could be 6-0 on the season if two plays went their way.
The Ravens have struck gold with Derrick Henry, but now it’s time for their defense to step up. And it appears we saw flashes of that in Week 6.
Next Game: Monday, Oct. 21 vs. Buccaneers
4. Houston Texans (5-1) 
Previous Ranking: 4
The Houston Texans scored a season-high 41 points in Week 6, and that was without Nico Collins (hamstring). Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs stepped up, and Joe Mixon added physicality to the run game. The Texans already have a massive lead in the AFC South, and they could have the division wrapped up by Thanksgiving.
But they can't take their foot off the gas. They really need to earn a top seed in the AFC if they want to have any chance of taking down the Chiefs or the Ravens.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Packers
5. Detroit Lions (4-1) 
Previous Ranking: 6 
The Detroit Lions took care of business against a compromised Cowboys team in Week 6 in blowout fashion. However, it was a costly win as Aidan Hutchison suffered a gruesome leg injury that will end his season.
Despite getting a huge win against another NFC foe, Detroit’s odds of winning the Super Bowl actually went down because of the injury. It was a bittersweet win that will have a massive impact on the rest of the season.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Vikings
6. Buffalo Bills (3-2) 
Previous Ranking: 7
The Buffalo Bills did not play a clean game against the Jets. They racked up nearly 100 penalty yards and just didn't look crisp on offense. However, they won and now have a healthy lead in the AFC East.
With a very easy schedule coming up, the Bills could easily end up at 8-2 in the next month.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Titans
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) 
Previous Ranking: 9
Tampa Bay jumped out to a huge lead against New Orleans, only to let them retake the lead in the second quarter. Still, it was impressive to see their mental fortitude as they fought back and got a convincing win, scoring 51 points.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a legit contender in the NFC, and they have all of the pieces to matchup with the powerhouses in the conference.
Next Game: Monday, Oct. 21 vs. Ravens
8. San Francisco 49ers (3-3) 
Previous Ranking: 10
The San Francisco 49ers started to look like themselves again with a double-digit win in Seattle on Thursday Night Football. The offense moved the ball up and down the field, and the defense got three takeaways.
Yet, they let the Seahawks back into the game despite a 23-3 lead. The 49ers are still a good team; make no mistake about that. But they lack the killer instinct to close out some of these games.
Maybe that will develop as the season goes on, but there is no way that a team this talented and well-coached should only be 3-3 after six games.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Chiefs
9. Green Bay Packers (4-2) 
Previous Ranking: 11
Green Bay’s offense finally clicked in Week 6, and Jordan Love looked fantastic. They moved the ball up and down the field the way that we all expected.
The Green Bay Packers did a great job of stopping Kyler Murray, and it appears that their defense has turned the corner. Green Bay is another viable threat in the NFC, and it keeps getting better each week.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Texans
10. Washington Commanders (4-2) 
Previous Ranking: 5 
The Washington Commanders lost a game that everyone expected them to lose against a top-three team on our list. There is no shame in that, and they played the Ravens incredibly well.
In fact, Washington fans should be encouraged coming out of that game, as Jayden Daniels went toe-to-toe with Lamar Jackson. The Commanders will be just fine.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Panthers
11. Atlanta Falcons (4-2) 
Previous Ranking: 13
The Atlanta Falcons have improved each week, and Kirk Cousins is really settling into their offense. We shouldn’t overrate the Falcons because of their win against the Panthers, but things have been trending in a positive direction for a month now.
As long as Atlanta can stay healthy, this will be a team that no one wants to face by the end of the year.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Seahawks
12. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) 
Previous Ranking: 14
The Pittsburgh Steelers got a bounce-back win in the most Mike Tomlin fashion. They forced three turnovers on defense and blocked a punt that immediately gave Pittsburgh the ball in the red zone.
Justin Fields didn’t play a great game, but he didn’t hold them back on offense, either. Pittsburgh isn’t a great team, but it has a clear identity and should still wind up being a playoff team.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Jets
13. Chicago Bears (4-2) 
Previous Ranking: 16
Caleb Williams just keeps getting better each week. He had his best performance of his career in Week 6, lighting up the Jaguars for four touchdowns.
The Chicago Bears go into their Week 7 bye with a 4-2 record and in a great spot to make a run to the postseason. The rebuild has been going exactly as planned so far in Chicago.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 27 vs. Commanders
14. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) 
Previous Ranking: 15
The Los Angeles Chargers finally looked like themselves now that they are somewhat healthy. The offense moved the ball well despite multiple receivers leaving the game early.
It’s tough to rank the Chargers because their ceiling is high when fully healthy, but it’s fair to wonder if we’ll ever see them at full strength this season.
Next Game: Monday, Oct. 21 vs. Cardinals
15. Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) 
Previous Ranking: 17
It’s tough to know what to think about the Philadelphia Eagles. They got a much-needed win against the Browns, and A.J. Brown looked fantastic in his return. However, there is something that still feels off about this team.
The offense was a disaster for most of the day, and it was only a few big plays to DeVonta Smith and Brown that saved them from an epic loss. They sit at 3-2 and are second in the NFC East, but this isn’t a powerhouse team like we saw in 2022 or for most of 2023.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Giants
16. Seattle Seahawks (3-3) 
Previous Ranking: 8
Seattle’s defense has suffered some significant injuries during the last few weeks, and it has shown. The Seahawks have now lost three straight games and allowed 107 points in that stretch.
Seattle’s offense has been fine, but it has gotten off to too many slow starts. The Seahawks are still a quality team, but this has been a rough three-game stretch.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Falcons
17. Dallas Cowboys (3-3) 
Previous Ranking: 12
The Dallas Cowboys were without as many as seven starters on defense in Week 6 and, predictably, could not stop the Lions. They allowed 47 points, and Detroit scored on its first nine drives.
The biggest problem is the offense, which scored just nine points and had five turnovers. The Cowboys aren’t as bad as their Week 6 performance, but they are probably not good, either.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 27 vs. 49ers
18. Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) 
Previous Ranking: 20
The Cincinnati Bengals HAD to win against the Giants to salvage any part of their season. It certainly wasn’t pretty, but the defense stepped up in a big way, allowing just seven points.
The bigger concern is the offensive line, as Joe Burrow was under duress all game. Still, sitting at 2-4, the Bengals have a real chance to get back to .500 with games against the Browns and Eagles upcoming.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Browns
19. New York Jets (2-3) 
Previous Ranking: 21
The New York Jets played the Bills incredibly well. If it weren't for two missed field goals by Greg Zurlein, they would probably be leading the division right now.
The good news is that Aaron Rodgers played the best game of the season, but the bad news is that it didn't matter. At 2-4, the Jets' season will now come down to their Sunday Night Football matchup against the Steelers in Week 7.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Steelers
20. Indianapolis Colts (3-3) 
Previous Ranking: 22
The Indianapolis Colts have been decimated by injuries this season. However, they sit at 3-3 after six games and should get Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor back in Week 7.
Joe Flacco played well enough to help the Colts beat the Titans in Week 6, but he was far from spectacular. If the Colts can get relatively healthy soon, they’ll have a chance to make a nice run despite a difficult schedule. But getting back to .500 was a major win.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Dolphins
21. Denver Broncos (3-3) 
Previous Ranking: 19
The Denver Broncos are impossible to rank because their offense is so frustrating to watch. In most games, they get out to a slow start on offense, and their inability to hit big plays is a major problem.
Their defense has kept them in most games, and they are the reason the Broncos are .500. The schedule isn’t too difficult if they can figure out the offense. However, with a rookie quarterback and a bad offensive line, who knows if they ever will.
Next Game: Thursday, Oct. 17 vs. Saints
22. Arizona Cardinals (2-4) 
Previous Ranking: 23
The Arizona Cardinals came back to earth in Week 6 after a fantastic win against the 49ers. The offense just couldn’t get anything going all day, and its lack of run game was a major problem.
It also didn’t help that Marvin Harrison Jr. left early with a concussion, and the offense just didn’t have any juice. Arizona is better than what it displayed on Sunday, but this isn’t a playoff team, either.
Next Game: Monday, Oct. 21 vs. Chargers
23. New Orleans Saints (2-4) 
Previous Ranking: 18
Things have gotten really ugly for the New Orleans Saints, who have now dropped their last four games. The defense can’t stop anyone, and on Sunday, the Buccaneers scored 51 points.
With Derek Carr expected to miss the next few games, things could spiral even further. Their season might come down to this Thursday Night Football matchup against the Broncos in Week 7.
Next Game: Thursday, Oct. 17 vs. Broncos
24. Los Angeles Rams (1-4) 
Previous Ranking: 25
It’s been a rough start to the season for the Los Angeles Rams, who played most of the year without Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. However, they do have a win in the division (vs. 49ers) and are only 1.5 games back from the division lead going into Week 7.
If their receivers can get healthy, they could go on a bit of a run in the next few weeks. A Week 7 win against the Raiders would go a long way in getting this team back on track.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Raiders
25. New York Giants (2-4) 
Previous Ranking: 26
The New York Giants played a fantastic game on defense, holding the Bengals to 10 points until the final two minutes of the game. But the offense just can’t create any chunk plays.
The Giants are a much better team than they were a year ago, but their inability to make that final play in the last few minutes is why they are at the bottom of the standings in the NFC East.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Eagles
26. Miami Dolphins (2-3) 
Previous Ranking: 28
It’s tough to rank the Miami Dolphins because you can make a case that they are a bottom-two team in the NFL without Tua Tagovailoa. The offense has been abysmal, but Tagovailoa could be back by Week 8.
If the Dolphins can find a way to get a Week 7 win against the Colts, they will still be much alive in the playoff hunt when Tagovailoa returns. As of right now, we are ranking them near the bottom of the list until he returns.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Colts
27. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) 
Previous Ranking: 24
It’s hard to explain just how bad the Las Vegas Raiders were in Week 6. Not only did they turn the ball over four times, but they also had multiple penalties that took away big gains or takeaways on defense.
Antonio Pierce made several questionable decisions, and the effort in the second half was downright disgusting. The Raiders have no direction and no franchise quarterback. They are in a really rough spot going into Week 7.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Rams
28. Cleveland Browns (1-5) 
Previous Ranking: 27
Things have gone south in Cleveland quickly, as it lost another game in Week 6. It was highly competitive against the Eagles, but couldn't punch the ball into the end zone even once on offense.
Deshaun Watson didn’t play awfully, but he wasn’t good enough again, and the offense struggled to move the ball. At some point, the Browns will make a change at quarterback just to spice things up because this clearly isn’t working.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Bengals
29. Tennessee Titans (1-4) 
Previous Ranking: 30
The Tennessee Titans have a Will Levis problem.
He clearly hasn’t improved and is now actively hurting their chances of winning games. Calvin Ridley had eight targets but couldn't haul in a pass, as Levis’ accuracy was all over the place. It feels like it’s only a matter of time before Mason Rudolph replaces him in the starting lineup.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Bills
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) 
Previous Ranking: 29
It might be time to burn it down in Jacksonville.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have lost 10 of the last 11 games with Trevor Lawrence under center, and they have the NFL's fourth-highest payroll. The roster isn’t good, and the quarterback has regressed under Doug Pederson. There aren’t three teams in the NFL who are worse than the Jaguars right now.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Patriots (London)
31. Carolina Panthers (1-5) 
Previous Ranking: 31
It’s looking more like the win against the Raiders might be the only one the Carolina Panthers get for a while. Andy Dalton has regressed each week, and their defense has not gotten any stops.
They hung around against the Falcons, but allowing 38 points at home is unacceptable. It wouldn’t be a surprise if we saw Bryce Young on the field sooner rather than later to provide another “spark” for this franchise.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Commanders
32. New England Patriots (1-5) 
Previous Ranking: 32
The Texans blew out the Patriots, but at least Drake Maye made New England fun to watch. He turned the ball over multiple times but connected on a few deep passes that helped unlock the passing attack.
There will be easier matchups ahead for Maye, but it could be a long time before the Patriots win another game.
Next Game: Sunday, Oct. 20 vs. Jaguars (London)
