NFL power rankings: 49ers stay hot, Rams plummet in Week 7
By Peter Panacy
NFL Power Rankings: Nos. 20-11
53. . 2-4. Previous: . Cleveland Browns. 20. team
L, 32-28 vs. Seahawks
The Browns held a 20-6 lead over the Seahawks and were seemingly doing everything they wanted early on.
But these are the games in which Seattle always stages a comeback, and Freddie Kitchens didn’t do himself any good with challenges again, possibly putting him in danger of being a one-and-done head coach amid a year with so much expectation.
Back to the drawing board for Cleveland, which continues to make self-inflicted mistakes a thing.
Jacksonville Jaguars. 19. team. 52. . 2-4. Previous:
L, 13-6 vs. Saints
The Jaguars lost a tough one at home, despite their defense doing about as good a job as anyone against Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and Co. could have hoped. Running back Leonard Fournette did his job on the ground, but quarterback Gardner Minshew appears as if he’s coming back to earth a bit.
It didn’t help the Jags had some divine blessings working against them, either. Still, the defensive effort is enough to boost Jacksonville a bit in our NFL power rankings.
28. . 3-2. Previous: . Las Vegas Raiders. 18. team
BYE
No change for the Raiders in our NFL power rankings this week, as they’re coming off their bye break.
Back-to-back road games against the Packers and Texans in Weeks 7 and 8, respectively, won’t be fun, though. If Oakland wins either one of those, it’ll be awfully impressive.
2-2-1. Previous: . Detroit Lions. 17. team. 50.
L, 23-22 @ Packers
Tough dropping the surprising Lions a spot in our NFL power rankings after their tough loss on Monday Night Football to the Packers.
Some more questionable calls on the field, of course, and head coach Matt Patricia could look at those being key difference makers in the game. Regardless, this Lions team is showing some prowess despite the record. Detroit’s defense is solid, and it frustrated quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Co. for quite a while.
Problem was it was only for a while.
16. team. 54. . 3-3. Previous: . Philadelphia Eagles
L, 38-20 @ Vikings
It’s starting to get into panic time for the Eagles, who still aren’t clicking on either side of the ball this deep in the season. Previous NFL power rankings assessments would have stated head coach Doug Pederson would have fixed things, but that excuse is starting to run dry.
The Vikings were able to move the ball at will against what should still be a good Philly defense, albeit one with a questionable secondary.
At least no one is running away with the NFC East, though, so that’s a bonus.
Chicago Bears. 15. team. 57. . 3-2. Previous:
BYE
The Chicago Bears also don’t move in our NFL power rankings this week. Hopefully they worked on their offense, though, regardless whether or not quarterback Mitchell Trubisky returns from his shoulder injury. The Bears will need to, as they host the Saints in Week 7.
Dallas Cowboys. 14. team. 123. . 3-3. Previous:
L, 24-22 @ Jets
The Cowboys only lose to
good
teams in 2019. After their ugly road loss to the Jets, the Cowboys are now riding a three-game losing streak, which won’t help head coach Jason Garrett’s job prospects beyond this year.
Dallas’ comeback in the fourth quarter was stymied by the officials, yes. But the fact the Cowboys put themselves into such an ugly situation in the first half is concerning.
team. 46. . 3-2. Previous: . Indianapolis Colts. 13
BYE
The Colts don’t move in our NFL power rankings after their bye week. A Week 7 bout at home against the Texans could have huge implications for the AFC South.
12. team. 51. . 3-3. Previous: . Los Angeles Rams
L, 20-7 vs. 49ers
The Rams got off to a hot start against their division-rival 49ers, scoring a touchdown on their opening drive. But that marked the extent of Los Angeles’ offensive output.
Sure, L.A. was shorthanded on both sides of the ball. But that doesn’t excuse a 0-of-9 mark on third downs and a 0-of-4 mark on fourth-down tries. Making it worse, quarterback Jared Goff was held to a mere 78 yards passing, which marked a career low for the former No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick.
The Rams take a pretty noticeable hit in our NFL power rankings, as they fall to the .500 mark.
87. . 4-2. Previous: . Carolina Panthers. 11. team
W, 37-26 @ Buccaneers
It’s possible to think quarterback Kyle Allen might never lose a game for the Panthers.
Allen was impressive again, this time in London against a blitz-happy Buccaneers squad, which failed to unnerve him, as Allen tossed two touchdowns and for 227 yards total.
While running back Christian McCaffrey was somewhat held in check, at least not taking over the game, Carolina has to give thanks to its defense for forcing a whopping seven Tampa Bay turnovers in the game.
This made the win across the pond so much sweeter for the Panthers, who were off to such an ugly start earlier this season. Nice climb in our NFL power rankings.