The top spot remains unchanged, and overall it was a pretty good week for the top teams in last week's power rankings. Here's the rankings for week 7, with the Steelers at #1 for the 4th straight week.1. Pittsburgh Steelers 4-1 (1)
Ben Roethlisberger played his first game of the season, and as expected, breathed some life into the Steelers passing game. This team is great, and as long as James Harrison doesn't retire as he's threatened to do, this team remains the favorite to win the Super Bowl.
2. New York Jets 5-1 (3)
The Jets pulled off a great 4th quarter comeback against the Broncos, topped off with a 2-yard touchdown by LaDainian Tomlinson with just over a minute left. The Jets are living up to the preseason hype, and get to their bye week with the league's best record.
3. Baltimore Ravens 4-2 (2)
Even though the Ravens lost this week, they only drop one spot since the loss was to a good Patriots team on the road in overtime. The Ravens held a 10 point lead in the 4th quarter, but couldn't hold on and allowed the Pats to send it to OT and eventually win the game. Nothing to worry about for the Ravens, as they should bounce back by trouncing Buffalo this week.
4. Indianapolis Colts 4-2 (4)
Conservative play-calling nearly cost the Colts the game against the Redskins on Sunday night, but they held on for a victory in the end. I'm not sure why you would ever run with backup RB's on 3rd and 2 when you have a Hall of Fame QB like Peyton Manning, but that could be the fantasy football owner in me getting overly upset. Huge divisional rematch against the Texans this week, as the Colts will be looking for payback and the division lead.
5. New York Giants 4-2 (6)
The Giants didn't have a great week, as their game with the Lions in New York was pretty even. They were actually out-gained by Detroit, but won the game due to 3 Lions turnovers. They will have to play much better with a game against a desperate Cowboys team in Dallas on Monday night.
6. New Orleans Saints 4-2 (10)
The Saints finally showed the form they had last year in a savage beating of Tampa Bay last week. Chris Ivory had a breakout game on the ground, gaining 158 yards and finally giving New Orleans a credible threat in the running game. This offense is unstoppable when they're able to pick up yards from the running backs.
7. New England Patriots 4-1 (16)
How silly of me to drop the Patriots when they traded Hall of Fame WR Randy Moss. I should have known they would find a way to replace him, and sure enough the Tom Brady to Deion Branch combo picked up right where it left off several years ago.
8. Philadelphia Eagles 4-2 (14)
Okay so maybe head coach Andy Reid was right to have confidence in both of his QB's. Kevin Kolb has looked great after a shaky performance in relief of Vick against the Redskins, and the Eagles jumped on the Falcons early and coasted to a victory against one of the NFC's best teams. Very tough game coming up in Tennessee against the Titans this week.
9. Tennessee Titans 4-2 (8)
The Titans dismantled the Jaguars on Monday night. They have a huge challenge coming up this week at home against the Eagles, as both teams are playing really well. The winner will be in great shape as the season gets closer to the midway point.
10. Atlanta Falcons 4-2 (5)
The Falcons were thoroughly dominated by the Eagles last week, giving up nearly 500 yards to a Philly offense that lost its best receiver to an injury in the first half. They really need to bounce back this week at home against the struggling Bengals.
11. Kansas City Chiefs 3-2 (7)
The Chiefs blew a huge opportunity last week, giving up a 21-point 4th quarter to the Texans to lose the game 35-31. A road victory in Houston would have been very impressive, but the Chiefs have a great chance to bounce back with the Jaguars coming to town this week.
12. Minnesota Vikings 2-3 (9)
The Vikings got a win that they desperately needed, squeaking out a tight game between two teams with high expectations coming into the season who had struggled to 1-3 starts. Huge game for the Vikings again next week, as they travel to Green Bay with a chance to get right back in the division race after a slow start.
13. Houston Texans 4-2 (12)
The Texans capped off a 21-point 4th quarter with an Andre Johnson TD catch with 28 seconds left to steal a victory away from the Chiefs. The win keeps them in a 3-way tie atop the division with the Colts and Titans heading into their bye week.
14. Miami Dolphins 3-2 (17)
The Dolphins took advantage of a depleted Packer team and got a win they desperately needed to stay within striking distance in the AFC East. The Dolphins allowed a 1-yard TD run to Aaron Rodgers to tie the game with 13 seconds left in regulation, but won the game with a field goal in OT. The Dolphins dominated time of possession with a very balanced attack, and would have been crushed if they hadn't pulled it out. Big matchup with the Steelers coming to Miami this week.
15. Green Bay Packers 3-3 (11)
Green Bay is really suffering from all the injuries they have sustained in the past few weeks. Despite that, they nearly pulled off what would have been an impressive win at home against the Dolphins. Brett Farve and Minnesota come to Lambeau on Sunday night, and the atmosphere is sure to be electric. Both teams need a win pretty badly, as the victor will be in the driver's seat to win the division.
16. Washington Redskins 3-3 (15)
Washington nearly stole a win in Indy on Sunday night, but fell just short. This Redskins team doesn't do anything particularly well, but they fight hard and seem to always be there at the end. Big game for them this week at Soldier Field in Chicago.
17. Dallas Cowboys 1-4 (18)
This is getting to be a familiar story. The Cowboys substantially out-gain their opponent, but lose the game due to penalties and turnovers. It seems like Dallas is close to being a great team, but if they don't stop self-destructing soon they'll be watching come playoff time.
18. Denver Broncos 2-4 (13)
The Broncos put up a great fight, taking a lead to the 4th quarter before losing to the Jets at home. Denver is playing well, but really needs to find a running game if it wants to beat the league's top teams.
19. Seattle Seahawks 3-2 (28)
The Seahawks have been all over the place in the power rankings, but they finally broke the trend and won a game on the road in Chicago. They had been blown out in their previous 2 road games, but Seattle dominated time of possession and gained more yards in a 23-20 victory. They play Arizona at home for first place in the division this week.
20. Detroit Lions 1-5 (22)
The Lions have had a brutal early season schedule. They got robbed of a win because of a bad call at Chicago, lost by 3 against Philly, dropped a closer than the score decision in Minnesota to the Vikings, took a 2-point loss in Green Bay, and last week matched the Giants in total yardage but lost 28-20. This team is much better than it's 1-5 record, and has to be thrilled to get its bye this week. The time off will give them a chance for all their injuries to heal so they can be ready for a game against Washington at home in Week 8.
21. Chicago Bears 4-2 (20)
My thoughts about the Bears were confirmed with a loss at home to the Seahawks last week. I've never been a believer in this team, and I actually think they might be the worst team in their division. The Bears really need to stop the bleeding this week at home against Washington if they hope to contend in the NFC North.
22. San Diego Chargers 2-4 (19)
The Chargers can't win on the road. They are a statistical giant, as they lead the league in passing yards and in passing defense, and rank 6th in the NFL in rushing defense. Despite this they have lost every game on the road, including the last 2 to lower tier teams, and stand at 2-4 with the Patriots coming to town this week. On top of this, star TE Antonio Gates left last week's game with some kind of foot or ankle issue and is questionable for this week. The schedule only gets harder from here, so things aren't looking too good in San Diego.
23. St. Louis Rams 3-3 (30)
Apparently I was too quick to write off the Rams after Mark Clayton's injury and a 44-6 beating at the hands of the Lions. St. Louis bounced back with a big win against the Chargers, and have a very winnable game in Tampa Bay coming up this week.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-3 (23)
The Jaguars' offense was anemic once again in a 30-3 loss at home to the Titans on Monday night. QB David Garrard was knocked out of the game with a concussion, and he and Trent Edwards combined for 3 interceptions in a game that was a blowout from the start. Jacksonville travels to surprising Kansas City this week and may be starting its 3rd string QB.
25. San Francisco 49ers 1-5 (29)
The 49ers finally got a win last week, dominating the Raiders but still only escaping with a 17-9 victory. They have a chance to put back-to-back wins together with a trip to winless Carolina coming up this week, but they have to stop beating themselves if they want to start winning games consistently.
26. Cleveland Browns 1-5 (27)
The Browns were very competitive once again in Colt McCoy's first NFL start, nearly matching the Steelers in total yards. Despite that, 3 turnovers cost them any chance at a win against the best team in the league. This team is kind of in the same boat as the Lions, as both teams have played much better than their records indicate.
27. Oakland Raiders 2-4 (21)
The Raiders were the perfect remedy for a San Francisco squad looking for its first win. Oakland was dominated in every phase of the game without its best offensive player, Darren McFadden, and if it weren't for 143 penalty yards by the 49ers the Raiders would have lost by much more.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-2 (24)
Tampa Bay showed their true colors, dropping a 31-6 decision at home to the Saints. The Bucs have gotten crushed by both good teams that they've played, but 4 of their next 5 games are against some of the league's worst teams so they still have a chance to get a few more wins. However, the Bucs are pretty bad, and they could definitely lose those games just as easily.
29. Cincinnati Bengals 2-3 (25)
The Bengals should never be ranked this low with all the talent they have on offense, but they've earned it. They got a much needed week off after blowing the game against the Bucs in week 5, but have another tough matchup at 4-2 Atlanta this week.
30. Arizona Cardinals 3-2 (26)
I'm still not sure how this team beat the Saints in Week 5, and I still feel they are one of the worst teams in the league. They rank close to last in nearly every statistical category, but their opportunistic defense has earned them a couple of victories. They are basically the opposite of the San Diego Chargers. Despite their statistical shortcomings, they play the Seahawks this week with first place in the division on the line.
31. Buffalo Bills 0-5 (31)
The Bills had their best week all year long. A bye.
32. Carolina Panthers 0-5 (32)
Same deal for the Panthers. Hopefully a week off and another week of rest for injured WR Steve Smith has the Panthers ready to get a win. I'm sure the 49ers will give them every opportunity to do just that, but can Matt Moore (he's back in this week) and the offense do enough to take advantage?
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