Week 7 (2023) NFL Power Rankings From The Sturg
A look at a very wild week in the NFL
It took me an extra day to process what had just happened in Week 7 of the NFL season. There were some wild games, including a few upsets from disappointing teams. There was also more injury news from this week. My fantasy team is wrecked from all of the mayhem this year and we’re still not even halfway through the season. The two games I was looking forward to certainly lived up to their billing and a team that looked to be very strong going into the season is faltering. Let’s take a look at this week’s power rankings.
Elite Top 10 (1–10)
1. Kansas City Chiefs (6–1): There’s a new number-one team in the rankings this week and they’ve more than deserved it after the win against the Chargers. Patrick Mahomes looked like the quarterback we all expected him to be this week and more. The offense is clicking and the defense that has been helping them win games stepped up this week again. They forced two turnovers and sacked Justin Herbert five times.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (6–1): The Eagles still had two turnovers this week but found a way to hold down the NFL’s best-scoring offense. In a highly anticipated matchup, Jalen Hurts did more than enough to get the Eagles past the Dolphins 31–17. AJ Brown had a big game receiving and D’Andre Swift took a majority of the carries this week.
3. Baltimore Ravens (5–2): The other big game this week was dominated by the Ravens. They beat the Lions, more like manhandled them, 38–6. Lamar Jackson actually did his damage through the air this week, throwing for three touchdowns and over 350 yards. The Lions looked overmatched and dominated by the Ravens defense.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (5–2): It hasn’t been the prettiest of streaks but the Jaguars are in control of the AFC South after their four-game winning streak. The Jaguars have found new ways to win every week and took care of the Saints 31–24. They gave up over 400 yards of offense and 87 plays but the Saints were playing catch-up near the end and couldn’t quite complete the comeback. The Jaguars did end up allowing the Saints to tie after leading 24–9 though.
5. Detroit Lions (5–2): The Lions got dominated in a 38–6 loss to Baltimore. They are still a young, exciting team. I’m not going to go as far as some of the pundits have gone and say that this team isn’t for real. They are still very dangerous. The last game was the first game in the first seven where the offense was held to under 350 yards. They will rebound from this loss.
6. Miami Dolphins (5–2): The Dolphins had a tough test this week against Philadelphia. Their offense, the strength of their play early, didn’t look great in the loss. Tua threw for just over 200 yards and a touchdown. And the running game could only muster 45 yards with Raheem Mostert. Yes, I saw the opportunity for a pun there. And no I didn’t take it.
7. San Francisco 49ers (5–2): The 49ers have now lost two games in a row. They have both been games that could’ve gone either way but they lost two games they should’ve won. Christian McCaffrey was the bright spot on offense but he couldn’t carry this team to a win over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. They lost 22–17.
8. Dallas Cowboys (4–2): Dallas did nothing of substance this week and that’s just how I like it. I’m kidding. They were on a bye this week and couldn’t move up or down without help but they’re back in action in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams.
9. Seattle Seahawks (4–2): In a very uninspiring win at home, the Seahawks beat the lowly Arizona Cardinals 20–10. Despite turning over the ball three times, the Seahawks overcame that with a mediocre offensive performance from the Cardinals. Kenneth Walker IV went over 100 yards and Geno Smith did just enough, hooking up with rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba for 63 yards and a touchdown.
10. Cleveland Browns (4–2): In a game that Cleveland had no business winning, they got some help from the referees and won an exciting nail-biter against the Indianapolis Colts. I didn’t even want to put them this high or knock the Colts too far down this week but a win is a win. I’m leaving it at that. The Browns are lucky they aren’t .500 at this point.
The Mid-Tier (11–20)
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (4–2): The Steelers beat the Rams 24–17 in a game that key calls by the referees also determined. The game was won and essentially allowed to run out when it appeared that the Steelers were short on a fourth-down conversion but were given a favorable spot and a first down anyway. I am frustrated that I have to move them this high. This team doesn’t feel like a team over .500 right now.
12. Atlanta Falcons (4–3): The Falcons got a chance to grab the NFC South lead this week by playing the Buccaneers directly. They seized the opportunity and won 16–13 on the strength of their running game. Their defense got 2 turnovers that were canceled out by 3 lost fumbles on offense. They still found a way to win.
13. Buffalo Bills (4–3): In an embarrassing turn of events, the Bills went into Foxboro in a favorable situation with the Patriots in a mess and lost. This feels very Bills-like midway through another season. A preseason favorite to make the postseason and now they are starting to look very mediocre. The injury to Milano doesn’t look good for them either. This team could be in legitimate trouble almost halfway through. Two turnovers on offense aren’t helping either.
14. Houston Texans (3–3): The Texans got a bye at a great juncture in the season. They should come into Week 8 looking fresh against the Carolina Panthers in Carolina. Rookie CJ Stroud gets to show Carolina firsthand why they should’ve used the first pick on him instead of Bryce Young as the two rookies face off.
15. New York Jets (3–3): The Jets got a bye at a good time as well. They are in the midst of a two-game winning streak and a stretch of football where they don’t look lost on offense at this point. Their defense is strong and they will continue to win games. Week 8 is essentially a home game for them even though they are listed as the road participant at their shared stadium with the Giants.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3–3): They did okay in the running game but the Buccaneers definitely need stronger play in that regard because, in my opinion, they’re asking Baker Mayfield to do too much. He’s showing me that he is actually a good quarterback. He threw for 275 yards and a touchdown in the loss against the Falcons at home.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (3–3): The Bengals did not play in Week 7. In Week 8, they go up against a team that I would’ve told you three weeks ago on the schedule would’ve been an automatic loss against the 49ers. But now, I’m not so sure. I think that with the rest and Joe Burrow trying to get healthier, they could actually win that game. The 49ers have looked out of sorts lately and are clearly not the same team as early. The Bengals are trending the opposite way.
18. Minnesota Vikings (3–4): So, trade talks about Kirk Cousins after an injury to the receiver that seemed to be carrying him died down after this. They beat the 49ers on Monday Night Football. Rookie Jordan Addison looked like a superstar in his own right on offense. Cam Akers seems to be fitting into the offense well in Minnesota as a dual threat. This is a dangerous team again.
19. Indianapolis Colts (3–4): Yeah, this is where I felt uncomfortable placing the Colts after they should’ve won against the Browns and have a 4–3 record instead of sub-.500. They’re an exciting team and definitely better than last year’s squad. Minshew is playing well but he is making a few crucial mistakes. This running game looks sharp again with Taylor and Moss in the backfield. I see the Colts recovering nicely going forward. 4 turnovers are uncomfortable though, even if you do gain over 450 yards.
20. New Orleans Saints (3–4): The Saints nearly pulled off a miraculous comeback against the Jaguars. They have strong play right now from Alvin Kamara in both the receiving and ground game and Carr is accumulating yards. Having a healthy Michael Thomas this year is making the passing game look easier. They just have to find ways to win and not fall behind.
The Caboose (21–32)
21. Los Angeles Rams (3–4): The Rams got cheated. They played well and outgained the Steelers but benefitted from a questionable fourth-down call. Rookie Puka Nacua went back to being the feature in the passing game even with Cooper Kupp in there. This team is up and down right now but they are trending up still even after the loss.
22. Washington Commanders (3–4): The Commanders lost 14–7 in a game against the lowly Giants in what I just want to call uninspiring football. Sam Howell is still going through growing pains here and the team isn’t scaring anyone. The running game could be better but at least the defense is playing well, forcing 2 turnovers and getting 4 sacks.
23. Las Vegas Raiders (3–4): The Raiders started Brian Hoyer as a replacement for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo and the game got away from him. Aidan O’Connell and couldn’t do much better. The Raiders lost 30–12 and it looked every bit as bad as they were playing the even worse-off Chicago Bears.
24. Los Angeles Chargers (2–4): The Chargers will come back up after this recent loss. They had the misfortune of having to face the Chiefs this week. They put up a good fight but didn’t do enough. Two interceptions certainly didn’t help their cause either. At least Joshua Kelley and Austin Ekeler gave the Chargers a bit of a ground game this week.
25. Tennessee Titans (2–4): The Titans didn’t do anything in Week 7. That’s because they were on a bye and couldn’t. They are in the middle of a two-game losing streak and look to rebound in Week 8 against the Steelers.
26. Green Bay Packers (2–4): The Packers lost to the Broncos. Yeah, you heard that right. The teams were pretty evenly matched and were almost identical in yards. The Packers threw one interception which ended up making the difference and the deciding score was a field goal with less than four minutes to go.
27. Chicago Bears (2–5): The Bears beat the Raiders 30–12 with undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent throwing the ball. D’Onta Foreman had 89 yards and two touchdowns and the defense forced 3 interceptions. They aren’t going to look this good every week. After all, this was Las Vegas they just beat, but the win is encouraging regardless.
28. New England Patriots (2–5): The Patriots got a division win and it was against the Bills. The defense forced two Bills turnovers. Mac Jones played good football and actually showed the Patriots why they put their trust in him a couple of years back. He might’ve saved both his starting job and Belichick’s coaching job with this performance and win.
29. Denver Broncos (2–5): The Broncos played well enough to beat up Jordan Love and the Packers and win on a game-winning field goal. I’m still not ready to crown this team winners of anything yet. They are still a bit of a mess and need to improve on offense for me to feel like they’ve taken a leap forward. A win is a win and this one will feel good until next week.
30. New York Giants (2–5): The Giants beat the Commanders 14–7. I noticed as I went through the games that four 1–5 teams won in the same week. This game was nothing to write home about but Tyrod Taylor didn’t throw an interception and Saquon Barkley did enough on the ground and through the air to control this game. The Giants trend up with Barkley back and might be better off at quarterback with Tyrod Taylor over Daniel Jones.
31. Arizona Cardinals (1–6): The Cardinals are a mess after their 20–10 loss on the road to the Seahawks. Their running game continues to shine but they are not good enough on defense or in the passing game to scare or surprise any teams. Their lone highlight this year was beating Dallas and that’s starting to look more and more like a bad loss by Dallas rather than how Arizona is trending.
32. Carolina Panthers (0–6): The Panthers couldn’t do anything this week and that’s sad. Lol, that’s because they were on a bye. My favorite team needed a break and have got to figure out how to get it together. They feel like they’re improving on offense as rookie, Bryce Young, continues to progress. Adam Thielen is benefiting a ton from the rookie. Chuba Hubbard should see an uptick in production with more touches. The defense is improving as well. It’s only a matter of time until they get their first win. It could come against a young Houston team in a matchup of the top two rookie quarterbacks picked in the draft.
This week was full of exciting games and surprises. I wasn’t too confident picking out the middle of the standings but the top and the bottom seemed to sort themselves out just fine. Let me know what you think in the comments about how I placed some teams or just how I placed your favorite team. What would you do differently here?
Join us at the Press Box on Medium every Tuesday or Wednesday during the season for my weekly power rankings. Week 8 is coming up tomorrow and starts off with a Buccaneers-Bills game. It should be very exciting and both teams have something to prove this week after disappointing performances. No teams will be on bye this next week so we get a full schedule of action. The Monday Night game this week is the Las Vegas Raiders against the Detroit Lions.
See you next time, sports fans.
Sources: NFL Standings
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