JetNation NFL Power Rankings – Week Seven

Week 6 of the NFL season is in the books, and teams are starting to show their true colors. Our latest NFL Power Rankings take a look at where each team stands and predict their records after Week 11. Will the top teams hold strong, or are upsets on the horizon?

1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)

Last Week: 1

The Chiefs had the week off. Things are good in Kansas City. The extra week is letting the Chiefs get ready for a trip to San Francisco. We’re not sure why this wasn’t a prime time matchup, but the NFL works in mysterious ways.

 After 11: The Chiefs will be 10-1 after eleven games and still sitting at the top of the power rankings and the race to home field in the AFC.

2. Minnesota Vikings (5-0)

Last Week: 2

The Vikings went into the bye week as the league’s biggest surprise. The extra week is well timed for Minnesota as they host the 4-1 Lions this week.

 After 11: The Vikings will be 9-2 after eleven games. Minnesota is for real, but the road is hard in the NFL, and the Vikings play three of their next five and four of their next six on the road.

3. Detroit Lions (4-1)

Last Week: 3

The Lions shook Dallas to the core on Sunday. It was a dominant effort in front of the Cowboy’s home crowd in Dallas. The season-ending injury to defensive player of year candidate, Aidan Hutchinson, is devastating. His production can’t be matched by anyone on the roster.

 After 11: The Lions will be 7-4 after eleven games. Detroit is entering the toughest stretch of the season. The Lions travel to Minnesota, Green Bay, and Houston over the next five weeks. The Lions will be bruised but ready to make a run at the conference title.

4. Houston Texans (5-1)

Last Week: 4

The Texans put 41 on the Patriots in New England on Sunday. The Pats did more on offense than Houston would have liked, but the outcome wasn’t ever in much doubt. Joe Mixon’s return is huge for Houston. Mixon ran for 102 yards. It was the first time since Mixon was injured that the Texans had anyone run for more than 53 yards.

 After 11: The Texans will be 9-2 after eleven games. This Sunday’s game is likely the only matchup where the Texans will not be favored to win. The Texan’s schedule has them well positioned for a serious run at the conference title.

5. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)

Last Week: 5

The Ravens outgained the Commanders on the ground 176 yards to 52. The Commanders are for real, but they are not a top-flight team just yet. The Ravens are hitting their stride after two stumbles to start the season.

After 11: The Ravens will be 8-3 after eleven games. The Ravens face difficult road games in Tampa and Pittsburgh in their next five. They will be in good position for the schedule’s second half.

6. Green Bay Packers (4-2)

Last Week: 7

The Packers got on top of the Cards and never let them contend on Sunday. Arizona’s offense has been a problem for teams thus far, but Green Bay kept them at arm’s length Sunday.

After 11: The Packers will be 7-4 after eleven games. Green Bay has the Texans, Lions, and 49ers at home and a trip to Chicago in their next five games. It’s a very tough stretch, but the Pack will emerge in position to make noise in the NFC.

     7. Buffalo Bills (4-2)

Last Week: 8

The Bills hung on in a very sloppy Monday night game against the Jets. The Bills lost at the Meadowlands last year, so escaping New York with a win is big even if they didn’t score many style points.  Buffalo is back in front and figures to stay there in a weak AFC East.

After 11: The Bills will be 7-4 after eleven games. The Bills have to go to Seattle and Indianapolis while the Chiefs and 49ers come to Buffalo. Buffalo will be in the mix again with a nice soft closing to their schedule.

8. Tampa Bay (4-2)

Last Week: 9

The Bucs hung 51 on the Saints in New Orleans. Tampa rolled up 594 yards of offense. Baker Mayfield is leading the league with 15 touchdown passes, and he is the second ranked passer in the league thus far.

 After 11: The Bucs will be 7-4 after eleven games. The Bucs schedule heats up over the next five games. Baltimore comes to town this week followed by division rival Atlanta. The Bucs then go on the road to Kansas City before hosting San Francisco.

9. Washington Commanders (4-2)

Last Week: 6

The Commanders competed on Sunday in Baltimore. Washington is for real, but not quite on the inside of the conference race. The Commanders are going to be in the hunt in the division given the struggles by Dallas and Philadelphia.

After 11: The Commanders will be 8-3 after eleven games. Washington’s next five games set up nicely for them. A perfect 5-0 is not out of the question.

10. San Francisco 49ers (3-3)

Last Week: Unranked

The 49ers ran up a twenty-point lead on the road in Seattle and scored an important division win. The Niners throttled the Seattle ground game forcing Geno Smith to throw it 52 times. Smith threw two INTs while Brock Purdy was efficient with three TDs and no interceptions.

After 11: The 49ers will be 6-5 after eleven games. San Francisco is entering a difficult stretch. The next five games include KC, Tampa, and Green Bay.  The 49ers schedule to close the year will allow them to be a factor in the conference.

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23. New York Jets (2-4)

Last Week: 20

The Jets stuffed the Bills offense in the second half holding them to just three points. The bad news is that New York could only match those three points in the second half, and if not for a successful ‘Hail Mary’ catch at the end of the first half, the Jets would have been done scoring with two minutes left in the first quarter. Drive-killing penalties and missed field goals played a major role in yet another disappointing outcome for the Jets.

After 11: The Jets will be 5-6 after eleven games. New York shows no signs of finding their rhythm and building up any type of momentum. They will continue to muddle through as yet another average NFL team.

Nick Ferraro

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