NFL Analysis

NFL Power Rankings Following Week 7 Games: Hail to the Chiefs

Published

12 months ago

October 24, 2023

Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs top this week's NFL Power Rankings.

For the third week in a row there is a new top team in the NFL Power Rankings. Two weeks ago the San Francisco 49ers held the top spot, but they have since dropped two in row. Last week the Detroit Lions moved up to number one, then got blown out by the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

So will this week’s number one continue the trend this weekend? If they do, it would certainly take an enormous upset to do it. Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers remain the only winless team in the NFL, therefore still looking up at the other 31 franchises in the rankings.

Once again, these NFL Power Rankings are not based on hypotheticals, potential or feelings. These rankings are based on reality. As Bill Parcells noted, “you are what your record says you are.” The two teams with one loss deserve to take the top spots in the rankings. Likewise, the lone team without a win should take up the rear, which they do.

With that in mind, the NFL Power Rankings from Patriots Football Now…

32. Carolina Panthers (0-6)

A bye week did not affect their record or their position. It did give rookie QB Bryce Young an opportunity to rest up and get ready for the rest of their schedule. The top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has not played poorly, but is still searching for his first NFL win. With no first round pick of their own in 2024 (thanks to the trade which allowed them to move up and take Young) there is no motivation for tanking in Carolina. They return from a week off to host the Houston Texans on Sunday.

31. Arizona Cardinals (1-6)

A fourth straight loss knocks the Cardinals down another three spots in the rankings. Not much further to fall from here. Their 12-point win over the Cowboys in Week 3 is looking like a bigger upset each passing week. Arizona has since lost all four of their games by double digits. Joshua Downs‘ touchdown run put them in the lead, 10-7 over the Seahawks on Sunday. The Cardinals managed not to turn over the ball but they also generated no offensive threat. Seattle cruised to a 20-10 win. On a positive note, their all-white uniforms did look sharp. Arizona hosts Baltimore this weekend.

30. Chicago Bears (2-5)

A win over the Las Vegas Raiders was only good enough to move the Bears up one spot in this week’s rankings. Rookie QB Tyler Bagent was a winner in his first NFL start. He only threw for 162 yards in the 30-12 win, but did not turn the ball over. RB D’Onta Foreman was the offensive star. He had 120 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. CB Jaylon Johnson had two interceptions, including a 39-yard pick six. The Bears next travel to Los Angeles to play the Chargers on Sunday Night Football.