What is going on in the NFL? Is it bad football? Is it disparity among teams? Or is it a combination of the two?
The Carolina Panthers started their third—or maybe even fourth option—at quarterback after trading one of their top receivers and one of the best running backs in the league, and they still beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21 to 3. If that's not enough for you, the Washington Commanders beat the Green Bay Packers, and the Seattle Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Chargers.
On the flip side, we did see the Kansas City Chiefs dominate the San Francisco 49ers defense, and the Cincinnati Bengals showed why they are the defending AFC Champion. With three of the top four seeds in our power rankings on a bye this past weekend, what changes are there to this week's updated power rankings? There has been quite the shuffle in spots five to 16, so let's get into it.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (6-0)
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On a bye week, they remain at the top spot. And with Pittsburgh, Houston, Washington and Indianapolis on their upcoming schedule, we could see them here for a while.
2. Buffalo Bills (5-1)
The Bills are also on a bye, but have a challenging road ahead. They're also the Bills, so they should be able to take care of business.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)
The Chiefs' offense was firing on all cylinders as they scored 44 points on one of the league's best defenses.
4. Minnesota Vikings (5-1)
The Vikings are coming off a bye but are one of the hottest teams in the league. With the falling-off of the Packers, can the Vikings win the division?
5. Dallas Cowboys (5-2)
The Cowboys offense still does not look all that great, but once again their defense comes to the rescue, leading this team to a bounce-back victory over the Lions.
6. New York Giants (6-1)
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RELATED: Bad Beats from Week 7: The Bucs Get Mauled and the Jags Come Up Short
Saquon Barkley and the Giants defense each had a great day, but Daniel Jones' ability to run has become a difference-maker as the Giants improve to 6-1.
7. Baltimore Ravens (4-3)
Gus Edwards went off in his first game of 2022 as the Ravens avoided being upset by the Browns. But here comes...
8. Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)
...the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals played their best game this past Sunday as Joe Burrow and the Bengals' offense had this game in the bag after the first half.
9. Tennessee Titans (4-2)
Fresh off their bye week, the Tennessee Titans won an important and tough home game against the Colts, as the Titans take command of the AFC South.
10. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)
I do not believe in the saying "playing down to their level," but the Chargers, on a consistent basis, cannot seem to beat the teams they should.
11. San Francisco 49ers (3-4)
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RELATED: Christian McCaffrey Makes the San Francisco 49ers the Scariest Team in the NFC
In a rematch of Super Bowl 54, the 49ers jumped out to a 10 to 0 lead, but it was all downhill from there as the Niners fall below .500.
12. Los Angeles Rams (3-3)
The NFC West got even tighter on the Rams' bye week as the other three teams went 2-1 in Week Seven.
13. Miami Dolphins (4-3)
In his first game back, Tua has plenty of people to thank, and a handful of those are that of the Steelers' secondary, who dropped about five interceptions in a sloppy Sunday Night Football win.
14. New York Jets (5-2)
Granted, Russell Wilson was out, but would that have really made a difference? Probably not.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)
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RELATED: What the Buccaneers is Happening in Tampa Bay?
The team with the most questions surrounding their poor start are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as they have looked awful all season, and Sunday was the worst performance of all.
16. Green Bay Packers (3-4)
The Packers should have won on Sunday, and it really seems as if we will not see Aaron Rodgers win another Super Bowl—or even make the playoffs, ever again.
17. Indianapolis Colts (3-3-1)
Matt Ryan's arm looks shot, and it seems as if the Indianapolis Colts think so, too, as he was benched for Sam Ehlinger—or maybe they're thinking of tanking for Bryce Young or CJ Stroud.
18. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4)
The Raiders took care of business on Sunday, and with the losses Denver and Los Angeles suffered, their climb back into the playoff race looks reasonable now.
19. Seattle Seahawks (4-3)
The Seahawks are at the top of the NFC West, and honestly, this team, especially their young guys, are playing some really good football.
20. Arizona Cardinals (3-4)
DeAndre Hopkins provided that uplift the Cardinals offense desperately needed as he hauled in 10 catches for over 100 yards in his first game of the season.
21. New England Patriots (3-4)
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RELATED: New England Doesn't Have a QB Controversy, The Problem is Coaching
This is not college football. Trying to win a football game at the pro level using two quarterbacks is not going to work.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5)
The Steelers looked good half of the time, and then the other half, they looked really, really bad. I think you stay with Kenny Pickett here, but there has to be a change in this offensive game plan.
23. New Orleans Saints (2-5)
Andy Dalton threw back-to-back pick sixes. It really makes you wonder if the New Orleans Saints are going to start considering drafting a new QB1 in the 2023 NFL Draft.
24. Denver Broncos (2-5)
Just like Mr. Unlimited's Subway sandwich, this team is gone and should begin planning their offseason moves.
25. Atlanta Falcons (3-4)
Reality hits hard, and, boy, did it hit the Falcons hard on Sunday as they were completely embarrassed by the Bengals and Joe Burrow on Sunday.
26. Washington Commanders (3-4)
I said it last week—if Taylor Heinicke could win some games and provide some excitement, which he is 1-0 in doing so far, the question becomes what to make of Carson Wentz's future.
27. Cleveland Browns (2-5)
It's all downhill from here until Deshaun Watson returns, and who's to say the losing won't stop there?
28. Chicago Bears (3-4)
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The Chicago Bears offense actually looked good on Monday Night but they need to seriously address their offensive line issues in the offseason.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5)
The Jags had their chance to end their losing streak on Sunday but instead, lost in a Super Bowl XXXIV type fashion to push that streak to four games.
30. Carolina Panthers (2-5)
Football does not make sense. How do you fire your coach, trade your hot headed—but top receiver—and your franchise running back, and then win 21 to 3 against Tom Brady?
31. Detroit Lions (1-5)
The Detroit Lions just needed to convert on a first and goal situation to take control of their game against Dallas on Sunday. Instead they coughed up the ball. Lions going to Lion.
32. Houston Texans (1-4-1)
The Texans need to keep losing so they can address some key positions in next year's draft, but that doesn't mean they won't be in games when it comes fourth quarter time.
