NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Where does every NFC team stand?

Arizona Cardinals Team Celebration
Arizona Cardinals Team Celebration

There hasn't been much movement in the NFL's NFC Power Rankings as teams continue to tread along the same trajectory as last week.

The teams at the bottom continue to struggle while those at the top are quickly establishing themselves as Super Bowl contenders.

But who is at the summit of the NFC Power Rankings?

NFC Power Rankings: Teams struggling the most

#16 - Detroit Lions (0-6)

Last week: #16

Next week: vs. Los Angeles Rams

As long as the Detroit Lions remain winless, they will remain in last place in the Power Rankings. With the Jacksonville Jaguars winning their first game this week, the Lions are now the only team without a win. It doesn't get any easier for them in Week 7, as they will face the Los Angeles Rams.

Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff swapped teams this offseason via trade. They will now face off against each other, with their new teams.

#15 - New York Giants (1-5)

Last week: #15

Next week: vs. Carolina Panthers

The New York Giants are having yet another terrible season. This year, they have just one win and are tied for last place in the NFC with a negative 63 points differential. They have regressed defensively since last season and their new offensive weapons have not improved them.

The Giants have a chance to move up the Power Rankings if they can defeat the struggling Carolina Panthers, who are on a three-game losing streak. They have to turn things around quickly, or the season will be over early.

#14 - Atlanta Falcons (2-3)

Last week: #14

Next week: vs. Miami Dolphins

The Atlanta Falcons continue to hold the 14th spot in the Power Rankings . They have two wins this season, but they came against two of the worst teams in the NFL, the New York Jets and Giants.

This week, they have an opportunity to get their third win against a Miami Dolphins team that has struggled this season. The Dolphins are one of the worst teams and are currently on a five-game losing streak.

#13 - Washington Football Team (2-4)

Last week: #13

Next week: vs. Green Bay Packers

The Washington Football Team wass projected to have one of the top defenses in the NFL this season. It has not worked out that way at all so far. What was supposed to be their biggest strength has become their biggest weakness. It is why they are so low in the Power Rankings.

They have allowed the most points in the NFC heading into Week 7 of the 2021 NFL season. That total could get even worse this week when they face off against the high-powered Green Bay Packers offense.

an NFC Power Rankings: Teams that need to do better

#12 - Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)

Last week: #12

Next week: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

The Philadelphia Eagles retain their spot in the Power Rankings. After a solid upset victory in Week 5 over the Carolina Panthers, they could not score another over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6.

Jalen Hurts is still trying to make his case to be the Eagles' franchise quarterback. He has had an up and down season. He has shown plenty of promise at times but leaves more to be desired.

#11 - Seattle Seahawks (2-4)

Last week: #9

Next week: vs. New Orleans Saints

The Seattle Seahawks continue to plummet down the Power Rankings. They have now lost consecutive games and look destined to miss the playoffs. They will be without Russell Wilson and Chris Carson for at least a couple more games.

The NFC West is the most challenging division in the NFL. The Seahawks need to turn things around immediately, or they could be left out of the race entirely. Geno Smith needs to step up and steal a win.

#10 - San Francisco 49ers (2-3)

Last week: #10

Next week: vs. Indianapolis Colts

The San Francisco 49ers hold their spot on the NFC Power Rankings. They started their season by winning their first two games before losing their next three. They have a chance to get back to .500 against the mediocre Indianapolis Colts.

The big decision for the 49ers will be which quarterback they choose to start if they are both healthy. They could go with consistently average veteran Jimmy Garoppolo or exciting, unproven rookie Trey Lance.

#9 - Carolina Panthers (3-3)

Last week: #7

Next week: vs. New York Giants

The Carolina Panthers continue to slide down the Power Rankings. They won their first three games of the 2021 NFL season and looked very impressive. They followed that up with three consecutive losses.

They have an opportunity to get back on track this week when they play one of the worst teams in the Power Rankings, the Giants. Even without injured superstar running back Christian McCaffrey, it's a game they should win. They need it.

NFC Power Rankings: Teams that are close

#8 - Chicago Bears (3-3)

Last week: #6

Next week: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Chicago Bears fell a couple of spots on the Power Rankings after losing to the Green Bay Packers last week. They have another difficult matchup in Week 7 against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bears are the only NFC team with a negative points differential but do not have a losing record. Their defense has been solid, but their offense has scored the least points in the conference.

#7 - Minnesota Vikings (3-3)

Last week: #11

Next week: BYE

The Minnesota Vikings were the biggest gainers in the Power Rankings heading into Week 7. They are coming off a solid victory in Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers, their second consecutive win.

The Vikings have very talented offensive weapons. Dalvin Cook is one of the top running backs in the NFL and their duo of wide receivers, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, are among the best tandems.

#6 - New Orleans Saints (3-2)

Last week: #8

Next week: vs. Seattle Seahawks

The New Orleans Saints didn't play a game last week but still managed to move up two spots in the Power Rankings due to lackluster performances from other teams. The Saints have been inconsistent this season but do have a winning record.

They scored an impressive upset victory over the Green Bay Packers but suffered a bad loss to the New York Giants, their only win of the season. Their defense has allowed the lowest number of total points this season and is a big reason for their spot in the Power Rankings.

#5 - Green Bay Packers (5-1)

Last week: #5

Next week: vs. Washington Football Team

NFC Power Rankings are very top-heavy, starting with the Green Bay Packers. The top five teams have all been very impressive this season. The Packers are currently on a five-game winning streak.

The Packers have a chance to win every game for as long as Aaron Rodgers is their quarterback. He has an excellent running back in Aaron Jones and a top-three wide receiver in Davante Adams. They will look to dominate the Washington defense, one of the worst in the league this season.

NFC Power Rankings: The top teams

#4 - Dallas Cowboys (5-1)

Last week: #4

Next week: BYE

The Dallas Cowboys remain in the top four of the Power Rankings. They are one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now and are on a five-game winning streak. Their only loss this season was to the Buccaneers on opening night.

The Cowboys are the highest-scoring team in the entire NFL heading into Week 7. They revived their dominant rushing game this season with a combination of Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard, while Dak Prescott is an early candidate for NFL MVP.

#3 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1)

Last week: #3

Next week: vs. Chicago Bears

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among four teams in the NFC Power Rankings with a 5-1 record. Their only loss of the season came to another one of those teams, the Los Angeles Rams. They have one of the top offenses and the number one rushing defense in the NFL.

Tom Brady is having yet another MVP-caliber season. He leads the NFL in passing yards and is second in passing touchdowns. He has helped the Buccaneers position themselves for a possible run at another Super Bowl.

#2 - Los Angeles Rams (5-1)

Last week: #2

Next week: vs. Detroit Lions

Changing quarterbacks has worked out great for the Los Angeles Rams so far. Matthew Stafford is having one of the best seasons of his career and the Rams offense has taken things to the next level since last season. His ability to make deep throws with ease adds another layer to a complex offensive scheme.

The Rams might be the most complete team in the NFL. Their balance is what has them so high in the Power Rankings. They have no real flaws and are above average in just about every statistical category possible.

#1 - Arizona Cardinals (6-0)

Last week: #1

Next week: vs. Houston Texans

The Arizona Cardinals are the undisputed top team in the Power Rankings right now. They are the only remaining undefeated team in the NFL. Their offense is explosive and their defense has been a pleasant surprise so far. They have a great chance to improve to 7-0 this week as they take on the struggling Houston Texans.

Kyler Murray continues to have a fantastic season and is one of the favorites to win the NFL MVP award. He is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL and has a truly unique style. His play is why the Cardinals are on top of the Power Rankings heading into Week 7 of the 2021 NFL season.

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