NFL power rankings entering Week 7 of the 2024 season (previous rank in parentheses):
3. Minnesota Vikings (2): Leaders of an NFC North off to a historically hot start, the Vikes currently have the only intra-divisional win of 2024 but will get another chance to certify their (undefeated) legitimacy with the Lions coming to the Twin Cities on Sunday.
4. Detroit Lions (4): The league’s highest-scoring team has posted its first set of consecutive 40-burgers in the Super Bowl era (since 1966). Sadly for the offense, it may not have the luxury of letting up at all given the defensive blow suffered Sunday, when Defensive Player of the Year front-runner Aidan Hutchinson was lost to a broken tibia.
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9. Buffalo Bills (11): Monday’s win charted a fairly clear course to a fifth straight AFC East crown – especially given the schedule appears to let up over the next month following three tough games in a row on the road. And rookie RB Ray Davis’ breakout effort (152 yards from scrimmage) suggests there’s little need to rush James Cook back from his toe injury. On the personal front, QB Josh Allen’s 233 combined TDs (passing and rushing) are the most by any player in his first seven seasons. And he might have an easier time padding that total moving forward after Tuesday’s trade with Cleveland for WR Amari Cooper, who could really remedy an offense that’s been uneven lately.
11. Philadelphia Eagles (9): Never a good sign when your head coach is becoming a chronic distraction, especially at a time when you’re struggling to beat, arguably, the worst team in the league. Worth monitoring, even though Philly isn’t scheduled to face an opponent currently with a winning record until Nov. 14.
14. Chicago Bears (19): How much are they humming with rookie QB Caleb Williams? Chicago’s offense has scored five touchdowns in consecutive games for the first time in the Super Bowl era.
15. Dallas Cowboys (14): They’re home again this week, but the Cowboys won’t get blown out this time around … if only because it’s their bye, when at least – apparently – HC Mike McCarthy can relax. Momentarily. Afterward, the next two games won’t be at ‘Jerry World,’ though heading to San Francisco and Atlanta hardly means road cooking.
17. Los Angeles Chargers (18): After Sunday’s win in Denver, HC Jim Harbaugh triumphantly declared he’s ‘2-0 with arrhythmias’ after another irregular heartbeat forced him to miss the start of the game. Sorry, Coach, but also not a sustainable formula.
18. New York Jets (21): Can’t blame Robert Saleh for this loss. Or, really, Aaron Rodgers, who had maybe his best game as a Jet. Or even a run game that entered Week 6 ranked last in the league but managed 121 yards. Maybe you could blame the special teams or struggling WR Mike Williams, who failed to deliver in another high-leverage situation – but his issues will be largely forgotten following Tuesday’s long-awaited acquisition of WR Davante Adams.
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23. Seattle Seahawks (23): Monday, they swung a trade for DT Roy Robertson-Harris … which is mostly notable because you’d think they’d want an offensive lineman.
26. Carolina Panthers (26):Demoted QB Bryce Young may be symbolic of this club’s struggles … yet it’s the defense that has already surrendered 25 more points than any other team.
28. Tennessee Titans (28): They’re scheduled to face one club, New England, with a losing record through Week 13 – so should be plenty of opportunities to target WR Calvin Ridley.
29. Miami Dolphins (29): HC Mike McDaniel announced QB Tua Tagovailoa will return to action this season but didn’t know when. Tagovailoa is eligible to come off IR before the Oct. 27 date with Arizona. The season feels salvageable if Miami can stay within a game of .500 until he’s ready.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (30): They carry some momentum into Sunday, having won their last game in London … when designated as the home team … in 2023. Oh bollocks, they’re a bloody mess.
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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.
(This story has been updated to include new information.)
