NFL Power Rankings: Packers and Bucs continue to slide; Cowboys and Giants rise to the top 5.

From Justin (Fields) to Kyler (Murray), Week 7 of the NFL season was a reminder that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Nineteen of the 14 winners came from behind. There were two teams that started 0-2.Cincinnati Tennessee) now have the best record in their divisions (tied, in the Bengals’ case).

Without football, life would be difficult.

1. Buffalo Bills (5-1)

(Last week: 1)

You ever think about how musical the Bills’ defensive line is? You’ve got Carlos Basham, who goes by “Boogie.” There’s Ed Oliver “Twist.” AJ “the girl from” Epenesa and Tim “pani” Settle might be stretches, but that’s why they’re backups. “DaQuan” and “Mister” are both two syllables, so you can force a strained Adam Duritz impression with “DaQuan Jones and me.” And Greg Rousseau? It’s like Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote once upon a time:

“Let’s go dance under the elms:

Step lively, young lassies.

Let’s go dance under the elms:

Gallants, take up your pipes.”

However, BillsThe best football team is still in existence, despite having the week off.

Next: vs. Green BaySunday, 8:20 pm ET

2. Philadelphia Eagles (6-0)

(Last week: 2)

If you’re looking for reasons the EaglesTwo are more obvious than the possibility of a slowdown in their performance after a hot start. The first is the turnover differential. Philadelphia has a plus-12 turnover differential and has given away the ball just twice, while taking it away 14 times. This differential is twice the number of No. The league has 2 teams (DallasThere are 12 take-aways available and six giveaways. Even if Jalen Hurts and Co. continue protecting the football with care, it’s unlikely the defense will continue at its current pace.

Their injury luck thus far is the second elephant in their room. The Eagles have two injured reserve players in the league, one being reserve defensive end. This is a league-low. Janarius RobinsonA healthy, inactive week 2-5 for, Knock on wood, Philadelphia, while you’re not dancing on your own.

Next: vs. PittsburghSunday at 1 p.m. ET

3. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)

(Last week: 3)

All Chiefs did in bouncing back from last week’s loss to the Bills was go into San Francisco against the No. The Chiefs were No. 3 defense by Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (defense-adjusted values over average) and had one of the most outstanding offensive performances this season. The Chiefs scored 44 points in nine drives, which is 4.9 points per drive. This was the highest score for any team in a single game this season, except for their last possession, when they ran out of time. Their EPA (expected points added) per drive (2.87) ranked third, behind only the Seahawks’ Week 4 win in Detroit and the Chiefs’ own performance against ArizonaIn Week 1.

Mecole HardmanHe also managed to get into the No. He was ranked No. 2 on an esoteric leaderboard. He rushed for 28 yards in two carries and both touchdowns. Among players in NFL history with a two-carry, two-touchdown game, that’s the second-most rushing yards behind only Brandon Bolden’s 60 for the DolphinsFor the Patriots2018

Next: Bye Week

Mecole Hardman scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) in the Chiefs’ lopsided victory over the 49ers. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

4. Dallas Cowboys (5-2)

(Last week: 6)

Dak PrescottIn his first game back after a thumb injury that had kept him out of the game for five weeks, he didn’t set the world ablaze. He attempted 25 passes. The Cowboys offense was able to score 10 points in its eight first offensive possessions, before pulling away. Lions late. As Mike Sando writesPrescott seems to be receiving a more pass-heavy gameplan from the Cowboys right now, as opposed to what they were used to. Cooper Rush: “For the first time this season, the Cowboys passed more than they ran on early downs in the game’s first 28 minutes, albeit narrowly (12 passes, 10 runs). In these situations, run-pass rates before time remaining or score differential can influence play calling and indicate how aggressive teams are. BuffaloAt 70 percent, the league leads in such situations. At 42 percent, the Cowboys rank 30th, down from 53 per cent last season. They were back in that 2021 range Sunday.”

Next: vs. ChicagoSunday at 1 p.m. ET

5. New York Giants (6-1)

(Last week: 9)

Coaching is all about helping players overcome their weaknesses and finding ways that they can highlight their strengths. The 2022 version of Daniel JonesThis is a classic example. Through his three first seasons in the league, Jones was a prolific turnover machine. He had 65 combined interceptions and fumbles between 2019-2021, which tied him for the NFL’s most (with Josh AllenOver that time period, he averaged 1.7 turnovers per game. His 1.7 turnovers per games were only second. Jameis Winston. In seven games, he has had just two fumbles as well as two interceptions. Maybe we’ll see the old Daniel Jones as the season goes on, but for now, Brian Daboll and crew have helped ease some of Jones’ worst habits.

Meanwhile, they’ve also built his rushing ability into the offense. He ran for a career-high 107 yards on 11 carries in Sunday’s 23-17 win over the Jaguars, and he’s averaging a career-high 49 rushing yards per game after averaging 26.3 over his first three seasons. If all of that sounds like New York is sort of trying to hide Jones as a passer, well, maybe that’s good coaching, too.

NextSeattle, Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET

6. Baltimore Ravens (4-3)

(Last week: T-5)

It looked just like the RavensThey were going to do it again. They went up 23-13 in the fourth quarter. BrownsThree points were within reach, and Browns’ territory was occupied deep with the ball. It took just over three minutes to finish. It tookA collection of bizarre eventsRavens were unable to blow another late lead, but somehow they prevailed.

Let’s show Chris Horton, Ravens Special Teams Coordinator, some love! Baltimore ranks No. After finishing first last season, Baltimore ranks No. 1 in special-teams DVOA. The Ravens were No. 1 in special teams DVOA in 2020. 2 in special teams DVOA, and No. 9 in 2019, Horton’s first year in charge. He’s no Dave Toub just yet, but let’s get this man on the head-coaching interview circuit, please.

NextTampa Bay, Thursday 8 :15 p.m. ET

7. Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)

(Last week: 8)

The Bengals join the Eagles Eagles and Ravens as the only four teams to have above-average defense and offense, according to DVOA. They look like a team figuring things out after an early-season post-Super Bowl lull, even if it’s fair to argue they should have figured out sooner to lean more into Joe BurrowIn the shotgun. Burrow’s 481 passing yards in Sunday’s win over the FalconsThese are the highest passing yards for any quarterback in this season. He also had two of the highest passing yards games in last season.

These are the top 10 game leaders from each of the previous 10 seasons.

Next: Monday, 8:15 p.m. in Cleveland ET

8. Minnesota Vikings (5-1)

(Last week: 7)

With the Vikings off in Week 7, an update on which receivers, tandems and trios lead the league in how much of their respective teams’ passing offense they’ve accounted for.

The top receivers

1. Justin Jefferson(MIN), 42.5 percent

2. Cooper Kupp(LAR), 38.2 percentage

3. Tyreek Hill(MIA), 37.3 per cent

Leading tandems

1. Hill Jaylen Waddle(MIA), 67.3 per cent

2. Jefferson Adam Thielen(MIN), 61 per cent

3. CeeDee lamb Noah Brown(DAL), 60.1 Percent

Trios of leading figures:

1. A.J. Brown, DeVontaSmith Dallas Goedert(PHI), 83 per cent

2. Hill, Waddle and Mike Gesicki(MIA), 76.2 percent

3. Amari Cooper, David NjokuDonovan Peoples Jones (CLE), 74.2 percent

NextSunday, 1 p.m. ET

9. Miami Dolphins (4-3)

(Last week: 18)

The Dolphins average 0.66 EPA per game in the four games Tua tagovailoa has played and completed, which would make them No. On the full-season leaderboard, they are ranked 4th in the league, just behind the Bills. They averaged -0.59 EPA per game in the three other games, which is the same as the 29th-ranked team. Broncos. Tagovailoa got lucky with some dropped interceptions against the Steelers Sunday night, and the offense really slowed as the game went on, but if he’s healthy, the Dolphins are dynamic.

Next: at Detroit, Sunday 1 p.m. ET

10. San Francisco 49ers (3-4)

(Last week: T-5)

It is easy to understand why the Niners make such a big move. Christian McCaffrey. Even if Kyle Shanahan’s superpower in the past has been making an effective running game out of scraps, San FranciscoMonday’s entry was ranked 23rd for rushing DVOA. In Shanahan’s first five seasons as head coach, the 49ers only finished in the bottom half of rushing DVOA once (30th in 2018). And it’s not as if a healthy Trey LanceJohn Lynch bought Shanahan’s player on the trade market and pushed his cash in for John Lynch. It’s also true that the NFC might be there for the taking.

But man, that’s a heavy price to pay for a player at a fungible position who hasn’t played a full season in three years. The jokes about Shanahan and Niners spending a lot of capital on running backs are worth it (two third round picks, a fourth round pick and over-market deals to players like Jerick McKinnon). It’s a bold move by a team indecisive enough to hire a new broadcaster as their quarterback coach.

Next: at Los Angeles Rams, Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET

11. Tennessee Titans (4-2)

(Last week: 16)

Here’s a small sample size breakdown that might not surprise the Titans fans who have watched their offense seemingly deteriorate over the course of games this season. By EPA per dropback, Ryan TannehillIn the first quarter of this year’s league games, is the best quarterback. It quickly goes downhill from there.

One of 35 qualified quarterbacks.

Next: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. Houston ET

12. New York Jets (5-2)

(Last week: 12)

It was an incredible win for the Jets, who was beaten by the Brett Rypien-led Broncos 16-9 Breece, their star running back, and Alijah, their best offensive lineman (Alijah Vera Tucker), were lost in the process. Hall ran a blazing 62 yard touchdown before succumbing to an ACL tear that ended his season. He was leading an offense ranked 11th for rushing DVOA. Joe Douglas, the general manager, quickly replaced Hall. Trading a Day 3 pick to Jaguars running back James Robinson. It’ll be harder to replace Vera-Tucker, and the pressure is now on Zach WilsonIf the Jets want to keep their cinderella streak going, they will need to be able to do so. They rank 23rd for passing DVOA. Wilson ranks 33rd out of 35 qualified quarterbacks for EPA per dropback. Mitch TrubiskyTruMedia. Baker Mayfield.

Good news: The Jets will be the first NFL team that settles their preseason win-total-over-under bet. Vegas set their number to 5.5, so Jets die-hards only need one more win. There are three other teams within two games from settling their scores: The 6-1 GiantsThey are just two wins away from surpassing their preseason mark 7; the 4-3 SeahawksThe, who are just two wins away from surpassing their preseason mark at 5.5; and, the 3-4 Bucs who are only two losses from clinching fewer victories than their preseason benchmark at 11.5.

NextSunday, 1 p.m. ET

13. Los Angeles Rams (3-3)

(Last week: 14)

“Ramily” remains the fetch of the league’s force-fed phrases.

Next: vs. San Francisco, Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET

14. Seattle Seahawks (4-3)

(Last week: 19)

What Geno SmithHe is doing wild things. He ranks sixth in EPA Per Dropback for the NFC West-leading Seahawks, and is directing an offensive that ranks third in DVOA (and fourth in passing DVOA). He is also the full-time starter after eight seasons. He is the league’s leading quarterback with a 73.5 completion rate, which puts him in line for the highest single-season completion percentage for any quarterback other than Drew Brees.

Considering it, perhaps the similarities between Smith & Brees are more apparent than we thought. Both second-round picks find success after being discarded from the team that drafted. Both have four-letter names and five letters for their second names. Both are known for making at least one of the other teammates mad. Jason Garrett has been the most interesting player of them all.

NextSunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

15. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)

(Last week: 13)

The ChargersYou have suffered a number of injuries and you are suffering from an embarrassing loss at home. It’s hard to call them a good team at the moment.

Their limited offensive game plan frustrates both the fans and the quarterback. This is evident in how passive they are on the first and third downs. Of their 131 touchdowns and first downs, 50 have been on third or fourth down. The league’s highest percentage is 38.2 per cent.

Next: Bye Week

16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4)

(Last week: 20)

Josh JacobsThe breakout player for the season was Raiders. His 633 rush yards rank third among the NFLHe trails only Nick Chubb in rushing yards per game. He’s the main reason the Raiders rank No. He is the No.1 in rushing DVOA.

This is also his chance to do something he’s never done before — lead all former Alabama running backs in rushing yards. He was second. Derrick HenryAfter his two first seasons in the league (2019 & 2020), Henry finished fourth behind Najee and Henry. Damien Harris.

What would be the performance of the all-Alabama squad this season? It is definitely good enough to break the top five power rankings.

Next: Sunday, January 1, New Orleans ET

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)

(Last week: 10)

This space feels like it’s used to have fun Tom Brady every week, so let’s give that a rest, even though he and the Bucs certainly deserve it after becoming the first double-digit favorite to lose a game this season. Instead, here’s the list of players with more than 100 pass-rush snaps this season who have yet to register a quarterback hit, per TruMedia:

• Greg Gaines, Rams (175 pass-rush snaps)

• Angelo BlacksonBears (128)

• Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Buccaneers (115)

• Isaiah Buggs, Lions (115).

• Chris WormleySteelers (105)

• Tim Settle, Bills (103)

Next: vs. Baltimore, Thursday 8:15 p.m. ET

18. Green Bay Packers (3-4)

(Last week: 17)

Here’s how lost the Packers’ offense is at the moment. Aaron RodgersHe was only 8.8 per cent pressured to dropback against the CommandersTruMedia claims Sunday was the lowest pressure game for a quarterback in this season’s history. Yet, the Packers managed only 14 points offense against a defense that was mediocre. They also scored a defensive touchdown. The Packers are heading into Sunday’s defeat. Packers look completely average.

NextSunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

19. New England Patriots (3-4)

(Last week: 11)

After Bill Belichick’s inspired homage to George Halas in trying to win a game by scoring 14 points, the eyes in New England turn to the quarterback controversy we never knew we needed between Dragon Bail-Z and Mac Jones. This is for the record. Bailey Zappe is now at 0.06 EPA per dropback on the season, per TruMedia, to Jones’ -0.11. Jones was at 0.04 when he was a rookie in 2021. Obviously, it’s hard to imagine a first-round pick losing his job in Year 2, but that was a weird night!

Next week, the Patriots play the Jets, against whom they’ve won a whopping 12 in a row. These are the five best division matchups between head-tohead over the last five seasons.

• 9-0 – TexansMore than 200,000

• 8-0 – Patriots over Jets, Chiefs over Broncos

• 8-1 – Rams over Cardinals, Packers over Bears, Vikings over Lions, Cowboys over Giants

• 7-1 – Bears over Lions

Next: Sunday, January 1, at New York Jets ET

20. Arizona Cardinals (3-4)

(Last week: 26)

Poor Andy Dalton. His career is almost over. Marco Wilson meme’d him into oblivion last Thursday night. He was at least his long-term paramour A.J. Greenhe was able to send him off with his heart.

The Cardinals are 28th in overall DVOA (26th for offense and 20th for defense). The biggest question mark regarding their season thus far is which of the following: Kyler MurrayKliff Kingsbury and Adam Driver are Scarlett Johansson. Perhaps DeAndre HopkinsYou will be the one to keep them all together.

Next: at Minnesota on Sunday 1 p.m. ET

21. Atlanta Falcons (3-4)

(Last week: 15)

You know those challenges on “Top Chef” when one person preps the meal and then another steps in to cook the dish, but the teammates aren’t allowed to talk to each other? I like to imagine that’s what’s going on with the Falcons. General manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith aren’t allowed to communicate with each other all season. Fontenot creates the ingredients that Smith will cook with in spring. Then, he watches in horror as Smith uses white truffles and Kobe meat as garnish.

Sure, Smith’s run-heavy offense ranks No. 9 in offensive DVOA. 4 in rushing DVOA. Maybe that’s their identity, even after spending top-10 picks in back-to-back seasons on pass catchers. Even when the game situation requires it, the Falcons refuses to throw the ball. 66.2 percent is the league-wide average pass rate when teams are behind by more than 10 goals this season. Five teams have failed to pass on less than half their offensive snaps when they are trailing by more than 10 points. Atlanta keeps a great company.

Next: vs. CarolinaSunday at 1 p.m. ET

22. Cleveland Browns (2-5)

(Last week: 21)

Four of the Browns’ five losses have been by three points or fewer. Only Cincinnati and Denver have suffered more than three losses this season by three points or less. But Cleveland is probably tired of hearing it’s better than its record at this point. Monday night’s AFC North showdown with the Bengals shapes up as something of a make-or-break game for the Browns before their Week 9 bye. After going 2-6 in the season, the 2020 Washington Football Team won NFC East with a record of 7-9. They are the only playoff-bound team since 1990.

Next: vs. Cincinnati, Monday 8:15 p.m. ET

23. Indianapolis Colts (3-3-1)

(Last week: 22)

Whoa! In a season that seems hell-bent on ushering out the old quarterback guard, Frank Reich’s announcement that Matt RyanIs being benched in place of Sam EhlingerPerhaps the most remarkable turn of events is the one that occurred, at least for this season. The Colts’ offense could certainly use a spark — it ranks 30th in offensive DVOA and 32nd in passing DVOA — but Ehlinger is a 2021 sixth-round pick who was not exactly waiting in the wings. Indianapolis will likely adopt a quarterback-inclusive offense to unlock the potential. Jonathan Taylor. Ehlinger ran a 4.84 second 40-yard dash at combine and rushed for 1,903 yard in his four seasons at Texas.

Nextvs. Washington, Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET

24. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5)

(Last week: 23)

The Jaguars came in one yard shy of winning against the Giants. Christian KirkAs time expired, he was tackled at the 1-yard-line down six points. The touchdown would have been the game’s most unattractive possession in recent memory. Trevor LawrenceThree of his nine passes failed to be completed on this drive. The Giants defense had a sack and an interception both called off for penalty on back-to-back plays, and the Jaguars ran a bizarre double-pass screen that actually looked like it might have been a big play had Travis Etienne been able to haul in Kirk’s pass. It was emblematic of the state of Jacksonville’s team at the moment — so close to being interesting, if it could just get out of its own way. Meanwhile, Etienne’s red zone fumble when the Jaguars were on the cusp of taking an 18-10 lead will chafe more than the final drive.

Next: Sunday, 9:30 AM in London vs. Denver ET

25. Denver Broncos (2-5)

(Last week: 24)

The Broncos’ defense has a case for being the best in the league. It ranks No. 3 in defensive DVOA (No. 3 against the pass and No. 18 against the pass, No. That’s the fewest takeaways for any top-10 defense. That’s part of the reason why, according to TruMedia, they have the best defensive success rate in the league (62.4 percent). The offense might not be needed if there are turnovers. This would be a nice thing, since Trashida is Jones’ offense.

Next: vs. Jacksonville (in London), Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET

26. New Orleans Saints (2-5)

(Last week: 25)

Maybe he’s just the fall guy for a Jenga tower of roster construction that was bound to collapse eventually, but Dennis Allen sure has a dour record as a head coach. He’s now 10-33 through parts of four seasons. Hue Jackson (11-41-41), Steve Spagnuolo (11-41) or Gus Bradley (14-50) are the only post-merger head coach with more than 40 games under their belts and a lower winning percentage.

Next: vs. Las Vegas, Sunday 1 p.m. ET

27. Washington Commanders (3-4)

(Last week: 32)

For some reason, it’s more humiliating Carson Wentz than last week’s dance over who pushed for his offseason acquisition was head coach Ron Rivera wishing after Sunday’s surprise win over the Packers that he could Frankenstein is a quarterback who combines the strengths of Taylor Heinicke and Wentz.. The Commanders’ defense is improving, though. TruMedia rates it second in league success, but the team is only 16th for defensive DVOA. This is due to a relatively weak offensive schedule, and a propensity for making big passes in the passing game.

Next: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

Taylor Heinicke was the replacement for Carson Wentz who was injured and led the Commanders in a win over Aaron Rodgers (Packers) (John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images).

28. Chicago Bears (3-4)

(Last week: 30)

Ryan Poles, Bears general manger, had a great night. His two second round rookies Kyler Gordon Jaquan BriskerBoth defense players recorded interceptions, which showed how a secondary can make a difference against quarterbacks with weak arm strength. Poles was criticized because he didn’t provide protection or offensive weaponry support. Justin FieldsThese picks were good, but Fields probably was right to divorce Fields from long-term investments.

Meanwhile, the offensive staff used its bye week to build a plan that let Fields do a little more of what he’s good at. His 14 rushing attempts was a record high. Also, his 0.40 EPA for each pass attempt was a record (though he did fumble four times and none were lost).

Next: Sunday, January 1, at Dallas ET

29. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5)

(Last week: 27)

You can squint and see the reason for the Steelers’ optimism as the season goes on. By DVOA, they’ve played the hardest schedule in the league through seven weeks. They’ll still play the ninth-hardest schedule the rest of the way, but that’s an improvement at least. The defense is at No. 13 in DVOA and could be among the league’s best if and when T.J. Watt returns. And Kenny PickettIt looks very spicy! He’s playing in one of the league’s least creative offenses, but he’s a quick decision-maker who trusts one of the more talented wide receiver trios in the league. Maybe Mike Tomlin’s fabled streak of non-losing seasons isn’t over just yet.

Next: Sunday, 1 p.m. in Philadelphia ET

30. Carolina Panthers (2-5)

(Last week: 31)

McCaffrey was, in fact, the problem. Carolina was a stooge against what was supposed a strong Bucs defense. D’Onta Foreman Chuba HubbardCombining them, they resulted in 181 rushing yards per 24 carries. PJ WalkerCompleted 16 of 22 passes for an impressive 177 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. By TruMedia’s EPA per dropback, it was the best game by a Panthers quarterback since Week 11 of last season. Meanwhile, Steve Wilks’ defense held Tom Brady and the Bucs to a pathetic three points. Fun stuff.

NextSunday, January 1, at Atlanta ET

31. Detroit Lions (1-5)

(Last week: 28)

The Lions lost Sunday in a different manner. Their defense held up against the Cowboys, whereas their offense slowed down. The Loins will be one of the most successful if Roger Goodell goes to Joshua Tree with Aaron Rodgers, spends the weekend there and then returns asking each team to rename itself with an anagram. There are other options.

• Cincinnati Bangles

• Chicago Rebas

• Houston Sextan

• Indianapolis Clots

• Los Angeles Arms

• New Orleans Stains

• New York Jest

• Pittsburgh Treeless

• Tennessee Taints

Nextvs. Miami on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET

32. Houston Texans (1-4-1)

(Last week: 29)

Three times, the Texans led the Raiders in their loss Sunday. One of those was a 20-17 lead at the end of the fourth quarter. They were then outscored 21-0 by the Raiders in the final period. They have been outscored 41 times in the fourth quarter of the season. This is second only to the Ravens, who are the league’s worst record. Dameon Pierce Derek Stingley Jr.They are certainly fun.

Next: vs. Tennessee, Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET

(Top illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; photo credit: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images