No. 1 — Buffalo Bills (6-0) | (2nd) 📈 1 spot
The Bills had their bye in Week 7, and they benefited from the 49ers’ loss in Atlanta.
No. 2 — San Fransico 49ers (5-1) | (1st) 📉 1 spot
The 49ers lose their No. 1 ranking after losing 29-20 in Atlanta. San Francisco is injured; their receiver position is decimated. George Kittle contributed eight catches for 88 yards, and Christian McCaffrey was in and out of the game with a lower-body injury. They’re a good team that hit a speed bump, but the casualties are mounting.
No. 3 — Minnesota Vikings (6-0) | (4th) 📈 1 spot
Minnesota has to be kicking themselves watching J.J. McCarthy perform as he did
for the Giants. Kyler Murray and this Vikings offense are difficult to watch. Aaron Jones hurt his knee and is day-to-day, but Jordan Mason did return to action. Still, Brian Flores’ defense is elite, and it dictates and harasses every week. The Vikings escaped with a 16-10 home victory, as Murray threw for just 150 yards.
No. 4 —Chicago Bears (5-2) (5th) | 📈 1 spot
Chicago defeated the Patriots, 30-24, on Thursday Night Football. Luther Burden III caught four passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. Caleb Williams tossed two touchdowns as Chicago earned a high-quality win against a top-10 team.
No. 5 — Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) | (9th) 📉 2 spots
Kansas City couldn’t get much going against Seattle. Still, the Chiefs are a top-five team in the NFL, but their wide receiver problems remain tough to overcome. Their defense remains elite despite the loss to the next-ranked team.
No. 6 — Seattle Seahawks (4-3) | (9th) 📈 3 spots
Seattle had a statement 20-3 win against the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. Jaxson Smith-Njigba caught nine passes for 150 yards with a score, and the defense held Patrick Mahomes and Kenneth Walker to just 213 total yards.
No. 7 — Denver Broncos (5-2) | SAME
The Broncos scored 30 points against the Arizona Cardinals, but the offense still appears to be struggling. A 62-yard touchdown run by Bo Nix helped Denver secure the win. The three-headed backfield is leaning toward rookie Jonah Coleman, who rushed for 54 yards on nine carries, but it was J.K. Dobbins who scored the other rushing touchdown for Denver.
No. 8 —Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) | SAME
The Jacksonville Jaguars had their bye in Week 7.
No. 9 — Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) | 📈 6 spots
The Bengals scored 35 second-half points and shut out the Baltimore Ravens in the second half, allowing Joe Burrow and the Bengals to secure the 23-13 win. Tee Higgins went off for 148 receiving yards on six catches with a touchdown. Cincinnati’s defense is playing much better, and the Bengals shut down the Ravens after surrendering a 13-0 lead.
No. 10 — New England Patriots (4-3) | (8th) 📉 4 spots
New England is having an odd and streaky season that is highlighted by their Week 4 29-26 win over Buffalo. The Patriots relied on a freak lapse in tackling and coverage at the end of the first half on a long Rhamondre Stevenson touchdown reception, which kept this game very competitive. New England wasn’t bad in the game, but the Bears handled their business at home.
No. 11 — Detroit Lions (4-2) | (13th) 📈 2 spots
The Detroit Lions came out of their bye week with a 20-17 win against the Green Bay Packers. Jared Goff threw for 303 yards with some very impressive tosses, along with two touchdowns, as Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 116 yards on 29 carries.
No. 12— Cleveland Browns (5-2) | (13th) 📈 4 spots
The Browns are playing good football right now. They’re well coached, and they’re getting the most out of their quarterback situation. Second-year running back Quinshon Judkins rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans, who led 14-0 early. I have my reservations about Cleveland’s run defense after allowing Tony Pollard to rush for 129 yards with a hat trick. Still, the Browns have severely exceeded my expectations in 2026.
No. 13 — Baltimore Ravens (4-3) | (10th) 📉 3 spots
Cincinnati stomped the Ravens at home, 35-13. Lamar Jackson should return soon, which should change the team’s fortunes. Although, this injury situation seems to be lingering.
No. 14 — Green Bay Packers (4-3) | 📉 2 spots
Jordan Love is playing excellent football, and his two star receivers are struggling with drops. Green Bay missed two makeable field goals and lost by three points. The eventual return of Micah Parsons will be welcomed, and the team just got running back Josh Jacobs back.
No. 15 — Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) | 📉 1 spot
The Steelers defense held the Saints to just 10 points, while the offense struggled in Paris, but they found a way to win the game 16-10. Pittsburgh is operating well right now; Aaron Rodgers is doing enough to win, while the defense continues to harass and dominate.
No. 16 —Los Angeles Rams (3-4) | (17th) 📈 1 spot
The Rams went into Las Vegas and beat up the Kirk Cousins-led Raiders 35-21. Matt Stafford found Davis Allen for three touchdowns, and Puka Nacua for one touchdown with eight catches for 68 yards on 10 targets. The Rams had a 28-6 lead, and the Raiders scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to make the score more respectable.
No. 17 — New York Giants (4-2-1) | (20th) 📈 3 spots
The Giants just pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year in Houston as 10.5-point underdogs on the road. The team responded to critical coaching and dominated both sides of the football. Still, overtime was necessary because of two missed kicks, among a few other things. Nevertheless, the Giants forced their fifth three-and-out in overtime and scored three plays later on a 30-yard touchdown run. The Giants are a different team under John Harbaugh.
No. 18 — Carolina Panthers (3-3) | (12th) 📉 5 spots
Carolina was soundly defeated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who beat up quarterback Bryce Young. Carolina’s offense could do nothing, and the Buccaneers cruised to an easy 43-13 victory. A major step back for the Panthers, as they turned the football over four times.
No. 19 — Atlanta Falcons (3-4) | (21st) 📈 2 spots
The Falcons are playing better with Michael Penix Jr., who threw for just 213 yards, but had three touchdowns. The Falcons’ defense stifled the 49ers’ injured offense. Atlanta is better than its record – two of the Falcons losses were with Cooper Rush at quarterback.
No. 20 — Dallas Cowboys (3-4)| (25th) 📈 5 spots
Dallas went into Philadelphia and defeated the Eagles 38-21. Dak Prescott threw three touchdown passes, two of them caught by CeeDee Lamb. Dallas is now 3-4 with the Cardinals, Colts, and 49ers on deck.
No. 21 — Houston Texans (2-5) | (19th) 📉 2 spots
The Texans were on a two-game winning streak and were embarrassed by the Giants on both sides of the ball. The Giants owned the point of attack and rushed for 188 yards, while J.J. McCarthy created explosive play after explosive play with his arm. Houston’s offense could not figure out Dennard Wilson’ scheme. I keep saying Houston is better than its record, and that may be true, but losing a game like that to the Giants undermines that claim.
No. 22 — New Orleans Saints (2-5) | SAME
New Orleans could not escape Paris with a victory; they lost 16-10 to Pittsburgh. Tyler Shough was 30 of 38 for 278 yards with a touchdown and an interception. New Orleans’ defense forced a checkdown, after checkdown, but Rodgers nickel-and-dimed the Steelers to a victory. The eventual return of Travis Etienne will be welcomed.
No. 23 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4)| (28th) 📈 5 spots
Baker Mayfield didn’t need to do much in his return – he threw for just 64 yards. Todd Bowles’ defense and special teams forced four turnovers, and the Buccaneers easily defeated their divisional rival – in Carolina – 43-13. their record, and that may be true, but losing a game like that to the Giants undermines that claim.
No. 24 — Las Vegas Raiders (3-4) | (19th) 📉 5 spots
The Raiders have now lost four in a row, allowing more than 30 points in each of the last four games. The Rams soundly defeated them at home 35-21. Sooner or later, Fernando Mendoza will start.
No. 25 — Arizona Cardinals (2-5) | SAME
Arizona was soundly defeated by the Broncos 30-16. Jacoby Brissett threw the football 48 times. Sooner or later, the Cardinals may turn to Carson Beck to see what they have in the rookie. The Cardinals are a competitive 2-5 team, but they’re still in the bottom third of the NFL.
No. 26 — New York Jets (2-5) | (23rd) 📉 3 spots
The Jets failed to defeat a beaten-up Miami Dolphins team at home. Miami won 28-25, and Geno Smith was an efficient 23 of 30 for 287 yards with three touchdowns and a score. Braelon Allen had another good game on the ground before the return of Breece Hall; he rushed for 104 yards on 17 carries. The young weapons thrived in the game for the Jets — Omar Cooper Jr. and Mason Taylor — but Garrett Wilson was held to just two catches for 26 yards. A tough divisional home loss for the Jets.
No. 27 — Washington Commanders (1-4-1) | SAME
Washington had its bye week.
No. 28 — Philadelphia Eagles (2-5) | (27th) 📉 2 spots
The Eagles are beyond injured and their defense struggled to stop Dallas, which had more than 400 yards of offense. Saquon Barkley and Dameon Pierce were both injured during the game. Philadelphia is a very injured team at the moment, and the Eagles also lost Moro Ojomo to an injury late in the fourth quarter. It’s not great in Philadelphia.
No. 29 —Indianapolis Colts (2-5) | SAME
The Colts fired their general manager and Daniel Jones is playing like the Giants’ version of Daniel Jones. He was in a tough spot against the Vikings, who defeated the Colts 16-10. Indianapolis has entered fire sale mode, trading Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner on Tuesday. Jonathan Taylor and others could follow.
No. 30 — Miami Dolphins (1-5) | (32nd) 📈 2 spots
Miami got its first victory, defeating the woeful Jets 28-25.
No. 31 — Tennessee Titans (1-6) | (30th) 📉 1 spot
Cam Ward’s struggles are alarming territory. Tennessee may have some uncomfortable conversations at the end of the season.
No. 32 — Los Angeles Chargers (0-6) | (31st) 📉 1 spot
The Chargers were on their bye.
