We’re now six weeks through the NFL season, and the different tiers of talent are starting to emerge.
The Patriots, Vikings, Seahawks, and Steelers all feel a class above the rest, though Ben Roethlisberger’s injury should make things interesting during the heart of the season. Below them, the Falcons, Broncos, Cowboys, and Cardinals are all lingering, potentially threatening if they can put it all together.
Still, there are plenty of mysteries. Is it time to believe in the Bills? Sound the alarms in Green Bay?
And there there are the Panthers, who dropped to 1-5 after a valiant comeback effort fell short in New Orleans. Who saw that coming?
In other words, although we’re finally starting to learn a lot, there’s still much to be untangled as the season marches on.
Check out our power rankings going into Week 7 below:
32. Cleveland Browns
Record: 0-6
Week 6 result: Lost to the Titans, 28-26
Week 6 star: Terrelle Pryor had 75 yards and two touchdowns.
Week 7 opponent: at Cincinnati Bengals
One thing to know: The Browns very nearly pulled off a win against a competitive Titans team. Eventually, this team will get one.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 1-5
Week 6 result: Lost to the Bills, 45-16
Week 6 star: It's hard to find a star in a rout like this, but we'll give it to Torrey Smith. The veteran wide receiver had 76 yards and a nice touchdown.
Week 7 opponent: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One thing to know: According to ESPN, the Niners have the worst offense in the league. Colin Kaepernick's return on Sunday didn't fix much.
30. Chicago Bears
Record: 1-5
Week 6 result: Lost to the Jaguars, 17-16
Week 6 star: Cameron Meredith has emerged as a solid wideout for the Bears, catching 11 passes for 113 yards against the Jaguars.
Week 7 opponent: at Green Bay Packers
One thing to know: The Bears blew a 13-point fourth-quarter lead to the Jags to fall to 2-9 at home under head coach John Fox.
29. New York Jets
Record: 1-5
Week 6 result: Lost to the Cardinals, 28-3
Week 6 star: There wasn't one!
Week 7 opponent: vs. Baltimore Ravens
One thing to know: The Jets have benched Ryan Fitzpatrick and are giving Geno Smith a go on Sunday.
28. Miami Dolphins
Record: 2-4
Week 6result: Beat the Steelers, 30-15
Week 6 star: Running back Jay Ajayi had a monster day with 204 yards and two touchdowns.
Week 7 opponent: vs. Buffalo Bills
One thing to know: The Dolphins will have their hands full with Bills running back LeSean McCoy, who's been on a tear, in Week 7. The Dolphins have the eighth worst run defense in the league.
27. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 2-4
Week 6 result: Lost to the Texans, 26-23
Week 6 star: Frank Gore ran for 106 yards in the loss. After the game, though, he said he didn't come to Indianapolis to be in last place in the division. Not ideal!
Week 7 opponent:
One thing to know: The Colts led 23-9 with seven minutes left in the 4th quarter and lost.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 2-3
Week 6 result: Beat the Bears, 17-16
Week 6 star: Linebacker Paul Posluszny had 11 tackles, two tackles for losses, and posted the best PFF grade on the Jags.
Week 7 opponent: vs. Oakland Raiders
One thing to know: Blake Bortles is having a rough year for the Jaguars, but his star receivers aren't helping either. Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns both dropped four passes, one of which turned into an interception in the end zone.
25. New Orleans Saints
Record: 2-3
Week 6 result: Beat the Panthers, 41-38
Week 6 star: Drew Brees threw for 465 yards and four touchdowns.
Week 7 opponent: at Kansas City Chiefs
One thing to know: ESPN's Mike Triplett chalks up the Saints back-to-back wins to their improvement at tight end. Colby Fleener and Josh Hill are helping make the offense more multidimensional.
24. Carolina Panthers
Record: 1-5
Week 6 result: Lost to the Saints, 41-38
Week 6 star: Jonathan Stewart had a successful return to the field from an injury, running for 85 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.
Week 7 opponent: Bye
One thing to know: An angry Cam Newton walked out of his press conference abruptly after the Panthers fell to a baffling 1-5, last in the NFC South.
23. Los Angeles Rams
Record: 3-3
Week 6 result: Lost to the Lions, 31-28
Week 6 star: Kenny Britt had a big game, putting up 136 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Week 7 opponent: vs. New York Giants (in London)
One thing to know: The Rams have committed a whopping 50 penalties for 435 yards, the third-most in the league.
22. Tennessee Titans
Record: 3-3
Week 6 result: Beat the Browns, 28-26
Week 6 star: Marcus Mariota put together an efficient performance with 284 yards on 17-of-24 passing, three touchdowns, and one interception.
Week 7 opponent: vs. Indianapolis Colts
One thing to know: Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk denied a report that the Titans are up for sale: "Haven't talked to Bon Jovi or anybody else for that matter, and it's not for sale."
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 2-3
Week 6 result: They had a bye!
Week 6 star: Nobody - they had a bye!
Week 7 opponent: at San Francisco 49ers
One thing to know: Vincent Jackson has been placed on the injured reserve with a torn ACL.
20. San Diego Chargers
Record: 2-4
Week 6 result: Beat the Broncos, 21-13
Week 6 star: Linebacker Jatavis Brown had a big day with 14 tackles, a sack, tackle for loss, and forced fumble.
Week 7 opponent: at Atlanta Falcons
One thing to know: The Chargers came up with a big win over the Broncos at a time when rumors were swirling that head coach Mike McCoy's job might be in danger.
19. Detroit Lions
Record: 3-3
Week 6 result: Beat the Rams, 31-28
Week 6 star: Matthew Stafford threw for 270 yards and an impressive four touchdowns
Week 7 opponent: vs. Washington Redskins
One thing to know: According to Pro Football Focus, Theo Riddick is the best receiving back in the NFL.
18. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 3-3
Week 6 result: Lost to the Giants, 27-23
Week 6 star: Terrence West is running away with the lead running back role, rushing for 87 yards and two touchdowns in Week 6.
Week 7 opponent: at New York Jets
One thing to know: Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs reportedly has a torn bicep and will likely miss some time.
17. New York Giants
Record: 3-3
Week 6 result: Beat the Ravens, 27-23
Week 6 star: Who else but Odell Beckham Jr.? Not only did he have 222 yards and two touchdowns, he also proposed to the kicking net. It said yes! (And so now, please, let's end this bit.)
Week 7 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Rams (in London)
One thing to know: The Giants are still in last place in the NFC East, which is surprisingly competitive this year.
16. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 2-4
Week 6 result: Lost to the Patriots, 35-17
Week 6 star: We'll give it to Andy Dalton, who had 254 yards on 21-31 passing, wih two touchdowns, one of which was a rushing TD.
Week 7 opponent: vs. Cleveland Browns
One thing to know: The Bengals are one of the league's more disappointing teams, but with the Steelers losing Ben Roethlisberger to a knee injury and the Ravens sliding from a 3-0 start, they can hang around in the AFC North race.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 3-2
Week 6 result: Lost to the Redskins, 27-20
Week 6 star: The Eagles' social media team! They mocked the NFL's new social media rules with some fun electronic football highlights on their Twitter account on Sunday.
Week 7 opponent: vs. Minnesota Vikings
One thing to know: Carson Wentz was sacked five time times and hit 11 against Washington. He said earlier this week he's sore, which doesn't bode well with the Vikings' scary defense on deck this weekend.
14. Houston Texans
Record: 4-2
Week 6 result: Beat the Colts, 26-23
Week 6 star: Lamar Miller finally had a breakthrough game, rushing for 149 yards and a touchdown while adding 29 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.
Week 7 opponent: vs. Denver Broncos
One thing to know: Brock Osweiler, Miller, and the Texans finally had an offensive breakthrough in their comeback win over the Colts. Can they sustain it when Osweiler returns to Denver to face one of the league's toughest defenses?
13. Washington Redskins
Record: 4-2
Week 6 result: Beat the Eagles, 27-20
Week 6 star: Matt Jones had a nice day running the ball, going for 135 yards and a touchdown.
Week 7 opponent: at Detroit Lions
One thing to know: Although they've won four straight, Washington still isn't convincing many people that they are the real deal. FiveThirtyEight gives them a 39% chance to make the playoffs, which is way worse than the Cowboys (78%).
12. Oakland Raiders
Record: 4-2
Week 6 result: Lost to the Chiefs, 26-10
Week 6 star: Amari Cooper had 129 receiving yards, but couldn't find the back of the end zone.
Week 7 opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars
One thing to know: Derek Carr had his worst game of the season, throwing for just 225 yards on 34 passes, with one touchdown, an interception, and a lost fumble.
11. Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 3-2
Week 6 result: Beat the Raiders, 23-10
Week 6 star: Spencer Ware had 131 yards and a touchdown. Jamaal Charles who?
Week 7 opponent: vs. New Orleans Saints
One thing to know: Justin Houston has practiced this week, but Andy Reid didn't sound too optimistic that he'd play this weekend.
10. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 3-3
Week 6 result: Beat the Jets, 28-3
Week 6 star: David Johnson is the Cardinals workhorse: he ran for 111 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries.
Week 7 opponent: vs. Seattle Seahawks
One thing to know: The Cardinals have rebounded from a 1-3 start, but get the red-hot Seahawks next week in what could be a telling divisional matchup.
9. Green Bay Packers
Record: 3-2
Week 6 result: Lost to the Cowboys, 30-16
Week 6 star: The Packers turned the ball over four times and conceded 30 points at home to a rookie quarterback. Hard to find a star in a performance like that!
Week 7 opponent: vs. Chicago Bears
One thing to know: Injuries are killing the Packers right now, and now Eddie Lacy is expected to miss time with an ankle injury. Time to sound the alarm in Green Bay?
8. Buffalo Bills
Record: 4-2
Week 6 result: Beat the 49ers, 45-16
Week 6 star: LeSean McCoy is having a monster season. He ran for 140 yards and three touchdowns against the Niners, bringing his season totals to 587 yards and six scores.
Week 7 opponent: at Miami Dolphins
One thing to know: The Bills will have a chance to continue to beat up on lousy teams when they face the Dolphins this week. The Bills are a puzzling team, but regardless, a Week 7 win would plant them firmly in the playoff race.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 4-2
Week 6 result: Lost to the Dolphins, 30-15
Week 6 star: We'll give it to Darrius Heyward-Bey, whose 60-yard touchdown run was one of the best touchdowns of the season.
Week 7 opponent: vs. New England Patriots
One thing to know: Ben Roethlisberger is now expected to miss four to six weeks with a torn meniscus. With 10 games left, the Steelers might only have Big Ben for five.
6. Denver Broncos
Record: 4-2
Week 6 result: Lost to the Chargers, 21-13
Week 6 star: Who else? Von Miller had six tackles, a sack, and an extra QB hit.
Week 7 opponent: vs. Houston Texans
One thing to know: Keep an eye on the Broncos running back situation: C.J. Anderson is struggling after a hot start, and backup had 46 yards on just five carries in Week 6. The Broncos struggling offense may look to make a change.
5. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 5-1
Week 6 result: Beat the Packers, 30-16
Week 6 star: Three more touchdowns for rookie Dak Prescott, who may make Jerry Jones' decision quite easy when Tony Romo come back. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Week 7 opponent: Bye!
One thing to know: Not only is Ezekiel Elliott running away with the offensive rookie of the year award, he's also making a legitimate case for MVP, too.
4. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 4-2
Week 6 result: Lost to the Seahawks, 26-24
Week 6 star: If you didn't know, Julio Jones is very good: he had 139 yards and a touchdown and made Richard Sherman very mad.
Week 7 opponent: vs. San Diego Chargers
One thing to know: The Falcons may have been wronged by a missed pass-interference call by Sherman on Julio Jones late in the game.
3. Seattle Seahawks
Record: 4-1
Week 6 result: Beat the Falcons, 26-24
Week 6 star: Christine Michael only have 64 yards, but he found the back of the end zone twice.
Week 7 opponent: at Arizona Cardinals
One thing to know: Seattle is cruising. They have a 78.7% chance to win the NFC West, and a 28% chance to reach the Super Bowl, according to Football Outsiders.
2. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 5-0
Week 6 result: They had a bye!
Week 6 star: Nobody - they had a bye!
Week 7 opponent: at Philadelphia Eagles
One thing to know: The Vikings are the lone undefeated team in the NFL. Their defense should be rested up to give Carson Wentz and the sliding Eagles some problems in Week 7.
1. New England Patriots
Record: 5-1
Week 6 result: Beat the Bengals, 35-17
Week 6 star: Another solid outing for Tom Brady, who threw for 376 yards and 3 touchdowns. Rob Gronkowski also had his best game of the season, posting 162 yards receiving and a touchdown.
Week 7 opponent: at Pittsburgh Steelers
One thing to know: New England's defense hasn't been the story of their season, but it should. They're conceding just 15.2 points per game, which is the second lowest number in the league.
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