Week 7 "2PC Top-10" NFL Power Rankings
We're back with another... slightly more odd set of rankings this week.
Weekly reminder: The 2PC Top-10 Rankings is a composite list based on the average of each 2PC contributor’s top-10 ranking.
Week 6 was eventful to say the least - and I can’t remember a time over the past several seasons where there were this few “elite” NFL teams.
If you told me prior to the season starting that the list would like how it does today, I certainly would not believe you.
Let’s dive in.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LW: 5)
Last Result: Beat 49ers, 30-19
Congrats Tampa. I don’t want to diminish the accomplishment of becoming the #1 team in our rankings, but it did happen at the expense at literally every other playoff team, seemingly.
Look, Baker Mayfield is playing at an MVP caliber right now - and the Buccaneers have withstood injuries to seemingly every offensive skill player. The road won’t get easier with a game against the Lions this week.
2. Indianapolis Colts (LW: 6)
Last Result: Beat Cardinals, 31-27
I was lower on the Colts than almost any other team coming into this season, but they have impressed in areas I simply did not expect. The supporting cast around the quarterback has been special this year - Jonathan Taylor is an MVP candidate of his own after a third of the season.
I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but the Colts have looked much more dominant in their wins than basically any other team. And if we’re being honest, they’re two AD Mitchell mistakes away from being undefeated.
3. Green Bay Packers (LW: 4)
Last Result: Beat Bengals, 27-18
The Green Bay Packers are weird. I have a ton of trust in their talent to get things done, but they’ve been playing competitive games against teams that they simply outmatch.
I have to assume they will get better as the season goes along - and the committee is still very high on Green Bay.
4. Detroit Lions (LW: 2)
Last Result: Lost to Chiefs, 30-17
The Detroit Lions will have a chance to knock off the number one team in the rankings, and they look much more put together than many other “elite” teams through the first part of the season.
While most contenders have incurred surprising losses to this point, Detroit has lost to only Kansas City and Green Bay. They can out-talent almost any team in the league, and their playcallers have improved drastically since week one.
5. Buffalo Bills (LW: 3)
Last Result: Lost to Falcons, 24-14
The Bills were pretty thoroughly outplayed against Atlanta on Monday Night Football - and there are some glaring warts in the defensive infrastructure (particularly in the running game).
That said, it’s still Buffalo. The combination of Josh Allen and this elite offensive line will carry them through most games - and they have talent outside of that as well. But it’s safe to say there will be more of an eye on how things carry out from here.
6. Los Angeles Rams (LW: 8)
Last Result: Beat Ravens, 17-3
The Los Angeles Rams got the benefit of playing a pretty hapless Ravens team that’s struggled throughout this season - enough to put John Harbaugh on #HotSeatWatch. Still, the offense has more talent than almost any other team, and the defensive front is intimidating, to say the least.
The Rams have one of their toughest tests so far this season in a London game against the Jaguars - without Puka Nacua - who has been not only the best receiver in football to this point in the season, but one of the best players in the league regardless of position.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (LW: 1)
Last Result: Lost to Giants, 34-17
As much as I want to tell you not to panic on this Eagles team, things clearly aren’t the same as what they were last year. The running game went from record-setting to mediocre, and relying on Jalen Hurts as a passer more is clearly hurting the offense.
The vibes around Philly are bad despite a 4-2 record, and three of their next four games are against 2024 NFC playoff teams. Still, they’re talented. And that’s hard not to think about when stacking the top-10 teams in the NFL.
8. Kansas City Chiefs (LW: NR)
Last Result: Beat Lions, 30-17
The Chiefs have had a rough go so far, but they just beat one of the best teams in the NFL and get their star receiver back in Rashee Rice for the remainder of the season. The arrow is pointing up in Kansas City, and things are likely to get better with a layup against an unimpressive Raiders team on Sunday.
9. New England Patriots (LW: NR)
Last Result: Beat Saints 25-19
Drake Maye has played himself into MVP consideration early this season - the 2nd-year quarterback has been effective in every area of the field. Despite the lack of offensive talent around him, he carries the Patriots to touchdowns several times a game.
If you look at only the last three weeks of football, there’s a case to be made that no team is playing better football than New England.
10. Seattle Seahawks (LW: 10)
Last Result: Beat Jaguars, 20-12
This Seahawks team is good - and the pivot from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold is proving to be a master stroke from the braintrust in Seattle. Things still haven’t quite clicked for the running game (perhaps due to some injuries and a new play caller), but Sam Darnold has been electric.
It was a weird game in Jacksonville this past Sunday, but Seattle is quickly playing themselves into NFC Contender status.
First One Out: Pittsburgh Steelers (Last Week: NR)
Last Result: 23-9
This one won’t last after a Thursday Night loss to Cincinnati, but the Steelers have looked good otherwise - particularly on offense.
Dropped: 49ers (7), Jaguars(9), Broncos (First One Out)
