NFL Power Rankings after Week 7 – exposing some frauds?

We are now over a third of the way through the 2023 NFL season and entering the period of the season where the elite separates themselves and the chasing pack does everything they can to stay in contention. So after week seven, let's take a look at where every team ranks.

The Panthers are 0-6 and a bye week is probably the only reason they didn't lose a seventh game this season. A team going through a full rebuild needs time, the Panthers need more than most.

Never has a win seemed more like a loss than the dismal 14-7 victory over the Commanders on Sunday. The Giants' backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor is clearly better than Daniel Jones at this point, creating a difficult dynamic in the QB meeting room.

The Cards are starting to look like the 'definitely not tanking' team we assumed they would be in preseason. Despite some spirited performances, there is a paucity of talent that could well land them a very high draft pick.

Another win for the previously hapless Bears with rookie Tyson Bagent inspiring his team to a comfortable win against the Raiders. Let's see if they can get some momentum through the middle of the season.

With Jimmy Garoppollo injured, the Raiders chose to start Brian Hoyer rather than give rookie Aiden O'Connell another shot. Their conservative approach backfired and Hoyer stunk up the place throwing multiple INTs including a pick-six. A bad team with bad coaching.

A remarkable performance for the Pats, beating one of the Super Bowl favorites, the Bills. Bill Belichick showcased his defensive nose by mostly shutting down Josh Allen and the Bills offense. 300 wins for Belichick in the NFL as a head coach is an incredible feat. 

The Commanders were only able to put up seven points against the Giants, there really isn't much to add. Jonathan Allen's post-match statements certainly don't inspire confidence either.

Another win for the Broncos, another week leaving us unconvinced by almost any aspect of their team. There may be some signs of improvement but how sustainable it is remains to be seen.

Long gone are the days when Packers fans were set to anoint Jordan Love as the next great quarterback. Given the positive signs he showed earlier in the year, there's no reason to panic just yet, but he needs to improve.

The Philadelphia Eagles JV team has apparently given up the 2023 season after trading two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard for peanuts to the Birds. Do they lean into a rebuild and start one of their young QBs or persist with Ryan Tannehill?

Kirk Cousins ​​absolutely showed out on MNF against the Niners, going 35/45 for 378 yards and two TDs. Jordan Addison is as good as advertised and could well become an elite WR in his own right alongside JJettas. Don't be surprised to see this team win a fair few more games.

A good showing against the Jaguars was all for nothing as the Saints slipped to 3-4 on the season. It's tough to tell where this team is going and what realistic their aspirations should be, they're one of many mediocre teams in the league at the moment.

We've hung onto the belief the Chargers are a good team playing badly, we have to accept them just may not be very good.

The Colts should be very happy with their appointment of Shane Steichen. The Browns' defense has been historically good this season, yet Steichen's offense was able to put up 38 points against them.

A bye week for the Jets in week six gave us a chance to reflect on their achievement so far this year. Despite Zach Wilson starting at QB essentially all year, they are still 3-3 and deserve huge credit for it.

Another team on a bye in week six, another team that deserves immense credit for their efforts in 2023. Demeco Ryans should be in conversation for Coach of the Year.

The Rams have uncovered a gem in Puka Nacua with the rookie catching eight targets for 154 yards against the Steelers. They did lose the game to fall to 3-4 making playoffs looking a difficult proposition.

The Bucs have a good roster and a mediocre QB, something everyone who watches football predicted in preseason would hold them back, and it is.

The Steelers are 4-2, not a record anyone expected at this point in the season. You can never write off a Mike Tomlin-coached team as this vintage of the Steelers shows.

The Falcons are grinding out wins, it's certainly not pretty, but it is proving to be mostly effective as they find themselves on top of the NFC South. Desmond Ridder is not good enough at QB which may get found out come playoffs time.

Cincinnati's bye week came at a good time as Joe Burrow can lick his wounds and come back stronger for the business end of the season. If they can find their rhythm, this is a seriously good team.

We had the Bills at two last week, in hindsight that seems too high. Are we overcorrecting this week following a terrible loss to the Pats? Maybe, but there are issues with this Bills team that seem exploitable, something we haven't seen in previous years.

The Seahawks are well in the hunt for the NFC West after the Niners lost back-to-back games. They sit 4-2 without really clicking offensively yet; if that changes, they become a scary proposition.

Slipping from three to nine in a week is a big change for the Lions, but when you lose 38-6 against a team ranked below you, there needs to be a reevaluation. The Detroit D was found out by Lamar Jackson and they couldn't get anything going offensively.

Teams that rely so heavily on their defense haven't seen too much success in recent NFL history, yet the Browns keep winning games. Unfortunately, they are in the most competitive division in football making a home game in the playoffs unlikely.

It feels like the Cowboys should be a better team than they are, there's something about their coaching, and maybe QB, that leaves us feeling a little unconvinced. Talent-wise, there are few better rosters out there, though, so they could get on a roll.

After a quiet start to the season, the Jags have found themselves with a 5-2 record. In a mostly mediocre AFC South, Jacksonville should be able to wrap up another playoff spot earlier than most.

So far the Dolphins have put up incredible numbers against some terrible teams and fought against the two good teams they've played. The Bills and the Eagles have been able to slow down the Miami offense and put up points against a defense that has big flaws. They need a statement win at some point.

We said last week the Niners are ultimately going to be let down by Brock Purdy's quarterback play, that was a fairly prescient bit of analysis given his two terrible INTs against the Vikings. This roster is too good not to be playing football in January, but without better play from their signal-caller, can they go any further?

Lamar Jackson's performance on Sunday was one of the best quarterbacking performances we've seen this season. He was dynamic, decisive, and essentially unstoppable. Combine that with a ferocious defense and you have a serious team.

The Eagles looked back to their 2022 vintage against the 'Phins, putting up 31 points and holding the vaunted Miami offense to only 10 (Hurts threw a pick-six). Jalen Hurts has been turning the ball over, yet the Eagles are 6-1. If he can limit those mistakes, another trip to the Super Bowl isn't off the cards.

Patrick Mahomes was back to his very best against the Chargers, throwing for over 400 yards and four TDs. If he plays at that level consistently, there isn't a team in football that can stop him... or the Chiefs.