SLR’s Week 7 NFL Power Rankings

Oct 13, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is pressured by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Pernell McPhee (90) and linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) at M

8. Green Bay Packers (3-2) ▲1

They’re not dominating teams the way we’re used to, but wins are wins. The scary thing about the Packers right now is that they’re winning games with running and defense, while the passing game flounders a bit. But Aaron Rodgers won’t stay down forever, so what happens when they add that high-flying passing attack back to the formula? This is still a dangerous team, even with their injuries and apparently struggling offense.

7. San Francisco 49ers (4-2) ▼1

They were pushed a bit by the Cardinals, but they look more and more to be returning to their winning ways. Vernon Davis went crazy on their defense, but they were able to counter with Colin Kaepernick getting back to solid play at quarterback. Like the Packers, they don’t look dominant, but they’re finding a way.

6. Indianapolis Colts (4-2) ▼4

Did someone get caught looking ahead? With a matchup against the Denver Broncos next week that will be epic for both sentimental and playoff implications, the Colts went and laid an egg on Monday night against the previously 2-3 Chargers. That takes a little bit of the magic out of next week’s matchup, and losing to the massively powerful Broncos now carries an added penalty of a 4-3 record.

5. New England Patriots (5-1) ▲3

Tom Brady drove 70 yards in about 1:08 with no timeouts for a game-winning score. Against the Saints, who had not given up more than 20 points all season. He threw the game-winning pass to an undrafted rookie. And the defense held Jimmy Graham to no catches. What exactly is it going to take for this team to not be good? They have no business being this good, but here they are anyway.

4. New Orleans Saints (5-1) ▼3

So they’re not going 16-0. They took a tough loss in an away game against a one-loss team, and Tom Brady pulled some comeback magic. That’s certainly disheartening, but no reason to lose faith in this team. They’ve practically clinched the division already, with the 2-3 Panthers serving as their closest competition.

3. Seattle Seahawks (5-1) ▲1

They didn’t really do anything wrong this week, but the Chiefs deserve a bump as their undefeated season looks less fluky with each passing day. Seattle still looks like the favorite in the NFC West, though Russell Wilson (like basically every second-year quarterback ever) has a couple of kinks in his game to work out.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (6-0) ▲3

With every passing week, they have fewer doubters. They’re starting to look like a really good football team, rather than just an average team riding a hot streak. Alex Smith does exactly what he needs to do in every game, and no more. With the way this team is built, that’s all they need to post wins.

1.  Denver Broncos (6-0) ▲1

I took some heat for dropping them to No. 2 last week, but I stand by the decision. That said, the Saints’ loss makes this an easy decision, even if the Jacksonville game wasn’t the bloodbath many expected. There are only two undefeated teams left this NFL season, and as much respect as they’ve earned, I’m not about to put the Chiefs over the Broncos.