I find it particularly interesting when I don't have to change the Rankings much from week-to-week. In the case of Week 7, eight of ten teams that were in after Week 6 won. As a result, Cincinnati gets knocked out (because really, they haven't done anything since their bye), and San Diego takes a fall.
And yet, all of a sudden, it looks like there are some strong teams out there. Obviously, this is a rather huge departure from the first couple weeks of the season when we had no idea if anybody was good.
Still, there are only four teams with one loss and no undefeated teams. That's an anomaly after seven weeks, I think. But things are proceeding nicely and now the thing to be concerned about is the thing that rears its ugly head the most in any NFL season: injuries. A key injury to any of the ten teams on my list this week could severely derail them. There's the usual bad luck with INT's and blown coverages that result in losses, to be sure, but injuries (or the lack of them) will as usual determine who can remain successful through the remainder of the season and who will fall off, thus leave us wondering "what if".
Here are the Rankings for Week 7:
1.) Dallas (6-1) [+2]
My favorite team hits #1 for the first time since I've been doing this. So yeah, it's been quite a while since the Cowboys have been good. They may even be great, though I think a lot of that depends on DeMarco Murray and how long he can stay healthy and dominant running the ball. Romo isn't throwing INT's that cause losses and there is quite the stable of receivers (including two solid TE's) for him to target on a weekly basis. I don't really see how the wheels are going to fall off this time around.
Next opponent: vs. Washington (10/27)
2.) Philadelphia (5-1) [no change]
Even at 5-1, I think it's safe to say that the Eagles' bye came at a fortuitous time. They weren't exactly dominating until they ran up against the Giants, and that game resulted in an injury to Sproles. Still, Philly is a dangerous team.
Next opponent: at Arizona (10/26)
3.) Denver (5-1) [+1]
Peyton Manning broke the passing TD record and dismantled a clearly weakened 49ers team. Injuries, huh? Now they're #1 in the division and have a leg up on San Diego. Not coincidentally, they play San Diego on Thursday in what has to be one of the biggest games of the year, thus far.
Next opponent: vs. San Diego (10/23)
4.) Arizona (5-1) [+1]
Since Carson Palmer came back from injury, the Cardinals machine has run pretty smoothly. They should have a better idea of their capabilities after Sunday's match-up with the Eagles, though. I don't think either team is lacking, really. So while the loser may drop a few spots, it's not like either of them is suddenly crappy.
Next opponent: vs. Philadelphia (10/26)
5.) Indianapolis (5-2) [+2]
While it's true that Cincinnati is probably in free-fall, what Indianapolis did to them is worth mentioning. It's not often that shutouts occur, so that should be celebrated, even if the opponent is clearly a marginal team at this point. It's funny to me that Indy started 0-2 and looked like they were going to take a step back...and then reeled off five wins in a row. Also, those losses were to Denver and Philly, who are a combined 10-2. So they didn't lose to bad teams and have pretty much crushed every other team they played (with the notable exception of Baltimore). Not bad!
Next opponent: at Pittsburgh (10/26)
6.) Green Bay (5-2) [+2]
Aaron Rodgers has gone nuts. Not literally, of course, but in the sense that he's outperforming any expectation someone might have for him. He has regained the elite form that was missing in the first couple of games (notably against Seattle and Detroit) and is now torching people with no regard for anything other than winning in the most efficient way possible. As a fan of great QB play, I love it, even though I'm not a huge fan of Rodgers. But we can agree that he looks great while other so-called elite QB's have looked like dreck.
Next opponent: at New Orleans (10/26)
7.) New England (5-2) [+2]
It took blocking a field goal to win. Against the Jets. Well, once you let that fact simmer in your head for a while and then dissipate into the outer atmosphere...New England is looking pretty good. I don't look at the game against the Jets as anything particularly concerning, because it was a division game on Thursday. Those things are ripe for odd occurrences. And that was certainly an odd finish! This week, all the Pats have to do is manage to force one INT (or more, preferably) out of Jay Cutler. When Cutler throws INT's, the Bears lose. It's literally that simple.
Next opponent: vs. Chicago (10/26)
8.) Baltimore (5-2) [+2]
After a couple weeks of padding their record and gaining confidence (I'd assume that tossing TD's left and right builds confidence, but that's just me), the Ravens get a real test this week as they head to Cincinnati. I've made mention above that the Bengals are reeling. And thus, this seems like a perfect opportunity for one of two things to happen: either Baltimore steamrolls Cincy, or Baltimore chokes to such a degree that we all wonder why we ever thought they were good at any point ever. Personally, I'm rooting for the former. But I won't be surprised if the latter happens.
Next opponent: at Cincinnati (10/26)
9.) Detroit (5-2) [-]
If there's a team I'm not particularly sure of, it's Detroit. They've bounced in and out of these Rankings based on some bad losses and confounding wins. Stafford is missing his best receiver and the win on Sunday was as much a product of Drew Brees' failure as Detroit's effort as a team. People like to talk about how Dallas fades down the stretch; how about Detroit starting 6-2 and fading to finish 7-9 recently? Oh, well.
Next opponent: at Atlanta [London, technically] (10/26)
10.) San Diego (5-2) [-9]
So much for that MVP candidacy. Philip Rivers wasn't good for most of the day against Kansas City and the Chargers fell behind the Broncos as well. I always thought Rivers as MVP was a bit overblown; the guy just hasn't proven that he's consistent enough to earn that kind of accolade.
Next opponent: at Denver (10/23)
That's all for this week. See you next week.
