The Dallas Cowboys have accumulated more offensive yardage than any other team this year. Surprisingly, they also lead the league in yards surrendered to opponents.
Assessing the Cowboys and their position within the NFL hierarchy is proving difficult. Dak Prescott’s quarterbacking is among the league’s finest, and CeeDee Lamb’s recent comeback only strengthens the offensive unit. They encountered minimal resistance in a 44-22 triumph against the Washington Commanders, improving their season record to 3-3-1. Prescott contributed three more touchdowns, achieving a passer rating of 124 or higher in four consecutive contests.
The Cowboys are exciting to watch and promise to maintain a high-scoring output. However, before elevating them to contenders for the NFC East title or even playoff qualification, their defensive deficiencies demand attention. Just a week prior, Dallas conceded 30 points to the Carolina Panthers, resulting in a potentially winnable game slipping away. They have yet to restrict an opponent to fewer than 22 points this season, with four of seven adversaries reaching the 30-point mark. While Dallas can indeed outscore opponents, such a strategy is challenging to sustain throughout an entire season. Their defense is undeniably weak, a reality that cannot be ignored.
Perhaps the trade deadline can provide a solution (humorous mentions of Micah Parsons aside). Or possibly, improvement will come with the passage of time. Regardless, some form of adjustment is imperative. It’s difficult to envision a team with the Cowboys’ defensive vulnerabilities securing a playoff berth in a competitive NFC. The NFC North and NFC West each boast at least three potential playoff teams. Furthermore, other teams finishing in second or third place, such as the Panthers, Commanders, and Falcons, possess the potential to compete for a postseason spot. The Cowboys’ offensive capabilities clearly meet playoff standards. Query the 2024 Bengals for confirmation of whether that is sufficient.
Here are the updated NFL Power Rankings following Week 7:
32 (previous ranking 32): New York Jets (0-7)
Justin Fields’ passing yardage has failed to exceed 100 yards across the Jets’ two most recent games combined. He only participated in one half on Sunday before being removed, prompting head coach Aaron Glenn to contemplate a permanent change. This move is advisable; continuing to start Fields is not a viable option for the Jets.
The Titans may have discovered significant talent in the fourth round of the draft. They selected receivers Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor, and tight end Gunnar Helm within that round. Dike and Helm combined for 106 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, while Ayomanor has accumulated 225 yards thus far this season. This development offers a glimmer of optimism.
The Dolphins are maintaining their support for head coach Mike McDaniel, which comes as a surprise considering their poor showing in a loss to the Browns. However, this decision might only delay the inevitable. Only a select few individuals might merit retention and remain with the franchise in 2026.
Chris Olave has achieved 98 receiving yards in consecutive games, including two touchdowns on Sunday. While trade rumors have surfaced, the Saints should instead prioritize extending his contract. He stands out as one of their few young players who appear to have a long-term future with the team.
It’s remarkable to play an NFL game and only manage three first downs, yet the Raiders accomplished this feat on Sunday. Even accounting for injuries, this performance is abysmal. The Raiders invested heavily in hiring Chip Kelly as their offensive coordinator, but the resulting performance is far from acceptable.
Kyler Murray is averaging 192.4 passing yards each game. In his two starts, Jacoby Brissett is averaging 299.5. That was against the Colts and Packers, two strong teams. Head coach Jonathan Gannon faces a difficult decision when Murray returns to full health.
Quinshon Judkins has proven to be an excellent acquisition. While his absence from training camp due to a legal matter initially raised concerns, he has overcome that hurdle. He has recorded 467 rushing yards and five touchdowns, demonstrating the potential to become one of the NFL’s premier running backs in the years to come.
The Broncos’ comeback victory provided a compelling narrative, but the Giants’ collapse was also quite the story. How could the Giants throw away that game? It was unexpected. The positive aspect is that Jaxson Dart continues to perform well, despite a costly fourth-quarter interception on Sunday.
At the very least, the Bengals’ offense has regained some semblance of functionality. Joe Flacco is capable of delivering the ball to Ja’Marr Chase. While it’s difficult to imagine Flacco consistently playing at the level he displayed on Thursday night or the Bengals emerging as a true playoff contender, they are at least more entertaining to watch.
Bryce Young’s injury is cause for concern, with expectations that he will miss at least one game. The Panthers are capable of managing without him, and the team is developing positive momentum. Upcoming games against the Bills and Packers will serve as a test of the Panthers’ true strength.
Monday night’s game revealed that the Texans’ improved offensive performance was primarily due to facing the Titans and a depleted Ravens team. Their showing against Seattle mirrored the poor offensive output observed in the first three games. Significant improvement seems unlikely.
There were few positives to draw from Sunday’s game. Carson Wentz’s two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, proved costly for the Vikings. Their defense, typically a strength, allowed Jalen Hurts to achieve a perfect passer rating of 158.3. The Vikings appear to be in decline.
The Commanders are dealing with several injuries, which significantly impacts their performance, despite head coach Dan Quinn’s claims to the contrary following Sunday’s loss. The schedule doesn’t allow for recovery time, with their next game being on the road against the Chiefs, which is not ideal.
Few teams performed worse in Week 7. The gap between the Jaguars and Colts in the AFC South continues to widen. The Jaguars have failed to capitalize on the momentum gained from their Week 5 victory over the Chiefs.
The Steelers’ Week 7 defeat assisted the Ravens this season. The return of Lamar Jackson for Week 8, assuming he is ready, will provide an even greater boost. Baltimore’s record is 1-5, but they have the potential to rapidly climb in the rankings.
The Steelers’ early 4-1 record did not reflect their true strength, as evidenced by their unraveling against the Bengals. While Aaron Rodgers has solidified his position for the season, Pittsburgh’s defense has delivered several notably poor performances, a problem that may be difficult to resolve.
The Falcons are proving to be an enigma, especially on offense. They were shut out by the Panthers, then followed up with two 400-yard performances against the Commanders and Bills, before recording a season-low 292 yards against a depleted 49ers defense. This inconsistency is likely to derail their playoff aspirations.
While Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ passing game receive considerable attention, the Cowboys made a shrewd move by signing running back Javonte Williams. He contributed 116 yards on Sunday and is currently on pace for 1,438 yards this season, a development few anticipated.
Caleb Williams accumulated 172 passing yards and one interception, but the Bears still managed to secure a victory. This win can be attributed, in part, to facing the Saints, but it also demonstrates the effectiveness of Chicago’s dominant running game, which amassed 222 rushing yards. This is partly down to Ben Johnson.
Despite the Chargers’ defeat, rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II delivered a standout performance, recording seven receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown. This marks his second consecutive game with seven receptions. He has the potential to be an exceptional fifth-round draft pick.
Robert Saleh excels as a defensive coach. The 49ers, without Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, managed to shut down the Falcons on Sunday night. Despite lingering questions about the defense’s long-term effectiveness without these two key players, Saleh will maximize the available talent.
Matthew Stafford leads the NFL with 17 touchdown passes and has thrown only two interceptions. Despite being 37 years old, he appears to be improving. The Rams’ potential is as high as any team in the NFL, especially if Stafford maintains his current level of play.
K’Lavon Chaisson, a 2020 first-round draft pick, seemed to be a bust. His breakout season has come unexpectedly. His previous career-high was five sacks; he already has 4.5 sacks this season. He also had two sacks and a fumble recovery touchdown on Sunday. His contribution is an unanticipated boost for New England.
Losing on Monday night wasn’t great, but it is part of the game. But losing Mike Evans for most or all of the rest of the season to a broken collarbone presents a greater challenge. Tampa Bay will have difficulty finding a suitable replacement. Their position in the NFC South is now more precarious.
Seattle’s defense might be the league’s most underrated unit. It is performing at a high level. While the Texans may struggle offensively, Seattle played a significant role in their struggles on Monday night. The offense, however, must reduce those mistakes.
If the Broncos could sustain their fourth-quarter offensive output, which led to victories over the Eagles and Giants, they would be a force to reckon with. Their two defeats occurred with no time remaining on the clock against the Colts and Chargers. The Packers are close to achieving consistent performance, but their offense must become more reliable.
The Packers recorded three sacks courtesy of Micah Parsons and defeated the Cardinals thanks to a bold decision by Matt LaFleur to attempt a fourth-down conversion late in the fourth quarter. However, it has been several weeks since the Packers have demonstrated elite performance.
The Bills will face the Panthers, followed by a game that could potentially shape the AFC landscape. They will host the Chiefs on Nov. 2. This is a significant matchup, but the Bills must first ensure they do not overlook Carolina.
The Eagles are a formidable team, only a step away from being truly exceptional. The final step is getting Saquon Barkley contributing meaningfully. Barkley amassed just 42 total yards on Sunday. Has last season’s workload caught up to him? Perhaps. The Eagles maintain a 5-2 record despite Barkley’s limited production.
The Colts continue to secure victories. Jonathan Taylor is making an MVP case. Daniel Jones is solid all season. They possess quality wins. It could be perceived as disrespectful not to rank them higher. However, would you favor them over the Chiefs on a neutral field?
Jahmyr Gibbs elevates the Lions’ offense to a new level. He accumulated 218 yards in a stress-free win over a Buccaneers team that had only one previous loss before Monday night. Having a player who can score a touchdown from any point on the field is a rare and valuable asset.
Why the significant jump in the Chiefs’ ranking? Their previous position was too low relative to their capabilities. Now, we witness the Chiefs at near full strength, and they appear to be the league’s premier team. Do you have greater confidence in any other team’s chances of reaching the Super Bowl?
