NFL Week 7 Power Rankings: How far did the Packers fall ... and the Vikings rise?

One injury makes a big difference in Mark Craig's latest NFL power rankings.

October 18, 2017 at 12:17PM
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone against the Vikings in October.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers left the game after a hit by Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr early in Sunday's game. Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone and could be done for the season. (Mike Nelson — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Mark Craig's Week 7 Power Rankings

Biggest jump: Vikings No. 15 to No. 6

Biggest fall: Packers No. 3 to No. 18

1. Chiefs, 5-1 (Last week: 1)

The Grumpy Old Dolphins of '72 can pop their champagne, but I'm keeping K.C. No. 1.

2. Eagles, 5-1 (2)

I'd move them to No. 1 if their one loss wasn't to Kansas City.

3. Patriots, 4-2 (5)

Have allowed six straight 300-yard passers, but they're back atop their division.

4. Panthers, 4-2 (4)

Since giving up six points through two games, Carolina has allowed 34, 30, 24 and 28.

5. Redskins, 3-2 (6)

Jay Gruden 2-0 against former assistants Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan.

6. Vikings, 4-2 (15)

I said the season would sink or soar on the offensive line's performance. So far, so good.

7. Seahawks, 3-2 (9)

Coming off a bye after outscoring their opponents 52-13 in the past six quarters.

8. Rams, 4-2 (11)

They lead the NFC West, have a 3-0 road record and just scored two special teams touchdowns at Jacksonville.

9. Steelers, 4-2 (18)

Up-and-down team rebounds from blowout loss at home to holding the Chiefs to 12 first downs in K.C.

10. Saints, 3-2 (16)

Scored 52 points with Drew Brees throwing for 186 yards. Defense scores three times.

11. Texans, 3-3 (12)

With three TDs against a Browns team that didn't want him, Deshaun Watson now leads the league with 15.

12. Bills, 3-2 (13)

Could be facing Bucs backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was 20-33 as a starter in Buffalo (2009-12).

13. Jets, 3-3 (17)

Impressive enough in Patriots loss to warrant another boost up the power rankings.

14. Jaguars, 3-3 (10)

Team Yo-Yo keeps the win-loss-win-loss-win-loss season going. Up next: Win at Indy.

15. Falcons, 3-2 (7)

In their past two games, they've been favored by 8 ½ and 12 points. And lost both games. At home.

16. Lions, 3-3 (14)

Matthew Stafford turns the ball over five times, giving the Saints three defensive TDs.

17. Dolphins, 3-2 (25)

Week 5, Jay Cutler hears home crowd call for Matt Moore. Week 6, he overcomes a 17-0 deficit in Atlanta.

18. Packers, 4-2 (3)

Frankly, without Aaron Rodgers, this feels like a generous ranking for what's left of the Packers.

19. Bengals, 2-3 (25)

They ride into Pittsburgh coming off a bye and a two-game winning streak.

20. Bears, 2-4 (28)

Mitchell Trubisky threw only one pass on the 71-yard game-winning drive in overtime.

21. Cowboys, 2-3 (21)

It just feels like the Cowboys are sliding toward a loss in San Francisco and utter chaos.

22. Broncos, 3-2 (8)

I was tempted to drop them to 32 after that pathetic performance against the Giants.

23. Titans, 3-3 (27)

AFC South trying to find a way for everyone to finish tied for last at 8-8.

24. Cardinals, 3-3 (26)

Adrian Peterson has his highest rushing total (134) since Nov. 29, 2015 in Atlanta (158).

25. Ravens, 3-3 (20)

Have three wins against teams with a combined 4-13 record (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Oakland).

26. Buccaneers, 2-3 (24)

Ryan Fitzpatrick stepped in for the injured Jameis Winston and threw three TDs and two picks.

27. Colts, 2-4 (23)

Remember when Andrew Luck was supposed to be ready for the start of the season

28. Chargers, 2-4 (29)

If veteran kicker Nick Novak had been around since Week 1, the Chargers might be 4-2.

29. Raiders, 2-4 (22)

Derek Carr is back, but is his back, back? Throws for 171 yards, two picks.

30. Giants, 1-5 (31)

Amazing what happens when awful teams spend a week being told they have no chance to win.

31. 49ers, 0-6 (30)

This is the most competitive 0-6 team in NFL history. It's lost the past five by a combined 13 points.

32. Browns, 0-6 (32)

I'll be darned. So the 28th time wasn't the charm for starting QBs since 1999?

about the writer

Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).

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