One injury makes a big difference in Mark Craig's latest NFL power rankings.
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?
It’s too soon to tell how much the immigration crackdown is to blame.
