2018 NFL Power Rankings – Week 7
① Los Angeles Rams 7-0-0 (Defeated the 49ers 39-10)
The Rams simply continue to beat the teams they should beat. Their opponent’s combined win percentage is a measly 0.436 (17-22). But they do it in convincing fashion. They boast the league’s 2nd most points scored (235) and have allowed the 6th fewest points scored (128). That translates to a scoring differential of +15.3 (Rank = 1).
② Kansas City Chiefs 6-1-0 (Defeated the Bengals 49-10)
If the Chiefs only had a better defense they would challenge the Rams for the top spot. The Chiefs own the highest scoring offense in the NFL with 260 points scored but have allowed 182 points (25th). A case could be made that they belong in the top spot now as they have racked up those numbers against teams with a combined win percentage of 0.550 (Rank = 5).
③ New Orleans Saints 5-1-0 (Defeated the Ravens 24-23)
After the season opening loss to the Buccaneers, the Saints have run off five consecutive wins in a row and have done that in convincing fashion. Like the Rams, they’re beating the teams they should beat and have punctuated that win streak against two formidable teams including on the road against the Ravens.
④ New England Patriots 5-2-0 (Defeated the Bears 38-31)
So far it’s just Belichick and Brady being Belichick and Brady. The difference this year is they’re doing it against the 3rd hardest opponent combined win percentage of 0.575. Looking forward, their schedule gets easier as they still have five of six division games to play.
⑤ Los Angeles Chargers 5-2-0 (Defeated the Titans 20-19)
The only two losses so far this year for the Chargers have been to the Chiefs and Rams. Their scoring differential is +4.6 (Rank = 7), Turnover Differential is +5 (Rank = 6) and Opponents combined win percentage is 0.500 (Rank = 11).
⑥ Pittsburgh Steelers 3-2-1 (Bye Week)
Everything fell into place for the Steelers during their bye week as every other AFC North team lost and the Steelers went to bed on Sunday night all alone in 1st place. That pesky week 1 tie with the Browns may yet come back to haunt them.
⑦ Carolina Panthers 4-2-0 (Defeated the Eagles 21-17)
There’s quite a bit of conflicting data with the Panthers. They are, in fact, sitting there at 4-2-0 (0.667), they’re at +3 for Turnover differential (Rank = 8) and they’re +1.8 in Scoring differential (Rank = 12) but their Opponents combined win percentage is only 0.457 (Rank = 25).
⑧ Minnesota Vikings 4-2-1 (Defeated the Jets 37-17)
For a pre-season Super Bowl contender, the Vikings are having a bit of a hard time living up to that billing. Of their four wins, only the week 5 win against the Eagles could be considered a “quality” win (and based on the Eagle’s season so far, that could be argued). Their Opponents combined win percentage is only 0.440 (Rank = 27).
⑨ Washington Redskins 4-2-0 (Defeated the Cowboys 20-17)
I confess that I haven’t watched the Redskins much this season so the Eye Test doesn’t apply to me. They are, however a 4-2-0 team against teams with a combined win percentage of 0.500 (Rank = 11) and are 1-0-0 in the NFC East. Turnover differential is +6 (Rank = 4) and Scoring differential is a very pedestrian +0.8 (Rank = 16).
⑩ Baltimore Ravens 4-3-0 (Lost to the Saints 24-23)
The Ravens are my Jeckle and Hyde team this year. Losing to the Saints by 2 points is no crime (even if it was at home). But those losses to the Bengals and Browns may end up haunting them. The enigma here is that they have given up the fewest points in the NFL (101) which results in a scoring differential of +10.7 (Rank = 3) but haven’t given themselves the opportunity to score more as their Turnover differential is +/-0 (Rank = 17).
⑪ Green Bay Packers 3-2-1 (Defeated the 49ers 33-30)
The Packers three wins have come against the Bears, Bills and the 49ers with a tie against the Vikings. In fact, their Opponents combined win percentage is only 0.455 (Rank = 26). Turnover and Scoring differential is middle of the pack at +1 (Rank = 15) and +0.7 (Rank = 17) respectively.
Edit: On second thought, I may have the Packers a bit too high this week.
⑫ Chicago Bears 3-3-0 (Lost to the Patriots 38-31)
Will the real Chicago Bears please stand up? Here’s a team that is +7 in Turnover differential (Rank = 2), +6.0 in Scoring differential (Rank = 5) and have an opponent’s win percentage of 0.500 (Rank = 11). How does a team lose to the Dolphins one week and then go toe-to-toe with the Patriots the following week?
⑬ Seattle Seahawks 3-3-0 (Defeated the Raiders 27-3)
The best thing the Seahawks have going for them is they’re in the same division as the Cardinals and 49ers. Their Opponents combined winning percentage is only 0.412 (Rank = 29). They do have a respectable Turnover differential of +7 (Rank = 2) and a Scoring differential of +4.3 (Rank = 8).
⑭ Houston Texans 4-3-0 (Defeated the Jaguars 20-7)
The Texans have now won four in a row after starting the year winless in three tries (including giving the Giants their only win of the year). However, the Texans Opponent combined win percentage is only 0.381 (Rank = dead last at 32). None of the other data jumps off the page.
⑮ Cincinnati Bengals 4-3-0 (Lost to the Chiefs 45-10)
One more week like the last two and I won’t have to worry about spelling Cincinnati correctly anymore. I will give credit where credit is due . . . The Bengals are 4-3-0 and they have had an Opponents combined win percentage of 0.590 (Rank = 2). All the other data is middle of the road.
