Each week members of The Game Haus will collaborate to determine our NFL Power Rankings. We rate teams from 1-32 and add the points received to give us our final answer.
Our voters: Zac Stone, Ben Hendricks, Joe DiTullio, Michael Packard, Victoria Horsley, Pranay Malempati, Savannah Dean, Jacob Gilbert, Manuel Finale
There was not much change at the top or bottom of the power rankings this week, but the middle of the pack has teams still trying to find their identity.
Here is how our staff believes the league is looking after seven weeks.
1. Los Angeles Rams – 256 (High: 1. Low: 1. LW: 1)
Another week, another dominant victory for the Rams. Their game against division rival San Francisco 49ers was never close. The defense remained strong, allowing just 10 points, while Jared Goff and Todd Gurley continued to were able to destroy the 49ers defense on the ground and through the air. The Rams host Green Bay and a struggling offense next week, but facing Aaron Rodgers is never a simple task.
– Zac Stone
2. Kansas City Chiefs – 245 (High: 2. Low: 3. LW: 2)
The Chiefs put on a tremendous display of firepower once again. They simply have too many weapons to defend including Kareem Hunt, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Chris Conley and even backup running back Spencer Ware. The difference this game, though, was that their defense also showed up and held the Bengals to 10 points. It’s true that the Bengals in primetime are not necessarily the best team to measure your defense against, but they are a good offense this season. If the Chiefs can pair their star-studded offense with a reliable defense, this team will be a force in the postseason.
– Pranay Malempati
3. New Orleans Saints – 238 (High: 2. Low: 5. LW: 3)
The New Orleans Saints made a significant statement this past Sunday. They let no
deficit get to their heads and weathered one hell of a storm. Thanks to this tenacious
bunch, Drew Brees became only the third quarterback in the history of the NFL to beat
all 32 teams in the league, joining Brett Favre and Peyton Manning. Not to mention he
became the fifth quarterback to throw for 500 touchdowns. The league better watch out
for these guys.
– Manuel Finale
4. New England Patriots – 235 High: 2. Low: 5. LW: 4)
It was a quality win for the Patriots in Chicago. It wasn’t always pretty for New England on Sunday but they found a way to get it done. It was the first road victory of the season for Tom Brady and Co.which should go a long way to relieve the worries of Patriot’s fans.
– Jacob Gilbert
T5. Minnesota Vikings – 214 (High: 5. Low: 11. LW: 8)
This is a team that started out slightly rough, but has gone up from there. They beat
the Jets this week. The Jets are a team that shows up differently week by week, but they have proven to
be competition. Kirk Cousins is still going strong with his new team and Adam Thielen has had seven
weeks with 100+ yards. Out of seven games. They face the Saints next week which will be a rematch
after the Divisional Playoffs for the 2017 season. That game ended with a miraculous last-second
touchdown by Minnesota, so we will see if they can reign supreme for another match up.
– Victoria Horsley
T5. Los Angeles Chargers – 214 (High: 4. Low: 10. LW: 6)
Whew, the Chargers survived a near debacle against the Titans Sunday at Wembley Stadium in London. Although the offense was only able to put up 20 points without star running back Melvin Gordon, their defense came up clutch. On a 2-point conversion attempt by the Titans to win the game, defensive back Adrian Phillips barely got his finger-tips on the ball to break up the play. Once again, Philip Rivers played lights out with 300 yards, two touchdowns, and no picks. This is a good team and will only get better once Joey Bosa returns.
– Pranay Malempati
7. Carolina Panthers – 201 (High: 6. Low: 10. LW: 9)
The Carolina Panthers showed they are a dangerous fight regardless of the time. Coach
Ron Rivera and company erased a 17-0 deficit in the fourth quarter and ended up winning
21-17. Cam Newton showed great poise in the comeback, chucking 269 yards and two
touchdowns through the air. Though they hike up to a 4-2 record, taking the NFC South
back will not be an easy task.
– Manuel Finale
8. Baltimore Ravens – 195 (High: 7. Low: 12. LW: 5)
Kicker Justin Tucker missed his first extra point in his career, he was 222/222 before that kick, that ultimately cost them a chance at OT. Lamar Jackson had the first touchdown of his career. They led going into the fourth quarter then turned it over on downs leading to a Saints field goal and the Ravens downfall. Their tough road isn’t over since they head to face the Panthers next week.
– Savannah Dean
9. Washington Redskins – 184 (High: 7. Low: 13. LW: 14)
The Redskins got a nice bump in our rankings thanks to a big division win against the Dallas Cowboys. Their defense played a bend but don’t break game, and with the help of a missed field goal as time expired, were able to seal the win. Adrian Peterson came a yard shy of reaching 100 yards, showing he still has gas in the tank. Although Peterson has just one 100-yard game, he has come within four yards three different times and is averaging 4.3 yards per rush on the season.
- – Zac Stone
10. Cincinnati Bengals – 181 (High: 6. Low: 14. LW: 7)
The Bengals team that showed up to face the Chiefs was not the team that has played earlier the season. Joe Mixon and Tyler Boyd were not a factor whatsoever. Shawn Williams was able to pick Mahomes off once, but Dalton was unable to do anything with it. The team as a whole looked off. The Bengals have plenty to work on before their game at home next week.
– Savannah Dean
T11. Pittsburgh Steelers – 171 (High: 6. Low: 16. LW: 11)
The bye week for the Steelers came at a good time after coming off of an inner division win. Although it looks like Le’Veon Bell isn’t going to return, the Steelers got back on their horse from the beginning of the season. They will be rested and ready to go next week when their rivals from Cleveland come to avenge the tie from Week 1.
– Savannah Dean
T11. Chicago Bears – 171 (High: 4. Low: 14. LW: 12)
Last week the Patriots were in the top three of the majority of power rankings. This week
a stout Bears team gave them a run for their money. Although the Patriots are now only 1-2 in road
games for the year, this was arguably the team to beat in the AFC. The winner came down to inches at
the end of the fourth quarter. Mitchell Trubisky is continuing to impress, and the defense isn’t
disappearing or slowing down. This team is proving themselves, and this week was no different.
– Victoria Horsley
13. Green Bay Packers – 163 (High: 7. Low: 17. LW: 13)
The Packers had a bye week and it was necessary. After numerous close games and
losses to arguably worse teams, they needed to take a break. Aaron Rodgers needed to get back to full
Aaron Rodgers potential with a banged-up offense. Clay Matthews is still good, but the defense hasn’t
been much of a help to him. They return with the Rams this week who are the only unbeaten NFL team
left. We will have to wait and see how that ends.
– Victoria Horsley
14. Houston Texans – 143 (High: 11. Low: 19. LW: T21)
In a battle for first place in the AFC South, the Houston Texans came out on top 20-7 against a
flailing Jacksonville Jaguars team. Running back Lamar Miller (22 carries, 100 yards, one touchdown) had
his best game since the Texans’ season opener, and the defense forced three Jaguars turnovers.
It probably helped that Jacksonville couldn’t get out of their own way most of the afternoon,
which resulted in quarterback Blake Bortles getting benched in the third quarter. Houston is on a short
week as they host the 4-3 Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football.
– Michael Packard
15. Philadelphia Eagles – 136 (High: 12. Low: 28. LW: 10)
What a devastating loss at home for the defending Super Bowl champs. The defense allowed three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to blow their 17 point lead. With the Cowboys acquiring Amari Cooper and the Redskins playing solid football, the Eagles will have to figure it out quick if they want to have a shot at repeating this season.
– Zac Stone
16. Detroit Lions – 128 (High: 8. Low: 24. LW: T21)
It is okay to still be confused about this team. They just beat a struggling Miami team that
started out the season 3-0, but has since gone 1-3. The Lions have one of the best quarterbacks and
kickers in the league. They are a difficult offense to stop and their defense has proven to be a wrecking
ball as well. We may have underestimated the Lions in the preseason. This team is above the Bears in
their division and only one game out of first. It looks like this divisional race is going to come down to the wire.
– Victoria Horsley
17. Miami Dolphins 125 (High: 12. Low: 23. LW: T15)
18. Denver Broncos – 112 (High: 17. Low: 25. LW: T21)
Denver came to play Thursday night, blowing out the Cardinals with a dominant performance including two pick-sixes and a re-run of the Philly Special. While the defense is one of the best in the league, the Broncos offense, especially Case Keenum, is too inconsistent to be much more than a fringe wild card team. Further, Denver is shopping some of its best players including Pro-Bowlers Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Chris Harris Jr. They seem to be looking towards the future, as losing any of these players will hurt their playoff hopes tremendously.
– Pranay Malempati
19. Seattle Seahawks – 111 (High: 15. Low: 23. LW: 20)
The Seahawks entered the bye week with an even 3-3 record. They are playing solid football, with all three losses within just one score. Unfortunately for them, their only shot to the postseason will more than likely be the wild card, with how good the Rams are this season. The extra week should help them against a Lions team that is having an up and down season, but if they show up, they are tough to beat.
– Zac Stone
20. Jacksonville Jaguars – 110 (High: 15. Low: 23. LW: T15)
Jacksonville is officially a team in turmoil after their 20-7 loss to the Houston Texans. The Jags’
offense was porous for the third week in a row, the defense gave up 141 yards on the ground,
and quarterback Blake Bortles (6-12, 61 yards, two fumbles lost) was benched halfway through the third
quarter in favor of back-up Cody Kessler. To add to the problem, there was a report of a fight in
the locker room and that media members had to be rushed out. The cracks have fully shown on
a team that now has a quarterback controversy and inter-personnel issues heading into London
next week when they take on the 3-4 Philadelphia Eagles. To say the Jaguars’ season is on the
line is an understatement.
– Michael Packard
T21. Dallas Cowboys – 100 (High: 16. Low: 25. LW: 17)
A heartbreaking loss for the Cowboys in what would have been a crucial road win. Brett Maher missed a 52-yard field goal with time expiring that would have sent the game to overtime. The Cowboys will have a bye next week, which will give newly required receiver Amari Cooper extra time to learn the offense before their Monday night game against the Titans.
– Zac Stone
T21. Atlanta Falcons – 100 (High: 11. Low: 25. LW: T18)
The Atlanta Falcons do have plenty of weapons on offense for Matt Ryan to choose
from. Calvin Ridley and Tevin Coleman has pulled their own weight and then some this
season. But they are still not where they should be. But their defense have plenty to
improve on.
– Manuel Finale
23. Tennessee Titans – 97 (High: 18. Low: 23. LW: T18)
Playing in London, the Tennessee Titans fell just short of a win in
their 20-19 loss to the L.A. Chargers. Going against a Chargers team that was missing running back Melvin
Gordon, the Titans couldn’t stop quarterback Phillip Rivers who was 19-26 for 306 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Tennessee had its chances in the game, but left 10 points on the field with a red zone
interception by quarterback Marcus Mariota to end the first half and kicker Ryan Succop missed a field goal
to get within four points with eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Luckily for the Titans,
they are still in the thick of the AFC South race as they head into their bye week.
– Michael Packard
24. Tamba Bay Buccaneers – 91 (High: 18. Low: 27. LW: 26)
The biggest thing that Tampa needs to do is keep finding ways to win games. They did
allow the Cleveland Browns to come back and force the game into overtime. But this
could come as a great learning experience for the defense. That being said, the road to
the playoffs won’t be just handed to them. They need to tighten up loose screws in order
to move.
– Manuel Finale
25. New York Jets – 69 (High: 21. Low: 26. LW: 25)
New York found themselves in a game against a good Minnesota Vikings’ team with a chance to prove they were a solid team themselves. Unfortunately, they were submarined by three interceptions and a lost fumble by rookie quarterback Sam Darnold. In fact, the Jets ended up fumbling five times but only lost one.
– Jacob Gilbert
26. Cleveland Browns – 58 (High: 24. Low: 27. LW: 24)
The Browns played a hard-fought game. Baker Mayfield was not on his game the first half. Although the defense was able to record their first safety since 2014. The second half was a rally back to tie to go into their fourth overtime of the season. A 59-yard field goal made by Bucs’ kicker Chandler Catanzaro sealed the deal in OT. Another last-minute heartbreaker for the Browns. They won’t have an easy time heading the Pittsburgh next week.
– Savannah Dean
27. Indianapolis Colts – 51 (High: 26. Low: 28. LW: 29)
The Indianapolis Colts had an easy match-up against Buffalo and took full advantage of it in
their 37-5 win over the Bills. Running back Marlon Mack had a career day (19 carries, 126 yards, one
touchdown), quarterback Andrew Luck had four touchdowns, and the Colts defense forced five
turnovers. In fact, the Bills had more turnovers than they had punts or third down conversions.
The Colts travel out west in what should be a win to take on a 1-5 Oakland Raiders team that
just traded away wide receiver Amari Cooper.
– Michael Packard
28. Buffalo Bills – 41 (High: 22. Low: 30. LW: 28)
No real bright spot here for the Bills. Allowed an atrocious 220 rushing yards. Quarterback play was terrible. They are really hard to watch right now.
– Jacob Gilbert
29. San Francisco 49ers – 29 (High: 27. Low: 32. LW: 27)
While they were playing the best team in the league, the 49ers looked lifeless on Sunday. All three sides of their game looked terrible. The offense only managed to get one touchdown with time expiring in the first half, the defense got slaughtered, allowing 39 points, and their special teams had a punt blocked for a safety. The 49ers will head to Arizona for the battle to get out of last place.
– Zac Stone
30. New York Giants – 26 (High: 29. Low: 32. LW: 31)
While it looked closer on the scoreboard, the Giants scored with nine seconds left to make it a three-point game. Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard both had huge games, each topping 100 yards. Aside from Beckham and Saquon Barkley, there is not much going right for the Giants this year, sitting at a 1-6 record.
– Zac Stone
31. Oakland Raiders – 18 (High: 29. Low: 32. LW: 32)
Wow, Jon Gruden finally did something right. No, I’m not talking about the fact that they avoided a loss by going on their bye week (although that’s pretty good for them too). I’m talking about how Oakland somehow convinced Jerry Jones to give up a first-round pick for extremely inconsistent wide receiver Amari Cooper. Now, with three first round picks (and potentially even more to come), Gruden will be able to build the team in his eyes.
– Pranay Malempati
32. Arizona Cardinals – 13 (High: 31. Low: 32. LW: 30)
Yikes. The Cardinals have had some bad games this year, but this was downright embarrassing. In primetime on Thursday night, the Cardinals got blown out 45-10. Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen had five turnovers with three interceptions and two fumbles. To make matters worse, star cornerback Patrick Peterson has requested to be traded.
– Zac Stone
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