Top 5 NFL Power Rankings - Week 7 (SI/SNN)

Top Five Power Rankings in the NFL for Week 7 brought to you by the Saints News Network.

Welcome to Saints News Network's Top 5 NFL Power Rankings for week seven of the NFL’s 2019 regular season. The New England Patriots seem to be in a class by themselves in the AFC while the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers look to sit at the top of the NFC. Statistics have proven that teams with 4-2 records (Panthers, Chiefs, Texans, and Ravens) only make the playoffs 63% of the time. The Eagles, Cowboys, and the Rams all have 3-3 records and have a 36% chance of making the playoffs. Here are my top five rankings as we enter week seven of the competition.

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#1 - NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The New England Patriots are the defending Super Bowl Champions and are undefeated. They outscored the New York Giants by three touchdowns. After six weeks of football, it seems like the Patriots are positioned to cruise through the AFC as their representative in Super Bowl LIV.  Some sports commentators and writers believe that the Patriots do not have a formidable opponent in the AFC to defeat them. The Patriots’ most exploited weakness is in their running game.

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#2 - NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The number two team in our Power Rankings this week comes marching in, the New Orleans Saints.  Thanks to a dominant defensive line, the Saints are marching into week 7 of the National Football League’s 2019-20 NFC South with a 5-1 record followed by the Panthers (4-2), Buccaneers (2-4) and Falcons (1-5).  Under the leadership of one of the best coaches in the National Football League, the Saints have kept their composure and win football games with Teddy Bridgewater as a quarterback.  Drew Brees continues his recovery from surgery on his right thumb with a targeted return in week 8 against the Cardinals.  This week, Bridgewater and the Saints face the Bears.  Will New Orleans continue to prove all their doubters wrong and get the Saints back into Super Bowl contention.  However, the Saints’ biggest weakness is their red zone touchdown efficiency.  Can they turn a page and score touchdowns against a stingy Bears defense this weekend? 

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

#3 - SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

San Francisco 49ers are one of the NFL's best defensive teams and held the Rams to only 7 points on Sunday.  The team will meet the Washington Redskins this week and are predicted to win on the road. The 49ers’ will face more significant tests as they head into the more robust part of their schedule. Like the Saints, the 49ers’ most considerable weakness seems to be red zone conversions.

Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

#4 - SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seattle Seahawks weighs in at number 4 this week in the power rankings as Russell Wilson led his team to a 32-28 victory over the Browns.  While they have impact playmakers such as Ziggy Ansah and Jadeveon Clowney, they are facing the 4-2 Ravens team this week. Russell Wilson will have to figure out a strategy to win without tight end Will Dissly as his torn Achilles has ended his season.  The Seahawks’ lack of a consistent pass rush could prove to be their undoing down the stretch.

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#5 - GREEN BAY PACKERS

The Green Bay Packers complete our Power Rankings for week seven, coming in at number 5.  The Packers arguably have the most dynamic one-two punch at running back in the league in Aaron Jones and Jamal Williams.  While still working out the kinks with Matt LaFleur's injury-riddled offense, the team has found winning formulas for the Cheese Heads in Green Bay.   Aaron Rodgers will need some of his other offensive players to contribute as they focus on a playoff run this season.