Death, taxes and the New England Patriots winning high-profile football games. Sure, it doesn’t always happen. But it happens far more often than not, and it did again Sunday night when they destroyed the suddenly floundering Atlanta Falcons in a Super Bowl LI rematch.
The performance impressed our panel, but was it enough to unseat the Philadelphia Eagles, who also showed out in a marquee night game, in our weekly power rankings?
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As always, our panel includes editor Geoff Lowe, as well as staff writers Donnovan Bennett, Mike Johnston and Emily Sadler.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
2017 record: 6-1
Previous: 1
It took a while for Carson Wentz and the Eagles to get rolling on Monday, but when they did there was little Washington could do. Armed with a top-five offence and the league’s best run defence, Philly is the league’s clear No. 1. (GL)
2. New England Patriots
2017 record: 5-2
Previous: 3
Sunday night’s dominant win over the Falcons through the fog was the statement game the Patriots needed, getting a complete effort on both sides of the ball for the first time this season. (GL)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
2017 record: 5-2
Previous: 4
Martavis Bryant had one catch for three yards and was targeted a season-low two times on Sunday. After the game, he ripped teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster in an Instagram comment that he has since deleted. Monday, he called in sick. For Pittsburgh to make the most of their talent this season they’ll need to eliminate the drama. (DB)
4. Kansas City Chiefs
2017 record: 5-2
Previous: 2
They’re still atop the division, but Alex Smith and the Chiefs looked mortal in their loss to the Raiders on Thursday night, losing their second straight game thanks to a thrilling (and long) comeback drive by Derek Carr & Co. They’ll be tested again next Monday when they host the Broncos in another important division matchup. (ES)
5. Los Angeles Rams
2017 record: 5-2
Previous: 8
The Rams showed off yet another dimension of their dynamic offence by running all over the Cardinals on their way to a 33-0 victory in London. Even quarterback Jared Goff got in on the action, bolting for the end zone for his first rushing touchdown of the season. (ES)
.@JaredGoff16 rushing TDs are happening! #LARams pic.twitter.com/apvjJIyYeh
— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2017
6. Minnesota Vikings
2017 record: 5-2
Previous: 6
The Vikings have shown an ability to run the ball despite their offensive line being decimated with injury. On the back of that running game and their strong defence they are the NFL’s most unlikely division leader. (DB)
7. Seattle Seahawks
2017 record: 4-2
Previous: 7
After an up-and-down (but still successful) start to the season, the Seahawks put together a 24-7 victory over the Giants that reminded football fans what this team is all about: stingy defence and a dynamic passer in Russell Wilson, who threw for 334 yards and three TDs. (ES)
8. New Orleans Saints
2017 record: 4-2
Previous: 15
They lucked out in terms of not having to face Aaron Rodgers, but the Saints are more well-rounded than they’ve been in years. Marshon Lattimore is establishing himself as one of the best young defensive players in the NFL and Drew Brees rebounded from two early interceptions to lead his team to victory. Winners of four straight, New Orleans look to make it five at home against the Bears in Week 8. (MJ)
9. Buffalo Bills
2017 record: 4-2
Previous: 14
Down by a TD with 3:14 to go, Buffalo showed real character in the comeback over the Bucs, winning for the first time when Tyrod Taylor threw the ball more than 30 times. (GL)
10. Carolina Panthers
2017 record: 4-3
Previous: 5
The defence held up their end of the bargain, but the offence couldn’t muster anything of substance against the Bears. One week this team looks like the 2015 Panthers and the next they look like the 2001 Panthers. Only the Browns have a worse giveaway/takeaway ratio so far this season. Yikes. (MJ)
11. Washington Redskins
2017 record: 3-3
Previous: 8
Chris Thompson leads Washington in both rushing and receiving yards, an impressive stat on its own but a damning one for a team struggling to find alternative offensive weapons. (GL)
12. Houston Texans
2017 record: 3-3
Previous: 12
The Texans have scored more points than any team in the league since Deshaun Watson was named the starting quarterback. A tough matchup in Seattle awaits them this week. (MJ)
13. Dallas Cowboys
2017 record: 3-3
Previous: 16
After two tough losses ahead of the bye and Ezekiel Elliott’s legal situation looming over their heads, Sunday’s dominant performance against the 49ers was exactly what the Cowboys needed. (GL)
14. Jacksonville Jaguars
2017 record: 4-3
Previous: 18
The Jags became just the third team in NFL history to record two 10-sack games in the same season and the first team to accomplish the feat in the first seven weeks of the season. Some are pressure sacks, while others are coverage sacks thanks to the outstanding secondary. The team even changed their name on Twitter to read “#Sacksonville” as they head into their bye week. (MJ)
15. Miami Dolphins
2017 record: 4-2
Previous: 19
The Dolphins have fought back from 17- and 14-point second-half deficits in the last two weeks, and are very much in the AFC East mix. And losing Jay Cutler to injury may be a blessing in disguise. (GL)
16. Denver Broncos
2017 record: 3-3
Previous: 10
Um, has anyone seen the Broncos’ offence lately? Just when we thought Week 6’s Sunday night blunder against the Giants was a blip on the radar, Denver laid a goose egg against another underdog in the Chargers on Sunday — their first shutout loss in more than two decades. The defence was still decent, but with an upcoming slate of games against the Chiefs, Eagles and Patriots on the horizon, Denver needs to find out how to score or risk nose-diving in the standings. (ES)
17. Detroit Lions
2017 record: 3-3
Previous: 17
The Lions slumped into their bye week with two straight losses. But with one of the easiest remaining schedules (.456) and Rodgers’s injury, they still have a chance to win the division. (DB)
18. Tennessee Titans
2017 record: 4-3
Previous: 21
It’s great that Ryan Succop is connecting on more than 90 per cent of his field goals (he has nine in the past two weeks alone), but when your kicker is your primary source of offence it’s a sign the unit needs to tweak some things. The Titans will have the chance to do so during a Week 8 bye.
19. Oakland Raiders
2017 record: 3-4
Previous: 28
It took a while, but Derek Carr and the Raiders made a statement on Thursday night with a big win over the Chiefs. We can’t overstate the importance of that victory — the Raiders may have just saved their season. And boy, was it fun to watch. (ES)
20. Los Angeles Chargers
2017 record: 3-4
Previous: 25
The Chargers have shown over the past three weeks that they’re not to be written off just yet. The newest L.A. team has climbed back into the AFC West conversation with a shutout win over the Broncos. (ES)
21. Atlanta Falcons
2017 record: 3-3
Previous: 10
Atlanta’s inability to put points on the board is somewhat baffling considering all the talent they have and how dominant they were just one season ago. They ranked first in scoring in 2016, averaging 4.5 more points per game than the next closest team. Through seven weeks they rank 16th in points per game. Facing the Jets this week on the road is no gimme. (MJ)
22. Chicago Bears
2017 record: 3-4
Previous: 26
The Bears attempted seven passes, ran just 33 offensive plays and produced only five first downs. That type of offensive balance is not sustainable in a QB-driven league. (DB)
23. Green Bay Packers
2017 record: 4-3
Previous: 13
Brett Hundley never looked comfortable in the pocket in his first career start. Rodgers can begin throwing in six weeks if he has no setbacks so all hope isn’t lost yet. (DB)
24. Arizona Cardinals
2017 record: 3-4
Previous: 20
The Cardinals flew across the pond for a matchup against the Rams, but they never really arrived in London. Not only were they shut out 33-0 by a division rival, they also lost veteran quarterback Carson Palmer to a broken left arm. Their bye week could not have come at a better time. (ES)
25. New York Jets
2017 record: 3-4
Previous: 22
The Jets are now 1-3 in the division after allowing the Dolphins to storm back from 14 down. That’s a back-breaking loss in what’s otherwise been a surprisingly positive first half. (GL)
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2017 record: 2-4
Previous: 23
Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David were both healthy, but the Bucs had trouble stopping LeSean McCoy and the Bills on the ground. Rookie tight end O.J. Howard finally broke out and new placekicker Patrick Murray went 2-for-2 on FG attempts, which has to give this team confidence going forward. Still, the offence is too inconsistent and untimely turnovers continue to hurt them. (MJ)
27. Cincinnati Bengals
2017 record: 2-4
Previous: 24
Where is the vaunted Bengals defence? Four takeaways in six games is the fewest in franchise history. What’s worse: Vontaze Burfict is still kicking opponents even though he’s already been fined $291,000 in his career. (DB)
28. Baltimore Ravens
2017 record: 3-4
Previous: 27
With receivers Mike Williams and Breshad Perriman in the concussion protocol, things are looking even more dire for the struggling Ravens offence. Not ideal on a short week with a game Thursday versus Miami. (DB)
29. Indianapolis Colts
2017 record: 2-5
Previous: 29
The defence is Swiss cheese, Andrew Luck is still nowhere to be found, and T.Y. Hilton is throwing his offensive line under the bus in the media. You can stick a fork in the Colts. They’re done. (MJ)
30. New York Giants
2017 record: 1-6
Previous: 30
The Giants were unable to build off last Sunday’s stunning win in Denver, reverting back to the offensive ineptitude that has plagued the team since last December. (GL)
31. San Francisco 49ers
2017 record: 0-7
Previous: 31
The winless 49ers have been making things interesting for their opponents this season, keeping games close with a series of one-possession losses. Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys, however, was a blowout — and certainly not the way rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard might have anticipated his first NFL start going after an inspiring performance against the Redskins one week ago. (ES)
32. Cleveland Browns
2017 record: 0-7
Previous: 32
The Browns have already benched Deshone Kizer twice. In the last two years they have traded first-round picks to let other teams take Carson Wentz and Deshaun Watson. That’s all you need to know. (DB)
