Nine Straight Threes' NFL Power Rankings: Week 7

Where even some losers managed to win

There were some true high-quality matchups in Week 6. There was a Super Bowl rematch between Kansas City and San Francsico, a possible Super Bowl preview between the Packers and Texans, and a battle of the NFC’s best in Minneapolis.

Teams in the middle of the standings were making moves, both good (Seattle) and bad (hello again, San Francisco), while a few desperate teams got some much-needed wins. Amari Cooper scored in his Bills debut, while Davante Adams’ Jets baptism didn’t go nearly as well, and the Commanders got right back to rolling over the opposition, though they did it without Jayden Daniels for much of the day.

Things got even uglier for some of the dregs of the league. Did this week’s results bring some real separation? Let’s find out, as we create some tiers for this first time in the rankings.

As always, NST’s power rankings take two factors into account: Performance and watchability. Away we go.

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When’s the Draft, Again?

32. Cleveland Browns (1-6)

LW: 32

The scene should not have been surprising when Deshaun Watson blew out his Achilles and was carted off the field in Cleveland. Browns fans cheered the injury, and Browns players were not happy about it. I’m not sure what anyone involved expected. In addition to being one of the most despised players in the league, Watson was also the worst starting quarterback in professional football. He and the Browns are still married to each other through at least 2025, but probably 2026, too. Now? Now it’s Jameis Time. Or at least, it had better be.

Week 8: vs. Baltimore

31. Carolina Panthers (1-6)

LW: 30

The Panthers knocked Jayden Daniels out of the game pretty early, but it hardly mattered. Marcus Mariota waltzed in and looked every bit like a player who was once drafted number two overall. The Panthers didn’t score for almost 50 minutes, and didn’t even crack 200 yards. I’m disappointed in these guys; I really thought they might be respectable once Andy Dalton took over. They are not respectable. They are a complete disaster.

Week 8: at Denver