NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Steelers jump to No. 3

 

We are six weeks into the NFL season, and the AFC is on the verge of becoming a slugfest.

While several of the preseason’s top NFC teams have struggled to find their footing early in the season, the AFC has had no problem with lofty expectations.

This week’s Power Rankings see the Pittsburgh Steelers make a jump after an emphatic win over Cleveland, as well as the Tennessee Titans joining the top five for the first time this season.

Here are the official Power Rankings for Week 7 of the 2020 NFL season.

WEEK 7 POWER RANKINGS

1. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-0)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 1

WEEK 7: @ ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-2)

A bye week gave the Seahawks a chance to catch their breath and rest following an undefeated start to the season.

The week off comes at a good time, as the Seahawks face a tough stretch. Over the next five weeks, Seattle will face the Arizona Cardinals twice, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.

2. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-1)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 3

WEEK 7: @ DENVER BRONCOS (2-3)

The Chiefs’ rushing attack has just as much potential as Kansas City’s passing game.

Kansas City combined for 245 total rushing yards in its 26-17 win over the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, spearheaded by 161 yards on 26 carries from Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Patrick Mahomes was still Patrick Mahomes, throwing for 225 yards and two touchdowns on 21-for-26 passing, but the story was the Chiefs proving they can win tough games on the ground.

On the defensive side of the ball, Kansas City stifled Josh Allen, holding the strong-armed quarterback to 122 passing yards and picking him off on Buffalo’s final possession of the game.

3. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (5-0)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 5

WEEK 7: @ TENNESSEE TITANS (5-0)

The Steelers stopped the Cleveland Browns hype train in its tracks in Week 6 while also adding fuel to their own.

Pittsburgh decimated the Browns on Sunday, 38-7, behind three rushing touchdowns on offense and a pick-six by Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The Pittsburgh rushing attack was captained by James Conner, who led all rushers with 101 yards and a touchdown. Chase Claypool continued his meteoric rise, going for 74 yards on four receptions and scoring on a rushing play for the second consecutive week.

After a season of uncertainty without Big Ben Roethlisberger last year, the Steelers have re-emerged as a legit contender in the AFC.

4. BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-1)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 4

WEEK 7: BYE WEEK

The best teams know how to survive, especially when the stakes are heightened in the postseason.

Baltimore got a taste of that Sunday, surviving a fourth-quarter comeback from the Eagles to sneak out a 30-28 win.

The Ravens led 30-14 with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, but two Philadelphia touchdown drives gave the Eagles a chance to tie the game with a two-point conversion with less than two minutes to play. Baltimore stopped the conversion attempt, leading to a big exhale and another win after nearly sacrificing the lead.

Baltimore has a tough road ahead, including two games against Pittsburgh and a matchup with the Titans before we hit December.

5. TENNESSEE TITANS (5-0)

LAST WEEK RANKING: NR

WEEK 7: VS PITTSBURGH STEELERS (5-0)

It’s impossible to ignore the Titans any longer.

Tennessee produced an offensive explosion in its 42-36 overtime win over Houston with 364 passing yards from Ryan Tannehill and 212 rushing yards from Derrick Henry. The duo accounted for all six of Tennessee’s touchdowns in the win as the Titans accumulated 601 yards of total offense. 

Even with the second highest scoring offense in the league (32.8 ppg), the Titans’ defense has yet to prove consistent. They have allowed at least 30 points in three of their first five games and allowed 412 yards to what had been a struggling Houston offense.