The San Francisco 49ers remain atop the NFC power rankings after surviving Washington on Monday night, while Chicago passes Seattle and Green Bay climbs into the top six entering NFL Week 7.
Green Bay jumped three spots for the second straight week after beating Dallas, and Arizona escaped last place with a road win over the Rams. Philadelphia falls to No. 16 after Jalen Hurts was ruled out for the season with blood clots in his lungs.
Here are our NFC power rankings entering Week 7, from Nos. 16 to 1.
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16. Philadelphia Eagles (Prev: 12)
- Last week: vs. Carolina Panthers, L 25-14
- Next week: vs. Dallas, Mon., Oct. 26, 8:15 p.m. ET
Philadelphia has lost four straight, and Sunday’s loss came with Tanner McKee starting in place of Hurts. The bigger blow came Monday, when the team and Hurts’ agent disclosed that he has deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in both lungs. Treatment with blood thinners is expected to sideline him for at least three months.
The statement said his prognosis is very good. Still, a 2-4 team that ranks near the bottom of the league in scoring now has to find offense without its starting quarterback, so the Eagles drop to last.
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15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Prev: 15)
- Last week: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, L 26-19 (OT)
- Next week: at Carolina, Sun., Oct. 25, 1 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay took a 16-3 lead into the fourth quarter and still lost. Pittsburgh scored on five consecutive possessions to force overtime and win it.
The Buccaneers followed their first win with another late collapse, and that inability to close out games keeps them near the bottom. A trip to face the NFC South leader is next.
14. Washington Commanders (Prev: 14)
- Last week: at San Francisco 49ers, L 23-17
- Next week: Bye
Washington managed 90 yards in the first half and trailed 23-3 late in the third quarter. Then Jayden Daniels took over, finishing 29 of 40 for 300 yards and two touchdowns as the Commanders outgained San Francisco 224-72 after halftime.
That fight keeps them from falling, but the night was costly. Terry McLaurin was carted off with a left knee injury in the first quarter, and Washington heads into its bye at 1-4-1.
13. Arizona Cardinals (Prev: 16)
- Last week: at L.A. Rams, W 18-16
- Next week: vs. Denver, Sun., Oct. 25, 4:05 p.m. ET
Chad Ryland supplied all 18 points with six field goals, including the winner as time expired. Arizona snapped its four-game losing streak with a road division win, which earns the Cardinals a three-spot jump out of last place.
Their offense still settled for kicks on every scoring drive. That limits how far they climb, especially with Denver coming to town.
12. New York Giants (Prev: 11)
- Last week: vs. New Orleans Saints, L 34-27
- Next week: at Houston, Sun., Oct. 25, 1 p.m. ET
New York fell behind 34-10 at home against a one-win team. Head coach John Harbaugh benched Jameis Winston, and J.J. McCarthy rallied the Giants to within a touchdown.
That comeback gives them something to build on. It also leaves the NFC East leaders with an unsettled quarterback situation before a road trip to Houston.
11. New Orleans Saints (Prev: 13)
- Last week: at N.Y. Giants, W 34-27
- Next week: vs. Pittsburgh (Paris), Sun., Oct. 25, 9:30 a.m. ET
New Orleans scored 34 unanswered points, ran for 175 yards and forced turnovers to snap a three-game losing streak. The Saints then nearly let a 24-point fourth-quarter lead slip away.
A road win over a division leader moves them ahead of the Giants. The late collapse keeps it to a two-spot climb before they face Pittsburgh in Paris.
10. Dallas Cowboys (Prev: 10)
- Last week: at Green Bay Packers, L 23-13
- Next week: at Philadelphia, Mon., Oct. 26, 8:15 p.m. ET
Dallas fell behind 17-0, and Dak Prescott threw two interceptions. The Cowboys have now lost to Tampa Bay and Green Bay in consecutive weeks, and the defense has allowed at least 20 points in every game but this one.
They hold at No. 10 only because the teams below them have their own problems. A Monday night trip to face a Philadelphia team without Hurts is a chance to stop the slide.
9. Atlanta Falcons (Prev: 8)
- Last week: vs. Chicago Bears, L 31-23
- Next week: vs. San Francisco, Sun., Oct. 25, 1 p.m. ET
Atlanta trailed 31-7 before a late rally made the score respectable. The Falcons have lost back-to-back home games, and Michael Penix Jr.’s rib injury remains a concern.
They stay narrowly ahead of Dallas, but hosting the unbeaten 49ers on Sunday gives Atlanta little room to recover.
8. Los Angeles Rams (Prev: 5)
- Last week: vs. Arizona Cardinals, L 18-16
- Next week: at Las Vegas, Sun., Oct. 25, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Rams lost at home to a team that had dropped four straight. The earlier close losses to Buffalo and others earned them some benefit of the doubt, but losing to Arizona removes most of it.
Davante Adams is also expected to miss 6-10 weeks with a ruptured hamstring. Los Angeles is 2-4 and falls three spots.
7. Detroit Lions (Prev: 7)
- Last week: Bye
- Next week: vs. Green Bay, Sun., Oct. 25, 4:25 p.m. ET
Detroit’s offense belongs in this group after scoring on seven straight possessions against Arizona before the bye. The pass defense is the concern, with the secondary ranking 29th in EPA per pass play allowed.
Brian Branch’s expected return helps. Hosting Green Bay will show whether one returning safety is enough to fix the back end.
6. Green Bay Packers (Prev: 9)
- Last week: vs. Dallas Cowboys, W 23-13
- Next week: at Detroit, Sun., Oct. 25, 4:25 p.m. ET
Green Bay converted its first seven third downs and built a 17-0 lead on Sunday night. It’s the Packers’ third straight win and second straight convincing one after routing Chicago.
That execution earns another three-spot jump and a place ahead of Detroit. The two teams settle it Sunday at Ford Field.
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5. Carolina Panthers (Prev: 6)
- Last week: at Philadelphia Eagles, W 25-14
- Next week: vs. Tampa Bay, Sun., Oct. 25, 1 p.m. ET
Carolina handled a depleted opponent on the road. Bryce Young threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns, while Chuba Hubbard ran for 120 yards.
That balance moves the Panthers ahead of the slumping Rams. They host Tampa Bay with a chance to strengthen their hold on first place in the NFC South.
4. Seattle Seahawks (Prev: 3)
- Last week: at Denver Broncos, L 17-14 (OT)
- Next week: vs. Kansas City, Sun., Oct. 25, 8:20 p.m. ET
Sam Darnold threw two more interceptions, and the turnover problem has now cost Seattle in consecutive weeks. Still, the Seahawks’ three losses have come by a combined eight points, and their defense keeps every game close.
They slip one spot instead of tumbling. Hosting Kansas City on Sunday night gives the defending champions a chance to get Darnold back on track.
3. Chicago Bears (Prev: 4)
- Last week: at Atlanta Falcons, W 31-23
- Next week: vs. New England, Thu., Oct. 22, 8:15 p.m. ET
Caleb Williams returned from his hamstring strain and completed 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards without a turnover. Chicago led 31-7 before Atlanta’s late rally.
Head coach Ben Johnson said before the game that Williams “was on an upward trajectory” before the injury. With him healthy, the 4-2 Bears have the offense to stay in the top tier and move past Seattle.
2. Minnesota Vikings (Prev: 2)
- Last week: Bye
- Next week: vs. Indianapolis, Sun., Oct. 25, 1 p.m. ET
There’s no reason to move an unbeaten team down after a bye. Brian Flores’ defense gives Minnesota a strong weekly floor.
The offense keeps the Vikings out of the top spot, ranking 31st in EPA per play through five weeks. They return home 5-0 to face Indianapolis.
1. San Francisco 49ers (Prev: 1)
- Last week: vs. Washington Commanders, W 23-17
- Next week: at Atlanta, Sun., Oct. 25, 1 p.m. ET
Brock Purdy went 21 of 29 for 264 yards and a touchdown, and Christian McCaffrey ran for two scores as San Francisco built a 20-3 halftime lead. The offense stalled after Mike Evans left late in the first half with Achilles tendinitis.
Malik Mustapha broke up a fourth-down pass near the goal line, and the 49ers sacked Daniels on the final snap. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Evans won’t need more testing, and San Francisco stays No. 1 at 6-0.
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