Week 7 of the 2026 NFL season provided big individual efforts, last-minute finishes, and a few upsets too. The Houston Texans kept their playoff hopes alive with a thrilling back-and-forth battle with the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears got back on track with a big win over the suddenly struggling Atlanta Falcons, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Let’s dive into our latest NFL power rankings after Week 6. Updates will be provided after Sunday Night Football (Dallas Cowboys vs Green Bay Packers) and Monday Night Football (Washington Commanders vs San Francisco 49ers).
1. San Francisco 49ers (1)
Perhaps no team has dealt with more injuries since the start of training camp than the San Francisco 49ers. Yet, Kyle Shanahan continues to show why other head coaches constantly try to emulate pieces of his offense. Though, now they face a bit of a trap game on Monday Night Football against a 1-3-1 Washington Commanders team that has the potential to be much better than their record suggests with a healthy Jayden Daniels under center.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (2)
The Kansas City Chiefs are back to being Super Bowl contenders. While there were plenty of doubters, Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and most importantly, Kenneth Walker III have helped lead a dominant effort through five games. The Chiefs ran up 156 yards on the ground, averaging 5.6 yards per carry in the process. Defensively, they also held the Chargers to just 3.3 YPC. The Chiefs once again look like a dangerous opponent.
3. Buffalo Bills (3)
The Buffalo Bills kept things interesting by allowing 17 fourth-quarter points to the Raiders on Sunday, but a great combined effort from Josh Allen, James Cook, and Keon Coleman was all they needed to advance to 5-1. Buffalo’s defense once again let them down in the secondary, allowing 313 yards to Kirk Cousins, even with Dorian Williams intercepting a pass. It may have only been a three-point victory, but first-year coach Joe Brady won’t complain about being in first place of the AFC East.
4. Minnesota Vikings (4)
The bye week came at an ideal time for a Minnesota Vikings team that’s dealt with several injuries on offense. Once the team returns in Week 7, they should get T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Addison, and Jordan Mason back. That’s huge for an offense that’s perhaps finally finding its way after Kyler Murray’s inspiring start in Week 5. With the league’s top defense and special teams units, this Vikings group has the potential to do some damage in the playoffs, but they have to get there first.
5. New England Patriots (10)
It took them a few weeks to get there, and one might argue the New England Patriots still aren’t in top form, but after a 1-2 start, Mike Vrabel’s team has to be thrilled with being 4-2 headed into Week 7. Still, the 26-19 win over the Jets likely leaves a feeling that there’s plenty to improve for the reigning AFC Conference champions. After all, this group lost two fumbles, and Drake Maye still hasn’t formed a connection with A.J. Brown, who caught just 3-of-10 targets after dropping four passes. Though the fact that there are this many mistakes to clean up and are still firmly in playoff contention suggests this Patriots team could be elite again, they have to clean up the mishaps over the course of the season.
6. Chicago Bears (11)
Finally, Ben Johnson has his franchise quarterback in the lineup again, and Caleb Williams made sure to put on a show in his first game back. The former No. 1 overall pick made up for lost time by completing 30-of-36 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown without committing a turnover. Just as impressive was the fact that the Bears’ defense held the Falcons to just 257 yards of offense while generating five sacks and forcing three turnovers.
7. Denver Broncos (7)
Once again, Bo Nix let his team down. Despite finishing with just 107 passing yards on 27 attempts, somehow the Denver Broncos managed to get a win despite their QB being an anchor. Nix has finished with fewer than 200 passing yards in four of his six starts. Adding Jaylen Waddle was supposed to spark this scoring offense. Instead, with Davis Webb taking over playcalling duties, Nix has regressed, averaging just 5.6 yards per attempt. Would the Broncos consider benching their 26-year-old franchise QB despite a 4-2 start?
8. Baltimore Ravens (6)
Before the season started, many would have expected the Baltimore Ravens to wipe the floor with the Cleveland Browns, but that’s not what happened on Sunday. Instead, the battle between the Ravens’ offensive and defensive coordinators from 2025 was won by the one Baltimore didn’t hire as head coach. Todd Monken got the best of Jesse Minter this time, though one wonders how this would have played out differently if Lamar Jackson was healthy, as Tyler Huntley was held to just 165 passing yards and a touchdown.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (8)
The Jacksonville Jaguars, who went 13-4 last season, have already lost two games. Yet, both were to playoff teams from last season. Overall, this is still one of the best teams on both sides of the ball. Bhayshul Tuten is starting to show why the Jaguars were comfortable letting Travis Etienne walk in free agency with his 87-yard, two-touchdown game on Sunday. Even more exciting was seeing Travis Hunter record both a touchdown reception plus an interception in the same game, but it just wasn’t enough to get the dub.
10. Carolina Panthers (13)
The Carolina Panthers took advantage of a shorthanded Eagles squad on Sunday, and there was only one group that looked like playoff contenders. Naturally, it was the 3-2 Panthers who generated 399 yards of offense without turning the ball over. It was particularly nice to see Chuba Hubbard going off for 120 yards and a touchdown; now the question is whether the Panthers can continue putting it all together on both sides of the ball.
11. Cincinnati Bengals (12)
Cincinnati’s defense carried them through the early portion of the schedule, and the offense has mostly been there when needed. Yet after forcing four in the season-opening win and in the victory before the bye, the Bengals can’t rely on turnovers to get wins. With two divisional opponents in the next four games, the bye may have given the Bengals an opportunity to lock in after winning just one of their previous three matchups.
12. Cleveland Browns (24)
For the second week in a row, Deshaun Watson wasn’t particularly great, once again being held to under 200 passing yards. However, in a game where no one wanted to win, it was Watson who helped engineer a 10-play, 62-yard drive, which featured a 33-yard catch-and-run from Jerry Jeudy to put Andre Szmyt in position for the game-winning 37-yard field goal. After allowing 10 first-quarter points, Cleveland’s defense tightened up and didn’t allow any more points in the final three frames. This was a team effort in every sense of the word for Todd Monken’s group, and now the Browns have sole possession of first place in the AFC North with a strong 4-2 record.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (19)
While they’re still a half-game behind the Browns after losing to them in Week 4, the Pittsburgh Steelers have forced their way to a 4-2 record under Mike McCarthy. Aaron Rodgers has shown glimpses of why the Steelers were eager to bring the four-time NFL MVP back in the fold, which included a game-winning drive in overtime on Sunday. Now that Rico Dowdle has returned, the Steelers could have one of the best 1-2 punches in the NFL. More so, this defense was excellent on Sunday, recording two interceptions and sacking the QB five times. Overall, the Steelers look very capable of reaching the playoffs.
14. Detroit Lions (14)
Few, if any, quarterbacks were playing better than Jared Goff was headed into the bye week. He, along with Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, has helped lead Dan Campbell’s team to the No. 1-ranked scoring offense through five weeks. Defensively, the Lions are a mess, but getting Brian Branch back in the lineup should help stabilize Kelvin Sheppard’s group as criticism mounts.
15. Seattle Seahawks (5)
It’s hard to win in the NFL by turning the ball over three times, and the Seattle Seahawks found that out on Thursday night in primetime. Seattle’s defense once again held up their end of the bargain, allowing just 168 yards. One area that’s becoming a concern is not having a complementary playmaker to go with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, as no other Seahawks pass-catcher is averaging even 30 yards per game. Neither Cooper Kupp nor Rashid Shaheed has more than 180 receiving yards, and Sam Darnold is turning the ball over at the highest rate of his career.
16. Green Bay Packers (18)
The Green Bay Packers are back in full force, and now that Josh Jacobs has been reinstated, we could be looking at one of the best teams in football once Micah Parsons returns in a few weeks. For now, they’re staring down the barrel of an important Sunday Night Football showdown against a potent Cowboys offense paired with a defense that Jordan Love should be able to feast on.
17. Las Vegas Raiders (17)
The Las Vegas Raiders have been one of the most improved players of the 2026 NFL season. Yet, wins and losses are all that matters, and Klint Kubiak’s team has suddenly lost three in a row to even up their record at .500. While Kirk Cousins was as good as ever, racking up 313 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, the rushing attack once again set them back, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. While the loss hurts, it was nice to see Tre Tucker go off for 97 yards and two scores.
18. Los Angeles Rams (9)
Super Bowl favorites no more, the Los Angeles Rams undoubtedly win the Dak Prescott Most Embarrassing Loss of the Week Award, falling to the Cardinals on a game-winning/losing field goal. While Matthew Stafford was excellent, completing 25-of-33 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns, the Rams should have turned more to a running game that averaged a robust 5.6 yards per carry. Ultimately, a lost Tyler Higbee fumble was costly in the two-point loss, but most importantly, the Rams are just 2-4.
19. Houston Texans (23)
Eventually, the Houston Texans’ slow starts need to be studied. They’ve had 0-2 starts in three of DeMeco Ryans’ four seasons as head coach, and this is his second consecutive season with a 0-3 start. Yet, after back-to-back wins, including the latest over a good Jacksonville team on the road, the Texans have climbed back to 2-4. Powered by an excellent passing game that’s likely to continue improving with the addition of C.J. Stroud’s college teammate Marvin Harrison Jr., plus a defense that has top-10 potential, don’t stick a fork in these Texans just yet.
20. Atlanta Falcons (15)
Playing dead with seven points for three quarters, the Atlanta Falcons finally came to life in the final frame to put up 17 more on the scoreboard. But it was too little, too late for a Falcons team that mustered just 257 yards of offense. Some might say the Falcons abandoned the rushing game too early, as Bijan Robinson finished with just nine attempts for 61 yards, at an impressive 6.8 YPC.
21. New York Giants (20)
After two consecutive positive performances from Jameis Winston, the former No. 1 overall pick posted a dud of a game on Sunday, leading to his benching. His departure led to new arrival J.J. McCarthy getting a chance, and after he gave the team a shot in the arm, it’s hard to imagine the New York Giants not starting the 23-year-old from here on out. The Giants looked like they were dead in the water, down 24 points with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. But that was before McCarthy led a rally that only ended with a turnover on downs in the red zone, down just seven. While he also committed one of the team’s four turnovers, McCarthy produced a whopping 269 yards in one quarter of play. Will the Giants turn to him over Winston?
22. Dallas Cowboys (21)
While the Jerry Jones-led Dallas Cowboys are always a threat to do something extra ahead of the NFL trade deadline, this team can’t afford to fall much further out of the playoff picture after slipping to 2-3. That makes Sunday night’s matchup against the Packers a pivotal game for a Cowboys team that has playoff expectations. Boasting one of the NFL’s highest-scoring offenses but a lackluster D, this one could be a barn-burner.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (16)
Entering the game without Jalen Hurts, there were low expectations for a Philadelphia Eagles team turning to Tanner McKee, especially against a formidable Panthers team. The Eagles also didn’t have Saquon Barkley, and it showed. While McKee generated 215 passing yards (187 after taking three sacks for a loss for 28 yards), the rushing attack was worthless, with Dameon Pierce averaging 2.9 yards per carry and a touchdown on 12 attempts. However, the Eagles’ defense also let the Panthers go off for 399 yards of offense. That’s 1,221 yards allowed in the past three games for the Eagles’ D.
24. New Orleans Saints (27)
Finally, the New Orleans Saints’ potential shines through with an exciting victory over the New York Giants. This time, their success wasn’t entirely from Tyler Shough (who had four touchdowns) or Kellen Moore’s offense; rather, it was the defense and special teams that forced four turnovers and racked up five sacks. Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. was especially impressive, recording two interceptions, one off Jameis Winston, and the other from J.J. McCarthy. Yet, there’s also some concern for an offense that couldn’t even muster 150 passing yards, but perhaps that was a product of a rushing attack that finally came to life with a season-high 176 rushing yards on Sunday. Now they just need it all to come together, preferably without the defensive lapses in the fourth quarter this time.
25. New York Jets (26)
A week after perhaps their most inspiring game of the season, the New York Jets weren’t able to carry that momentum over into another win. However, they shouldn’t be too down on themselves after giving the Patriots everything they could handle. First-round rookie Omar Cooper Jr. scored his first touchdown and even had a 103-yard game in his first game back from injury. Which, if he can stay healthy, Geno Smith would have a respectable group of weaponry to go with Garrett Wilson, Kenyon Sadiq, and the currently injured Breece Hall.
26. Arizona Cardinals (30)
A week after trading Marvin Harrison Jr., the Arizona Cardinals got what will undoubtedly be their best win of the season. It’s a statement win for Mike LaFleur’s team in what was always expected to be a rebuilding year. It’s only 2-4, but that’s better than anticipated, especially considering they just sent the Rams to the same record as them, but have the upper hand over them in the NFC West. Kicker Chad Ryland was the hero on Sunday, scoring all of the team’s 18 points by going 6-for-6 on field goal attempts, including the 43-yard game-winner. Yet, they still have the third-worst point differential in the NFL.
27. Washington Commanders (25)
Keeping Jayden Daniels healthy is the Washington Commanders’ most important task, and it’s one they’ve struggled with. Yet, when healthy, the superstar QB has proven to be a difference-maker, which includes last week’s 103-yard rushing performance. Now if only the Commanders could figure out how to work the game clock too, because they’ll need to be picture perfect against an undefeated 49ers team on Monday night.
28. Indianapolis Colts (22)
Once again, the Indianapolis Colts didn’t put their best foot forward, and it all started with Daniel Jones completing just 22-of-42 passes while taking six sacks and tossing two picks. He was otherwise productive, going off for a season-high 269 yards and a touchdown. Yet, with Jonathan Taylor also coughing up a fumble, the Colts just couldn’t bounce back from a three-turnover day, and now their season is in danger after a 2-4 start, especially because they don’t have their first-round pick in 2027 due to the Sauce Gardner trade, who, by the way, has generated zero takeaways in 10 games.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29)
A week after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stole a win in primetime, they couldn’t repeat the effort in a thrilling overtime loss to a veteran Steelers team. Starting their backup quarterback for the third week in a row, the Buccaneers can’t be too disappointed with the undrafted rookie leading them to a 1-2 record, but another down year will likely cost Todd Bowles his job.
Related: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaching Candidates
30. Tennessee Titans (31)
It took them six games, but the Tennessee Titans finally got their first win, mainly because they didn’t do anything to lose it this time as their opponent shot themselves in the foot. Cam Ward was expectedly unimpressive, completing 50% of his passes for 102 yards, a touchdown, and a pick. The rushing offense averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. The brightest spots were seeing first-round rookie Carnell Tate rack up 70 yards and a touchdown while taking the ball away three times. Otherwise, the Titans got dominated again, allowing 399 yards compared to Tennessee’s 186. But a win is a win!
31. Los Angeles Chargers (28)
Look, the winless Los Angeles Chargers were never expected to beat an undefeated Chiefs team, but it would have been nice to see Jim Harbaugh’s team put up a fight. Unfortunately, Justin Herbert is playing more like a QB who should get benched than one who will earn any type of accolades this year. Though to be fair, the Chargers’ QB shouldn’t be the team’s leading rusher either, but L.A.’s other rushers combined for 47 rush yards on 17 attempts, just 3.6 YPC. That can’t all be placed on Herbert or Mike McDaniel. Still, eventually heads are going to roll with more efforts like this.
32. Miami Dolphins (32)
The good news is the Miami Dolphins can’t lose a game, nor can they take a step backward this week while on their bye. The bad news is, they’ve been the worst team in football through five games, unable to score points on offense and ranking in the bottom tier on defense too. The Dolphins are living up to expectations in the first year of a massive rebuild, but there are explosive athletes who certainly have the potential to develop into stars. Defensively, rookie Jacob Rodriguez looks like a future star already.