NFL Power Rankings, Week 7: Baker Mayfield-led Buccaneers hit No. 1, while Seahawks crack top 3
Published: Oct 14, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Who is the best team in the NFL? It's a question that has been asked and answered multiple times over the past week, especially after the Eagles were stomped by the Giants, the Chiefs beat the Lions, and the Falcons choked out the Bills. Despite these results, the truth-serum answer remains: I don't believe there's a clear-cut front-runner.
Everyone has flaws, and no team is unbeat. Only four teams have one loss, and the Bills and Eagles have each lost two straight. The Ravens and Bengals, along with a few other preseason darlings, have faded. For now, the Buccaneers are tenuously manning the top spot after a strong victory, and they're certainly No. 1 in the Fun Rankings. But do they have enough receivers to hold on? The upcoming trip to Detroit for a prime-time bout against the Lions could be a test.
Flexibility is key this season. Favorites will emerge, pretenders will fade, and perhaps even some teams we've written off will have a second coming. The NFL is wide open, folks.
Rank
1
3
5-1
Baker Mayfield seems to make one hellacious play with his legs every Sunday, completely flummoxing the defense and inspiring his teammates. Sunday's scramble to move the chains on third-and-14 was impressive, and he delivered a bomb to rookie WR Tez Johnson, who made a fingertip catch for a touchdown. Johnson and second-year pro Kameron Johnson might be the newest breakout receivers, despite Emeka Egbuka's injury.
The WR ranks remain thin, but with Mayfield under center, the Buccaneers always have a chance. Tampa Bay faces a tough road game in Detroit, but they've shown they can compete in any lion's den.
Rank
2
1
4-2
The Lions have struggled to slow down explosive offenses, but they must produce more splash plays defensively. Against the Packers, Ravens, and Chiefs, they've forced only one turnover, and the Chiefs essentially made it an eight-possession game for the Lions.
Rank
3
2
4-2
The Seahawks might have dropped their toughest games at home, but they've looked terrific on the road, improving to 10-1 under Mike Macdonald since last year. Seattle never felt threatened by Jacksonville, and the defense responded well in Duval, despite a thin secondary.
Rank
4
1
4-2
The Bills are in second place after their second straight loss, and they're not a disciplined team right now. Josh Allen was picked off late in both halves and didn't play well in Atlanta. There were eight more penalties, bringing the total to 30 over the last three games. The defense was smoked early and worn down late.
Rank
5
1
3-1-1
The Packers took care of business and didn't let the 40-year-old quarterback beat them twice in the same season. Josh Jacobs helped spur the offense with two important TD drives, and Matthew Golden had a huge pass late when the game was still in doubt.
Rank
6
4
4-2
The Eagles' loss to the Giants raised concerns, and the offense has been outgained in every game. The defense started cracking late against the Broncos and never really firmed up against the Giants. The team faces a rested Minnesota team on the road and a rematch against the Giants in two weeks.
Rank
7
4-2
The Rams' loss to the Buccaneers was a setback, and the special teams were a problem. The team looks different under Liam Coen, but this feels like an inflection point where things could go either way.
Rank
8
5-1
The Colts must find defensive solutions soon, as they face tough road games in the next three weeks. Even with Daniel Jones throwing a bad pick, he quarterbacked an efficient attack that added 31 points to the ledger.
Rank
9
3
3-3
Patrick Mahomes looked more like Prime-Time Pat against the Lions, delivering TD drives in all four quarters. Now, with Rashee Rice back from suspension, the Chiefs will have a full complement of playmakers.
Rank
10
5
4-1
The Steelers have won their only two games in the past three weeks, while the Ravens, Bengals, and Browns went a combined 0-9. The Steelers battered Dillon Gabriel for six sacks and 16 QB hits and kept the Browns out of the end zone.
Rank
11
1
4-2
The Broncos were devastating defensively against the Jets, but they need to find offensive answers. Trailing 11-10 for much of the second half, the Broncos finally mustered a field goal to take the lead.
Rank
12
3
3-3
The Commanders had a missed opportunity on Monday, with the ball twice in the fourth quarter but punting and fumbling, allowing the Bears to win. Jayden Daniels rallied from an early pick to take command, but he coughed the ball up late.
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