Strike 7 Elite: NFL Power Rankings 1-10
1. Eagles: 11-1 (Previous Ranking 2nd)
The Philadelphia Eagles reclaim the top spot in our Strike 7 Elite power rankings. Offseason acquisition AJ Brown torched his former team, the Tennessee Titans, for eight catches, 118 yards, and two touchdowns. His teammate Jalen Hurts continued his magical season with another solid performance. He finished the day with 380 passing yards and three touchdown passes.
2. Cowboys: 9-3 (Previous Ranking 3rd)
It was an easy night for the Dallas Cowboys. They blew past the Indianapolis Colts 54-13. The following two weeks will be crucial. They have two more easy opponents in the Houston Texans in the Jacksonville Jaguars. Week 16 will be the rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles. Depending on how things turn out with the Eagles and Giants matchup, control of the NFC East could be at stake. The Cowboys must take care of business against Houston and Jacksonville.
3. Vikings: 10-2 (Previous Ranking 6th)
If there is one thing we know by now about the Minnesota Vikings, they know how to win close games. They pulled off another close finish playing against the New York Jets. Late in the fourth quarter, New York was deep in the Vikings’ territory with a threat to take the lead. But Jets WR Braxton Barrios could not secure the go-ahead score that would tie the game. The Jets would have another opportunity to take control of the game, but Minnesota’s defense was able to come up with crucial stops. The win over the Jets gives Minnesota a 4-0 record against the AFC East. The victory was also the Vikings’ ninth close win of the season.
4. Bills: 9-3 (Previous Ranking 5th)
With losses by the Chiefs and Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills are now back on top of the AFC playoff picture and the AFC East division. On Thursday, they were able to pick apart a Patriots team that is very limited on offense. To me, the score could have been a lot more than 24-10. Buffalo took their foot off the pedal early. Up next for the Bills will be two back-to-back games against division opponents. They go on the road to face the Jets and come home the following week to host the Miami Dolphins. Both games will likely determine the outcome of the AFC East.
5. Bengals: 8-4 (Previous Ranking 7th)
As I have stated, the Bengals are peeking at the right time. Once again, they got the best of the Kansas City Chiefs. It was the third-straight time that the Bengals have taken down Kansas City, dating back to last season. With Kansas City leading Cincinnati 24-20 early in the fourth quarter, Patrick Mahomes hooked up with tight end Travis Kelce, who rumbled for a huge gain. Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt and other defenders forced Kelce to the ground and caused him to fumble. The Bengals recovered, and Joe Burrow went to work. He completed six of seven passes that were a part of a 53-yard drive. The long drive would result in a touchdown score for the Bengals. Cincinnati’s defense took over from there and closed out the Chiefs with a 27-24 victory.
6. 49ers: 8-4 (Previous Ranking 8th)
The San Francisco 49ers picked up their eighth win of the season when they defeated the Miami Dolphins 33-17. But the victory came with bad news. The Niners lost quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for the remainder of the season when he suffered a left foot injury. Backup rookie QB Brock Purdy performed exceptionally well when he stepped in for Garroppolo. The former Cyclone completed 25 of 37 passes for 210 yards, one touchdown. Purdy went from Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft to a critical asset for the 49ers as the pursuit for the postseason continues. We’ll surely know what the Niners have in Purdy when they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14.
7. Chiefs: 9-3 (Previous Ranking 1st)
Once again, the Chiefs allow the Bengals to get the best of them for the third consecutive time. It was a contest that the Chiefs could have won if it wasn’t for a costly mistake. However, it probably won’t be the last time that these two teams face each other.
(Previous Ranking 10th)
Baltimore was able to squeak out another victory with minimal production from the offense. Backup QB Tyler Huntley stepped in for an injured Lamar Jackson. The former league MVP suffered a knee injury in the first quarter. Huntley led Baltimore 91 yards in 16 plays on its final possession, capping it with a 2-yard touchdown run with 28 seconds remaining that gave the Ravens a 10-9 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Head coach John Harbaugh stated the injury was not season-ending. With the Bengals on their trail for control of the AFC North, the Ravens must continue to win games.
9. Dolphins: 8-4 (Previous Ranking 4th)
It wasn’t a good day for Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel when he faced his mentor Kyle Shanahan. Even without the presence of Garoppolo, Miami could not gain any momentum. QB Tua Tagovailoa committed three costly turnovers, allowing San Francisco to pull away with a 33-17 victory. The Dolphins’ next three games are the Chargers, Packers, and Bills. They will either sink or swim down the stretch.
10. Seahawks: 7-5 (Previous Ranking 15th)
After suffering two back-to-back losses in Week 12 and Week 13, the Seahawks got back on the winning side with a 27-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The win puts the Seahawks as the seventh seed in the NFC playoff picture. However, with the loss of Jimmy G, the Seahawks could push for more than a postseason berth. Their rematch with the 49ers is two weeks from now. The fate of the division will likely be at stake.
Power Rankings 11-20: Second Tier
11. Titans: 7-5
12. Commanders: 7-5-1
13. Giants: 7-4-1
14. Jets: 7-5
15. Buccaneers: 5-6
16. Chargers: 6-6
17. Patriots: 6-6
18. Lions: 5-7
19. Steelers: 5-7
20. Browns: 5-7
Power Rankings 21-32: Bottom Tier
21. Raiders: 5-7
22. Packers: 5-8
23. Falcons: 5-8
24. Panthers: 4-8
25. Saints: 4-8
26. Jaguars: 4-8
27. Cardinals: 4-8
28. Colts: 4-8-1
29. Broncos: 3-9
30. Rams: 3-9
31. Bears: 3-10
32. Texans: 1-10
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Meet Derrick Branch, the founder and chief wordsmith at Strike 7 Sports. With a sharp focus on the NFL and the NBA, Derrick's expertise in sports is matched only by his passion for sharing it with others. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications from the prestigious University of Arizona Global. Let his insightful and engaging writing take you to the heart of the action.
