The Dallas Cowboys showed us why they're one of the top teams in the NFL at the moment following their big road win against the Seattle Seahawks--which is never easy to do. Without wasting any more time, here's a look at the 2014 NFL Power Rankings Week 7 (pre-Monday night edition).
32. Jacksonville Jaguars 0-6 (31)
(Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
32. Jacksonville Jaguars 0-6 (31)
(Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Another week, another loss for the Jacksonville Jaguars--who have yet to score more than 17 points this season. At least Blake Bortles (336 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception against the Tennessee Titans) is getting unexpected experience as a rookie which will hopefully pay off down the road.
31. Oakland Raiders 0-5 (32)
(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
31. Oakland Raiders 0-5 (32)
(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Despite the loss, this was the best game of the season for the Oakland Raiders as they nearly pulled off the upset against the San Diego Chargers. Hopefully, Derek Carr (284 passing yards with four touchdowns and one interception) will continue to build off this impressive performance.
30. New York Jets 1-5 (29)
(Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
30. New York Jets 1-5 (29)
(Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
The New York Jets need to figure out how to get their ground game going as Geno Smith led the team with 11 rushing yards against the Denver Broncos. This team has now failed to score 20 points in each of the last four games.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-5 (27)
(Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-5 (27)
(Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
Remember when we thought the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed improvement over the last two weeks? Unfortunately, we spoke too soon as the Buccaneers found themselves trailing by 38 against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6 at halftime.
So much for Lovie Smith improving this defense.
28. St. Louis Rams 1-3 (28) (Monday Night)
(Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
28. St. Louis Rams 1-3 (28) (Monday Night)
(Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
The St. Louis Rams may be 1-3, but they've lost their last two games by a combined nine points. With a home matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, it will be interesting to see if Austin Davis can build off of last week's impressive performance.
27. Washington Redskins 1-5 (26)
(Norm Hall/Getty Images)
27. Washington Redskins 1-5 (26)
(Norm Hall/Getty Images)
The Washington Redskins were actually in this game before a late interception by Kirk Cousins helped seal the win for the Arizona Cardinals. For the second straight week, DeSean Jackson (three catches for 115 yards with one touchdown) shined against one of the league's top defenses.
26. Minnesota Vikings 2-4 (25)
(Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
26. Minnesota Vikings 2-4 (25)
(Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
This is one of those games Teddy Bridgewater (three interceptions) would like to forget as the rookie quarterback was beat up all day by the Detroit Lions. When will the Minnesota Vikings figure out a way to get Cordarrelle Patterson more involved on offense?
25. Tennessee Titans 2-4 (30)
(Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
25. Tennessee Titans 2-4 (30)
(Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
It wasn't pretty, but the Tennessee Titans finally ended their four-game losing streak with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. While it was good to see Bishop Sankey (61 rushing yards) receive 18 carries, the rookie running back still has plenty to improve on if he's going to be a key factor on offense for the Titans.
24. Miami Dolphins 2-3 (24)
(Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
24. Miami Dolphins 2-3 (24)
(Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins were on the verge of pulling off a big win against the Green Bay Packers before the defense allowed 10 points in the last couple of minutes. Let's hope the Dolphins continue to use Jarvis Landry (six catches for 75 yards with one touchdown) more on offense as the rookie was Ryan Tannehill's top target on Sunday.
23. Atlanta Falcons 2-4 (22)
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
23. Atlanta Falcons 2-4 (22)
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
In what was supposed to be a shootout, the Atlanta Falcons failed to show up on offense against the Chicago Bears as they were held to just 13 points. Another disappointing outing for Matt Ryan (19 of 37 for 271 yards with one touchdown and one interception) as the Falcons fell to 2-4 on the season.
22. Buffalo Bills 3-3 (18)
(Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
22. Buffalo Bills 3-3 (18)
(Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
So much for the Buffalo Bills carrying over the momentum from last week's big win as they had no answers for stopping Tom Brady on Sunday. At least Kyle Orton (24 of 38 for 299 yards with two touchdowns and one interception) looked decent again for the Bills as this team missed out on a chance to be on the top of the AFC East on their own.
21. Houston Texans 3-3 (20)
(Bob Levey/Getty Images)
21. Houston Texans 3-3 (20)
(Bob Levey/Getty Images)
The look on Arian Foster's face says it all as the Houston Texans fell short of a big win for the second week in a row--this time against the Indianapolis Colts. Foster continues to display impressive numbers, but it's hard not to wonder how much better this team would be with a different quarterback instead of Ryan Fitzpatrick.
20. New York Giants 3-3 (16)
(Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
20. New York Giants 3-3 (16)
(Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
The New York Giants were on a roll prior to Sunday's game--only to be embarrassed and shutout by the Philadelphia Eagles in the national spotlight. Offensive line continues to be a problem for this team as Eli Manning was getting sacked left and right, but the biggest concert for this team moving forward will be adjusting to the loss of Victor Cruz--who suffered a torn patellar tendon his right knee.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-3 (15)
(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
19. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-3 (15)
(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns was bad for the Pittsburgh Steelers--really bad. This Steelers team has been impossible to figure out this season and could be heading towards another year of missing out on the playoffs if they continue playing at this poor level.
18. New Orleans Saints 2-3 (19)
(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
18. New Orleans Saints 2-3 (19)
(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
With the way things have gone so far this season, the New Orleans Saints were in desperate need of the bye week. Luckily, the NFC South hasn't shaped out to be what most of us expected it to be--which means the Saints still have a pretty good shot at winning the division.
17. Kansas City Chiefs 2-3 (17)
(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
17. Kansas City Chiefs 2-3 (17)
(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Let's hope the Kansas City Chiefs are well rested coming off their bye week as they will have one of the toughest tasks in Week 7 going against the red-hot San Diego Chargers.
16. Cleveland Browns 3-2 (23)
(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
16. Cleveland Browns 3-2 (23)
(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Can you believe the Cleveland Browns are legitimate contenders? Sunday's win against the Steelers was a huge statement for the Browns and they could easily win their next three games before a key matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 6.
15. Chicago Bears 3-3 (21)
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
15. Chicago Bears 3-3 (21)
(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Matt Forte continues to be a workhorse for the Chicago Bears after hauling in 10 catches for 77 yards to go along with 80 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. If the Bears can play at this high level on a consistent basis, there's no reason why they shouldn't be considered a threat in the NFC.
14. San Francisco 49ers 3-2 (12)
(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
14. San Francisco 49ers 3-2 (12)
(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
With the Seattle Seahawks losing, the San Francisco 49ers have the perfect opportunity to move ahead in the NFC West standings, but it won't be easy. Monday's game against the Rams will be a tough one, but performing well in the national spotlight is what Colin Kaepernick does best.
13. Carolina Panthers 3-2-1
(Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
13. Carolina Panthers 3-2-1
(Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Carolina Panthers should be thankful for Mike Nugent missing a field goal in overtime that helped them settle for a tie against the Cincinnati Bengals instead. On a side note--how about Cam Newton with the 107 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown?
12. Detroit Lions 4-2 (14)
(Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
12. Detroit Lions 4-2 (14)
(Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
The offense of the Detroit Lions struggled against the Minnesota Vikings without Calvin Johnson, but give the defense credit for stepping it up and applying all sorts of pressure to Teddy Bridgewater--who was intercepted three times. It's impressive to see the Lions jump out to a 4-2 start when considering Matthew Stafford has only thrown for 300+ yards once this season back in Week 1.
11. Cincinnati Bengals 3-1-1
(Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
11. Cincinnati Bengals 3-1-1
(Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
What has happened to the defense of the Cincinnati Bengals over the last two weeks? This team looked like one of the best in the AFC a couple of weeks ago, but the defense has been disappointing over the last two contests against the New England Patriots and Panthers.
10. Baltimore Ravens 4-2 (11)
(Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
10. Baltimore Ravens 4-2 (11)
(Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
You know it's a good day when the Baltimore Ravens hold a 38-0 halftime lead against the Buccaneers and Joe Flacco already has five touchdown passes. There's still plenty of football left, but the Ravens may be the team to beat in the AFC North with the way the Bengals' defense has looked over the last two weeks.
9. New England Patriots 4-2 (10)
(Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
9. New England Patriots 4-2 (10)
(Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Ever since their embarrassing loss against the Kansas City Chiefs, the New England Patriots have looked unstoppable as they're coming off another impressive win against the Buffalo Bills. Tom Brady (361 passing yards with four touchdowns on Sunday) continues to carry this team on his shoulders and the Patriots made it clear they are the team to beat in the AFC East.
8. Green Bay Packers 4-2 (9)
(Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
8. Green Bay Packers 4-2 (9)
(Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Speaking of quarterbacks putting teams on their shoulders, Aaron Rodgers has been phenomenal for the Green Bay Packers over the last three games--especially on Sunday against the Dolphins. It's almost impossible for any defense to contain Rodgers and Jordy Nelson--who finished with nine catches for 107 yards with one touchdown against Miami.
7. Indianapolis Colts 4-2 (6)
(Bob Levey/Getty Images)
7. Indianapolis Colts 4-2 (6)
(Bob Levey/Getty Images)
T.Y. Hilton (nine catches for 223 yards with one touchdown) finally had the breakout game we've all been waiting for against the Houston Texans as the Indianapolis Colts continued to roll with their fourth-straight win. As long as Andrew Luck continues to stay healthy, this team shouldn't have much trouble when it comes to winning the AFC South.
6. Philadelphia Eagles 5-1 (7)
(Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
6. Philadelphia Eagles 5-1 (7)
(Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Not only did LeSean McCoy (149 rushing yards) finally have the big game we were all waiting for, but the defense of the Philadelphia Eagles finally showed up to play for once after shutting out the New York Giants. Let's just hope the injury to Darren Sproles is only minor.
5. Seattle Seahawks 3-2 (1)
(Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
5. Seattle Seahawks 3-2 (1)
(Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
It's not often the Seattle Seahawks lose at home, but it happened on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. We knew it would be difficult for the Seahawks to repeat as champions, but nobody expected them to already have two losses in their first five games.
4. Arizona Cardinals 4-1 (4)
(Norm Hall/Getty Images)
4. Arizona Cardinals 4-1 (4)
(Norm Hall/Getty Images)
It was close, but the defense of the Arizona Cardinals came up big at the end of the game against the Washington Redskins to help the team improve to 4-1. Carson Palmer (28 of 44 for 250 yards with two touchdowns) looked solid in his return, but the offense still needs plenty of work if they're going to have any chance at holding on to the division.
3. Dallas Cowboys 5-1 (8)
(Getty Images)
3. Dallas Cowboys 5-1 (8)
(Getty Images)
Nobody is criticizing Tony Romo these days as the Dallas Cowboys are arguably the hottest team in football--especially after picking up a huge road win in Seattle. It's also amazing to see DeMarco Murray break 100+ rushing yards in each of the team's six games so far this season.
2. Denver Broncos 4-1 (2)
(Getty Images)
2. Denver Broncos 4-1 (2)
(Getty Images)
It was closer than we expected at first, but Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos eventually showed us why their offense is nearly impossible to contain. Demaryius Thomas (10 catches for 124 yards with one touchdown) may be the best wide receiver in football at the moment.
1. San Diego Chargers 5-1 (3)
(Getty Images)
1. San Diego Chargers 5-1 (3)
(Getty Images)
The San Diego Chargers rallied when it mattered the most to pick up their fifth-straight win and improve to 5-1 on the season on Sunday. Another strong performance by Philip Rivers (313 passing yards with three touchdowns) has the veteran quarterback in consideration for MVP this year if he continues to play at this high level.
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