Major Risers:
Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) #20:
The Bengals made a big move in the Week 7 power rankings, jumping 9 spots from #29 to #20. Joe Burrow, once again showing MVP-level skills, led the way in their much-needed win over the Giants, throwing for 208 yards and scoring on a career-long 47-yard run.
Even with Burrow playing at such a high level, the team hasn't always been able to back him up this season. Whether it's the defense struggling or special teams slipping up, they’ve had trouble making the most of his standout performances. This win gave a glimpse of what they can do when everyone clicks, but they’ll need to keep putting it all together if they want to keep climbing the rankings and stay competitive in their division.
San Francisco 49ers (3-3) #11:
The 49ers jumped four spots to #11 in the Week 7 power rankings after a strong 36-24 win over the Seahawks. Brock Purdy had a standout performance, throwing for 255 yards and three touchdowns, with Deebo Samuel contributing a huge 76-yard catch-and-run touchdown. This win, which moved San Francisco to 3-3 and tied them for first in the NFC West, showed what the team is capable of when everything clicks.
George Kittle added two touchdowns, and Jordan Mason chipped in with 73 rushing yards despite briefly leaving with a shoulder injury. On defense, the Niners capitalized on two interceptions by Geno Smith, including one that set up Kittle’s second score. This win was particularly important after their recent struggles, and it showcased the full potential of both their offense and defense. With this victory, the 49ers are back in the hunt in their division.
Major Fallers:
Denver Broncos (3-3) #14:
The Denver Broncos dropped 4 spots to #14 in the Week 7 power rankings following a 23-16 loss to the Chargers, in a game where they struggled without star cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who left with a concussion after the first defensive snap. Surtain’s absence significantly impacted the Broncos' defense, allowing Justin Herbert and the Chargers to control the game with a methodical offense that built a 23-0 lead by the third quarter.
Despite a late rally led by Bo Nix, who connected on two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, Denver’s comeback fell short. The Broncos’ offensive struggles early in the game, marked by turnovers and missed opportunities, contributed to their three-game winning streak being snapped. Denver’s defense, which had been solid in recent weeks, couldn’t overcome the loss of Surtain, highlighting just how crucial he is to the team’s success.
The Broncos will need to regroup quickly, but Surtain’s potential absence moving forward could be a major hurdle in maintaining their defensive strength.
As Week 7 approaches, the NFL power rankings continue to shift using an adapted Glicko-2 rating system, which goes beyond just wins and losses. The system accounts for the strength of a team's opponents, how well they perform relative to expectations, and overall consistency. A win against a higher-ranked opponent boosts a team’s rating more than a win over a weaker opponent, while past matchups are reevaluated to reflect updated performance trends.
This week, the Vikings surged to the #1 spot, overtaking the Chiefs despite neither team playing, due to a reevaluation of their past opponents' performances. If the teams they had previously beaten performed well this week, the system adjusted their rating upwards, increasing the Vikings' ranking over the Chiefs.
On the other hand, the Chargers fell 4 spots, from #19 to #23, despite defeating the #11-ranked Broncos, who also dropped 4 spots. This can be explained by the Glicko-2 formula's reevaluation of the teams both had previously faced. The Chargers’ past opponents may have underperformed in Week 7, reducing the perceived strength of the Chargers’ earlier wins, while the Broncos’ earlier success was also reexamined, leading to both teams dropping. This shows how the Glicko-2 system dynamically adjusts rankings by continuously reassessing the context of previous matchups, ensuring a team’s true competitive standing is reflected over time.
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