2021 Week 7 NFL Power Rankings: Can the Raiders break into the top-5?
By Brad Weiss
2021 Week 7 NFL Power Rankings: Can the Raiders break into the top-5?
No. 19 through 15
Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons went into their game against the Miami Dolphins as the underdog this past weekend but were able to get it done, holding off a furious rally by the Fins. Rookie tight end Kyle Pitts has been outstanding for Atlanta this season, and Ryan has been solid, tossing ten touchdowns against only one interception in his last four games.
While the Minnesota Vikings were in their bye week this past weekend, they had won two straight before that, including a 34-point effort on the road against Carolina. Kirk Cousins has been his normal up-and-down self in 2021, but with how wide open the NFC North is, there is still a chance for the Vikings to make a move.
In what is supposed to be a rivalry game, the New England Patriots dominated the New York Jets in Week 7, putting up 54 points against Robert Saleh’s team. With the win, the Patriots have started life after the bye week in style, but have a tough task ahead of them this weekend, as they go on the road to take on the Los Angeles Chargers on Halloween.
Playing the San Francisco 49ers in monsoon weather on Sunday night, the Indianapolis Colts were clearly the better team, and are getting great play from Carson Wentz. The move away from the Philadelphia Eagles has been good for Wentz, as the offense has scored 30 points in each of the last two games, erasing a 1-4 start to the season.
The New Orleans Saints are another one of those teams who have been up and down all season long, as they beat the Green Bay Packers on the road in Week 1, but also have a loss to the New York Giants on their resume. The Saints have Jameis Winston as their starting quarterback, and he is always going to be a wildcard, but the team has won two of their last three, and are in the mix for a playoff spot in the NFC heading into the MNF matchup against Seattle in Week 7.