NFL power rankings Week 7 roundup: Chiefs move up after big win

NFL power rankings Week 7 roundup: Chiefs move up after big win
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Things looked bad after the Kansas City Chiefs31-28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. But after the team’s 30-17 victory over the Detroit Lions on “Sunday Night Football,” the outlook is improving. Every one of the power rankings we’re tracking has moved Kansas City up in their Week 7 lists.

Fair warning: a couple of them may have gone a little bit overboard.

Here’s this week’s sampling:


NFL.com: 9

(up from 12)

Patrick Mahomes looked more like Prime-Time Pat against the Lions, delivering TD drives in all four quarters and limiting his offensive missteps in a clean performance. Now the Chiefs are getting Rashee Rice back from suspension and finally will have a full complement of playmakers at their disposal. With home games against the Raiders and Commanders before the all-important Week 9 bout at Buffalo, it’s not hard to see the path back to prominence, even though the Chiefs have been streaky to this point. They should be 4-2 and could overtake the vulnerable Chargers and Broncos for AFC West supremacy. It won’t be a cakewalk, but Kansas City isn’t going anywhere.

— Eric Edholm


ESPN: 9

(up from 10)

Lesson learned: The offensive line is no longer an issue.

Much of the Chiefs’ offseason was about general manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid fixing the offensive line, especially at left tackle. The Chiefs signed left tackle Jaylon Moore in free agency and selected rookie left tackle Josh Simmons in the draft. They also moved Kingsley Suamataia to left guard to replace Joe Thuney, who was traded to the Bears. Each player in the trio has performed well, making the offensive line a strength once again for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Nate Taylor


The Athletic: 5

(up from 15)

Fantasy focus: Patrick Mahomes

For all of Mahomes’ greatness, he hasn’t been a fantasy difference-maker in several years. It’s why his ADP was 55 this season. He’s back, though, and the Chiefs might be, too. Mahomes is the third-highest scorer in fantasy (24.46). The Chiefs have won three of four games, and, in that span, Mahomes has thrown for 1,069 yards, rushed for 100 and totaled 11 touchdowns (nine passing, two rushing) against one interception.

— Josh Kendall


Sports Illustrated: 1

(up from 12)

I think it’s dumb that fans are freaking out about the Chiefs having no penalties called against them on Sunday night. I can also think it’s dumb that the Chiefs had no penalties called against them on Sunday night. This, in conjunction with what happened in New Orleans, could be tinder for our next phase of referee outrage in 2025.

— Conor Orr

Editor’s Note: I think Orr is kinda-sorta trolling the Chiefs (and their fans) with this ranking. Here’s how he began this week’s column:

We’re starting to get to the point where the top spots become a little bit less fun. Chiefs purists not only mandate that everyone shake Patrick Mahomes’ hand after the...