NFL power rankings for Week 7 are here, and Halloween season is bringing plenty of scares. The Rams and Seahawks tumbled sharply, while the Texans, Saints, and Cardinals surged up the board. This NFL Week 7 rankings breakdown covers the biggest movers and what drove each swing.
Top of the NFL Power Rankings: 49ers and Chiefs Hold Firm
The San Francisco 49ers remain No. 1 at 6-0. Their battered defensive line sacked Jayden Daniels in the closing moments to end Washington’s comeback bid. Kansas City stays second at 5-0, with Kenneth Walker III in top form after the bye.
The Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings each climbed three spots, to No. 3 and No. 4. Buffalo keeps winning tight games behind Josh Allen, while the unbeaten Vikings moved up thanks to an elite defense and a bye week. Together with Jacksonville, Cincinnati and New England, they form the best teams 2026 has produced so far.
Quarterback play is driving many of these climbs. For more on that, read our NFL QB rankings for Week 6 featuring Jared Goff and Drake Maye.
Biggest Risers in the NFL Power Rankings: Texans, Saints, Cardinals
The Houston Texans made the week’s largest jump, rising 11 spots to No. 14. C.J. Stroud is playing some of the best football of his career, and Houston’s win over Jacksonville in London was a statement. The Texans are 2-4, but the trend line is pointing up.
The New Orleans Saints rose seven spots to No. 20. They rallied from a 10-0 deficit to beat the Giants 34-27 in a chaotic game. The Arizona Cardinals climbed nine places to No. 22 after beating the Rams in Inglewood, a second win there this season.
Two AFC North teams also moved up five spots each. The Browns took first place in the division with another defense-driven win. The Steelers beat Tampa Bay in overtime on a Germie Bernard touchdown catch.
Biggest Fallers: Rams and Seahawks Plummet
The Los Angeles Rams fell 12 spots to No. 24 at 2-4. Davante Adams will miss more than a month, defensive tackles are hurt, and the offense lacks an identity. Special teams have also been a problem, which we covered in our look at Sean McVay’s Rams special teams errors after the Week 5 loss.
The Seattle Seahawks dropped seven spots to No. 10 at 3-3. Sam Darnold’s turnovers and an inconsistent offensive line are the main concerns. The Cowboys fell eight places to No. 26, and the Colts slid six to No. 30 after general manager Chris Ballard was fired. The Chargers sit last at 0-6, with the Dolphins just above them at 0-5.
What’s Next for the NFL Power Rankings
Week 7 brings several tests. Cincinnati visits Baltimore in a key AFC North clash, Houston hosts the Giants, and Indianapolis travels to Minnesota. The Dolphins and Jets meet with Miami still chasing its first win. Expect the next set of nfl power rankings to shift again, especially if Houston and New Orleans keep winning.
FAQs
How often are the NFL power rankings updated?
They are refreshed weekly during the season, usually on Tuesday, after all of the previous week’s games are played.
Who is No. 1 in Week 7?
The San Francisco 49ers keep the top spot at 6-0, followed by the Kansas City Chiefs at 5-0.
Which team rose the most?
The Houston Texans climbed 11 spots to No. 14, the largest jump of the week.
Which team fell the most?
The Los Angeles Rams dropped 12 spots to No. 24, the steepest fall.