NFL 2014 Week 6 Power Rankings and Week 7 picks

Fewer upsets led to less shake-up in the Power Rankings.  We might be settling down and seeing how teams really are doing this season.

Top 10 [Last week's position]
1.  SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-1) [1] : There may not be a more complete team in the league
2.  Philadelphia Eagles (5-1) [3] : A shut-out against the Giants, whose offense had been working recent weeks, leaps them over Dallas
3.  Dallas Cowboys (5-1) [2] : They beat the defending Super Bowl Champs in the Home of the 12th Man, where Seattle had only lost one game in their last 20
4.  Denver Broncos (4-1) [8] : They had a dominant performance against the Jets
5.  Indianapolis Colts (4-2) [4] : Houston couldn't stop their offense, but they pointed out some defensive flaws
6.  Baltimore Ravens (4-2) [7] : They had one of their best offensive performances in years, and most of it was in the first quarter
7.  Arizona Cardinals (4-1) [9] : Blew away Washington
8.  Cincinnati Bengals (3-1-1) [6] : The tie hurt them, especially since they had a chance to win in regulation AND a chance to win in overtime
9.  New England Patriots (4-2) [14] : The Pats return to the Top Ten as their offense continues to get comfortable
10. Green Bay Packers (4-2) [10]

Divisional rankings [Last week's position]
1.  AFC North [2] : This is the only division without a losing team
2.  NFC East [1] : Philly and Dallas are two of the top teams in the league
3.  AFC West [3] : Ditto San Diego and Denver, plus the Chiefs defense is tough
4.  NFC West [4] : St Louis is the only losing team, and they can play opponents close
5.  NFC North [5] : If Minnesota can get a healthy QB, this division could tighten up
6.  AFC South [6] : With Houston falling, the Colts may end up carrying this division
7.  AFC East [7] : The Pats have resumed their rightful place atop this division, but Buffalo and Miami won't make it easy
8.  NFC South [8] : NONE of the teams have a positive point differential

Week 7 picks
I favor nearly all of the home teams this week.  This is not as dangerous as favoring most of the road teams, but it is still rare for a near-home sweep, so there will be a couple of upsets.  Can I spot them?

Thursday night:  New York Jets at New England Patriots:  The Patriots will have this one easily.  The Jets defense is strong, but only on the running side of the ball.  Brady's passing game will pick them apart.  PATS, 27-13

Sunday early games:
Atlanta Falcons at Baltimore Ravens:  The Ravens have one of the best defenses in the league, which doesn't bode well for the inconsistent, and currently struggling, Falcons offense.  RAVENS, 28-13

Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers:  Cam ran more last week, and they were able to tie a Top Ten team.  Can they do that again?  Not against the Packer line.  Also, they will find Aaron Rodgers harder to bother than Andy Dalton.  PACK, 27-20

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts:  The Panthers hurt Cincy by running Cam Newton.  Andrew Luck is not a scrambling QB, but he's also a much better passer.  COLTS, 30-24

Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars:  Cleveland's reward for beating their divisional opponent last week?  They face the worst team in the league.  BROWNS, 28-13

Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears:  Historically, the Bears have a hard time against Miami, but it's easier for them at home.  BEARS, 27-23

Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills:  Teddy Bridgewater is facing protection issues, and the Bills can rush.  They also have a stiff defensive line, making the Vikings running attack hard.  Kyle Orton makes the Bills offense more pattern-passing based and less read-option, but Orton's accuracy is better, so if the Vikings give the Bills receivers openings, Orton will find them.  BILLS, 24-20

New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions  Here's a possible road upset.  The Saints had a week to plan and heal, and they can be a tricky team.  I'll favor the Lions, because their defense is really strong, but watch out for the Saints.  LIONS, 27-26

Seattle Seahawks at St Louis Rams:  Seattle plays much better at home than on the road, but they should be able to beat the Rams.  Like most of their road games, though, this one will be close.  SEAHAWKS, 23-20

Tennessee Titans at Washington Redskins:  Despite some defensive struggles recently, the Redskins should be able to win this one.  REDSKINS, 27-23

Sunday late games:
Arizona Cardinals at Oakland Raiders:  If the Cards don't get overconfident, this should be an easy victory.  The Raiders can't get anything done offenively, they match Jacksonville for the worst offense in the league.  CARDS, 23-13

Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers:  The Chiefs offense is sputtering, which isn't good when facing the strong Chargers defense.  The Chiefs defense is working better, but they can't do more than slow down the Chargers offense.  Without the offense doing their part, the Chiefs can't win.  CHARGERS, 26-13

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys:  The Giants offense fell apart last week, looking like they did to start the season.  While they may get themselves back on track, they face a Cowboys team that is one of the most potent in the league.  COWBOYS, 28-20

Sunday night:  San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos:  The 49ers defense isn't quite as strong as previous years, which is why I think Denver will win this game.  Kaepernick is finding himself again, but he can't keep up with the Broncos offense.  BRONCOS, 30-20

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers:  Houston is on the downswing, and Pittsburgh needs a victory to wash out the stink of their loss to the Browns.  While Houston might make it hard, I favor the Steelers.  STEELERS, 23-20