Bengals pass the 49ers for the NFL’s best third-down rate, and the Bears take over the third-down defense lead from the Vikings

Cincinnati has the best third-down offense in the NFL. The Bengals have converted 39 of 77, or 50.6%, after going 6 of 11 in a 35-13 win at Baltimore. San Francisco, the leader after Week 6, is just behind at 50.0%.

Chicago has allowed 18 conversions on 69 third downs, a 26.1% rate, after holding New England to 2 of 7. Minnesota led after Week 6, but Indianapolis went 8 of 15 against the Vikings, the most anyone has managed against them, and Minnesota fell to third.

The Seahawks went 11 of 16 on third down in their 20-3 win over Kansas City and moved from 29th to 18th. Washington is last on third-down offense at 30.9%, with Denver and Cleveland just ahead of it, even though both are 5-2.

The 49ers still lead in red-zone offense at 86.4%, with 19 touchdowns on 22 trips. The Vikings still lead red-zone defense, allowing three touchdowns on 13 trips. Cincinnati scored on all five of its red-zone trips at Baltimore and rose from 20th to 12th.

Teams converted 43.7% of their third downs in Week 7, the highest rate of any week this season. The season rate is 39.9%. Minnesota’s red-zone defense meets fifth-ranked Detroit on Sunday.