Andrew Buller-Russ’s Week 7 power rankings: Browns climb 11 spots, Seahawks drop 11, and the top four stand still

Andrew Buller-Russ moved the Cleveland Browns up 11 places to 13th and dropped the Seattle Seahawks 11 places to 16th in his Week 7 power rankings, the two biggest swings on a list that leaves its top four untouched: the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings.

The biggest climb inside the top 10 belongs to New England and Chicago, who each rise five spots, to fifth and sixth, after Sunday wins.

Buller-Russ’s full Week 7 order

Records through Sunday, October 18. *The 49ers and Commanders meet Monday night. Change is measured against his previous list.

The top four hold

Buller-Russ kept San Francisco first despite an injury list he believes is as long as any team’s since training camp, crediting Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He did flag Monday’s game against Washington as a possible trap, given what Jayden Daniels can do when healthy. Kansas City stays second after running for 156 yards at 5.6 a carry against the Chargers while holding them to 3.3. Buffalo stays third at 5-1, although he noted that Kirk Cousins threw for 313 yards against the Bills’ secondary in their 33-30 win at Las Vegas.

Minnesota’s bye leaves the Vikings fourth. Buller-Russ expects three offensive starters to return for Week 7: tight end T.J. Hockenson, running back Jordan Mason and wide receiver Jordan Addison.

Browns, Packers and Patriots surge

Cleveland’s 11-spot jump follows the 13-10 win over Baltimore. Buller-Russ pointed to Deshaun Watson’s 10-play, 62-yard drive, with Jerry Jeudy turning a short catch into 33 yards, which set up Andre Szmyt’s winning kick, and to a defense that allowed nothing after the first quarter. Green Bay climbs seven to 11th: he noted the Packers have allowed 34 points across their last three games and now have Josh Jacobs back, with Micah Parsons due in a few weeks.

New England rose to fifth after the 26-19 win over the Jets, but Buller-Russ listed two lost fumbles and only three catches on 10 targets for A.J. Brown as things to clean up. Chicago’s jump to sixth rests on Caleb Williams going 30 of 36 for 305 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers in his return, while the defense recorded five sacks and three takeaways against Atlanta. Pittsburgh moved up five to 14th after Aaron Rodgers led the overtime winner in Tampa.

Seattle, the Rams and the Eagles slide

Seattle’s fall to 16th follows three turnovers in the 17-14 loss at Denver. Buller-Russ worries that no Seahawks pass catcher besides Jaxon Smith-Njigba averages even 30 yards a game. The Rams drop nine places to 18th at 2-4 after the 18-16 loss to Arizona, in which Chad Ryland made all six of his field-goal tries, including the 43-yard winner; Buller-Russ felt the Rams should have leaned more on a running game averaging 5.6 a carry.

Philadelphia falls seven to 23rd after losing to Carolina without Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. Buller-Russ added up 1,221 yards allowed by the Eagles’ defense over their last three games. Indianapolis drops six to 28th after a three-turnover day against Tennessee, and he reminded readers that the Colts do not own their 2027 first-round pick after the Sauce Gardner trade.

Denver’s odd place at No. 7

The Broncos hold seventh at 4-2, but Buller-Russ was blunt about Bo Nix: 107 passing yards on 27 attempts in the win over Seattle, and four of his six starts finishing under 200 yards through the air. He openly asked whether Denver would consider a quarterback change.

What comes next

Week 6 finishes with Washington at San Francisco on Monday night. Week 7 begins Thursday with the Patriots, fifth on this list, visiting the sixth-ranked Bears. Follow the race in the NFL standings.