NFL Power Rankings: Week 7

Let’s talk about officiating. It’s really bad. It seems like every year it gets worse and worse. In order to fix this, the NFL creates additional rules. Because when you can’t call the game right to begin with, the next thing to do is make it much harder to do it. This year the NFL made pass interference reviewable after last year's NFC Championship disaster. How’s that working out, you might ask? 7 out of 40 have been overturned. Doesn’t seem like the NFL is taking this change all that seriously.

The Lions have been the latest team to be gamed by the refs, as numerous calls in Monday night’s game went against them and effectively let the Packers back in the game to steal a win. When will the NFL just let the teams play without subjecting fans and players to bad judgement calls that affect the outcome of games?

This week’s NFL power rankings, according to yours truly:

1. New England Patriots (6-0)
2. San Francisco 49ers (5-0)
3. Seattle Seahawks (5-1)
4. Green Bay Packers (5-1)
5. New Orleans Saints (5-1)
6. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
7. Houston Texans (4-2)
8. Kansas City Chiefs (4-2)
9. Los Angeles Rams (3-3)
10. Carolina Panthers (4-2)
11. Detroit Lions (2-2-1)
12. Minnesota Vikings (4-2)
13. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
14. Dallas Cowboys (3-3)
15. Indianapolis Colts (3-2)
16. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)
17. Chicago Bears (3-2)
18. Los Angeles Chargers (2-4)
19. Oakland Raiders (3-2)
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4)
21. Cleveland Browns (2-4)
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4)
23. Tennessee Titans (2-4)
24. New York Giants (2-4)
25. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4)
26. Arizona Cardinals (2-3-1)
27. New York Jets (1-4)
28. Denver Broncos (2-4)
29. Atlanta Falcons (1-5)
30. Cincinnati Bengals (0-6)
31. Washington Redskins (1-5)
32. Miami Dolphins (0-5)

Coach of the Year (so far): Kyle Shanahan

Kyle Shanahan has the 49ers undefeated at 5-0. I’m still not sold that Jimmy Garoppolo is a franchise quarterback, but the rest of the team is deep and playing great. The defense might be the best in the NFL. I would not be surprised if the 49ers win the NFC West. The showdown against the Seahawks in Week 10 on Monday Night Football should be a great game.

General Manager/Coach of the Year (so far): Bill O’Brien

Bill O’Brien is proving critics wrong over the last two weeks. I’m not a huge fan of BO’B, but he has put this team in position to win big this year. His preseason moves have reaped benefits as Duke Johnson, Carlos Hyde, Kenny Stills, and Laremy Tunsil have all played well, allowing Deshaun Watson to start to hit his peak. The play calling has been better over the last few weeks and after a big win on Sunday against the Chiefs, O’Brien should be feeling pretty good about his team.

Give This Man Some Recognition: Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson has slowly and quietly become one of, if not, the best QB in the NFL. The Seahawks were a tough team to play already, and Wilson has taken his play to the next level this year. It’s impossible not to be impressed after seeing some of these pinpoint dimes he’s dropping all over the field. Not only is he playing well, he’s calling plays well. In Sunday’s comeback win against the Browns, Wilson’s headset went out and he was unable to communicate with coaches during a drive. Wilson called all the plays for that drive that ended in a TD and a lead.