NFL Week 7 Energy Rankings 2025: How all 32 groups stack up
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NFL Nation
Welcome to Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season. The Jets are nonetheless winless after dropping to the Broncos in London. The Chiefs bounced again with a win over the Lions. And the Buccaneers are shockingly on the high of the NFC race.
How do all of those groups slot in our up to date Energy Rankings? We restacked the NFL heading into Week 7, which incorporates byes for Buffalo and Baltimore. Along with the 1-32 rankings, our NFL Nation reporters picked one lesson that we have discovered from every crew this season. Which groups and gamers are underperforming? What has surprisingly labored out for groups via six weeks?
Let’s get into it with our No. 1 crew, which noticed a change from final week. Our energy panel of greater than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluated how NFL groups stack up in opposition to each other, rating them from 1 to 32.
Bounce to a crew:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Week 6 consequence: Beat the 49ers 30-19
Week 6 rating: 4
Lesson discovered: The Bucs are much better outfitted to climate accidents.
The Bucs misplaced three video games final season with out Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr., and but the previous two weeks, Baker Mayfield and this protection have pulled off back-to-back victories with out each receivers. In actual fact, Mayfield delivered this previous Sunday’s win with only one wholesome beginning ability participant by the sport’s finish in tight finish Cade Otton. The Bucs had been all the way down to the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth broad receivers — two of whom scored their first NFL touchdowns. And the protection is likely to be brief at nook once more, however its depth and its skill to get takeaways have catapulted Tampa Bay to the highest of the NFC. — Jenna Laine
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Chiefs 30-17
Week 6 rating: 1
Lesson discovered: Aidan Hutchinson has returned to elite kind after extreme leg harm.
A damaged leg ended Hutchinson’s 2024 season early, however he picked up the place he left off as one of many league’s elite move rushers. He set a single-season crew file by producing at the least 1.0 sacks in 5 consecutive video games, along with one other franchise mark of 4 straight video games with a pressured fumble. His 24 pressures can also be probably the most within the NFL, as he is transferring fluidly after a tricky rehabilitation course of. — Eric Woodyard
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Falcons 24-14
Week 6 rating: 2
Lesson discovered: This Payments crew nonetheless has loads to study itself.
Coming into the season, the hype for the Payments was excessive, with reigning MVP Josh Allen set for an additional massive yr. But when something has been clear for this crew via six video games, it is that there are some main questions nonetheless to be answered to really have a run at a Tremendous Bowl title. Is the protection proficient sufficient to place collectively an entire sport? Is there sufficient expertise at broad receiver to provide Allen targets downfield? The constraints of this crew have been clear, even within the wins, and there’s work to be accomplished. — Alaina Getzenberg
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Cardinals 31-27
Week 6 rating: 5
Lesson discovered: They had been proper about quarterback Daniel Jones.
The Colts have a protracted solution to go after taking part in a comparatively tender schedule, but it surely’s inconceivable to disregard what Jones has accomplished since being handed the beginning job in his first season in Indianapolis. Jones, who beat out incumbent starter Anthony Richardson Sr. in a preseason battle, leads the NFL in QBR (79.9) and is third in completion proportion (71.7%). Jones has additionally proven his versatility and toughness, as solely the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts (5) has greater than Jones’ 4 speeding touchdowns. — Stephen Holder
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Giants 34-17
Week 6 rating: 3
Lesson discovered: Repeating as Tremendous Bowl champions is difficult.
The offensive line is banged up and never performing to its typical dominant normal. Working again Saquon Barkley has much less room to run, sending ripple results throughout an offense that relied closely on his manufacturing a yr in the past. The protection misplaced a number of key gamers and appears extra susceptible. The Eagles are taking part in a first-place schedule and have one of the crucial troublesome slates within the NFL. Add all of that up and add the truth that each crew they play is further motivated to knock off the champs and you’ve got one lengthy highway again towards a possible repeat. — Tim McManus
1:36
Schefter: NFL trades will occur this week
Adam Schefter particulars to Pat McAfee the patrons and sellers within the NFL commerce market.
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Bengals 27-18
Week 6 rating: 8
Lesson discovered: Inexperienced Bay is taking part in with fireplace.
The Packers are the one crew within the NFL that has held a double-digit lead in each sport this season. However up to now three video games, these leads weren’t secure. They blew a 10-0 benefit in a 13-10 loss to the Browns. They had been up 13-0 in opposition to the Cowboys however got here away with a 40-40 tie. And within the newest sport, they noticed a 14-point second-half lead lower to 6 factors in opposition to the Bengals. They’ve established a harmful solution to stay. — Rob Demovsky
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Ravens 17-3
Week 6 rating: 9
Lesson discovered: The Rams want to determine their kicking points in the event that they wish to be Tremendous Bowl contenders.
The Rams’ safety points on particular groups have led to 4 blocked kicks, and so they once more handled kicking woes in Week 6 when Joshua Karty missed a 26-yard discipline purpose within the first quarter. “I assumed the safety was good,” head coach Sean McVay stated. “We have to make the kick. We ended up lacking the kick. Ended up hitting the second not very clear proper there. The snap felt prefer it was somewhat bit excessive.” The Rams have had two further factors blocked this season, which is as many as the remainder of the league mixed, in accordance with ESPN Analysis. — Sarah Barshop
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Jaguars 20-12
Week 6 rating: 11
Lesson discovered: Do not rely out a first-round decide after one underwhelming season.
Defensive sort out Byron Murphy II is exhibiting why. The No. 16 choice in 2024 was a lot disruptive as a rookie however not productive, ending with half a sack and two tackles for loss in 14 video games. However he is making a large second-year soar. Together with seven pressures, Murphy had two sacks Sunday to provide him a team-high 4.5 via six video games. Defensive finish DeMarcus Lawrence additionally stated Murphy is “fingers down” the crew’s greatest run defender. — Brady Henderson
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Lions 30-17
Week 6 rating: 7
Lesson discovered: The offensive line is now not a difficulty.
A lot of the Chiefs’ offseason was about common supervisor Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid fixing the offensive line, particularly at left sort out. The Chiefs signed left sort out Jaylon Moore in free company and chosen rookie left sort out Josh Simmons within the draft. Additionally they moved Kingsley Suamataia to left guard to exchange Joe Thuney, who was traded to the Bears. Every participant within the trio has carried out properly, making the offensive line a energy as soon as once more for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. — Nate Taylor
1:35
Does the highway to the Tremendous Bowl undergo the Chiefs?
Adam Schefter, Damien Woody and Tedy Bruschi talk about the Chiefs’ possibilities of returning to a different Tremendous Bowl.
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Jets 13-11
Week 6 rating: 10
Lesson discovered: Do not look now, however coach Sean Payton has a crew powered by protection.
Payton’s offensive résumé was a giant a part of why he was employed in 2023, however the Broncos are 4-2 due to a protection that leads the league in sacks (30), defensive anticipated factors added (31.43) and opposing QBR (43.5). Cornerback Pat Surtain II continues to vex the league’s high receivers, and outdoors linebacker Nik Bonitto is tied for the NFL lead in sacks (seven). Denver pressures throughout the defensive entrance and has the secondary depth to play any nickel or dime variations. The Broncos’ aggression has surrendered a giant play or two — see Weeks 2 and three — however they’ve overcome their bobbles on offense and particular groups with a playoff-worthy protection. — Jeff Legwold
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Buccaneers 30-19
Week 6 rating: 6
Lesson discovered: The 49ers are powerful, however that may not be sufficient to offset their accidents.
The Niners seemed destined to lose sooner or later in all six of their video games, but they discovered a solution to win 4 of them. That is a credit score to teach Kyle Shanahan and his employees, in addition to the veteran leaders charged with setting an ordinary. However the 49ers have once more been ravaged by harm, dropping star defensive finish Nick Bosa (knee) and linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) for the season along with different accidents to key gamers. Resilience is a crucial trait for any NFL crew, however finally expertise trumps intangibles. Which means issues are solely going to get tougher for San Francisco. — Nick Wagoner
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Browns 23-9
Week 6 rating: 13
Lesson discovered: Aaron Rodgers does not need to do it on their own.
The Steelers lead the league in common yards after catch per reception (7.3) however are final in air yards per goal (5.3). Which means they don’t seem to be counting on their 41-year-old quarterback to heave it down the sector for splash performs. As a substitute, the recipe of getting the ball out of his fingers shortly and into the arms of his playmakers is working for a Steelers offense averaging a good 23.8 factors. Aaron Rodgers‘ 49.0 complete QBR ranks twenty second within the league, however he is finishing 68.8% of his makes an attempt (twelfth greatest). — Brooke Pryor
1:09
McAfee: That is one of the best Aaron Rodgers has seemed in years
Pat McAfee could be very impressed by what he has seen from Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense this season.
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Dolphins 29-27
Week 6 rating: 14
Lesson discovered: Offensive coordinator Greg Roman has developed.
Roman resigned as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator after the 2022 season amid criticism from gamers and followers concerning the crew’s unimaginative passing offense. Three seasons later, he leads one of many league’s greatest passing offenses. The Chargers’ run sport has fluctuated, with accidents to the offensive line and backfield. Their strongest place on offense is at receiver, so Roman has leaned on his move catchers and quarterback Justin Herbert to make performs. Herbert is eighth within the NFL in passing yards (1,493) this season. — Kris Rhim
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Saints 25-19
Week 6 rating: 17
Lesson discovered: QB Drake Maye has taken the second-year leap.
Maye handed for 261 yards and three touchdowns in opposition to the Saints, with a 140.1 passer score. He grew to become the fourth participant in NFL historical past beneath 24 years outdated to file at the least 200 passing yards and a passing score of 100 or increased in 5 straight video games, becoming a member of Patrick Mahomes (seven straight in 2018 and 5 in 2018-19), Dan Marino (six in 1984) and Dak Prescott (5 in 2016). — Mike Reiss
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Seahawks 20-12
Week 6 rating: 15
Lesson discovered: The move rush is their No. 1 weak spot.
The Jaguars are thirteenth within the NFL in quarterback pressures (73) however have managed simply eight sacks — the third-lowest complete within the league. Josh Hines-Allen has managed simply half a sack; Travon Walker has two; and Dawuane Smoot has one. That is the manufacturing of the crew’s high three edge rushers six video games into the season, which equals defensive sort out Arik Armstead‘s season complete on his personal. — Mike DiRocco
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Payments 24-14
Week 6 rating: 19
Lesson discovered: Working again Bijan Robinson is the offense’s point of interest.
In his third season, Robinson has emerged as one of many league’s elite offensive weapons. On Monday evening, he might need made himself an MVP candidate with 238 yards from scrimmage, together with an 81-yard landing in opposition to the Payments. Robinson leads the NFL with 164.4 yards from scrimmage per sport. He is solely the second participant ever to have 450 speeding yards and 300 receiving yards via 5 video games. The opposite was Thurman Thomas in 1991. — Marc Raimondi
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Bears 25-24
Week 6 rating: 14
Lesson discovered: Javon Kinlaw‘s deal has been a discount.
When Washington signed the veteran defensive sort out to a contract that averaged $15 million per yr, many scratched their heads. However Kinlaw ranks thirteenth amongst defensive tackles with a 40.2% run cease win price (his earlier profession greatest was 35%). He has been credited with seven run stops, already a profession excessive. Washington wished Kinlaw as a result of it believed he was nonetheless ascending after a number of accidents hampered his development. He has now been wholesome for 2 straight seasons and is admittedly producing. Washington’s run protection nonetheless wants some work — it ranks twentieth after ending thirtieth final season — even with Kinlaw doing his half. — John Keim
Week 6 consequence: Bye
Week 6 rating: 16
Lesson discovered: QB selections are open to scrutiny.
The crew determined in opposition to utilizing the franchise tag on Sam Darnold, could not re-sign Daniel Jones, handed on Aaron Rodgers after which traded for Sam Howell. These strikes had been all in service of elevating J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 decide in 2024. It was a defensible place, contemplating the worth of McCarthy’s rookie contract, however McCarthy produced the NFL’s second-worst QBR within the first two weeks and has since been sidelined by a excessive proper ankle sprain. In the meantime, Jones and Darnold rank first and third, respectively, in QBR. Rodgers beat them with the Steelers in Week 4, and Carson Wentz has began three video games after changing Howell simply earlier than the beginning of the season. — Kevin Seifert
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Commanders 25-24
Week 6 rating: 20
Lesson discovered: Chicago is studying easy methods to win shut video games.
A yr in the past, the Bears weren’t outfitted to tug off consecutive come-from-behind wins the way in which they did to beat the Raiders and Commanders. Chicago’s equivalent 25-24 victories in Week 4 and Week 6 got here all the way down to particular groups performs within the sport’s last moments, with Josh Blackwell blocking a discipline purpose in opposition to the Raiders and Jake Moody booting a 38-yard sport winner in opposition to the Commanders — the day he was elevated from the observe squad.
Coming into Week 6, the Bears had misplaced 28 straight video games when trailing by eight or extra factors within the fourth quarter. On Monday evening, Chicago flipped the script on the concept that it could not find yourself on the profitable finish of tight video games. “I really feel like we’re trending up,” security Jaquan Brisker stated. “Up to now, we’d have gave up, however guys stayed true. Guys by no means gave up.” — Courtney Cronin
Week 6 consequence: Bye
Week 6 rating: 18
Lesson discovered: The Texans have a premier protection.
They’ve the No. 1 scoring protection — permitting 12.2 factors per sport — and it is not as in the event that they’ve performed offensive bottom-feeders. Houston earned that rating after taking part in the Buccaneers (sixth in factors per sport), Rams (sixteenth) and Jaguars (seventeenth). These groups are a mixed 13-5 on the season, so the Texans have confronted respectable competitors en path to their No. 1 standing. They’re additionally third greatest within the league in move rush win price (47.1%), behind the Steelers and Browns. — DJ Bien-Aime
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Cowboys 30-27
Week 6 rating: 24
Lesson discovered: The Panthers can win by dominating the bottom sport
An enormous purpose the Panthers put up traditionally unhealthy numbers in opposition to the run final season was as a result of they misplaced Derrick Brown to a season-ending knee harm in Week 1. His presence, together with free agent additions to the entrance seven, has been a giant purpose Carolina allowed solely 50 speeding yards up to now two video games mixed. As Coach Dave Canales has stated repeatedly, everybody up entrance thrives off Brown. In the meantime, Carolina’s speeding offense has thrived since transferring Rico Dowdle into the lead position. He is the second participant with at the least 200 scrimmage yards in every of his first two begins with a franchise for the reason that 1970 merger, becoming a member of Billy Sims in 1980 with the Lions, per ESPN Analysis. — David Newton
1:17
Orlovsky impressed by Panthers’ win over Cowboys
Dan Orlovsky talks to Pat McAfee concerning the Panthers’ dominant O-line efficiency in opposition to the Cowboys.
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Panthers 30-27
Week 6 rating: 21
Lesson discovered: There aren’t any solutions on protection.
The Cowboys have given up 21 move performs of 20-plus yards and 24 runs of 10-plus yards this season. They’ve been lit up by quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Caleb Williams and Bryce Younger. They do not have an effect on the quarterback (11 sacks). They cannot take the ball away sufficient (4 turnovers). They cannot cease groups on third down with groups changing 53% of the time. The Cowboys are final in yards (411.7) and passing yards (269.5); they’re thirty first in factors per sport (30.7). — Todd Archer
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Colts 31-27
Week 6 rating: 23
Lesson discovered: The Cardinals cannot shut out video games.
Arizona misplaced its first three video games on walk-off discipline targets, turning into the primary crew for the reason that 1970 merger to take action, per ESPN Analysis. The Cardinals’ efforts to return again Sunday in Indianapolis stalled on the 9-yard line with beneath a minute left within the fourth quarter. Arizona cannot shut out video games when it is forward or when it is trailing. And whereas it has been a pricey ache level this season, it has additionally been some extent of emphasis as one thing to enhance. — Josh Weinfuss
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Rams 17-3
Week 6 rating: 22
Lesson discovered: The Ravens cannot win with out Lamar Jackson.
Baltimore signed Cooper Rush to a two-year, $6.2 million deal (together with $4 million assured) with the hope he might preserve the Ravens in rivalry if Jackson suffered a short-term harm. However Baltimore is 0-2 and has produced a complete of 13 factors with out Jackson (hamstring harm) this season. Rush, who went 9-5 as a fill-in quarterback in Dallas, has thrown 4 interceptions and no touchdowns with Baltimore. The excellent news for the Ravens is that coach John Harbaugh expects Jackson to return after this week’s bye. — Jamison Hensley
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Eagles 34-17
Week 6 rating: 30
Lesson discovered: Jaxson Dart would possibly really be the man.
It has been solely three begins, however Dart has proven indicators of being a franchise quarterback. That was particularly obvious as he led the Giants to upset wins over the Chargers and Eagles. Three quarterbacks have rushed for at the least 50 yards of their first three begins — Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts and now Dart. Maybe extra importantly, Dart and rookie working again Cam Skattebo have injected life into the Giants. “Their vitality is contagious,” cornerback Cor’Dale Flott stated. — Jordan Raanan
Week 6 consequence: Beat the Titans 20-10
Week 6 rating: 29
Lesson discovered: Endurance would be the key to Pete Carroll’s tenure in Las Vegas.
When Carroll took the job, he was decided to show the Raiders into speedy playoff contenders. Nevertheless, that course of would possibly take longer than anticipated. The Raiders have a brand new quarterback (Geno Smith) and offensive coordinator (Chip Kelly) and are reliant on younger gamers at key positions. And with common supervisor John Spytek a believer in constructing via the draft, Las Vegas won’t flip issues round in a single day. — Ryan McFadden
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Packers 27-18
Week 6 rating: 25
Lesson discovered: The way forward for the protection is murky.
Coming into the season, Cincinnati hoped new defensive coordinator Al Golden might remodel a unit that basically struggled final season. Whereas there have been optimistic moments, a number of the key gamers aren’t taking part in in addition to wanted. The Bengals have already made a significant change at center linebacker, with rookie Barrett Carter taking on for veteran Logan Wilson, a crew captain. However different gamers, similar to cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, haven’t carried out properly sufficient both. A crew that spent closely on offense wants its younger defenders to offer satisfactory play, which might be a difficulty past this season. — Ben Child
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Patriots 25-19
Week 6 rating: 27
Lesson discovered: Scoring touchdowns will probably be a seasonlong drawback.
Tight finish Taysom Hill gave the Saints a lift by scoring from the 1-yard line in opposition to the Patriots, however the previous two weeks have been a group of discipline targets by New Orleans, which tried 10 (making eight) versus simply two touchdowns. Failing to get in the long run zone will proceed to lose the Saints video games, and drives have stalled for a wide range of causes: turnovers, penalties and sacks being a few of them. — Katherine Terrell
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Steelers 23-9
Week 6 rating: 26
Lesson discovered: The Browns’ “strategic pivot” is coming with all of the anticipated rising pains.
Cleveland is fielding one of many NFL’s youngest rosters with 14 rookies in an try and rebuild its basis, a transfer that common supervisor Andrew Berry referred to as a “strategic pivot” throughout the offseason. Between their youth and no clear reply at quarterback, the Browns have had a irritating begin that has been highlighted by the league’s lowest-scoring offense (13.67 factors per sport) and the third-worst level differential (minus-.64). — Daniel Oyefusi
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Chargers 29-27
Week 6 rating: 28
Lesson discovered: The Dolphins’ protection has taken a dramatic step again from a season in the past.
There have been loads of affordable issues this offseason after Miami parted methods with 4 members of its 2024 beginning secondary. Common supervisor Chris Grier rebounded properly, including skilled starters Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas, however the Dolphins believed a proficient entrance seven would maintain down the fort whereas the secondary jelled. As a substitute, Miami is tied for the 18th-most sacks (12) and permits a league-worst 168.5 speeding yards per sport. After two consecutive top-10 finishes in yards allowed per sport, the Dolphins rank thirtieth in the identical class this season. It won’t change a lot if the crew decides to commerce away gamers on the deadline. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
1:22
Why Stephen A. places Dolphins’ woes on McDaniel, not Tua
Stephen A. Smith explains why Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel must be fired after Tua Tagovailoa expressed his frustrations.
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Raiders 20-10
Week 6 rating: 31
Lesson discovered: This crew is definitely worse than we thought it was.
It is laborious to think about the Titans being worse than final season after deciding on QB Cam Ward with the No. 1 decide. However right here we’re. The Titans’ offense has scored solely 83 factors, which is the least by a Titans/Oilers crew via six video games since 1985, per ESPN Analysis. The Titans’ loss to the Raiders was their fourth by 10-plus factors this season, probably the most within the NFL. Nobody anticipated Tennessee to compete for a division title. However there have been purported to be indicators of development in 12 months 2 beneath Brian Callahan, who was fired Monday. Ward is the fourth consecutive quarterback drafted No. 1 to see his coach dismissed throughout his rookie season. — Turron Davenport
Week 6 consequence: Misplaced to the Broncos 13-11
Week 6 rating: 32
Lesson discovered: Aaron Glenn is not a quick-fix coach.
Nobody anticipated the Jets to be a playoff crew in Glenn’s first season, however they weren’t anticipated to be 0-6. In contrast with final season (5-12), the Jets have regressed on either side of the ball, discovering new methods to lose each week. Glenn talked powerful on the outset, promising to exorcise previous demons, however his lack of head teaching expertise is obvious at occasions. He walked right into a herculean problem. If he does not discover some wins quickly, his locker room might begin to fracture. Welcome to the Jets. — Wealthy Cimini
