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Editor's Note: Steve Rieder has accumulated a 205-166-1 record, +22.06 units over the course of the 2021 & 2022 NFL seasons. Get access to his full record, pick by pick, on our NFL bets tracker spreadsheet
NFL Week 7 Power Ratings
With NFL Week 6 officially in the books, we adjust our power ratings and look forward to a new slate of games for NFL Week 7. As with every week, to determine a power-rated line, take the difference between the teams' power rating and factor in home field advantage. Remember, power ratings are the start of the handicap and should be a foundation to build upon. These values represent what a team is on any given week. It will certainly fluctuate as the year progresses.
Biggest Upgrade: Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, & New York Jets
I don’t want to spend too much time waxing poetic about the Cowboys and Patriots. Dallas should have Dak Prescott back and New England will either have a better than expected Bailey Zappe or Mac Jones at the helm. The Jets are a team that I increased by 1.5 points this week and it has nothing to do with who they are getting back. They are just better than I expected. One of the receipts Robert Saleh held on to was mine. I criticized this team consistently at the start of the year and, at one point, thought they were among the league worst. They certainly are not among that tier as they come in tied at 22 on my Power Ratings with the other New York Football team. The Jets are still flawed and don’t have a ton of talent or experience on the roster. But Robert Saleh has the youth buying in and a team that believes can be dangerous week to week. With money already coming on the Jets, the Denver -3.5 is now down to -2.5.
Biggest Downgrade: Carolina Panthers
This should come as no surprise. The Carolina Panthers are down to their 4th quarterback, just threw their best receiver off the team, fired their coach and a partridge in a pear tree. There is literally nothing to like about the Panthers. After a decent first half, they were destroyed by the Rams, much to the chagrin of my +11 ticket. Without a definitive answer at the quarterback position, the Panthers are easily the worst team in the NFL at the moment.
Quick Note: What is going on with the Bay teams?
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers destroyed my -7 ticket and lost back to back weeks as a touchdown or more favorite. Tampa Bay knocked me out of my survivor pools unable to beat the Steelers and their two terrible quarterbacks. I’m not overly confident in either team to live up to expectation week in and week out, yet both fall in the top 10 of my power ratings. Neither defense has lived up to the hype and both quarterbacks are suddenly showing their age. If I had to buy one or the other, I’d take more stock in Tampa with the hope their offense becomes healthier. I’m not sure there is the same silver lining with the Packers.
By Steve Rieder
@AvoidTheVig