The most important Cinderella within the AFC and the most important Cinderella within the NFC share a castle.
MetLife Stadium is home to the surprise team in each conference, with the Giants and Jets off to a combined 9-3 start after they were tied for the worst record within the NFL (22-59) throughout the five-season stretch from 2017-21. Each teams have a winning formula of aggressive defense, a dynamic rushing attack and smart coaching.
Add within the undefeated Eagles and the Super Bowl favorite Bills, who’re coming off an announcement win, and there’s little doubt that the northeast is at the middle of the NFL universe in the interim. Listed below are The Post’s power rankings for Week 7:
1. Philadelphia Eagles 6-0 (1)
If there was any doubt about who belongs atop the NFL’s best division, the Eagles put it to rest with a 20-point second quarter during a 26-17 win against the Cowboys. When the sport got tight within the fourth quarter, Jalen Hurts led a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. A loss would’ve meant a three-way tie atop the NFC East.
2. Buffalo Bills 5-1 (2)
By winning, 24-20, in Kansas City and securing a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Chiefs, the Bills increased the percentages that they won’t should return to the spot where their last two seasons have led to the playoffs. Josh Allen passed for 329 yards, a career-best 13 straight completions and three touchdowns, including the game-winner with 64 seconds left.
3. Kansas City Chiefs 4-2 (3)
Unlike in last 12 months’s unforgettable playoff matchup — when Patrick Mahomes had every answer after which some for Allen — Mahomes was intercepted with 51 seconds remaining. JuJu Smith-Schuster was introduced to the AFC’s best rivalry with five catches for 113 yards, but he’s not traded game-breaker Tyreek Hill. The defense allowed a 96-yard touchdown drive.
4. Minnesota Vikings 5-1 (4)
The fourth quarter belonged to the Vikings, who got touchdowns from Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook plus two takeaways to tug away for a 24-16 victory against the Dolphins. The defense also recorded five sacks of backups Teddy Bridgewater and Skyler Thompson. The Vikings are 5-1 for the primary time since 2016.
5. Dallas Cowboys 4-2 (5)
Cooper Rush’s magic touch wore off. After winning his first five profession starts (4 this season), Rush threw three interceptions against the Eagles, including one that will’ve been a touchdown with a greater throw. Ezekiel Elliott had his best game of the season just because it looks like fellow pillar Dak Prescott is likely to be healthy enough to interchange Rush.
6. Los Angeles Chargers 4-2 (8)
Kickers matter. Dustin Hopkins re-injured his leg on his first kick of the sport and fought through the pain to make field goals from 37, 31 and 35 yards in regulation before the 39-yarder to finish a 19-16 time beyond regulation win against the Broncos. It was just the second time in 38 profession games that Justin Herbert didn’t throw a touchdown.
7. Recent York Giants 5-1 (10)
The Kings of Comeback have trailed by seven points or more within the second half of 4 of their five wins. Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale got the last laugh against his former team when the Giants recorded an interception and a fumble recovery in the ultimate six minutes of a 24-20 win against the Ravens.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-3 (6)
Well, considered one of the 12 three-win teams needs to be the best ranked. Might as well be the one with Tom Brady. However the Buccaneers suffered an inexplicable 20-18 loss to the Mitch Trubisky-led Steelers. Brady chewed out his blockers for letting a T.J. Watt-less pass rush pressure him too often. The entire offense, including Brady, looks pedestrian.
9. Baltimore Ravens 3-3 (9)
So many empty yards for the Ravens, who outgained the Giants, 406-238, on the approach to blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead. An inability to complete close games has haunted the Ravens since last November. The turning point here is straightforward to trace: An illegal procedure penalty wasted a third-and-1, after which Lamar Jackson mishandled a snap.
10. Cincinnati Bengals 3-3 (12)
The Bengals didn’t take their first lead over the Saints until the ultimate play before the two-minute warning. Joe Burrow’s 60-yard touchdown strike to Ja’Marr decided a 30-26 victory and allowed the 2 former LSU stars to enjoy a homecoming in Recent Orleans. The defense tightened up within the red zone, holding for 4 field goals.
11. Recent York Jets 4-2 (15)
Rookies have brought swagger back to the Jets: Breece Hall celebrated a touchdown with a Lambeau Leap and Sauce Gardner ran around wearing a cheesehead after a 27-10 win against the Packers was complete. The Jets are off to their best start since 2015, after brothers Quincy Williams (14 tackles) and Quinnen Williams (two sacks) led the defense.
12. Los Angeles Rams 3-3 (13)
13. Recent England Patriots 3-3 (18)
14. Tennessee Titans 3-2 (16)
15. San Francisco 49ers 3-3 (7)
16. Green Bay Packers 3-3 (11)
17. Indianapolis Colts 3-2-1 (20)
18. Miami Dolphins 3-3 (16)
19. Seattle Seahawks 3-3 (22)
20. Atlanta Falcons 3-3 (23)
21. Pittsburgh Steelers 2-4 (27)
22. Arizona Cardinals 2-4 (17)
23. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-4 (19)
24. Recent Orleans Saints 2-4 (21)
25. Denver Broncos 2-4 (25)
26. Las Vegas Raiders 1-4 (26)
27. Cleveland Browns 2-4 (24)
28. Washington Commanders 2-4 (32)
29. Houston Texans 1-3-1 (29)
30. Chicago Bears 2-4 (28)
31. Detroit Lions 1-4 (31)
32. Carolina Panthers 1-5 (30)
The most important Cinderella within the AFC and the most important Cinderella within the NFC share a castle.
MetLife Stadium is home to the surprise team in each conference, with the Giants and Jets off to a combined 9-3 start after they were tied for the worst record within the NFL (22-59) throughout the five-season stretch from 2017-21. Each teams have a winning formula of aggressive defense, a dynamic rushing attack and smart coaching.
Add within the undefeated Eagles and the Super Bowl favorite Bills, who’re coming off an announcement win, and there’s little doubt that the northeast is at the middle of the NFL universe in the interim. Listed below are The Post’s power rankings for Week 7:
1. Philadelphia Eagles 6-0 (1)
If there was any doubt about who belongs atop the NFL’s best division, the Eagles put it to rest with a 20-point second quarter during a 26-17 win against the Cowboys. When the sport got tight within the fourth quarter, Jalen Hurts led a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. A loss would’ve meant a three-way tie atop the NFC East.
2. Buffalo Bills 5-1 (2)
By winning, 24-20, in Kansas City and securing a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Chiefs, the Bills increased the percentages that they won’t should return to the spot where their last two seasons have led to the playoffs. Josh Allen passed for 329 yards, a career-best 13 straight completions and three touchdowns, including the game-winner with 64 seconds left.
3. Kansas City Chiefs 4-2 (3)
Unlike in last 12 months’s unforgettable playoff matchup — when Patrick Mahomes had every answer after which some for Allen — Mahomes was intercepted with 51 seconds remaining. JuJu Smith-Schuster was introduced to the AFC’s best rivalry with five catches for 113 yards, but he’s not traded game-breaker Tyreek Hill. The defense allowed a 96-yard touchdown drive.
4. Minnesota Vikings 5-1 (4)
The fourth quarter belonged to the Vikings, who got touchdowns from Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook plus two takeaways to tug away for a 24-16 victory against the Dolphins. The defense also recorded five sacks of backups Teddy Bridgewater and Skyler Thompson. The Vikings are 5-1 for the primary time since 2016.
5. Dallas Cowboys 4-2 (5)
Cooper Rush’s magic touch wore off. After winning his first five profession starts (4 this season), Rush threw three interceptions against the Eagles, including one that will’ve been a touchdown with a greater throw. Ezekiel Elliott had his best game of the season just because it looks like fellow pillar Dak Prescott is likely to be healthy enough to interchange Rush.
6. Los Angeles Chargers 4-2 (8)
Kickers matter. Dustin Hopkins re-injured his leg on his first kick of the sport and fought through the pain to make field goals from 37, 31 and 35 yards in regulation before the 39-yarder to finish a 19-16 time beyond regulation win against the Broncos. It was just the second time in 38 profession games that Justin Herbert didn’t throw a touchdown.
7. Recent York Giants 5-1 (10)
The Kings of Comeback have trailed by seven points or more within the second half of 4 of their five wins. Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale got the last laugh against his former team when the Giants recorded an interception and a fumble recovery in the ultimate six minutes of a 24-20 win against the Ravens.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-3 (6)
Well, considered one of the 12 three-win teams needs to be the best ranked. Might as well be the one with Tom Brady. However the Buccaneers suffered an inexplicable 20-18 loss to the Mitch Trubisky-led Steelers. Brady chewed out his blockers for letting a T.J. Watt-less pass rush pressure him too often. The entire offense, including Brady, looks pedestrian.
9. Baltimore Ravens 3-3 (9)
So many empty yards for the Ravens, who outgained the Giants, 406-238, on the approach to blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead. An inability to complete close games has haunted the Ravens since last November. The turning point here is straightforward to trace: An illegal procedure penalty wasted a third-and-1, after which Lamar Jackson mishandled a snap.
10. Cincinnati Bengals 3-3 (12)
The Bengals didn’t take their first lead over the Saints until the ultimate play before the two-minute warning. Joe Burrow’s 60-yard touchdown strike to Ja’Marr decided a 30-26 victory and allowed the 2 former LSU stars to enjoy a homecoming in Recent Orleans. The defense tightened up within the red zone, holding for 4 field goals.
11. Recent York Jets 4-2 (15)
Rookies have brought swagger back to the Jets: Breece Hall celebrated a touchdown with a Lambeau Leap and Sauce Gardner ran around wearing a cheesehead after a 27-10 win against the Packers was complete. The Jets are off to their best start since 2015, after brothers Quincy Williams (14 tackles) and Quinnen Williams (two sacks) led the defense.
