With six weeks of the 2024 NFL regular season over, the pretenders and contenders are starting to take shape, and the Buffalo Bills are now in sole possession of first place in the AFC East after defeating the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
We polled the Pro Football Network staff to generate the latest version of our consensus Week 7 NFL Power Rankings. Scroll down for our take on the Bills and where teams rank above and behind them.
To view the complete list, head to our NFL Week 7 Power Rankings article, where we rank all 32 teams from best to worst.
Where Do the Buffalo Bills Rank in Our Week 7 NFL Power Rankings?
7) Buffalo Bills (4-2, Last Week: 6)
The Buffalo Bills overcame several obstacles on Monday night to escape with a 23-20 victory over the Jets in MetLife Stadium. Despite missing starting RB James Cook, Buffalo’s offense had their way with New York’s intimidating defense in Week 6.
While many questioned Buffalo’s strategy to move on from several talented offensive playmakers this offseason, Josh Allen continues to play at an elite level. Allen recorded three total touchdowns against the Jets as the Bills now have a two-game lead in the win column for first place in the AFC East.
Teams Above the Bills in PFN’s Power Rankings
Looking for all 32 teams? Check out our full NFL Week 7 Power Rankings article, where you can get analysis on every team.
4) Baltimore Ravens (4-2, Last Week: 4)
The Baltimore Ravens stumbled out of the gate, but with four straight wins, they deserve to be on the short list of Super Bowl favorites. The pass funnel defense is a major concern, especially with the offensive-minded Buccaneers up next on Monday night.
This is a team positioned to repeat its regular-season success from last season, but its postseason fate won’t be any different from years past if it can’t iron out the secondary.
5) Houston Texans (5-1, Last Week: 5)
The Houston Texans scored touchdowns on their first two drives in New England and never looked back. They’ve taken care of business throughout a light early season schedule, but the sledding gets a little more difficult in Lambeau this weekend.
The absence of Nico Collins was felt, even in a game in which the Texans scored 41 points (C.J. Stroud averaged just 6.2 yards per pass), but if this offensive line is going to open up the holes that they did against the Patriots, they should be able to produce at an above average rate while they wait for their alpha receiver to return.
If the defense can continue to be opportunistic, this is a team that can very much play late into January.
6) San Francisco 49ers (3-3, Last Week: 7)
Things got a little touch-and-go on Thursday night in Seattle, but the San Francisco 49ers ultimately survived, helping support the confidence with which we’ve been ranking them.
The divisional win was a step in the right direction, but this team can’t smell the roses as they host the Chiefs and Cowboys over the next two weeks.
This remains a highly efficient team that excels at holding onto the ball, a style of play that we saw work for Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers of yesteryear. That style of play makes them a threat not only to trend up in the coming weeks but also to represent the NFC if they are healthy for the stretch run.
It sounds as if Week 10 is the target date for Christian McCaffrey, which gives this offense the potential to rank among the best in the game as we progress through December and into January (Weeks 15-18: Rams-Dolphins-Lions-Cardinals). We saw the 49ers use that formula last season (six straight wins following their Week 9 bye), and history could well repeat itself.
Teams Below the Bills in PFN’s Power Rankings
8) Green Bay Packers (4-2, Last Week: 8)
The Green Bay Packers rolled over the Cardinals in Week 6 (34-13) and have now won four of five games after losing the season opener in Brazil. Jordan Love has thrown multiple touchdown passes in 10 straight games, which puts him in pretty rare air.
The potential of this team will ultimately come down to how sticky their turnover rate on defense is. One season after struggling to create extra possessions, they are the best in the business. If they can turn over opponents at an average level, this team has as good a shot as any to be the last one standing in the NFC.
9) Washington Commanders (4-2, Last Week: 9)
There’s no shame in a seven-point loss in Baltimore. This Jayden Daniels-led machine continues to impress, and while their defense comes with plenty of question marks, that flaw shouldn’t limit them from finding success over the next month with the Panthers, Bears, Giants, and Steelers up next.
The competitive nature of the NFC East makes this an interesting team to evaluate, as it is possible that consecutive games within the division (Week 11 at Philadelphia and Week 12 vs. Dallas) could dictate their fate. If this Washington Commanders offense is clicking (34.3 PPG over their past four), they have a legitimate chance to beat any team in this league.
10) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2, Last Week: 11)
With 114 points over the past three weeks, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look a lot like the early-season Saints. Baker Mayfield is operating with the utmost confidence, and Chris Godwin has proven to be a stabilizing force since being moved back into a full-time slot role.
The pass defense is vastly improved from where they finished last season, though their run defense will be tested on Monday night with the Ravens coming to town. This division isn’t full of well-rounded teams – a consistently aggressive offense with even an average defense should be enough to get this team into the postseason.