National Football League

Statistical NFL Power Ranking: Patriots On Top

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after their 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won 35-31. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Power Ranking Here Is A Calculation, Not An Opinion

The following NFL power ranking is not based on voting or opinions. The ranking comes from a formula created using the differential of six statistical categories that correlate to higher winning percentage. So what’s the formula? I take the differential of stats like Turnover percentage, scoring percentage, yards per play and four others. I input the stats, and the computer spits out the teams rating. The lower the number (some teams have negative ratings), the worse the team.

Last week, the top two ranked teams, Minnesota and Buffalo, lost, and two of the three bottom ranked teams won. The parity of the NFL makes it interesting every week if nothing else. The rankings shifted around a bit, but no crazy leaps or falls this week.

Cleveland Browns

-92.04

Last week: -88.66Last rank: 31

Hue Jackson lost his patience with the defense this week. It’s hard to blame him when your team allow Jeremy Hill to run the ball 9 times for 168 yards. Coach Jackson is better than this week’s performance indicates. A different Browns team will take the field against the Jets this week.31

Chicago Bears

-81.92

Last week: -69.91Last rank: 29

Brian Hoyer left the game against the Packers with a broken arm. He underwent surgery Sunday, so the Bears turn back to Jay Cutler. At least Bears’ fans want him out there more than Matt Barkley, or they should after that horrific performance on Thursday night.30

New York Jets

-74.80

Last week: -116.91Last rank: 32

The Jets came from behind to win with a little Fitz-magic after Geno Smith got knocked out of the game. Amazingly, the bearded one went a game without a turnover. Good for him, but the Jets still turned it over twice. The Ravens gave them that win.29

Jacksonville Jaguars

-71.41

Last week: -52.85Last rank: 28

Another brutal game for the Jaguars’ offense. If Blake Bortles couldn’t get the ball moving against the Raiders, his season is toast. Now, the Jags need to prepare for the division rival Titans on a short week. Outlook isn’t promising.28

San Francisco 49ers

-54.49

Last week: -50.12Last rank: 27

The 49ers were up 14-0 against the Bucs this week, and my upset looked good in my football pool. Then, San Francisco remembered Chip Kelly was their coach and all hope was lost. Good try guys, maybe next year.27

Carolina Panthers

-31.20

Last week: -31.20Last rank: 25

Cam Newton and company fell two spots, and they didn’t even play a game. This week they host the Cardinals, and if they didn’t fix their defense on the bye week, then David Johnson will make them fall several more spots.26

Tampa Bay Bucanneers

-30.02

Last week: -71.94Last rank: 30

A big road victory over the 49ers gave the Bucs one of the largest jumps of the week. Four spots in a dominant performance not too shabby. Good to see Jameis Winston bounce back from an early interception and lead the team to a W. Reminiscent of his FSU days. 25

Houston Texans

-12.81

Last week: 0.24Last rank: 22

Brock Osweiler’s miserable performance against his former team pulled the Texans down to the rest of the pack in the abysmal AFC South. Without JJ Watt, there is nothing worth watching on this team. Someone need to get under center who can throw the ball to Hopkins.Next: Teams still in the hunt

Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Buffalo Bills 28-25. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Rams

-9.78

Last week: 4.04Last rank: 21

Why does the NFL subject international fans with such a bad game? You want the game to boom overseas, quit sending them the teams we don’t want to watch here. BTW, Jeff Fisher and company well on their way to another 7-9.23

Cincinnati Bengals

4.70

Last week: -38.46Last rank: 26

The Bengals put it on their in state rivals this weekend. The score easily could have been higher, but I think Marvin Lewis didn’t want to embarrass his former offensive coordinator. Don’t let this game fool you, the Bengals will win seven or eight games tops.22

Tennessee Titans

4.78

Last week: 4.76Last rank: 20

What did the Titans do to Marcus Mariota? They resurrected DeMarco Murray and coached up the defense, but they can’t get their young quarterback’s head on straight. Maybe they’re just hoping for another top five pick to get a good receiver.21

New Orleans Saints

6.50

Last week: 17.36Last rank: 18

At least Mike Thomas looks like a megastar in the making because there is little else to get excited about. It is futile to have an offense that scores 100 points a game if your defense allows 103. Fix the other half of your team!20

New York Giants

7.92

Last week: -27.90Last rank: 24

You can Coughlin and promote McAdoo to keep stability with your team. It worked since the Giants still struggle offensively, and only beat other struggling mediocre teams. When they got rid of Coughlin, they should have replaced the entire staff.19

Miami Dolphins

14.04

Last week: -0.35Last rank: 23

Jay Ajayi. That’s it. Don’t need to say anything else. Jay Ajayi. Jay Ajayi. Jay Ajayi. 418 rushing yards in the last two games. Seriously?!? This guy is playing so good Arian Foster released himself by retiring. Jay Ajayi.18

Indianapolis Colts

21.53

Last week: 5.06Last rank: 19

The Colts narrowed the gap to a game with the Houston Texans, but the AFC South is still up for grabs. Whoever wins this division will fail to get out of the first round of the playoffs. Andrew Luck is a great QB, but he needs help.17

Baltimore Ravens

26.47

Last week: 33.59Last rank: 15

The Ravens dropped their fourth straight game heading into the bye week. Solutions need to be found during the bye week because the schedule gets harder in the second half. The Steelers’ game is a must win; hopefully, Landry Jones will still be starting at QB.Next: Playoff are so close they can touch it

Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; A Oakland Raiders fan cheers during the first half of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Redskins

31.60

Last week: 42.36Last rank: 14

Kirk Cousins finds a way to look like a real quarterback against suspect defenses. He shined in a loss against the Lions last week, but this is the type of game that gives the Redskins hesitations about cutting ties with him.15

Detroit Lions

43.40

Last week: 19.74Last rank: 17

Quietly, Anquan Boldin was one of the best free agent signings in this past off-season. Even at 36, Boldin has plenty of fight left in him. He might not gash anyone for a 50 yard play anymore, but he’s a fierce competitor and reliable target.14

Pittsburgh Steelers

56.90

Last week: 82.53Last rank: 9

The Steelers came up short against the Patriots, but Landry Jones performed a little better than expect. He’s not good, but the game didn’t degrade into the flaming tire fire that was expected. Now, they get a bye week before taking on their biggest rival, the Baltimore Ravens.13

Green Bay Packers

57.29

Last week: 27.15Last rank: 16

The Packers dismantled the Bears, but that shouldn’t alleviate concerns about the offense. They still couldn’t move the ball during the first half of the game. 20 points in the second half cemented the deal. Hopefully, Knile Davis is up to speed for the Falcons’ game.12

San Diego Chargers

62.40

Last week: 48.55Last rank: 12

This offense is missing Keenan Allen, Danny Woodhead, and Brandon Oliver, but they still move the ball downfield with the best teams in the NFL. If you take away some blown 4th quarter leads, the Chargers would be considered on of the top teams in the league.11

Atlanta Falcons

71.51

Last week: 81.82Last rank: 10

The Falcons dropped an overtime game to the Chargers this week for their second straight loss. Now 4-3, are we seeing the same collapse from last season? No, but the defense needs to play better. Dan Quinn went for it on 4 and 1 in overtime because he didn’t trust them to stop the Chargers for 1 drive.10

Kansas City Chiefs

74.73

Last week: 55.06Last rank: 11

The Chiefs took an early, first half lead against the Saints and coasted through the second half for a win. I guess you take your foot off the gas when you have the games most boring starting quarterback. Just holding onto the lead won’t be enough in January.9

Oakland Raiders

76.27

Last week: 43.81Last rank: 13

The Raiders get their first convincing win of the season with a 33-16 win over the terrible Jaguars. Interestingly, that makes Oakland 4-0 on the road this season as they stay in Florida to take on the Bucs before starting a four game home stand.Next: These teams are booking travel plans to Houston

Oct 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Heinz Field. The Patriots won the game, 27-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Cardinals

92.00

Last week: 94.79Last rank: 6

A 6-6 tie wasn’t the outcome Bruce Arians had in mind for Sunday night, and he let his kicker know it. On the bright side, David Johnson continues to prove his case as the best running back in the NFL. He put up 171 total yards against a very good Seahawks’ defesne.7

Seattle Seahawks

96.96

Last week: 89.57Last rank: 7

Pete Carroll was a little more supportive of his kicker after a missed field goal that would have given the Seahawks a W instead of a L. The criticism needs to be saved for the offense that stayed in Seattle. Someone needed to step up in that game.6

Denver Broncos

106.31

Last week: 86.19Last rank: 8

John Elway loved Monday night. The Denver defense proved his point in regards to Brock Osweiler. Everyone was critical of Elway for losing Brock and going with unknown Trevor Siemian. Well, Elway and the Broncos are now 5-2 and haven’t missed a beat.5

Buffalo Bills

130.13

Last week: 150.86Last rank: 2

The Bills dropped a tough one against the Dolphins last week. Those divisional games can produce some screwy results. Maybe Rex Ryan and company were looking past this game with the Patriots looming in their minds. New England at Buffalo will be the game to watch this week.4

Dallas Cowboys

140.43

Last week: 140.43Last rank: 5

Dallas managed to move up a spot by doing absolutely nothing. They come back from the bye week to take on the Eagles in a huge match up for the leaders of the NFC East. If Dak wins this game, is there any chance we see Tony Romo on the field again?3

Philadelphia Eagles

153.27

Last week: 149.12Last rank: 3

Philadelphia beat up on last weeks #1 team. Sam Bradford got hit so many times, he thought he was playing for the Eagles again. That defensive front can get after as good as any in the league, but the offense still needs a little work under the rookie Carson Wentz.2

Minnesota Vikings

158.02

Last week: 184.25Last rank: 1

Minnesota turned the ball over for the first time this week. Unfortunately, they turned it over four times which proved costly. The offensive line is in shambles, but luckily they get the Bears this week. No offense to Chicago fans, but this is basically a bye week you get a win for.Next: 2016 Is John Harbaugh's Last Chance1

New England Patriots

158.30

Last week: 140.43Last rank: 4

Now that golden boy Tom Brady has been back for three games, the Patriots climbed to the top of the mountain. They hope to stay their after facing the Bills this week after losing to them in week four without Brady. A healthy Gronk and a starting Tom Brady look to avenge the home loss.