2018 NFL Power Rankings: Week 7
Teams Ranked 12th to 1st
| Rank | Team | nERD | Rec | Playoff Odds | Off. NEP Rank | Def. NEP Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Carolina Panthers | 1.17 | 3-2 | 37.0% | 16 | 13 | +2 |
| 11 | Minnesota Vikings | 2.23 | 3-2-1 | 54.2% | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 10 | Kansas City Chiefs | 2.67 | 5-1 | 94.5% | 2 | 32 | -1 |
| 9 | Cincinnati Bengals | 2.8 | 4-2 | 54.3% | 4 | 17 | +1 |
| 7 | Seattle Seahawks | 3.45 | 3-3 | 46.0% | 15 | 5 | +5 |
| 7 | Chicago Bears | 3.45 | 3-2 | 53.0% | 12 | 7 | +1 |
| 6 | New Orleans Saints | 3.48 | 4-1 | 76.3% | 6 | 27 | -1 |
| 5 | New England Patriots | 4.32 | 4-2 | 81.6% | 5 | 18 | -2 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 4.7 | 3-2-1 | 50.0% | 10 | 8 | +3 |
| 3 | Los Angeles Chargers | 6.72 | 4-2 | 74.4% | 3 | 12 | +2 |
| 2 | Baltimore Ravens | 9.41 | 4-2 | 63.4% | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | Los Angeles Rams | 9.79 | 6-0 | 99.8% | 1 | 21 | 0 |
If Jon Gruden is trying to bring the NFL back to 1998, Pete Carroll and Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer might as well be trying to bring the league back to 1978.
Despite the fact that they rank 23rd in rushing Success Rate (40.1%) and are tied for 16th in yards per carry (4.2), the Seahawks have the lowest pass/run ratio in the NFL. They have thrown on just 51% of their plays, which is 9% lower than the NFL average.
On first downs alone, the Seahawks are passing 41% of the time, which is the fourth-lowest. This comes despite the fact that Seattle's rare first down passes yield at least four yards 51% of the time, while its running game has done the same only 42% of the time, per SharpFootballStats.com.
The Seattle passing game has only produced positive NEP on 44.0% of its drop backs, which ranks 26th, but since passing is more efficient than running, this run-heavy approach helps explain why the Seahawks offense is 28th in Success Rate.
They do rank fourth in turnovers per drive, which is part of the reason why they are a more respectable 15th in NEP, but this is still a mediocre unit.
Fortunately for the Seahawks, they have gotten back to playing an elite brand of defense, which has led them back into the top 10 of the ratings.
Seattle's defense is sixth in Passing NEP per drop back and fifth in Rushing NEP per carry, offsetting the frankly antiquated offensive approach.
