NFL power rankings, Week 7: 49ers hang steady with win over Cardinals

The San Francisco 49ers improved to 4-2, and beating a team like the Arizona Cardinals is reflected with a limited boost in the rankings. On the sites I've checked, the 49ers have generally stuck right around similar positioning to last week. I don't think that should take away from the Cardinals abilities, but when you are facing a team dealing with question marks, you are expected to take care of business.

The Denver Broncos remain top dog, as they are undefeated and getting a boost with the return of Von Miller. The Broncos defense hasn't been spectacular, so it will be interesting see how the return of Miller improves them.

The top ten in each set of power rankings is evenly split with five teams apiece. The AFC has been getting a bit more publicity, thanks in part to the Broncos and Chiefs 6-0 starts, but the NFC is quietly getting back in the swing of things. The NFC East may be the joke of the league, but the rest of the NFC is starting to do some of the heavy lifting.

SB Nation NFL

1. Denver Broncos
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. New Orleans Saints
4. Kansas City Chiefs
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. New England Patriots
7. Cincinnati Bengals
8. San Francisco 49ers
9. Green Bay Packers
10. Chicago Bears

ESPN

1. Denver Broncos
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. New Orleans Saints
4. Seattle Seahawks
5. New England Patriots
6. Indianapolis Colts
7. San Francisco 49ers
8. Cincinnati Bengals
9. Green Bay Packers
10. Chicago Bears

CBS Sports (Prisco)

1. Denver Broncos
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. Seattle Seahawks
4. New England Patriots
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Indianapolis Colts
7. San Francisco 49ers
8. Cincinnati Bengals
9. Green Bay Packers
10. Chicago Bears

CBS Sports (Kirwan)

1. Denver Broncos
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. Seattle Seahawks
4. New England Patriots
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Indianapolis Colts
7. San Francisco 49ers
8. Green Bay Packers
9. Detroit Lions
10. Chicago Bears

The folks at Beat Graphs are back with their weekly rankings. You can see their interesting angle on power rankings. They create "BeatPaths" and you can try and figure it out HERE. It seems like if A beats B, A will be ahead of B. And if A beats B and B beats C, A will be ahead of both. It's not quite as simple as that, but it's an interesting way to look at something that is mostly for entertainment value anyway. They have the 49ers in 3rd place, a climb of five spots from last week.