Look, the NFL is basically a chaotic science experiment where half the variables explode every Sunday. By the time we hit NFL week 7 standings in 2025, the "preseason logic" most of us used to build our brackets was officially in the dumpster. If you told me in August that the Kansas City Chiefs would be sitting at 4-3 and struggling to find a rhythm, I probably would’ve laughed. Yet, here we are.
The mid-point of the season is where reality sets in. It’s when we stop talking about "potential" and start looking at the actual win-loss columns. Honestly, the standings after seven weeks tell a story of survival more than dominance. Between the absolute carousel of injuries to star quarterbacks and the sudden rise of teams we ignored, the league hierarchy looks like it was put through a blender.
The AFC South is Actually a Dogfight
For years, the AFC South was the division everyone joked about. Not anymore. The Indianapolis Colts have been a total revelation, sitting at 6-1 after a statement 38-24 win over the Chargers. Their offense is exploding every other week, and the "Silicon Overlord" algorithm everyone follows actually had them ranked as the number one team in the league. It's wild.
Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars are hanging tough at 4-3, though they’re feeling the heat. They’ve got a surging roster, but they’ve also dealt with some high-profile drops from Brian Thomas Jr. that have stalled drives when they couldn't afford it. The Houston Texans are lagging a bit at 2-4, which is a bit of a shocker given the C.J. Stroud hype, but the division is far from settled.
AFC East: The Patriots? Really?
If you had the New England Patriots at 5-2 and leading the AFC East on your bingo card, you’re either a genius or a liar. They’ve mastered the "game manager" lifestyle. They aren't flashy, but they don't beat themselves.
Contrast that with the Buffalo Bills. At 4-2 (they had an early bye), they should be the kings of the North, but they’ve looked incredibly undisciplined. Josh Allen has been throwing picks at the worst possible times—late in both halves in the Atlanta game, for instance. They’ve racked up 30 penalties over their last three games. You can't win like that.
- New England Patriots: 5-2 (Leading the pack)
- Buffalo Bills: 4-2 (Talented but messy)
- Miami Dolphins: 1-6 (A total disaster)
- NY Jets: 0-7 (Basically a bye week for opponents)
NFC West is the Best Kind of Mess
This is easily the most competitive division in football right now. We have a three-way tie at the top between the 49ers, Seahawks, and Rams, all sitting at 5-2. It’s a literal gridlock.
The Seahawks have been terrifying on the road under Mike Macdonald. They just seem more composed than they used to be. On the flip side, the 49ers are playing a dangerous game with injuries. Brock Purdy has been dealing with a nagging toe issue, and they’ve been starting Mac Jones. Yes, that Mac Jones. Surprisingly, the Niners' system is so good it hasn't completely collapsed, but they are vulnerable.
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The Rams are just... there. They’re winning games they should, like the London matchup against Jacksonville, but they don't feel like the juggernaut they were a few years back. Still, 5-2 is 5-2. You take those wins and run.
The NFC North’s Weird Power Balance
The Green Bay Packers are sitting at 4-1-1. That tie is going to haunt them or help them, depending on how you look at it. Jordan Love is making the "everybody eats" offense work, even without a true alpha WR1.
Then you have the Detroit Lions at 5-2. They’re high-flying, but their defense is a concern. They struggle to stop explosive offenses. When they played the Bucs, they got carved up. Speaking of the Bucs, Baker Mayfield has them at 5-2 and leading the NFC South. He’s playing like an MVP candidate, which is one of the coolest stories of the season.
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Why the Standings Don't Tell the Whole Truth
If you just look at the numbers, you miss the context. The 2025 season has been a "year of the backup." Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow both missed significant time. The Cincinnati Bengals are basically underwater because Burrow's toe injury cost him nine games. When your $50 million quarterback is in a walking boot, your NFL week 7 standings position is going to suffer.
The injury bug didn't stop there. The Minnesota Vikings are 3-3, and fans are already arguing about whether Carson Wentz should keep starting over J.J. McCarthy. Wentz threw for 313 yards against the Eagles but had zero touchdowns and two picks. It’s the classic Wentz experience—exciting, but ultimately heartbreaking.
- Injuries are the Great Equalizer: Teams like the Browns (2-5) and Titans (1-6) are essentially playing for draft picks at this point because their rosters are decimated.
- The "Dog" Factor: Home underdogs went 9-5 against the spread in Week 7. The parity in the league is at an all-time high.
- Turnover Margin: The teams at the top of the standings (Colts, Patriots, Seahawks) are all in the top ten for turnover differential. It’s boring, but it works.
How to Read These Standings Moving Forward
Don't get too attached to the current order. The NFL week 7 standings are a snapshot of a moving train. We have several teams entering their bye weeks, which usually acts as a "reset" button for coaching staffs.
If you're looking for a "buy low" candidate, look at the Baltimore Ravens. They’re 1-5, which looks horrific, but they’ve lost several games by a single score and had a controversial go-ahead touchdown overturned against the Steelers. They’re better than their record. Conversely, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 5-2 but just lost Mike Evans to a broken collarbone. That’s going to hurt their production significantly in the coming weeks.
Watch the injury reports as closely as the standings. In a season where the talent gap between the #1 seed and the #10 seed is this thin, one hamstring pull can change the entire playoff picture.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Strength of Schedule: Look at the remaining games for the 5-2 teams. The Patriots have a much tougher second half than the Seahawks, which suggests a regression is coming.
- Monitor the QB Room: Keep an eye on the practice reports for Brock Purdy and J.J. McCarthy. Their returns will immediately shift the betting lines and standings trajectories for the 49ers and Vikings.
- Ignore the "Blowouts": Don't overreact to the Chiefs' 4-3 record. They traditionally play "down" to opponents in October before turning it on in December. They are still the team nobody wants to see in the Wild Card round.