Herd Hierarchy Week 7: Chiefs Take Over the Top Spot, Patriots Rise, and Bills Drop Out

 

Herd Hierarchy Week 7: Chiefs Rule the NFL, Patriots Make Their Move

As Week 7 of the NFL season kicks off, Colin Cowherd’s Herd Hierarchy has delivered another shakeup. The latest rankings from FOX Sports’ “The Herd” show a major reshuffling among the top ten, with the Kansas City Chiefs climbing to No. 1 and the New England Patriots making a surprise debut.

Unlike traditional power rankings, Cowherd’s Herd Hierarchy looks beyond wins and losses — factoring in team health, offensive and defensive efficiency, and future potential. Let’s break down his Week 7 top 10 NFL teams.

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🥇 1. Kansas City Chiefs – Back on Top

Cowherd calls the Chiefs “a good football team — suffocating defensively.” After taking down the Ravens and silencing Lamar Jackson, Kansas City now boasts the second-most efficient offense in the league. With Patrick Mahomes looking sharp and the defense thriving, they’re once again the NFL’s gold standard.

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🏴‍☠️ 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Baker Mayfield’s MVP Case?

At 5-1, the Buccaneers continue to surprise. Despite injuries to their top three receivers, Baker Mayfield is playing the best football of his career, accounting for over 1,700 yards — second only to Mahomes. Cowherd calls them “resilient and tough,” with Mayfield now in the MVP conversation.

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🐴 3. Denver Broncos – The League’s Silent Threat

The Broncos are dominating both sides of the line. They’re the best team in the NFL at protecting their quarterback and among the best at pressuring opponents. Cowherd says Denver is one of the few teams capable of making Kansas City uncomfortable.

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🦁 4. Detroit Lions – Underrated and Hungry

The Lions are forcing turnovers, racking up sacks, and showing consistency week after week. With one of the hardest remaining schedules, Detroit is still poised to make a deep playoff run. Cowherd even predicts they’ll beat Tampa in their upcoming matchup.

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🦅 5. Philadelphia Eagles – Talented but Inconsistent

The Eagles have the roster of a contender but haven’t found rhythm yet. Jalen Hurts has thrown for 1,172 yards and eight touchdowns, but Cowherd warns that when Hurts throws 30+ times, Philly tends to struggle. “Their personnel puts them at five,” he says, “but I’m not sure they’re really the fifth-best team right now.”

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🐦 6. Seattle Seahawks – The NFL’s Yards-Per-Play Kings

The Seahawks quietly lead the league in yards per play, with Sam Darnold surprisingly rated as the NFL’s top quarterback by PFF. Rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN) has blossomed into a true No. 1 option, while Seattle’s young defense keeps improving.

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🧀 7. Green Bay Packers – Talented but Unpolished

The Packers have the talent but lack consistency. Cowherd says Jordan Love plays with a “Favre-like flair” — exciting yet risky. Green Bay’s third-down offense is the best in the NFL, and their run defense remains elite, but closing out games remains a challenge.

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🐎 8. Indianapolis Colts – Quietly Explosive

The Colts own the second-best offensive line in football and have allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL. They’re scoring on 62.5% of their drives and lead the league in first downs. Cowherd calls them a “top-tier offense that deserves more attention.”

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🖤 9. Pittsburgh Steelers – Old-School Football Done Right

With Aaron Rodgers under center, the Steelers have quickly become one of the NFL’s most disciplined teams. They rarely commit penalties, protect the football, and take it away on defense. Cowherd praises their “NBA-sized” receiving and tight end corps, calling them “quietly dangerous.”

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🏈 10. New England Patriots – A Rising Star in the AFC

The Patriots make their first appearance in the top 10 this season — and for good reason. Rookie QB Drake Maye has been phenomenal, ranking top five in completion rate, passing yards, big plays, and passer rating. With cornerback Christian Gonzalez back, the Pats are 3-0 and facing one of the easiest schedules in the league. Cowherd insists, “This is not a mirage.”

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⚡ Final Thoughts

The Chiefs reclaiming No. 1 isn’t a shock, but seeing the Patriots climb into the top 10 while the Bills drop out is the biggest twist in Week 7’s rankings. With contenders like Tampa, Detroit, and Denver making noise, the second half of the 2025 NFL season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in years.