Top 5 NFL Teams After Week 7: Insights from Dan Sileo

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Bills Lead the Top Five as Josh Allen Tops the MVP Rankings

Heading into Week 8 of the National Football League season, the Chicago Bears round out my top five. Ben Johnson has done a sensational job, while defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has delivered on the other side of the football. The Bears have developed a great coaching dynamic in Chicago.

The Kansas City Chiefs remain one of the AFC’s better teams, if not the best. They suffered a tough loss this past weekend, but their running game can keep them among the conference’s most dominant teams.

The San Francisco 49ers also enter the week following a difficult loss after previously being undefeated. I remain a big believer in Brock Purdy and what Kyle Shanahan has done. Health remains the biggest concern for San Francisco, as it has for the past couple of years. George Kittle is the best tight end in football right now, while Christian McCaffrey remains the engine that keeps the team going.

The Minnesota Vikings are second despite having one of the NFL’s worst offenses. Their defense has carried them, and Brian Flores has done a marvelous job as defensive coordinator.

The Buffalo Bills are my number one team. Their defense is not where it needs to be, but Josh Allen remains the linchpin of the entire operation. Buffalo has a great offense and running attack, while the decision to elevate Joe Brady and move on from Sean McDermott has produced a strong connection between Brady and Allen. It looks like the right fit for years to come, although Buffalo still needs to fix its defense.

MVP Rankings

Kenneth Walker was held at bay this past weekend, but he still has 668 yards. He has been a major reason the Kansas City Chiefs again look like one of the AFC’s more dominant teams. Seattle’s offensive inconsistency has also been connected to losing Clay Kubiak to the Raiders and losing Walker.

Speaking of Seattle, JSN has been the best wide receiver in professional football. He is a game-changer who moves the needle, and he delivers whenever Seattle needs a big play.

Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are beginning to make noise. Cincinnati added defensive pieces, but the offensive line remains the biggest question. Over the past five years, PFF has given the Bengals’ offensive line an average ranking of 28th, yet Burrow has produced some of the greatest numbers in NFL history.

The question is whether Cincinnati’s offseason moves along the defensive and offensive lines will be enough to help the team contend in the AFC. Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins remain central to that effort, and Burrow is having another fabulous season.

Brock Purdy did not have a great week and threw a horrible interception, but he has produced some of the best numbers in 49ers history. In a recent conversation, Steve Young said he does not see anyone in the NFL working through progression reads as well as Purdy. It also helps to have Kyle Shanahan as his play caller.

Josh Allen is number one and the best player in professional football right now. Week after week, he carries the Bills. His relationship with Joe Brady has been excellent, but the question is whether Buffalo’s defense can provide enough help.

For the Bills to achieve their goals, Allen may have to win three or four consecutive games while playing like Superman every weekend.