ESPN released their week seven NFL power rankings and they appear to have fully jumped on the San Francisco 49ers bandwagon, while also continuing to provide an improved ranking for the Oakland Raiders. In their latest rankings, ESPN has moved the 49ers from No. 9 to No. 4, which is the biggest leap of the season. They moved the Raiders up from No. 11 to No. 9.
The 49ers big move was due to their huge road win over the previously undefeated Detroit Lions. The 49ers won their third road game of the season and took a 2 1/2 game lead in the NFC West with the rough, hard-fought victory at Ford Field. The 49ers head into their bye with as much momentum as any team in the league.
The Raiders held off the Cleveland Browns and improved to 4-2, leaving them 1/2 game back of the San Diego Chargers in the AFC West. They lost Jason Campbell to a broken collarbone in the process, but are reportedly about to replace him with Bengals QB Carson Palmer. This could prove to be a brilliant all-in move, or it could blow up in the Raiders faces. Definitely an Al Davis-style move. They face the Kansas City Chiefs at home after the bye.
Here is your ESPN top ten:
1. Green Bay Packers
2. New England Patriots
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Detroit Lions
7. San Diego Chargers
8. Pittsburgh Steelers
9. Oakland Raiders
10. Buffalo Bills