Some surprising teams are starting to rise to the top of the NFL Power Rankings after seven weeks of the season.
Who could have imagined the Arizona Cardinals would be a very deserving No. 1 on the list? Kyler Murray & Co. have answered the bell at every chance.
Then there's the Dallas Cowboys. We knew they had a great offense, but they're the only undefeated against-the-spread team in the NFL at this point. The Cowboys were winless ATS last season in games Dak Prescott played. Now, they can't lose.
The Cincinnati Bengals are a couple of 3-point losses from being undefeated alongside the Cardinals. While every team in the AFC -- Kansas City included -- has at least two losses, there are five teams in the NFC with one loss or fewer.
Let's dive into the week ahead and some of the teams I'm looking at:
Dallas Cowboys (6)
I keep harping on the fact that this team is the only undefeated ATS team in the NFL and I'm sorry if that is annoying, but I truly believe an ATS mark can tell us almost as much as a straight-up record can. The Cowboys keep beating market expectations, and when that is coupled with a 5-1 record, I'm not sure they can be any lower than third on the list. This week they travel to Minnesota to play the Vikings laying less than a field goal. Minnesota is 17th in these rankings, and if Dallas is as legit as I think they are, they should cover the 2.5 points.
Cincinnati Bengals (7)
I'm not saying the Bengals don't deserve to be here, but it's still shocking to actually write it out. Joe Burrow has been awesome. Ja'Marr Chase is playing WR better than just about everyone in the league not named Cooper Kupp. The defense has not been an issue at all. This team appears to be for real. I don't see this ranking dropping next week either. The Bengals are on the road, but they're playing a Jets team that just lost to the Patriots by 41 points on Sunday. Cincinnati is laying less than double digits (-9.5), and that seems like a steal given the confidence it must have ... and the quality of its opponent.
Tennessee Titans (9)
I'm kind of surprised to see the Titans inside the top 10. Yes, they have Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown and Julio Jones. And that's great. Believe me. But despite holding Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to just 3 points in Sunday's big win, I'm not sure the defense is as legit as it looked. They're allowing 5.95 yards per play (24th in the NFL) and I don't see how they improve that. This week, the Titans have a critical matchup with the Colts, who all of a sudden look like a threat with Jonathan Taylor running well and Carson Wentz playing pretty good football. The Titans are 1-point favorites on the road at Indy, and I'm not sure I like them in that matchup.