NFL writer John Dudley ranks the five most impressive teams from Week 7:

1. Patriots (49-28 over Dolphins): OK, OK. We get it. Tom Brady has 27 touchdowns and is on pace to for an NFL record 60. The Patriots can score as many points as they care to, and Bill Belichick doesn't need no stinkin' video camera to run up the score.

2. Bills (19-14 over Ravens): The Bills aren't ready to win pretty, and that's fine. They'll take one thing at a time. After all the injuries and the disastrous Monday night collapse against the Cowboys, a win at home against a 4-2 opponent goes a long way toward helping this young team grow up.

3. Bears (19-16 over Eagles): No, this Eagles team isn't very good, but the Bears -- and especially quarterback Brian Griese -- needed a win. Beating the Eagles on the road with a last-minute drive with no time outs left should help Griese's confidence, and it helps keep the Bears from falling too deep in a hole in the NFC North.

4. Seahawks (33-6 over Rams): The Seahawks didn't do much statistically -- and Shaun Alexander didn't answer many detractors with a 47-yard rushing effort -- but Nate Burleson's 91-yard kickoff return kick-started a big win for a team that had been on life support the past few weeks.

5. Broncos (31-28 over Steelers): The Broncos got a measure of revenge for their 2006 AFC championship game loss at Invesco Field, and more importantly they got a win to keep pace in the putrid AFC West. Jay Cutler was impressive, particularly in getting the Broncs into range for Jason Elam's winning field goal try in the closing seconds.

Week 7 rankings (record, previous ranking)

1. New England (7-0, 1)
2. Indianapolis (5-0, 2)
3. Dallas (6-1, 3)
4. N.Y. Giants (5-2, 9)
5. Pittsburgh (4-2, 4)
6. Green Bay (5-1, 6)
7. San Diego (3-3, 7)
8. Tennessee (4-2, NR)
9. Jacksonville (4-1, 6)
10. Carolina (4-2, 10)
11. Kansas City (4-3, 12)
12. Washington (4-2, NR)

-- John Dudley (john.dudley@timesnews.com)