Week 6 NFL Power Rankings: Elite Teams Stake Their Places! Bengals into Top 10
Kicking is not automatic. We now all know that for sure. This weekend kickers all around the league were off and it was the difference in many wins and losses. If kickers kicked like normal, we could be discussing very different outcomes right now. Another week of football in the books = another power rankings!
1. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
Previously #1
2. Arizona Cardinals (5-0)
Previously #2
After gaining the title of the only unbeaten team in the NFL last week and not being no. 1, they held that for another week and still remain at no. 2. This team has the best record in the league, but I still need more from a defense that is improving by the week to definitively put them ahead of the Bills. In a gritty, tough win against the division rival 49ers, the Cardinals continued to show they can win in different ways. Kyler Murray continued his MVP campaign with another nice game and JJ Watt had his best game yet as a Cardinal. Right now, the Cardinals and Bills are really 1A and 1B so don't read into them at 2 as much as you may want to.
3. Los Angeles Chargers (4-1)
Previously #3
The top 3 remains the same! That is pretty rare this early into the season. Compared to other power rankings across the web, we were much higher on the Chargers than most after their big win last week, but we now don't look so dumb after what they did this weekend. In potentially the game of the year, the Chargers took down another AFC heavyweight in the Cleveland Browns. This was the shootout of all shootouts as it ended in a 47-42 victory. Justin Herbert man. He is getting better by the week and flying into the MVP conversation. Also how about Mike Williams, looking like he was worth that top 10 pick a few years ago all the sudden. These Chargers continue to prove they can win in any way possible.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1)
Previously #4
A nice get-right win for Brady and the Bucs. After losing to the Rams two weeks ago and then not looking too good in a close win vs New England last week, the Bucs shook the rust off and dominated the Dolphins in a battle for Florida. Tom Brady continues to show up just when you think he might be slowing down. He threw for an easy 400 yards and 5 TDs. Just another day in the office for the 44-year-old. The Bucs were hitting in every aspect of the game. How about Antonio Brown also, he's really still a factor as well. Probably still the team to beat in the NFC.
5. Green Bay Packers (4-1)
Previously #5
In one of the most entertaining and weird games of the weekend, the Packers avoided the upset in Cinncy and improved to 4-1. Mason Crosby was having a nightmare afternoon but with some luck was able to redeem himself with a 40 yard game winning kick in OT. Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams is also officially back as they connected for over 200 yards in this one. The Packers are hot right now and are only going to get better with players returning from injury.
6. Dallas Cowboys (4-1)
Previously #6
America's Team is proving everyone wrong. Easily the most hated team in the league, doubters are suddenly turning into believers. The transformation this team has undergone is crazy. They continue their streak of dominating wins. Trevon Diggs continues his unprecedented INT streak as well. The Cowboys are one of the hottest teams in football right now and currently look like they would be a tough out against anyone in the post-season. The NFL is so wide open right now with so many good teams that could win, I cannot wait for these playoffs where the Cowboys will likely be in with some intrigue around them as well.
7. Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
Previously #8 +
8. Los Angeles Rams (4-1)
Previously #7 -
The Rams won on the road in Seattle to get to 4-1, but not in impressive fashion. Due to some major luck in the first half as they were wildly outplayed and only were down 7-3 at half and then an injury to Russell Wilson paved the way for this team to win. They just did not look amazing all game and had to rely on some things out of their control to get the win. This is still potentially the best roster in the league with maybe the best coaching staff in the league, but we are going to need to see more consistency out of them before moving them back up in the ranks.
9. Cleveland Browns (3-2)
Previously #9
Despite a gut-wrenching loss to a good Chargers team, the Browns remain at no. 9 for a second straight week. In a game in which no defense was played whatsoever, the Browns defense let up more than LA's. They had a nice lead near the end of the game but choked a bit and gave the Chargers a chance late to rebound and take the lead in which they did and won the game. While they played well throughout on offense and were obviously in it until the end, I sense a little urgency with this team. I'm not as confident in them as I once was a couple of weeks ago. They are very good and could very well wind up in the Super Bowl, but right now I'm not loving what I'm seeing. A lot of it stems back to Baker Mayfield who may really not be the guy in Cleveland.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)
Previously #14 +
I think most of the country (minus Wisconsin) was rooting for the Bengals on Sunday. One of the most entertaining upstart teams of this season so far has been these Bengals. They hadn't beat anyone super good going into Sunday but aimed to change that against the Packers. They came SO close. In a game for the ages in terms of missed field goals, the Bengals got a little more unlucky than the Packers and wound up losing in OT after Evan McPhearson couldn't hit multiple game winning FG attempts. This team is for real. They can hang with anyone with that offense and have a defense capable of shutting down real offenses. I can't wait to see more of this team that looks like they could be potential wildcard stealers this year.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)
Previously #10 -
Is it really all coming undone this quickly before our eyes for the Chiefs? In the Super Bowl just a few months ago, this team does not look good. Their defense is the worst in the league and it isn't that close. The offense which usually can bail it out is starting to have struggles itself. Patrick Mahomes just doesn't look like his normal self (he is in the top 3 for most INTs in the league right now). I have faith in the Chiefs to turn it around and make the playoffs, but it's looking like it may be as a wildcard right now. If this defense can't turn it around, this is not a Super Bowl contender.
12. Tennessee Titans (3-2)
Previously #18 +
A week after a terrible upset loss to the Jets, the Titans are back on the way up with a much needed blowout of the Jaguars. The AFC South is a crapshoot. The Titans look like they are the only decent team at all in the division and will make the playoffs almost automatically. Derrick Henry is so good. I know we say it all the time, but he really is. He gets 100+ yards every week by default. I haven't really ever seen anything quite like it. Aside from him, this offense needs to get healthy because it's not pretty when they aren't running it. This is a one and done playoff team.
13. Seattle Seahawks (2-3)
Previously #11 -
14. New Orleans Saints (3-2)
Previously #20 +
New Orleans got a much needed win on Sunday against Washington and now coast into their BYE week above .500 with a lot to be happy about. Their defense is the real deal. It's been playing well all season and is keeping them in any game. Jameis Winston is also super up and down but has been more UP lately than down. Alvin Kamara is back, he had a huge game in the win and is going to need to keep showing up for the Saints to remain alive in the wildcard hunt. Post-bye week, Michael Thomas may be ready to return and could add another entirely new dimension to this Winston-led offense!
15. San Fransisco 49ers (2-3)
Previously #13 -
The Niners head into their BYE week banged up and ready for some rest. In rookie QB Trey Lance's first career start, the Niners played the rival Cardinals very close. Lance had an up and down game but still looked good overall. The Niners defense resurfaced. They looked really good against MVP front-runner Kyler Murray and his gang. After the bye, the Niners will have some ground to make-up but with a healthier squad it could be very do-able.
16. Carolina Panthers (3-2)
Previously #15 -
After a bad loss to the Cowboys, the Panthers lost in a heartbreaker to Philly this weekend. Dominating the entire game, the Panthers left the door a crack open going into the 4th quarter for the Eagles and then had their door blown off the hinges with Philly's wild late game magic. The Panthers look a little more like pretenders than they did a few weeks ago, but I still think they are a solid team. Their defense is still for real and probably a top 10 unit but they really need the return of CMC to boost the offense and take some pressure off of Sam Darnold. Despite two-straight losses, I think this team has a chance to fight for a wildcard berth down the stretch.
17. Chicago Bears (3-2)
Previously #22 +
Somehow, some way, the Bears continue to win games. They haven't been pretty, but the Bears are now riding a two-game win streak. Some of this credit can be given to rookie first-round QB Justin Fields who has started both games and played decently in both. He definitely has a lot to work on, including throwing the ball deep, but there is a lot of potential there. It was a big win against a pretty good Raider team this week and I don't know how far the Bears will be able to carry this, but for now we ride the wave with them!
18. Denver Broncos (3-2)
Previously #16 -
Even though they got to 3-0 against winless teams, I still thought these Broncos were finally for real. I was mistaken. After losing badly to the Ravens last week, they made it two straight with a loss to the lowly Steelers. I'm not sure what to make of this team. Their D is good, but not as elite as I thought it was. Their offense looks like it did last year again. Teddy B is better than Drew Lock, but appears to struggle pretty mightily when playing from behind. This team could finish 7-10 or even 10-7 and I wouldn't be shocked. Next week against the Raiders will be very telling for where this team stands.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)
Previously #12 -
20. Philadelphia Eagles (2-3)
Previously #23 +
Big win for the Eagles this week. I was about ready to shut the door on them completely going into the 4th quarter of their game in which they were down two scores, but somehow they came back and won it. Jalen Hurts is crazy. He played poorly the entire game and then turned it on in the 4th and propelled this squad to victory. As criticized as he is at times, he should be this team's franchise QB. He's showing the early signs in just his second year. I don't know how to feel about the Eagles right now, but this was a nice win for them to build off of. Also shoutout to DT Javon Hargrave who continues to rack up sacks and has 6 on the year.
21. Minnesota Vikings (2-3)
Previously #21
While they didn't deserve the win after getting pretty much outplayed by Detroit all game, they did end up winning. That's just how it is in the NFL sometimes. I don't think this talented team is playing up to it's potential yet which is exciting but in a close race, they can't afford to keep messing around. This defense needs to be better. The offense is humming but also needs a healthy Dalvin Cook back even though Alexander Mattison has been a great fill-in. Just like the Eagles, not quite sure how to rank this team right now and will need to see more coming.
22. New England Patriots (2-3)
Previously #19 -
After losing impressively last week, the Patriots won unimpressively this weekend. Down multiple scores to the Texans at one point, Mac Jones rallied his guys back and won the Pats this game near the end. This is a tough team to judge as they are so different on a weekly basis. They can hang with pretty much anyone but also can lose on any given Sunday to a terrible team. This isn't a playoff caliber team this year, but they should be back in the race by next.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3)
Previously #26 +
A much needed win for the Steelers came on Sunday in front of their home crowd. While Big Ben wasn't anything special, he looked much better than he had in the past few weeks. The defense resurfaced and shutdown the Broncos offense for much of the day. The bad news is WR Juju Smith-Schuster suffered a season ending leg injury. The world now braces for the upcoming Big Ben x Geno Smith showdown in Pittsburgh this coming Sunday night.
24. Washington Football Team (2-3)
Previously #17 -
Washington just can't seem to hit its stride. Everytime we think they are finally looking up, they disappoint us once again, which was the case in week 5. After an exhilarating win vs Atlanta last week, the high riding Football Team was worked by the Saints in a double digit loss. Taylor Heinicke has been a fun story and is a nice backup, but it is clear he is not this team's future franchise QB. He may find a role in the league similar to that of other Washington QB (who is out right now) Ryan Fitzpatrick. I had high hopes for this team entering the season, but with the once elite defense seemingly disappearing, this team is washed.
25. Atlanta Falcons (2-3)
Previously #29 +
Kyle Pitts finally showed up. The Falcons took some heat for going best player available with the 4th overall pick in this year's draft by selecting unicorn TE prospect Pitts out of Florida. He has all the talent in the world and was finally able to put it on display across the pond in London this weekend. Pitts had over 100 yards receiving and his first career NFL TD. Arthur Smith is finally getting this offense right and even the defense looked improved this week. We can't give them too much praise because it was against the Jets, but it's a building block for the next few weeks to come.
26. Indianapolis Colts (1-4)
Previously #24 -
Poor Carson Wentz and Colts fans. Going into the 4th quarter of Monday night's game vs the Ravens, the Colts looked like they were on their way to a major upset which would incidentally put them right back into the playoff race. Nope. The Colts blew a 16-point fourth quarter lead and lost in OT to Baltimore. A crushing loss. The Colts are still in the playoff race as they are lucky to be in the worst division in football, but they really can't afford to lose much more ground to the Titans.
27. Miami Dolphins (1-4)
Previously #25 -
Just like the Colts, the Dolphins are another 2020 playoff team that I thought would take the next step this year and didn't. They have been just so disappointing. They were blown to shreds by Brady and the Bucs this weekend and don't have much promise for the rest of the season. I hope they go out and get Deshaun Watson this off-season. This team is a QB and some good DTs away from Super Bowl contention.
Previously #30 +
After impressing the world for the first three quarters against the stout Patriots, they blew it in the fourth. The Texans looked really good for much of the game on Sunday but just couldn't finish out strong. Rookie QB Davis Mills deserves props. He was great all game long and showed some signs of potential. Aside from him and his 3 TD passes, the Texans have pretty much nothing else to be happy about after this draining loss.
29. New York Giants (1-4)
Previously #28 -
I'll cut them a little slack with the injury bug ravaging this team, but they still didn't look good for any of this game vs Dallas. Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, and Sterling Shepard are in danger of missing next week's game. The bright side for the Giants was rookie first rounder WR Kadarius Toney breaking out this weekend. The ever-elusive Toney caught 10 balls for 189 receiving yards and deserves a major role going forward.
30. New York Jets (1-4)
Previously #27 -
Every step forward that the Jets take they then take two steps back. They looked like they were getting somewhere last week with an upset victory over the Titans but then regressed back down to the dumpster with a loss to a bad Falcon team. Its a young team with a rookie HC, but they are not impressive.
31. Detroit Lions (0-5)
Previously #32 +
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5)
Previously #31 -
Urban Meyer's days have to be numbered already. He has been awful as the Jags HC. I don't have much to say other than this is undoubtedly the worst team in the league by far. Aside from stud RB James Robinson and potential future star QB Trevor Lawrence, they've got nothing going for them.
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