NFL Power Rankings Week 6
1. Kansas City Chiefs 5-0
Alex Smith has really shown that he can be a leader and even a top 10 QB in this league taking the Chiefs to the only NFL team left that is undeafeated left. Hunt has been an impressive rookie this year boosting them to the success they have had.
This week: vs. Steelers, a rematch with a chance for revenge
2. Green Bay Packers 4-1
Aaron Rodgers doesn’t disappoint us as he still is one of the best QB’s that this league has ever seen. Even missing to Tackles on the offensive line he still dashes incredible passing games with Nelson, Cobb and Adams.
This week: at Vikings, only their second division game
3. Carolina Panthers 4-1
Cam Newton and the Panthers are looking impressive, very close to the championship season they had a couple of years removed from the Super Bowl. Newton needs to keep performances like the past two weeks against the Patriots and the Lions.
This week: vs. Eagles, a battle of new NFC heavyweights
4. Philadelphia Eagles 4-1
Carson Wentz is fearless, tough, athletic and strong. The Eagles are soaring the NFC East. Philadelphia is here also because it's so strong on both fronts, making up for its back-end defensive weaknesses.
This week: at Panthers, when Carson gets to duel Cam Newton
5. Denver Broncos 3-1
The Broncos haven’t had the best season to start but the defensive continues to be one of the most dominant teams in the league. Siemian continues to impress week by week. Broncos can continue to make a run if they get the equal play on both sides of the ball.
This week: vs. Giants, an offense their defense should now dominate
6. Atlanta Falcons 3-1
They got a chance to let Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu heal a bit during the bye week, and at the same time, it was key for Matt Ryan to get out of his slump. Health is the key factor for the Falcons this year if they can stay healthy they can continue to be dominant like what they did last year.
This week: vs. Dolphins, a game made for the Georgia Aquarium
7. New England Patriots 3-2
Tom Brady and the Pats looked human after all this past week against the Bucs. He didn’t have his stellar performance like how he is normally used maybe because Gronk was out of the lineup for the game. They still managed to win the game but could get it going with these upcoming weeks.
This week: at Jets, rivals who shockingly share the same record
8. Seattle Seahawks 3-2
Russell Wilson shows us that he is a fighter and a leader of this Seahawks team. Leading them to another victory the Seahawks are soaring higher lately especially with the “legion of boom” they are looking to heat up and continue their winning ways.
This week: A bye, when they'll hope to get healthier overall
9. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-2
The Steelers are looking shaky this year especially from the offensive side. There has been multiple miscommunication plays and Antonio Brown looks very frustrated with the team’s offense. Le’von Bell also needs to start producing for this team if they want to make a run these upcoming weeks.
This week: at Chiefs, a real early AFC playoff gut check
10. Detroit Lions 3-2
Just when it looked like the Lions had turned the corner into consistent playoff power, they swerved in Ford Field. They'll hope that defense just hit a slump, and what happened against Carolina isn't a permanent bump.
This week: at Saints, a site of some tough playoff memories
11. Los Angeles Rams 3-2
Jared Goff and Todd Gurley were bound to come back to earth against a legitimate defense, but they show a lot of positive signs from the loss to Seattle which was a much-improved Rams defense of its own. The Rams will need to be a better complementary team to emerge as a playoff contender.
This week: at Jaguars, a coast-to-coast battle of upstarts
12. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-2
Leonard Fournette has really taken over for the Jaguars this year and looks to continue his running success against the Rams but might be a tough matchup. Jalen Ramsey has looked very sharp on defense and continues to grow into a top cornerback in this league. The key to staying on top in the AFC South will be a steadier Blake Bortles and a sturdier run defense.
This week: vs. Rams, trying to live up to Seattle East
13. Buffalo Bills 3-2
They lost a tough one at Cincinnati, but their defensive grittiness didn't go away on the road. Now Tyrod Taylor will need to lean even more on LeSean McCoy with go-to guy Charles Clay down for a long time. Can they find another player to step up and fill in the shoes? Consistency is what the Bills need.
This week: Bye, before back-to-back at home
14. Washington Redskins 2-2
The Redskins have shown flashes of what they can be but inconsistency is not going to help especially as the NFC East has been inconsistent other than the Eagles. A steadier play from Kirk Cousins could help the Redskins take it to the next level.
This week: vs. 49ers, when Cousins reunites with Kyle Shanahan
15. Minnesota Vikings 3-2
Case Keenum was needed again to get them back on track in Chicago, and he got help from their newest supersub, Jerick McKinnon. The loss of Dalvin Cook is a major loss but the Vikings have depth in the RB position. The defense still is the most reliable asset for Mike Zimmer.
This week: vs. Packers, a team aspiring to return to Minnesota for February's Super Bowl
16. New Orleans Saints 2-2
The Saints have had some good recovery time after the London trip, and it should mean more things coming together for their young defense. Because of that development and Drew Brees, this team can't be forgotten to make things interesting in the NFC South. Also, have traded RB Adrian Peterson to Arizona which should keep Kamara in the starting spot and continue his impressive season.
This week: vs. Lions, where Staff and Brees will be dressed as No. 9s.
17. Baltimore Ravens 3-2
The Ravens have shown in a couple of plays some flashes of terrific play but still finding themselves what their DNA is on offense. Their defense is stellar and have always reflected as a defensive team but possibly Joe Flacco can find his mojo back in the upcoming weeks.
This week: vs. Bears, when birds meet beasts
18. Dallas Cowboys 2-3
The Cowboys are going through a rough patch at the moment. Unfortunately, the Elliot drama has affected his play because he has not looked the same as his rookie season. Dak Prescott has a lot of stuff on his shoulder as he continues to lead this team.
This week: A bye, when they might hear of Zeke's fate
19. Oakland Raiders 2-3
The Raiders have looked beatable but they might have good news this week as QB Derek Car could start this week and possibly get them over the hump as they just played the Broncos and the Ravens.
This week: vs. Chargers, when they'll try to rebound by the Bay
20. Houston Texans 2-3
Deshaun Watson pretty much needs to be spectacular throughout his rookie season now with no more J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus fronting a defense that now sorely lacks playmakers beyond Jadeveon Clowney. Watson needs every bit of his athletic skill and that of the players around him for Houston to be a playoff team.
This week: vs. Browns, what could have been for Watson
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-2
Jameis Winston continues to be inconsistent which could trouble the Bucs throughout the season. Health is a key factor for the Bucs if they can get healthy for their defense juggernauts that can help them for a playoff push.
This week: at Cardinals, from beach to desert
22. New York Jets 3-2
The Jets are winning meaningful games which is helping them stay along the AFC East. With impressive wins against the Jaguars and the Raiders the Jets are tied for second in the AFC East. The luck might run out sooner or later.
This week: vs. Patriots, a chance to really not "tank"
23. Cincinnati Bengals 2-3
A.J. Green has come alive as the centerpiece of the offense, and the Bengals are back to showing plenty of pulse in a suddenly tight AFC North. Still, there's nothing playoff team about their profile. Andy Dalton needs to be more consistent to help the Bengals continue their playoff seasons.
This week: a bye, when they'll need to work on that running game
24. Miami Dolphins 2-2
A home game brought another victory, even though it still wasn't pretty for Jay Cutler and the offense. They're teetering on exactly where they'll be at the end of the season, at. 500. Dolphins offense needs to improve dramatically if they want to defeat the high-powered Atlanta Falcons this week. Jay Ajayi needs to have a breakout game to boost his confidence back.
This week: at Falcons, a short trip through the southeast
25. Tennessee Titans 2-3
Matt Cassel won't help them win anything, so they had better hope Marcus Mariota can return after only one week out of the lineup. With an inconsistent defense, Mariota needs to play to lift everything in the offense.
This week: vs. Colts, a Monday night special
26. Arizona Cardinals 2-3
Carson Palmer playing in a one-dimensional offense is starting to take a toll on his 37-year-old body with all those hits taken behind shoddy protection. Could the trade for Peterson help Palmer release the stress and work load? Cardinals need to rebound big if they want to keep their season alive.
This week: vs. Buccaneers, a return for Dirk Koetter
27. Indianapolis Colts 2-3
Jacoby Brissett has been a blessing in plain sight with his confident throwing and running. The offense has plenty of pop with him to make up for not being able to stop much on the other side of the ball. Colts need some magic in order to compete this season too many defensive collapses and one-dimensional football.
This week: at Titans, where there is still no Luck
28. Los Angeles Chargers 1-4
Melvin Gordon made sure Philip Rivers got on the board with a victory. The Chargers have gone from the best winless team to the best one-win team. The Chargers have had tough luck this season. They are better than their record shows possibly this week we will see what the Chargers are made of this week against the Raiders.
This week: at Raiders, a must-win in the division
29. Chicago Bears 1-4
Mitchell Trubisky provided a good spark for the offense, and the defense keeps playing over its head despite being further shorthanded. Still, the overall results aren't good because of talent voids in critical areas. The Bears are definitely playing for the future and it looks bright if they can muscle some wins to give them some confidence.
This week: at Ravens, when Windy meets crabby
30. New York Giants 0-5
If there is any team with the worse luck it is the Giants now losing Odell Beckham Jr, and Brandon Marshall? The Giants have started off terrible and not sure it will get better from here and on.
This week: at Broncos, no break for shorthanded offense
31. San Francisco 49ers 0-5
Kyle Shanahan is coaching well enough to give the Niners a chance in every game. Some of the miscues the Niners have made they could easily have been 2-3 but inconsistency from Carlos Hyde the Niners are looking for a spark.
This week: at Redskins, an even longer trip than Week 5 in Indy
32. Cleveland Browns 0-5
Myles Garrett played and immediately looked like the real deal as a dominant defender. There is upside on the defensive side of the ball but the offense still looking like a novice. Could we see Kizer take the next step this week?
This week: at Texans, when Garrett meets Watson
