NFL Week 6 Power Rankings

I can’t be the only one who thinks Monday night double headers, or Tuesday Night Football, should replace Thursday Night Football, right? It makes the return of the work week so much more tolerable knowing there are still two games of the week remaining. But, I digress. Week 6 definitely didn’t disappoint as the landscape of the NFL continues to shift and re-form, with unexpected twists and turns coming every weekend.

Here are my Week 6 Power Rankings.

1. Seattle Seahawks (5-0)

The Seahawks had a bye, but the Kansas City Chiefs are right on their heals. For the Seahawks to stay atop the NFL they need to show more from their defense.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)

Monday evening’s game was somewhat disappointing. Though the scoreline isn’t particularly one sided, the game never really felt in doubt for the Chiefs. The offense ran all over the Bills’ defense, and they didn’t even have Le’Veon Bell to compliment the ground game. This game should be confirmation that bad weeks happen, and the Chiefs are still the team to beat in the AFC.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-0) +2

The Steelers put out a big statement on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Some of the gap may be due to the Browns not being as good as they seemed, but I think it’s more of a testament to the quality of the Steelers. Devin Bush’s injury is a big blow, but the rest of the team is playing so well they may be able to cover it up.

4. Tennessee Titans (5-0) +2

What more can be said about Derrick Henry? Despite knowing full well what the Titans want to do with him, you can’t stop him. He is such a threat every time he touches the ball. Ryan Tannehill is also proving last year wasn’t a fluke. He looks superb and is showing he can do whatever it is the Titans need him to do. Next week’s matchup with the Steelers is going to be a heavyweight fight.

5. Green Bay Packers (4-1) -2

Sunday was bad. There is no avoiding that, nor any excuses to be made. But, much like the Chiefs’ loss to the Raiders, or the Ravens’ loss to the Chiefs, I think you can chalk this game up to one team simply doing a better job in every facet of the game and preparation. I have no doubt the Packers will get back to winning ways and Rodgers will quickly move on from his disappointing game.

6. Baltimore Ravens (5-1) -2

There is plenty of work to be done over the next two weeks for the Ravens. Their bye week came at the perfect time as, though they sit at 5-1, there are clearly plenty of holes that need to be fixed. The offense has to find a way to get the ground game firing at the level it was last year, and the passing game has to find a way to be more dependable.

7. New Orleans Saints (3-2) +2

The Saints had a bye week and will get back on the field against the Carolina Panthers next week.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2) +5

What a win. More importantly, after the shambles that was their Week 5 loss to Chicago, the Bucs had zero penalties. Penalties really seem like the only real issue which could hold this team back as they have the pieces all over their team to be successful, so if they can replicate what they did against the Packers they’ll be a tough game for any team in the NFL.

9. Buffalo Bills (4-2) -2

The last two weeks, against two of the NFL’s best teams, have brought the Bills back down to earth quite emphatically. In back-to-back weeks Josh Allen has showed signs of regression, and the defense clearly has issues. The Bills are only one game ahead of the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East, and the Patriots could heat up at any time. Sean McDermott has to get this team straightened out.

10. New England Patriots (2-3) -2

There is no avoiding it, Sunday was not good for the Patriots. They should have been able to deal with the Denver Broncos, and the Titans’ success even after their struggles with COVID-19 make it hard to use that as an excuse for Bill Belichick and co.. However, every team is different and it is hard to imagine the best part of two weeks without practice for Cam Newton and the offense, while the Broncos had two weeks to prepare, was a significant part in the team’s struggles. The Patriots do desperately need help at receiver, though.

11. Las Vegas Raiders (3-2) +1

The Raiders had a bye and will look to stay hot against the Buccaneers next Sunday night.

12. San Francisco 49ers (3-3) +8

The 49ers look much more like the team which won the NFC on Sunday night. They’re not on that level yet, but they showed signs of being that team. Raheem Mostert's ankle sprain is a blow, but Jimmy Garoppolo looked much better, his set of weapons is awesome, and the defense is improving. Plus, pairing a healthy Richard Sherman (when he returns) with an in-form Jason Verrett will be a monumental boost.

13. Indianapolis Colts (4-2) +1

After last week’s loss to Cleveland, the Colts found their way back into the win column against the other team from Ohio, but they made it a lot harder than it needed to be. After significant struggles early on, the Colts were able to battle back from 21-0 down to win. Philip Rivers played much better, save a poor interception, and the defense came up big when they needed it. There ground game must improve, though.

14. Chicago Bears (5-1) +3

I’m just waiting to be burned by the Bears when they come up against an all-around good team, but for now they are 5-1 and are finding a way to overcome their biggest flaws. Most of that work is coming from the defense, which, to be fair, is once again one of the best in the league. Ultimately, if they keep winning games then it doesn’t really matter how it looks.

15. Los Angeles Rams (4-2) -5

Sunday night may have been a reality check for the Rams. They may be 4-2, but their four wins have come against the NFC East. They’re 0-2 in their division and there has been a considerable difference in how they've looked in their losses and wins. The Rams need a ‘prove it’ win against a good team to rise from the middle of the pack.

16. Cleveland Browns (4-2) -5

Maybe the Browns aren’t as legit as we thought. Sunday was a hot mess. The two best teams to play the Browns, the Ravens and Steelers, have beaten them a combined 76-13. Reportedly Baker Mayfield was playing hurt, but even a healthy Mayfield wouldn’t have made a difference. The Browns still clearly have a lot of work to do to compete with the NFL’s elite.

17. Arizona Cardinals (4-2) -1

Monday night was a great performance for the Cardinals, but considering the level of the opponent it is difficult to fully credit the Cardinals. They played very well, the offense when firing its cylinders is a nightmare to defend, and the defense was fast and stifling. Can they do it against the best, though?

18. Carolina Panthers (3-3) -3

Sunday’s loss to the Bears should not sit well. A tipped pick early on set the tone for an offense that made too many mistakes and let the Bears stick around. Yes, the Bears defense is going to create situations like that, but dropped passes, a fumble and two picks are never a recipe for success.

19. Miami Dolphins (3-3) +4

What a stretch for the Dolphins. The Fins completed their first shutout since 2014 and reached .500 – they’re just one game behind the Bills in the AFC East! The defense is playing very good football, and the offense, though not stellar, is clearly benefiting from strong defensive outings. It was also excellent to see Tua Tagovailoa on the field again.

20. Los Angeles Chargers (1-4) -1

The Chargers had a bye and it came at a good time. This is a talented team and they needed to get a few key players healthy. Plus, a bye week is the perfect opportunity for Justin Herbert to build on his strong start and come out even better. This team could upset a few teams after their break.

21. Denver Broncos (2-3) +4

The Broncos managed to steal a game from the Patriots. Drew Lock now has the title of having the lowest QB rating in a win (19.7) this season. It was a messy game but the Broncos took advantage of a misfiring, struggling Patriots offense and got a win.

22. Detroit Lions (2-3) +4

Sunday’s performance was a far cry from the rest of the season. They played with purpose and had an energy they hadn’t yet shown. Stafford pulled out his best on several throws, Kenny Golladay returned with a splash, and D’Andre Swift had what could be his breakout performance.

23. Philadelphia Eagles (1-4-1) -2

If you’d have tuned in to the Eagles game at the start of the fourth quarter you may have quickly turned it off expecting the game to be over. Instead it came down to just one play. The Eagles managed to find a way back into the game, but the loss was a fair result. This team could legitimately win the division with four or five wins, so long as they aren't struck with many more injuries.

24. Minnesota Vikings (1-5) -6

It will always bewilder me when a team plays a game like the Vikings did against the Seahawks, only to follow it up with the performance they had against the Falcons. The Vikings were dominated by a formerly winless team having just fired their head coach. They looked uninspired and Cousins again struggled when he was all the team could rely on.

25. Houston Texans (1-5) -3

If not for Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt this team would be abysmal. The defense is really bad, the Titans had their way with them. Watson played an excellent game but it still wasn’t enough because the team is lacking in so many areas.

26. Cincinnati Bengals (1-4-1) +1

Expectations are not high in Cincinnati, but Sunday’s loss to the Colts will be very disappointing. The team built a convincing lead and had big contributions from multiple players but still ended up losing. This team has so much work to do, and they really have to do everything they can to keep Burrow upright as much as possible.

27. Dallas Cowboys (2-4) -3

Dak Prescott is just a system QB? Any QB can put up points on this team when chasing a lead? Apparently not. Dak deserves whatever number he wants if Monday night is anything to go by. Andy Dalton had no time to think before getting pressured, Ezekiel Elliot couldn’t hold onto the ball, and the defense is a hot mess. What’s more, Mike McCarthy’s time away seems to have taught him nothing.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5)

I’ll admit, early this season I thought Gardner Minshew II was showing enough to let the Jaguars focus their attention on other parts of the roster, but his play has slowly deteriorated. I have no doubt he can be a great backup for a long time, but this certainly isn’t the roster for him to be successful.

29. Atlanta Falcons (1-5) +1

On Sunday the Falcons showed exactly the type of passing offense we all expected from them. Matt Ryan was sharp, Julio Jones was at his best, and Calvin Ridley and Hayden Hurst were excellent compliments. What’s more, they got an awful lot more from their defense in terms of big plays, picking off Kirk Cousins three times.

30. New York Giants (1-5) +1

The Giants won a game! In doing so they showed that, despite a torrid start to the season, they do have several pieces to inspire optimism for the future. Outside of that, though, this team is not going to consistently challenge this season.

31. Washington Football Team (1-5) -2

Whatever it is Ron Rivera is trying to do, I don’t think it is working. This team is not built to win games right now. At all. Regardless of who is under center. This is a bad team and his decisions at QB are confirming that.

32. New York Jets (0-6)

The only remaining winless team in the NFL. What a title. In fact, it is the perfect title for this team, and I expect them to keep it at least as long as Adam Gase is the head coach. At least ‘butt’ plays came somewhat full circle after Marcus Maye graced us with a butt-pick.

Cabache's Corner