National Football League

NFL Power Rankings: Week 6

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:01 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after a play in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Power Rankings going into week six are headed by the only undefeated team in the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings. Being the only stand out team has the rest of the NFL vying to knock them out of the top spot. 

The NFL Power Rankings for this week have most of the teams sitting pretty even with a 3-2 record or a 2-3 record. A select few have one loss and only one team is currently without a win. This week saw the come back of Tom Brady after his suspension and the Panthers play without their star quarterback Cam Newton.

Atlanta took down both Superbowl contenders from a year ago in back to back weeks with a dominating offense. The Eagles rookie quarterback threw his first interception and suffered his first loss. The Jets and 49ers continued to struggle falling to 1-4. The Redskins won their third straight trying to keep up with the top teams of the NFC East.

While Dallas continued to impress with their dynamic rookies and the Chargers suffered their third straight loss. Week six kicks off with a division clash between the Denver Broncos and the San Diego Chargers where both teams have something to prove.

This week the teams will try to continue to pull away from the rest of the pack or right their season. Who knows by the conclusion of week six there might be a new number one team.

Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) throws against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Giants 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

1. Minnesota Vikings – 5-0 – The Vikings have shocked all of the NFL after loosing their quarterback and star running back. Sam Bradford has taking over and giving this team what they need to continue to win. It also helps when the defense gives up the fewest points per game in the NFL. In week five they remained perfect with a 31-13 victory over the Texans sending them into their bye week.

2. Atlanta Falcons – 4-1 – The Falcons have taken down the Superbowl contenders of last season in back to back week. Against the Panthers Matt Ryan aired out the ball with the help of Julio Jones’ 300 yard receiving game. Last week the Falcons used the run game to hand the Broncos their first loss on the season. The Falcons have a versatile offense and will look to continue to expose defense. We will find out if this team is for real this week when they come up against the Seattle Seahawks.

3. New England Patriots – 4-1- After suffering their first loss of the season in week four the Patriots welcomed back Tom Brady for their match up against the Cleveland Browns. Brady led the Patriots to a 33-13 victory looking like he hasn’t missed a beat. The Patriots looked like they were back to their old form but they were playing Cleveland. We will see if the Patriots can continue to dominate against the Cincinnati Bengals.

4. Denver Broncos – 4-1- The Denver Broncos suffered their first loss of the season last week against the Atlanta Falcons. Before the loss the Broncos were showing signs of being a better team then they were a year ago. Don’t mistake their loss as a sign the Bronco are in trouble. Trevor Siemian is questionable for Thursday nights game after sitting out last week due to an injury. Paxton Lynch started his first game last week suffering a 23-16 loss. This week the Broncos meet with their division rival the San Diego Chargers.

Oct 9, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs with the ball against Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) and Rey Maualuga (58) in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Cowboys beat the Bengals 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

5. Pittsburgh Steelers – 4-1 – With Le’Veon Bell back in the mix the Steelers offense has huge play making abilities. Last week the Steelers trampled over the New York Jets exposing their faults. The Steelers defense held the Jets scoreless in the second half and the offense aired out the ball taking advantage of the absence of Darrell Revis. This week the Steelers come up against the struggling Miami Dolphins.

6. Dallas Cowboys – 4-1 – When the Cowboys lost Tony Romo before the season started no one expected them to be where they are going into week six. This team is being run by two rookies , quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. Last week the Cowboys continued to impress holding the Bengals scoreless until the fourth quarter. This week the Cowboys will be put to the test against the Green Bay Packers.

7. Philadelphia Eagles – 3-1 – The Eagles got off to a hot start with their rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. Wentz came out not throwing an interception in his first three games. Last week the Eagles lost by one point to the Detriot Lions. They had a chance to pull out a victory but Wentz threw his first interception in the game suffering their first loss of the season. The Eagles look to bounce back this week against the Washington Redskins.

8. Seattle Seahawks – 3-1 – Coming off a bye week the Seahawks hope to come back healthy. Russell Wilson was playing with an injured ankle and with a week of rest he should be back at full strength. This week the Seahawks face off with a team they have had problems with in the past. Pete Carroll and the Seahawks are 1-3 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Tim Hightower (34) jumps between Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) and defensive tackle Stacy McGee (92) in the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

9. Buffalo Bills – 3-2 – The Bills lost their first two games of the season not how they wanted to start the season. Since then the Bills have defeated the Arizona Cardinals, Patriots and LA Rams. Rex Ryan has found a way to fix the problems they started the season with. The defense is improving every game and posted a shut out against the Patriots. Up next for the Bills is the San Francisco 49ers where the Bills can grab their fourth win of the season.

10. Green Bay Packers – 3-1- Monday night the Packers struggled on offense but their defense stepped up.Still they were able to pull out a 23-16 victory over the New York Giants. Eddie Lacey is questionable for Sunday. If Lacey doesn’t play the Packers will struggle even more on offense. The Packers have a hard game coming up against the Dallas Cowboys and will need all their starters playing to defeat them.

11. Arizona Cardinals – 2-3- The Cardinals have gotten off to a slow start but they are capable of turning their season around. Carson Palmer was cleared to practice this week after missing last week due to a concussion. Last week without Palmer the Cardinals pulled out a 33-21 victory over the 49ers. This week the Cardinals play on Monday Night against the New Jets.

12. Oakland Raiders – 4-1- The Raiders have been lucky so far pulling out last second wins like last weeks victory over the Chargers. The Raiders give up the most yards on defense it is only a matter of time before that starts to hurt them. This week they will get tested against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Aug 26, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) talks with Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) on the sidelines against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

13. St. Louis Rams – 3-2 – Despite the tough loss last week to the Bills, the Rams are second in the NFC West. Once the Rams figure out how to get Todd Gurley II running everyone better watch out. This team is getting better every week. They are playing the Detroit Lions this week which should be a good game.

14. Carolina Panthers – 1-4 – Even though they lost three straight games, the Panthers get Cam Newton back this week after he sat out last week due a concussion. Newton has many weapons on the offense and once they get into their groove they will be hard to beat. Last week they lost on a game winning field goal by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They will look to rebound this week against the New Orleans Saints.

15. Washington Redskins – 3-2- After starting 0-2 the Redskins have won three straight games. Kirk Cousins has found ways to win. Last week the Redskins defeated their cross town rival. Playing against Baltimore is always a battle with both teams thinking about the win for weeks. This week they are facing their division foe the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are in second place in the division and the Redskins are looking to knock them out of that spot.

 16. Baltimore Ravens – 3-2- The Ravens have lost two straight games after starting 3-0. The offense doesn’t have any deep threats and they released Justin Forsett. The defense is containing offenses keeping them out of the end zone but the offense is having trouble producing. Up next the Ravens face the New York Giants.

Oct 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) reacts after a failed fourth down conversion during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

17. Cincinnati Bengals -2-3- The Bengals are off to their worst start in a few years. In their last game they were held scoreless until the fourth quarter. With weapons like AJ Green the Bengals should be finding the end zone more often. In order to get to .500 on the season the Bengals will have the tough task of trying to defeat the Patriots.

18. New York Giants – 2-3- The Giants have lost the last three games after starting 2-0. The Giants have a lot of weapons on offense and if they utilize their three wide receivers they will be able to get back on track. Sitting at the bottom of the NFC East the Giants have their work cut out for them. They look to fix their mistakes and get back to the way they started the season this week against the Ravens.

19. Houston Texans – 3-2- The Texans are sitting on top of the AFC South and should be able to win their division. The Texas lost last week to the Vikings. This week they will come up against the struggling Indianapolis Colts. The Texans defense took a hit when they lost JJ Watt for the season. That is a huge void to fill in order to continue winning.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2-3- The Buccaneers pulled out a last second victory over the Panthers last week giving them their second victory. This week the Buccaneers have their bye week. The week off gives Doug Martin more time to heal his hamstring. The Buccaneers sit in second place of their division and in order to stay on the top they are going to need Doug Martin healthy.

Sep 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid attempts to call a timeout during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

21. Kansas City Chiefs – 2-2 – Coming off their bye week the Chiefs hope to stay in the running in the AFC West. This week they play against the 4-1 Raiders. With Jamaal Charles back this should be a brand new offense. Charles is a threat and messes up any defensive scheme if he is at full strength or not.

22. New York Jets – 1-4- The Jets have lost three straight games. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been throwing a lot of interceptions lately but if he can get out of his way this offense can get back to making big plays. Eric Decker is going to have season ending surgery but they still have Brandon Marshall. The Jets play the Cardinals on Monday Night. With both teams needing to win this promises to be a good game.

23. Detroit Lions – 2-3- The Lions handed the Eagles their first loss last week. The Lions pulled out a 24-23 victory claiming their second win. The Lions are hoping that momentum carries into their next game against the Rams.

24. San Diego Chargers – 1-4 – The Chargers have no problem scoring a lot of points. They have been on the unlucky end of close games this season. The Chargers lost in the final seconds last week to the Raiders. Sitting on the bottom of the AFC West and have a lot of work to do to climb their way back to the top. This week they play on Thursday night against a good Denver Broncos team.

Oct 2, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker Antonio Morrison (44) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) during game 15 of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

25. Indianapolis Colts – 2-3- The Colts got their second win last week against the Bears. They have been struggling so far this season. The Colts can put up points but they need their defense to stop their opposition.  The Colts will try to build on their win against the Houston Texans this week.

26. New Orleans Saints – 1-3- Last week the Saints had a bye and they come into this week against the Panthers. Both teams need to win to stay alive in the NFC South. The Saints will come into this game looking to salvage their season and stay alive in their division.

27. Tennessee Titans – 2-3- The Titans are currently in second place in the AFC South after defeating the Miami Dolphins last week. This week they come up against the Cleveland Browns. The Titans will try to get to .500 this week and stay in the second spot in their division.

28. San Francisco 49ers – 1-4-  The 49ers are implementing a change coming into week six. They are starting quarterback Colin Kapernick in hopes of keeping their season alive. Last week the 49ers lost to the Cardinals in a battle. This week this come in hoping to have a different outcome against the Bills.

29. Miami Dolphins – 1-4- The Dolphins have lost two straight games. They are tied for last place in the AFC East. They won’t have it easy this week against the 4-1 Steelers.

30. Chicago Bears – 1-4- The Bears are showing signs of improvement with Brian Hoyer at quarterback. Last week they lost to the Colts but were able to put up 23 points. This week they play the Jacksonville Jaguars.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars – 1-3- The Jaguars had a bye last week. They have lost three games which is surprising considering the weapons they have on offense. Their defense was supposed to be good this season also. After a weeks rest they look to come in and get a win against the Bears.

32. Cleveland Browns – 0-5- The Browns can’t find a way to win. They came close against the Redskins but couldn’t hold on to their lead. Last week they come against Tom Brady and had no chance. This week they hope to end their loosing streak against the Titans.

More from With the First Pick

This article originally appeared on

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League