Breaking down the NFL’s Week 6 power rankings. There are plenty of risers and fallers, so make sure to drop your thoughts and feedback in the comment section!
No. 10: Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys made a statement in their ugly win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5. They played hard and squeaked out a tough win against one of the NFL’s best defenses. It was a team effort, with players grinding and making plays on both sides of the ball. QB Dak Prescott made his mistakes but flexed his clutch muscle in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
No. 9: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost a heart-breaker on the road against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 5, however, the explosiveness of their offense was once again on full display. The Bucs are loaded with playmakers and Baker Mayfield is playing a top brand of football. In an NFC South that is wide open for the taking, Tampa Bay looks primed to make a run.
No. 8: Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are 3-2 and only getting better now that star QB Jordan Love has returned from his knee injury. He is developing an elite connection with WR Jayden Reed, and the Packers’ offense is rolling. The Packers are emerging as a force in a competitive NFC North.
No. 7: Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills were the top team in the power rankings at one point this season. But it’s been a rough couple of weeks for the Bills with back-to-back losses bringing their record down to 2-2. Buffalo’s collapse in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans in Week 5 was embarrassing and highlighted the edge that other top AFC teams have over the Bills right now.
No. 6: Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels’ NFL career is off to a historic start as he’s led the Washington Commanders to a 4-1 record. They’re winning the NFC East and aiming to run away with the division as the rest of their rivals struggle. If Daniels can keep this up, the Commanders might be a dangerous team when the postseason rolls around.
No. 5: Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions had the week off in Week 5 but are still lurking as one of the top teams in the NFC. They are led by one of the NFL’s best head coaches, have a suffocating defense, an elite group of playmakers, and a quarterback coming off a perfect performance in Week 4. The Lions entered the season as Super Bowl contenders, and not much has changed after five weeks.
No. 4: Baltimore Ravens
After a slow start to the season, the Baltimore Ravens have surged back to re-establish themselves as one of the best teams in the NFL. Lamar Jackson is reminding everyone why he is a two-time MVP with his recent three-game stretch of dominance. Pairing him with RB Derrick Henry always felt unfair and it’s looking that way as the Ravens’ offense grounds and pounds the team to wins.
No. 3: Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud is a superstar and the Houston Texans are one of the best young teams in the NFL. They beat the Super Bowl-contending Buffalo Bills in Week 5 to firmly establish Houston as a team to beat down the stretch of the season. Injuries are starting to pile up for the Texans, though, so it will be interesting to monitor how they weather that storm.
No. 2: Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are the biggest surprise of the season so far with former journeyman quarterback Sam Darnold emerging from the ashes to lead his team to a 5-0 start. Darnold looks like an MVP candidate. Head coach Kevin O’Connell looks like the Coach of the Year. Their defense is a suffocating unit, and their offense might have the best group of playmakers out of any team in the NFC. The Vikings are legitimate contenders.
No. 1: Kansas City Chiefs,
Somehow, some way, the Kansas City Chiefs just keep finding ways to win. Patrick Mahomes is not playing at his usual standard of excellence, but he and the Chiefs have rolled their way to a 5-0 start. The Chiefs’ defense is among the best in the NFL, and the offense is bound to turn on the heat at some point this season. Until proven otherwise, the reigning champions remain the NFL’s team to beat.