New teams enter top 10 following losses by Cowboys, Chargers
The New Orleans Saints and Philiadelphia Eagles faced some early-season adversity and both have emerged in fine fashion, along with the Green Bay Packers, who seem to have found their form in their new system. Here are our NFL power rankings heading into Week 6:
1. New England Patriots (5-0): They clearly deserve top spot. But Tom Brady getting sacked season-high four times Sunday, mounting injuries show even they’re vulnerable. 2. New Orleans Saints (4-1):
Teddy Bridgewater is now attacking deep. The defense has elevated. Alvin Kamara isn’t being overused. Drew Brees will return fresh. Things couldn’t be much better after five weeks.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1): Talent is undeniable, but so are emerging weaknesses — Pat Mahomes’ ankle, receivers and their timing getting disrupted and defense bludgeoned for 569 rushing yards over last three weeks.
4. Detroit Lions (2-1-1): If season ended today, they’d make playoffs. But with next two against Packers and Vikings, time for Detroit to prove it has staying power.
5. Green Bay Packers (4-1): Green Bay’s only 1,000-yard rusher since 2010? Eddie Lacy. NFL TD leader Aaron Jones bringing depth to previously one-dimensional attack.
6. San Francisco 49ers (4-0): NFC’s final undefeated squad further legitimized after crushing Browns in rookie Nick Bosa’s coming-out party (2 sacks, forced fumble, fumble recovery).
7. Philadelphia Eagles (3-2): They’ve earned share of first place atop NFC East, but it could be tough to keep with next three on road at Minnesota, Dallas and Buffalo.
8. Buffalo Bills (4-1): No team west of Foxborough playing better defense. With three in a row at home after bye, they could easily extend start to 7-1.
9. Minnesota Vikings (3-2): A get-right game was nice, but no team throwing less often. How does that jibe with diva tendencies creeping into Mike Zimmer’s locker room?
10. Chicago Bears (3-2): Who would’ve guessed Khalil Mack would suffer disappearing act against Oakland? Offense not good enough to survive even minor defensive lapse.
11. Seatle Seahawks (4-1): MVP drumbeat for Russell Wilson is legitimate and deserved. But don’t forget 4-1 Seattle just a few unlucky bounces from being 1-4.
12. Indianapolis Colts (3-2): Justin Houston got the revenge in Kansas City that Khalil Mack could only dream of. Now it’s time for Indy to heal up following impressive win.
13. Dallas Cowboys (3-2): After feasting on Division II foes early in season, they draw D-III Jets on Sunday. But wobbling ‘Boys likely won’t enjoy any homecomings after that.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3): They’re tough – G Alex Cappa didn’t miss snap despite broken arm Sunday – and tough to beat. But league’s worst pass D getting them beat.
15. Los Angeles Rams (3-2): Aaron Donald has one sack. Todd Gurley isn’t among league’s top 15 rushers. Jared Goff isn’t among top 25 rated passers. Is this sustainable?
16. Baltimore Ravens (3-2): Lots to like here, but they may also be AFC’s version of Cowboys – fattening up on JV competition before struggling against varsity.
17. Carolina Panthers (3-2): Only one player (Chris Johnson) in NFL’s 100 seasons has exceeded 2,500 yards from scrimmage. Christian McCaffrey on pace for nearly 2,800.
18. Houston Texans (3-2): Only Russell Wilson playing more efficiently than Deshaun Watson (115.9 rating). That will be tested at K.C., Indy over next two weeks.
19. Oakland Raiders (3-2): Good pass rushers are hard to find, Coach? Oakland got four sacks Sunday... most since 2015 when Khalil Mack didn’t have one of them.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (2-3): They’re below .500 at this point for fourth time in last five years. They didn’t overcome any of those previous starts to reach playoffs.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3): Second-year WR DJ Chark Jr. has been overshadowed by Gardner Minshew but is also one of league’s surprises, leading AFC with 5 TD grabs.
22. Tennessee Titans (2-3): Special teams have given them problems all season. Tough as Tennessee is, not a good enough team to overcome missed FGs and muffed punts.
23. Cleveland Browns (2-3): Nine first downs and 180 yards? Four turnovers? Three points? Did Hue Jackson sneak back into the building?
24. New York Giants (2-3): Given mothballed QB Eli Manning’s penchant for slaying Patriots, don’t you have to put him back in just for this week?
25. Denver Broncos (1-4): Apparently #FakeNews is now infiltrating the NFL, this weekend’s most ridiculous rumor being the one that had Von Miller on trade block.
26. Atlanta Falcons (1-4): Want just one snapshot that something is amiss here? TE Austin Hooper has more catches (34) and receiving yards (363) than Julio Jones.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-4): Who could have guessed they might rue that early season trade of backup QB Joshua Dobbs to Jacksonville?
28. Arizona Cardinals (1-3-1): Maybe redub offense “Ground Raid”? It apparently works much better when Arizona runs ball (season-high 266 yards in Sunday’s win).
29. Cincinnati Bengals (0-5): Speaking of running the ball, Cincinnati really doesn’t ... and hasn’t had a rush go for more than 18 yards this season.
30. New York Jets (0-4): Brutal in Sam Darnold’s absence. Offense is averaging fewer than 180 yards per game and just 14.3 yards per drive. M-E-S-S, mess, mess, mess.
31. Washington Redskins (0-5): Advice to Jay Gruden? Grab a beer – maybe invite Trent Williams – and celebrate yeoman’s work after keeping this organization relevant for most of your tenure, making Kirk Cousins a star and lasting as long as you did in a volatile environment.
32. Miami Dolphins (0-4): Football gods serving up an opponent in even more turmoil than Fins with ’Skins headed to Miami. Now we find out if tanking is real. (USA Today/TNS)
On TV: NFL Week 6: Sunday: Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings (live on METV at 8 p.m.); San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (live on METV at 11 p.m.); Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets (live on Sport5+Live at 11:30 p.m.); Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Chargers (live on Sport5 at 3:30 a.m.). Monday: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (live on Sport5 at 3:30 a.m.).