Texans rocket into top 5, while Cowboys tumble from top half

All of you who saw the San Francisco 49ers as one of the two remaining

undefeated teams (along with the Patriots) after six weeks please stand up. As usual, the season hits its core with plenty of surprises. Here are our pre-Week 7 rankings:

1. New England Patriots (6-0):

Defense already has 14 INTs, three more than even Baker Mayfield. Should be lots of possession changes when Bake comes to Foxborough in two weeks.

2. New Orleans Saints (5-1):

When you’re getting a shoutout from the Pope – intentional or not – sure seems like you’re in midst of a season that could prove special.

3. Green Bay Packers (5-1): Unheralded guys like Jamaal Williams and Allen Lazard stepped up in key spots to propel banged-up Pack to 5-1 start. Sign of a very formidable team.

4. San Francisco 49ers (5-0): Despite 5-0 start, Jimmy Garoppolo has been uneven. Once he’s had more time to grow with unfamiliar receivers, Niners could really flourish.

5. Houston Texans (4-2): They’ve won four of five and are suddenly keeping Deshaun Watson clean and upright. Might they be New England’s primary challenger in AFC?

6. Kansas City Chiefs (4-2): Not only are they allowing nearly 200 rush yards per game over last month, no defense has allowed more first downs. What’s Mahomes supposed to do?

7. Minnesota Vikings (4-2): They’ve won three of four, and Kirk Cousins has seven TD passes, one INT and a 121.0 QB rating in that time. What was everyone spun up about?

8. Seattle Seahawks (5-1): Russell Wilson is on his way to bypassing Aaron Rodgers as highest-rated QB ever. MVP front runner has been 100plus in every game of 2019.

9. Buffalo Bills (4-1): Coming out of bye, their next three are at home, none against opponent with a winning record. Very good chance Buffalo ends up around 11 or 12 wins.

10. Detroit Lions (2-2-1): Detroit was mere seconds away from claiming first place in NFL’s toughest division. Instead, Lions get sunk by mental errors and bad calls – feel free to send officials a hefty fine in a FedEx envelope this week, Trey Flowers.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3): Turnovers telling tale of this team. When Philly has two or more, it hasn’t won. But limit giveaways to one or fewer, and Iggles 3-0.

12. Carolina Panthers (4-2): Kyle Allen has won in Arizona, Houston, Charlotte and London this season. The big question now is, has he permanently won Cam Newton’s job?

13. Oakland Raiders (3-2): Speaking of “Browns” Oakland signed in 2019, Derek Carr recently said, “My favorite Brown was obviously Trent.” Josh Jacobs likely agrees.

14. Chicago Bears (3-2): Coming out of bye, club currently just outside playoff picture hits brutal stretch with just two of final 11 opponents currently below .500.

15. Indianapolis Colts (3-2): Coming out of bye, club currently just outside playoff picture hits crucial stretch with four of five at Lucas Oil. First up, the Texans.

16. Baltimore Ravens (4-2): Lamar Jackson has already staked claim as one of most devastating running QBs ever. He’s on pace to rush for 1,227 yards, which would smash Michael Vick’s record (1,039 yards) for a passer.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4): Per Bruce Arians, Jameis Winston “has a habit of trying to be Superman” following his six-turnover day. Lotta kryptonite.

18. Los Angeles Rams (3-3): Since end of 2018 regular season, Jared Goff hasn’t thrown more than two TDs in a game, and his passer rating has exceeded 85 just once.

19. Dallas Cowboys (3-3): Troubling aspect of latest loss was Zeke Elliott’s solid day. First time Dallas has lost in 13 games when RB’s posted 150 or more yards from scrimmage.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4): Rookie LB Devin Bush pretty clearly worth draft day move, already owning league-high six takeaways – which is more than seven NFL teams.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4): Minshew Mania hit a wall on Sunday as rookie QB turned in worst performance of season – by far. Nothing a visit to Cincinnati shouldn’t fix.

22. Cleveland Browns (2-4): Does Baker Mayfield have more commercials (seemingly infinite) or INTs (NFL-high 11)? Will likely be inversely proportionate moving forward.

23. Denver Broncos (2-4): Offense has been steadily fading over past three weeks, but defense has picked up pace with 12 sacks and six takeaways over same stretch.

24. Los Angeles Chargers (2-4): Poor Bolts, playing in front of sea of Steelers fans – at “home” – on Sunday.

25. New York Giants (2-4): Even while severely undermanned, they gave Pats all they could handle for three quarters. One game back, don’t count G-Men out of NFC East race.

26. Arizona Cardinals (2-3-1): Look who’s on a mini win streak. However most compelling angle around this team now is whether they’ll trade reinstated Patrick Peterson.

27. New York Jets (1-4): Even inspired to win by Sam Darnold’s return, they still have fewest yards, first downs and points per drive of any team. Next up? The Pats in prime time.

28. Tennessee Titans (2-4): Welp, they’re tied for fewest turnovers in league. It’s about only nice thing you can say about an offense that’s otherwise completely disappeared.

29. Atlanta Falcons (1-5): Don’t blame this on Matt Ryan, who has NFLbest 15 TD passes and can become first player to start season with seven straight 300-yard passing days.

30. Washington Redskins (1-5): They fire their coach but won’t search for Jay Gruden’s replacement until after the season? Sure, why not squander the truly significant advantage of a midseason termination – it’s the Redskin Way.

31. Cincinnati Bengals (0-6): How about this stat to perfectly explain their league-worst 0-6 record – Cincinnati getting outrushed by 128 yards a week.

32. Miami Dolphins (0-5): They’ve generated just two turnovers – one-third of what Pittsburgh’s Bush has managed alone. But they make up for it by collecting just five sacks... which is fewer than seven players. (USA Today/TNS)

On TV: NFL Week 7: Sunday: Oakland Raiders at Green Bay Packers (live on METV at 8 p.m.); New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears (live on METV at 11:15 p.m.); Baltimore Ravens at Seattle Seahawks (live on Sport5+Live at 11:30 p.m.); Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys (live on Sport5 at 3:20 a.m.). Monday: New England Patriots at New York Jets (live on Sport5 at 3:15 a.m.).