Power rankings
Who sits atop — and at the bottom — of the league entering this week’s matchups?
1. New England Patriots (6-0) | Last Week’s Rank: 1
The offense had a bad first half Sunday at FedEx Field, one week after a poor outing in Buffalo. But the Patriots got things going in the second half in the lopsided win over the Redskins, to the delight of the many New England fans in attendance. The defense continues to dominate.
2. New Orleans Saints (4-1) | Last Week’s Rank: 4
Drew Brees seems to be on a fast track to return from his thumb surgery. But if Teddy Bridgewater keeps playing like he’s playing, the Saints don’t need Brees to rush back. Bridgewater, with four TD passes in the win over the Buccaneers, showed that the Saints can trust him. Prior to that, Bridgewater’s job mostly seemed to be merely staying out the way.
3. Seattle Seahawks (4-1) | Last Week’s Rank: 5
Don’t forget about Seahawks QB Russell Wilson in the league MVP conversations. He was superb Thursday night against the Rams as Seattle kept itself in the running for supremacy not only in its division but in the entire NFC.
4. San Francisco 49ers (4-0) | Last Week’s Rank: 6
If there were lingering doubts about the Niners being a legitimate contender, they were put to rest with Monday night’s dominant performance against the Browns.
5. Green Bay Packers (4-1) | Last Week’s Rank: 11
The win at Dallas was impressive. The Packers allowed the Cowboys to get back into the game but were good enough and lucky enough at the end to apply the finishing touches. This is a very good all-around Green Bay team and it’s not difficult to envision the Packers going deep into the NFC playoffs.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) | Last Week’s Rank: 10
The Eagles have reassembled their season quickly and now are on at least even footing with the Cowboys in the NFC East.
7. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1) | Last Week’s Rank: 2
One loss is fairly meaningless in the bigger picture. But the Chiefs emerged from Sunday night’s defeat to the Colts with QB Patrick Mahomes limping on a bad ankle. There are questions now about the offensive line and the lack of a running game, and the offense suddenly seemed limited without the big-play ability of injured WR Tyreek Hill.
8. Buffalo Bills (4-1) | Last Week’s Rank: 12
The Bills rebounded from the loss to the Patriots to win at Tennessee. They perhaps were a bit fortunate, given the four missed field goals by the Titans. But being lucky is part of being good in the NFL, and the Bills continue to make the case that they’re for real.
9. Baltimore Ravens (3-2) | Last Week’s Rank: 15
The win in Pittsburgh, marred by the illegal hit by Earl Thomas that injured Steelers QB Mason Rudolph, steadied the Ravens after their loss at home to the Browns. They remain the team to beat in the AFC North.
10. Indianapolis Colts (3-2) | Last Week’s Rank: 23
The defensive performance Sunday night in Kansas City was remarkable, especially considering it came without LB Darius Leonard and two injured safeties. The victory underscores what an excellent coach Frank Reich is.
11. Houston Texans (3-2) | Last Week’s Rank: 20
The drubbing of the Falcons has things looking up again for the Texans, who could emerge as the AFC’s thirdbest team after the Patriots and Chiefs.
12. Carolina Panthers (3-2) | Last Week’s Rank: 16
The Panthers continue to fare far better with Kyle Allen at QB than they did with Cam Newton in the lineup. n and dynamic RB Christian McCaffrey can carry them.
13. Los Angeles Rams (3-2) | Last Week’s Rank: 7
The Rams have some major regrouping to do following the loss Thursday night in Seattle.
14. Dallas Cowboys (3-2) | Last Week’s Rank: 9
Things have come unglued quickly for the Cowboys, who seemed capable a few weeks ago of running away with the NFC East.
15. Oakland Raiders (3-2) | Last Week’s Rank: 22
Jon Gruden has the Raiders looking much improved in Year 2 of his return to coaching.
16. Chicago Bears (3-2) | Last Week’s Rank: 3
Chase Daniel’s performance in the loss to the Raiders was Trubisky-like, with two interceptions.
17. Detroit Lions (2-1-1) | Last Week’s Rank: 19
The Lions return from their bye as a viable contender, at least for now, in a tough NFC North.
18. Minnesota Vikings (3-2) | Last Week’s Rank: 24
Apology accepted? After Kirk Cousins said he was sorry to Adam Thielen, he finally resembled the quarterback the Vikings thought they were getting when they handed out that hefty contract.
19. Cleveland Browns (2-3) | Last Week’s Rank: 8
So much for the big victory in Baltimore.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) | Last Week’s Rank: 13
Losing in New Orleans can be forgiven.
21. Los Angeles Chargers (2-3) | Last Week’s Rank: 14
The Chargers remain ahead of the Broncos in the rankings and in the AFC West standings even after losing to them.
22. New York Giants (2-4) | Last Week’s Rank: 17
The performance in the loss to the Vikings showed that Daniel Jones is subject to the normal ups and downs of a rookie QB.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3) | Last Week’s Rank: 18
The Jaguars have seemed content, so far, to allow CB Jalen Ramsey to stay off the field while they have refused to accommodate his trade request.
24. Tennessee Titans (2-3) | Last Week’s Rank: 21
25. Denver Broncos (1-4) | Last Week’s Rank: 27
26. Arizona Cardinals (1-3-1) | Last Week’s Rank: 28
27. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-4) | Last Week’s Rank: 25
28. Atlanta Falcons (1-4) | Last Week’s Rank: 26
29. New York Jets (0-4) | Last Week’s Rank: 29
30. Cincinnati Bengals (0-5) | Last Week’s Rank: 30
31. Washington Redskins (0-5) | Last Week’s Rank: 31
32. Miami Dolphins (0-4) | Last Week’s Rank: 32