B/R Experts Week 7 NFL Power Rankings

If the NFL has taught us anything, it's that we know nothing. It's a lesson we learn again each and every week.

Six weeks into the 2026 campaign, the reigning Super Bowl champions are sitting at .500 after back-to-back losses. The preseason Super Bowl favorite is 2-4 after losing at home to a tomato can. Of the three teams to make it to 5-0, just one had a winning record a year ago. One playoff team from 2025 has yet to win a game.

Every team in both the AFC North and NFC North has a winning record after six weeks. Just two teams in the AFC South and NFC South combined do.

It's enough to make your head spin—and we're only a third of the way into the regular season.

Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have taken their Dramamine and are diving into the madness once more to separate contenders from pretenders and rank all 32 teams from worst to first.

ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN | NE | NYG | NO | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SEA | SF | TB | TEN | WAS

32. Miami Dolphins (0-5)

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Dolphins QB Malik Willis

Last Week: 32

Week 6 Result: Bye Week

The Miami Dolphins had a Week 6 bye, and we didn't change their ranking. On an encouraging note, the Dolphins battled the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals in one-score games, a step up from their double-digit blowout losses in Weeks 1-3.

In Week 7, Miami may field its young core of rookie receivers if Caleb Douglas has recovered from an ankle injury. Along with Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr., he could be the future of the Dolphins' pass-catching group. -- Moton

31. Los Angeles Chargers (0-6)

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

Chargers QB Justin Herbert

Last Week: 29

Week 6 Result: Lost at Kansas City 22-6

The Los Angeles Chargers entered 2026 with high expectations after back-to-back 11-win seasons. They head into the bye week one of two remaining teams in the league who have yet to win a game.

Simply put, the Chargers aren't doing anything well. Los Angeles ran the ball 22 times Sunday—for 73 yards. Justin Herbert barely cracked 200 passing yards and hsn't thrown multiple touchdown passes in a game yet this season. The offensive line is in shambles. No team in the league has turned the ball over more.

While addressing the media after the game, head coach Jim Harbaugh said changes are coming over the bye week.

"Definitely, offensively, we need to evaluate," he said. We need to look at it all — everything we're doing, how we're doing it."

I home embattled offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is renting. -- Davenport

30. Tennessee Titans (1-5)

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Titans RB Tony Pollard

Last Week: 31

Week 6 Result: Won at Indianapolis 26-20

The Tennessee Titans picked up their first win of the season on Sunday by taking advantage of the Indianapolis Colts' mistakes. However, Tennessee doesn't look like a team that is going to string together wins any time soon.

The Titans' next three games will come against teams that currently have a winning record.

It's just hard to pinpoint any one thing that the Titans do well. Cam Ward continues to underwhelm as an NFL starter, and he completed just 50 percent of his passes for 102 yards against a bad Colts defense. While Tennessee's defense has shown flashes of promise at times this season, it gave up 399 yards in Indy and isn't the sort of unit that will regularly take over games.

Tennessee will certainly welcome Sunday's victory, but it does little to suggest that Ward and head coach Robert Saleh are long-term answers for this franchise. -- Knox

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5)

AP Photo/John Raoux

Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka

Last Week: 28

Week 6 Result: Lost vs. Pittsburgh 26-19 (OT)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers played decent football with undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels under center, but they need Baker Mayfield back from a dislocated thumb to stack wins. According to NFL insider James Palmer, Tampa Bay may get him back for a critical NFC South showdown against the Carolina Panthers this week.

With one win against the sputtering Dallas Cowboys, the Buccaneers sit near the bottom of the power rankings, but Mayfield could help them move up with upcoming games against the Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons. -- Moton

28. Washington Commanders (1-3-1)

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

Last Week: 27

Week 6 Result: TBD

There's good news and bad news for the Washington Commanders.

The good news ahead of Monday night's road tilt is that even at 1-3-1, the team is still in the race in the NFC East. Every other team in the division lost in Week 6. The "leader" sits at 3-2-1. Win the game, and despite a slow start and another Jayden Daniels injury the Commanders would be in the mix in the division.

The bad news is that road trip is to San Francisco to face arguably the NFL's best team. A loss sends the team into the basement of the NFL's worst division.

And the 2026 season will be perilously close to coming off the rails. -- Sobleski

27. Indianapolis Colts (2-4)

AP Photo/Ian Walton

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor

Last Week: 23

Week 6 Result: Lost vs. Tennessee 26-20

The Tennessee Titans looked like one of the two worst teams in the NFL through the first five weeks of 2026. Somehow, the Indianapolis Colts were worse on Sunday.

Indy blew a 13-0 halftime lead and a legitimate shot to get to .500 against the previously winless Titans.

The Colts team we saw start 8-2 last season is a thing of the past, and it isn't coming back in 2026, if ever. Indy's defense, which came into Week 6 ranked 28th overall, continues to be a liability, and quarterback Daniel Jones is starting to become one.

Jones threw a pair of interceptions in scoring position against the Titans while completing just 22 of 42 pass attempts. Six weeks into the season, he looks less like the budding star we saw in 2025 and a lot more like the inconsistent quarterback the New York Giants gave up on two years ago. Injuries in the receiving corps certainly haven't helped, but Jones isn't even playing the game-manager role well enough.

The Colts are spiraling, and things could get worse with road games against the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars on deck. -- Knox

26. Arizona Cardinals (2-4)

AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett

Last Week: 29

Week 6 Result: Won at Los Angeles Rams 18-16

The Arizona Cardinals have looked like one of the league's worst teams over the past few weeks, but they stopped their four-game skid with an unexpected road win over the Los Angeles Rams.

The fact that Arizona pulled off the upset without star rookie running back Jeremiyah Love and after trading away wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. should catch the attention of future opponents. The Cardinals might not be a great team overall, but they have a collection of offensive skill players that can at least keep games interesting.

On Sunday, the offense was effective enough to retake the lead after Arizona lost it with just 47 seconds in regulation.

Are the Cardinals playoff contenders? Probably not, but the Rams may not be the last opponents they upset this season, either. -- Knox

25. New York Jets (2-4)

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Jets EDGE David Bailey

Last Week: 24

Week 6 Result: Lost at New England 26-19

Aside from a 23-12 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 4, the New York Jets have been competitive, but they're still not good enough to beat perennial playoff contenders. Gang Green's best win is against the AFC North-leading Cleveland Browns, a young team on the rise.

Rookie first-rounders Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. have had their breakout games. Now, they need to establish consistency to be key week-to-week contributors in the Jets offense. -- Moton

24. New Orleans Saints (2-4)

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Saints QB Tyler Shough

Last Week: 25

Week 6 Result: Won at New York Giants 34-27

The New Orleans Saints came close to putting together a statement game, but the New York Giants turned it into a fourth-quarter nail-biter. Saints fans shouldn't let head coach Kellen Moore off the hook yet. Keep him on the hot seat until the team plays complete games from start to finish.

Tyler Shough didn't take any sacks against the Giants, which is ideal for a quarterback playing with two broken bones in his non-throwing hand (h/t ESPN's Adam Schefter). New Orleans can gain some momentum with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris. If they pull that off, Moore would quiet his critics for now. -- Moton

23. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert

Last Week: 20

Week 6 Result: Lost vs. Carolina 25-14

Every NFL team is dealing with injuries. Though no squad has been bitten by the injury bug worse than the Philadelphia Eagles.  The team placed quarterback Jalen Hurts on injured reserve last week due to a blood clot in his calf. Philadelphia was down to its fourth running back Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith has been banged up this season. The list continues, but a team down or hobbled at quarterback, running back and wide receiver is a tough enough starting point. 

To make matters worse, Philadelphia's next three games are all against NFC East rivals. The Eagles' season could realistically be out of hand before the team even reaches its bye--especially with Hurts now done for the year. -- Sobleski

22. Dallas Cowboys (2-4)

AP Photo/Melissa Tamez

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

Last Week: 17

Week 6 Result: Lost at Green Bay 23-13

It was bad enough when the Dallas Cowboys' defense wasn't working. Now, the same can be said about the squad's previously potent offense. 

Against the Green Bay Packers, Dallas produced one explosive play in the passing game and none within the run game. Considering how much talent is found on that side of the ball, that level of performance is unacceptable, particularly when Dallas needs to play well offensively each week to counteract the team's defensive struggles. It's the second straight week an opponent held Dallas to 16 or fewer points after scoring 30 or more in three straight.  Fortunately, the schedule turns in Dallas' favor. The Philadelphia Eagles will still be without quarterback Jalen Hurts next Monday. The Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts follow and they both own losing records. Considering the state of the NFC East, the Cowboys aren't out of the mix even with their performance as of late. -- Sobleski

21. Atlanta Falcons (2-4)

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Falcons WR Bijan Robinson

Last Week: 21

Week 6 Result: Lost vs. Chicago 31-23

The Atlanta Falcons are coming off consecutive losses, though the good news is they showed the ability to play through a poor start with their passing game. Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. are the key playmakers for a run-first offense, but Michael Penix Jr. leads a respectable aerial attack.

If Penix stays healthy, Atlanta can overcome an 2-4 start. He elevates his pass-catching group, specifically wideout Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. in a balanced offense. -- Moton

20. New York Giants (3-2-1)

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Giants QB J.J. McCarthy

Last Week: 19

Week 6 Result: Lost vs. New Orleans 34-27

Head coach John Harbaugh finally had enough of the "Jameis Winston experience" and benched the New York Giants QB2 in favor of JJ McCarthy, whom the team acquired three weeks ago. 

Truthfully, this outcome was expected. Winston has always lived by Bruce Arians' "No risk it, no biscuit" mantra. The 2015 No. 1 overall draft pick can sling the ball all over the yard, but it's only a matter of time before he makes a critical mistake and throws it to someone wearing the wrong jersey.  McCarthy should be viewed differently, because his game brings the Giants closer to what Jaxson Dart could do. Granted, Dart's return to the lineup remains highly anticipated. Until then, McCarthy deserves a chance to see what he can do since the team knows exactly what it'll get from Winston on a week-to-week basis. -- Sobleski

19. Houston Texans (2-4)

AP Photo/Ian Walton

Texans QB C.J. Stroud

Last Week: 26

Week 6 Result: Won vs. Jacksonville 34-31 (London)

The Houston Texans didn't get their first win of 2026 until Week 5. They've now won two in a row and have reentered the AFC South picture with a victory over the rival Jacksonville Jaguars.

Houston's defense hasn't been nearly as dominant as it was a year ago. However, C.J. Stroud is playing at a Pro Bowl level and leads a balanced offense—when healthy—that will give the Texans a chance to win more often than not.

New wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had just three receptions for 34 yards in his Texans debut on Sunday, but he should help open up the passing attack.

Climbing out of a2-4 hole will be difficult, of course. However, Houston did exactly that last season and made it to the divisional round. This is a team that must be taken seriously moving forward, even if it is still chasing the early playoff field. -- Knox

18. Las Vegas Raiders (3-3)

AP Photo/John Locher

Raiders QB Kirk Cousins

Last Week: 18

Week 6 Result: Lost vs. Buffalo 33-30

Here's how most people expected this season to go for the Raiders. Kirk Cousins would open the season as the starter under center, but as the losses mounted the reigns in the offense would be handed to rookie No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

Well, the Raiders have indeed dropped three straight. But don't hold your breath waiting for Mendoza to get the keys. You'll turn blue.

For the second time in three weeks, the Raiders gave an AFC heavyweight all they could handle in Week 6. Cousins was a big reason why, lighting up the Bills for 313 passing yards.

It's going to come down to the Raiders' priorities. Once the team's unlikely postseason hopes have been dashed, then odds are we'll see Mendoza take over.

But given how feisty these Raiders have been to date, those playoff aspirations may be around a while longer than we thought. -- Davenport

17. Los Angeles Rams (2-4)

AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Rams DT Aaron Donald

Last Week: 10

Week 6 Result: Lost vs. Arizona 18-16

Rumors of the Los Angeles Rams being an unstoppable force were greatly exaggerated.

After rolling into the regular season with massive expectations, the Rams are 2-4 and sitting in the NFC West basement. It doesn't feel like their rough start to the season has been fluky, either.

The eventual return of Myles Garrett may not be enough to fix a leaky defense, and it will do nothing to address L.A.'s disastrous special-teams unit. While Matthew Stafford and the offense have been enough to keep the Rams in games more often than not, they could have a tough time doing that if Davante Adams' apparent non-contact injury proves to be significant.

Teams don't usually face must-win games in October, but next week's trip to Las Vegas could bring exactly that for the Rams. -- Knox

16. Detroit Lions (3-2)

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Last Week: 16

Week 6 Result: Bye Week

The Detroit Lions are one of the most Jekyll-and-Hyde teams in the league.

The offense has been lethally efficient—led by quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit is sixth in the league in total offense and leads the NFC at 32.8 points per game. You know that the Lions are going to score.

Unfortunately, you also know the Lions can't stop anyone from scoring. The Lions have been atrocious defensively—especially against the pass. Detroit entered Week 6 as the only team in the league allowing 400 yards of offense per game. The Lions are also dead last against the pass and have allowed just under 30 points per contest.

Given those defensive deficiencies, it's kind of difficult to imagine these Lions making a deep playoff run. Winning (or losing) shootouts every week will only get you so far. -- Davenport

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt

Last Week: 14

Week 6 Result: Won at Tampa Bay 26-19 (OT)

The Pittsburgh Steelers overcame a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to capture a victory in overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With each passing week, the Steelers discover more about their team. 

Previously, Pittsburgh realized its offense needed to run through running back Jaylen Warren. During Sunday's action, rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard emerged as a legitimate threat. Bernard caught 11 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown after coming into the contest with only 13 receptions.  Veterans bespeckle the Steelers lineup. This team is experienced enough to compete with any team on a weekly basis. Pittsburgh's lineup is far from perfect, but the coaching staff and its players continue to work through adversity, having won three of their last four games. -- Sobleski

14. Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Bengals QB Joe Burrow

Last Week: 17

Week 6 Result: Bye Week

Everyone understands the Cincinnati Bengals are built around quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Technically, the Bengals don't need a balanced offense when they can throw the ball all over the yard. But it would be beneficial if the squad could run the ball more effectively. 

Coming out of their bye, the Bengals are counted among the league's bottom five rushing offenses. Last season, Chase Brown posted his first 1,000-yard campaign. He hasn't been nearly as effective this fall, averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry. 

With the extra time to prepare for the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati should have placed an emphasis on getting its running game where it needs to be so the Bengals offense can become even more dangerous. -- Sobleski

13. Cleveland Browns (4-2)

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Browns WR Jerry Jeudy

Last Week: 17

Week 6 Result: Won vs. Baltimore 13-10

The Cleveland Browns have developed a formula, leading to the team's unexpected yet AFC North-leading 4-2 record. Really, it's rather simple. Cleveland needs to play top-notch defense for three-plus quarters before the team can hand the ball to Deshaun Watson and let the quarterback create a play when it's absolutely needed. 

Watson hasn't played particularly well this season. However, he's done enough, specifically in crunch time, to help his team establish a winning record. Despite the early success, this approach doesn't seem sustainable when the Browns eventually face the better teams. For example, Lamar Jackson wasn't in the Baltimore Ravens' lineup during Sunday's matchup. Fortunately, Cleveland's remaining docket looks rather manageable. In fact, the Browns face only one team with a winning record between now and the start of December. -- Sobleski

12. Green Bay Packers (4-2)

AP Photo/Mike Roemer

Packers QB Jordan Love

Last Week: 12

Week 6 Result: 23-13

The Green Bay Packers appear to be figuring out who they are.

The Packers haven't run the ball well at all this year, and that continued Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys—26 carries for 57 yards is…less than ideal. But for the second straight week the Pack carved up a defense with vertical passes. The score would have been that much more lopsided had their not been multiple drops, and quarterback Jordan Love told reporters the team has things to clean up moving forward.

"I want to make every throw," Love said. "I want these guys to make every catch. That's the expectation. Stuff happens. Drops happen. Obviously, I want those guys to make those plays, and we're capable of making those plays. But for me, it's got to be the next play mindset. You've got to move on."

The Packers need to smooth the rough edges quickly—Green Bay's next four opponents are all over .500. -- Davenport

11. Carolina Panthers (3-2)

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Panthers QB Bryce Young

Last Week: 13

Week 6 Result: Won at Philadelphia 25-14

The Carolina Panthers are the best team in the NFC South a third of the way through the regular season. Many won't praise them for beating the Philadelphia Eagles, who were without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts and star running back Saquan Barkley and fielded a reshuffled offensive line, though Carolina has been without its starting cornerbacks, Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, due to injuries.

The Panthers are proving last year's NFC South title wasn't a fluke. Bryce Young is playing his best football, with 11 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. They're a legitimate playoff team this year and are slowly climbing in our power rankings. -- Moton

10. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)

AP Photo/David Richard

Ravens RB Derrick Henry

Last Week: 7

Week 6 Result: Lost at Cleveland 13-10

The Baltimore Ravens whiffed on a major opportunity to take control of the AFC North after six weeks of play. Instead, they fell to 4-2 and third place. 

Cleveland couldn't do anything Sunday through the first three quarters of play. In fact, the Ravens generated more sacks than the Browns had first downs at that point. But a missed field goal by kicker Tyler Loop and a lost fumble by running back Derrick Henry during Baltimore's initial fourth-quarter possessions opened the door and Cleveland took advantage.  The Ravens hoped they could win two in a row without Lamar Jackson in the lineup. They failed to do so. Realistically, this same squad will be far better once Jackson is healthy and back on the field. -- Sobleski

9. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold

Last Week: 6

Week 6 Result: Lost at Denver 17-14

It's probably not fair to say that the Seattle Seahawks are suffering from a Super Bowl hangover. Rather, the defending champs are sitting at 3-3 because of two key issues.

Backfield injuries have prevented the Seahawks from running the ball effectively. As a team, Seattle has averaged just 3.9 yards per carry. This has allowed opposing defenses to focus on pressuring quarterback Sam Darnold, who has been the team's other issue.

With seven interceptions in less than five full games, Darnold has actively cost Seattle wins.

The Seahawks are now playing catch-up in the NFC West, though they have a pretty clear path to righting the ship. If Darnold can better protect the ball, and Seattle can get Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price healthy, the Seahawks will be a tough out for anyone. -- Knox

8. Chicago Bears (4-2)

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Bears QB Caleb Williams

Last Week: 11

Week 6 Result: Won at Atlanta 31-23

Last week, the Chicago Bears got their doors blown off by the Packers in Green Bay. With the return of quarterback Caleb Williams to the lineup in Week 6, they returned the favor in Atlanta.

It's not reflected in the final score, but this was a game the Bears led 31-7. Williams topped 300 passing yards in the win and missed on just six of 36 passing attempts. Williams told reporters after the win that he was glad to be back out there—but he has room to improve.

"I didn't know that I went 30 for 36, and so I've got to go obviously back and watch the tape," Williams said. "I missed a couple things."

When firing on all cylinders, these Bears have a ceiling as high any time in the league. But they need to be more consistent to be considered among the league's elite. -- Davenport

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

Last Week: 5

Week 6 Result: Lost vs. Houston 34-31 (London)

Jaguars cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter had his breakout game as a two-way player on Sunday. The Colorado product logged an interception, four catches, 59 receiving yards, and a touchdown. It was exactly the sort of game that the Jags envisioned when they traded up to take Hunter second overall.

Unfortunately, Hunter can't cover everyone, and Jacksonville's secondary is beginning to look like a problem. The Jags came into Week 6 ranked 27th in net yards per pass attempt allowed and 30th in passing yards allowed. They surrendered another 306 passing yards against Houston on Sunday.

Jacksonville features an elite run defense and boasts an offense that can match points with anyone when Trevor Lawrence is taking care of the football. That could be enough for the Jags to control the AFC South and push into the postseason with plenty of momentum.

However, it's fair to wonder if Jacksonville can corral top signal-callers in January. -- Knox

6. Denver Broncos (4-2)

AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan

Broncos QB Bo Nix

Last Week: 8

Week 6 Result: Won vs. Seattle 17-14 (OT)

Usually, a hard-fought victory over the defending Super Bowl champions would earn a team some kudos from the crew calling the game. But after a game in which he threw for just 107 yards, Denver's Bo Nix was put on full blast by Prime Video's Ryan Fitzpatrick.

"It's almost disrespectful to the quarterback position how he's playing football right now," Fitzpatrick said. "First of all, the guy doesn't want to throw the ball. That's fine. He's throwing to the flats, he's throwing behind, but he has no trust from his coach."

He said quite a bit more, but that just about sums it up.

There's no denying that Nix isn't playing especially well. He's also not getting any help from his run game—JK Dobbins carried the ball 17 times for 41 yards Thursday night.

Denver has plenty to work on as they get ready to head south to face the Arizona Cardinals. – Davenport

5. New England Patriots (4-2)

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Patriots QB Drake Maye

Last Week: 9

Week 6 Result: Won vs. New York Jets 26-19

After two losses in the first three weeks, the New England Patriots have rattled off three consecutive wins, and Drake Maye has his swagger back. Over the last three outings, he's thrown for 10 touchdowns and just one interception, with one of those contests a win over the rival Bills. 

Maye and newly acquired Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown have a lot to work on with their on-field connection, but they have time to get in sync. The duo will need to click in Thursday night's matchup against the high-scoring Chicago Bears. -- Moton

4. Buffalo Bills (5-1)

AP Photo/John Locher

Bills QB Josh Allen

Last Week: 4

Week 6 Result: Won at Las Vegas 33-30

The Buffalo Bills head into their Week 7 bye with only one blemish on their record: a three-point loss to the New England Patriots. So far, they've overcompensated for a leaky defense, which ranked in the bottom five in scoring and total yards entering Week 6.

During the off week, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard must address his unit and make some adjustments. On the other side of the Bills' bye, they could face a Lamar Jackson-led Baltimore Ravens squad and the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings. They'll need a well-rounded performance on both sides of the ball to beat those teams. -- Moton

3. Minnesota Vikings (5-0)

AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim

Vikings EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel

Last Week: 3

Week 6 Result: Bye Week

There isn't a more surprising team in the NFL this year (at least in a positive way) than the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.

Naysayers will point to a relatively easy schedule and offensive inconsistency as reasons why the Vikings aren't as good their record. But Minnesota's ultra-aggressive defense is absolutely legit—second in yards allowed, third against the pass, fifth against the run and first in points allowed.

Edge-rusher Andrew Van Ginkel told reporters the defense's strength lies in its versatility.

"Things are constantly changing," Van Ginkel said. "It could be changing game to game. It could be changing from series to series. It could be changing from play to play. It could be changing within the play."

That defense is going to be tested coming up—after facing the hapless Colts at home in Week 7, the Vikes take on two of the league's best offenses in the Lions and Bills. -- Davenport

2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and RB Kenneth Walker III

Last Week: 2

Week 6 Result: Won vs. Los Angeles Chargers 22-6

If the Chiefs make a deep playoff run this year (which appears more likely by the week), then the offseason acquisition of running back Kenneth Walker III may be the most impactful signing of free agency in 2026.

The addition of the MVP of Super Bowl 60 has added a new dimension to Kansas City's offense, and Walker had another big game against the Bolts Sunday—21 total touches, 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His 655 rushing yards for the season are the most ever over a player's first five games with a team.

In Week 6 at least, the absence of No. 1 wide receiver Rashee Rice didn't have a major impact. But Kansas City is about to hit the road to face Walker's old team in Seattle and the rival Broncos at Mile High.

Navigating that double-dip without taking loss No. 1 of the season short-handed won't be easy. But it's safe to say that if Kansas City ever left, it's back. -- Davenport

1. San Francisco 49ers (5-0)

AP Photo/Stephen Brashear

49ers QB Brock Purdy

Last Week: 1

Week 6 Result: TBD

Through five-plus weeks, the San Francisco 49ers have looked like the best team in football. That's unlikely to change on Monday night against the Washington Commanders.

San Francisco's defense has been playoff-caliber, its offense features a top-10 rushing attack, and Brock Purdy is playing at an MVP level. The big question is whether mounting injuries will eventually become too much, as was the case last season.

Deebo Samuel was the latest key contributor to go down, and he's expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury. It'll be interesting to see how Kyle Shanahan and the offense adjust against Washington. -- Knox