NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Ravens on Top, Panthers at The Bottom, and More

1.Baltimore Ravens: 4-1, First AFC North

The ground game looks back on track after Ray Rice’s big afternoon on Sunday. With Joe Flacco looking calm in the pocket and the defense very strong as well, they could be considered the early AFC favorites.

2.New York Jets: 4-1, First AFC East

Although Mark Sanchez came back down to earth, the defense continues to look like one of the best in all of football. With a strong running game, this team is set up for sustained success.  

3.Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-1, Second AFC North

They’ll have Ben Roethlisberger back at the helm coming out of the bye week, and early reports are that he looks as good (if not better) than ever. The defense has been lights out and they’ll take on a Colt McCoy-led Browns team this week. Look out.

4.Atlanta Falcons: 4-1, First NFC South

The Falcons have proven that they’re a legitimate threat to emerge as the NFC South champion and have looked very strong thus far in the season. The defense is much improved and Roddy White is enjoying a spectacular season.

5.Chicago Bears: 4-1, First NFC North

The Bears beat down the Panthers this weekend despite a 6.3 passer rating from fill-in starting QB Todd Collins. That should tell you the effect Julius Peppers has had on this defense, and Mike Martz’s use of Matt Forte is reminiscent of a young Marshall Faulk.

6.Indianapolis Colts: 3-2, T-First AFC South

The Colts probably weren’t anticipating having the same record as Jacksonville through the first five weeks, but it’s a four-way tie in the AFC South. Peyton Manning and crew should pick up some momentum after a grind-it-out victory against KC, but the defense is a legitimate concern.

7.New York Giants: 3-2: T-First NFC East

After a rocky beginning to the season that had some calling for Tom Coughlin to be fired, the G-Men have come out with impressive back-to-back victories against Chicago & Houston. With the defense looking like it did a couple of seasons ago, this is a team on the rise.

8. New England Patriots: 3-1, Second AFC East

Despite a much-questioned Randy Moss trade and a still suspect defensive unit, the Patriots offense shouldn’t be doubted as long as Tom Brady is at the helm. They’ll be extra motivated to prove to everyone that they can win regardless of personnel.

9.Green Bay Packers: 3-2, Second NFC North

There is a disturbing trend in Green Bay and it’s the Packers’ inability to finish out games. After blowing a late lead that resulted in a loss, this banged up Green Bay squad is going to have to pick up the play after suffering a slew of injuries.

10.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3-1, Second NFC South

The comeback kid? QB Josh Freeman seems to have a flair for the dramatic and pulled out another tight victory this week against Cincinnati. Despite a lackluster run game, the passing game is performing well enough to compensate.

11.Philadelphia Eagles: 3-2, T-First NFC East

Kevin Kolb actually looked very good in his start against the 49ers, so as long as he can continue to produce while Vick remains sidelined, the Birds should be just fine. As long as Vick is sidelined, LeSean McCoy (ribs) must stay on the field.

12.Kansas City Chiefs: 3-1, First AFC West

Despite a loss to the Colts this week, the Chiefs are clearly a team on the rise in a big way. With the defense playing very well and the ground game picking up, the Chiefs could very well continue to surprise.

13.Washington Redskins: 3-2, T-First NFC East

After an impressive come-from-behind win against Green Bay, Coach Shanahan is starting to turn some heads. While the success may not last through the entire season, stranger things have happened.

14.Houston Texans: 3-2, T-First AFC South

Inconsistency is a term often associated with the Texans and for good reason. Looking explosive at times and abysmal at others, the Houston team will have to find a middle ground and hope the secondary stops giving up the big play.

15.Tennessee Titans: 3-2, T-First AFC South

Coming off of a very impressive win at Dallas, the Titans are looking to prove that they’re legitimate contenders. While they are certainly playing well, they’re going to have to fight their way through a very competitive division.

16.San Diego Chargers: 2-3, T-Second AFC West

Philip Rivers is putting up big numbers, but his defense isn’t exactly helping him out. With rookie RB Ryan Mathews failing to make the big splash that so many predicted, the Chargers find themselves in an unfamiliar spot.

17.Miami Dolphins: 2-2, Third AFC East

A bye week should help them brush off some of the bumps and bruises, but Chad Henne’s play will have to be a whole lot better if they hope to be competitive at all.

18.Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-2, T-First AFC South

After an impressive win against the Colts in week 4, the Jags followed it up with another impressive win against the Bills in week 5. Despite playing so well currently, they still won’t win more than seven games.

19.New Orleans Saints: 3-2, Third NFC South

After losing to the Cardinals, the Saints look absolutely lost right now. Struggling badly without a running game, this team needs Reggie Bush back badly, but even that may not help.

20.Minnesota Vikings: 1-3, Third NFC North

Maybe Brett Favre should’ve stayed home this season. Although Randy Moss had a big impact in his first game and AP continues to be the best RB in football, the Vikes are already in trouble of missing the postseason.

21.Oakland Raiders: 2-3, T-Second AFC West

Give it up to Tom Cable and the Raiders; the boys from Oakland are playing well right now. Despite losing Bruce Gradkowski on Sunday, the team rallied behind QB Jason Campbell and the defense stepped up in a big way.

22.Denver Broncos: 2-3, T-Second AFC West

The Broncos will look to put up some impressive numbers in the coming weeks as they look to legitimize themselves in the standings. The injuries on the defensive side are rather concerning, and the running game is anything but strong.

23.Dallas Cowboys: 1-3, Fourth NFC East

Tony Romo might have thrown for over 400 yards, but the porous Cowboys defense got shredded by the Titans. This team is in serious turmoil.

24.Arizona Cardinals: 3-2, First NFC West

Despite an impressive victory over the Saints, the long-term success of this team is in serious doubt with rookie QB Max Hall at the helm.

25.Cincinnati Bengals: 2-3, Third AFC North

Carson Palmer continues to look atrocious and the Bengals are already a disappointment.

26.Seattle Seahawks: 2-2, Second NFC West

A bye week should give the Seahawks plenty of time to integrate new running back Marshawn Lynch into the offense. Unfortunately, it won’t solve the problem of Matt Hasselbeck’s declining skills.

27.St. Louis Rams: 2-3, Third NFC West

Mark Clayton is out for the year, which will certainly hurt the passing game, and the defense looked absolutely lost in a thrashing at the hands of the Lions on Sunday.

28.Detroit Lions: 1-4, Fourth NFC North

The Lions continue to have injury problems as now star WR Calvin Johnson’s shoulder could keep him sidelined for a couple of weeks. This team needs Matt Stafford and Megatron on the field at the same time to have a real chance of sustained success.

29.Cleveland Browns: 1-4, Fourth AFC North

The Browns have played some competitive contests, but the injuries at the quarterback position are really going to hurt.

30.San Francisco 49ers: 0-5, Fourth NFC West

The 49ers have lost two straight very tough games, and Coach Mike Singletary is going to stick with Alex Smith despite the rough start. One thing is for sure, there is no lack of confidence in the organization after President Jed York said, “We’re going to win the division”.

31.Buffalo Bills: 0-5, Fourth AFC East

There’s little positive to say about the Bills right now, but at least they’re giving it 110% every week. They just don’t have the talent.

32.Carolina Panthers: 0-5, Fourth NFC South

Time to blow it up and start from scratch. This team looks awful.