NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Giants and Bears Rise, Cowboys in Freefall
After five weekends of football, there are no undefeated teams left.
This weekend brought the fall of the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs and more surprises, including losses by the Dallas Cowboys, who had won their last three games after a bye week, and the Green Bay Packers, who lost in overtime to the Washington Redskins.
Even the Oakland Raiders finally ended a 13-game losing streak against the San Diego Chargers.
With so many shockers this weekend, how does everyone stack up?
Let's find out. Here are the power rankings for Week 6.
32-23: The Bottom Ten
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32. San Francisco 49ers
At least there is a vote of confidence for this struggling team: Their owner thinks they can still make the playoffs.
31. Buffalo Bills
Ryan Fitzpatrick has been tearing it up with a potent passing game, no joke.
30. Carolina Panthers
New pick-up Devin Thomas will be a boost, but they’re still hurting all over.
29. Cleveland Browns
Welcome to the Peyton Hillis Show—that’s about all you’re going to get. You can try to ask for a refund since he didn’t show up this weekend.
28. Detroit Lions
First win of the season came at home against a Rams squad without Mark Clayton
27. Seattle Seahawks
Big debut this week is Marshawn Lynch
26. Minnesota Vikings
Favre showed up in the second half, but it wasn’t enough for the Vikes—Moss makes Percy Harvin much better.
25. Cincinnati Bengals
Hey, Cedric Benson showed up this weekend against Tampa Bay! If only he could do that all the time.
24. Dallas Cowboys
They continue to struggle with a big loss after their bye week—it’s really time to get their ground game going.
23. St. Louis Rams
With Mark Clayton, there was reason to be hopeful. With him out of the picture, Sam Bradford will be helpless.
22. Oakland Raiders
2 of 23
The Raiders showed up for their big interstate matchup against San Diego sans Darren McFadden.
If only they could get pumped up for their other matchups as much as they do for the Chargers, they could actually be a playoff team!
21. Denver Broncos
3 of 23
If it wasn’t for Kyle Orton, this team would be a whole lot worse. He connected with Brandon Lloyd twice this weekend, and the team still lost.
They have a big glaring weakness—they’re desperate for a spark at the running back position.
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20. Miami Dolphins
4 of 23
In their two Monday Night football games the Dolphins were close against the Jets but were embarrassed by the Patriots.
They might luck out this weekend if Aaron Rodgers sits out with a concussion.
Henne needs to learn how to consistently make use of his receivers not named Brandon Marshall.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars
5 of 23
It’s really a very good thing that the Jags are 3-2, yet Maurice Jones-Drew only has a TD to show for this season.
Once he picks up the pace, look out—this Jacksonville team could surprise you.
18. Arizona Cardinals
6 of 23
After an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the San Diego Chargers, 41-10, they bounced right back with a big win.
The Cardinals defeated the defending Super Bowl champs 30-20.
Even though their passing still wasn’t clicking, their defense came up with a pick-six when it mattered.
Maybe Max Hall is just luckier than Derek Anderson.
17. San Diego Chargers
7 of 23
A big deflating loss to the Raiders this weekend sends their stock plummeting after allowing a season-high 27 points on defense.
They lead the league in passing yards and should make a quick recovery against an ailing St. Louis squad. With Antonio Gates carrying most of the receiving workload, it was nice of Malcom Floyd to finally show up.
16. Philadelphia Eagles
8 of 23
Kolb is in, Vick is out. With Vick out, there’s just less excitement all around.
But you don’t have to be flashy to get the win, just steady. Kolb proved that this weekend.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9 of 23
The young Bucs are showing plenty of guts. They took down a gang full of veterans in the Cincinnati Bengals.
Pleasant surprises all around.
14. Houston Texans
10 of 23
Schaub’s arm must be getting tired from all of the work he’s been getting. It’s not going to get any better with Arian Foster getting shut down.
Hopefully for them, it was just an off week for the league’s top rusher.
13. Green Bay Packers
11 of 23
Down goes Aaron Rodgers, down goes Jermichael Finley, down goes Donald Lee. Who else is missing? Oh right, starting running back Ryan Grant went down earlier this year.
All those injuries just may cause the Packers the season.
12. Washington Redskins
12 of 23
What a big win for Mike Shanahan and crew against the Green Bay Packers.
Don’t you just see him somehow leading this team to the playoffs in his first year back as a head coach?
11. Tennessee Titans
13 of 23
The Titans are good—but not many people want to admit it. Their pass defense picked Romo three times, although they also let him throw the ball for 406 passing yards.
Chris Johnson’s running can cover up for their shortcomings while they work out the kinks.
10. Kansas City Chiefs
14 of 23
Even though they lost, those scrappy Chiefs hung in there. They even held Peyton Manning without a touchdown pass for the game.
Can they keep this up for the rest of the season? It’s time for Matt Cassell to throw the ball downfield.
9. New Orleans Saints
15 of 23
Heartbreaking loss for the Saints. Just when we thought Brees would lead them on a game-winning drive, he did his best Brett Favre impersonation and gave up a game-changing interception.
It’s all good Drew—as far as everyone is concerned you’re still a family man.
8. Chicago Bears
16 of 23
Jay Cutler is back this weekend, but the Bears looked pretty good without him. His absence may have been a blessing in disguise. At least they finally got their running game going with a breakout performance from Matt Forte.
If they ever get Culter and Forte going at the same time, this team will be dangerous.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
17 of 23
Their defense makes them good. Roethlisberger’s return only makes them even better.
Both team and Roethlisberger should be more than motivated this weekend.
6. Atlanta Falcons
18 of 23
That’s four wins already for the Falcons this season.
Matt Ryan wasn’t at his best but Michael Turner looked much better this weekend since his return from injury.
If that’s the case, it could only get better for the Falcons.
5. New England Patriots
19 of 23
The Moss trade got rid of a locker-room distraction. The Branch trade brought back a locker-room leader.
There’s less talent now at the receiving position. However, Belichick always brings out the best in his players.
4. New York Giants
20 of 23
Eli’s number one target, Hakeem Nicks, is now on the verge of becoming a star. Will he fade, or will he continue to shine? That’s arguably a big key to the Giants’ season.
Their defense has been impressive. First they held back the Bears and Jay Cutler last weekend, and this weekend Matt Schaub and Arian Foster became their victims.
3. Indianapolis Colts
21 of 23
Peyton wasn’t at his best, but they still came away with the win. Garcon is back, and they’ll be even more dangerous as the rest of the Colts recover from injuries.
This is a team that knows what they need to do to make the playoffs.
2. Baltimore Ravens
22 of 23
Their top-ranked pass defense gave up over 300 yards to Kyle Orton. But don’t despair, Ravens fans, the running game literally carried the team to a win.
This Ravens squad can do a lot of damage from every which way.
1. New York Jets
23 of 23
Darelle Revis and friends locked Farve down for the first half of the game, and their pass defense came away with a big interception to seal the win.
Sanchez is showing poise and maturity, and Braylon Edwards has been more than solid this year. Factor in the veteran contributions of Dustin Keller and LaDainian Tomlinson and this team could go far.
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