NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Which Teams Are in Andrew Luck Sweepstakes?

A theme we're going to hear throughout this season amongst the NFL's worst teams is about the opportunity to drafted Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick in next April's NFL draft. Many have dubbed him the best quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning, with some thinking he may even be better overall. Of course, that makes Luck a tremendous catch for the team that finishes the 2011 season with the worst record.

There are plenty of teams still in the running, however:

23. Seattle Seahawks

I have to credit the Seahawks for winning a game against the Giants that very few people predicted them to, and they did it without Tarvaris Jackson for the second half. But don't get me wrong, the Seahawks still have a mess at the quarterback position. That limits their potential to win anything more than five or six games, which should keep them in the hunt for Luck. However, it looks as if the Seahawks have enough talent to ensure the No. 1 pick isn't going to Seattle. 

26. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have been one of the more unlucky teams during the first five weeks of the season, and they realistically could be above .500 had they played better in some of the second halves in 2011. Getting that first win off their shoulders must be a huge relief, too. The Vikings still have major question marks, however, including at the quarterback position. If Donovan McNabb continues to play poorly, they'll be in the running for the top pick. At that point, they'd have a big decision to make, considering they took Christian Ponder in the first round last April. 

27. Denver Broncos

Tim Tebow gave the Broncos a spark on Sunday, but this team needs a lot more than that to win football games. Denver gets a bye week to figure out what they want to do at the quarterback position, but this is a team that has limitations both offensively and defensively. And you can't realistically think that John Elway isn't just salivating over the chance to pick Luck, the quarterback of his alma mater, can you? 

28. Jacksonville Jagaurs

The Jaguars look headed for another lost season, but they'd have to see some serious deficiencies in Blaine Gabbert to pull the trigger on Luck. 

29. Arizona Cardinals

If the Cardinals play as poorly as they did in the first half against the Vikings, they'll undoubtedly be picking first come April. But after investing so much in Kevin Kolb—be that wise or unwise—the Cardinals would be hard-pressed to take Luck No. 1 overall.  

30. Miami Dolphins

To me, the Dolphins represent the best fit for Luck, and they certainly are doing their best to ensure they'll have a chance at him. Miami should be cleaning house within the organization, but the team has some pieces in place that could make for a quick turnaround with Luck aboard. It's hard to see Miami winning more than three or four games this season, which puts them in the drivers seat for the No. 1 pick.  

31. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts' second half collapse ensured they'd remain winless in 2011. The overall play of quarterback Curtis Painter against the Chiefs was encouraging, but the Colts still don't have a long-term option behind Peyton Manning. It'd be interesting to see if the Colts took Luck No. 1 if they had the chance. He could learn behind No. 18, then take over when Manning was done. That creates a tough situation internally, but the Colts would be playing with fire by not taking him. 

32. St. Louis Rams

No team has looked worse through five weeks than the Rams, but they invested a No. 1 pick in Sam Bradford a year ago and won't be in the running for Luck. 

Full Week 6 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (5-0)	17. New York Jets (2-3)
2. Detroit Lions (4-0)*	18. Atlanta Falcons (2-3)
3. New Orleans Saints (4-1)	19. Chicago Bears (2-2)*
4. New England Patriots (4-1)	20. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)
5. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)	21. Philadelphia Eagles (1-4)
6. San Diego Chargers (4-1)	22. Cleveland Browns (2-2)
7. Buffalo Bills (4-1)	23. Seattle Seahawks (2-3)
8. San Francisco 49ers (4-1)	24. Carolina Panthers (1-4)
9. Houston Texans (3-2)	25. Kansas CIty Chiefs (2-3)
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)	26. Minnesota Vikings (1-4)
11. Oakland Raiders (3-2)	27. Denver Broncos (1-4)
12. Washington Redskins (3-1)	28. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4)
13. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)	29. Arizona Cardinals (1-4)
14. New York GIants (3-2)	30. Miami Dolphins (0-4)
15. Tennessee Titans (3-2)	31. Indianapolis Colts (0-5)
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)	32. St. Louis Rams (0-4)

*Plays on Monday night