NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Which Teams Are Most Difficult to Rank?

To say that the NFL Week 5 was crazy and contained a lot of unexpected outcomes would be a huge understatement. Several teams jumped up and pulled off upsets, while others disappointed and continued to sink down my power rankings rapidly.

The San Diego Chargers barely sneaked out of Denver with a win, as they continued to look uninspired. Though the Bolts are now 4-1, they have beaten teams with a combined record of 4-15.

And in none of those games have the Chargers looked like a team with much of a chance to compete for an AFC title.

San Diego currently boasts the sixth-best offense in the NFL, averaging 416.2 yards per game, but the team's defense ranks fifth, allowing 293.2 yards per game.

The problem for the Chargers has been actually scoring the ball. With Antonio Gates sidelined for weeks with a foot injury and receiver Vincent Jackson hobbled with both abdominal and leg injuries, San Diego has had trouble actually putting the ball in the end zone.

The Chargers' record has them at No. 6 in this week's rankings, despite how unconvincing they have been thus far.

While the Chargers have looked awful and still winning, the Atlanta Falcons have looked awful while losing.

On Sunday night the Falcons blew a 14-0 lead and lost to the Green Bay Packers 25-14, to drop their record to 2-3.

Despite a litany of offensive talent—like quarterback Matt Ryan, receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones, tight end Tony Gonzalez and running back Michael Turner—the Falcons currently rank 19th in total offense, averaging 338.4 yards per game. Atlanta ranks 24th in total defense, allowing a 383.4 yards per game.

Both of those numbers are incredibly disappointing for a team that was expected to be one of the top teams in the NFC.

I still think the Falcons have the potential to turn things around, so they are still in my top 15. But if they suffer another disappointing loss it could mean they fall much, much further.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 6*
 

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

*Unranked: Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears (playing Monday night)