NFL Power Rankings: Detroit Lions and the Top 5 Teams in League

The top five teams in the NFL's Week 6 power rankings are as follows:

5. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens had a bye in Week 5, but they remain in the driver's seat in the AFC North and have head-to-head wins with the Steelers and Jets. Baltimore faces a Texans team in Week 6 that will be without star pass-rusher Mario Williams.   

4. New England Patriots

The Patriots have recovered from their Week 3 hiccup in Buffalo with wins over the Raiders and Jets, and it wasn't just on the arm of Tom Brady. New England has rushed for over 325 yards during that stretch, and the defense had its best showing of 2011 against New York. If the Patriots can be multi-faceted on offense and continue to improve on the defensive side of the ball, they'll be a fixture in the top five for the rest of the season. 

3. New Orleans Saints

The Saints haven't exactly been impressive in beating the Jaguars and Panthers in back-to-back weeks, but wins are wins and the Saints have the top spot in the NFC South all to themselves. Drew Brees continues to be near automatic in the clutch, as he rallied the Saints back in the final two minutes on the road in Carolina. They'll get a chance to further their lead in the South when they take on the Bucs this weekend. 

2. Detroit Lions

If there was any doubt about the validity of the Lions' start, they were erased Monday night as Detroit dominated the defending NFC North champion Bears. The Lions controlled the line of scrimmage and had Jay Cutler on the run all night. They also finally showed a capacity to run the football late in games. They're going to be a tough out at home this season and beyond. 

1. Green Bay Packers

The Packers came back in championship style Sunday night as they rallied on the road from a 14-point deficit without both their starting tackles to stun the Falcons. Green Bay simply doesn't win that game early last season. Aaron Rodgers is the hottest player in the game and he shows no signs of letting up. The Packers have winnable games against the Rams and Vikings before their bye, which might heat up the undefeated talk. 

Full Week 6 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (5-0)	17. New York Jets (2-3)
2. Detroit Lions (5-0)	18. Atlanta Falcons (2-3)
3. New Orleans Saints (4-1)	19. Chicago Bears (2-3)
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)