NFL Power Rankings Week 6: San Diego Chargers and More Teams That Are Unproven

In the final game of Week 5, the Detroit Lions moved to 5-0 for the first time since the 1950s. In the process, they addressed many of the doubts people had about whether or not they are for real.

In the coming weeks, a handful of other contending teams in the NFL will have to follow the Lions' fine example. If and when these teams do, we're going to have a much better idea of who the league's true contenders are.

If they do not, their hot starts will likely be all for naught.

Now that we've gotten things all nice and foreboding, let's take a look at four top teams that still have something to prove.

4. San Francisco 49ers (No. 10)

Last week, I regarded the 49ers as a cute bunch of overachievers who wouldn't stay in the spotlight very long.

Then they went out and manhandled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They now have my full attention, and they should have yours too.

We're only five weeks into the season, but I think it's clear that the 49ers are the favorites to win the NFC West. However, if they want to show that they are for real, they must win a game on the road against a legitimately good team. Emphasis on "legitimately."

A win on the road against Detroit this weekend will do the trick quite nicely.

3. Houston Texans (No. 11)

Every year, we get all uppity and talk about how this will finally be the Texans' year. They inevitably respond by going "pluh."

After watching them lose to the Oakland Raiders, I have my doubts about the Texans. They're definitely better, but they're similar to the 49ers in that I need to see them beat a good team.

And no, I'm really not so sure the Pittsburgh Steelers count.

Also, just like the 49ers, the Texans have a chance to make a statement this coming weekend. They will hit the road to take on the Baltimore Ravens, who are a very good team. Beat them, and any and all concerns will fall by the wayside.

2. Washington Redskins (No. 8)

What are the Washington Redskins?

To be honest, I'm not really sure. I know they're 3-1, and I know they've played some surprisingly good defense this season, but I just can't tell whether or not they're pulling our legs.

There are two things I would like to see the Redskins do: The first is score more than three touchdowns in one game on offense, and the other (surprise, surprise) is beat a legitimately good team.

Because this weekend's tilt with the Philadelphia Eagles doesn't count, I guess the Redskins will have to do that in Week 8 at the Buffalo Bills.

1. San Diego Chargers (No. 7)

Because of the amount of talent they have on both sides of the ball, I've been giving the Chargers the benefit of the doubt all season. They should be good, and they're 4-1 record says that they are.

The eye test says otherwise. While the Chargers do indeed have a good record, they haven't made it easy on themselves. That would be fine, but they've done this against four teams that have a combined record of 4-15.

So, needless to say, the Chargers need to shape up. Otherwise, they're going to plummet back to earth once the competition starts to stiffen up.

Zachary D. Rymer's Week 6 Power Rankings

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