NFL Power Rankings: Dallas Cowboys and 3 Teams That Will Fall After Week 6

Eric BowmanOct 12, 2011

There are a number of good games in Week 6 of the NFL season, and—because of that—a few teams will take a hit in the power rankings.

The 2011 season has yet to disappoint. It sure has given fans plenty of surprises in the first five weeks.

There's still plenty of time for teams to jump into the top 10, or to get themselves out of the bottom. However, in Week 6, these three teams will drop after they lose on Sunday.

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Dallas Cowboys

America's team takes on the New England Patriots on Sunday in what I have as the only top-10 matchup of Week 6.

The Cowboys had their bye last week. They had the opportunity to rest up and get healthy, but playing in New England will be very difficult. I expect Dallas to contend throughout the game, but the Cowboys will fail to capitalize in the fourth quarter.

In the end, because the Patriots have Tom Brady and the better offense, they will take care of Dallas on Sunday. Jason Garrett's team will then drop out of the top 10, unless there are some big-time upsets elsewhere around the league.

San Francisco 49ers

A huge surprise in the NFL so far this season has been the 49ers, who are 4-1. Jim Harbaugh's squad could very well be 5-0, if not for a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Cowboys in Week 2.

The defense is playing very well right now, while Alex Smith has shown he can make big plays and put points on the board for San Francisco.

Unfortunately, after steadily climbing up the rankings, the 49ers will drop when the Detroit Lions beat them in Week 6.

San Francisco needs to prove it's a team that is legit and here to stay. However, they won't do so in Week 6, because the Lions are just rolling right now and can't be stopped.

Houston Texans

Houston made a very good trade for veteran receiver Derrick Mason on Tuesday, but it won't change the fact that they're going to struggle against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

The Ravens play host to the Texans, but as Baltimore is coming off a bye, they will be very well rested and ready to shut down Houston's offense.

The Texans will greatly miss Andre Johnson in this game, but they have a fighting chance because of Arian Foster.

I fully expect this to be a close game in the first half, but the Ravens defense will still prevail and hand the Texans their second straight loss, which will cause them to drop in the rankings.

Eric Bowman’s 2011 NFL Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers

2. New Orleans Saints

3. New England Patriots

4. Detroit Lions

5. Baltimore Ravens

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

7. San Diego Chargers

8. Dallas Cowboys

9. Buffalo Bills

10. New York Jets

11. Chicago Bears