NFL Week 6 Power Rankings and Tiers
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 10/13/2026
Elite Teams
1. San Francisco 49ers
5-0 /\ 1
Last Week: 32-29 Win at SEA
The 49ers are not only the best team in the NFL right now but they're doing so with one of the most injured teams as well. As a 3-point underdog this week in Seattle, against reigning champions in the noisiest stadium in the league in a divisional rivalry, the 49ers, Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy just win and can beat anybody.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
4-0 \/ 1
Last Week: BYE Week
The Chiefs had heir BYE Week this week after beating AFC West rival Raiders last week. This BYE Week comes at a time where they're looking to get healthier at WR with Rashee Rice battling an injury and even talks of Tyreek Hill possibly coming back..?
3. Denver Broncos
3-2 --
Last Week: 23-17 Win at LAC
The Broncos have had the hardest schedule in the league through the first 5 weeks of the season and have only lost to #1 and #2 on this list. The Broncos' haven't had statistical success so far this season because of their schedule but their clutch in the 4th Quarter, Bo Nix has been keeping the ball safe and they have probably the best Home Field advantage in the sport.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
4-1 --
Last Week: 19-17 Win vs PHI
The Jaguars just had their worst offensive outing of the season in a raucaus London atmosphere very heavily rooting against them and they still won. Their defense and pass rush are gett9ing better and Trevor Lawrence just proved that even on his off day he can go out there and win games.
Almost Elite but Missing Something
5. New England Patriots
3-2 /\ 1
Last Week: 45-17 Win vs LV
Back to back weeks now the Patriots have looked like AFC Champions again after stinking up the first 3 weeks of the season. Drake Maye should get Offensive Player of the Week after an unbelievable showing against the Raiders and the team's defense has been on fire and averaged only 65 yards rushing allowed on their streak.
6. Buffalo Bills
4-1 /\ 1
Last Week: 334 Win at LAR
The Bills may7 have lucked out with an errant Rams field goal last night but they still won and a win is a win especially in LA. Josh Allen had one of his best running games of his career and for 3 Quarters, the Bills defense looked sharp too. This team is far from perfect but as long as they have 17 they'll always be a threat.
6. Los Angeles Rams
2-3 \/ 2
Last Week: 37-34 Loss vs BUF
The Rams have now lost to the 49ers, Broncos and Bills so they have a respectable resume and their team is still elite. The bad news is that Stafford is looking worse this season and they haven't had a dominant outing besides their home win against the lowly Giants. This is still a Super Bowl contending team but they've definitely disappointed to this point.
8. Seattle Seahawks
3-2 --
Last Week: 29-32 Loss vs SF
The Seahawks may have had a Home loss this week but as far as they go, this was about as good of a loss as you can get. The 49ers played close to a perfect game and got their number this week but the Seahawks' defense still looked great against an otherwise elite 49ers O-line and JSN is still the best receiver in the league.
9. Minnesota Vikings
5-0 /\ 1
Last Week: 23-13 Win at NO
The Vikings defense ranks 1st in points, 3rd in yards, 3rd in takeaways and 4th in sacks. Even if Kyler Murray and the offense hasn't quite found their groove yet, the team is 5-0 Brian Flores is working miracles in his unit that will help them win any game their in this season.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
3-2 /\ 2
Last Week: 31-24 Win at MIA
The Bengals defense started the year with a lot to like and have definitely fallen off as of late, most recently giving up 17 points and almost blowing a 4th Quarter lead to the Dolphins. However, Joe Burrow seems to be back doing Joe Burrow things and he really is that good to keep the Bengals inside the Top-10.
11. Detroit Lions
3-2 /\ 3
Last Week: 45-21 Win at ARI
The Lions defense finally showed up even if it was against a team we will see MUCH later on this list. Their offense once again showed how great they are both through the air or on the ground but if this defense can string together multiple good performances in a row they'll see the Top-10 very soon.
12. Baltimore Ravens
4-1 \/ 3
Last Week: 30-23 Win at ATL
The Ravens just won on the road against a defense that has been lights out over the past two weeks and did it with a backup QB. As far as backups go Huntley has been one of the best for years now but it goes to show you that this team is absolutely one to be feared on both sides of the ball. Still, it'd be much better if Lamar was back and healthy.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
2-3 --
Last Week: 17-19 Loss vs JAX
The Eagles were one, crazy kick return away from being 3-2 and beating the #4 team on this list and doing so with the most injured offense in the league. Jalen Hurts finally had an elite game this week but they just happen to run into an elite Jaguars team. Eagles will be getting even better down the stretch as they get healthier.
Playoff Teams
14. Chicago Bears
3-2 \/ 3
Last Week: 7-31 Loss at GB
This was the dropoff without Caleb Williams we all anticipated finally coming to fruition. I don't care how bad the Packers were the last few weeks, any time we see Green Bay-Chicago it's a tough game. Williams is expected to return next week and when he does this offense is still primed to be one of the best in the league.
15. Carolina Panthers
2-2 /\ 2
Last Week: BYE Week
The Panthers BYE Week comes right after their huge SNF win and with Bryce Young leading the league in passing and Top-5 in Passer Rating. Their defense has been inconsistent but also faced some of the best offenses so far this season and now have had 2 weeks to prepare to go to Philadelphia next week.
16. Atlanta Falcons
2-3 /\ 2
Last Week: 23-30 Loss vs BAL
The Falcons are the only team to climb this week after a loss and I still believe have a Top-10 defense even after giving up 30 to the Ravens. Michael Penix has been pretty good so far this season but Bijan and Drake London are going off this season and they were a Penix-injury away from a 4th Quarter comeback against a Top-10 Ravens team.
17. Las Vegas Raiders
3-2 \/ 1
Last Week: 17-45 Loss at NE
The Raiders went from 3-0, to barely losing to the Chiefs to getting embarrassed by the Patriots in just 8 days. Their defense had their worst performance of the year and made Drake Maye look like he's an MVP candidate again. Kirk Cousins is still in a groove though and the team is still extremely good at home which helps their stock a lot.
18. Dallas Cowboys
2-3 \/ 3
Last Week: 16-24 Loss vs TB
The Cowboys are a bottom-5 defense in the league and their 2 wins have come against two, 1-4 teams. Their offense has been clicking though with Lamb, Pickens and Williams all enjoying success and harmony. Still though, their home loss to the Buccaneers has to be a wake up for this defense who will not let them be a Top-15 team if they keep playing to this level.
19. Houston Texans
1-4 /\ 3
Last Week: 26-3 Win at TEN
The Texans were the best, winless team going into Week 5 but had shown regression in their defense up to this point. They may have faced the eventual last place team on this list last weekend but their defense was back to being great again and as soon as they string some wins together they'll be back higher up on this list.
20. New York Giants
3-1-1 /\ 1
Last Week: 27-27 Tie at WAS
The Giants are not as bad of a team with Jameis Winston at the helm as I thought but their still not especially great either. Their defense is 7th against the pass with a great Secondary and pass rush but they're still a long way away from being an elite unit. Maybe JJ McCarthy will bring them back to a playoff hunt but I'm not sure.
21. Green Bay Packers
3-2 /\ 7
Last Week: 31-7 Win vs CHI
The Packers exploded this week in a HUGE win over the Bears and Jordan Love had proven that even with the team's obvious running problems he is still a very good Quarterback. Most of the defense power came from the Bears not having Caleb Williams but it was still very impressive and possibly the kick in the butt this team needed.
Not All Hope is Lost
22. New York Jets
2-3 /\ 7
Last Week: 17-12 Win vs CLE
The Jets defense is so inconsistent this season but when they're on, like they were against the Browns this weekend, they're one of the best in the NFL. Too bad that only happens once a month.
23. Cleveland Browns
3-2 \/ 3
Last Week: 12-17 Loss at NYJ
Deshaun Watson's few moments in the sun seemingly came to an end this week and the Browns fell back ot being... well the Browns. They still have a decent team around them but I wouldn't count on Deshaun Watson to be the savior like we all thought for 5 minutes.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
2-3 /\ 2
Last Week: 34-22 Win vs IND
The Steelers went from having no answers on offense to Aaron Rodgers having his best game in the last 3 years. This team is far from perfect and even with Rodgers dealing again they weren't great but the nucleus of this team is good enough that if they build off this win they'll be alright.
25. Indianapolis Colts
2-3 \/ 6
Last Week: 22-34 Loss at PIT
The Colts put together 2 good defensive weeks in a row before going to Pittsburgh and being awful again. Jonathan Taylor finally got nerfed this season too and besides the occasional game where this team can win narrowly, there isn't much to be happy about in Indy.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1-4 /\ 4
Last Week: 24-16 Win at DAL
Whether Jalon Daniels is actually serviceable or Dallas' defense is really that bad, I don't know. This defense does have its' moments though like TNF and they're only going to get healthier moving forward.
27. New Orleans Saints
1-4 \/ 4
Last Week: 13-23 Loss vs MIN
Tyler Shough is definitely coming back to Earth after a fantastic first two weeks of the season. The Vikings' defense was definitely a good test to see if he can perform in front one of the best blitzes in the league and guess what... they can't. They'll still be fine against just good defenses though.
28. Washington Commanders
1-3-1 \/ 3
Last Week: 27-27 Tie vs NYG
The Commanders are a better team with Jayden Daniels on the field no question... bu that was one of the WORST ways to end a game I've ever seen so they belong this far down.
29. Los Angeles Chargers
0-5 \/ 5
Last Week: 17-23 Loss vs DEN
I've tried my bet not to put the winless Chargers this far down but enough is enough. The offensive line is a problem but Justin Herbert's excuses are starting to run out now after the team's 0-5 start.
30. Arizona Cardinals
1-4 \/ 3
Last Week: 21-45 Loss vs DET
The Cardinals really don't feel this bad when you watch them but they are here nonethleess. Jacobby Brissett is pretty good all things considered but the defense and coaching are both problems this team will not be able to oversome any time soon.
The Miami and Tennessee Tier
31. Miami Dolphins
0-5 /\ 1
Last Week: 24-31 Loss vs CIN
The Dolphins lost to Cincy this week and didn't really impress me but they move up this list because their offense is showing signs and they've proven to be better than the last place team. Not much better, but still better and still in the race for the #1 pick.
32. Tennessee Titans
0-5 \/ 1
Last Week: 3-26 Loss vs HOU
The Titans have probably belonged at the last spot on this list for weeks now but I always held out hope because their roster isn't as bad as the Fins. The cold hard truth is that Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll have one of the worst offenses we've seen in YEARS going right now and Cam Ward isn't necessarily the problem even though he'll probably be replaced this offseason.
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