Zak Drapeau's NFL Power Rankings Post-Week 6

Zak Drapeau
Oct 14, 2025
9 min read

by Zak Drapeau 10/14/2025 Sportz Nation

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

5-1

Last Week: 30-19 Win vs SF

Photo by Peter Joneleit/ Associated Press

For the third week in a row we have a new #1 as the Buccaneers take the crown. Even without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Baker Mayfield is looking like the MVP of the league. With Todd Bowles taking care of the defense and Baker running the #6 offense, this team will be rolling and only getting better when they get healthy.

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2. Green Bay Packers

3-1-1

Last Week: 27-18 Win vs CIN

The Packers still have one of the best rosters in the sport and even though they are in close games every week, they keep finding ways to win. Jordan Love has been on point with his rookie receiver Matthew Golden and Josh Jacobs has been getting better every week. On defense, they've only given up 20+ points once in their historic draw with the Cowboys.

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3. Detroit Lions

4-2

Last Week: 30-17 Loss vs KC

The Lions may have lost this week in Kansas City but they are still a Top-3 team. A few plays here and there could've changed that game and as of now, the Lions have only lost at Green Bay and at Kansas City. Jared Goff continues to be one of the best QBs in the league and Dan Campbell's coaching and ability to get the most out of his talent keeps this team among the elite with no sign of leaving.

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4. Buffalo Bills

4-2

Last Week: 24-14 Loss at ATL

After 2 straight losses you may have the Bills further down this list but I can't put them any lower. Josh Allen has had a normal start to the year so people are freaking out and the Bills' defense has been mid. The thing is, you know this team will be getting much better throughout the season and if I had to pick between the Bills and the following 28 teams on this list, I would pick the Bills just about every time.

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5. Indianapolis Colts

5-1

Last Week: 31-27 Win vs ARI

The Colts' record and statistics would have some people giving them a top ranking on this list but if you look at their resume I can make a case for them being even lower. They have looked spectacular on offense all season and besides this past game against the Cardinals have been one of the best defenses too. I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop when it comes to Daniel Jones. An away matchup vs the Chargers should be the test this team needs.

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6. Denver Broncos

4-2

Last Week: 13-11 Win vs NYJ

The Broncos have the #2 scoring defense, #2 yards allowed defense and BY FAR the most team sacks in the league. Their only losses are to the Colts and Chargers in very close battles and could easily be sitting at 6-0. Bo Nix hasn't had a great start to the year but not a poor one either and if he can improve even a little, this team could turn into the most complete in the league.

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7. Philadelphia Eagles

4-2

Last Week: 34-17 Loss at NYG

2 straight losses for the Eagles was capped with a humiliating loss to the Giants this week where the Eagles' offense looked bad. Saquon Barkley has barely been part of the gameplan during this time and the defense gave up 34 points to Jaxson Dart. I still believe this team will turn around and return to a Top-3 team; their roster and Head Coach are too good not to. The question is: How long will that take?

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8. Kansas City Chiefs

3-3

Last Week: 30-17 Win vs DET

The Chiefs are 3-1 in the last 4 weeks and had a huge win against the Lions this week but I still have 1 big issue with them: they are home field merchants. They're 3 toughest matchups this season against the Eagles, Ravens and Lions have all been at home and they are 1-2 in away games. Upcoming road matchups in Buffalo and Denver could expose this team.

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9. Los Angeles Rams

4-2

Last Week: 17-3 Win at BAL

The Rams have been dealt a slight blow with Puka Nacua's small injury but they shouldn't miss too much of a step as long as Matt Stafford and Sean McVay are in town. The Rams just win and they're defense continues to get after the Quarterback. Now they just need to start winning within their division.

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10. Seattle Seahawks

4-2

Last Week: 20-12 Win at Jax

The Seahawks are 3-1 when Sam Darnold doesn't throw an interception and so far, the $100 million-man has looked pretty great. The Seahawks have the #6 scoring defense but could use with more turnovers, currently with a -1 turnover differential. This team may have a cap on it but if Sam Darnold keeps making Jaxon Smith-Njigba look like the OPOY, this team will stay right around this Top-10 mark.

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11. Atlanta Falcons

3-2

Last Week: 24-14 Win vs BUF

Raheem Morris' process of rebuilding this defense needs to be studied because the Falcons have a Top-4 defense this season after being ranked 23rd last season with the least sacks in the league. Bijan Robinson and Drake London are helping Michael Penix look better than he really is and this defense combined with a great home field advantage could seriously have the Falcons see January-football.

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12. New England Patriots

4-2

Last Week: 25-19 Win at NO

4-1 in the last 5 weeks with their only loss being a Steelers-game that was barely lost thanks to 5 turnovers means the Patriots are legit. Drake Maye should seriously be looked at for MVP-consideration and the defense has kept 3 teams in a row to 20 points or less. Especially with the "cupcake schedule" the Pats have over the next two months, watch for the Pats to keep climbing.

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13. Jacksonville Jaguars

4-2

Last Week: 20-12 Loss vs SEA

The Jags may have had a slight hangover from the Chiefs win and didn't show up on offense against the Seahawks. More specifically the run game didn't show up and especially at home, the Jags looked bad this week. Their defense has been pretty good and Trevor Lawrence has looked sharp at points, but this team is too inconsistent to go very far this season.

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14. Chicago Bears

3-2

Last Week: 25-24 Win at WAS

The Bears have now won 3 in a row and Caleb Williams has become a sneaky pick for Most Improved and even Most Valuable player this season. The Bears haven't faced good enough teams to rank any higher but their win this week in Washington is a great start for what could be the promising Bears' offense we all expected this season.

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15. Washington Commanders

3-3

Last Week: 25-24 Loss vs CHI

The Commanders look better with Jayden Daniels back but didn't bring the energy this week in a very disappointing loss at home vs the Bears. Daniels' two turnovers could have easily been 3 in this one and lost it for them. Still, I'm not ready to count this team out especially with having the best run offense in the league and a Top-5 pass rush.

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16. San Francisco 49ers

4-2

Last Week: 30-19 Loss at TB

The 49ers have the worst luck man I honestly feel so bad for them. Major injuries to Brock Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, Nick Bosa and now Fred Warner have changed their team completely. Mac Jones' heroics and Robert Saleh's defense has kept them at 4-2 but I have to assume these injuries will limit them for the rest of the season.

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17. Los Angeles Chargers

4-2

Last Week: 29-27 Loss at MIA

The Chargers were a little lucky to walk out of Miami with a win and should thank Tua for being a walking turnover. The Chargers are also marred by injuries but unlike the 49ers, also have one of the worst O-lines in the league. Herbert and Harbaugh could still turn this team around but unless they get healthy soon they will remain mid.

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18. Pittsburgh Steelers

4-1

Last Week: 23-9 Win vs CLE

So I've seen a lot of teams have the Steelers in the Top-10 and if you do, you are looking too much at the record and not at the actual games they've played. Having the 15th scoring offense and 29th in yards, the Steelers have beaten the Jets, Patriots (5 turnovers), Vikings and Browns. They find ways to win but I see a very mid-to-below mid stretch incoming.

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19. Houston Texans

2-3

Last Week: BYE Week

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20. Minnesota Vikings

3-2

Last Week: BYE Week

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21. Carolina Panthers

3-3

Last Week: 30-27 Win vs DAL

The Panthers have won 3 of their last 4 and more importantly, Bryce Young and Rico Dowdle look like a legit QB-RB duo in this league. They still have a long way to go to proving they can compete with good teams or win on the road but I think it's safe to say they are no longer a "basement team" in the league.

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22. Baltimore Ravens

1-5

Last Week: 17-3 Loss vs LAR

Luckily for the Ravens, they have a BYE Week next week and are expected to get back Lamar Jackson and other starters for their Week 8 matchup vs the Bears. With 5 losses already, the Ravens have very little room to spare for the ret of the season but when they get healthy, they should return to Top-16 easily and stay there.

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23. New York Giants

2-4

Last Week: 34-17 Win vs PHI

Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo will run New York for the foreseeable future after their domination of the Eagles on TNF. Brian Daboll may not allow this team to hit their potential this season but the future looks bright for them and with their new rookie sensations, I can see the Giants winning 6 or 7 games this season.

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24. Arizona Cardinals

2-4

Last Week: 31-27 Loss at IND

Is it me or... did the Cardinals look a lot better with Jacoby Brissett? They still lost which isn't ideal but their offense looked good even with Marvin Harrison leaving the game early. This team still could get a lot better this season but they keep stabbing themselves in the foot and need to shake something up because their team SHOULD be fighting for a Top-10 spot.

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25. Dallas Cowboys

2-3-1

Last Week: 30-27 Loss at CAR

Bro the Cowboys suck. Easily one of the worst defenses in the league, Dak Prescott has also taken a step down this year as well and while he's not a bad Quarterback by any means, he's no longer Top-10. The Cowboys sorely need a pass rusher to give this defense a chance to be competitive or else they will continue to lose. Maybe they should trade for one of the Packers' D-linemen...

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26. Cincinnati Bengals

2-4

Last Week: 27-18 Loss at GB

The Bengals climb 4 spots even with a loss because of how much better their offense looks with Joe Flacco. Still not very good, at least Ja'Marr Chase can get the ball and try to make a difference now. On defense they are still one of the worst in the league but they are trending upward slightly.

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27. New Orleans Saints

1-5

Last Week: 25-19 Loss vs NE

Every week I have been saying that the Saints are probably the best of the worst in the league. Their loss to the Patriots was closer than most thought it would be and could even be looked at as Chris Olave's best game in years. Still, they're 1-5 and are at least a year away from being able to win the games they need to to climb this list.

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28. Cleveland Browns

1-5

Last Week: 23-9 Loss at PIT

The Browns' defense has fallen slightly to around the 10-15 mark so their team ranking plummets. Dillon Gabriel is okay for a rookie but this offense is atrocious. I can't see the Browns scoring 20+ points any time soon and they should feel lucky the Packers had a bad day in Week 3 or this team would be easily 0-6.

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29. Miami Dolphins

1-5

Last Week: 29-27 Loss vs LAC

I believe the Dolphins are 1 week away from blowing everything up. Mike McDaniel lost the locker room a while ago and Tua keeps proving he's not the guy without Tyreek Hill. Not much else to say here, Miami is firmly part of the basement now.

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30. Las Vegas Raiders

2-4

Last Week: 20-10 Win vs TEN

I can't quite place why but the Raiders just don't look good. A home win against the Titans won't change my mind and both their offense and defense rank in the 24-32 mark. Pete Carroll has the pieces to rebuild this team but his ability to do so this season looks bleaker by the week.

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31. New York Jets

0-6

Last Week: 13-11 Loss vs DEN

The Jets remain at my #31 spot only because one team is worse. The Jets still have 0 interceptions on the year even though defensive guru Aaron Glenn is at the helm and no matter how good Justin Fields plays this year, the Jets may actually be cursed.

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32. Tennessee Titans

1-5

Last Week: 20-10 Loss at LV

The Titans finally fired Brian Callahan and for now that cements their spot at #32 especially after losing to the Raiders. Lucky to even have a win this season, the Titans could legitimately rally around new interim Head Coach Mike McCoy. Still, I wouldn't put much stock in it and I still believe they will hold a Top-3 draft pick come next April.

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