NFL power rankings, Week 6: Steelers fall, Bengals rise
The Cincinnati Bengals stepped up and saved their season, while the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to struggle against inferior opponents.
32
San Francisco 49ers 0-5
Last week: L, 26-23 (OT) at IND
Last rank: 32nd
San Francisco is playing hard, but it’s been a predictably tough go of it.
31
Cleveland Browns 0-5
Last week: L, 17-14 vs. NYJ
Last rank: 31st
Everyone needs to be fired. Again. The Factory of Sadness never disappoints.
30
New York Giants 0-5
Last week: L, 27-22 vs. LAC
Last rank: 28th
The Giants are the biggest disappointment in the NFL, and it’s not close.
29
Chicago Bears 1-4
Last week: L, 20-17 vs. MIN
Last rank: 27th
Mitchell Trubisky gave the Bears and their fans some life, but ultimately he was bad, and the team lost again.
28
Indianapolis Colts 2-3
Last week: W, 26-23 (OT) vs. SF
Last rank: 30th
The Colts have continued to stay afloat in the AFC South. Can they continue that with Andrew Luck’s return getting closer?
27
Los Angeles Chargers 1-4
Last week: W, 27-22 at NYG
Last rank: 29th
The Chargers finally got a win. Now, with a win this weekend at Oakland, they would climb out of the AFC West cellar.
26
Arizona Cardinals 2-3
Last week: L, 34-7 at PHI
Last rank: 21st
Arizona may have two wins, but its awful. Time for an overhaul of this old roster.
25
Miami Dolphins 2-2
Last week: W, 16-10 vs. TEN
Last rank: 26th
Miami didn’t win against Tennessee, the Titans just lost more.
24
New York Jets 3-2
Last week: W, 17-14 at CLE
Last rank: 25th
No team is playing harder and exceeding expectations more. Good for the Jets, who own a three-game win streak.
23
Tennessee Titans 2-3
Last week: L, 16-10 at MIA
Last rank: 16th
If Marcus Mariota misses additional time, it’s going to get very ugly.
22
Oakland Raiders 2-3
Last week: L, 30-17 vs. BAL
Last rank: 17th
If the Raiders can’t find a defense, especially while the offense struggles, they are in deep trouble. Everything is malfunctioning at the moment.
21
Cincinnati Bengals 2-3
Last week: W, 20-16 vs. BUF
Last rank: 24th
Give the Bengals credit for battling back. Suddenly, they are right in the heart of the AFC North race.
20
Buffalo Bills 3-2
Last week: L, 20-16 at CIN
Last rank: 18th
Buffalo has a legit defense, but the offense leaves much to be desired. Which unit wins out?
19
Baltimore Ravens 3-2
Last week: W, 30-17 at OAK
Last rank: 23rd
Baltimore was able to take care of the Raiders without Derek Carr in the lineup. Now, they get the Bears at home.
18
New Orleans Saints 2-2
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 19th
New Orleans faces a huge game at home against the Lions. A win, and the playoffs become realistic.
17
Jacksonville Jaguars 3-2
Last week: W, 30-9 at PIT
Last rank: 22nd
Jacksonville saw Blake Bortles throw for 95 yards, but its great defense won the game anyway.
16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-2
Last week: L, 19-14 vs. NE
Last rank: 14th
Tampa had every chance to beat the defending champions, but dropped passes and kicking woes doomed it.
15
Houston Texans 2-3
Last week: L, 42-34 vs. KC
Last rank: 13th
Deshaun Watson has a future, but the losses of J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus are crushing.
14
Dallas Cowboys 2-3
Last week: L, 35-31 vs. GB
Last rank: 12th
What’s going on with the Cowboys? Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott haven’t been enough to save them from this defense.
13
Minnesota Vikings 3-2
Last week: W, 20-17 at CHI
Last rank: 20th
The Vikings only stay this high because of the defense, and the hope of Teddy Bridgewater returning. The offense is a mess, and Sam Bradford is broken.
12
Washington Redskins 2-2
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 15th
The Redskins come out of the bye beat up, but getting a reprieve at home against the 49ers.
11
Pittsburgh Steelers 3-2
Last week: L, 30-9 vs. JAX
Last rank: 5th
Pittsburgh got blown out at home bay the Jaguars. Now, they travel to play the Chiefs in Arrowhead. Good luck.
10
Los Angeles Rams 3-2
Last week: L, 16-10 vs. SEA
Last rank: 9th
The Rams lost on Sunday, but they put the Seahawks on notice. Los Angeles is a solid team.
9
Detroit Lions 3-2
Last week: L, 27-24 vs. CAR
Last rank: 6th
The Lions almost pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback, but it wasn’t enough. Defense has to be better.
8
Carolina Panthers 4-1
Last week: W, 27-24 at DET
Last rank: 11th
Carolina has now beaten the Patriots and Lions on the road. Not bad.
7
Seattle Seahawks 3-2
Last week: W, 16-10 at LAR
Last rank: 10th
Seattle is back atop the NFC West, and I suspect they will stay there awhile.
6
Denver Broncos 3-1
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 8th
Denver embarks on a tough stretch soon, but gets the Giants on Sunday night at Mile High first. Not a bad way to come out of the bye.
5
New England Patriots 3-2
Last week: W, 19-14 at TB
Last rank: 7th
New England still looks like a lost team, but it found a way to win on the road.
4
Philadelphia Eagles 4-1
Last week: W, 34-7 vs. AZ
Last rank: 4th
Philadelphia might be the best in the NFC East. Hell, it might be the best in the NFC.
3
Green Bay Packers 4-1
Last week: W, 35-31 at DAL
Last rank: 3rd
The Packers have no secondary, a mediocre roster and a decent head coach. Yet they have Aaron Rodgers, and that’s all that matters.
2
Atlanta Falcons 3-1
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 2nd
Atlanta had a good time to get a week of, allowing Mohamed Sanu and Julio Jones time to heal.
1
Kansas City Chiefs 5-0
Last week: W, 42-34 at HOU
Last rank: 1st
Alex Smith has been ridiculous. If this doesn’t change, the Chiefs are an absolute powerhouse.