Week 6 NFL Power Rankings (2019)

The Kansas City Chiefs fell this week, leaving the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots as the only undefeated teams in the NFL. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals recorded their first win of the season over the Bengals, leaving four teams, the Dolphins, Jets, Redskins, and Bengals, still searching for their first victories of 2019.

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32. Miami Dolphins (Prev: 32)
The Dolphins had a bye this week, which gave them extra time to prepare for a game against Washington that will make clear the frontrunner for the 2020 1st overall pick.

31. New York Jets (Prev: 31)
When is Sam Darnold back? The offense had just 128 yards and nine first downs while also turning the ball over three times in their 31-6 defeat.

30. Washington Redskins (Prev: 30)
On Monday, it was announced that Jay Gruden would be the first head coach to be fired this season. Things actually started well for Washington on Sunday when Steven Sims Jr. ran 65 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter to give the Redskins a 7-0 lead, but then the Washington offense looked lost for the rest of the game. They mustered just 220 total yards and the defense gave up 442.

29. Cincinnati Bengals (Prev: 29)
The Bengals very nearly pulled off an improbable comeback, scoring two touchdowns in 2:08 to tie the game at 23. But the defense couldn’t hold on, and Cincinnati dropped to a lowly 0-5. 

28. Atlanta Falcons (Prev: 26)
The Falcons’ defense was torched for 592 yards and 53 points as they dropped to 1-4 on the season. 37 of those points came in the second half after Atlanta held a 17-16 lead at halftime. Deshaun Watson threw as many incompletions as touchdowns against the struggling secondary.

27. Arizona Cardinals (Prev: 27)
Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury recorded their first NFL wins on Sunday, in a dramatic 26-23 victory in Cincinnati. Murray made it happen with his arm and legs, throwing for 253 yards and rushing for another 93 including a six-yard touchdown run.

26. New York Giants (Prev: 24)
The Giants’ defense looked confused on Sunday giving up 490 yards, including 132 to Dalvin Cook on the ground and 130 through the air to Adam Thielen. Daniel Jones was average at best, but the defense needs to step it up if the Giants want to compete in a crowded NFC.

25. Los Angeles Chargers (Prev: 21)
Melvin Gordon played, yet the Chargers didn’t look any better than they have in previous weeks. Austin Ekeler still got the majority of snaps with 41 compared to Gordon’s 31. Melvin Ingram’s absence was very evident as Phillip Lindsay gashed the defense for 114 yards and a touchdown.

24. Denver Broncos (Prev: 28)
The Broncos finally found a way to hold on for a victory, giving Vic Fangio his first win as head coach. The Broncos’ defense gave up less than 200 yards before the final Chargers’ drive of the game when they played Prevent, and let the Chargers gain yards over the middle.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers (Prev: 23)
Mason Rudolph left the game after an unbelievably scary hit left him unconscious on the field. Devlin Hodges filled in for him and played well, protecting the football, and making the throws necessary to put the Steelers in a position to win. Juju Smith-Schuster’s fumble ultimately cost them the game, as it gave the Ravens and Justin Tucker the ball already in field goal range.

22. Tennessee Titans (Prev: 20)
Cairo Santos missed four field goals, and the Titans found themselves just another team in a long line of teams struggling to find a solid kicker. While the blame can easily be placed on Santos, the truth is the Titans’ offense needs to find ways to punch the ball into the end zone. With a back like Derrick Henry, it shouldn’t be so difficult.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Prev: 22)
Chris Godwin continued his impressive season with seven catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns, but the Bucs offense managed just 252 yards in their loss to New Orleans. The defense allowed Teddy Bridgewater to have his best game as a Saint as he threw for four touchdowns, after having only two total in his previous three games.

20. Cleveland Browns (Prev: 14)
Baker Mayfield and the Browns’ offense looked like they turned a corner in Week 5, but it was short-lived as they struggled mightily against the 49ers on Monday night. The worst part about the performance is that the entire team seemed to give up. The offense did almost nothing after a huge red zone turnover and the defense allowed 446 yards while being unable to get off the field in the second half.

19. Oakland Raiders (Prev: 25)
Josh Jacobs made himself well-known around the NFL on Sunday as he rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns as the Raiders rallied late to knock off the Bears in London. The offensive line allowed zero sacks and was able to minimize the effect of Khalil Mack who was playing in his first game against his old team.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars (Prev: 15)
The offense led a well-balanced attack with Minshew throwing for 374 yards and two touchdowns, while Leonard Fournette added 108 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Minshew has a clear favorite target in DJ Chark Jr. who had eight grabs for 164 yards and two touchdowns. If the Jags can clean up the turnovers they are a legitimate contender in the wide-open AFC South.

17. Houston Texans (Prev: 19)
Deshaun Watson and Will Fuller V connected for three touchdowns as they had their way with the weak Falcons’ secondary. Watson finished with 426 yards, five touchdowns, and only five incompletions on the game. The Texans outscored Atlanta 37-15 in the second half, after trailing at the break.

16. Carolina Panthers (Prev: 18)
Christian McCaffrey tied a career-high 237 yards from scrimmage, yet left early in the fourth quarter with what seemed to be a minor injury. Kyle Allen and the Panthers were able to hold on with a great deal of help from the defense who forced three turnovers, including two timely fumbles out of the hands of Gardner Minshew.

15. Baltimore Ravens (Prev: 16)
Everyone in the Baltimore locker room needs to buy Marlon Humphrey a steak dinner. It was a rivalry game, but going against Mason Rudolph and then undrafted Devlin Hodges, the Ravens’ defense looked terrible at times. Lamar Jackson doesn’t look at all like the QB we saw in Week’s 1 and 2, throwing for just 161 yards and three interceptions. The Ravens escaped, but they need to figure some things out if they want to contend for the AFC.

14. Los Angeles Rams (Prev: 8)
Greg Zuerlein had a chance to wash away the taste of last weekend’s pitiful home loss with a 44-yard field goal that would have given LA a key divisional win. Instead, he missed it and the Rams, who were thought to be the class of the NFC, suddenly find themselves looking up at a few teams in their own division.

13. Chicago Bears (Prev: 5)
What do we do with the Bears? They’re 3-2, but losing to the Raiders in London feels like a huge step back after a dominating performance against Minnesota last week. They fell behind 17-0, then stormed back to take a 21-17 and it seemed as if everything was going to be alright. But the defense couldn’t stop Josh Jacobs who gashed them all day, rushing for 123 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner.

12. Buffalo Bills (Prev: 13)
The Bills’ defense continues to impress, holding the Titans to seven points, 252 yards, and 14 first downs in the win. They were assisted by four Cairo Santos field goal misses, one of which was blocked, but the bend don’t break style is why the Bills have one of the best records in football and are now 3-0 on the road.

11. Indianapolis Colts (Prev: 17)
Frank Reich crafted a perfect game plan and his team executed it to near perfection in their Sunday Night Football victory over the Chiefs. The Colts kept the ball out of Patrick Mahomes’ hands, by possessing it for 37:15. As a team, they rushed for 180 yards, 132 of which came from Marlon Mack. They turned the ball over just one time and the defense had four sacks.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (Prev: 11)
The Eagles took care of business as expected against Luke Falk and the New York Jets. The offense only put up 265 yards and yet still the Eagles as a team scored 31 points. Things get tougher next week when they go to Minnesota.

9. Detroit Lions (Prev: 9)
The Lions had a successful bye week with the Bears falling to Oakland, which means Detroit is in 2nd place in the NFC North. This week they head to Lambeau for Monday Night Football. The winner of that game will find themselves all alone in first place in the division.

8. Minnesota Vikings (Prev: 10)
Kirk Cousins had the bounce-back game he so badly needed against a weak Giants’ defense. He was 22-27 for 306 yards and was able to connect with Adam Thielen for two touchdowns. Dalvin Cook recorded his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season in the victory.

7. Dallas Cowboys (Prev: 6)
The Cowboys failed to answer the call on Sunday in a game that clearly showed separation in the NFC hierarchy. Dallas trailed 24-0 early and never got the game back within two scores. Dak Prescott threw for 463 yards but also had three interceptions, and Zeke recorded just 62 yards and a touchdown.

6. Seattle Seahawks (Prev: 12)
Russell Wilson passed for 268 yards and four touchdowns as the Seahawks squeaked out a huge divisional victory on Thursday night. Chris Carson added 118 yards on the ground.

5. San Francisco 49ers (Prev: 7)
Are the 49ers for real? They dominated the Browns from start to finish on Monday night and are now one of just two teams still unbeaten in the NFL. The defense held the Browns’ offense to just 180 total yards and forced four turnovers. The offense possessed the ball for 37:43. If they look that good moving forward, there is no doubt that the 49ers are among the NFL’s best.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (Prev: 2)
For the second straight week, the Chiefs’ weaknesses were on full display, but this time they were unable to overcome them and get the victory. The run defense is a huge problem, giving up 180 yards on 45 rushes, which allowed the Colts to bleed the clock and keep the ball out of Patrick Machines’ hands. But even when the offense had it they struggled, failing to score in the second half until a field goal that proved to be a moot point.

3. Green Bay Packers (Prev: 4)
Do you think that Aaron Jones was tired of hearing about how good Ezekiel Elliott is? He went out and rushed for 107 yards and four touchdowns and hauled in seven grabs for 75 yards, as the Packers ran all over the Cowboys in Arlington. The Packers are in first place in the NFC North and can start 3-0 against the division with a win against the Lions on Monday Night Football.

2. New Orleans Saints (Prev: 3)
Teddy Bridgewater looked the best he has all season, throwing for 314 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in the huge NFC South contest. Michael Thomas recorded season high’s in catches, yards, and touchdowns, with 11 for 182 and two scores.

1. New England Patriots (Prev: 1)
The Patriots rattled off 33 straight points after falling behind 7-0 early in the third quarter. Tom Brady passed Brett Favre for the third-most passing yards in NFL history and is now just 17 yards behind Peyton Manning for second on that list. The Patriots have played three teams this season that still have not recorded a win. It won’t get much tougher as they take on the Giants and Jets over the next two weeks.

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