NFL power rankings Week 6: Chiefs static, 49ers electric, Cowboys shockingly bad
There’s been two huge battles among conference favorites so far this year, and both have resulted in dominating blowout wins for the home team. In Week 4, the Buffalo Bills dominated the Miami Dolphins following the latter’s 50-point win the week prior. In Week 5, the San Francisco 49ers herded the Dallas Cowboys into a fetal position just seven days after the latter had handed legendary coach Bill Belichick his worst loss ever.
The NFL landscape changes from week to week, but now that Week 5 is in the record books there’s more than enough evidence to make a case for who are early contenders and who still have a lot of work to do. Here’s a look at the latest power rankings, which should add a bit of order to the chaos that was.
Carolina Panthers (0-5) | Last Week: 32
Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) after a loss against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos (1-4) | Last Week: 30
Oct 1, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton watches his team play against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Cardinals (1-4) | Last Week: 29
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs (9) runs out on to the field before their game against the Dallas Cowboys at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Set. 24, 2023.
New York Giants (1-4) | Last Week: 27
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8), is shown on the ground after being sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (not shown) in the first quarter. Sunday, September 10, 2023
Washington Commanders (2-3) | Last Week: 22
Oct 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera watches the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots (1-4) | Last Week: 23
Nov 24, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline as they take on the Dallas Cowboys in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Patriots defeated the Cowboys 13-9. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears (1-4) | Last Week: 31
Sep 11, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) drops back to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) Will be updated after MNF | Last Week: 28
Dec 26, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A general view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet outside of Allegiant Stadium before the game against the Miami Dolphins. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Vikings (1-4) | Last Week: 26
Dec 30, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks on during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans (2-3) | Last Week: 24
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) celebrates with Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after a touchdown Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium in Houston
Tennessee Titans (2-3) | Last Week: 21
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
Atlanta Falcons (3-2) | Last Week: 25
Sep 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder throws a pass against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets (2-3) | Last Week: 19
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 17: Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets is sacked by Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Indianapolis Colts (3-2) | Last Week: 18
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Kwity Paye #51 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates with Zaire Franklin #44 after recovering a fumble in the second quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers (2-2) Will be updated after MNF | Last Week: 17
Sep 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals (2-3) | Last Week: 20
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) takes the field for warm ups prior to a Week 2 NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
Los Angeles Rams (2-3) | Last Week: 11
Sep 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) | Last Week: 15
Sep 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) scrambles with the ball against the Washington Football Teamat FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2) | Last Week: 16
Dec 11, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws the ball during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) | Last Week: 13
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 18: Head Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on September 18, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns (2-2) | Last Week: 12
Dec 17, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints (3-2) | Last Week: 14
Aug 23, 2018; Costa Mesa, CA, USA: Detailed view of New Orleans Saints helmets during joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers at the Jack. R. Hammett Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) | Last Week: 10
Sep 17, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is congratulated by quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys (3-2) | Last Week: 6
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts on the bench during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks (3-1) | Last Week: 9
Jan 14, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) makes a throw in the second quarter of a wild card game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens (3-2) | Last Week: 8
Nov 22, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills (3-2) | Last Week: 2
Nov 28, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions (4-1) | Last Week: 7
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches a play against Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.
Miami Dolphins (4-1) | Last Week: 5
Sep 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) against New England Patriots in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles (5-0) | Last Week: 4
Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) walks off the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs (4-1) | Last Week: 3
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) walks off the field high-fiving fans after a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
San Francisco 49ers (5-0) | Last Week: 1
Oct 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) reacts during player introductions before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
