Sunday’s Week 6 NFL action didn’t deliver too many surprises, or at least nothing like the New York Giants stunning
Sunday’s Week 6 NFL action didn’t deliver too many surprises, or at least nothing like the New York Giants stunning the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. However, this week’s NFL schedule did deliver some close finishes involving some of the best NFL teams this season.
Let’s dive into our latest NFL 7 Power Rankings, evaluating every team after Week 6.
1. Detroit Lions (1)
Heading into Sunday Night Football, the Detroit Lions should unquestionably be viewed as the best NFL team right now. Over the last four games, Detroit has averaged 40.3 PPG and 395 total yards per game, whereas its opponents are averaging just 21 points and 307 total yards per game. Keep in mind that this is still an inexperienced interior offensive line, and Detroit’s secondary is banged up. On Sunday night, the Lions can make a statement on national television that they’re as good as they’ve ever been.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2)
Next man up. Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) became the latest star Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver to go down, but Baker Mayfield still finds a way to make this offense flow. He spread the football around incredibly effectively on Sunday, paving the way for the Buccaneers to improve to 5-1 on the year. The injuries might finally catch up to Tampa Bay next week versus Detroit, but that will still be a must-see matchup on Monday Night Football.
3. Buffalo Bills (3)
There seems to be more parity in the National Football League than we’ve seen in years. That opens the door for the Buffalo Bills to win a Super Bowl in February. However, last week’s loss to New England exposed defensive shortcomings, and the lack of a true No. 1 wideout is still felt in critical situations. As long as Buffalo avoids game-flipping turnovers, though, it should be able to overcome its few weaknesses to beat Atlanta on Monday Night Football.
4. Indianapolis Colts (10)
The Cardinals have proven feisty all season and put the Indianapolis Colts in a 24-17 hole entering the fourth quarter on Sunday. Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor delivered, combining for 143 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns in another impressive win by Indianapolis. Moving to 5-1 on the season, the Colts have now scored 29-plus points in five of their six games this season.
5. Seattle Seahawks (9)
It’s not easy to make a cross-country trip after a loss to face a matchup against one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks did just that in Week 6, going to Jacksonville and pulling out a convincing 20-12 win over the Jaguars. Seattle’s run defense rebounded in this one, but Sam Darnold (10.9 yards per attempt, 2-0 TD-INT, and 121.7 QB rating) was the real standout. Seattle faces a tough test against the Texans’ defense on Monday Night Football in Week 7, but a 5-2 record entering the bye is very doable for Mike McDaniel and Co.
6. Green Bay Packers (11)
The Green Bay Packers won fairly convincingly on Sunday coming out of the bye, but that performance still leaves something to be desired. First and foremost, the holes at corner and defensive tackle (Devonte Wyatt injury) remain apparent, and even a healthy Packers’ offensive line is having its share of issues in pass protection. With that said, Green Bay’s run game finally came alive on Sunday and this team now gets a chance to build on this momentum in a Week 7 matchup against the Cardinals.
7. Washington Commanders (8)
The Washington Commanders will be extremely short-handed in the nightcap of the Monday Night Football doubleheader. Fortunately, Hayden Daniels and Jacory Croskey-Merritt are also facing one of the league’s worst run defenses this season. So, if Kliff Kingsbury can just scheme up an effective run-heavy approach and this underrated Commanders defense can get some consistent pressure on Caleb Williams, Washington will be tied for first in the NFC East entering Week 7.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (5)
Coming off a monumental victory on primetime, a letdown performance the following week isn’t all that surprising for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Liam Coen’s run game has hit a bit of a wall in the last two games and, without getting great field position or a score off a takeaway, Jacksonville couldn’t dig itself out of a 20-6 hole. This team is still 4-2 on the season and no one should rule out the Jaguars pulling off a surprise win versus the Rams next weekend.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (13)
This is all the Pittsburgh Steelers need from Aaron Rodgers, especially if the offensive line can protect like it did on Sunday afternoon. Rodgers now has a 118.67 QB rating with a 75 percent completion rate in the last two games, both protecting the football and delivering some vintage downfield strikes. While we’re still a bit weary of the Steelers’ ground game and defense, this team can feel extremely comfortable about its standing as a playoff contender.
10. Denver Broncos (7)
The Denver Broncos escaped with the victory overseas against New York, but the game renewed questions regarding the level of faith Sean Payton has in Bo Nix. Denver couldn’t effectively run the football, yet Payton kept trying to force it in the second half as he took the football out of Nix’s hands. Furthermore, Denver’s victory over Philadelphia a week later has lost some of its luster. We’ll see if Nix and J.K. Dobbins can get something going again next week versus the Giants.
11. Philadelphia Eagles (4)
In the last five quarters, the Philadelphia Eagles have been outscored 52-17. It’s become apparent this season how much Vic Fangio’s defense is missing the depth on the defensive line that it used to have, but the lack of cohesion from the Eagles’ offense is even more alarming. Given Philadelphia’s struggles and this team’s penchant for having some locker-room issues during difficult times, it might get worse from here.
12. Los Angeles Rams (14)
The Los Angeles Rams get the 14-point win, but Sean McVay can’t be feeling great after this one. Puka Nacua (ankle) is questionable to play in Week 7 against Jacksonville, and this Rams’ offense doesn’t look the same without its all-important offensive weapon. Los Angeles also had real trouble stopping Derrick Henry on Sunday (122 yards) despite knowing he was the Ravens’ only threat offensively. The 4-2 record is really all that matters, but we could be looking at a 4-3 team entering the bye after next week.
13. Kansas City Chiefs (12)
The good news for the Kansas City Chiefs entering their Sunday Night Football matchup against Detroit is that Rashee Rice’s suspension ends next week, and this passing game is already starting to show a lot more signs of life. With that said, the holes in the trenches on both sides of the ball put Kansas City in a perilous position against the Lions. If Patrick Mahomes can’t pull out an MVP-caliber performance to deliver a win, the Chiefs will be 2-4—and that’s before facing the Bills, Broncos (twice), and Colts.
14. New England Patriots (16)
Drake Maye has definitely arrived. Even with the New England Patriots not having any run game to speak of (2.4 yards per carry), Maye put on a passing clinic on the road in New Orleans. The Patriots legitimately could be 5-1 right now if they could’ve just held onto the football once or twice versus Pittsburgh. Still, credit to Mike Vrabel’s team for rebounding from that game with an impressive three-game win streak where the Patriots have looked like the better team in all three matchups.
15. Los Angeles Chargers (15)
The Los Angeles Chargers survived a cross-country trip to Florida in Week 6, with Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey ultimately saving the day on a game-winning drive. However, getting outscored 14-6 by Miami in the fourth quarter and nearly losing to a 1-5 team all the while being unable to stop the run does raise some concerns. Set to host the Colts next week, that tentatively looks like a matchup where the Colts’ weaknesses will really be exploited.
16. San Francisco 49ers (6)
Even more impactful than the loss for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6 is the likely season-ending injury for Fred Warner. This team has now lost the heart and soul of its defense, not to mention the fact that Warner and Nick Bosa are both now done for the year. Even with the offense potentially getting Brock Purdy back in Week 7, the injuries on defense make it feel like a spiral is coming.
17. Atlanta Falcons (18)
Can Bijan Robinson along with this Atlanta Falcons team lead them to a Monday Night Football upset over Buffalo? Atlanta should certainly have success pounding the rock to close out Week 6, especially given how bad the Bills’ run defense has been this season. This is certainly a golden opportunity for Atlanta to prove it can be a top NFC contender moving forward, but it’s hard to have faith in Michael Penix Jr. and this Falcons pass rush in a big game.
18. Minnesota Vikings (19)
The primary hope for the Minnesota Vikings as they emerge from the Week 6 bye is that this team is healthier in the United States. Jordan Mason has had issues protecting the football since the Aaron Jones injury, and the Vikings offensive line without Brian O’Neill, Donovan Jackson, and Ryan Kelly has been abysmal. Even just getting a few key starters back should be enough to help Minnesota take down a reeling Eagles team in Week 7.
19. Houston Texans (20)
The good news for the Houston Texans isn’t just that they’ve won two games in a row by a 70-10 margin; it’s that their three losses (to the Jaguars, Buccaneers, and Rams) have been to very good teams and were decided by a combined 13 points. Houston’s passing game is also starting to click more, at least in its last five quarters, and this defense is exceptional. The next four weeks—Seahawks, 49ers, Broncos, and Jaguars—will be the ultimate litmus test to determine if we’re seeing a repeat of the 2024 Texans or the 2023 Texans.
20. Carolina Panthers (23)
Rico Dowdle now has 473 scrimmage yards in two starts as the Carolina Panthers‘ featured back, clearly taking the job away from Chuba Hubbard. While there are still very real limitations on the passing game with Bryce Young under center, he’s at least limiting the negative plays. It’s been enough to push Carolina to a 3-1 record over the last month, with a viable shot at a three-game winning streak thanks to a Week 7 matchup against the Jets at MetLife.
21. Dallas Cowboys (17)
Dak Prescott is doing everything he can to keep the Dallas Cowboys in the mix for a wild card spot in the NFC, but this Dallas Cowboys defense is making that a nearly impossible task. Even if CeeDee Lamb returns to the field in Week 7, that won’t do anything for a team that still can’t stop the run and has issues generating a consistent pass rush. Now at 2-3-1 in the year, the upcoming Cowboys schedule (Commanders, Broncos, and Cardinals) could put this team in an even bigger hole.
22. New York Giants (26)
It’s still a small sample size, but the Jaxson Dart–Cam Skattebo pairing is certainly showing enough flashes together that Brian Daboll’s job might be safe. It’s possible that this New York Giants offense takes a major step backward in Week 7 against Denver’s defense, especially given the down performance against New Orleans. Even if the Giants lose that game, though, this season was about finding building blocks offensively for the future, and that’s exactly what Dart and Skattebo have provided.
23. Chicago Bears (21)
The bye allowed the Chicago Bears to come into this Monday Night Football matchup against Washington healthier. It’s just a question of whether or not it’ll be enough. Chicago barely escaped two weeks ago with a win over the Raiders, whereas Washington is experienced and boasts a deeper roster. Even if the Bears don’t win on the national stage, continued progress from Caleb Williams in this offense would be something of a victory.
24. Arizona Cardinals (22)
The Arizona Cardinals are just too short-handed right now to overcome the little things. Budda Baker dropped a would-be interception on Sunday, and this Cardinals’ offense, now missing Trey Benson, James Conner, and Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion), couldn’t deliver that go-ahead touchdown when it had a chance. Unfortunately, as fans have seen throughout the season, it’s both the little things and the injuries that have turned a potential 4-2 record into a 2-4 mark.
25. Cincinnati Bengals (25)
If what this Cincinnati bengals offense showed in the second half at Lambeau Field can carry over in the weeks to come, maybe this can be a slightly below-average team. That’s unfortunately the ceiling for a club whose defense continues to regress and just lost Trey Hendrickson to an injury. We’ve seen surprises on Thursday Night Football this season, but we don’t anticipate Joe Flacco delivering one in Week 7 versus Pittsburgh.
26. New Orleans Saints (24)
If it’s true that the New Orleans Saints aren’t willing to make an Alvin Kamara trade, that’s another mistake by the organization. While this club has proven more competitive than expected, with Spencer Rattler playing relatively well, they are still one of the worst NFL teams in 2025. There’s no sense in holding onto Kamara during a rebuild, and the Saints would certainly benefit from having more draft capital in 2026.
27. Miami Dolphins (27)
Now at 1-5 this season, the Miami Dolphins are clearly headed in a direction where they should be sellers at the NFL trade deadline. While Mike McDaniel’s team has looked better over the last month, the end result is still this club being four games below the .500 mark with little hope for improvement. If Miami is open to selling, it’s fair to wonder if teams inquire about running back De’Von Achane, who now has 585 scrimmage yards and 4 touchdowns, as he’s likely going to want a new deal next offseason and this team needs to reset.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (30)
The Las Vegas Raiders are starting to get Ashton Jeanty going, and Tre Tucker has provided an explosive weapon that this offense needs with Brock Bowers sidelined. With that said, this is still an ugly two-win team. Maybe the Raiders can pull off a surprise next week at Arrowhead Stadium against the Chiefs, but the likelier outcome is Geno Smith getting picked off multiple times in a multi-score loss.
29. Cleveland Browns (28)
This is what you get with Dillon Gabriel. Even if you take away the 6 sacks for 38 yards lost, he only averaged 4.25 yards per attempt on 52 passes in Week 6. Now throw in his penchant for sacks and you’ve got a Cleveland Browns passing game that finished with 183 net passing yards on 56 dropbacks in an ugly 23-9 loss. Cleveland simply doesn’t have its future starting quarterback on the roster, but this defense and Quinshon Judkins will give the Browns a shot at defeating the Dolphins next Sunday.
30. Tennessee Titans
It’s time for the Tennessee Titans. Firing Brian Callahan might not fix anything for the foreseeable future, but it will at least send a message to the fan base that the organization is not going to accept what Callahan has done to help Cam Ward. Callahan is going to be fired anyway, so the front office might as well start its coaching evaluation process right now.
31. Baltimore Ravens (31)
On the bright side for the Baltimore Ravens, quarterback Lamar Jackson is expected to return following the Week 7 bye. The perennial MVP candidate will rejoin a team with a 1-5 record that, quite frankly, didn’t look particularly good even before being decimated by injuries. With that said, the upcoming Ravens schedule—Bears, Dolphins, Vikings, Browns, Jets, Bengals—at least offers a path to get back on track.
32. New York Jets (32)
What was everyone expecting from the New York Jets in 2025? We understand the calls for Justin Fields to be benched, though, even that feels like a bit of an overreaction to one game. The wildest overreaction is those already suggesting Aaron Glenn should be fired. This was always going to be a multi-year project for the new regime to fix and that’s what is happening in 2025. The losses will keep coming, but anyone who is surprised by that never understood what this team was coming into the season.
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