Causion's NFL Power Rankings: Pre - Week 6
Today I reveal my weekly NFL power rankings heading into week 6 of the season. I will take into account everything I know about these teams, and give heavy consideration to what was displayed on the field so far this season. This gives an accurate assessment of where teams are at in my opinion.
This Week's Rankings
1. New England Patriots
They came off the bye and started slowly against the Cowboys, but got it going in the second half. They will be a tough offense to stop all season
They came off the bye and started slowly against the Cowboys, but got it going in the second half. They will be a tough offense to stop all season
2. Cincinnati Bengals - 3 last week
Their comeback against the Seahawks was a statement game of sorts. Andy Dalton is rolling.
Their comeback against the Seahawks was a statement game of sorts. Andy Dalton is rolling.
3. Green Bay Packers - 2 last week
The offense didn't look crisp against the Rams, but the defense came up big. That's important for the rest of the season
The offense didn't look crisp against the Rams, but the defense came up big. That's important for the rest of the season
4. Denver Broncos - 3 last week
It wasn't pretty against Oakland, but they found a way. The offense is struggling right now, but defense is elite.
It wasn't pretty against Oakland, but they found a way. The offense is struggling right now, but defense is elite.
5. Atlanta Falcons - 6 last week
The offense struggled against the Redskins, but the defense saved the day. That's a good sign.
The offense struggled against the Redskins, but the defense saved the day. That's a good sign.
6. Carolina Panthers - 7 last week
They come off their bye undefeated, but a half game behind the Falcons. They have a tough trip to Seattle this week.
They come off their bye undefeated, but a half game behind the Falcons. They have a tough trip to Seattle this week.
7. Arizona Cardinals - 4 last week
They have scored 190 points in five games, which is top 10 all time in the first five games of a season. It is an offense that is rolling.
They have scored 190 points in five games, which is top 10 all time in the first five games of a season. It is an offense that is rolling.
8. New York Jets - 9 last week
They come off their bye with a home game against the Redskins. An already good defense gets Sheldon Richardson back, which helps.
They come off their bye with a home game against the Redskins. An already good defense gets Sheldon Richardson back, which helps.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers - 10 last week
Gutsy call by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to go for it at the end to beat San Diego. They are alive and well.
Gutsy call by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to go for it at the end to beat San Diego. They are alive and well.
10. New York Giants - 13 last week
Eli Manning is carrying this team now. He is so clutch in the fourth quarter. Now comes a tough game at Philadelphia.
Eli Manning is carrying this team now. He is so clutch in the fourth quarter. Now comes a tough game at Philadelphia.
11. Minnesota Vikings
They come off the bye with a home game against the struggling Chiefs. It's time Teddy Bridgewater got it going.
They come off the bye with a home game against the struggling Chiefs. It's time Teddy Bridgewater got it going.
12. Seattle Seahawks - 8 last week
They blew a game they should have won at Cincinnati. At 2-3, they have to get it going.
They blew a game they should have won at Cincinnati. At 2-3, they have to get it going.
13. Indiannapolis Colts - 13 last week
Matt Hasselbeck has saved their season. The improved play of the offensive line helped in Houston. But when Andrew Luck is back, he's the starter.
Matt Hasselbeck has saved their season. The improved play of the offensive line helped in Houston. But when Andrew Luck is back, he's the starter.
14. San Diego Chargers
That loss will sting for a while and now they have a tough trip to Green Bay to play the Packers. The Chargers have to regroup in a hurry.
That loss will sting for a while and now they have a tough trip to Green Bay to play the Packers. The Chargers have to regroup in a hurry.
15. Buffalo Bills
They found a way at Tennessee. The defense finally showed up and looked like the unit we've expected to see.
They found a way at Tennessee. The defense finally showed up and looked like the unit we've expected to see.
16. St. Louis Rams - 11 last week
At 2-3, they've faced a tough schedule so far. They need to get more out of Nick Foles. Gurley is coming on strong.
At 2-3, they've faced a tough schedule so far. They need to get more out of Nick Foles. Gurley is coming on strong.
17. Oakland Raiders
They competed against Denver, but didn't do enough on offense. The defense is improving.
They competed against Denver, but didn't do enough on offense. The defense is improving.
18. Cleveland Browns - 23 last week
Josh McCown is really playing well, better than most expected. But now he faces a tough Denver defense.
Josh McCown is really playing well, better than most expected. But now he faces a tough Denver defense.
19. Philadelphia Eagles - 26 last week
They got the offense cranked up against the Saints. But they have to string a few games together before people start to believe again.
They got the offense cranked up against the Saints. But they have to string a few games together before people start to believe again.
20. Washington Redskins - 18 last week
They competed at Atlanta, but Kirk Cousins still can't show he can put two good games together. Can he do it?
They competed at Atlanta, but Kirk Cousins still can't show he can put two good games together. Can he do it?
21. Chicago Bears - 25 last week
Despite all the injuries, they've won two consecutive games after a slow start. Jay Cutler is playing well.
Despite all the injuries, they've won two consecutive games after a slow start. Jay Cutler is playing well.
22. Tennessee Titans - 19 last week
They came off the bye and played well on defense against the Bills, but the offense struggled. There will be days like that for rookie passer Marcus Mariota.
They came off the bye and played well on defense against the Bills, but the offense struggled. There will be days like that for rookie passer Marcus Mariota.
23. Dallas Cowboys - 20 last week
They have quarterback issues. Should they make a change to Matt Cassel? He can't do much worst. They need their playmakers back quickly or they are done.
They have quarterback issues. Should they make a change to Matt Cassel? He can't do much worst. They need their playmakers back quickly or they are done.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
The defense is a big-time issue. At least Blake Bortles is showing progress.
The defense is a big-time issue. At least Blake Bortles is showing progress.
25. Tampa Bay Bucs - 29 last week
They got it going on offense against the Jaguars, especially the running game. That's important for Jameis Winston.
They got it going on offense against the Jaguars, especially the running game. That's important for Jameis Winston.
26. Baltimore Ravens - 22 last week
At 1-4, they're in big trouble. Their defense just doesn't have the talent to compete.
At 1-4, they're in big trouble. Their defense just doesn't have the talent to compete.
27. Kansas City Chiefs - 15 last week
With Jamaal Charles down for the year with a torn ACL, and four consecutive losses, this team looks done.
With Jamaal Charles down for the year with a torn ACL, and four consecutive losses, this team looks done.
28. New Orleans Saints - 27 last week
The defense is horrible and makes one wonder how long Rob Ryan can stay running it. The talent isn't there.
The defense is horrible and makes one wonder how long Rob Ryan can stay running it. The talent isn't there.
29. Miami Dolphins - 30 last week
They come out of the bye with new coach Dan Campbell instilling a supposedly new attitude. Talk is one thing, but action is another.
They come out of the bye with new coach Dan Campbell instilling a supposedly new attitude. Talk is one thing, but action is another.
30. Houston Texans - 32 last week
They have quarterback issues, but the poor defensive play is the major issue. That unit is struggling.
They have quarterback issues, but the poor defensive play is the major issue. That unit is struggling.
31. San Francisco 49ers - 32 last week
Do they miss Jim Harbaugh that much? Or would that even matter with this team?
Do they miss Jim Harbaugh that much? Or would that even matter with this team?
32. Detroit Lions - 30 last week
It's hard to believe they are here at the bottom. They've gone from possible Super Bowl contender to this? Wow.
It's hard to believe they are here at the bottom. They've gone from possible Super Bowl contender to this? Wow.