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AP Photo/Ron Jenkins

2024 NFL Power Rankings: Week 6


A highly competitive start to the 2024 NFL season continues, with no winless teams through five games for just the fourth time since 1970.

 

1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) | Last week: 1

Despite all the parity, the Chiefs unsurprisingly still lead the way with a 5-0 start. A dominant Monday night effort versus the Saints—from the defense being a force to the offense again calmly moving the ball and making enough plays to control the game—was another display of how difficult it is to beat Kansas City.

 

2. Detroit Lions (3-1) | Last week: 2

The Lions emerge from the early bye to face a Cowboys team they lost to in very controversial fashion last December. You can bet that Dan Campbell and his squad will have some extra juice.

 

3. Baltimore Ravens (3-2) | Last week: 3

Lamar Jackson simply put the team on his back with two 10-point fourth-quarter comebacks in the eventual overtime victory against the Bengals. I’m concerned that the Baltimore defense has gone cold at times, particularly against top skill players like Ja’Marr Chase and Davante Adams, though.

 

4. Minnesota Vikings (5-0) | Last week: 4

A quick start after a long trip to London helped the Vikings get a tight win over the Jets. I believe it’s a sign of the job that Kevin O’Connell and the coaching staff are doing to get their players to come out and play well across the pond.

 

5. Houston Texans (4-1) | Last week: 6 (+1)

Houston’s defense presented a ton of problems for Buffalo early, ultimately making enough stops in a relatively low-scoring game between Stefon Diggs and his former team. DeMeco Ryans is going to have his guys teeing off against the Patriots and a rookie quarterback making his first start this Sunday. On offense, the Texans will be without NFL leading receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) for at least four games.

 

6. Dallas Cowboys (3-2) | Last week: 12 (+6)

Dak Prescott was clutch well past midnight in Pittsburgh, and the play of the banged-up Cowboys defense was very encouraging. Third-year receiver Jalen Tolbert, who caught the game-winning touchdown, has gained a ton of trust from his quarterback.

 

7. Buffalo Bills (3-2) | Last week: 5 (-2)

I was surprised to see Josh Allen running for his life far too often in the loss to the Texans—and if the offensive line is a problem as it has been the past two games, the Bills are in trouble. Receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) missing Week 5 didn’t help, but Allen’s weapons aren’t getting enough separation for him to have someplace to go with the ball—particularly when he’s under quick pressure.

 

8. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) | Last week: 11 (+3)

Off the bye, the Eagles released veteran linebacker Devin White (did not play a snap for the team) and are moving second-round rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean into the starting nickel role. If there is a time to get the disappointing pass rush going, it’s this week at home versus Cleveland.

 

9. San Francisco 49ers (2-3) | Last week: 7 (-2)

Kyle Shanahan says the team is “extremely frustrated” about blowing leads, and star pass rusher Nick Bosa has indicated that they are still finding themselves this season. However, the offense didn’t help last Sunday, with zero points in the second half of the loss versus the Cardinals.

 

10. Seattle Seahawks (3-2) | Last week: 8 (-2)

Perhaps the most disappointing performance of Week 5 came from the Seahawks, as they were handled at home against the Giants—losing, 29-20, in a game New York felt like they controlled more than that. Look for the five carries Kenneth Walker III got to be remedied quickly on Thursday night when they host San Francisco.

 

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) | Last week: 10 (-1)

While they didn’t get the win, the Sunday night loss to the Cowboys felt more like the style of game the Steelers are built to win right now. That said, it sounds like Russell Wilson is very close to 100%, and he might unlock more in the passing game if he gets the nod over Justin Fields.

 

12. Green Bay Packers (3-2) | Last week: 13 (+1)

Star cornerback Jaire Alexander (groin) and receiver Romeo Doubs (suspension) were both out, but the Packers rode running back Josh Jacobs (94 total yards, one touchdown) and tight end Tucker Kraft (88 yards, two touchdowns) offensively while doing enough to hold the Rams down despite giving up 370 yards. The return of Doubs should help Green Bay improve on third down after going 1/8 last week.

 

13. Atlanta Falcons (3-2) | Last week: 14 (+1)

The style of play for Kirk Cousins during his career-high 509 passing yards and four touchdowns in the overtime win against the Bucs was reminiscent of Peyton Manning with the Broncos—limited compared to what he used to be physically, but with the experience and mastery to know where to go with the ball on every play. Receiver Darnell Mooney (105 yards, two touchdowns) was a fantastic addition to the offense, too.

 

14. Denver Broncos (3-2) | Last week: 16 (+2)

I already had the Broncos somewhat high in the power rankings due in large part to the defense, but rookie quarterback Bo Nix continues to look better and better on the other side of the ball—and this intense argument between Nix and Sean Payton is closer to a good thing than a bad thing. Drew Brees has said that Payton responds best to being challenged, and—people that don’t watch the games closely might not realize it—the Broncos were in a good spot in that game when the animated discussion occurred.

 

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) | Last week: 9 (-6)

I like how Todd Bowles handled rookie running back Bucky Irving’s late fumble, basically saying post-game that the loss is not on him while lamenting the struggles of the defense. Tampa Bay is dealing with injuries in the secondary, but they should play much better regardless of health this week against the Saints.

 

16. Washington Commanders (4-1) | Last week: 19 (+3)

The steady rise for the Commanders in the power rankings continues, and again, I don’t blame you if you feel this is far too low for a team that’s playing excellent football through five games. I like how they can run the ball, and Jayden Daniels just knows how to make plays and keep drives moving. I’m anxious to see how Washington fares at Baltimore—and they would certainly move up with another promising performance.

 

17. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) | Last week: 17

As stated last week, the bye comes at an ideal time for the Chargers. Justin Herbert and the other injured Chargers were able to rest for a week, and we should see a fresh team for a divisional matchup with the Broncos.

 

18. Chicago Bears (3-2) | Last week: 21 (+3)

It was a relatively rocky start from an individual and offensive perspective, but Caleb Williams was phenomenal in the Bears’ win over the Panthers last week. DJ Moore scored twice against his former team, and Williams is winning from the pocket while complementing an emerging run game and a very good defense.

 

19. Arizona Cardinals (2-3) | Last week: 24 (+5)

The Cardinals show how you bounce back, not only putting the blowout Week 4 loss to the Commanders behind them but erasing a deficit to defeat the 49ers on the road. The matchup with the Packers is an intriguing one in the NFC.

 

20. New York Giants (2-3) | Last week: 25 (+5)

Taking of the advantage of the mini bye and building on the solid outing in a TNF loss to the Cowboys, the Giants had a statement type of win—without star rookie receiver Malik Nabers (concussion) in the lineup—at Seattle. Daniel Jones is playing with an edge, and rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. shined in his first big opportunity.

 

21. Indianapolis Colts (2-3) | Last week: 18 (-3)

They didn’t get the win, but it’s cool to see veteran quarterback Joe Flacco having a ton of fun out there and keeping Indy competitive while dealing with multiple injuries on both sides of the ball. We’ll see if Anthony Richardson (oblique), Jonathan Taylor (ankle), and others are able to return to face the Titans this weekend.

 

22. New York Jets (2-3) | Last week: 20 (-2)

The early stunner of the season in the coaching ranks was the Jets firing head coach Robert Saleh five games in. It sounds like team owner Woody Johnson just didn’t think they were headed in the right direction and wanted to see if the change could give them a spark. I’d like to see the Jets play tougher against the run now. Regardless, the offense still must get on the same page.

 

23. Cincinnati Bengals (1-4) | Last week: 22 (-1)

Joe Burrow and the offense are cooking, but the struggles of the Bengals defense continued in the overtime loss to the Ravens. There are no must-wins this early, but it’s imperative that Cincy gets on track against the Giants and Browns the next two games.

 

24. New Orleans Saints (2-3) | Last week: 15 (-9)

Not only were the Saints thoroughly outplayed on Monday night (despite the score staying relatively close), but they lost quarterback Derek Carr for likely at least a couple of games due to an oblique injury—and he’s more unlikely to return in Week 7 with New Orleans playing on TNF. The defense will have to step up with Carr out.

 

25. Los Angeles Rams (1-4) | Last week: 23 (-2)

They’re playing tough, but it’s felt like the Rams just don’t have enough offensive juice over the past two games with their multiple key injuries. They’ll hopefully be healthier after the bye week.

 

26. Las Vegas Raiders (2-3) | Last week:  26

Two interceptions including a 100-yard pick-six by Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II led to Gardner Minshew getting benched again—and we’ll see if Antonio Pierce makes the full switch to Aidan O’Connell this time. Already without receiver Davante Adams (hamstring, trade discussions), the Raiders now lost defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (foot) for a while.

 

27. Tennessee Titans (1-3) | Last week: 28 (+1)

The big question for the Titans coming off the bye is the status of quarterback Will Levis (shoulder). I would think Tennessee isn’t going to play him unless he’s absolutely 100%—and I don’t think they’d mind seeing how Mason Rudolph operates the offense for a full game.

 

28. Miami Dolphins (2-3) | Last week: 29 (+1)

Frustrations over a lack of offensive production continue for Miami, but they were able to grind out a victory at New England to get to 2-3 heading into their bye week.

 

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) | Last week: 31 (+2)

Trevor Lawrence responded very well to the blunt assessment of his play from head coach Doug Pederson heading into last week, throwing for 371 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Indy. Rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. caught an 85-yard touchdown, and running back Tank Bigsby (13 carries, 101 yards, two touchdowns) has been impressive as a complement to Travis Etienne Jr.

 

30. Carolina Panthers (1-4) | Last week: 27 (-3)

The Panthers started fast, but they were otherwise shut down by the Chicago defense. Now star right tackle Taylor Moton (elbow) will miss the first game of his eight-year career this week against the Falcons, and he’s considered week-to-week.

 

31. Cleveland Browns (1-4) | Last week: 30 (-1)

Not that teammates are playing extraordinarily well around him, but Deshaun Watson is missing too many throws—especially to Amari Cooper—for Cleveland to have success.

 

32. New England Patriots (1-4) | Last week: 32

As a positive for the Patriots, I like how Rhamondre Stevenson responded to his benching, running hard in the loss to the Dolphins. New England is now going with rookie Drake Maye at quarterback, and I sincerely hope the move isn’t being made just because the three rookie starters around the league have had such strong starts, as there’s a lot to be fixed with the Pats right now.