NFL power rankings: Where all 32 teams stand entering Week 6
By Peter Panacy
W, 14-7 @ Titans
It’s still hard to trust Buffalo’s offense, especially on a day when it managed just 313 all-purpose yards.
But the Bills defense is still good enough to warrant an NFL power rankings placement into the top 10. Buffalo sacked Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota five times, also holding Tennessee’s offense to a mere 150 yards passing.
Those kinds of efforts typically wind up in victories, and the Bills are notably 4-1 as a result. While the offense has been hit or miss, head coach Sean McDermott has his defense playing the exact way he wants it to.
L, 30-29 @ Seahawks
Something is up with the Rams, who had the unfortunate task of of visiting the Seahawks on a short week for Thursday Night Football, coming off Los Angeles’ ugly home loss to the Buccaneers the week prior.
Quarterback Jared Goff cut down on the turnovers, at least, and wide receiver Cooper Kupp continues to be one of the most dangerous slot weapons in the league.
But that once-vaunted Rams defense still couldn’t hold the line, and the next few weeks should be vital in determining if L.A. has what it takes to get back to the Super Bowl.
It won’t be easier with EDGE Clay Matthews out for a while with a broken jaw. Ouch!
W, 26-23 @ Steelers (OT)
No change for the Ravens in our NFL power rankings this week. This, after they barely managed to pull off an overtime win against a Steelers squad, which is now onto its third-string quarterback.
One could justify a drop in the rankings, too, as quarterback Lamar Jackson had a three-interception performance, which ultimately influenced this AFC North bout going to overtime. He was sacked five times, too, and Jackson looked relatively human for the first time this season.
Baltimore will hope it can get back to some dominant football, when it hosts the lowly Bengals in Week 6.
W, 53-32 vs. Falcons
Yes, the Falcons are bad. But what a performance, offensively, by the Texans in Week 5.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson was absolutely awesome, having a career-type day with 426 pass yards and five touchdowns against zero interceptions. His offensive line, which has been so problematic for over a year-plus, kept him safe, too, as Watson wasn’t sacked at all in the game.
And while wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is the player fans want to see put up big numbers, it was actually fellow wideout Will Fuller who went off, pulling in an astounding 14 receptions for 217 yards with three touchdowns.
Raise your hand if you had to go against Fuller in fantasy last week. If so, not a happy day.
W, 30-29 vs. Rams
For those thinking Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson isn’t elite, you’re wrong.
Wilson, who is now the key focal point of Seattle’s offense, was amazing in his Thursday Night Football performance against the Rams, tossing four touchdowns and reaching an astounding 151.8 passer rating in the process.
All this against a Rams defense, which is still supposed to be pretty good this season.
Rookie wide receiver D.K. Metcalf is cutting his teeth nicely, and tight end Will Dissly is becoming something of a well-known name, too.
But Seattle remains a run-first team, and running back Chris Carson continues to punish defenses.