NFL Week 6 Power Rankings: Eagles’, Bills’ losses mean new No. 1; Baker, Bucs on the rise
We have a new No. 1 after the Eagles' and Bills' surprising losses on Sunday. Meanwhile the Buccaneers, 49ers and Colts continue to move up.
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Five weeks into the NFL season, we’re starting to get a better feel for each team, even as parity reigns. After the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills lost Sunday, there are no longer any unbeatens. And after the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans won, there’s only one team left without a win: the New York Jets.
So let’s compare resumes. This week, the Power Rankings take a look at who each team has beaten.
1. Detroit Lions (4-1)
Last week: 3Sunday: Beat Bengals 37-24
Who have they beaten? Bears, Ravens, Browns, Bengals
That season-opening loss to the Packers feels like ancient history after four consecutive wins. But the easy part of their schedule is over, and a brutal stretch awaits, especially without cornerback Terrion Arnold. Their next five games are against the Chiefs, Buccaneers, Vikings, Commanders and Eagles.
Up next: at Chiefs, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1)
Last week: 5Sunday: Beat Seahawks 38-35
Who have they beaten? Falcons, Texans, Jets, Seahawks
Baker Mayfield was nearly flawless, completing 29 of 33 passes for 379 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions as the Bucs’ fourth-quarter magic continued. They’ve been perhaps the most fun team in the NFL to watch this season, with a slew of crazy comebacks and a stud rookie receiver. Emeka Egbuka became the first player in league history with at least 25 receptions, 400 receiving yards and five touchdown catches in his first five games as a pro.
Up next: vs. 49ers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
3. Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Last week: 1Sunday: Lost to Broncos 21-17
Who have they beaten? Cowboys, Chiefs, Rams, Buccaneers
Not much has come easily for the Eagles, who have played five one-score games this season. A.J. Brown has only 194 receiving yards as concerns mount about his happiness in this offense. Still, the positive outlook is that the defending champs are 4-1 with some impressive wins and without having played their best football.
Up next: at Giants, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
4. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
Last week: 2Sunday: Lost to Patriots 23-20
Who have they beaten? Ravens, Jets, Dolphins, Saints
Expectations are rightfully high in Buffalo, but the defense hasn’t played like a Super Bowl unit. Still, without a truly dominant team (yet), the Bills should be just fine as they prepare for yet another prime-time game, their fourth in the first six weeks.
Up next: at Falcons, Monday, 7:15 p.m. ET
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1)
Last week: 7Monday: Beat Chiefs 31-28
Who have they beaten? Panthers, Texans, 49ers, Chiefs
Trevor Lawrence went from lying on the ground to diving into the end zone for the game-winning score Monday night. That seems fitting for the Jags, who went from 4-13 a year ago to a four-win team with a pair of impressive victories the last two weeks. Liam Coen has this team playing really well.
Up next: vs. Seahawks, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
6. San Francisco 49ers (4-1)
Last week: 8Thursday: Beat Rams 26-23 (OT)
Who have they beaten? Seahawks, Saints, Cardinals, Rams
Kyle Shanahan is reviving Mac Jones’ career before our eyes. On a day the 49ers’ normally dominant running game never got going, Jones was dealing. And it begs the question: What would Jones’ career look like if the 49ers had drafted him instead of taking Trey Lance, allowing the Alabama product to develop with Shanahan the last four years instead of a stint with Matt Patricia as his play caller?
Up next: at Buccaneers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
7. Indianapolis Colts (4-1)
Last week: 11Sunday: Beat Raiders 40-6
Who have they beaten? Dolphins, Broncos, Titans, Raiders
Their list of vanquished opponents isn’t exactly impressive, but the Colts have looked awfully good in those wins. Their point differential of plus-74 is the best in the NFL. Daniel Jones and the offense’s numbers weren’t incredible over the weekend, but they did go 8-of-10 on third down and earned another blowout win.
Up next: vs. Cardinals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
8. Green Bay Packers (2-1-1)
Last week: 6Sunday: Bye
Who have they beaten? Lions, Commanders
The Packers have a chance to go on a bit of a run coming out of their bye. Their lone opponent in the next month with a record above .500 is the Steelers. There’s little reason to think this offense, which ranks fourth in expected points added per play, will slow down anytime soon.
Up next: vs. Bengals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
9. Los Angeles Rams (3-2)
Last week: 4Thursday: Lost to 49ers 26-23 (OT)
Who have they beaten? Texans, Titans, Colts
Sean McVay’s failed fourth-down play call will haunt him, but there’s still a lot to like with this team. The Rams averaged 7.1 yards per play against the Niners, and their second-half comeback was impressive. After his 389-yard, three-touchdown performance, Matthew Stafford has put all of those training camp health concerns in the rearview mirror.
Up next: at Ravens, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Down 17-3 at the start of the fourth quarter, Bo Nix led the Broncos to 18 unanswered points and an upset of the previously unbeaten Eagles.Emilee Chinn / Getty Images
10. Denver Broncos (3-2)
Last week: 16Sunday: Beat Eagles 21-17
Who have they beaten? Titans, Bengals, Eagles
Bo Nix wasn’t perfect early, but his fourth quarter was tough to beat: 9-of-10 passing for 126 yards while leading three consecutive scoring drives in a come-from-behind win. Still, it was the Denver defense that really dominated. It held Philadelphia to 2-of-10 on third down.
Up next: at Jets, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET (London)
