NFL Week 6 Power Rankings: The 49ers strike gold

1. New England Patriots (5-0; Won 33-7 vs WAS) (+1)

The Patriots got going after yet another slow start, and ended up smashing a fledgling Washington team to keep their perfect record.

2. Green Bay Packers (4-1; Won 34-24 vs DAL) (+4)

Green Bay made a statement by dominating a talented Cowboys team on the road. Their young defensive backs gave the Cowboys offense a hard time, and Aaron Jones put up four touchdowns and over 100 yards.

3. San Francisco 49ers (4-0; Won 31-3 vs CLE) (+3)

The 49ers defensive line gave Baker Mayfield and the Browns hell, as the team walked all over the Browns to stay perfect on the year.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1; Lost 19-13 vs IND) (-3)

A banged up Chiefs team failed to get their offense going against the Colts and dropped their first game on Sunday night. While the loss hurts, the real concern is regarding an ankle injury suffered by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

5. New Orleans Saints (4-1; Won 31-24 vs TB) (-2)

New Orleans got another tough fight from their division rival, but Teddy Bridgewater and Co. prevailed to keep the Saints in the race for the NFC’s top speed. Bridgewater had one of his better starts in a Saints uniform, with 314 yards and four touchdown passes.

6. Seattle Seahawks (4-1; Won 30-29 vs LAR) (+3)

Seattle won a huge early season divisional tilt on Thursday night as a missed field goal gave them a win over the Rams. Russell Wilson has emerged as an MVP favorite and he hopes to take the Seahawks right back to the playoffs.

7. Dallas Cowboys (3-2; Lost 34-24 vs GB) (-3)

Dallas missed out on a big opportunity to earn a statement win against the Green Bay Packers, and were dominated at home. Dak Prescott threw three interceptions in a game wasn’t nearly as close as the final score suggests.

8. Los Angeles Rams (3-2; Lost 30-29 vs SEA) (-)

Los Angeles was a last-second field goal away from beating their division rival Seattle Seahawks on the road, but fell down to third in the NFC West. Jared Goff was hit or miss but had a great finish to the game. The defense did struggle, though.

9. Detroit Lions (2-1-1; BYE) (+1)

Detroit got a bye week ahead of a key divisional tilt with the Packers next week.

10. Buffalo Bills (4-1; Won 14-7 vs TEN) (+4)

They cannot score, but they can win. The Buffalo Bills reached 4-1 on the year after winning a defensive struggle against the Titans. With an easy schedule on the horizon, Bills could find themselves in the playoffs come January.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (3-2; Won 31-6 vs NYJ) (-)

The Eagles absolutely steamrolled the New York Jets to get back above .500 and put themselves back into the driver’s seat in the NFC East. A matchup in Minnesota that can solidify them as an NFC contender looms.

12. Chicago Bears (3-2; Lost 24-21 vs OAK) (-5)

Chase Daniel made sure to prove to the international audience why Mitch Trubisky is the starter in Chicago. The backup quarterback had a horrible day in London, and could not take advantage of a second half meltdown by the Raiders.

13. Indianapolis Colts (3-2; Won 19-13 vs KC) (+6)

The Colts waltzed out of Arrowhead Stadium with a victory after a great defensive performance. Their secondary was great, and they took advantage of a banged of Chiefs team to earn a key victory in the race for the AFC playoffs.

14. Houston Texans (3-2; Won 53-32 vs ATL) (+3)

Deshaun Watson, Will Fuller and the Houston Texans exploded on the Falcons defense. Fuller had 217 yards and three scores. Watson threw for five touchdowns and 426 yards. The Texans explosive offense seems to be back.

15. Minnesota Vikings (3-2; Won 28-10 vs NYG) (+3)

Minnesota wiped out the Giants in order to hand Daniel Jones his first loss of the season and play their way right back into the NFC North race.. While Stefon Diggs trade rumors loom, this win could help the receiver feel back in the fray in Minneapolis.

16. Los Angeles Chargers (2-3; Lost 20-13 vs DEN) (-4)

Los Angeles fell back below .500 after losing a very winnable game in Week 5. Melvin Gordon’s return to football was dismal, racking up only 31 yards on 12 carries.

17. Baltimore Ravens (3-2; Won 26-23 vs PIT) (-2)

The Baltimore Ravens scrapped their way back into the win column after knocking off a bad Steelers team in overtime. Lamar Jackson had another rough day at the office, only totaling 161 yards on 28 attempts, along with three interceptions.

18. Carolina Panthers (3-2; Won 34-27 vs JAX) (+5)

The Panther won a wild, sloppy, game against the Jaguars to get back over .500, and with Cam Newton back soon, Carolina could be contenders in the wild card race.

19. Tennessee Titans (2-3; Lost 14-7 vs BUF) (-3)

The Titans offense had no answer for the stiffing Bills defense, and the team has fallen below .500. Tennessee has a lot of questions to answer on offense if they hope to compete this season.

20. Cleveland Brown (2-3; Lost 31-3 vs SF) (-7)

Baker Mayfield played horribly, Odell Beckham Jr. was absent and the offensive line could not handle the 49ers pass rush as the Browns dropped yet another game. The only reprise for them in this disappointing season is that the rest of the AFC North does not look good either.

21. Oakland Raiders (3-2; Won 24-21 vs CHI) (+4)

Oakland managed to prevail against the Bears in London despite a second-half meltdown, pulling off a season defining victory. Joshua Jacobs had a stand-out day, with 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3; Lost 31-24 vs NO) (-2)

Another rough day from Jameis Winston condemned the Bucs, and their defense had trouble containing all of Teddy Bridgewater’s check downs.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3; Lost 34-27 vs CAR) (-2)

Gardnew Minshew was unable to put together a late drive to send the game to overtime and the Jaguars fell just short in Carolina. Leonard Fournette eclipsed the 100-yard mark with 108 yards and a touchdown on 23 attempts.

24. New York Giants (2-3; Lost 28-10 vs MIN) (-2)

Daniel Jones got his first taste of defeat in Week 5, as he had trouble cracking the Vikings tough defense. The Giants own defense had trouble against a fledgling Vikings pass offense as well.

25. Denver Broncos (1-4; Won 20-13 vs LAC) (+2)

Denver raced out to an early lead against their division rival, and their defense had a great second half to hold onto an unstable lead. The Broncos finally got in the win column and showed us the great defense they should have had all year.

26. Atlanta Falcons (1-4; Lost 53-32 vs HOU) (-2)

Atlanta’s defense wasted a great day from the offense, allowing Deshaun Watson and Will Fuller to run them riot. The Falcons may need a fix fast on the defensive side of the ball or this season could be an embarrassing one.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-4; Lost 26-23 vs BAL) (-1)

Mason Rudolph had to leave the game after a taking a scary hit midway through the game, and third-string quarterback Devlin Hodges took over under center. Hodges kept the team alive, though, sending the game to overtime. Pittsburgh’s season is all but dead, though.

28. Arizona Cardinals (1-3-1; Won 26-23 vs CIN) (+3)

Arizona finally got into the win column after beating the Bengals on the road. A clutch fourth quarter drive from quarterback Kyler Murray allowed them to get in position to kick a last-minute field goal and win the game.

29. New York Jets (0-4; Lost 31-6 vs PHI) (-1)

New York had an entire bye week to prepare for the Philadelphia Eagles but still looked like they had no idea what they were doing.

30. Washington (0-5; Lost 33-7 vs NE) (-1)

The change to Case Keenum at quarterback was not enough as Washington lost a tough one to the Patriots. The team made another change, though, firing head coach Jay Gruden. This team is looking towards the future and may have a shot at the first overall pick next spring.

31. Cincinnati Bengals (0-5; Lost 26-23 vs ARI) (-1)

A late rally fell just short as the Bengals dropped to 0-5 on the year after falling to the Cardinals at home. Cincinnati is firmly in the race for the first overall pick.

32. Miami Dolphins (0-4; BYE) (-)

Miami and the Alabama Crimson Tide had the same bye week this season. The stars are aligning.