Week 6 in the NFL season was all about heavyweights dragging themselves through five miles of mucky mud. Let’s run through this laundry list.
The Kansas City Chiefs probably won the most lopsided 19-8 game in NFL history over the rival Denver Broncos — and no one felt good about it. The Baltimore Ravens sleepwalked through a weird London win over the Tennessee Titans. In a rainy Cleveland, the San Francisco 49ers had egg all over their face after losing to … P.J. Walker? (Not a typo!) In New Jersey, Jalen Hurts showed more alarming signs that his remarkable 2022 might have been a one-year fluke while literally throwing away an undefeated Philadelphia Eagles season. And in Western New York, Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills needed a very kind non-pass interference call to escape a Giants team playing its backup quarterback and backup left tackle.
The only team that really managed to build more goodwill this weekend was the Detroit Lions. Dan Campbell’s bunch cruised in a bruising 20-6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, showing they are more than capable of winning ugly once again. That is, if wins by 14 points could even be considered “ugly.” Of every active NFL contender, Detroit is clearly the greatest beneficiary of a shaky league hierarchy.
Don’t be surprised when they upend it.
Let’s dive into For The Win’s Week 7 NFL power rankings, featuring the Lions shining brighter than ever.
32
Carolina Panthers
Last week’s rank: 31
After a week of dysfunctional ownership controversy, the Panthers showed life against a Miami team they had no business hanging with. Before the Dolphins could blink, Carolina held a 14-0 lead. By the end of the game, Carolina lost 42-21. Woof. Well, at least Frank Reich and Co. can tank for a big-time, young franchise player for the future. (Holds hand to earpiece) What’s that? The Chicago Bears own the Panthers’ 2024 first-round pick? Oh. Oh, goodness. — Robert Zeglinski
31
New England Patriots
Last week’s rank: 32
New England probably won’t fire Bill Belichick. But Robert Kraft is probably finding new and less subtle ways to mention retirement each time he speaks with his Hall of Fame head coach. At the very least, an overmatched roster suggests this may be Belichick’s final year as the team’s de facto general manager. Or maybe six Super Bowl rings (as a Patriot) have made him untouchable. — Christian D’Andrea
30
Chicago Bears
Last week’s rank: 29
Justin Fields had vacated all the goodwill of his Weeks 4-5 performances even before leaving Sunday’s game with a dislocated thumb. Any emotional investment in the Bears should be considered participation in a Ponzi scheme. — CD
29
Denver Broncos
Last week’s rank: 30
Denver sports talk radio is ablaze. Not for a quality, functional Broncos team, mind you. No, no. The Mile High City is fixated on bottoming out for the next No. 1 overall pick and how fast it can rid itself of the rusty anchor known as Russell Wilson. All of this is entirely fair. The sooner Denver can move on from one of the worst trades in NFL history, the better. A top pick in April’s draft would be a fantastic start. — RZ
28
Arizona Cardinals
Last week’s rank: 27
The Cardinals had a nice little run of competitiveness to begin the season. It appears that’s over, which is a problem for a few months but a net benefit in the long run for a team with no realistic dream of contending in 2023. As it currently stands, Arizona has the No. 4 and No. 12 overall picks lined up in its sights. — CD
27
New York Giants
Last week’s rank: 26
What does it say about the Giants that, in one game, Tyrod Taylor looked more comfortable and competent than Daniel Jones has all season? No wonder New York almost upset its cousins to the West. Maybe Big Blue’s problems are mostly connected to its quarterback, who can’t read a defense. I’m sure Brian Daboll is throwing a childish tantrum about this reality as we speak. — RZ
26
Las Vegas Raiders
Last week’s rank: 28
Josh McDaniels is 3-0 against Bill Belichick as an NFL head coach. I don’t know what do to with this information other than spread it like an infectious disease so we can all better understand how unfair life is. — CD
25
Tennessee Titans
Last week’s rank: 25
Mike Vrabel’s team looks uncharacteristically sloppy this fall and now may be tasked with breaking in a young quarterback if Ryan Tannehill’s ankle injury is deemed serious. Or the Titans might have to turn to Malik Willis or Will Levis anyway because Tannehill is a free agent next spring and has been wildly inconsistent to start 2023. — CD
24
Indianapolis Colts
Last week’s rank: 22
Anthony Richardson’s apparent season-ending shoulder injury places this Indianapolis season under a grim spotlight. The entire point of the 2023 campaign was to let Richardson grow comfortable with the NFL game on a poor team. Now, aside from reasonable concerns about Richardson’s long-term health, his development track faces a significant setback that will understandably raise questions about whether he’ll ever become a franchise quarterback. — RZ
23
Minnesota Vikings
Last week’s rank: 24
For the second straight game, the Vikings only lost one turnover. This doesn’t sound great, but it represents a massive step forward for a team cursed to stumble through a field of rakes by football gods who deemed them unworthy of last year’s 13-win campaign. — CD
22
Washington Commanders
Last week’s rank: 20
The Commanders didn’t have to exert themselves much to get back to .500. They waited and pounced on an Atlanta team that loves to shoot itself in the foot. That said, after getting torn up by Chicago on national television, this was an encouraging performance hemming in an arguably more gifted offense. Ron Rivera has quelled some of the heat on his coaching seat for at least another week. — RZ
21
Atlanta Falcons
Last week’s rank: 16
It’s tough to pinpoint who’s to blame for the Falcons’ feeble passing game. On the one hand, Desmond Ridder is as hot and cold as the romantic partners from a late 2000s pop song. On the other, Arthur Smith has zero idea how to properly manage a game or consistently call an offense to his players’ strengths. So, this is what Atlanta gets: A boom-or-bust offense that is usually veering off-road. — RZ
20
Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week’s rank: 21
The Kenny Pickett-Matt Canada Steelers, used to tripping on potholes even when there aren’t any, would assuredly be one of the last teams we’d noticeably reward after bye-week dormancy. Pittsburgh is right where it belongs — in the league’s bottom third. — RZ
19
Green Bay Packers
Last week’s rank: 14
Will the bye week get Jordan Love back on track? The goodwill built in his 2-1 start has fizzled and dispersed like a sugar cube at the bottom of a brandy old fashioned. Matt LaFleur has a wonderful opportunity to build him back up; a date with the Broncos and their historically inept defense awaits. — CD
18
Cleveland Browns
Last week’s rank: 18
Cleveland bet hard on pressure, whether that was crushing Brock Purdy with blitzes or pushing its cornerbacks to the line of scrimmage for aggressive coverage on a rainy day. It paid off. Purdy had the worst performance of his professional career, and the Browns won a game over an undefeated Super Bowl favorite with PJ by-god Walker at quarterback. If they can get anything approaching just average quarterback play from Deshaun Watson, who was traded for and then extended despite more than 20 accusations of sexual misconduct and what the NFL itself described as “predatory behavior,” they can compete for an AFC North title. — CD
17
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last week’s rank: 17
The bloom may be off Baker Mayfield’s onion, as the former top overall pick sputtered through his worst game of the season to date in a listless 20-6 loss to the Detroit Lions. Despite looking sharp in creamsicle orange, Mayfield failed to lead even a single touchdown drive and barely completed more than 50 percent of his passes. How he responds to this downturn will dictate whether Tampa’s emergence as a surprising playoff contender is sustainable or if 2023 is merely a vessel to get to the 2024 NFL Draft. — CD
16
New Orleans Saints
Last week’s rank: 12
The Saints are talented enough to make it interesting in the NFC, but not if their offense continues to stall. Sunday’s loss to the Texans featured two punts, one field goal, a missed field goal, and an interception. And that was just New Orleans’ output in the second half. We’re no longer at that point where we can excuse this meager production with a small sample size. Inconsistency might just be the name of the game for the Saints offense. — RZ
15
Houston Texans
Last week’s rank: 23
CJ Stroud finally threw an interception and completed less than half of his passes in Week 6. Guess what? It didn’t matter because the young defense behind him rose up to lock in a win that made the Texans 3-1 in their last four games. Granted, that unit gave up 430 yards against the Saints, but it also came up big with the game on the line, forcing a turnover on downs and an interception to keep Derek Carr from a game-tying touchdown. This team may not be great, but there’s a creamy (and frankly, weird) middle ground in the NFL this season that’s gonna produce some unexpected playoff teams. — CD
14
New York Jets
Last week’s rank: 19
Is Zach Wilson good enough to lead a high-flying offense? Probably not. But Gang Green doesn’t need a guy dropping dimes every offensive drive. It also doesn’t need an attention-seeking narcissist (cough, cough) trying to tell us his play suggestions helped the team score one touchdown after starting on the opposition’s eight-yard line. The Jets need a game manager who keeps a loaded roster on schedule and within striking distance of a playoff spot. That’s exactly what Wilson is achieving, as they sit at .500, waiting for upcoming scheduled cupcakes like the other New York team. — RZ
13
Cincinnati Bengals
Last week’s rank: 15
(Slaps the NFL at large with passionate disgust.)
Shame on everyone in the league for letting the Bengals float above water while Joe Burrow nursed his calf injury. The talisman quarterback looks healthier by the week, and Cincinnati is now at .500 while heading into a bye. It will eventually have to unleash a more cohesive deep passing game, but that’s probably related to Burrow’s injury. Cue the inevitable white-hot stretch run from a squad that’s qualified for two consecutive AFC title games. — RZ
12
Los Angeles Rams
Last week’s rank: 13
Cooper Kupp has hit the ground running. In two games back from injured reserve, he’s put together what would be a 128-catch, 2,200-yard pace for a 17-game season. The defense continues to exceed expectations as a rebuilt unit, holding the Cardinals without a touchdown in Week 6 and forcing a turnover for the fourth straight game. Is it possible Sean McVay has another playoff team on his hands? — CD
11
Los Angeles Chargers
Last week’s rank: 10
Someone was bound to disappoint in a showdown between a cursed Chargers team and one coached by Mike McCarthy. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, it was Justin Herbert’s two-minute drill as a sack-interception combination crushed any hopes of a comeback win. Still, in a league with a soft middle ground, the Chargers have a path to the postseason — especially as Austin Ekeler rounds back into shape after a September injury. — CD
10
Baltimore Ravens
Last week’s rank: 11
Lamar Jackson is in the NFL for one cliche (but valid) reason: He wants to win. He wants to bring the Ravens another Super Bowl trophy. He also understands that not every win will be pretty or perfect in the long grind of a 17-game season, just like Baltimore’s ugly effort in London over the Titans. If invested Jackson fantasy managers or bettors have a problem with that, they should take it up with him. Though they won’t get an answer they like. — RZ
9
Seattle Seahawks
Last week’s rank: 8
DK Metcalf’s immaturity aside, this is a gutsy, well-coached Seattle team that has a high floor everywhere. It’s obvious Pete Carroll has his fingerprints all over. The Seahawks had no business having not one but two bites at the apple to upset the Bengals on the road. Yet, there they were with a first and goal in the final seconds. If not for a cleaner, more urgent performance from Geno Smith, Seattle sits in striking distance of the NFC West lead. Alas, them’s the breaks. The rise of Tariq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon as a young shutdown cornerback duo is something to monitor during the second half of the season. — RZ
8
Dallas Cowboys
Last week’s rank: 7
Dak Prescott stood up when Dallas needed him most, leading two fourth-quarter scoring drives that turned a tie game into a Cowboys road win. So did Micah Parsons. His final-drive sack and subsequent pressure forced the game-clinching interception that buried the Chargers and got this team back on track following Week 5’s blowout loss to the Niners. Although some *light* pass interference helped, too. — CD
Damn Johnston got bullied pic.twitter.com/7TZJOA2yrg
— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) October 17, 2023
7
Jacksonville Jaguars
Last week’s rank: 9
After a shaky start to the season, we are all witnesses to Trevor Lawrence’s steady ascent. The third-year signal-caller has been a competent conductor for Jacksonville’s offense in its three-game winning streak. A knee injury threatens to derail his progress, so the Jaguars should be cautious. Meanwhile, Travis Etienne continues to be an ideal bellcow back. The runner is now averaging nearly five yards a carry and has been Lawrence’s favorite “safe” target out of the backfield. The Jaguars are flawed, but flawed is good enough to win in an AFC landscape still figuring itself out. — RZ
6
Buffalo Bills
Last week’s rank: 5
A win’s a win, but … woof. Buffalo needed the Giants to self-destruct on a pair of goal-to-go situations late in each half to escape with a home win over a backup quarterback Sunday night. Josh Allen’s inconsistency has been on full display this season, as he’s had three games with a passer rating of 102 or better and two that clock in under 80.0. Von Miller’s return was supposed to boost this defense, but he’s been a non-factor early as the absence of stars Matt Milano and DaQuan Jones, each out due to injury, has been significant. — CD
5
Philadelphia Eagles
Last week’s rank: 3
Five weeks of playing with their food finally burned the Eagles, creating a world where they can lose to Zach Wilson and the Jets on a day where New York mustered a single touchdown (and it was on a play where their defense conceded the score in order to get the ball back). Jalen Hurts’ regression has lasted long enough to be a real concern at this point. Can he rise back to his 2022 level, or is there a defined ceiling on Philly’s offense? — CD
4
Miami Dolphins
Last week’s rank: 6
I’m not sure that Jalen Ramsey will be the cure-all to a Dolphins defense that just let the league’s worst offense score 21 points. Provided Mike McDaniel can orchestrate a 30 to 40-point effort for his team every week, Miami should be a-OK. Everyone knows those kinds of performances are sustainable. — RZ
3
Detroit Lions
Last week’s rank: 4
There are a few signifying hallmarks of when a team is championship-worthy. Its defensive backs are more than willing to tackle in run support. Its skill players sell out in space to block for their teammates when they’re not touching the ball. It’s solid in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Of course, it also has above-average quarterback play with a coach that has everyone buying in. This describes the Lions, who are playing so well, they’ve got Michiganders reminiscing about the halcyon days of Dick LeBeau and Joe Schmidt. — RZ
2
San Francisco 49ers
Last week’s rank: 1
Somewhere, the remaining 1972 Miami Dolphins had to be incredibly happy watching the 49ers meander about against the Browns. Anyone invested in San Francisco couldn’t have been happy watching Brock Purdy try (and fail) to carry an injured San Francisco squad in the rain. The 49ers will probably be OK in the long run — they’re too talented otherwise — but Sunday was a good reminder this red-and-gold juggernaut is not infallible and is, in fact, quite vulnerable. — RZ
1
Kansas City Chiefs
Last week’s rank: 2
In the midst of chaos, we default to Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Kansas City doesn’t quite look like itself, but the offense is beginning to gel, and the Chiefs are tied for the best record in the NFL. Rookie Rashee Rice emerging as the team’s most productive wideout is the storyline to watch in the middle third of the 2023 NFL season. — CD
