NFL POWER RANKINGS WEEK 6
by Alex "Moose" Strizak
With the MLB Postseason Preview taking the headlines last week, it's back to NFL Power Rankings before we preview the NBA. And we have MASSIVE shakeups in the Power Rankings after a wacky two weeks of football...
We finally saw (once again) how important head coaching is. The Browns and 49ers showed us what a drastic difference coaching can make, as I feel both teams have amazing talent on their rosters. However, one team is a legit Super Bowl contender and the other can't even make the playoffs...
We finally saw (once again) how important head coaching is. The Browns and 49ers showed us what a drastic difference coaching can make, as I feel both teams have amazing talent on their rosters. However, one team is a legit Super Bowl contender and the other can't even make the playoffs...
Not too bad of a week... I'm proud of the Indy pick and not surprised by the Eagles pick.
So let's look at my Survivor Pick for Week 6 as I am surprisingly still alive at 5-0 without always picking against Miami (Yes, I'm calling some of you out). Just a reminder, I can no longer pick: New England, Dallas, Philly, the Chargers (thank God), and Minnesota.
I'm going to take the Ravens at home against Cincinnati. The Ravens sure haven't looked too good of recent, but Cincinnati looks like a joke after not putting up much of a fight against Arizona. Give me the Ravens.
Power Rankings
1. New England Patriots
They keep on rolling into a Thursday Night matchup with Daniel Jones and his Giants... Write all the scripts you want, but I only see this game ending one way...
2. New Orleans Saints +3
I am absolutely impressed with how the Saints defense has performed and am even more impressed with how well Teddy Bridgewater has been prepped on a week-to-week basis. This team is legit from top to bottom and will look to continue this trend against a tough Jacksonville defense.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Yes, they lost. But it was their first dud game that we've seen in a long time. I think I learned more about the Colts than I did about the Chiefs. They are legit as long as Patty Mahomes continues to lace up his spikes and have another tough game on the ledger hosting Houston this week.
4. Indianapolis Colts +6
What a showing. This team has been in the business of proving people wrong all season and it continued. The defense is solid and the offensive line has just been confirmed as the best in the league. Jacoby Brissett and Marlon Mack should be feeling pretty good this bye week.
5. San Francisco 49ers +4
Another "what a showing" moment. The defense has taken a drastic step forward with the drafting of a healthy Nick Bosa. As long as the offense can continue to run the ball, they are legit contenders and have a big "If you want to be the man, beat the man" game going to the Rams' building this week.
6. Green Bay Packers +5
I give up. Their schedule hasn't been too difficult to this point and they had some rocky points in that Dallas game, but they have earned a spot on the Top 10. That does NOT mean I'm picking them to beat the Lions...
7. Seattle Seahawks +5
They're legit and proved it on Thursday Night. Look for them to take the extra rest and prep time to run over a Browns team coming off their poorest showing of the year and will be on short rest.
8. Los Angeles Rams -6
They have a HUGE game this week in their own building to prove that they are still serious contenders. Losing to the 49ers in your own building with a tough Seahawks team in your division equals being the odd man out on the playoff hunt.
9. Houston Texans -3
Their offense obliterated an Atlanta team that has now fallen out of contention for the foreseeable future. They welcome Kansas City into their house this week and should be out to make some noise.
10. Buffalo Bills +3
They didn't slay the dragon against New England, but they proved they are playoff worthy taking down a tough Tennessee team in a grind-it-out game. They should be pretty happy with where they are at for their bye week.
11. Baltimore Ravens -4
I can't figure this team out. They look unstoppable and then drop a game to the Browns and almost drop one to the Steeler third QB this season. Sadly, I don't think I'm going to learn any more about this team this week playing the Bengals... I'm not worried about the Ravens winning the division, but I am worried about how they'll play in that playoff game.
12. Minnesota Vikings -8
They took care of business against the Giants, but Kirk Cousins is a serious problem. Their defense, running game, and O-Line all can be taken seriously. However, if the quarterback play doesn't improve then I can't take them seriously as a playoff threat.
13. Dallas Cowboys -5
From the unstoppable team to the team that can't get going. This offense came to a halting screech at the QB position. Luckily for them, they get the opportunity to find their rhythm against a horrid Jets team...
14. Carolina Panthers +8
Kyle Allen seems to be a better fit for this team than Cam Newton (ahem, Bears, Vikings, Broncos, you might as well make a call to see what's up)... McCaffrey is a legit MVP candidate, but their defense is still a major concern.They go to Tampa Bay for a very underrated match-up that could actually have playoff implications.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars -1
I have been on Minshew Mania from day one and I haven't stopped. He did all he could to lead his team over the Panthers, but a rare poor defensive showing haunted Jax... It's time to get back on the horse and try to send a statement by taking the Saints down in your own building... Which probably won't happen, but you never know with the stache...
16. Detroit Lions -1
My surprise win pick of the week that will probably backfire drastically. The Lions have a history of losing heartbreakers to the Packers. NOT SO FAST! Coming off a bye week to prep, this defense is legit and the Lions can actually run the ball. Give me and my idiocracy the road dog on Monday Night Football!
17. Philadelphia Eagles +1
They are still a mess to figure out and a win over the horrid Jets doesn't convince me that they have it figured out... They have a super tough matchup going on the road to Minnesota and, to be honest, I don't have much confidence in them getting it done.
18. Chicago Bears -1
London mulligan? I don't think so. We knew this team had offensive issues and now those offensive issues have caused their defense to be on the field too long. They have a lot of sorting out to do with a travel hangover heading into their bye week.
19. Oakland Raiders +8
If you had told me the Raiders would be 3-2 entering their bye week, I would give you some funny looks that look kinda like John Gruden's looks on the sidelines. But by some miracle they are! Their next three games, however, are @ Green Bay, @ Houston, and at home against Detroit... They'll be lucky to leave 4-4 out of that which may already have hurt their playoff hopes too much...
20. Tennessee Titans -1
What to do with this team, what to do... Well, the defense showed up again. The offense sure didn't. I have no confidence in them going to Mile High against Denver, but I'll take my chances and still pick them to find a way to win.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3
I look up and see somehow Tampa Bay is still in the playoff running. Their game against Carolina will tell us just about all we need to know about which direction this team is heading... Because I have absolutely no idea as of right now.
22. Atlanta Falcons -6
What a disappointment and waste of talent. This season is over. WAKE UP ATLANTA, it's an even-up pick on the spread between you and Arizona! They need to have a serious conversation about the future of this franchise because I'm starting to think they should sell the farm and rebuild.
23. Denver Broncos +5
Nice win to finally chalk one up on the board. The Chargers proved their inferiority, and the Broncos proved they can actually score a touchdown now and then. They face a Titans team that seems a bit lost and it may be an opportunity for Denver to cash in and get what's called a "winning streak" started... But I doubt it...
24. Cleveland Browns -4
What a mess. They clearly hired the wrong head coach and Baker Mayfield is suffering because of it... The Browns need a new identity, as they have needed for years now, and a Freddy Kitchen-run team isn't the identity I like for them... Good luck on a short week having to play a Seattle team that had 11 days to prep against you.
25. Los Angeles Chargers -4
They stink. I have serious concerns about them finishing last in their division. They play the Steelers at "home" this week and I have more confidence in a third-string QB than the Chargers starting lineup which is just sad... It's time to sell the farm...
26. Pittsburgh Steelers -3
They almost snuck a win out with their injury-depleted roster... But this team is a long way off from a playoff contender and is trading away draft picks like they are a contender. Double ouch... I do think they can sneak a win out against a totally lost Chargers team.
27. New York Giants -1
Daniel Jones has slowed down and seems to be getting scouted out a bit... I'm curious to see how the Patriots will handle the Giants, as the Patriots pride themselves on "taking away the best piece of your offense and seeing how you handle not having them." But what is the Giants best "piece of the offense?" The Patriots are 16.5 point favorites, which seems like a bit of overkill... I'll be curious to see how this unfolds...
28. Arizona Cardinals -3
Kyler is a great athlete and got his first win. However, I'm going to echo this every week, he needs an O-line to protect him sooner rather than later, because Murray has continually needed to run for his life...
29. Cincinnati Bengals +1
The NFL Draft isn't too far away, which is something to look forward to... They'll have 7 picks and better make them count, including at the QB position...
30. New York Jets +1
They only move up because Washington is THAT BAD... How do you run a QB out there when he had zero reps with the 1st team when you knew most likely he would start?? I get Darnold is back NOW, but this last week was a joke. I'd rather see Luke Falk go out with the entire second team than what I saw this last Sunday.
31. Miami Dolphins +1
I think they'll prove to be the second-worst team this year and accidentally beat the totally lost Washington team. There's always the risk of players being motivated to save their job or make the interim coach look good when there is a head coach firing, but the Washington problems stem farther than that and it is an obvious poison.
32. Washington Redskins -3
Embarrassing. They have so far to go and it is finally on full display. Firing Gruden won't solve the problem. If you want to get out of the hole, STOP DIGGING.
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