NFL Power Rankings 7.0

10/18/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Five Teams Are 5-1 Through 6 Weeks — But It’s Time to Drink the Detroit Kool-Aid

With five teams all 5-1 through six weeks, there are a lot of possibilities in this week’s top-5. All five teams have shown their weaknesses, but the Lions have earned their place at the top. They’re balanced on both sides and the play of QB Jared Goff is MVP-level through six weeks. Goff’s 2023 season to date: 1,618 yards, 11 TDs, 3 INTs, 73.3 QBR. He’s top-10 in every category (top-5 in some), and his defense is stacked. This team is for real.

Deeper on Detroit: Detroit’s lone loss was an OT defeat to the Seahawks. They beat the Chiefs, and the 49ers and Eagles are banged up now. Kansas City is still winning repeatedly, but they’re not dominating. And the Dolphins still need to prove their defense can beat elite teams. A lot of the top teams not named Detroit will cannibalize each other in the weeks ahead. Matchups between the Dolphins-Eagles, Dolphins-Chiefs, Chiefs-Chargers, Eagles-Cowboys, and 49ers-Jaguars could see a lot of the top squads hurt each other in the month ahead. The Lions have the Ravens in Week 7, but the following month looks peachy with the Raiders, Packers and Bears at home (three likely wins). Dan Campbell’s crew gets our No. 1 spot, and they have an opportunity to hold it for quite awhile while the 49ers and Eagles battle injuries.

Fun Fact: The season-opener was a one-point decision between the Lions and Chiefs (21-20). Could that have been a Super Bowl preview right out of the gate?

NFL Power Rankings (Week 6)

1. Lions (5-1) | ↑3

2. Chiefs (5-1) | ↑1

3. 49ers (5-1) | ↓2

4. Dolphins (5-1) | ↑1

5. Eagles (5-1) | ↓4

6. Bills (4-2) | —

7. Jaguars (4-2) | ↑2

8. Cowboys (4-2) | —

9. Ravens (4-2) | ↑3

10. Browns (3-2) | ↑3

Teams 11-20

11. Bengals (3-3) | ↑8

12. Rams (3-3) | ↑3

13. Chargers (2-3) | ↓3

14. Seahawks (3-2) | ↓7

15. Jets (3-3) | ↑8

16. Steelers (3-2) | ↑2

17. Texans (3-3) | ↑4

18. Buccaneers (3-2) | ↓7

19. Saints (3-3) | ↓5

20. Packers (2-3) | —

Teams 21-32

21. Falcons (3-3) | ↓5

22. Colts (3-3) | ↓6

23. Raiders (3-3) | ↑1

24. Commanders (3-3) | ↑3

25. Vikings (2-4) | —

26. Titans (2-4) | ↓4

27. Bears (1-5) | ↓1

28. Cardinals (1-5) | —

29. Broncos (1-5) | —

30. Patriots (1-5) | —

31. Giants (1-5) | —

32. Panthers (0-6) | —

SI: NFL Power Rankings: Upset-Filled Sunday Provides Shakeup

Image: Joe Stella / Media Mobilize