NFL Power Rankings: Week 6 (2023)
George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 8, 2023, in Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
After a week away, I am back with my NFL Power Rankings! Week 5 was another crazy week in the NFL, featuring the Saints destroying the Patriots in New England, Joe Burrow finally looking like his elite self against the Cardinals, and a complete beatdown of the Dallas Cowboys by the San Francisco 49ers on "Sunday Night Football".
Week 4 seems like ages ago, so the rankings for this week may look skewed. Regardless, it's time to look at how all 32 squads currently stack up against each other heading into Week 6, starting with none other than the 49ers.
1. San Francisco 49ers (Week 4 ranking: #2): Record (5-0)
The 49ers embarrassed the Cowboys on Sunday, dominating in all three phases en route to a 42-10 win. Quarterback Brock Purdy is playing at an MVP level, and the defence continued to play at their accustomed elite level, sacking Dak Prescott four times while picking off three of his passes. San Francisco will try to go to 6-0 this week when they travel to Cleveland to take on a well-rested Browns team coming off their bye week.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (Week 4 ranking: #4): Record (5-0)
The beat goes on in Philly as the Eagles start off 5-0 for the second consecutive season. Jalen Hurts was solid, but it was their defence that won them that game against the Rams on Sunday, as they held Matthew Stafford and Co. to just 14 points (0 in the second half) and 4.5 yards per play. Next, the Birds will look to stay undefeated when they face a talented Jets team in New York.
3. Miami Dolphins (Week 4 ranking: #1): Record (4-1)
After getting blown out by the Bills in Week 4, the Dolphins responded by imposing their will on the Giants in a 31-16 victory at home. Miami piled up 524 yards of offence against the G-Men, breaking the NFL record for the most yards through a team's first five games of a season in the process. Star rookie running back De'Von Achane will unfortunately miss some time with a knee injury, but the 'Fins should still be able to take care of the winless Carolina Panthers this week.
4. Detroit Lions (Week 4 ranking: #7): Record (4-1)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (Week 4 ranking: #3): Record (4-1)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 4 ranking: #17): Record (3-2)
Not only did the Bills lose to the Jaguars (which could bring huge implications down the stretch in terms of the AFC playoff picture), but they also suffered some big-time injuries to key players, most notably, All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano, who will be out indefinitely with a leg injury. However, Buffalo should be able to bounce back this week when they host a bad Giants team on "Sunday Night Football".
8. Seattle Seahawks (Week 4 ranking: #9): Record (3-1)
Seattle has won three straight and now, they come out of their bye week looking to keep pace with the 49ers in the NFC West. Geno Smith and the offence have been stellar, while the defence has been just good enough. The Seahawks have a tough matchup this week, as they travel to Cincinnati to take on a Bengals team that might just be starting to hit their stride.
9. Dallas Cowboys (Week 4 ranking: #6): Record (3-2)
The Cowboys certainly have some soul-searching to do after they got pummeled by the 49ers on Sunday. It's clear that while Dallas is a very talented team with blue-chip players on offence and defence, they're simply not on the level of a team like the 49ers. Dak Prescott and the crew will try to rebound with a win on "Monday Night Football" this week against a solid Chargers team.
10. Los Angeles Chargers (Week 4 ranking: #14): Record (2-2)
After starting off the season at 0-2, the Chargers rebounded to win two straight close games against the Vikings and Raiders respectively heading into their bye week. Quarterback Justin Herbert is having another fantastic season, and star running back Austin Ekeler should be back for their big game against the Cowboys this week.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (Week 4 ranking: #11): Record (3-2)
Even though the Steelers haven't been playing great football in 2023, they have still found ways to win games and that's all that matters as they currently sit in first place in the vaunted AFC North. The defence, led by All-Pro pass rusher T.J. Watt has been good, but Kenny Pickett and the offence must be better if they want to make a playoff run in the AFC this season. Pittsburgh has a bye in Week 6.
12. Baltimore Ravens (Week 4 ranking: #10): Record (3-2)
The Ravens should be 4-1 and atop the AFC North right now, but they let last week's game against the Steelers slip through their hands (literally) in a 17-10 loss. That was a tough defeat for the Ravens, but now, they must refocus their mind on the Tennessee Titans, who they will play this week across the pond in London.
13. Indianapolis Colts (Week 4 ranking: #20): Record (3-2)
For the first time since 2020, the Colts defeated the Titans on Sunday. Tennessee had previously defeated Indianapolis seven straight times, but this time around, led by running back Zack Moss (165 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns) and a solid defensive performance, Indy finally managed to end their losing streak to their AFC South rivals. Next up, the Colts will try to end another losing streak by beating the Jaguars in Jacksonville for the first time since 2014.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 4 ranking: #21): Record (3-1)
The Buccaneers went into their bye week last week sitting in first place in the NFC South. Led by Baker Mayfield's steady play, and a talented, opportunistic defence, Tampa Bay has been one of the most surprising teams so far in the 2023 NFL season. They'll look to keep the momentum this week when they host a red-hot Lions team on Sunday.
15. New Orleans Saints (Week 4 ranking: #15): Record (3-2)
The Saints completely dominated the Patriots in Week 5, beating them 34-0 in Foxborough. The offence definitely looks more dynamic with star running back Alvin Kamara back in the fold, but the real calling card for this Saints' team continues to be their amazing defence, which has been elite to start the season.. They'll look to keep pace with the Buccaneers in the NFC South race and beat the Texans this week.
16. Cleveland Browns (Week 4 ranking: #8): Record (2-2)
The Browns got blown out by the Ravens in Week 4 before heading into their bye week. The good news for Cleveland is that quarterback Deshaun Watson could be back this week after he missed the game against the Ravens. The bad news, however, is that they have to play the 49ers, who haven't lost a regular-season game in nearly a full year, on Sunday.
17. Atlanta Falcons (Week 4 ranking: #17): Record (3-2)
The Falcons stayed undefeated at home last week when they managed to notch a come-from-behind win over the Texans. Quarterback Desmond Ridder had the best game of his young career and the defence held Houston to 19 points. Atlanta will look to continue their momentum this week when they host the Commanders on Sunday afternoon.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (Week 4 ranking: #13): Record (2-3)
This is the Bengals team that we expected to see this season. Joe Burrow played great for the first time this season, throwing for 317 yards and three touchdowns (with all three touchdown passes going to his All-Pro receiver Ja'Marr Chase). Burrow and the gang will try to replicate that performance on Sunday when they host the Seahawks in an interconference matchup.
19. Los Angeles Rams (Week 4 ranking: #22): Record (2-3)
The Rams lost on Sunday, but they put up a great fight against the defending NFC champion Eagles. Cooper Kupp returned and picked up right where he left off from last season, catching eight passes for 118 yards. Kupp and Puka Nacua will combine to form a dynamic duo at wide receiver for quarterback Matthew Stafford, who will try to get L.A. back on track when they play host to the NFC West rival Cardinals on Sunday.
20. Houston Texans (Week 4 ranking: #25): Record (2-3)
The Texans had their two-game winning streak snapped last week in Atlanta. However, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud continued to play great, setting the record for most passes thrown without an interception to start a career. Houston will look to bounce back and get back to .500 when they play the Saints at home on Sunday afternoon.
21. New York Jets (Week 4 ranking: #27): Record (2-3)
The Jets won their first game since Week 1 last week, beating the Broncos 31-21 on the road. Zach Wilson played okay, but the main reason behind their victory was the result of stellar performances from Breece Hall (177 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown) and their defence, which scored a touchdown off a fumble late in the fourth quarter to seal the win. New York will look to pull off a big upset this week when they host the Eagles on "America's Game of the Week".
22. Tennessee Titans (Week 4 ranking: #26): Record (2-3)
The Titans were not able to go over .500 last week as they fell short vs. the Colts. While their defence has been solid, the offence has been absolutely abysmal. Ryan Tannehill has mightily struggled under center and Derrick Henry hasn't been able to get going (3.8 yards per carry). It's safe to say that head coach Mike Vrabel has his work cut out for him moving forward, starting with this week's London game against a tough Ravens squad.
23. Washington Commanders (Week 4 ranking: #18): Record (2-3)
The Commanders have lost two straight games, one to the Eagles in overtime and the other defeat happened last week when they got lit up by the Bears on "Thursday Night Football". Washington is a feisty team, but they have to take much better care of the football on offence and give up less explosive plays on defence if they want to make the postseason this year. Let's see if they can bounce back against the Falcons on Sunday.
24. Las Vegas Raiders (Week 4 ranking: #29): Record (2-3)
The Raiders are coming off a much-needed win over the Packers on "Monday Night Football". Quarterback Jimmy Garropolo did just enough in his return from injury, while the defence made life miserable for Jordan Love and the Packers offence. Vegas will try to win consecutive games for the first time this season when they host the reeling Patriots this Sunday.
25. Green Bay Packers (Week 4 ranking: #12): Record (2-3)
The bye week couldn't have come at a better time for the Packers. While the defence bounced back with a good performance against the Raiders after a rough outing against the Lions in Week 4, Jordan Love has really struggled, as he's thrown 5 interceptions in the last two games. Coming into the season, it was expected that this young Packers team would have lots of ups and downs and that is exactly what's transpiring in Green Bay thus far.
26. Chicago Bears (Week 4 ranking: #32): Record (1-4)
Last week, the Bears won a game for the first time in nearly a year as they beat the Commanders 40-20 on the road on "Thursday Night Football". Justin Fields has played at an elite level over the last two games, throwing for eight touchdowns to just one interception. Fields and wide receiver D.J. Moore (who had a whopping 230 receiving yards against the Commanders) will look to help the Bears continue their upward trajectory when they host the Vikings in an NFC North showdown on Sunday afternoon.
27. Minnesota Vikings (Week 4 ranking: #23): Record (1-4)
It's been a really rough season for the defending NFC North champions. The Vikings lost another close game last week, this time to the Chiefs, and to make matters worse, All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson is dealing with a hamstring injury and has been placed on IR (injured reserve), meaning that he will miss the next four games at least. If Minnesota loses to Chicago this week, don't be surprised if the best players on the roster (e.g. quarterback Kirk Cousins) end up on the trade block.
28. Arizona Cardinals (Week 4 ranking: #24): Record (1-4)
The Cardinals lost to the Bengals last week, but this team just continues to keep fighting in every game, which is a testament to rookie head coach Jonathan Gannon. This team might not win a lot of games this season, but boy they are scrappy and they'll look to pull off an upset win over the Rams this week in an NFC West rivalry matchup.
29. New York Giants (Week 4 ranking: #28): Record (1-4)
If it wasn't for a 21-point comeback win over the Cardinals in Week 2, the Giants would be 0-5 to start the season. This season has been a huge disappointment for New York after they made the playoffs last season. The good news is that star running back Saquon Barkley could return this week after he missed the Giants' last three games with an ankle injury. The bad news is that they're playing a much better Buffalo Bills team in primetime this week, which is not good news for quarterback Daniel Jones.
30. Denver Broncos (Week 4 ranking: #31): Record (1-4)
The futility in Mile High City continued last Sunday as the Broncos lost to the Jets at home by double digits. Russell Wilson wasn't great, but he's definitely not the biggest problem with this team right now. That would be their defence, which is currently the worst in the NFL. That side of the ball has a major test tonight, a test that they will probably fail, as they take on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on "Thursday Night Football".
31. New England Patriots (Week 4 ranking: #19): Record (1-4)
How the mighty have fallen. The Patriots have been outscored 72-3 in their last two games. The offence is absolutely horrific, which leads to the defence (already without their top two players) being on the field continuously. If this continues, it's not out of the realm of possibility that Bill Belichick gets fired, which would mark the end of a amazing run in New England.
32. Carolina Panthers (Week 4 ranking: #30): Ranking (0-5)
As bad as the Patriots have been playing recently, at least they have a win under their belt. The Panthers are the only team in the NFL that still doesn't have a win, and it doesn't look like that will change this week, as Carolina travels to take on a much more talented and explosive Miami Dolphins team.
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