NFL Week 6 Power Rankings

No real surprises in the top ten this week, although the other team from New York makes a surprise appearance.

1. New England Patriots 5-0 (1)- This is another case of the score making this look like a much closer game than it really was. The Patriots may have been down at half time but the second half was all New England. The Colts put up a single touchdown late in the game after it was an already forgone conclusion the Patriots would extend their undefeated streak. There has yet to be a game this season where the Patriots looked like they were in trouble.
2. Green Bay Packers 6-0 (2)- Philip Rivers career day wasn’t enough to knock of the Packers but did get them within striking range. It all came down to a goal line stand where the Packers defense showed they are more than just a quarterback. You also have to give credit to the Chargers defense for keeping Aaron Rodgers at bay and being able to stay in the game until the last play.
3. Cincinnati Bengals 6-0 (3)- After having to make a huge come from behind win against Seattle last week, it must of been comforting for the Bengals to jump on a lead early and never look back. Andy Dalton continues to impress by not just being the guy under center, but being the guy under center who leads the team to winning nearly half their games without losing.
4. Carolina Panthers 5-0 (7)- The Panthers make the biggest jump in the power rankings and I can’t imagine there would be too much argument from anyone after playing hard in Seattle and coming away with a win. The Seattle defense couldn’t seem to get on the same page as the Panthers offense clicked when it mattered most. Russell Wilson played well but there is only so much he can do. The Seahawks are not the Super Bowl caliber team they were the last two season, but beating them in Seattle is still an impressive feat.
5. Denver Broncos 6-0 (5)- This is a team that is finding ways to win despite having an aging quarterback that looks to be a shell of his former self. The Broncos defense continues to keep them in games scoring yet another touchdown off an interception. The only passing touchdown Peyton Manning threw should be credited more to Emmanuel Sanders speed than Manning’s throwing skills. It will be a classic matchup of a great quarterback against a great defense in week 8 after the Broncos bye week, and for the first time, Manning is not the great quarterback I am referring too.
6. Atlanta Falcons 5-1 (6)- It was only a matter of time before this team fell and falling to the Saints in an away game is nothing to scoff at. The Falcons played well, Drew Brees and the Saints played better, simple as that. Expect a huge bounce back after they take on the Titans next week.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers 4-2 (9)- The Steelers had to put in a third string quarterback and still managed to come away with a win against a Cardinal team that has been known to trounce teams below them. I am not sure what the Steelers secret is to keep winning games despite the adversity, but the depth of this team should be highly admired.
8. Arizona Cardinals 4-2 (4)- This is the biggest fall any team has taken in the power rankings this season. After a huge win in Detroit the Cardinals should have easily taken care of a third string quarterback the Steelers had to use after Michael Vick went down. I still believe this is one of the best teams in the league, but their weaknesses are beginning to show.
9. Minnesota Vikings 3-2 (10)- The Vikings played a sloppy game against the Chiefs and still managed to come away with a victory. Any sports fan will tell you though that luck has a place in sports. The only question becomes can the Vikings take advantage of their luck. Unfortunately nobody is looking at them as division winners because the Packers are having a historic run, so they have the harder job of fencing off twelve other teams to make the playoffs.
10. New York Jets 4-1 (n/a)- I admittedly don’t know much about the Jets but they have one of the best records in the NFL. They also have a who’s who of offensive talents scrapped by other teams. Ryan Fitzpatrick has floated around a few different teams but he is a highly capable quarterback when he has the proper tools around him. He has a strong running game in Chris Ivory and one of the best receiving duos in the NFL in Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall. I won’t be to surprised if they upset New England next week.

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