2015 NFL Power Rankings Week 6

Last week six teams boasted undefeated records. That list is now down to five thanks to the New Orleans Saints upending the Atlanta Falcons last Thursday night. Just how far did the Falcons fall? Who took their spot near the top? You know where to look.

1. New England Patriots (5-0) ~ It wasn't the blowout many expected but the Pats did topple the Indianapolis Colts in a rematch of last year's AFC Championship game. What's more troubling is the finger injury suffered by top wide receiver Julian Edelman. He stayed in the game but was not nearly as effective as we are accustomed to seeing. (Last Week's Ranking 1)

2. Green Bay Packers (6-0) ~ In perhaps their toughest test yet the Pack remained unbeaten with a goal line stand against the San Diego Chargers in the waning seconds of Sunday's game. They are one of three unbeatens with a bye this week. (LWR 2)

3. Cincinnati Bengals (6-0) ~ Andy Dalton is sporting an impressive QBR of 84.2 on the season. His career high prior to 2015? That would be the 56.8 he posted in 2013. He's playing like the elite quarterback Cincy hoped they were getting when they signed him to a long-term contract. (LWR 4)

4. Denver Broncos (6-0) ~ They keep winning but Peyton Manning is on pace to throw for the most interceptions in his career since his rookie year back in 1998. Father Time remains undefeated. (LWR 3)

5. Carolina Panthers (5-0) ~ Down by three late in the fourth quarter Cam Newton led the Panthers into field goal range in Seattle. Newton didn't want to settle for the tie, however, and threw a perfect touchdown to a wide open Greg Olsen to keep Carolina undefeated and earn a little bit of respect from those who doubt them. (LWR 7)

6. Arizona Cardinals (4-2) ~ Andre Ellington is back in the lineup but he saw just one carry in Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh. Chris Johnson may hold onto that starting job after all. (LWR 6)

7. Atlanta Falcons (5-1) ~ After a blistering three-game start to the season Julio Jones has yet to top 100 yards or haul in a touchdown pass in the previous three games. (LWR 5)

8. New York Jets (4-1) ~ Not sure how big a deal it was when the Jets brought back corners Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie? They have the number one scoring defense in the NFL. So, kind of a big deal. (LWR 8)

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) ~ When Ben Roethlisberger went down with an injury I thought the Steelers were in trouble. When backup Michael Vick went down I thought for sure they were in trouble. Third-stringer Landry Jones threw two touchdowns in an upset victory over Arizona and might get his first NFL start this weekend against the woeful Kansas City Chiefs. If they can improve to 5-2 they will have successfully weathered the Roethlisber-less storm. (LWR 12)

10. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) ~ Sam Bradford is going to make me rip out all of my hair. Sometimes he looks impressive and then sometimes he looks downright lost out there. He is a conundrum the Eagles will need to figure out if they are going to win the weak NFC East. (LWR 15)

11. Indianapolis Colts (3-3) ~ What on Earth was that fake punt play disaster? Can anyone explain that? Indy was in that game and then made a major gaffe near midfield when they had a chance to pin New England deep in their own territory. One of the more head-scratching plays I've seen in recent memory. (LWR 9)

12. Seattle Seahawks (2-4) ~ Another blown fourth quarter lead and another loss for the defending NFC champs. They have had a tough schedule so far but one has to wonder if the league is catching up to them. (LWR 10)

13. Minnesota Vikings (3-2) ~ Very quietly the Vikings have won three of four with the lone loss coming on the road in Denver by just a field goal. They have the second ranked scoring defense just behind the Jets. (LWR 16)

14. Buffalo Bills (3-3) ~ LeSean McCoy returned to the backfield but Buffalo lost another offensive threat when Sammy Watkins left the game and was later seen on crutches. They have a winnable game in London against the lowly Jags this weekend. Will they have enough offensive firepower to get it done? (LWR 11)

15. San Diego Chargers (2-4) ~ Philip Rivers threw for a franchise-record 503 yards on Sunday but he needed 506 to keep the game alive. He can't do it all himself. (LWR 14)

16. New York Giants (3-3) ~ After throwing just two interceptions over his first five games, Eli Manning threw two - including a pick six - in a blowout loss to the division rival Eagles. (LWR 13)

17. Dallas Cowboys (2-3) ~ Matt Cassel will indeed start this week and there are rumblings that star wideout Dez Bryant might be able to return from a foot injury suffered in the season opener. I'm no doctor but I would hold him out another week to be sure. (LWR 17)

18. St. Louis Rams (2-3) ~ Coming off a bye week Todd Gurley will face the league's worst rushing defense. Calling all daily fantasy players! Calling all daily fantasy players! (LWR 18)

19. Cleveland Browns (2-4) ~ They took Denver to overtime but all anyone is talking about is Johnny Manziel's brush with the police and a possible domestic dispute. The league needs to investigate and act fast here to clear this up. (LWR 19)

20. Oakland Raiders (2-3) ~ Defensive leader Justin Tuck has a torn pectoral and will miss the rest of the season. Just brutal news for a club that has been performing well thus far. (LWR 21)

21. Houston Texans (2-4) ~ Despite quarterback issues DeAndre Hopkins leads the NFL with 726 receiving yards. He now has four straight 100+ yard receiving games. (LWR 26)

22. New Orleans Saints (2-4) ~ Stop me if you've heard this before. A Saints tight end had a huge offensive day as New Orleans picks up a win. In recent years that hasn't been news but since Jimmy Graham is in Seattle, well, it registers. Ben Watson had a huge day and the Saints kept their season alive Thursday night. (LWR 27)

23. Washington Redskins (2-4) ~ After another poor performance Kirk Cousins received some backing from head coach Jay Gruden. That said, is this team really better with him at the helm as opposed to RGIII? What say you Redskins fans? (LWR 20)

24. Miami Dolphins (2-3) ~ After doing everything wrong under former coach Joe Philbin the Dolphins did everything right for interim Dan Campbell. They ran the ball well and created havoc on the defensive front. Could this be a sign they are turning the tide? (LWR 28)

25. Detroit Lions (1-5) ~ The 2008 Detroit Lions can pop that champagne as the last winless team is on the board. Wait.....they don't do that? Well they should. (LWR 30)

26. San Francisco 49ers (2-4) ~ After bursting onto the scene with 168 yards in the season-opener Carlos Hyde has topped 60 yards rushing just one in the last five games. That will need to change if they are going to turn their season around. (LWR 31)

27. Chicago Bears (2-4) ~ What I thought was a Chicago interception turned out to be a Detroit touchdown. If that call isn't overturned the Bears might very well be at .500. (LWR 25)

28. Kansas City Chiefs (1-5) ~ Mired in a five-game slide the Chiefs might be without top receiving option Jeremy Maclin who was injured Sunday. It keeps getting worse for Kansas City. (LWR 22)

29. Baltimore Ravens (1-5) ~ When Steve Smith announced prior to the season that 2015 would be his last I'm sure he didn't see it unraveling like this. The fiery veteran deserves to go out on a higher note. (LWR 23)

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) ~ With a rookie quarterback, Tampa could use some better play from a defense that is next to last in points allowed per game. (LWR 29)

31. Tennessee Titans (1-4) ~ Since throwing four touchdowns and zero picks in an opening game win against Tampa, Marcus Mariota has thrown just five touchdowns and five interceptions as the Titans have lost four straight. Add in an MCL injury that might sideline him this weekend and it's been a rough stretch for the rookie QB. (LWR 24)

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) ~ In his second game back from injury free agent pickup Julius Thomas made a big impact. His seven catches for 78 yards and a score show that he is ready to be another weapon for young quarterback Blake Bortles. (LWR 32)

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