2020 NFL Power Rankings – Week 06

1. Seattle Seahawks (5-0): The Seahawks were inches from losing on Sunday Night, but they got a big fourth down stop and then drove 94 yards in 13 plays to win on quarterback Russell Wilson's six-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver D.K. Metcalf with 15 seconds remaining. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at Arizona Cardinals – Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U N/A

2. Green Bay Packers (4-0): The Packers are 5th in the NFL in rushing yardage per game, 3rd in the NFL in passing yardage per game and lead the NFL in scoring averaging with 38 points per game. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is having an under-the-radar MVP season to this point, with 13 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Next: -1 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 54

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-0): Who is Chase Claypool and where did he come from? Claypool was a 2020 2nd round draft pick of the Steelers from Notre Dame. On Sunday, Claypool scored four touchdowns, three receiving and one rushing in the win over the Eagles. Claypool was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his breakout performance. Next: -3 vs Cleveland Browns – Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 51

4. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1): For the first time in eight seasons, the Chiefs fell to their division rival Raiders at home. For the second time this season, a division opponent shredded the Chiefs secondary. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 311 yards in his debut against the Chiefs and Derek Carr threw for 347 yards against the Chiefs, finding holes in the Chiefs secondary on deep passes. Next: -3.5 at Buffalo Bills - Mon, Oct. 19 – O/U 57.5

5. Baltimore Ravens (4-1): The schedule has been favorable to this point and will continue that way this week. But in the month of November, they will play a stretch of games that starts with the Steelers at home, followed by the Colts and Patriots on the road, followed by the Titans at home and the Steelers on the road. We will learn a lot about the Ravens in November. Next: -7.5 at Philadelphia Eagles – Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 47.5

6. Tennessee Titans (4-0): The Titans had not played for two weeks and only practiced twice because of their reckless behavior regarding the Covid-19 virus. But they made up for that by crushing the previously unbeaten Bills, 42-16. Next: -3 vs Houston Texans – Sun, Oct. 18 – 53.5

7. Buffalo Bills (4-1): The Bills went on the road undefeated and return home with their tails between their legs. The Bills lost the turnover battle to the Titans 3-0 and were basically physically punished by the more determined and focused Titan team. Next: +3.5 vs Kansas City Chiefs - Mon, Oct. 19 – 57.5

8. Los Angeles Rams (4-1): The Rams are champions of the NFC East after a very impressive road win over the Washington Football team. They swept the NFC East, going 4-0. While the NFC East is not particularly good, the wins have provided the Rams with a 4-0 record in Conference, which could be helpful in tight playoff races down the road. Next: -3 at San Francisco 49ers - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 51.5

9. Las Vegas Raiders (3-2): The Raiders came up with perhaps their biggest win in years on Sunday in their 40-32 upset of the Chiefs. The win was not a fluke, as the Raiders have not played a team with a current losing record this season. The combined record of their five opponents this season is 16-8. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U N/A

10. Chicago Bears (4-1): The Bears only rushed for 35 yards but were able to pull out a win over the Bucs behind quarterback Nick Foles and a strong defense. They will need that combination to get to the playoffs. Adding Le'Veon Bell to the Bears roster would help the running game. Next: +1.5 vs Carolina Panthers - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 44.5

11. Cleveland Browns (4-1): The Browns have won four straight games after an impressive win over the Colts. They will be going for a fifth straight win this week in a place that they have not won at since 2003. Next: +3 at Pittsburgh Steelers - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 51

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2): Quarterback Tom Brady has seen enough of Nick Foles. Besides losing again to Foles, Brady lost track of the downs on the Bucs last offensive play. Brady thought it was 3rd down when it was clearly 4th down. Next: +1 vs Green Bay Packers - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 54

13. Indianapolis Colts (3-2): The Colts top-ranked defense struggled in the first half with quarterback Baker Mayfield in the Colts loss at Cleveland. Mayfield threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns in the first half and Colts quarterback Philip Rivers sealed the loss in the 2nd half with two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Next: -7.5 vs Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Oct. 11 – O/U 46.5

14. New England Patriots (2-2): The Patriots are anticipating having quarterback Cam Newton back after he missed the road game at Kansas City due to a positive Covid -19 test. This is a good football team with Newton in the starting lineup and a bad team without him. Next: -9.5 vs Denver Broncos – Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 46

15. New Orleans Saints (3-2): The Saints got a bit lucky on Monday Night when the Chargers game-winning field goal attempt hit the right upright and bounced away. The defense looks is playing well and if they can get wide receiver Michael Thomas healthy, the Saints should make it back to the playoffs in the competitive NFC South division. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A vs Carolina Panthers – Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U N/A

16. Carolina Panthers (3-2): The Panthers won their third straight game without running back Christian McCaffery in the win over the Falcons. Rookie head coach Matt Rhule is proving to be an early candidate for Head Coach of the Year with the surprising performance of his Panthers. Rhule turned the Temple and Baylor programs around and has shown that he can handle the NFL as well. Next: -1.5 vs Chicago Bears - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 44.5

17. Arizona Cardinals (3-2): Quarterback Kyler Murray was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the victory over the Jets. Murray threw for a career-high 380 passing yards in the victory over the Jets. Next: -2 at Dallas Cowboys - Mon, Oct. 19 – O/U 55

18. Los Angeles Chargers (1-4): The Chargers are the best 1-4 team in the NFL and a team that has proven that they can give any NFL opponent a tough game. They will be a playoff team when they can figure out how to win these close games. They are 3-13 in games decided by seven points or less over the past two seasons and have blown back-to-back 17 point leads on the road the past two weeks. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A vs Jacksonville Jaguars - Sun, Oct. 25 – O/U N/A

19. Dallas Cowboys (2-3): Quarterback Dak Prescott is done for the season after suffering a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle during Sunday's game against the Giants. There is still enough talent on the Cowboys roster to win the weak NFC East, even with Andy Dalton at quarterback, but this is not a team that will be going far in the playoffs. Next: +2 vs Arizona Cardinals - Mon, Oct. 19 – O/U 55

20. Miami Dolphins (2-3): Dolphin kicker Jason Sanders is the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after he went 5-for-5 on field goals and 4-for-4 on extra points in the Dolphins' 43-17 blowout win at San Francisco. Next: -9.5 vs New York Jets – Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 47

21. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3-1): Quarterback Carson Wentz has the worst passer rating of any starting NFL quarterback this season and leads the NFL with nine interceptions. Injuries to key players have not helped. Wentz was second-team All-Pro in 2017 but is not currently close to his 2017 form. Next: +7.5 vs Baltimore Ravens - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 47.5

22. San Francisco 49ers (2-3): The 49ers have lost in consecutive weeks at home to the Eagles and the Dolphins. The loss to the Dolphins was especially disappointing considering how easily Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick navigated through the 49er secondary, throwing for 350 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Next: -3 vs Los Angeles Rams – Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 51.5

23. Minnesota Vikings (1-4): The Vikings went to Seattle and dominated the Seahawks but lost 27-26 on the scoreboard. The Vikings controlled the football for 39:28 of the 60 minutes but two key turnovers kept the Seahawks in the game and Russell Wilson eventually found a way to pull out a win. Next: -3.5 vs Atlanta Falcons – Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 54.5

24. Houston Texans (1-4): The Texans won their first game of the season under interim head coach Romeo Crennel. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks had eight receptions for 161 yards and one touchdown in the victory. Rams fans are asking, where was that last season? Next: +3 at Tennessee Titans – Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 53.5

25. Detroit Lions (1-3): The Lions need to win some football games to perhaps save head coach Matt Patricia's job. That may be difficult. The Lions are ranked 25th in the NFL in total offensive yardage per game and 28th in total defensive yardage per game. They are not good on either side of the ball. Next: -3 at Jacksonville Jaguars – Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 54.5

26. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3-1): Quarterback Joe Burrow had his first bad outing of his career against the Ravens. Burrow only threw for 183 yards, was intercepted once, and sacked seven times. Burrow has been sacked a league-leading 22 times this season. Next: +7.5 at Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 46.5

27. Denver Broncos (1-3): The news just keeps getting worse for the Broncos. On Tuesday Night, Broncos running back Melvin Gordon was cited for driving under the influence by the Denver Police Department. He was also charged with going between 25 and 39 miles per hour above the speed limit. Gordon could be facing a three-game suspension from the NFL. Next: +9.5 at New England Patriots - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 46

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4): Remember when the Jaguars had a 20-10 fourth quarter lead at New England in the 2017 AFC Championship game? The Jaguars were one quarter away from going to the Super Bowl. The Jags have not been to the playoffs since and they have gone 12-25 in regular season games since the loss in the AFC Championship game. Sustaining success in the NFL is not easy. Next: +3 vs Detroit Lions - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 54.5

29. Washington Football Team (1-4): Quarterback Alex Smith made his return to the field on Sunday, nearly two years after he broke the tibia and fibula in his right leg in a November 2018 game against Houston. Because of an infection, he required 17 surgeries, and doctors worried not only about the possibility of his leg being amputated but also feared for his life. Easily the Comeback Player of the Year. Next: +3 at New York Giants – Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 43

30. New York Giants (0-5): The Giants had a chance to beat the Cowboys on Sunday but could not hold on to a 14-point second quarter lead or a three-point lead in the last few minutes of the game. Trailing 34-31 with less than two minutes in the game, the Cowboys kicked two field goals in the final 1:56 of the game to pull out the win over the hapless Giants. Next: -3 vs Washington Football Team - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 43

31. New York Jets (0-5): The Jets announced that they have cut running back Le'Veon Bell, after failing to trade him. The three-time Pro Bowl selection averaged just 50.8 rushing yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry in 17 games with the Jets. The next Jets announcement should be the firing of their head coach and of their General Manager. Next: +9.5 at Miami Dolphins - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 47

32. Atlanta Falcons (0-5): The Falcons fired head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff after their latest loss. Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris was promoted to interim head coach. The Falcons are now in the "Tanking for Trevor Sweepstakes," as Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is the consensus No.1 pick in the NFL draft and also happens to be from Georgia, and the Falcons were his favorite team as a kid. Next: +3.5 at Minnesota Vikings - Sun, Oct. 18 – O/U 54.5