2021 NFL Power Rankings – Week 6

1. Arizona Cardinals (5-0): Wide receiver A.J. Green was thought to be done after a nine-year career in Cincinnati. The seven-time pro bowler is having a resurgent season through five games for the Cardinals, with sixteen receptions for 261 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinals will need him this weekend in a tough match-up on the road. Next: +2.5 at Cleveland - Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 50.5 (ATS: 4-1 – O/U: 2-3)

2. Los Angeles Chargers (4-1): While it is still early in the season, the Chargers and the Buffalo Bills appear to be the best two teams in the AFC at this point in the season and could be headed for an AFC Championship game showdown. In case they both end up tied with the best record in the AFC, the best record within the conference would decide the No. 1 seed. The Chargers are 3-0, the Bills are 3-1 in conference. Next: +3 at Baltimore Ravens - Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 50.5 (ATS: 4-1 – O/U: 1-4)

3. Buffalo Bills (4-1): The Bills have the look of a championship team, with the exception of that opening day loss at home to the Steelers. Playing in the AFC East helps a lot and quarterback Josh Allen has the arm strength to attack the defense anywhere on the field. The Bills lead the NFL in turnover ratio with at +11. Next: -5 at Tennessee - Mon, Oct. 18 – O/U 54.5 (ATS: 4-1 – O/U: 2-3)

4. Dallas Cowboys (4-1): The Cowboys have so many offensive weapons that if their defense just plays decent football, they are going to be very difficult to defeat. The Cowboys are second in offensive yardage per game at 439.6 yards per game and second in rushing yardage at 172.8 yards per game. Next: -4 at New England Patriots - Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 49.5 (ATS: 5-0 – O/U: 4-1)

5. Los Angeles Rams (4-1): The Rams schedule gets a little easier over the next three weeks, with games against the Giants, Lions, and Texans. The three teams have a combined record of 2-13 on the season. Next: -10.5 at New York Giants - Sun, Oct 17 – O/U 47.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 4-1)

6. Green Bay Packers (4-1): The Green Bay Packers have a four-game winning streak and are looking like they may make a third consecutive run to the NFC Championship game. Wide receiver Davante Adams leads the NFL in receptions with forty-two and total receiving yardage with 579 yards. Next: -4.5 at Chicago Bears - Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 45 (ATS: 4-1 – O/U: 2-3)

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1): The Bucs trailed 10-7 to the Dolphins after one quarter, then turned it on and outscored the Dolphins 38-7 the rest of the way in their blowout win. Quarterback Tom Brady threw for 411 yards and five touchdowns in the game, as he attempts to put every career passing record out of the reach of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Justin Herbert. Next: -7 at Philadelphia Eagles - Thu, Oct. 14 – O/U 51.5 (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 4-1)

8. Baltimore Ravens (4-1): The Ravens came from 19 points down in the second half behind Lamar Jackson to defeat the Colts in overtime at home on Monday Night. The Ravens have been involved in a number of close games this season, with a two-point win over the Lions on a record 66-yard field goal, a one-point win over the Chiefs, and an overtime loss to the Raiders. Next: -3 vs Los Angeles Chargers – Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 50.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 3-2)

9. Cleveland Browns (3-2): The Brown made NFL history in their loss to the Chargers. The Browns became the first team in NFL history to lose when they scored 40 points, gained over 500 yards, and had zero turnovers. Next: -2.5 vs Arizona Cardinals – Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 50.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 3-2)

10. Carolina Panthers (3-2): Quarterback Sam Darnold had his first poor performance of the season, throwing three interceptions in the loss to the Eagles. The Panther are hoping that superstar running back Christian McCaffrey will be available in Week 6. McCaffrey has been out since Week 3 with a hamstring injury. Next: -1 vs Minnesota - Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 46 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 1-4)

11. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2): The Bengals finally played a top team and they hung in there, losing in Cincinnati in overtime to the Green Bay Packers. The Bengals are led by their triple J offense, with quarterback Joe Burrow, running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase leading the way. Next: -3 at Detroit Lions - Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 48 (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 1-4)

12. Tennessee Titans (3-2): Running back Derrick Henry leads the NFL in rushing yardage with 640 yards or 128 yards per game. Henry is on a pace to rush for over 2,000 yards on the ground. He rushed for 2,027 yards in 2019. Henry could become the first player to do it twice. Next: +5 vs Buffalo Bills - Mon, Oct. 18 – O/U 54.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 3-2)

13. Las Vegas Raiders (3-2): Raiders head coach Jon Gruden has resigned after emails showed Gruden using racist, misogynistic, and anti-gay language in numerous emails during a seven-year period. It was a disgraceful and abrupt ending for the former Raiders head coach, who apparently did not realize that emails sent to Redskins President Bruce Allen at work are not considered private. Next: +3.5 at Denver Broncos - Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 44.5 (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 2-3)

14. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3): The Chiefs have come down to earth this season. They are last in scoring defense allowing an average of 32.6 points per game. Their offense has struggled at times with a lack of patience, as opposing defenses are playing two deep safeties and taking away the big play that the Chiefs rely on to break open games. Next: -6.5 at Washington Football Team - Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 55.5 (ATS: 1-4 – O/U: 4-1)

15. Denver Broncos (3-2): The Broncos lost their second consecutive game in Pittsburgh and are now in second place in the AFC West with the Raiders at 3-2. After starting the season with the Giants, Jets, and the Jaguars, three teams with a combined record of 2-13, the schedule has become a little more challenging for the Broncos and they have not looked as formidable. Next: -3.5 vs Las Vegas Raiders - Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 44.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 1-4)

16. Seattle Seahawks (2-3): The Seahawks are turning to backup quarterback Geno Smith after the injury to starter Russell Wilson, who will be out for at least four weeks with a finger injury. The Seahawks defense is the worst in the NFL and Smith will need to play well to overcome the team's defensive deficiencies. Next: -5 at Pittsburgh Steelers – Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 42.5 (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 1-4)

17. New Orleans Saints (3-2): The Saints got to the bye week with a 3-2 record after a win over the Washington Football Team. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns in the victory. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at Seattle – Mon, Oct. 25 – O/U N/A (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 2-3)

18. Chicago Bears (3-2): The Bears average 240 yards per game on offense, which is last in the NFL. Despite those putrid offensive numbers, they are 3-2 after a 20-9 win over the Raiders in Las Vegas. Next: +4.5 vs Green Bay Packers - Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 45 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 1-4)

19. San Francisco 49ers (2-3): Rookie quarterback Trey Lance got his first NFL start in Arizona in a loss to the Cardinals. Lance rushed for 89 yards on 16 carries and threw for 192 yards with an interception but could only produce 10 points. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A vs Indianapolis Colts – Sun, Oct. 24 – O/U N/A (ATS: 1-4 – O/U: 2-3)

20. Minnesota Vikings (2-3): The Vikings finally won a close game, beating the Lions 19-17 on a 54-yard field goal by Greg Joseph. The Viking had been 0-3 in games decided by seven points or less. Next: +2 at Carolina Panthers – Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 46 (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 2-3)

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3): The Steelers got a much-needed win over the Broncos behind the running of rookie running back Najee Harris, who ran for 122 yards on 23 carries and added a rushing touchdown and two receptions for twenty yards. Next: +5 vs Seattle Seahawks – Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 42.5 (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 1-4)

22. New England Patriots (2-3): Tight end Hunter Henry had his best receiving game of the season, catching six passes for 75 yards and one touchdown in the Pats victory over the Texans. Next: +4 vs Dallas Cowboys – Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 49.5 (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 1-4)

23. Washington Football Team (2-3): Defensive end Chase Young is struggling with just one sack in five games and the Washington Football Team is ranked 31st in the NFL in third down defense. They face a challenge this weekend. Next: +6.5 vs Kansas City Chiefs – Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 55.5 (ATS: 1-4 – O/U: 4-1)

24. Philadelphia Eagles (2-3): Quarterback Jalen Hurts ran for two touchdowns and the Eagle defense produced three interceptions in the upset road victory over the Panthers. Next: +7 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Thu, Oct. 14 – O/U 45 (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 2-3)

25. Atlanta Falcons (2-3): Rookie tight end Kyle Pitts had a breakout game with nine receptions for 119 yards and one touchdown in the victory over the Jets. Pitts was the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at Miami Dolphins – Sun, Oct. 24 – O/U N/A (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 3-2)

26. Indianapolis Colts (1-4): For three quarters, Carson Wentz was the best quarterback on the field as the Colts led 25-9 over the Ravens with ten minutes left in the Monday Night game. Unfortunately for Indianapolis, Lamar Jackson was the best player on the field in the fourth quarter and in overtime as the Ravens came back to win, 31-25. Next: -10 vs Houston Texans – Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 46 (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 3-2)

27. Miami Dolphins (1-4): The Dolphins are 31st in offensive points per game at 15.8 points per game and 30th in points allowed per game at 30.8 points. They have lost four consecutive games. The season is headed in the wrong direction for the Dolphins. Next: -3.5 at Jacksonville Jaguars - Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 51.5 (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 4-2)

28. Houston Texans (1-4): The Texans had a chance to win on Sunday, as they held a 22-9 early third quarter lead behind three touchdown passes from rookie Stanford quarterback Davis Mills. But the Patriots came back with 16 unanswered points to win the game in Houston, 25-22. Next: +10 at Indianapolis Colts – Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 43 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 3-2)

29. New York Giants (1-4): Quarterback Daniel Jones was carted off the field after sustaining a concussion in the first half on a bootleg near the goal line against the Cowboys. Running back Saquon Barkley also left with an ankle injury, so the Giants lost their top two rushers in the loss to the Cowboys. Next: +10.5 vs Los Angeles Rams – Sun, Oct. 17 - O/U 47.5 (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 3-2)

30. New York Jets (1-4): The Jets are last in scoring and first in boredom. The Jets are averaging 13.4 points per game, which is the worst in the NFL. The Jets are 24-61 since the 2015 season. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at New England Patriots - Sun, Oct. 24 – O/U N/A (ATS: 1-4 – O/U: 2-3)

31. Detroit Lions (0-5): For the second time this season, the hard luck Lions have loss by the same score of 19-17 on a 50 yard plus field goal as time expired. For it to happen once was bad enough, to happen a second time is cruel and unusual punishment for the Lions and their fans. Next: +3 vs Cincinnati Bengals – Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 48 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 2-3)

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5): Head coach Urban Meyer is 0-5 and has helped lead his franchise to a 20th consecutive loss. He was not responsible for the first fifteen losses, but he is not making matters better. The one thing the Jags are doing well is running the ball. The Jags are ranked 6th in rushing yardage per game at 129.4 and second in average per carry at 5.3 yards per carry. Next: +3.5 vs Miami Dolphins - Sun, Oct. 17 – O/U 45.5 (ATS: 1-4 – O/U: 2-3)