NFL Power Rankings: After a wild week of action, top spots up for grabs

With the top three teams all losing last week, we were tempted to simply write down the top five teams from last week on five pieces of paper, put them into a hat and pick out a new top five. But instead, we sat down, had three cups of coffee, and made some tough calls after what turned out to be one of the wildest NFL weeks on record.



1. Chiefs (5-1 — last week, No. 1): Even though they lost a squeaker at home to the Jekyll-and-Hyde Steelers, the Chiefs get to keep the top spot because of their collective body of work to this point in the season. The bottom line is that after six weeks, no one has a better resume than Andy Reid and his fun bunch. That could end sooner rather than later, but for now, it’s good enough for No. 1. Next week: at Raiders.

2. Eagles (5-1 — last week, No. 5): Solid on both sides of the ball and a burgeoning young star in Carson Wentz under center. If they stay healthy, this team is legit. Next week: vs. Redskins.

3. Patriots (4-2 — last week, No. 4): They don’t feel like the third-best team in the NFL at all, especially with that defense. But when you look around the league and stack their roster against anyone else, they certainly have a right to claim that spot, at least right now. Next week: vs. Falcons.

4. Steelers (4-2 — last week, No. 7): Between Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown and now Martavis Bryant, there’s more drama in Pittsburgh every week. Credit to the Steelers for cutting through the noise and coming out with a win on the road against the Chiefs. Next week: vs. Bengals.

5. Falcons (3-2 — last week, No. 3): They’ve mostly managed to avoid the Curse of the Super Bowl Loser, but that defeat against the Dolphins last week was pretty ugly. Next week: at Patriots.

6. Packers (4-2 — last week, No. 2): Man, losing Aaron Rodgers just throws everything out of whack for this Green Bay team. So much uncertainty for them the rest of the year. Next week: vs. Saints.

7. Texans (4-3 — last week, No. 10): Four straight weeks of 30-plus points can cover up for some sudden defensive deficiencies (because of injury). Next week: Bye.

8. Rams (4-2 — last week, No. 11): What is Jeff Fisher thinking when he sits and watches the Rams? Next week: vs. Cardinals.

9. Seahawks (3-2 — last week, No. 8): The fight for the top spot in the NFC West between Seattle and Los Angeles will be a lot of fun to watch the rest of the season. Next week: at Giants.

10. Panthers (4-2 — last week, No. 9): This feels low, but their home loss to Philly drops them a few spots. Carolina’s talent still means they’re part of the NFC playoff conversation. Next week: at Bears.

11. Broncos (3-2 — last week, No. 6): That was an ugly home loss. It's safe to say that Vance Joseph is no longer having the time of his life. Denver is now up against a stretch of three straight road games — Chargers, Chiefs and Eagles — that should show us exactly what they’re made of. Next week: at Chargers.

12. Vikings (4-2, last week, No. 16): If Rodgers is gone for an extended stretch and the Lions’ defense keeps struggling, opportunity could be knocking for Minnesota in the NFC North. The Vikes could get Teddy Bridgewater back soon as well. Next week: vs. Ravens.

13. Bills (3-2 — last week, No. 15): Three of the next four are at home for Buffalo. If the Bills can stay healthy, they have a good shot at keeping pace in the AFC East. Next week: vs. Bucs.

14. Cowboys (2-3 — last week, No. 14): Between the distractions of Zeke and Jerry, there’s no greater boom/bust potential this year than in Dallas. Next week: at Niners.

15. Lions (3-3 — last week, No. 11): What the hell, guys? It doesn’t matter how good that offense is — if you give up 52 to anyone, you’re not going anywhere. Gut check time for Jim Caldwell’s team. Next week: Bye.

16. Raiders (2-3 — last week, No. 10): Oakland hasn’t won since Marshawn Lynch was seen dancing in the late stages of a Week Two win over the Jets. Navorro Bowman could provide a defensive spark. Next week: vs. Chiefs.

17. Titans (3-3 — last week, No. 17): Should probably get a bigger boost for a divisional win over the Colts, but we’re going to remember what happened the last time we raised our expectations with this Tennessee team. Pump the brakes. Next week: at Browns.

18. Redskins (3-2 — last week, No. 19): Had to sweat out a home win over the Niners, but a clash for NFC East supremacy looms in Philly. Next week: at Eagles.

19. Dolphins (3-2 — last week, No. 22): Despite all the craziness of the first couple of months, if Jay Cutler and Adam Gase can get that offense figured out, Miami might just have something. If not, the Dolphins can forget about the playoffs. Next week: vs. Jets.

20. Saints (3-2 — last week, No. 23): I maintain my belief that New Orleans, despite a raggedy-looking 0-2 start, still has a great shot at making the playoffs. Next week: at Packers.

21. Jaguars (3-3 — last week, No. 21): Can’t be mad at Jacksonville for losing to the Rams, especially after they stuck with L.A. in what turned out to be a decent contest. Next week: at Colts

22. Bucs (2-3 — last week, No. 18): Jameis Winston’s shoulder injury isn’t expected to be a long-term thing, which is good news for a Tampa team that is entering a key stretch if it wants to hang around the NFC South picture. Next week: at Bills.

23. Ravens (3-3 — last week, No. 20): No team has done the yo-yo act this year more than Baltimore, a team that figures to confound the rest of the way. Next week: at Vikings.

24. Cardinals (3-3 — last week, No. 25): Did Adrian Peterson just save Arizona’s season? Next week: at Rams.

25. Bengals (2-3 — last week, No. 24): Cincinnati has the second-best defense when it comes to points per game allowed. What did Dont’a Hightower tell Greg? “Look man, look: Numbers and (expletive) are cool, but if you win, the number (expletive) don’t matter.” Next week: at Steelers.

26. Jets (3-3 — last week, No. 27): Even though they lost, I Jets can’t drop after that one. Battled the Patriots to the end. Next week: at Dolphins.

27. Bears (2-4 — last week, No. 28): Chicago had 54 rushing attempts Sunday in its win against Baltimore. Tampa Bay has 107 rushing attempts all season. Whatever works, man. Next week: vs. Panthers.

28. Colts (2-4 — last week, No. 26): Lost a winnable game on the road against the Titans that would have allowed them to take a big step forward. Next week: vs. Jaguars.

29. Chargers (2-4 — last week, No. 30): Another step in the right direction for the Chargers, who surprised the Raiders at the buzzer. If they can beat a reeling Denver team next week, they’ll be right back in the race. Next week: vs. Broncos.

30. Giants (1-5 — last week, No. 31): First win since that boat trip last January. The typical Giants script here would have them rip off five in a row and get right back in the race. Not sure they have that in them, but regardless, they’ll be pretty compelling the rest of the way. Next week: vs. Seahawks.

31. Niners (0-6 — last week, No. 29): As we’ve said before, we admire the scrap in this Niners team. Maybe the most competitive 0-6 team in the history of the league, they’ve lost their last five games by a combined 13 points. It bodes well for the future. For the present? Not so much? Next week: vs. Cowboys.

32. Browns (0-6 — last week, No. 32): Winless, shuffling quarterbacks, rumbling about changes in the front office. The one thing we do know about this team? They’re the front-runners for the No. 1 pick next spring. Next week: vs. Titans