Well, well, well. What have we here? The entire NFL landscape just flipped in a single weekend and since we’re six games in for most teams, we can take a few facts to the bank as of right now. Needless to say, the top half of the NFL Power Rankings are in flux, with a few teams that haven’t been this high in a decade. And, really, I think I’m being more moderate than many of my Power Ranking compatriots.
Let’s light this candle.
1. Philadelphia Eagles – (5-1) Beating the Panthers on the road with a short week to prepare is a solid accomplishment for any team. For a squad two games up in its division, it’s huge. Last week: 8
2. New England Patriots – (4-2) Tom Brady is taking a beating every week and has still managed to pull the Patriots out of the fire more often than not. How long can that last? Last week: No. 4
3. Kansas City Chiefs – (5-1) The Steelers just seem to have the Chiefs’ number. Win home field, Kansas City, and just cross your fingers you won’t have to face them in the playoffs. Last week: No. 1
4. Pittsburgh Steelers – (4-2) Speaking of the Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger didn’t look like a guy ready to cash in midseason against the Chiefs. Le’Veon Bell showed just how important he is to what this team can do. Last week: No. 10
5. Washington Redskins – (3-2) The game was close with the 49ers, but they play everyone close. The Redskins got the dub and that’s all that matters. Last week: No. 11
6. Los Angeles Rams – (4-2) The defense has come around and the offense continues to score. There are some tough games ahead, but if this team limits self inflicted mistakes they could be playing a while. Last week: No. 12
7. Dallas Cowboys – (2-3) The Cowboys got a week off just in time to flip their early season. They need a better defensive performance here on out. It doesn’t have to be perfect with the way they can score, but it has to improve.Last week: No. 6
8. Seattle Seahawks – (3-2) The Seahawks took control of the NFC West by hanging on against the Los Angeles Rams and lost it while sitting on their couches on a bye week. Last week: No. 7
9. Green Bay Packers – (4-2) I like Brett Hundley a lot and, for his job prospects, this is probably the best thing that could have happened. For the Packers as a team, not so much. Aaron Rodgers out for the year is a blow not only to the team, but to the league. Last week: No. 2
10. Atlanta Falcons – (3-2) A couple of barely hanger-on wins convinced me that the Super Bowl 51 hangover might be cured. Two consecutive bad losses changed all that. Like the Who sang, “I won’t be fooled again.” Last week: No. 3
11. Minnesota Vikings – (4-2) Case Keenum isn’t the long term answer, but with solid coaching and a great defense this team is good enough to lose in its opening playoff game. Good for them. Last week: No. 15
12. Denver Broncos – (3-2) The Broncos are looking a lot like the team I thought they would be in the preseason. Maybe .500. At best. Last week: No. 5
13. Carolina Panthers – (4-2) Cam Newton appeared to have hurt himself on a dive to the end zone last week. He wasn’t the same after. It will bear watching. Last week: No. 9
14. Detroit Lions – (3-3) Just when you think it might not have been a mistake for the Lions to lock up Jim Caldwell, they go and lose three of their last four games. Last week: No. 13
15. Oakland Raiders – (2-4) Derek Carr returned and they still lost. This defense isn’t showing a lot of heart and Beast Mode looks more like Least Mode after five games. Last week: No. 14
16. Houston Texans – (3-3) The Texans were supposed to beat the shit out of the Cleveland Browns and they did. The NFC South might just be theirs for the taking. Last week: No. 21
17. New Orleans Saints – (3-2) If the Saints can score 40-plus every week, it may not matter how bad their defense is. Last week: No. 22
18. Tennessee Titans – (3-3) Marcus Mariota took a major leap Monday night, beating the Colts from the pocket with a superb game. If Tennessee can just fire Mike Mularkey, this could be a great team down the road. Last week: No. 19
19. Baltimore Ravens – (3-3) This looks like a .500 team to me in need of plenty of new blood, especially on offense. Last week: No. 17
20. Buffalo Bills – (3-2) You had a week off to lick your wounds, Bills. Can you bounce back from a bad loss or is this just who you are? Last week: No. 18
21. Arizona Cardinals – (3-3) Adrian Peterson must like the desert air, because he de-aged about five years last Sunday. Last week: No. 24
22. Miami Dolphins – (3-2) The Dolphins remain a mystery, but the idea that Adam Gase could outcoach Steve Sarkisian with an offensive gameplan wasn’t a shocker. Last week: No. 25
23. New York Jets – (3-3) You made it interesting against the Pats, Jets and the refs didn’t help. Last week: No. 20
24. Jacksonville Jaguars – (3-3) Leonard Fournette is a man among boys. The problem is, all the boys are on his own team. Last week: No. 26
25. Cincinnati Bengals – (2-3) Bill Lazor’s ascension to offensive coordinator has brought with a complete offensive turnaround. They’ve had two weeks to prepare for the Steelers. Make it count, Bill. Last week: No. 27
26. Los Angeles Chargers – (2-4) Anthony Lynn has just led the Los Angeles Chargers to two wins in a row. That’s a sentence I never thought I’d write. Last week: No. 28
29. Chicago Bears – (2-4) Mitchell Trubisky picked up the first win of his career against the Ravens. There’s plenty more where that came from. Not this year, but, you know, the future. Last week: No. 28
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (2-3) Jameis Winston got hurt and the Buccaneers got embarassed against the Cardinals. This bandwagon is emptier than a Candlebox reunion concert. Last week: No. 18
23. Indianapolis Colts – (2-4) Andrew Luck won’t play again this week. It’s surprising to say that Jacoby Brissett alone is not what keeps costing this team. He’s part of it, but he’s got plenty of partners, starting with his head coach. Last week: No. 26
30. New York Giants – (1-5) Beating the Broncos isn’t saving Ben McAdoo’s job, but it will keep people from calling for his firing this week. That’s a win-win for him. Last week: No. 29
31. San Francisco 49ers – (0-6) Five losses by three points or less. C.J. Beathard should just roll from here on out. What have you got to lose that you haven’t already lost? Last week: No. 31
32. Cleveland Browns – (0-6) The Kevin Hogan experiment has ended as quickly as it began. It’s DeShone Kizer once again, so let me be the first to congratulate the Titans on their victory this coming Sunday. Last week: No. 32
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