We’re deep enough into the season to start making sense of everything. September can always be a skewed month in the NFL, but by the time Halloween hits, we’ve usually got it pretty figured out. With the Great Pumpkin still a few weeks away, we’re still reviewing our findings and, with the help of how each team has done against the spread, present to the Week 6 Against the Spread Power Rankings.
1. Los Angeles Rams (5-0, ATS: 4-1): Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks are expected to get cleared to play Sunday against the Broncos. They’ll need them both. If the Rams think CenturyLink Field is a tough place to play, try doing it without oxygen. That’s Mile High. Last week: 1
2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0, ATS 5-0): When asked this week if he feels like he’s playing for the top seed in the AFC, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said, “I feel like we’re playing Kansas City.” I think that counts as a burn. Last week: 2
3. Cincinnati Bengals (4-1, ATS: 4-1): Since Marvin Lewis was first hired in 2003, the Bengals are 8-24 against the Steelers. If Cincy is for real this year, it’s time to get that monkey off their back. Last week: 3
4. New England Patriots (3-2, ATS: 3-2): The old cliche with the Patriots is that they like to take away on offense what you do best, but what can they take away from the Chiefs when they do everything the best? Last week: 7
5. New Orleans Saints (4-1, ATS: 3-2): Monday night’s record breaker was made for prime time and Drew Brees rose to the occasion. Now he and his teammates get a week off to really enjoy it. Last week: 8
Related: NFL Betting Guide | Week 6 Odds
6. Chicago Bears (3-1, ATS: 3-1): The Bears are coming off a bye with even more of a lead in the NFC North than when they entered it. How many times does that happen? Last week: 10
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2,ATS: 3-2): It’s been a difficult fall back to Earth for the Jags and Blake Bortles. Putting Dallas out of its misery can restart the hype train in Jacksonville. Last week: 4
8. Carolina Panthers (3-1, ATS: 2-2): Thanks to a 63-yard canon shot from Graham Gano. the Panthers are in the driver’s seat in the NFC South in spite of Drew Brees making history in New Orleans. Last week: 13
9. Minnesota Vikings (2-2-1,ATS: 2-3): The Vikings finally got more than just their offense going to beat the defending Super Bowl Champs. Last week: 15
10. Philadelphia Eagles (2-3 ATS: 1-4): There’s a lot of season left and anyone counting the Eagles out hasn’t checked out the standings in the NFC East. Last week: 6
11. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2, ATS: 2-3): Just what the Chargers need when it looks like they might have turned a corner is a suddenly hot Browns team playing in front of their rabid home fans. Last week: 16
12 Washington Redskins (2-2, ATS: 2-2): Much like Lloyd Bridges picking the wrong week to quit sniffing glue, the Redskins picked the wrong night to face Drew Brees and the Saints last week. Last week: 5
13. Baltimore Ravens (3-2, ATS: 3-2): Just when I think I’ve figured out the Ravens, they get held without a touchdown and lose in overtime to the Browns. Last week: 9
14. Tennessee Titans (3-2, ATS: 3-2): Speaking of figuring teams out, I think I have a bead on the Titans. They’re complete garbage every other week. That means the Ravens might be in trouble Sunday. Last week: 11
15. Green Bay Packers (2-2-1 ATS: 2-3): Are we sure Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford didn’t do one of those 1980s Comedy Movie body switch deals before the game last week? Last week: 12
16. Miami Dolphins (3-2, ATS: 3-2): Two losses in a row to real contenders and now here come the Panthers. Reality really does bite, eh Dolphins? Last week: 14
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2-1, ATS: 2-3): We’re still a week away from Le’Veon Bell’s return, but if I’m Pittsburgh, I’m looking for a trade partner. This is a divorce that’s been coming for years. Last week: 22
18. Houston Texans (2-3, ATS: 1-4): Just keep lucking into these overtime games with Deshaun Watson and maybe you can stay employed until Thanksgiving, Bill O’Brien. Last week: 29
19. New York Jets (2-3, ATS: 2-3): Why did it take a month for this version of the Jets to show back up? Last week: 30
20. Dallas Cowboys (2-3, ATS: 2-3): Jason Garrett just let Bill O’Brien jump him in the first-coach-to-be-fired sweepstakes. That’s two losses for the price of one. Last week: 17
21. Denver Broncos (2-3, ATS: 0-5): Case Keenum isn’t turning back into a pumpkin. It’s worse than that. He’s turning back into Case Keenum. Last week: 18
22. Atlanta Falcons (1-4, ATS: 1-4): I guess the Falcons figured out a way to solve that whole, “the offense is too good to be losing like this” problem. Last week: 19
23. Seattle Seahawks (2-3, ATS: 3-2): Spirited effort, Seattle. There’s still a Wild Card shot in the NFC thanks to implosions from Dallas and Atlanta that’s up for grabs. Last week: 20
24. Cleveland Browns (2-2-1, ATS: 4-1): If the Browns keep playing like this, none of their coaches will get fired at the end of the year and nothing could be worse for this team. Last week: 25
25. Indianapolis Colts (1-4, ATS: 2-3): The Colts are better than this record. Don’t sleep on them just yet. Now, if they lose to the Jets Sunday, night night. Last week: 21
26. Buffalo Bills (2-3, ATS: 2-3): I say this again, the 2018 Buffalo Bills are an indictment on the coaching staffs and organizations of the 2017 Cleveland Browns and 2008 Detroit Lions. If these Bills, the worst team in football, can not only win one game, but two, there is never an excuse to go 0-16. Last week: 31
27. Arizona Cardinals (1-4, ATS: 3-2): Speaking of “worst teams,” at least the Bills have an excuse. With this roster, there’s major coaching issues to fix in Arizona in spite of a practically meaningless win over the Jimmy Garoppolo-less 49ers. Last Week: 32
28. Detroit Lions (2-3, ATS:4-1): That was a huge win over the Packers. Can you only beat good teams, Lions? Last week: 27
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2, ATS: 2-2): Jameis Winston has had two weeks to prepare as the starter for the Falcons. With the numbers Fitzpatrick put up with this same crew, there are no more excuses. Winston’s career is on the line now. Last week: 23
30. Oakland Raiders (1-4, ATS: 2-3): I bet that Monday Night Football booth is looking really comfy right now, eh Jon? Last week: 24
31. New York Giants (1-4, ATS: 2-3): Congratulations on finding an all new way to lose, Giants. A field goal kicked from a state over is a fresh one. Last week: 26
32. San Francisco 49ers (1-4, ATS: 2-3): It just shows you, as much as you can love your franchise quarterback, you better develop a solid back up. Maybe C.J. Beathard can be the guy. He’s got 11 more games to show it. Last week: 28
