NOTE: DUE TO INCREASED VIEWER RETENTION, ALL NFL REVIEWS WILL BE DONE IN POWER RANKING FORMAT FROM NOW ON.
Big shake ups across the board today. NFC Powerhouses Tampa Bay and Green Bay both fell several spots, Denver and Indianapolis are back on the list, and Buffalo held on to the #1 spot. Let’s dive in.
- Buffalo Bills (5-1)
Last Time’s Ranking: 1 –
Game Result: @ Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) W, 24-20
With a win over Kansas City under their belt, Buffalo has solidified their spot as the top team in the rankings. Despite not having the best record, it’s easy to see that they have the best all-around team, and they are well on their way to avenge last year’s loss at Arrowhead. With Miami losing three straight, Buffalo all but has the division under wraps for now. Might want to keep an eye on New York though…
Next Week: BYE
2. Philadelphia Eagles (6-0)
Last Time’s Ranking: 3↑
Game Result: vs Dallas Cowboys (4-2) W, 26-17
Jalen Hurts didn’t look like a world-beater against the Boys on Sunday Night, but he played mistake free football, something that has haunted him in the past. The defense exposed Cooper Rush as a result of Dallas’s defense playing out of their minds for four straight games and picked him off thrice in a two-score win over a division rival. And for the rest of their schedule (trigger warning for Cowboys fans) There isn’t a game that they aren’t the favorites in. I’m not saying they’ll be undefeated, but the Giants might be the only team to give them trouble in the coming months.
Next Week: BYE
3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-2)
Last Time’s Ranking: 2↓
Game Result: vs Buffalo Bills (5-1) L, 24-20
Tough loss to Buffalo, but Kansas City seems unfazed by Tyreek Hill leaving the team so far. Mahomes is compiling MVP-level numbers, and the defense looks much improved from last year. The game-ending interception is unlucky, sure, but at least they were able to slow down Buffalo’s offense with less talent surrounding the quarterback.
Next Week: @ San Francisco 49ers (3-3) 3:25 PM FOX
4. Cincinnati Bengals (3-3)
Last Time’s Ranking: 13↑
Game Result: @ New Orleans Saints (2-4) W, 30-26
Last year’s electrifying Ja’marr Chase is back in this Cincinnati offense. The defense did struggle against Dalton and the Saints, but the Bengal’s offense, who looked absolutely lost to start the season, is now putting up big numbers on solid secondaries such as the Saints. If the defense can find its form again now that the offense is back, Cincinnati will be the frontrunner for the AFC North crown again.
Next Week: vs Atlanta Falcons (3-3) 12:00 PM FOX
5. Minnesota Vikings (5-1)
Last Time’s Ranking: 9↑
Game Result: @ Miami Dolphins (3-3) W, 24-16
The Vikings are living life on the edge. All of their games except the first two have been decided by one score, and they lead the NFC North. With Rodgers and the Pack looking incredibly weak, and with Chicago and Detroit deep in rebuild mode, Minnesota gets de-facto ownership of the division. Barring some sort of crazy turnaround from one of their division rivals, Minnesota should have at least one home playoff game locked up.
Next Week: BYE
6. New York Giants (5-1)
Last Time’s Ranking: 8↑
Game Result: vs Baltimore Ravens (3-3) W, 24-20
Week 1: “Ha ha, nice upset win Giants, but it won’t happen again.”
Week 2: “It was the Panthers anybody would have won.”
Week 3: “They lost to the Cowboys! I told you they weren’t for real!”
Week 4: “It’s the Bears! Anybody can beat them!”
Week 5: “The Packers are collapsing, it doesn’t count!”
Week 6: “Well, the Ravens lost to the Dolphins who lost to the Bengals who lost to the Steelers who are very bad, it doesn’t count!”
Next Week: @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4) FOX 12:00 PM
7. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)
Last Time’s Ranking: 7↑
Game Result: vs Denver Broncos (2-4) W, 19-16 (OT)
Los Angeles only moves up here because everybody else has moved down. The offense looked stuck in neutral Monday night, taking the game to overtime against the Denver Broncos. The defense had Russell Wilson his first good half of football. However, for all their problems, they are 4-2 and played AFC heavyweight Kansas City incredibly well, so I expect them to bounce back next week.
Next Week: vs Seattle Seahawks (3-3) 3:25 PM FOX
8. San Francisco 49ers (3-3)
Last Time’s Ranking: 4↓
Game Result: @ Atlanta Falcons (3-3) L, 28-14
After a dominant showing in Carolina, Jimmy G reverted back into a middling QB against Atlanta’s defense. Marcus Mariota and the offense boasted a dangerous rushing attack, grinding the Niners’ defense down to eventually win. Even in this loss, bright spots emerged, as the 49ers spread the ball around, finally getting connections with Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle going.
Next Week: vs Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) 3:25 PM FOX
9. Dallas Cowboys (4-2)
Last Time’s Ranking 5↓
Game Result: @ Philadelphia Eagles (6-0) L, 26-17
Dallas fell to Philadelphia Sunday night in no small part to Cooper Rush’s three picks, but with Dak getting back, the team should only go up from here. While they are absolutely by no means a Super Bowl contender, they should place second in a loaded NFC East. Can Dak show up when it really matters? This year will be a good indication of that.
Next Week: vs Detroit Lions (1-4) 12:00 CBS
10. Los Angeles Rams (3-3)
Last Time’s Ranking: 14↑
Game Result: vs Carolina Panthers (1-4) W, 24-10
Los Angeles played well enough to win on Sunday, but even better, the defense did not allow a single touchdown to the Carolina Panthers. (Matthew Stafford threw a Pick-Six) The offense needs to clean up its act, but in an anemic NFC, the Rams don’t even have to be passible to get to the dance, and they have a good shot at the division if Matthew Stafford plays more like Matthew Stafford and less like Carson Wentz.
Next Week: BYE
11. Tennessee Titans (3-2)
Last Time’s Ranking: 11 –
Game Result: N/A
Tennessee had a bye week, presumably to fish some field goal pipes out of the Knoxville River System. Wonder how those got there…
Next Week: vs Indianapolis Colts (3-2-1) 12:00 PM CBS
12. Baltimore Ravens (3-3)
Last Time’s Ranking: 6↓
Game Result: @ New York Giants (5-1) L, 24-20
Just when you think you can trust Baltimore, they go out and embarrass themselves against the Giants. I don’t know if the Giants are good or when teams see New York on the schedule their talent melts into a pile of goo at the thought of having to travel to East Rutherford. The Ravens might as well start looking for their secondary while they’re in the Big Apple, as it failed to stop Daniel Jones on a consistent basis. Maybe it got lost in the sewers, but I think it all fell apart when you let Marcus Peters back on the gridiron.
Next Week: vs Cleveland Browns (2-4) 12:00 PM CBS
13. New York Jets (4-2)
Last Time’s Ranking: 15↑
Game Result: @ Green Bay Packers (3-3) W, 27-10
Week 1: “Man their offense looked terrible; they’re going to be so bad this year!”
Week 2: “Fluke win, only because of Joe Flacco”
Week 3: “Told you, they lost to an offensive train wreck! How are they going to beat good teams!?”
Week 4: “It’s the Steelers, it doesn’t count”
Week 5: “They didn’t have Tua, it doesn’t count”
Week 6: “Packers signed a contract with Jimmy Dolan to throw both the games against the New York teams this year so that the media stops concentrating on his consistent and everlasting torturing of the Knicks franchise in constant perpetuity of the 90s ring chasing without recognizing what made those teams great”
Next Week: @ Denver Broncos (2-4) 3:05 PM CBS
14. New England Patriots (3-3)
Last Time’s Ranking: 17↑
Game Result: @ Cleveland Browns (2-4) W, 38-15
Bill Belichick and taking late-round/undrafted cornerbacks and turning them into game-wrecking dynamic corners that cause offenses to plan around them. Name a more iconic duo. His most recent example of this, Jack Jones, defended a pass in this game and had 2 solo tackles. Most importantly, they held Cleveland to only 70 yards rushing on the ground, forcing them into situations where they had to throw the ball, and when you have Jacoby Brissett at QB, that doesn’t work out for you. Bailey Zappe played well in place of Mac Jones, but he won’t take his starting job from one good performance. Belicheck cannot and will not endure another second of Zappe puns. Pats fans, If you’re Zappe and you know it clap your hands!
Next Week: vs Chicago Bears (2-4) 7:15 PM ESPN+ Monday Night Football Primetime
15. Atlanta Falcons (3-3)
Last Time’s Ranking: 24↑
Game Result: vs San Francisco 49ers (3-3) W, 28-14
Just a reminder the Falcons are a roughing the passer call away from being 4-2 and being in control of the NFC South. Given how the Buccaneers look this season, it wouldn’t be the craziest thing to happen. Mariota played well and the rushing game excelled even missing Cordarrelle Patterson. Kyle Pitts caught his first touchdown in the United States (Yes, that is true) and the Falcons, despite having almost an entire roster’s worth of holes to fill, are an arm’s reach away from the NFC South Crown.
Next Week: @ Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) 12:00 PM FOX
16. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)
Last Time’s Ranking: 20↑
Game Result: vs Arizona Cardinals (2-4) W, 19-9
The Hawks are now the third-best team in a competitive NFC West, beating out Arizona for the title. Geno Smith has continued his high level of play as Seattle improved to 3-3 on the year. How far can this Geno Smith-led roster go? After this week, it could be argued that Seattle could sneak into the playoffs as the 7th seed. Would that be good in the long run though? Doubtful. Also, a shoutout to their rookie cornerback Tariq Woodly. He has gone 4 straight games with an interception, tied for the most straight games with an interception by a rookie.
Next Week: @ Los Angeles Chargers (4-2) 3:05 PM FOX
17. Indianapolis Colts (3-2-1)
Last Time’s Ranking: Replaced by Illinois
Game Result: vs Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4) W, 34-27
You beat the Jags. You do not get a medal. This is expected of a “Super Bowl Contender” at least this time you didn’t make the game so boring to watch that tens of thousands of viewers filed complaints with Amazon Prime claiming that the watchable product on the field was so bad that they are mentally scarred for life. Big bonus. Win your matchup next week and the NFL will in all likelihood forget about your earlier loss in Duval, tying with the Texans, and the time when you guys looked like a B10 school. Probably.
Next Week: @ Tennessee Titans (3-2) 12:00 PM CBS
18. Green Bay Packers (3-3)
Last Time’s Ranking: 16↓
Game Result: vs New York Jets (4-2) W, 27-10
Rebuild. That’s what this front office needs to do. You won’t win with your current core, Jordan Love is not him, and Rodgers would much rather play in San Francisco than lose to San Francisco. Good News: You have plenty of young pieces (Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, A.J. Dillon, Kenny Clark, Jaire Alexander) to build around, so a 5-year rebuild most likely won’t be in the cards.
Next Week: @ Washington Commanders (2-4) 12:00 PM FOX
19. Miami Dolphins (3-3)
Last Time’s Ranking: 12↓
Game Result: vs Minnesota Vikings (5-1) L, 24-16
With three straight losses ever since Tua went down with a concussion, the Dolphins are reeling heading into Week 7. Tua will, in all likelihood, play against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will ironically not have their starting QB due to concussion protocol. T.J. Watt will not be back, and Pittsburgh will have trouble getting anything going on defense without him, so this should be a nice game to get Tua back to tempo.
Next Week: vs Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4) 7:20 PM NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PRIMETIME
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3)
Last Time’s Ranking: 10↓
Game Result: vs Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4) L, 20-18
Is Todd Bowles a bad head coach? The Bucs have almost the same roster from last year, check a few players on the O-Line, Bruce Arians leaves and suddenly the majority of the offense can’t walk and chew gum at the same time. Tristan Wirfs is a rock on that line, but losing Alex Cappa and Ryan Jensen is hurting right now. The defense is still deadly, but the team is simply treading water instead of stomping on winnable games against teams such as the Steelers and the Packers. They need to get it together.
Next Week: @ Carolina Panthers (1-5) 12:00 PM FOX
21. Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)
Last Time’s Ranking: 21 –
Game Result: N/A
On Bye, presumably, so that Davante Adams can release his anger by shoving random people while walking down the Las Vegas Strip.
Next Week: vs Houston Texans (1-3-1) 3:05 PM CBS
22. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4)
Last Time’s Ranking: 25↑
Game Result: @ Indianapolis Colts (3-2-1) L, 34-27
Jacksonville had a glimmer of hope for two weeks, and then it came crashing down and killed them. The game was close, but it exposed the young team’s inconsistencies when the game was within reach. They couldn’t finish off the Colts, dropping to 1-2 on the year in the division, with almost certain losses to Tennessee and a coin-flip game with Houston, maybe a kiss of death to their playoff chances.
Next Week: vs New York Giants (5-1) 12:00 PM FOX
23. Houston Texans (1-3-1)
Last Time’s Ranking: 23 –
Game Result: N/A
On Bye, presumably, so that Davis Mills can return to the Savannah in Africa and meet his Giraffe neck brethren.
Next Week: @ Las Vegas Raiders (1-5) 3:05 PM CBS
24. Denver Broncos (2-4)
Last Time’s Ranking: Replaced by Iowa↑
Game Result: @ Los Angeles Chargers (4-2) L, 19-16 (OT)
BREAKING: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS TIME WITH THE DENVER BRONCOS, RUSSELL WILSON DID NOT END THE PRESS CONFERENCE BY SAYING “BRONCOS COUNTRY, LETS RIDE.” I don’t know what to make of this team. Without “Let’s Ride” they’re just another bad offensive football team. This is the kiss of death, even though they played Justin Herbert and the Chargers very closely.
Next Week: vs New York Jets (4-2) 3:05 PM CBS
25. New Orleans Saints (2-4)
Last Time’s Ranking: 19↓
Game Result: vs Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) L, 30-26
The abbreviation “NO” represents this football team. Jameis has been benched for the Red Rifle, signaling that they may go for a QB in the draft, and their games so far this year don’t “playoff contender.” One thing that keeps them in the conversation is the weak NFC South this year, but a trip to the playoffs is a guaranteed first-round exit. They played Cincinnati close, but they kept allowing big plays to happen for the Bengals, though this was Joe Burrow’s homecoming party. Maybe they were doing some good ole’ Southern hospitality?
Next Week: @ Arizona Cardinals (2-4) 7:15 PM Amazon Prime Video THURSDAY NIGHT PRIMETIME
26. Arizona Cardinals (2-4)
Last Time’s Ranking: 18↓
Game Result: @ Seattle Seahawks (3-3) L, 19-9
Oof. Arizona is having a rough year. They played the NFL’s only unbeaten team so closely, then lose by two scores to the Geno Smith led Seahawks? The Birds are reportedly receiving Robbie Anderson from the Panthers to bolster their wideouts, but I think they need to take a deep look at their linebacking corps and pass rush before they give Kyler more weapons. Maybe Brian Burns? Whatever the fix is, Zona needs to turn it around now before their punishing second-half schedule.
Next Week: vs New Orleans Saints (2-4) 7:15 PM Amazon Prime Video THURSDAY NIGHT PRIMETIME
27. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4)
Last Time’s Ranking: 27 –
Game Result: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) W, 20-18
Solid win over Tampa Bay, but how much of that was Tampa Bay, and how much was Pittsburgh? We’ll get a better estimate of that next week, but there was some bad news late in the game. Phenom rookie QB Kenny Pickett was placed in concussion protocol via a hit from Buc’s linebacker Devin White. The Mitch Trubisky show is back on, and Bears fans can tell you that it’s not an enjoyable experience. Also, I know that your defense looked good out there, but that’s because Tampa Bay’s O-Line is just guys they found at the Texas State Fair fried-food eating contest and Tristan Wirfs. The highest-paid defense in the NFL is still nothing without T.J. Watt.
Next Week: @ Miami Dolphins (3-3) 7:20 PM NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PRIMETIME
28. Detroit Lions (1-4)
Last Time’s Ranking 28 –
Game Result: N/A
On Bye, presumably to eat some delicious kneecap stew.
Next Week: @ Dallas Cowboys (4-2) 12:00 PM CBS
29. Cleveland Browns (2-4)
Last Time’s Ranking: 22↓
Game Result: vs New England Patriots (3-3) L, 38-15
At least you have a first-round draft pick… oh, never mind. New England put on a clinic on how to stop your running game, and you guys couldn’t get anything going through the air. Will things get better when Deshaun Watson comes back from suspension? Probably not. He won’t fix a defense that allows an offense led by Bailey Zappe to score almost at-will 38 points on your team, and he won’t fix having any pass catchers other than Amari Cooper. There is also no shot that you can even sniff the division title, thanks to Baltimore and Cincinnati. However, if this was just a weird one-off game, you can prove it next week against Baltimore. Put up or shut up time for Cleveland.
Next Week: @ Baltimore Ravens (3-3) 12:00 PM CBS
30. Washington Commanders (2-4)
Last Time’s Ranking: 31↑
Game Result: @ Chicago Bears (2-4) W, 12-7
Hold on, I’m trying to find your medal for beating Chicago. Man, that was the worst TNF game since… like… a week ago. In all seriousness, your starting quarterback, Carson Wentz, is now injured, so you have your choice of Taylor Heinicke, Sam Howell, or begging Brett Favre to come out of retirement. I’d take the last option at this rate. At least you get Chase Young back! Positives!
Next Week: vs Green Bay Packers (3-3) 12:00 PM FOX
31. Carolina Panthers
Last Time’s Ranking: 32 ↑
Game Result: @ Los Angeles Rams (3-3) L, 24-10
Famous XFL player P.J. Walker led the glorious Panthers to a grand total of 3 offensive points, coming off a week filled with trade rumors of Christian McCaffery, Brian Burns, and Robbie Anderson. Since nobody is interested in the Panther’s product on the field (Spoiler: They lost) we will instead look at their draft plans. Quarterback. What do you do? Give Baker one more season? See if Matt Corral is your man? What do you do with Brian Burns? Trade him to a contender? Treat him as a piece you can rebuild your defense around? Who knows. I do know they have a good shot at upsetting Tampa Bay at home next week. Keep an eye out for that.
Next Week: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) 12:00 PM FOX
32. Chicago Bears
Last Time’s Ranking: 29↓
Game Result: vs Washington Commanders (2-4) L, 12-7
Why does the NFL give you so many primetime games? Why? You have Monday night against New England this week two, so it’s not a once off thing, but why? We all knew Chicago was going to be one of the worst teams in the league this year. As for your on-field product, I took the liberty of writing up a report card of your performance:
Passing: F
Running: D+
Run Defense: You played Antonio Gibson and a dude who got shot a few weeks ago. That does not count.
Pass Defense. It’s Carson Wentz. That does not count.
Overall: F+
Infamous Western Kentucky QB Bailey Zappe is going to eat you alive next week.
Next Week: @ New England Patriots (3-3) 7:15 PM ESPN+ MONDAY NIGHT PRIMETIME
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