2025 NFL Week 6 Power Rankings
Week 5 got weird in a hurry. Detroit walked into Cincy and handled business, and the 49ers clipped the Rams in a primetime rock fight. Philly and Buffalo both took lumps, with Denver closing strong in Philly and New England squeezing out a late win on the Bills. Tampa won a wild one in Seattle. Washington checked the Chargers, Dallas rolled the Jets, and the whole middle of the league feels up for grabs heading into Week 6.
Detroit Lions (+2) — Complete, physical, and efficient on money downs. Even without a hot start, their lines let them close games. Offense hasn’t skipped a beat without Ben Johnson.
Philadelphia Eagles (−1) — One hiccup doesn’t change the formula: the front seven and short-yardage package still bully games. Sharpen red-zone timing, and they’re back hunting No. 1.
Buffalo Bills (−1) — The ceiling is obvious. When Josh Allen plays on time and the tackling holds, they look like the AFC’s most complete team. A loss to a division rival on the rise isn't enough to bump them out of the top 3.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1) — Baker Mayfield keeps ripping throws in tight windows, and the defense gets stops when it matters. They handled a loud road game and kept closing in the fourth quarter. Clean up a few protection lapses, and this looks like a team built to travel, a style of play that translates to playoff runs.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+14) — Vertical shots finally complemented a fast defense. If red-zone calls stay crisp, they belong with the heavies. Trevor Lawrence showed up in the fourth quarter on Monday Night for the first Jags win over the Chiefs since 2009.
San Francisco 49ers (+3) — They still win the trench war and stay efficient. Health at quarterback is the only real worry. If this team gets healthy, they will be a real threat.
Denver Broncos (+5) — Huge win against the defending Super Bowl Champions. The pass rush woke up, and the run game steadied the floor. Cut penalties, and this profile sustains. Huge win against the defending Super Bowl Champions.
Indianapolis Colts (+3) — Physical on both lines and well-scripted early. Protect the ball, and they’ll keep stacking wins. Daniel Jones has found his home, and that offense is clicking.
Green Bay Packers (+1) — Jordan Love’s growth is real; the defense must finish drives. Trim explosives allowed, and the ceiling climbs. Micah Parsons is a game wrecker, not that that needed to be said.
Los Angeles Rams (−3) — Playoff-caliber process on both sides, but late-game execution lags. Clean up third downs, and they jump.
Washington Commanders (+4) — Balanced plan, clean QB play, and a front that changes protections. If they stay healthy, they’re a wild-card headache.
Kansas City Chiefs (−6) — Defense is top tier; the pass game’s timing is still gelling. Mahomes keeps their floor higher than most teams’ ceilings. They aren’t the Chiefs of old, but still a threat on the big stage.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+1) — Defense sets the tempo while the offense avoids the big mistake. Any early-down rhythm pushes them up a tier.
New England Patriots (+6) — Drake Maye is stacking clean reps and finally has his signature win with a fast, connected defense. Fewer negative plays on early downs is the next step.
Los Angeles Chargers (−11) — Herbert is elite, but protection and giveaways cap the ceiling. Stabilize the OL and shore up run D to rejoin the top 10.
Dallas Cowboys (+1) — Dak is making a case for MVP despite CeeDee Lamb being out and a beat-up offensive line. If the defense can be average and force turnovers, the Cowboys are closer to the top of the league than the bottom.
Seattle Seahawks (−4) — Not flashy—just solid across phases. Tighten two-minute defense to flip close games.
Chicago Bears (−2) — Caleb Williams’ command shows up weekly, and the run game travels. A modest defensive bump changes their tier fast.
Minnesota Vikings (+2) — Justin Jefferson keeps them viable while QB health settles. They’re living on one-score margins again.
Houston Texans (+4) — C.J. Stroud is steady, and the front seven is disruptive. Win third downs, and this becomes a playoff profile.
Baltimore Ravens (−13) — Injuries and protection issues keep surfacing at the worst times. Last week showed the difference Lamar makes.
Atlanta Falcons (−4) — When they lean into play-action and push the ball outside the numbers, the offense breathes; when they turtle on early downs, drives stall. Clean up OL penalties and finish in the red zone, and this profile jumps back into wild-card range.
Arizona Cardinals (0) — Feisty and physical, they hang around every week with Kyler creating off-script and the defense rallying to the ball. They need to improve in the red zone and be more disciplined to move up.
Las Vegas Raiders (+1) — Defense has moments; offense lacks identity. Without big plays, the weekly margin is thin.
New York Giants (−3) — Protection and takeaway variance swing their outcomes. Keep the QB clean, and the floor rises. Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo are a fun duo, but not enough to make a difference. No Malik Nabers is a tough blow.
Cincinnati Bengals (+2) — Until the QB situation stabilizes, it’s survival mode. Defense is on the field too long. Joe Burrow's value is being displayed every week he's not on the field.
Cleveland Browns (0) — Defense is legit; QB uncertainty drags the whole operation. They need reliable third-down answers.
Miami Dolphins (+1) — Speed still scares people, but run fits and tackling must improve. Get off the field on third down, and the record changes fast.
Carolina Panthers (−3) — Bryce Young needs time and help. Too many negative plays to sustain drives.
Tennessee Titans (0) — Physical up front and on schedule when they stay ahead of the sticks, but early-down inefficiency keeps putting them behind. The pass game needs more bite off play-action to keep defenses honest and open red-zone space.
New Orleans Saints (+1) — They hang around, then fade late. Fourth-quarter execution defines the bottom line. The Saints are grateful the Jets exist, or they would be #32.
New York Jets (−1) — Too much noise, not enough offensive answers. Leaning on the run and shortening games is their only path out of the basement.