Week 6 (2023) NFL Power Rankings From The Sturg
One-third of the season has been played and this is how the teams stand after six weeks
It’s Week 6, and no undefeated teams are left in the NFL. The 49ers lost a competitive, exciting game after missing a potential game-winning field goal in Cleveland. The Eagles committed four turnovers in a surprising loss to the New York Jets. I was almost ready to say that there is no clear number one now after six weeks but then I gathered myself and figured out how to sort out the top 5 teams, all at 5–1. Let’s get to the rankings.
Top 10 (Elite)
1. Miami Dolphins (5–1): Tua Tagovailoa, Raheem Mostert, and Tyreek Hill led the NFL’s number-one scoring offense to another dominant win, this time over winless Carolina 42–21. There was no reason to put this team back to the top spot after back-to-back dominant wins.
2. Detroit Lions (5–1): This team has complemented a high-powered offense with a good defense this year. After watching the 20–6 drubbing of the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, I’m convinced that this team isn’t just a fluke and is the real deal. They face a real test in Week 7 against the Ravens on the road. This game will show how far this team has come in one year under Dan Campbell. I hope that David Montgomery isn’t out for an extended amount of time as he has been a workhorse for the Lions this year.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (5–1): Can you believe that it’s been Kansas City’s defense that has kept them dominant this year? It certainly hasn’t been Mahomes at his dominant usual self. He’s not terrible by anyone’s standards but he’s not scaring opposing defenses right now. His link with Travis Kelce is still pretty strong and was still a huge key in the 19–8 win over the Broncos on Thursday night.
4. San Francisco 49ers (5–1): One missed field goal away from being 6–0. This 49ers team was so close in that loss in Cleveland to the Browns. This tells us one of two things, that the Browns team is better than I gave them credit for and that the 49ers aren’t elite without Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel. Both went down with injuries in the 19–17 loss. I’m hoping that they can come back quickly because Brock Purdy had his first bad game without them.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (5–1): Another team this week that was one or two plays away from still winning their game. They faced a tough Jets defense. Jalen Hurts has already surpassed his interception total from all of last season as he’s tied for the second-most interceptions with 7. This Eagles team was able to lean on their defense through all of this but this week, their offense made too many mistakes, including a key interception in the fourth quarter, that led to Breece Hall’s game-winning rushing touchdown with less than two minutes left.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (4–2): The Jaguars are now on a three-game winning streak. They are currently in control of the AFC South. Their most recent win was a 37–20 win over division rival, Indianapolis. Their offense didn’t play particularly well but it was their defense that stepped up, forcing four turnovers against the Colts and Gardner Minshew II. The Colts actually gained a lot of offense against the Jaguars, but the defense bent and didn’t break.
7. Baltimore Ravens (4–2): The Ravens won a hard-fought game in London 24–16 against the Tennessee Titans. The game was won on defense, as the Ravens sacked both Tannehill (injury, left game) and Malik Willis six times. They also forced two turnovers. Lamar Jackson led the offense with his passing and running (62 yards). They face a tough Lions team next week.
8. Dallas Cowboys (4–2): The Cowboys scraped by on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers 20–17. This definitely isn’t the dominant team that started the season but they are still doing enough to win games. Dak Prescott played mistake-free football despite being sacked five times. Their defense did enough to keep them in the game and give them the win in Inglewood.
9. Buffalo Bills (4–2): I almost moved this team down after this week’s narrow win over the New York Giants. They won 14–9 and very well had plenty of opportunities to squander this game. The team was outgained 317–297. They also committed two turnovers. The defense did get three sacks and the offense did just enough despite the mistakes. James Cook and Latavius Murray led their rushing attack this week. Damien Harris suffered a scary injury in the game, when he had to be carted off, hope he’s going to be okay.
10. Cleveland Browns (3–2): The 19–17 win over the 49ers in Cleveland was quite impressive. Their defense got them a huge win but PJ Walker almost threw the game away with two interceptions. Their defense had three sacks and only allowed the 49ers a third-down conversion rate of 3/12. It was clearly the defense that dictated this game and they are fortunate to escape this week with a win over the previously undefeated 49ers.
Mid-Tier (11–20)
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (3–2): Week 6 was Pittsburgh’s bye week. They will be back in action in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams in a tough test for their defense.
12. Seattle Seahawks (3–2): The Seahawks came back from their early bye week by losing to the Cincinnati Bengals on the road 17–13. The Seahawks outgained the Bengals on offense 381–214. This team likely dips further with another loss considering the team that beat them is still further down on this list. The two turnovers from Geno Smith contributed to the loss.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3–2): This Buccaneers team just lost 20–6 at home to the very good 2023 Detroit Lions. This offense faced a very tough Lions pass rush all day. Mayfield was hit a few times and looked tough in the loss but couldn’t make the key plays, especially on third downs. If Baker is less than 100%, they may need a few games to get back on track. They are still leading a very weak NFC South and should win that division but they won’t make it look pretty.
14. Los Angeles Rams (3–3): Cooper Kupp played well with 7 catches, 148 yards and a touchdown. He could pretty much be this entire offense at this point if not emerging running back, Kyren Williams. This Rams team is dangerous, especially with Kupp back now. Their defense played well enough in a 26–9 win over the Cardinals, forcing two turnovers.
15. New York Jets (3–3): The Jets’ defense won that game for them at home against the Eagles. Sure, Jalen Hurts threw three interceptions but they got to it on that side of the ball and made it hard for him all day, having to earn all the offense they got with his legs. The Zach Wilson-led offense still isn’t scaring anyone but Breece Hall is a dual threat and that should scare at least a couple of teams.
16. Houston Texans (3–3): The Texans were outgained 430–297 but their defense forced two turnovers against the Saints and did just enough in a 20–13 win. CJ Stroud didn’t have his best game without one of his early favorite targets, Tank Dell, but they did enough.
17. New Orleans Saints (3–3): I put this team right after the team they just lost to. They played well enough to nearly win this game but made just enough mistakes to blow the game. Derek Carr threw for over 350 yards and still lost. That amazes me but now it’s on to Week 7 and a much-needed bye to figure things out, especially since they are still competitive in the NFC South.
18. Indianapolis Colts (3–3): It feels almost criminal to knock this team down this far after a 37–20 loss to the Jaguars but they lost a division game and that counts doubly worse. Despite outgaining the Jaguars, they made too many mistakes to win this game. Gardner Minshew II had previously filled in well when rookie Anthony Richardson was out but not this game. Their schedule in Week 7 gets no easier as they face a tough Browns team.
19. Washington Commanders (3–3): This team just fought to beat the Falcons on the road this week 24–16. Despite being outgained 402–193, their defense did enough to help them win by forcing three turnovers in the win. Sam Howell also threw three touchdowns without an interception and that certainly helps your team in a tough road game.
20. Cincinnati Bengals (3–3): I’m still not quite impressed with this team after two consecutive wins, even with the recent one against the Seahawks. The offense still looks like it’s struggling and Joe Burrow is only slowly coming back from the lingering injury issues early in the season. This team will need to string together some impressive wins going down the stretch to move up. This defense has kept them competitive.
The Caboose (21–32)
21. Las Vegas Raiders (3–3): Another team that I’m not impressed with after two consecutive wins. Their most recent win was against a very sad and overmatched Patriots team. And they only won by four 21–17. Their offense did okay with Jimmy Garoppolo having to be taken to the hospital after an injury in the game. But Brian Hoyer isn’t the answer at quarterback so hopefully they have a backup plan beyond that.
22. Atlanta Falcons (3–3): This team played well gaining yards on offense but they couldn’t secure a win against the Commanders at home this week. As I’ve previously said, this team is going to be up and down based on the progression of their young signal-caller, Desmond Ridder. Ridder had three interceptions this week and despite throwing over 300 yards couldn’t get a win.
23. Los Angeles Chargers (2–3): I feel like this team shouldn’t be this low right now as they’ve been competitive all season. They are only here by default as they’ve already had their bye week. A close loss to the Cowboys at home this week certainly didn’t help them. I’m also putting them here in anticipation of another tough loss in Week 7 to the Chiefs. Their offense has cooled down a bit after a hot start.
24. Green Bay Packers (2–3): This team had a bye week in Week 6. They come back in Week 7 on the road in Denver. This actually benefits their chances of moving up a ton. Denver is a huge mess and a win there would boost them a bit. Jordan Love should recover from his worst game of the season after this last week’s bye.
25. Minnesota Vikings (2–4): It definitely helped their defense that the Bears started undrafted rookie quarterback, Tyler Bagent, in Week 6, but they won 19–13 nonetheless. A win is a win, whoever it is. Their offense played well enough to win despite not having Justin Jefferson for the rest of the season. There are trade talks surrounding Kirk Cousins but I think he’ll play out the season.
26. Tennessee Titans (2–4): I thought about moving this team up one spot ahead of the Vikings but I decided the Tannehill injury makes this team equally as pitiful as the Vikings. Malik Willis isn’t ready and this team is a mess. Their defense will keep them in games but this team is not good once again.
27. Chicago Bears (1–5): Not having Justin Fields out there made them look like the team they’ve been for most of the first third of the season. They cannot rely on their defense as it is not strong enough to overcome the play of an undrafted rookie quarterback. They only sacked Cousins two times and forced a turnover. That pales in comparison to the five sacks by the Vikings' defense and three turnovers from their own side.
28. Arizona Cardinals (1–5): They lost soundly to the Rams 26–9. This team had two turnovers against the Rams despite gaining a decent amount of yards. The bright side is that they are getting decent, not great, quarterback play from Joshua Dobbs and he is a dual threat. The defense is good, not great, and they play in a tough division.
29. Denver Broncos (1–5): This is the first of four teams at the bottom that I like to call complete mess teams. They did hold the Chiefs to 19 points but were outgained 389–197 in that game in a 19–8 Thursday night loss. Russell Wilson had a bad game and with that defense, they really can’t afford any bad games from him. I don’t want to blame Sean Payton in his first season coaching them but it might just be his fault.
30. New York Giants (1–5): The Giants at least looked competitive in their most recent loss to the Bills. They lost 14–9 with chances to win this game. Their defense started clicking again with Saquon Barkley back in the lineup. Tyrod Taylor got the start and couldn’t do enough to get past the Bills.
31. New England Patriots (1–5): Bill Belichick just hit a low losing to the Raiders. He was facing his old assistant, Josh McDaniels, the Raiders' head coach, and two of his former backups, Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer, and lost a competitive game in Las Vegas 21–17. The offense looked better this week but it was the Raiders and Mac Jones still doesn’t look like the answer. At least Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott played well enough to keep them in the game.
32. Carolina Panthers (0–6): Carolina remains the only winless NFL team left after Week 6 in a humiliating road loss to the Miami Dolphins. Chuba Hubbard played well in his expanded role with the Miles Sanders’ injury scoring a touchdown and getting 88 yards on the ground. Bryce Young threw for 217 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown was to Adam Thielen, who had 115 yards and continues to be their air attack. Can they get their first win of the season after their Week 7 bye against Houston at home? We will see.
This season is shaping up to be an interesting one. I didn’t expect both of the remaining undefeated teams to lose. I feel like whoever gets the best regular season this year isn’t going to be guaranteed a Super Bowl berth. I feel like any of the top 10 can make this interesting. It would be fun to see a first-time team make the Super Bowl this year.
I know it’s too early to talk about the Super Bowl, much less the postseason but it’s shaping up to be a fight to win each respective division. I’m excited to catch more games this year. Catch the Sturg on The Press Box only on Medium every Tuesday or Wednesday during the regular season. Until next time, sports fans.
Source: NFL Rankings
Major NFL Power Rankings from Sports Sites:
Sporting News
ESPN
