Week 6 NFL Power Rankings

TUESDAY, 22:09 UPDATE: All 32 teams ranked now.

There's a new team atop this week's rankings, and I've been looking forward to saying this for 21 years: The Chicago Bears are the best team in the NFL.

1. Chicago Bears, 5-0 (Last week: No. 2).  True, I predicted this back on Aug. 1, and maybe I didn't want to jinx it, but how can I not rank these guys No. 1 after what they've done in the past two weeks? Playing at home against the defending NFC champs and a much-improved Buffalo team, the Bears have hung 76 points on their opponents while allowing only 13. The big difference has been the redeployment of the traditionally successful Bears running attack, returning balance to an offense that got things done almost exclusively through the air in Weeks 1-3. People say the key is Rex Grossman, and that's true, but there are enormously improved players across this team: WR Bernard Berrian is tied for the league lead in touchdown receptions and is averaging almost 22 yards per catch; PK Robbie Gould has been perfect on 17 field goal attempts and leads the league in scoring; TE Desmond Clark lost 20 pounds in the offseason and ranks 3rd in receiving yardage among tight ends; DT Tommie Harris is making a bid for Defensive Player of the Year; rookie DE Mark Anderson leads the team in sacks; rookie safety Danieal Manning and free agent pickup Rickey Manning Junior are tied for the team league with two interceptions. And so on. Now, ready for the scary part? They have the easiest schedule in the league. (Chicago Tribune photo)

2. Indianapolis Colts, 5-0 (Last week, No. 1). Sorry Colts, but in this power ranking, you don't get to eek out a one-point win over the woeful Tennessee Titans and maintain a No. 1 ranking. I've said the Colts would be an 8-8 team without Peyton Manning, but after this week, make that 7-9. The defense's inability to stop the run is getting to be a real problem, and it's twofold: Not only can opponents move the ball on the Colts, but running the ball eats clock and keeps Manning off the field. There's plenty of talent here, but the Colts D needs to show up better, soon, or offensive coordinators are going to start making them pay. UPDATE: On further review of the game tape, these guys were awful.

3. Philadelphia Eagles, 4-1 (Last week No. 7). It's no secret that I'm an Eagles anti-fan, but what they did to Dallas this week in the  "T.O. Media Hype Bowl" was pretty brutal, and the Cowboys (no, I don't like them, either) are actually an above-average football team. The Eagles have flaws, but McNabb is simply en fuego right now and their banged-up defense continues to bang up opposing offenses. Were it not for that pathetic collapse against the Giants these guys would be 5-0, and I gotta give these guys credit for intensity. Hey, don't look now, but Westbrook leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns with six. How does such a thing happen?

4. Jacksonville Jaguars, 3-2 (Last week, No. 8). The Jags followed a strong 2-0 opening with a tough loss to Indianapolis and a head-scratching collapse against the Redskins, all of which led me to one conclusion: Poor, poor Chad Pennington. The Jets QB had the misfortune of drawing an angry Jaguars squad in Jacksonsville, and the result was a predictable blowout. Jack Del Rio's players punished a legit Jets team 41-0, and it wasn't even that close. Last week I asked this question: "Someone please explain to me how you only run a healthy Fred Taylor seven times?" This week Del Rio answered it by giving Taylor 21 carries, and he responded by gaining 111 yards. Between Taylor and rookie Maurice Jones-Drew, these guys have a serious one-two RB punch to go with that nasty defense. But here's the bottom line on the Jags: You get the sense that this is an up-and-down unit that may not have the complete package. They're good enough to humilate average teams, but not good enough to win regularly against top competition. UPDATE: They just lost their middle linebacker, Mike Peterson, for the season.

5. Seattle Seahawks, 3-1 (Last week, No. 5). Nobody else made a statement in this week's games, so the Seahawks remain in the Top 5 coming out of their bye. The players got the entire week off after their pummelling in Chicago, but they'll have plenty of time to prepare for their trip to St. Louis on Sunday. They're two weeks away from getting Shaun Alexander back, but none of that will matter against their division challengers.  The Rams are improving, but they're still the second-worst 4-1 team in the league, and Hasselbeck will carve them up with a relentless, controlled passing attack. Watch for it: Seahawks win big on the road. If I'm wrong, then it's time to reconsider the effect of their dismantling by the Bears and the value of Alexander to this team.

6. San Diego Chargers, 3-1, (Last week, No. 4): Here's what I noticed in watching the Chargers beat the Steelers: They just looked better than the defending champs. Sharper, multi-dimensional. The defense doesn't get much respect, but superstar sophomore Shawn Merriman was quiet all night and the Bolts still looked dominant. RB Michael Turner is the best non-starting running back in the NFL. This is a balanced squad and you can't downgrade it significantly just because Philip Rivers is a first-year starter. There's a reason he was drafted 4th overall.

7. Cincinnati Bengals, 3-1 (Last week, No. 6, bye): The Bengals return from their bye with a trip to Tampa Bay. The Bucs have gotta win sometime, but this ain't it.

8. Denver Broncos, 3-1 (Last week, No. 9): The defenses looked great Monday night, and Denver really swarms to the ball. On offense? Let's just say things weren't quite as rosy. Tatum Bell will be a better back once he gets Mike Bell back, and they need their running game to work. Jake Plummer is still Jake Plummer; it took him three quarters just to get warmed up.

9. New England Patriots 4-1 (Last week, No. 11): Brady was utterly pedestrian against the Dolphins, but that's all you need against Miami. The Pats just seemed ... out of rhythm on offense Sunday.

10. Baltimore Ravens, 4-1 (Last week, No. 3): After a huge win against the Chargers, the Ravens dropped a tough one in Denver. The game was tight as a tick through three, but the offense wasn't up to the task in the 4th. There's no shame in that loss, but it was an opportunity this team squibbed away.

11. Dallas Cowboys, 2-2 (Last week, No. 12): I can't penalize them too much for losing the T.O Media Hype Bowl in the City of Brotherly Love (not!). You could really see that one coming from a long way off. The Boys should do better this week, but it's worth noting that for Houston, playing the Cowboys is the equivalent of their Super Bowl.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1-3 (Last week: No. 10): They keep dropping in this ranking, but despite the fact that they're out-of-synch and losing to quality opponents, they're still a well-coached, talented team. Sooner or later they're going to turn the corner, and I think they're above a 50-50 shot to beat every team below them on this list, 1-3 record not withstanding. They host a decent Kansas City team on Sunday, and if I'm right about the Steelers, they'll get a win. If I'm wrong, I'm going to take my lumps and stop being so nice to these losers.

13. Carolina Panthers, 3-2 (Last week, No. 13): Three weeks ago I pointed out that the Panthers had a stretch of three relatively weak opponents and a chance to salvage their 0-2 start. Well, they did it, but they did it with zero style points. They beat 0-4 Tampa by two, 4-1 New Orleans by three and 1-4 Cleveland by eight.  Jake Delhomme has yet to find his groove, but the eye-opening thing last Sunday was Steve Smith, who dropped multiple passes, including two very catchable balls in the end zone. What's happening? Well, for starters, Smith doesn't look 100 percent, and he's getting hammered week after week. Panthers fans had better appreciate Julius Peppers and Keyshawn Johnson, because those two are keeping this team in contention. This week the Panthers go to Baltimore, and I suspect they're going to get their ass handed to them.

14. Atlanta Falcons, 3-1 (Last week, No. 14, bye): Hard-to-peg Atlanta draws a hard-to-peg New York Giants team this week. Call it The Enigma Bowl.

15. Kansas City Chiefs, 2-2 (Last week, No. 16): I liked their victory against the Cardinals on the road Sunday because they weathered a hot start by Matt Leinart, played tenaciously and basically clawed their way to a 23-20 win. Not a work of art, but fundamental with a little verve thanks to Larry Johnson. He's on the injury report with a bad neck, but he's lucky he still has his head. The injury-causing, personal-foul tackle came on the 79-yard catch and run that set up the winning field goal, and it's amazing he didn't lose the ball.

16. Minnesota Vikings, 3-2 (Last week, No. 18): The Vikings managed to beat the Lions, but they needed two defensive scores to pull it off. Say what?? Any team that needs defensive scores to win when they're playing against the Lions secondary needs serious help. This from a team that took the otherwise dominant Bears to the limit just three weeks ago?

17. St. Louis Rams, 4-1 (Last week, No. 22): I picked the Packers to beat the Rams last week, and if Brett Favre wasn't actively working to undo everyone's positive impression of his legendary career, they would have. The Rams have one impressive victory (over Denver in Week 1) and three wins over twinkies. Hence, I'm disrespecting them here.

18. New York Giants, 2-2 (Last week, No. 21): I'm no longer sold that this is a good team, but that was a significant divisional victory over the Redskins. You like to see teams win meaningful games coming off their bye.

19. Buffalo Bills, 2-3 (Last week, No. 17): At the end of this season, the Buffalo Bills will look back on their season, pause at Week 5 and say "What the hell happened there?" Dick Jauron's team got slash-pwoned by the Bears at Soldier Field, and the cumulative effect was so overwhelming that the stats are misleading. The Bears scored on their first five possessions, got into J.P. Losman's head and effectively ended this game in the second quarter. I still believe this team will fare well against mediocre competition, which means 75 percent of the league.

20. New Orleans Saints, 4-1 (Last week, No. 20): I know I'm Mr. Mean Man, because who could slam those lovable, post-Katrina Saints? They've got a quarterback, two good running backs, two nice wide receivers and the most adorable punt returner ever! So why don't I believe in them? Because if it hadn't been for that game-changing performance by Reggie Bush, these guys would have lost to the winless Bucs. They're not nearly as bad as I said they'd be, but they're really just not all that good.

21. New York Jets, 2-3 (Last week, No. 15): Say what??? After that performance against Jacksonville, the Jets should just ask for a do-over. The only bright spot was RB Leon Washington, but here's what you probably didn't see: Despite multiple opportunities, Washington was inadequate in short-yardage. And what the hell happened with Coles in the second half? Did Mangini put the wide receiver on double-secret probation? Here's a modest proposal: Figure out how to get Brad Smith onto the field more.

22. Washington Redskins, 2-3 (Last week, No. 19): Are the Redskins a good team that plays poorly or a bad team that has flashes of competence? The answer: What's the difference? Bonus: Remember this blast from the past (i.e. last week)? "Redskins losers eh? After what they did to the jaguars last week?? Too much celebrating for you I guess huh? Get your head out of your butt and take a good look around. they can play with any team any time babe..." Uh, right...  Even the losers get lucky sometimes, babe...

23. San Francisco 49ers, 2-3 (Last week, No. 23): The Raiders put up a fight, but the 49ers are just a better team and their needle is generally pointed towards the future. They weren't particularly impressive, but a win is a win. They're going to lose this week to an excellent Chargers team, but then they get their bye week and I get the sense they'll be competitive down the stretch.

24. Cleveland Browns, 1-4 (Last week, No. 26): Everyone expected the Browns to get shellacked by the Panthers and they didn't. That ought to count for something.

25. Green Bay Packers, 1-4 (Last week, No. 25) : I know he's supposed to be the next best thing to Jesus and infallible like the Pope (at least in Wisconsin) but, uh, Brett Favre really gave this one away Sunday. He's got enough talent to keep the Packers in games, but not enough talent to win them. Sad.

26. Arizona Cardinals, 1-4 (Last week, No. 24): Matt Leinart started strong, but rookies will be rookies, and he doesn't have a great supporting cast at the moment. The turning point in this game came in the second half when the Chiefs sacked Leinart on two consecutive plays and then blocked a punt to set up an easy score. That's just a breakdown in fundamentals, and the Cardinals aren't mentally strong enough to reverse a collapse like that. Even then, the Cards still had a chance to win, but 2005 All-World kicker Neil Rackers simply couldn't convert a 51-yarder.  It gets worse: They've lost their best offensive weapon in Larry Fitzgerald for at least two weeks and their next opponent is Chicago. On Monday Night Football. Leinart had better grow up fast.

27. Houston Texans, 1-3 (Last week, No. 28): They're not good, but they're probably not as bad as they looked three weeks ago, either. This will be a telling game: The Texans, coming off a bye, travel to Dallas to play their in-state rivals. That's just another game for the Cowpokes, but it's a very big deal for the Texans and their fans. If the Texans show up focused and the football gods smile on them a bit, David Carr and Andre Johnson could catch the Cowboys flatfooted and make this a contest. Not that I think they will.

28. Tennessee Titans, 0-5 (Last week, No. 31): It's still waaaay too early to reach a verdict on Vince Young, but we can say this much with confidence: He's an awful lot better than Kerry Collins. The Titans ran wild on the Colts but couldn't put up enough points to hold off Peyton Manning. It's tempting to upgrade them more based on that single strong performance, but I'm not going to. Yet. Remember, we're talking about the Colts. You could have put me in at fullback for the Titans this week and even I could have averaged two yards per carry against that front seven. But if Young and Henry are still playing like this in a couple of weeks, they'll really start climbing.

29. Detroit Lions, 0-5 (Last week, No. 27): Remember how Jon Kitna was supposed to be the savvy, veteran leader who was going to make the Mike Martz offense go? Remember how he was going to be the anti-Joey, the confident guy who made plays and avoided mistakes? Well, whatever happened to that? Kitna's play against the Vikings was pure amateur-hour. He quite literally handed them the game. Why does this happen? Because they're the Lions, and Matt Millen has some baaaaad hoodoo hex following him around.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 0-4 (Last week, No. 29): I like this kid Bruce Gradkowski a lot, and I'm not just saying that to be nice. The Bucs got royally shafted but the officials in the fourth quarter. Somebody should lose his ref card.

31. Miami Dolphins, 1-4 (Last week, No. 31): Different former first-round refugee quarterback, same result. Joey Harrington was an improvement over Daunte Culpepper simply because he didn't look like a utility pole in the pocket, but the Fins couldn't capitalize on a poor performance by New England QB Tom Brady. This week's Nick-Saban-Makes-An-Ass-Of-Himself Moment? Sparking a quasi-public confrontation with Culpepper over his benching and then not quite having the people skills in his comments to the media to help his bewildered-but-injured quarterback save face. Way to build team spirit and loyalty, Nick... Any team with Ronnie Brown, Chris Chambers, Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor shouldn't be at the bottom of a power ranking, but I honestly don't know where else to put them at the moment. I keep expecting them to show improvement and it keeps not happening. This week against the Jets should be a good opportunity.

32. Oakland Raiders, 0-4 (Last week, No. 32): Well, at least the defense isn't the worst in the league. But enough dodging the obvious: The Raiders are simply going through the motions. There was a moment in the game when Andrew Walter threw an obvious backward pass to Lamont Jordan, and when Jordan couldn't catch it, nobody in a silver helmet moved to smother the ball at all. The 49ers were actually cowed for a second by the Raider nonchallance, and the guy who scooped up the live ball looked around for half a second before he ran it in for a touchdown. The Raiders didn't even give chase. This is a poorly coached, inadequte team. The Raiders ship is sinking, and the rats and abandoning it fast. Just look at Randy Moss.

Comments

[Jerad H.]

Please...Just admit you were wrong about the Panthers getting their asses handed to them. Don't make excuses and say they won because Steve McNair went down. He wasn't doing anything when he was in the game and his injury had nothing to do with the Panthers racking up 414 yds of offense against the vaunted Ravens defense. Looks like you were wrong about Smith too, seeing as he caught 8 balls for 189 yds.