Updated: October 12
Learn where each NFL team stacks up in our updated power rankings and among the best NFL teams for the 2026 season.
2026 NFL Power Rankings: Best NFL Teams Week 6
| Power Rank | Team | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City Chiefs | 0 |
| 2 | San Francisco 49ers | 0 |
| 3 | Buffalo Bills | 0 |
| 4 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 0 |
| 5 | Seattle Seahawks | 0 |
| 6 | Baltimore Ravens | +1 |
| 7 | Denver Broncos | -1 |
| 8 | Los Angeles Rams | 0 |
| 9 | New England Patriots | 0 |
| 10 | Cincinnati Bengals | 0 |
| 11 | Detroit Lions | +1 |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | +1 |
| 13 | Chicago Bears | -2 |
| 14 | Philadelphia Eagles | +1 |
| 15 | Carolina Panthers | +3 |
| 16 | Pittsburgh Steelers | +3 |
| 17 | Dallas Cowboys | -3 |
| 18 | Green Bay Packers | +4 |
| 19 | Houston Texans | +2 |
| 20 | Las Vegas Raiders | -4 |
| 21 | Atlanta Falcons | -1 |
| 22 | Cleveland Browns | -5 |
| 23 | Indianapolis Colts | +1 |
| 24 | New York Giants | +1 |
| 25 | New York Jets | +3 |
| 26 | New Orleans Saints | -3 |
| 27 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +3 |
| 28 | Washington Commanders | -2 |
| 29 | Los Angeles Chargers | -2 |
| 30 | Arizona Cardinals | -1 |
| 31 | Tennessee Titans | 0 |
| 32 | Miami Dolphins | 0 |
Week 6 NFL Team Rankings:
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs will emerge from their bye with some injury questions, but they remain solidly atop the AFC West. The Raiders followed up their loss to the Chiefs with another one against the Patriots. The Broncos still can't score, and the Chargers are 0-5. Things are looking pretty good for Kansas City.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers' win over the Seahawks was exciting, but it was not as clean as expected for two of the best teams in the league. The game featured 7 combined turnovers, with the 49ers committing 3. San Francisco also lost two more receivers to injury. That didn't matter with Mike Evans dominating against a formidable secondary, but it's fair to wonder if there is a tipping point. Either way, the 49ers are 5-0 with wins against the Rams, Broncos, and Seahawks.
3. Buffalo Bills
Updated after Monday Night Football
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars were lucky to escape with a win against the Eagles, getting a long kick return with just 8 seconds left to set up the game-deciding field goal. In other ways, though, Jacksonville soundly outplayed the Eagles. They were considerably better in EPA per play and dominated the explosive-play margin, but they did not score a touchdown on any of their 3 red-zone trips. Penalties played a role in those red-zone issues, and Jacksonville is currently last in the NFL in offensive penalty EPA. The Jaguars are good, but they need to clean up some mistakes.
5. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle were the slightly more mistake-prone side in an ugly game against the 49ers, losing 32-29. Sam Darnold opened the game with an interception, and the team combined for 4 turnovers on the day. Even so, they were inches from converting a fourth down late in the game that would have given them a chance to tie with a field goal. Darnold has thrown 5 interceptions since returning from injury in Week 3, and the Seahawks are tied for the most turnovers in the league over that span. They obviously need to clean up that part of their game moving forward.
6. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have traditionally struggled to win with Lamar Jackson out, but Tyler Huntley led two excellent drives to tie the game in the fourth quarter and then win in overtime. It was a solid win against a Falcons team that had been flying with Michael Penix at quarterback. Jackson reportedly has a chance to play this week against the Browns, though the team we saw on Sunday night should be the favorites in that contest even if Jackson is forced to sit.
7. Denver Broncos
The defense stepped up late against the Chargers, forcing a fumble, nabbing an interception, and stopping LA on fourth down in the fourth quarter. The offense, though, struggled throughout in Sean Payton‘s return to the play-calling role. Denver is squarely in the bottom 10 of offensive success rate, EPA per play, yards per play, and points per drive. They are dead last, behind the Titans, in first-half points per drive. The schedule has been tough, but it doesn't get any easier against the Seahawks on Thursday night.
8. Los Angeles Rams
Updated after Monday Night Football
9. New England Patriots
New England built on their big win over the Bills with a thrashing of the Raiders, moving to 3-2 on the season. Drake Maye threw 4 touchdown passes, added another on the ground, and looked much more like the player who finished second in MVP voting last season, despite continued injuries at receiver. He will look to keep things going this week against the Jets, who have been better on defense this season.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Things got a lot closer than they needed to be late, but the Bengals cruised to a relatively easy win over the Dolphins. The defense mostly shut down Miami's passing game and forced 3 turnovers. Joe Burrow did not have a gaudy yardage total but did throw 4 touchdown passes. It's concerning that Chase Brown continued to struggle in this game, and we may have seen the start of the change in the backfield with Samaje Perine taking on more work. That will be a story to follow through the bye week and into an important Week 7 matchup with the Ravens.
11. Detroit Lions
At least for one week, the Detroit defense had a solid enough game, holding the Cardinals to 4.6 yards per play and just 7 points in the first half. That effort allowed the offense to build a 31-7 lead and cruise to an easy victory. Heading into the bye week, the Lions should be heavily focused on that defense, which could get a big lift if Brian Branch is ready to return in Week 7.
12. Minnesota Vikings
It still was not the most convincing offensive performance in the world, but Kyler Murray was an efficient 24 of 30 to lead the Vikings to a 23-13 win over the Saints and a 5-0 start to the season. As is Minnesota's blueprint, the defense mauled New Orleans' offense and heads into the bye ranked No. 1 in success rate allowed. The Vikings should get healthier during the off week, with Jordan Mason eligible to return after the break.
13. Chicago Bears
The magic was likely to run out at some point. Tyson Bagent looked overmatched in his second start, and Case Keenum did not fare much better after entering the game. The good news is Caleb Williams is expected to return this week against the Falcons. The defense is more interesting. While the Bears won, the defense gave up plenty of production to the Panthers in Week 1. They cleaned that up the next three games, but those were against the Vikings, Eagles, and Jets. Which version of Chicago's defense is closer to the real one?
14. Philadelphia Eagles
There is a glass-half-full way to look at the Eagles' last two losses. They probably should have beaten the Rams and Jaguars, two teams we view as among the league's best, despite rampant injury issues. The glass-half-empty view focuses on an offense that, even when healthy, was not producing. Their weekly ranks in success rate: 29th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 25th. Philly will get back DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, and Landon Dickerson, but it remains to be seen if this offense can be good enough.
15. Carolina Panthers
Things worked out pretty well for the Panthers over their bye week. Tampa Bay got a surprise win, but the surging Falcons lost Sunday night and might have lost Michael Penix to injury. Carolina should also get some key offensive players back after the bye week. They face a pivotal stretch with the Eagles, Bucs, Packers, and Broncos next up on the schedule.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers
The defense shut down Jonathan Taylor, and Aaron Rodgers threw 3 more touchdowns as the Steelers beat the Colts 34-22. Jaylen Warren was once again the story on offense. Working as the clear lead back the last three games, Warren has averaged 163 yards from scrimmage. He leads qualified backs in yards per touch over that span. Rico Dowdle should return soon, but Warren has been a difference maker.
17. Dallas Cowboys
The offense certainly did not do enough, giving the ball away 3 times, including 2 Dak Prescott interceptions, but the story for the Cowboys remains on defense. Despite the Bucs starting undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels at quarterback, Dallas' defense gave up 6.4 yards per play and 6.2 yards per carry in the loss. Bucky Irving had five runs of 9 yards or more, including a 72-yard run. The Cowboys defense now ranks 30th in success rate and dead last in yards per play allowed.
18. Green Bay Packers
That's more like it. It was against a Bears offense led by Tyson Bagent and then Case Keenum, but the Green Bay defense smothered them for just 3.6 yards per play while forcing 5 turnovers. The running game still doesn't work, but Jordan Love has been pressured on just 20.3% of his dropbacks over the last two games, the best rate in the league. He was pressured on 44.7% of his dropbacks over the first three games. Green Bay has seemingly turned the corner, but they have a tough run against the Cowboys, Lions, Panthers, Patriots, and Vikings before their bye. Micah Parsons is not expected to return for that matchup against Dallas.
19. Houston Texans
Houston got off the mat with a convincing 26-3 win over the helpless Titans, logging their first victory of the season. The defense played as expected against one of the worst offenses in the league, and C.J. Stroud did enough to earn the easy win. Things will be much more difficult against the Jaguars in London on Sunday. Houston will have a new weapon for that game after trading for Marvin Harrison Jr.
20. Las Vegas Raiders
Fresh off pushing the Chiefs to the final whistle, the Raiders imploded against the Patriots, falling 45-17. The offense was still mostly fine, averaging 5.4 yards per play with just 1 turnover, but Drake Maye shredded the defense, averaging 11 yards per attempt on his way to 4 touchdown passes. Las Vegas needs to find answers quickly in the secondary with Josh Allen and Matthew Stafford next on the schedule.
21. Atlanta Falcons
Losing to a Ravens team without Lamar Jackson at quarterback is disappointing, but the offense continued to look good with Michael Penix at quarterback despite a somewhat slow start to the game. The real concern is Penix's health after he took a big shot late in the fourth quarter. Tua Tagovailoa got the call in overtime and predictably threw a game-ending interception. We have seen what this Atlanta offense is without Penix out there. We do not want to see it again. The defense should get a real test this week against a Bears offense that expects to have Caleb Williams back at quarterback.
22. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland had been on the right side of close games for three straight weeks, but that turned on them in a 17-12 loss to the Jets. The defense continues to look like the real deal, ranking inside the top 10 in all important metrics since that opening loss to the Jaguars, but the offense remains an open question. Cleveland now ranks 28th in success rate, 27th in yards per play, and 29th in points per drive for the season.
23. Indianapolis Colts
It was a loss, but the Colts can take some positives from Week 5 on offense. After ranking near the bottom of the league in explosive play rate through the first four games, Indy gained 20 or more yards on 8.7% of their plays against the Steelers, the sixth-highest rate of the week. That will need to continue with the Indy defense currently ranking in the bottom 10 of success rate allowed, yards per play allowed, and points per drive allowed.
24. New York Giants
In one of the most perplexing games I have ever seen, the Giants forced overtime with a late touchdown, missed a field goal in overtime, fumbled well into field goal range later in overtime, and then got the tie because Jayden Daniels and Washington's offensive coaching staff seemingly forgot the clock existed. The Giants are 3-1-1. They currently lead the division. The Eagles offense is awful. The Cowboys defense is awful. Are the Giants good? I don't really think so. They won close games against the Titans and Cardinals before this tie. Could they win the division? At this point, I think you have to at least say maybe.
25. New York Jets
The Jets disappointed against the Bears last week, but the defense came up big in Sunday's win over the Browns. Cleveland averaged just 3.0 yards per play, and the Jets are now third in yards per play allowed for the season. I don't think the defense is really at that level, and the offense has struggled to move the ball in the last two games. Still, this was a solid win for a team that looks as if it will be solidly above the worst teams in the league this season.
26. New Orleans Saints
Following a promising start to the season, the wheels have fallen off for the Saints over the last three games. The latest debacle was a 23-13 loss to the Vikings in which Tyler Shough threw for just 96 yards. 32 of those came on New Orleans' one scoring drive in the second quarter. On the defensive side of the ball, the Saints are now dead last in success rate allowed and 30th in points per drive allowed. The Saints are not the first team the Vikings have shut down, but it is becoming clear New Orleans' offense will have to be elite to keep them in games this season.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Just when they looked dead and buried, the Bucs came through with a 24-16 win over the Cowboys on Thursday night for their first victory of the season. The running game paved the way on offense, with Bucky Irving going for 165 yards, and the defense forced 3 turnovers. Even with their awful start to the season, the Bucs are still only 1 win back of the division-leading Panthers, and Baker Mayfield could be back to face that Panthers squad in Week 7.
28. Washington Commanders
Brother, I don't know. Jayden Daniels should have known the situation. The coaching staff should not have let the play clock run all the way down before Daniels took that sack. Obviously, they should have won. That said, Washington would not have been in overtime if the defense got a stop in the fourth quarter, and the Giants twice drove into field goal range in overtime. The obvious takeaway is that this is not a very good team, and they get the 49ers this week before their bye.
29. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers once again hung around against one of the league's better teams, taking a 17-10 lead into the fourth quarter. Two turnovers and a failed fourth-down in the fourth quarter cost them the lead, and the Chargers fell to 0-5. The offense is not working, several key players are out injured, and the mistakes keep mounting. Other than that, everything is great.
30. Arizona Cardinals
They scored a couple of cosmetic touchdowns late, but Arizona's offense did not show up against what had been one of the worst defenses in the league, losing 45-21 to the Lions in Week 5. After a surprising Week 1 win over the Chargers, Arizona has lost four straight. Jacoby Brissett is dead last among qualified quarterbacks in yards per attempt and explosive play rate during that losing streak. The defense is also not good, so it certainly is not all on Brissett, but it is fair to wonder when we will see Carson Beck get his chance in what is shaping up as a lost season.
31. Tennessee Titans
The Titans did not put up much of a fight against the previously 0-4 Texans, losing 26-3. The defense was okay for most of the game, but the offense remains a disaster. Through five weeks, the Titans rank 26th in offensive success rate, 29th in EPA per play, 31st in yards per play, and 32nd in points per drive. Cam Ward is 30th among 31 qualified quarterbacks in EPA per play and yards per attempt. The offense just does not work.
32. Miami Dolphins
Miami made it interesting late with 14 points in the fourth quarter, but the offense was mostly stuck in neutral against the Bengals. Before the final drive of the first half, Malik Willis was 1 for 7 for 22 yards and 2 interceptions. He finished with 114 net passing yards. Willis is dead last in completion rate and off-target rate among qualified quarterbacks. The Dolphins have not given Willis a ton to work with at receiver, but he also has not helped the situation.