NFC power rankings for NFL Week 6: Packers surge, Vikings jump Seahawks
· Yahoo Sports
The San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings are the conference’s top teams in the latest power rankings and the only unbeaten NFC teams after Week 5. A wacky NFL slate that also delivered a tie, two overtime losses and the first win of the season for Tampa Bay.
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Green Bay made the biggest jump, rising three spots after a 31-7 rout of Chicago. Detroit climbed two spots, while Dallas, Atlanta and Seattle slipped after losses. Philadelphia has a losing record for the first time since Nick Sirianni’s first season in 2021.
Here are our NFC power rankings entering Week 6, from Nos. 16 to 1.
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16. Arizona Cardinals (Prev: 15)
- Last week: vs. Detroit Lions, L 45-21
- Next week: at L.A. Rams, Sun., Oct. 18, 4:05 p.m. ET
Arizona scored on its opening drive after a trick play, with receiver Michael Wilson throwing to quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Then the offense stalled. The Cardinals went three-and-out on five straight first-half possessions and gained 12 yards on them, while Detroit scored 31 unanswered points.
Brissett finished 29 of 47 for 292 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He was also sacked five times, and most of his production came after the game was decided.
The four-game losing streak follows the trade of Marvin Harrison Jr. to Houston for a 2027 second-round pick. CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco wrote that “at some point, they have to play rookie Carson Beck at quarterback.” Arizona drops to the bottom after losing by 24 while Tampa Bay won on the road.
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15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Prev: 16)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) runs with the ball during the game against the Dallas | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images- Last week: at Dallas Cowboys, W 24-16
- Next week: vs. Pittsburgh, Sun., Oct. 18, 1 p.m. ET
Jalon Daniels outdueled Dak Prescott in his first road start. The undrafted rookie went 19 of 25 for 189 yards and a touchdown without a turnover, and Tampa Bay avoided its first 0-5 start since 2013.
Bucky Irving ran for a career-high 165 yards, and the Buccaneers totaled 241 on the ground. Emeka Egbuka added a 14-yard rushing touchdown during a 17-point third quarter, and Tampa Bay won without safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
Head coach Todd Bowles still made it close. Leading 24-10, he went for it on fourth-and-goal instead of kicking for a three-score lead, and Dallas answered with a 99-yard touchdown drive. Linebacker Alex Anzalone’s diving interception on the final possession sealed the first win of the season.
14. Washington Commanders (Prev: 14)
- Last week: vs. New York Giants, T 27-27 (OT)
- Next week: at San Francisco, Mon., Oct. 19, 8:15 p.m. ET
Jayden Daniels returned with a brace on his left elbow and ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Washington led by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but the defense gave up two late scores to force overtime.
Defensive tackle Daron Payne stripped Cam Skattebo to give Washington the ball with about two minutes left in overtime. Daniels moved the offense to the Giants’ 24. With 12 seconds left and no timeouts, he took off on an ill-advised scramble and went down for no gain, and time expired before the field goal unit could line up.
The Commanders sit at 1-3-1 and hold at No. 14. Their next game is a Monday night trip to face the unbeaten 49ers.
13. New Orleans Saints (Prev: 13)
- Last week: vs. Minnesota Vikings, L 23-13
- Next week: at N.Y. Giants, Sun., Oct. 18, 1 p.m. ET
Tyler Shough threw for 96 yards with two interceptions, and New Orleans finished with 142 total yards. The Saints had the ball for about 20 minutes.
Safety Jonas Sanker provided the only touchdown. He returned a Myles Price fumble 87 yards to tie the game at 13 late in the third quarter, but Minnesota answered with a fourth-quarter touchdown run from Aaron Jones.
New Orleans has lost three straight since beating Baltimore in Week 2. “The optimism of the first two weeks has really faded,” Prisco wrote, adding that “Tyler Shough-mania has slowed.” The Saints hold at No. 13 before a trip to face the NFC East-leading Giants.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (Prev: 11)
- Last week: at Jacksonville Jaguars in London, L 19-17
- Next week: vs. Carolina, Sun., Oct. 18, 1 p.m. ET
Philadelphia took a 17-16 lead on Jake Elliott’s 48-yard field goal with 8 seconds left. Ameer Abdullah returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards, and Cam Little hit a 57-yarder as time expired.
The Eagles ran for 22 yards without Saquon Barkley. Jalen Hurts went 21 of 40 for 220 yards, and his 62-yard touchdown to Darius Cooper was the offense’s biggest play. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter had two sacks and forced two fumbles.
The week started with Lane Johnson’s retirement and the trade of center Cam Jurgens to Baltimore. Left tackle Jordan Mailata called it “a week from hell.” Backup running backs Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are out multiple weeks, but Sirianni said he’s “hopeful” Barkley and DeVonta Smith return against Carolina.
11. New York Giants (Prev: 10)
New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh before the game at MetLife Stadium. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images- Last week: at Washington Commanders, T 27-27 (OT)
- Next week: vs. New Orleans, Sun., Oct. 18, 1 p.m. ET
The Giants trailed 12-3 at halftime and scored 24 second-half points. Jameis Winston hit Isaiah Likely for a 17-yard touchdown on fourth-and-8, then found Malik Nabers for the tying 17-yard score with 1:43 left. Nabers and Likely each caught 11 passes.
New York also wasted two chances to win in overtime. Dominic Zvada missed a 46-yard field goal, his third miss of the day. Then Skattebo fumbled with the Giants already in range for a game-ending kick, after dragging a pile of defenders for a first down one play earlier.
Head coach John Harbaugh’s team is 3-1-1 and still leads the NFC East. It slips one spot because Green Bay beat a division rival convincingly while the Giants tied a one-win team.
10. Dallas Cowboys (Prev: 8)
- Last week: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, L 24-16
- Next week: at Green Bay, Sun., Oct. 18, 8:20 p.m. ET
Dallas lost at home to a winless team starting an undrafted rookie. Prescott completed 2 of 13 passes against the blitz through three quarters. George Pickens caught nine passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, but the comeback attempt ended on Anzalone’s interception.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer responded Monday by hiring former Browns head coach Mike Pettine as senior defensive assistant. Pettine gave defensive coordinator Christian Parker his first NFL job in Green Bay in 2019. “He’s gonna be here in a role to support everything that CP is leading and guiding,” Schottenheimer said.
The Cowboys have allowed at least 20 points in all five games. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who missed Thursday with an illness, practiced Monday. Dallas drops two spots before a Sunday night trip to Lambeau Field.
9. Green Bay Packers (Prev: 12)
- Last week: vs. Chicago Bears, W 31-7
- Next week: vs. Dallas, Sun., Oct. 18, 8:20 p.m. ET
Green Bay outgained Chicago 130-9 in the first quarter. Jordan Love finished 25 of 31 for 367 yards, the most by a Packers quarterback against the Bears at Lambeau Field. Christian Watson caught touchdowns of 42 and 53 yards and finished with 143 receiving yards.
Safety Xavier McKinney intercepted Tyson Bagent twice as the Packers forced five turnovers, and MarShawn Lloyd scored twice. Green Bay had blown double-digit leads in its last two meetings with Chicago, including last season’s wild-card loss, and this time it never let the Bears back in.
The win cost the Packers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who tore his Achilles late in the game. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper suffered the same injury a week earlier. “That kind of takes the air out of the room a little bit,” head coach Matt LaFleur said. Green Bay still jumps three spots.
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8. Atlanta Falcons (Prev: 7)
- Last week: vs. Baltimore Ravens, L 30-23 (OT)
- Next week: vs. Chicago, Sun., Oct. 18, 1 p.m. ET
Atlanta led 23-15 against a Baltimore team playing without Lamar Jackson. Tyler Huntley threw a touchdown to Devontez Walker with 40 seconds left, and Derrick Henry ran in the tying two-point conversion. Huntley’s 1-yard run won it in overtime.
Michael Penix Jr. went 19 of 32 for 240 yards and a touchdown before a hit late in regulation injured his ribs. Tua Tagovailoa took over in overtime, and his second pass went to safety Kyle Hamilton to end the game. Drake London had 118 receiving yards, and Kyle Pitts scored his first touchdown of the season.
Penix’s injury isn’t considered serious, though Atlanta wants to see him practice before deciding on Sunday. “Knowing me, I’m going to be ready to go next week because I sat out enough in my career,” Penix said. The Falcons drop one spot.
7. Detroit Lions (Prev: 9)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) celebrates a touchdown against Arizona Cardinals with quarterback Jared Goff (16) | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)- Last week: at Arizona Cardinals, W 45-21
- Next week: Bye
Head coach Dan Campbell called an aggressive game, and Detroit converted fourth downs into touchdowns on back-to-back drives in the first half. After falling behind 7-0, the Lions scored on seven consecutive possessions.
Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes without an interception, including two to Jameson Williams for the receiver’s first multi-touchdown game. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 151 yards and two scores, and his fourth-quarter touchdown passed Barry Sanders for the most by an NFL player under 25.
The defense also gave Detroit its best effort of the season, with five sacks and five straight first-half stops. The Lions have gone four straight games without a turnover. They climb two spots and head into the bye at 3-2.
6. Carolina Panthers (Prev: 6)
- Last week: Bye
- Next week: at Philadelphia, Sun., Oct. 18, 1 p.m. ET
Carolina gained ground without playing. Atlanta’s overtime loss left the 2-2 Panthers alone atop the NFC South, and New Orleans and Tampa Bay sit at 1-4.
Bryce Young brings a franchise-record nine touchdown passes through four games into Philadelphia. “The gift of the early bye week, first off, we have a bunch of guys that are nicked up that’s going to buy us a little bit of time to get them back and get them ready,” head coach Dave Canales said.
Canales said he’s “hopeful” outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips (hamstring) plays Sunday. He was less certain about rookie right tackle Monroe Freeling’s knee. “I can’t say that that’s going to happen for the Eagles game,” Canales said. Running back Trevor Etienne is expected back from injured reserve.
5. Los Angeles Rams (Prev: 5)
- Last week: vs. Buffalo Bills, L 37-34 (OT)
- Next week: vs. Arizona, Sun., Oct. 18, 4:05 p.m. ET
Matthew Stafford played his cleanest game of the season, going 40 of 54 for 383 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Puka Nacua had 138 receiving yards, and Davante Adams caught two touchdowns.
Stafford led three straight touchdown drives to tie the game late, but head coach Sean McVay kicked the extra point instead of going for two. In overtime, Greg Rousseau blocked Harrison Mevis’ would-be winning field goal, and Tyler Bass won it from 45 yards. The Rams also committed 11 penalties for 84 yards.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been this pissed after a game too,” McVay said. Los Angeles is 2-3, and its last two losses came by a combined seven points. The Rams hold at No. 5 because Chicago’s loss was far more lopsided.
4. Chicago Bears (Prev: 3)
- Last week: at Green Bay Packers, L 31-7
- Next week: at Atlanta, Sun., Oct. 18, 1 p.m. ET
Bagent’s second straight start went far worse than his first. He went 12 of 21 for 87 yards with two interceptions before Case Keenum replaced him and threw another pick. Leading rusher Kyle Monangai sat out with toe and thumb injuries, and the Bears’ only touchdown came on D’Andre Swift’s fourth-and-goal run.
It’s Chicago’s first loss since Caleb Williams strained his hamstring in Week 2, and the Bears are 0-2 in the NFC North. Head coach Ben Johnson didn’t commit to Williams playing in Atlanta. “He’s on track. We’ll see if that’s Atlanta or after,” Johnson said. “I think it’s going to be close.”
The Bears slip one spot. Their three wins still came with three different quarterbacks, and Williams’ return would lift an offense that has run out of answers.
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3. Seattle Seahawks (Prev: 2)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) dives and extends the ball toward the first down marker along the sideline against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images- Last week: vs. San Francisco 49ers, L 32-29
- Next week: at Denver, Thu., Oct. 15, 8:15 p.m. ET
Seattle’s defense held up, but its offense handed San Francisco short fields. Two of the 49ers’ first-half touchdowns came on drives of 18 yards or fewer after Seattle turnovers, and a third came on a fumble return.
Sam Darnold threw two interceptions to cornerback Renardo Green and was sacked five times. The Seahawks still had a chance on the final drive. Jaxon Smith-Njigba dropped a third-down pass that would have reached the 49ers’ 25, and Cooper Kupp came up 1 yard short on fourth down.
The loss was Seattle’s first at home in 371 days. Emanuel Wilson needed 20 carries for 61 yards, and the defending champions sit two games behind San Francisco in the NFC West. They drop one spot before a short week in Denver.
2. Minnesota Vikings (Prev: 4)
- Last week: at New Orleans Saints, W 23-13
- Next week: Bye
Kyler Murray completed 24 of 30 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown and ran for 51 yards. Justin Jefferson returned from an ankle injury with six catches for 79 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown he caught behind three defenders. Aaron Jones ran for 113 yards and scored in the fourth quarter after an early fumble at the Saints’ 3-yard line.
The defense held New Orleans to 142 yards, and cornerback Byron Murphy intercepted Shough twice. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ unit has allowed five offensive touchdowns all season and leads the league with a 22% opponent third-down rate.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Murray “played really good football.” The Vikings jump two spots and head into their bye at 5-0.
1. San Francisco 49ers (Prev: 1)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (5) leaps to catch a pass against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images- Last week: at Seattle Seahawks, W 32-29
- Next week: vs. Washington, Mon., Oct. 19, 8:15 p.m. ET
The 49ers forced four turnovers and sacked Darnold five times without Nick Bosa. Green had both interceptions, Malik Mustapha recovered a fumble, and rookie Gracen Halton returned another one for a touchdown.
Trailing 26-21, Brock Purdy led a 12-play, 74-yard drive capped by a 7-yard touchdown to Brandin Cooks, then hit Mike Evans for the two-point conversion. After Seattle tied it, Eddy Pineiro’s field goal put San Francisco ahead with 1:56 left. Evans finished with seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.
It’s San Francisco’s third division win, including victories over both the Rams and Seahawks. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, ejected for head-butting a helmetless Ernest Jones IV, is suspended for Monday night’s game against Washington.
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