NFL Power Rankings - Week 6: Packers knocking on the door, Steelers slipping

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Michael Amato, Michael McClymont, Mitch Sanderson, and Arun Srinivasan.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)

Previous Rank: 1st

The Chiefs have outgunned their opponents - leading the league in scoring to date - but face a dangerous stretch with the Steelers, Raiders, Broncos, and Cowboys up next. - McClymont

2. Green Bay Packers (4-1)

Previous Rank: 2nd

There's no team the Packers can't beat with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, and Green Bay ranks in the top five at creating turnovers. That means more time for Rodgers to pick apart opposing defenses. - Amato

3. Atlanta Falcons (3-1)

Previous Rank: 4th

A couple disappointing defeats by other top teams let the stink fade from the Falcons' loss to Buffalo. And Julio Jones was afforded a much-needed chance to heal up during the bye week. - Sanderson

4. Denver Broncos (3-1)

Previous Rank: 3rd

With the lowly Giants and Chargers up next, the Broncos could be 5-1 entering a juicy Monday night matchup against the Chiefs in Week 8. - McClymont

5. Carolina Panthers (4-1)

Previous Rank: 9th

After his mouth got him in hot water last week, Cam Newton's impressive performance against a solid Lions team was the best thing that could have happened to the Panthers. - Sanderson

6. New England Patriots (3-2)

Previous Rank: 7th

It may have been premature to count out the Patriots' defense. Any unit overseen by Bill Belichick will always be in the mix. - Srinivasan

7. Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

Previous Rank: 10th

The Eagles are quietly pulling away from their NFC East foes, in large part due to the offense tailoring itself to Carson Wentz's strengths. Don't sleep on Philly any longer. - Srinivasan

8. Detroit Lions (3-2)

Previous Rank: 6th

Detroit must improve its 25th-ranked rushing attack to take some of the pressure off Matthew Stafford and to truly be considered an NFC contender. - Amato

9. Seattle Seahawks (3-2)

Previous Rank: 13th

The Seahawks aren't ready to cede the NFC West just yet. That was a statement win against the oncoming Rams. - McClymont

10. Los Angeles Rams (3-2)

Previous Rank: 8th

The Rams were a dropped Cooper Kupp touchdown away from taking down the Seahawks and taking control of the division. They're that close. - McClymont

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)

Previous Rank: 5th

You can't lose to the Bears and get blown out at home by the Jaguars and still be considered one of the league's elite teams. - Amato

12. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2)

Previous Rank: 23rd

Stop concerning yourself with Blake Bortles so much. Leonard Fournette and the defense can win without relying on the quarterback for much more than handoffs. - Sanderson

13. Baltimore Ravens (3-2)

Previous Rank: 22nd

The Ravens beat the Derek Carr-less Raiders, but scoring 30 points might be a sign the offense is busting out of its struggles. - Amato

14. Buffalo Bills (3-2)

Previous Rank: 12th

The Bills will use the bye week to get healthy after trying to use a largely anonymous receiving corps to sneak by the Bengals ... to no avail. - Srinivasan

15. Minnesota Vikings (3-2)

Previous Rank: 19th

The Vikes are proving they can win without Sam Bradford and Dalvin Cook. Don't write Minnesota out of the playoff picture just yet. - Amato

16. Dallas Cowboys (2-3)

Previous Rank: 11th

The Cowboys will rue their missed opportunity to put away Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at home. Could this be the beginning of a downward spiral? - Srinivasan

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2)

Previous Rank: 15th

Jameis Winston's performance last Thursday was ugly, but overall, the Bucs losing 19-14 to the Patriots while missing three of their top defenders wasn't that bad, if we're keeping expectations realistic. - Sanderson

18. Washington Redskins (2-2)

Previous Rank: 18th

Washington will begin its playoff push coming off a bye with a winnable game against San Francisco. It's time for the offensive fireworks to begin. - Srinivasan

19. Houston Texans (2-3)

Previous Rank: 16th

Losing J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus puts the Texans in a hole defensively, though that could leave more room for the Deshaun Watson Show to get air time. - Sanderson

20. New Orleans Saints (2-2)

Previous Rank: 20th

With Willie Snead finally back in the fold, the Saints' offense can operate as designed. Meanwhile, the defense needs to keep momentum from its London shutout alive. - Sanderson

21. Oakland Raiders (2-3)

Previous Rank: 14th

It was all good just three weeks ago, but the season has taken an ugly turn for the Raiders with Derek Carr's injury, reports of infighting, and even fighting with fans. - McClymont

22. Tennessee Titans (2-3)

Previous Rank: 17th

The Titans need Marcus Mariota healthy, like right now. And if he could learn to play defensive back as well, that'd be great. - Sanderson

23. Miami Dolphins (2-2)

Previous Rank: 25th

It was an ugly win over the Titans, but they all count the same in the standings. - Srinivasan

24. New York Jets (3-2)

Previous Rank: 24th

It appears we're all skeptical of the Jets' three-game winning streak. The Patriots will likely provide a reality check Sunday. - Srinivasan

25. Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

Previous Rank: 21st

Bruce Arians appears to have lost this bunch, admitting he "obviously did something wrong." Will the addition of Adrian Peterson rescue the season? - McClymont

26. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

Previous Rank: 28th

A pair of wins have the Bengals back in the AFC North hunt and the offense is showing signs of life since Bill Lazor took over as coordinator; the Bengals are averaging 25 points per game since the switch. - Amato

27. Indianapolis Colts (2-3)

Previous Rank: 26th

Jacoby Brissett deserves a lot of credit for boosting his trade value and keeping the Colts from being the Browns, but we all know what the problem in Indy is. - Sanderson

28. Los Angeles Chargers (1-4)

Previous Rank: 30th

The Chargers are on the board! Their first win came at an opportune time, because games against the Raiders, Broncos, and Patriots are on deck. - McClymont

29. Chicago Bears (1-4)

Previous Rank: 27th

Mitchell Trubisky didn't look much better than Mike Glennon in his debut, and the rookie pivot catching fire is likely the only way John Fox can save his job. - Amato

30. New York Giants (0-5)

Previous Rank: 29th

Odell Beckham's season-ending injury was just the latest nightmare in what's been a calamitous year for the Giants. With the Broncos and Seahawks ahead, New York could easily be 0-7 heading into November. - Srinivasan

31. San Francisco 49ers (0-5)

Previous Rank: 31st

They've been in every game since the opener, but moral victories don't count in the win column. - McClymont

32. Cleveland Browns (0-5)

Previous Rank: 32nd

Cleveland has wasted chances to beat the Colts and Jets. There aren't many more winnable games on the schedule, making 0-16 a legitimate possibility. - Amato