Why you should question the NFL's top 8 teams through 6 weeks
With only the Monday Night Football contest left to play in Week 6, there are just eight NFL teams that have at least four wins.
Mediocrity certainly rules the day in the NFL for the 2017 campaign.
Every team that's reached the four-win mark still has one glaring issue that could derail their season:
Kansas City Chiefs
Relying on Alex Smith
Through five weeks, Smith was arguably the favorite in the MVP race. That's how messed up 2017 has been. The Chiefs were an offensive juggernaut as they opened the campaign 5-0, but managed just 13 points in Sunday's loss to the Steelers. Smith's limitations were obvious yet again, as Kareem Hunt was held to just 21 yards rushing. Kansas City's running game is dominant, but once again it's clear the team won't be going deep in the playoffs if they're relying on Smith to beat teams through the air.
Philadelphia Eagles
Weak schedule
Are the Eagles really good, or have they just played a fairly weak schedule? Philadelphia's five wins have come against opponents with a combined 13-16 record. The good news for the club is the upcoming schedule doesn't look much tougher, so there's a chance they get to the playoffs in great shape. The bad news? That scenario sets up an early-round exit perfectly.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Good Ben, bad Ben
The Steelers enter each weekend wondering which Ben Roethlisberger they're going to get. Good Ben completes 68 percent of his passes for 252 yards and a touchdown to help the club to a big road win over the Chiefs. Bad Ben throws five interceptions in a shocking home loss to the Jaguars. Le'Veon Bell isn't going to rush for 179 yards each week, so the Steelers will need more consistency out of Roethlisberger before they can be identified as a strong outfit.
New England Patriots
League's worst defense
In the first half of Sunday's Patriots-Jets game, Josh McCown sliced up the New England defense. No, that isn't a typo, as the journeyman quarterback had his way with the NFL's worst defense. It seems unfathomable for a Bill Belichick-coached team to have such a terrible defensive unit, but here we are in 2017. Tom Brady remains great, but the porous defense is something not even he can overcome.
Minnesota Vikings
Offensive injuries
No Sam Bradford, no Dalvin Cook, and no Stefon Diggs can make the Minnesota Vikings a very difficult watch. The defense remains one of the NFL's best, but they won't be knocking the opposition's quarterback out of the game every week. There will come a time when the offense has to get the team a win, and they've shown no indication of being able to do so with Case Keenum.
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers' collarbone
No need for a ton of words on this one, as Rodgers' collarbone injury basically spells the end for the Green Bay Packers. Unless Brett Hundley can shock the world and perform anywhere close to Rodgers' weekly brilliance, it's going to be really tough for the Packers to make the playoffs.
Carolina Panthers
Struggling running game
Drafting Christian McCaffrey was supposed to help the Panthers' running game immensely, and while the former Stanford star has been great in the passing game, his impact on the rushing attack has been virtually non-existent. The team is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry with a mere 108 yards in the last two games. Cam Newton's three-interception performance against the Eagles shows the Panthers need to get their rushing attack back in order. Whether they'll be able to do so remains to be seen.
Los Angeles Rams
Jared Goff's recent regression
Goff's last two games have seen the second-year pivot complete just 49 percent of his passes for one touchdown and two interceptions with a 67.5 quarterback rating. Special teams touchdowns don't grow on trees, so Sean McVay is going to have to get Goff back on track to keep the Rams' momentum rolling.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)