NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore’s football editors.
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1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)
Previous rank: 1
There may be nothing that can stop Patrick Mahomes after the Chiefs kept rolling despite significant injury losses to their skill position groups. Help has come from the unlikeliest places, with Kareem Hunt and JuJu Smith-Schuster turning back the clock and looking like their peak versions.
2. Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
Previous rank: 3
The lone NFC club with a spotless record is the 5-0 Vikings. Minnesota’s defense stepped up in the clutch to keep their perfect record intact. Sam Darnold and Aaron Jones are among the stars who should benefit with the team idle this week.
3. Detroit Lions (3-1)
Previous rank: 2
The Lions will attempt to pick up where they left off after a bye week. Following a perfect game nearly two weeks ago, Jared Goff will lead a Detroit offense that is posting 397 yards per game (third in the NFL) through four outings. Aidan Hutchinson is on pace to eclipse his career-best sack total, entering the weekend with 6.5.
4. Baltimore Ravens (3-2)
Previous rank: 4
Remember when the Ravens were 0-2? We don’t. Winners of three in a row, Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and Co. are starting to fire on all cylinders.
5. Houston Texans (4-1)
Previous rank: 6
Revenge is a dish best served cold, and Stefon Diggs did his part in handing his former team, the Bills, a crushing loss on Sunday. Diggs’ 82 receiving yards were the most of any player in the Week 5 meeting and were instrumental in moving the Texans to 4-1.
6. Green Bay Packers (3-2)
Previous rank: 8
While injuries to key starters threaten to derail a promising campaign, Green Bay is maintaining its composure. Tucker Kraft is emerging as a promising weapon in the passing game, and Xavier McKinney is making his case to be an All-Pro after extending his interception streak to five games.
7. Atlanta Falcons (3-2)
Previous rank: 9
Kirk Cousins’ heroic performance against the Buccaneers, in which he threw for a franchise-record 509 passing yards, cemented his icon status. Meanwhile, other new additions, such as Justin Simmons and Matt Judon, are helping Atlanta live up to the preseason hype as it tries to win the NFC South.
8. Washington Commanders (4-1)
Previous rank: 11
Jayden Daniels continues to spur a revamped Commanders unit. Washington is second in the league with 31 points per contest and is averaging 178.4 rushing yards per game during its four-game win streak.
9. Buffalo Bills (3-2)
Previous rank: 5
For a second straight week, it appeared the Bills were on course for a blowout loss. They made it close in Sunday’s game against Houston, but Buffalo still fell short and desperately needs more receiving talent.
10. San Francisco 49ers (2-3)
Previous rank: 7
The Niners are struggling to close out games. Losing the kicker doesn’t help San Francisco’s cause, but neither do the eight turnovers committed by the offense.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)
Previous rank: 10
The Bucs are coming off a disappointing loss to a NFC South rival following a high-scoring and entertaining affair. Todd Bowles needs to figure how to cure his ailing defense after it surrendered over 350 total yards in each of the club’s two losses.
12. Dallas Cowboys (3-2)
Previous rank: 12
The Cowboys’ running game remains a work in progress, but there was a glimmer of hope from Rico Dowdle in their win against the Steelers. The big concern is the growing list of injured pass-rushers with Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence still on the mend.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)
Previous rank: 14
There’s optimism that some extra rest will benefit key starters, such as AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith. A fully healthy unit should help Jalen Hurts and the passing game.
14. Seattle Seahawks (3-2)
Previous rank: 13
Following a pair of disastrous outings against the Lions and Giants, it’s fair to wonder if the Seahawks are putting too much on Geno Smith’s plate. Seattle’s run defense is on the ropes after allowing 5.7 yards per carry to the Giants at home.
15. New Orleans Saints (2-3)
Previous rank: 15
The Saints were once the talk of the league after rattling off 91 combined points in their first two outings. Since then, their offensive production has dipped amid a rash of injuries along the offensive line, and they’re again scrambling to plug holes.
16. Cincinnati Bengals (1-4)
Previous rank: 18
Joe Burrow had one of the best performances you’ll ever see in a losing effort, carving up the Ravens with five touchdowns and nearly 400 yards. Cincinnati scored over 30 points in its last three games but has only one win to show for it. If the Bengals can settle down on defense, they seem poised for a run.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
Previous rank: 16
The Steelers’ defense surrendered a heartbreaking touchdown in the final minute and a season-high 445 yards to the Cowboys. It feels as if this Pittsburgh squad is once again following an unsustainable plan after two losses in a row.
18. New York Jets (2-3)
Previous rank: 17
There won’t be much relaxing at the Jets’ offensive meetings after a three-interception game from Aaron Rodgers. Nathaniel Hackett’s unit is averaging under 20 points per game (18.6) and players are struggling to get on the same page.
19. Chicago Bears (3-2)
Previous rank: 21
After a rough introduction, Caleb Williams appears to be turning the corner in his rookie season. With D’Andre Swift and DJ Moore being more involved, the Bears fly to London having perhaps finally figured out their identity.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)
Previous rank: 20
It was a perfect time for a bye week for the ailing Justin Herbert. His next test will be a Broncos defense that is second in the NFL in points allowed.
21. Denver Broncos (3-2)
Previous rank: 23
Over the last four weeks, the Broncos gave up 13, seven, nine, and 18 points. With a stingy defense carrying the team, Denver will be in good shape if rookie passer Bo Nix can build off his magnificent performance against the Raiders.
22. Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
Previous rank: 24
Kyler Murray reminded the league that he’s as explosive as ever by recording two touchdowns, including a 50-yard run. The Cardinals capitalized on three turnovers and are 2-0 against NFC West competition.
23. Los Angeles Rams (1-4)
Previous rank: 22
A lack of depth has finally caught up to the Rams. Injuries to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are problems that not even Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay can overcome.
24. New York Giants (2-3)
Previous rank: 26
The Giants pulled out a gutsy road win without the services of Malik Nabers and Devin Singletary. New York won in all three phases, as the defensive front owned the line of scrimmage and scored on a blocked field goal to ice the game.
25. Indianapolis Colts (2-3)
Previous rank: 19
Joe Flacco has been elite in place of Anthony Richardson and boasts five touchdowns to zero interceptions. It’s too bad his defense let him down by allowing 497 yards and 37 points to the Jaguars in Week 5.
26. Miami Dolphins (2-3)
Previous rank: 25
For the first time this season, Miami won a game without Tua Tagovailoa. Granted, it was in a matchup against the Patriots. But the Dolphins will take it.
27. Carolina Panthers (1-4)
Previous rank: 27
So much for the Panthers riding the momentum of Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback. It doesn’t matter who Carolina puts under center these days, as the offense continues to languish and defensive starters join an expanding injured reserve list.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (2-3)
Previous rank: 28
If the Raiders do trade Davante Adams, they’ll at least be in good hands with Brock Bowers. The rookie continued his blazing start, and his 313 receiving yards lead all tight ends.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4)
Previous rank: 32
The Jaguars shouldn’t feel too good about beating the Joe Flacco-led Colts, but Doug Pederson cooled the temperature on his seat by getting his first victory of the year.
30. Tennessee Titans (1-3)
Previous rank: 30
The Titans are going to need to come out of their bye swinging. Matchups with the Bills and Lions follow their Week 6 contest versus the Colts.
31. New England Patriots (1-4)
Previous rank: 31
There’s not much to celebrate in New England. However, Rhamondre Stevenson had a great response to his brief benching, averaging 7.4 yards per carry on 12 attempts. Meanwhile, Drake Maye’s ascension to becoming the starter gets closer with each passing week.
32. Cleveland Browns (1-4)
Previous rank: 29
Deshaun Watson is worse than bad. He’s unplayable. The Browns hit rock bottom with a loss to the Commanders, and there doesn’t appear to be a way back up unless Watson is benched.
