After week 6 the playoff picture is starting to take shape around the NFL. The Jets and the Bills added to their wide receiver rooms to today via trade. The Steelers made a move at quarterback to jumpstart their mediocre offense. Head coaches might be on their final games in week 7. Let’s take a look at how each team is shaking out in this week’s version of Blitz Sports Media’s power rankings.
1. Kansas City Chiefs 5-0 (-)
BYE WEEK
2. Minnesota Vikings 5-0 (-)
BYE WEEK
3. Detroit Lions 4-1 (-)
The Lions had a dominant 47-9 victory over the Cowboys in week 6. This is the best version of the Lions offense we have ever seen with the increased involvement of Jameson Williams. They have a great offensive line with a plethora of weapons to throw to. They now have two straight games over 40 points and appear to be heading for the best-scoring offense in the NFL by the end of the season. They lost star EDGE Aidan Hutchinson for the season in the win, which could force them to trade for an EDGE rusher before the deadline.
4. Baltimore Ravens 4-2 (-)
The Ravens have now won four straight games against Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Jayden Daniels. The offense is one of the best in the NFL and is hard to stop when Derrick Henry is getting 5 yards a carry. The defense still has some ways to go but showed progress this week against the Commanders.
5. Houston Texans 5-1 (+1)
The Texans took care of business against the Patriots without star WR Nico Collins. The return of RB Joe Mixon helped the Texans ground game immensely and are at their best when they were running the ball well. The defense was impressive forcing pressure and turnovers all day.
6. Buffalo Bills 4-2 (+2)
The Bills have separated themselves in the AFC East with their win over the New York Jets on Monday Night. One of the biggest weaknesses of Buffalo was addressed when they acquired Amari Cooper from the Browns today. Buffalo is gearing up to compete in a top-heavy AFC but still has some question marks on the defensive side of the ball.
7. Green Bay Packers 4-2 (+2)
Jordan Love and the Packers offense put together their best performance of the season against the Cardinals. Outside of Jayden Reed the other guys in the receiver room are interchangeable with each other and all bring a unique skill set to the table. Their defense will be the X-Factor for them winning the division this season.
8. San Francisco 49ers 3-3 (+2)
The 49ers got back into the win column after a two-game skid after a good offensive performance against the Seahawks. My biggest concern with the 49ers right now is their defense. They have a few key injuries including Charvarius Ward, Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Geenlaw, and Javon Hargrave that have led to underwhelming performances on that side of the ball. They have a revenge game against the Chiefs in week 7.
9. Washington Commanders 4-2 (-3)
The Commanders dropped their second game of the season against the Ravens this week in a battle between the best dual-threat quarterbacks in football. The Commanders offense put up a good fight but was let down by a rough showing from their defense. With the loss of Jonathan Allen things will only get more difficult for Washington on defense down the stretch.
10. Atlanta Falcons 4-2 (+1)
The Falcons put together another impressive week on offense, this time behind the ground game led by Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. They need to go make a move for Haason Reddick to improve their league-worst pass rush to give them a chance in the NFC.
11. Chicago Bears 4-2 (+4)
The Bears continue to trend in the right direction as rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is starting to hit his stride. Williams had four touchdown passes and veteran WR Keenan Allen had two of them finally getting involved after a quiet start to the season. They also boast a top 5 defense in the NFL as they gear up for important division games down the stretch
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-2 (-)
Baker Mayfield and the Bucs bullied the Saints scoring 51 points despite having 3 turnovers. The return of Antonine Winfield helped their defense play better against a beat-up Saints offense. Their next four games might be the toughest stretch in the NFL as they have the Ravens, Falcons, Chiefs, and 49ers before their bye week. If they go 2-2 during that stretch, I like their chances to win the division.
13. Philadelphia Eagles 3-2 (-5)
The Eagles won a sloppy game against the Browns and head coach Nick Sirianni decided to let Eagles fans know how ecstatic he was to win that game. Sirianni has made his way up the list of the least likable coaches in the NFL and is on the hot seat in Philadelphia. Anything but a division title will have him finding a new job in 2025.
14. Los Angeles Chargers 3-2 (+6)
The Chargers are playing an old-school brand of football under Jim Harbaugh and it has worked very well to start the season. They are asking Justin Herbert to do less than he ever as in Los Angeles and they have been relying on controlling the clock on offense with good defense. It kept them in the game against the Chiefs and allowed them to beat up 3 inferior opponents. Is this strategy sustainable to make the playoffs?
15. Pittsburgh Steelers 4-2 (+1)
The Steelers are making the move from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson in week 7 despite their 4-2 record. Most box score watchers think they are winning because of Fields but they have been winning despite Fields to start the season. I am interested to see what version of Russell Wilson we get on the Steelers.
16. Seattle Seahawks 3-3 (-2)
The Seahawks defense is a problem. Despite their injuries, this unit has put up little resistance to opposing offense during their 3-game losing streak. Teams can control the clock and keep the ball out of the offense’s hands providing little time to get in a groove. They have another tough test against the Falcons this week.
17. Dallas Cowboys 3-3 (-4)
On Jerry Jones birthday the Cowboys (3-3) suffered another embarrassing loss at home 47-9 to the Detroit Lions (4-1). Defensively the notable injuries to Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence put them in a tough position on Sunday against one of the league’s top offenses. They put up zero resistance and the Lions got to the point where they felt were letting linemen get involved in the passing game. Offensively it was equally as bad, as they finished with 251 total yards and settled for 3 field goals on the day.
18. Cincinnati Bengals 2-4 (+3)
The Bengals won a close low-scoring game against the Giants on Sunday night getting themselves back in the win column. Their defense made the right adjustments and played more 2 high safety looks. They always have success against the Chiefs by playing a cover 2 shell and they made the right decision to role it our more often to help them get back into the playoff mix.
19. New York Jets 2-4 (-3)
The Jets have made headlines today by adding star WR Davante Adams to help bolster their offense. They made the right move demoting Nathaniel Hackett and were a couple of missed field goals away from beating the Bills. It will be interesting to see if they can get over the hump here in the next few weeks.
20. Denver Broncos 3-3 (-3)
The Broncos were riding high into a divisional matchup against the Chargers in week 6. With a chance to improve to 4-2 and set themselves up in the AFC playoff picture, the Broncos were outscored 23-0 through 3 quarters. The Chargers were able to control the game behind their 37 minutes of possession time, 350 total yards, and went 11/18 on 3rd down. Nothing on offense was working for the Broncos early as Bo Nix continues to struggle in his rookie year. He now ranks 27th in QBR, 26th in average completion air yards, and 30th in completion above expected.
21. Indianapolis Colts 3-3 (+2)
Joe Flacco has been the best quarterback for the Colts in 2024. With the return of Anthony Richardson, I am not sure what version of the Colts offense we are going to get. Their defense has been brutal at times this season and is not a unit I am relying on to get them to the playoffs.
22. New York Giants 2-4 (+2)
The Giants have been underrated in 2024. No, they are not flashy, but they play good defense, and Daniel Jones has been managing the game well. With the return of Malik Nabers and a wide-open NFC East the Giants might sneak up on some teams this season.
23. New Orleans Saints 2-4 (-1)
The Saints defense has given up over 950 yards of offense in the last two weeks and the injuries are starting to pile up on the offensive side of the ball. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are trending towards not playing against the Broncos. Being 2-5 might sink their chances of making the playoffs this year.
24. Arizona Cardinals 2-4 (-5)
The Cardinals seem to only show up when they are facing a division opponent as they once again got routed in week 6. The offense has been disappointing this season and now Marvin Harrison Jr. is hurt. Time is running out for the Cardinals to be a contender in the NFC this year.
25. Los Angeles Rams 1-4 (-1)
BYE WEEK
26. Tennessee Titans 1-4 (+1)
Will Levis continued his streak of legendary memes and inconsistent quarterback play for the Titans. He flashes signs of being a good quarterback and then follows it up with one of the worst throws you will see. They are wasting one of the best defenses in the NFL with Levis at quarterback.
27. Miami Dolphins 2-3 (+3)
BYE WEEK (1 week closer to getting Tua back)
28. Las Vegas Raiders 2-4 (-2)
Trading Davante Adams has started to rebuild in Las Vegas. Is Maxx Crosby next? I don’t buy it; they are going to keep the guy they just extended, and he will be around for the next QB for the Raiders.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-5 (-)
The Jaguars followed up their win with another disappointing loss to the Bears in London. Their defense was overmatched by the Bears offense and four dropped touchdowns did not help out Trevor Lawrence much. Doug Pederson will not be back next season.
30. Cleveland Browns 1-5 (-1)
Cleveland is a mess right now. They have failed to score 20 points in every game this season and at one point failed to convert 26 straight 3rd downs. Either Deshaun Watson or Kevin Stefanski will be gone next season. The first domino to fall was the Amari Cooper trade earlier today
31. Carolina Panthers 1-5 (-)
The Panthers have been playing well offensively with Andy Dalton at QB, defensively it is a different story. Their defense has now allowed 30 points in three straight games and have another tough matchup against the Commanders. Expect them and the Patriots to battle it out for the number 1 pick.
32. New England Patriots 1-5 (-)
Drake Maye was impressive in his debut but that did not stop the Patriots from getting blown out against the Houston Texans at home. The Patriots need to find better ways to get the ball out of Maye’s hands early and avoid getting hit 10+ times every week. Travis Hunter and Drake Maye might be a special duo for the next decade.