Each week of the NFL season, The Baltimore Sun will rank all 32 NFL groups. The rankings will keep in mind not simply weekly efficiency, accidents and roster depth, however how nicely every crew measures up as Super Bowl contenders.
Here are the rankings heading into Week 6:
1. San Francisco 49ers (5-0, No. 1 final week)
Last week: Win vs. Cowboys, 42-10
Up subsequent: at Browns
It’s time to confess Brock Purdy is an efficient quarterback. He hardly broke a sweat in destroying the Cowboys’ stout protection, finishing 17 of 24 passes for 252 yards and 4 touchdowns. On an evening when Christian McCaffrey averaged simply 2.7 yards per carry, Purdy carried the offense to a press release victory. Toss in an unbelievable protection that makes life depressing for opposing quarterbacks, and that is your undisputed Super Bowl favourite.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1, No. 3)
Last week: Win vs. Vikings, 27-20
Up subsequent: vs. Broncos
After injuring his ankle, the world’s most well-known tight finish returned to catch a landing go to assist the Chiefs safe a street victory. Tight finish Travis Kelce stays the difference-maker for a passing assault that’s nonetheless trying to find one other dependable go catcher, although quarterback Patrick Mahomes would possibly be capable of lead an elite offense with out Kelce with the best way he’s enjoying.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (5-0, No. 4)
Last week: Win vs. Rams, 23-14
Up subsequent: at Jets
When the Eagles get the model of Jalen Hurts we noticed Sunday — 303 passing yards, 72 speeding yards, two touchdowns — they’re a juggernaut. It helps to have a game-wrecking line of defense led by rookie Jalen Carter and Haason Reddick, who every had two sacks towards the Rams. That ought to at the least assist cowl for a leaky secondary that has struggled to maintain opposing receivers out of the tip zone.
4. Miami Dolphins (4-1, No. 5)
Last week: Win vs. Giants, 31-16
Up subsequent: vs. Panthers
De’Von Achane has reworked from fantasy curiosity to bona fide star. The rookie operating again rushed for 151 yards Sunday, together with a 76-yard landing run through which he reached 21.76 mph, in keeping with Next Gen Stats. The Dolphins’ pace is overwhelming, and so long as Tua Tagovailoa is wholesome sufficient to pilot the offense, Miami might be a severe contender.
5. Buffalo Bills (3-2, No. 2)
Last week: Loss vs. Jaguars, 25-20
Up subsequent: vs. Giants
It could be silly to overreact to at least one poor efficiency in London, however there ought to be some concern a couple of Bills offense that deserted the operating recreation and relied an excessive amount of on quarterback Josh Allen to bail them out. The lack of linebacker Matt Milano to a knee harm can be an enormous blow for a banged-up protection that had been enjoying extraordinarily nicely earlier than giving up 474 yards Sunday.
6. Detroit Lions (4-1, No. 8)
Last week: Win vs. Panthers, 42-24
Up subsequent: at Buccaneers
The additions on offense have labored out superbly, with operating again David Montgomery (19 carries for 109 yards) and rookie tight finish Sam LaPorta (two landing catches) main the best way Sunday. Jared Goff (20-for-28 for 236 yards and three TDs) has been quietly wonderful this season, and the Lions must take benefit so long as they’ve offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on employees.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2, No. 15)
Last week: Win vs. Bills, 25-20
Up subsequent: vs. Colts
All it took was a visit to London for the Jaguars to search out themselves. Two straight wins abroad have breathed new life into this season and supplied hope that Jacksonville can actually be a contender within the AFC. With a robust operating recreation complementing quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who appears to be discovering his kind, the Jags must be fascinated about not solely claiming the AFC South, but additionally successful one other playoff recreation.
8. Seattle Seahawks (3-1, No. 9)
Last week: Bye
Up subsequent: at Bengals
9. Dallas Cowboys (3-2, No. 6)
Last week: Loss vs. 49ers, 42-10
Up subsequent: at Chargers
It’s maybe an unfair measuring stick, however till the Cowboys beat the 49ers, they will’t be thought of Super Bowl contenders. The protection getting dominated is one factor, however the offense didn’t appear to be it belonged on the identical subject as San Francisco’s, with 9 of its 11 drives underneath Dak Prescott lasting three or fewer performs. Three extra interceptions from Prescott will solely invite extra criticism of the quarterback’s turnover issues.
10. Ravens (3-2, No. 7)
Last week: Loss vs. Steelers, 17-10
Up subsequent: vs. Titans in London
It’s solely Week 6, and the Ravens have gathered a season’s value of regrets. It’s onerous to overstate simply how huge of a collapse Sunday’s loss was. After the Ravens recovered a fumbled punt return by Gunner Olszewski and returned it to the Steelers’ 7-yard line with 5:29 to go, that they had a 90.2% probability to win, in keeping with ESPN’s mannequin. There are too many errors — dropped passes, fumbles, an end-zone interception, a blocked punt — to recount right here, nevertheless it’s not as if Sunday’s loss was an aberration. Except for a dominant win in Cleveland, the Ravens have didn’t put collectively a whole efficiency and put away inferior opponents. Tight finish Mark Andrews stated it’s time for the sleeping big to “wake up.” We’ll see in the event that they do, or if this is identical crew we’ve change into all too accustomed to.
11. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2, No. 10)
Last week: Bye
Up subsequent: vs. Cowboys
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1, No. 11)
Last week: Bye
Up subsequent: vs. Lions
13. Cleveland Browns (2-2, No. 13)
Last week: Bye
Up subsequent: vs. 49ers
14. New Orleans Saints (3-2, No. 21)
Last week: Win vs. Patriots, 34-0
Up subsequent: at Texans
It was not as sturdy an offensive efficiency because the rating suggests — the Saints averaged solely 4.3 yards on their 70 performs — nevertheless it was encouraging to see Foster Moreau, Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave and Michael Thomas all make an influence in the identical recreation. The Patriots might need the worst offense within the league when the season is over, however dominating on protection the best way the Saints did — limiting New England to three.1 yards per play and 1-for-16 mixed on third and fourth down — is value celebrating.
15. Atlanta Falcons (3-2, No. 19)
Last week: Win vs. Texans, 21-19
Up subsequent: vs. Commanders
Calls to bench Desmond Ridder will subside, at the least for an additional week. The second-year quarterback responded to the criticism by finishing 28 of 37 passes for 329 yards and a landing and speeding for a rating. The Falcons lastly made tight finish Kyle Pitts and vast receiver Drake London the main target of the passing recreation, and have been rewarded. Credit the protection, too, for permitting only one landing towards an offense that had scored 30 or extra factors the previous two weeks.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2, No. 20)
Last week: Win vs. Ravens, 17-10
Up subsequent: at Rams
As encouraging as that 41-yard, game-winning landing go from Kenny Pickett to vast receiver George Pickens was, there have been nonetheless loads of “Fire Canada” chants erupting in Pittsburgh on Sunday. Time will inform whether or not Sunday was the spark of an offensive turnaround or its final dying breath, however at the least the Steelers noticed some juice from Pickens and operating again Jaylen Warren. It helps to have a protection that has a knack for making huge performs in huge moments.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3, No. 24)
Last week: Win vs. Cardinals, 34-20
Up subsequent: vs. Seahawks
Don’t bury the Bengals simply but. Every week after the offense seemed fully damaged behind an motionless Joe Burrow, it roared to life behind a monster efficiency from wideout Ja’Marr Chase, who set the franchise report with 15 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns. That form of efficiency just isn’t sustainable, even for Chase, however there’s hope {that a} more healthy Burrow can flip this season round.
18. Los Angeles Rams (2-3, No. 12)
Last week: Loss vs. Eagles, 23-14
Up subsequent: vs. Cardinals
Consider the Rams frisky, on the very least. The return of Cooper Kupp (eight catches for 118 yards) offers Matthew Stafford a dynamic duo at vast receiver alongside rookie sensation Puka Nacua (seven catches for 71 yards). The protection gained’t enable the opponent to go 13-for-18 on third down each week, both.
19. Indianapolis Colts (3-2, No. 22)
Last week: Win vs. Titans, 23-16
Up subsequent: at Jaguars
Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson went down with one other harm, this time to his throwing shoulder, however the Colts saved successful anyway. Gardner Minshew as soon as once more performed nicely in reduction, and Zack Moss — not the lately paid Jonathan Taylor — was unstoppable with 165 speeding yards and two touchdowns. We’ve reached the purpose the place Indianapolis have to be thought of a contender within the AFC South race.
20. Las Vegas Raiders (2-3, No. 29)
Last week: Win vs. Packers, 17-13
Up subsequent: vs. Patriots
Despite a league-leading seventh interception thrown by Jimmy Garoppolo, the Raiders held on to finish a three-game shedding streak because of a late interception by Amik Robertson ultimately zone, Las Vegas’ third decide of the sport. Even with cornerbacks Nate Hobbs (ankle) and Jakorian Bennett (hamstring) not enjoying, the Raiders restricted Green Bay to 175 passing yards thanks largely to a monster recreation by defensive finish Maxx Crosby.
21. Houston Texans (2-3, No. 17)
Last week: Loss vs. Falcons, 21-19
Up subsequent: vs. Saints
The Texans didn’t click on on all cylinders Sunday on both aspect of the ball, and but they took the lead with 1:49 to go earlier than shedding on a last-second subject aim. Despite the offense settling for 4 subject targets and the protection permitting 351 passing yards to a run-first crew, that must be an encouraging efficiency for first-year coach DeMeco Ryans.
22. Washington Commanders (2-3, No. 14)
Last week: Loss vs. Bears, 40-20
Up subsequent: at Falcons
Washington noticed a dramatic turnaround on protection final 12 months, and it must hope for extra of the identical to have any hope of competing for a playoff spot this season. The Commanders have already allowed 16 performs of 25 or extra yards, and rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was benched Thursday amid a nightmarish efficiency from the secondary. At least quarterback Sam Howell appears to be like fairly good.
23. Green Bay Packers (2-3, No. 16)
Last week: Loss vs. Raiders, 17-13
Up subsequent: at Broncos
The Jordan Love period is off to a rocky begin. Given the prospect to atone for an unpleasant efficiency, the first-year beginning quarterback missed a wide-open Christian Watson for the potential game-winning landing and threw a game-ending interception. The Packers’ protection did its half, holding Las Vegas to 4.4 yards per play, however Love doesn’t look able to make followers overlook about Aaron Rodgers anytime quickly.
24. New York Jets (2-3, No. 26)
Last week: Win vs. Broncos, 31-21
Up subsequent: vs. Eagles
The encouraging Zach Wilson we noticed final week at quarterback didn’t return Sunday, however the Jets had Breece Hall and the Broncos didn’t. The second-year operating again rushed for 177 yards, together with a game-changing 72-yard landing early within the third quarter. At the very least, these Jets will not be going to give up regardless of all the things that’s gone mistaken to this point.
25. Tennessee Titans (2-3, No. 18)
Last week: Loss vs. Colts, 23-16
Up subsequent: vs. Ravens in London
This is likely to be essentially the most maddening crew within the league. There are encouraging indicators, like wideout DeAndre Hopkins’ eight-catch, 140-yard breakout recreation, after which there are the head-scratching moments, like going 1-for-4 within the pink zone and permitting 7.0 yards per play to an offense that entered averaging 4.8. It’s unimaginable to foretell this crew’s efficiency week to week.
26. Arizona Cardinals (1-4, No. 23)
Last week: Loss vs. Bengals, 34-20
Up subsequent: at Rams
Running again James Conner was one of many Cardinals’ vibrant spots earlier than taking place with a knee harm Sunday. Joshua Dobbs additionally crashed again all the way down to earth with a forgetful two-interception efficiency, together with a pick-six backed up close to his personal finish zone. It seemed for a second as if Arizona would possibly string collectively a number of stunning wins, however the lack of depth is beginning to present.
27. Chicago Bears (1-4, No. 32)
Last week: Win vs. Commanders, 40-20
Up subsequent: vs. Vikings
That win needed to really feel good. Justin Fields threw for 282 yards and 4 touchdowns Thursday evening, together with three to vast receiver DJ Moore, as Chicago ended a 14-game shedding streak. It’s unlikely Moore will be capable of replicate his 230-yard efficiency anytime quickly, however for one wonderful recreation, the Bears noticed what Fields can do when he’s in sync with a high receiver.
28. Minnesota Vikings (1-4, No. 27)
Last week: Loss vs. Chiefs, 27-20
Up subsequent: at Bears
Make {that a} 1-4 report in video games determined by seven factors or fewer this season. To make issues worse, the Vikings is likely to be with out receiver Justin Jefferson for some time after he injured his hamstring Sunday. Kirk Cousins’ seemingly remaining season in Minnesota may find yourself setting the franchise up completely to draft his successor at quarterback.
29. New England Patriots (1-4, No. 25)
Last week: Loss vs. Saints, 34-0
Up subsequent: at Raiders
Could this be it for Bill Belichick? Not since 1970 have the Patriots misplaced two straight video games by 30 or extra factors. It’s one factor to get blown out, nevertheless it’s one other for it to occur two weeks in a row. The offense has scored 18 factors whole over its previous three video games, and quarterback Mac Jones was benched once more Sunday. This is actually uncharted territory for New England underneath its future Hall of Fame coach.
30. New York Giants (1-4, No. 30)
Last week: Loss vs. Dolphins, 31-6
Up subsequent: at Bills
Every week after permitting 11 sacks, the Giants gave up seven Sunday and noticed quarterback Daniel Jones exit with a neck harm. With operating again Saquon Barkley (ankle) and left deal with Andrew Thomas (hamstring) already injured, issues are going from dangerous to worse for an offense that hasn’t scored a landing since Week 3.
31. Denver Broncos (1-4, No. 28)
Last week: Loss vs. Jets, 31-21
Up subsequent: at Chiefs
Will Sean Payton bench quarterback Russell Wilson? That’s about the one intriguing storyline left for this crew after a dreadful begin. It’s unfair to place all of the blame on Wilson, nevertheless, contemplating the protection has allowed 41 factors per recreation over the previous 4 weeks. A visit to Arrowhead to face the Chiefs couldn’t come at a worse time.
32. Carolina Panthers (0-5, No. 31)
Last week: Loss vs. Lions, 42-24
Up subsequent: at Dolphins
With quarterback Bryce Young struggling, DJ Moore excelling and the Panthers’ first-round decide headed to Chicago, there’s seemingly some severe purchaser’s regret over that blockbuster commerce for the 2023 No. 1 general decide. Just about each choice Carolina has made this offseason appears to have backfired, together with giving operating again Miles Sanders a four-year deal.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com