NFL Week 6 Power Rankings - Part 1

Crème’ de la Crème:

1. Atlanta Falcons 6-0 (-)
Matt Ryan and the Falcons played their worst game of the season and still won. It only goes to show why they are considered championship calibre.

2. Houston Texans 5-1 (-)
Losing Brian Cushing was a huge blow to the Texans D and it showed as the Packers picked them apart. Plans must be made to deal with Cushing’s absence ASAP.

3. San Francisco 49ers 4-2(-)
An off day would be an understatement for their thrashing by the Giants. However, this team is good enough to learn from its mistakes and will bounce back.

4. Chicago Bears 4-1 (-)
On a bye last week, so look for a strong performance against the Lions.

5. Baltimore Ravens 5-1 (-)
Decent win against the Cowboys, but the losses of Lardarius Webb and Ray Lewis threaten the Ravens’ chances this season. For once they will need to rely on their offense.

Contenders:

6. New York Giants 4-2 (+3 places)
The Superbowl champions put on quite the demonstration against the 49ers to establish themselves as the best side in the NFC East.

7. Seattle Seahawks 4-2(+10 places)
The Seahawks number 1 ranked D took on the Pats number 1 ranked offense and managed to win the game. There was no better way for them to show that they are the real deal.

8. Minnesota Vikings 4-2 (-2 places)
When you do not contain Robert Griffin III you get punished. The Vikings learnt that lesson the hard way. The game against the Cardinals will test if they are ready to get back on track

9. New England Patriots 3-3 (-1 place)
Having the top offense in the league was insufficient to beat the Seahawks this time around, but they won’t face many better defences this season.

10. Arizona Cardinals 4-2 (-3 places)
It seems that for the Cardinals offensive line protecting the quarterback is optional. If they continue to let defences put Kolb on his backside, the Cardinals will continue to struggle.

11. Denver Broncos 3-3 (+2 places)
The lack of ball security on special teams is harming the level of success this team has. However, if the ball is in Manning’s hands to get the win, evidence continues to show that he will get it done. Just ask the Chargers.

12. Green Bay Packers 3-3 (+6 places)
Finally, the electrifying Packers offense turned up. If they can string performances like that together then they could play themselves right back into contention.

13. Washington Redskins 3-3 (+1 place)
When RG3 is on form he is near unstoppable. He dominated the Vikings D in the air and on the ground. The challenge for the coaching staff is to ensure the team assists him to do so.

Click here for part two, underformers and those that make up the numbers....

image: © Ted Kerwin