Last week I wrote that the league’s hierarchy was starting to take shape, that we were getting a clear picture of the best and worst teams. A week later, that take looks flat-out wrong. The two remaining undefeated teams (Bills and Eagles) both went down in shocking fashion, several playoff hopefuls stumbled, and a few overlooked teams delivered statement wins. With that in mind, here’s how the league stacks up heading into Week 6.
32. New York Jets (0-5)
Weekly Change: Down 3
Another blowout, this time 37-22, leaves the Jets as the league’s lone winless team. They’ve earned this bottom spot.
31. Tennessee Titans (1-4)
Weekly Change: Up 1
Tennessee finally notched its first win in improbable fashion. The roster remains weak overall, and their climb here is only thanks to the Jets’ ineptitude.
30. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)
Weekly Change: Neutral
After a 2-0 start, the wheels are coming off. The defense is leaky, the offense is careless, and even Joe Burrow would struggle to rescue this season.
29. Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)
Weekly Change: Down 3
An embarrassing 40-6 rout highlights just how bad things have gotten. Geno Smith leads the league in interceptions and continues to hurt the offense week after week.
28. New York Giants (1-4)
Weekly Change: Down 1
The good vibes from last week’s win disappeared in a hurry. Rookie QB Jaxson Dart struggled in his first road start and the defense was pedestrian in a loss to New Orleans.
27. New Orleans Saints (1-4)
Weekly Change: Up 4
After weeks of close calls, Kellen Moore secured his first win as head coach. The Saints are not as hopeless as many thought coming into the season.
26. Miami Dolphins (1-4)
Weekly Change: Down 2
Blowing a 17-0 lead to Carolina is the latest black mark on a brutal season. The clock is ticking on Mike McDaniel if the turnaround doesn’t come soon.
25. Cleveland Browns (1-4)
Weekly Change: Neutral
Rookie QB Dillon Gabriel finally gave the offense some spark, while the defense stayed strong. If they can figure out close games, wins will come.
24. Carolina Panthers (2-3)
Weekly Change: Up 4
The Panthers looked headed for another disaster, trailing Miami 17-0, before storming back for a 27-24 win. Consistency is the missing piece for this erratic team.
23. Dallas Cowboys (2-2-1)
Weekly Change: Neutral
Beating the hapless Jets doesn’t move the needle much, but at least the defense showed life for the first time this season.
22. Chicago Bears (2-2)
Weekly Change: Down 1
Chicago slides on the bye thanks to other teams’ big wins. A huge Monday night test against Washington looms.
21. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
Weekly Change: Down 1
Like Chicago, Atlanta drops despite being idle. Buffalo awaits next week in a major measuring-stick game.
20. Baltimore Ravens (1-4)
Weekly Change: Down 8
Injuries or not, a 41-10 home loss to Houston is unacceptable. This team should rise once stars return, but for now they belong in the basement tier.
19. Arizona Cardinals (2-3)
Weekly Change: Down 2
The collapse against Tennessee was inexcusable, highlighted by two untouched fumbles, including one at the goal line. Forgetting this game quickly is the only option.
18. Minnesota Vikings (3-2)
Weekly Change: Neutral
An ugly win over Cleveland gets them to 3-2. With a bye coming, J.J. McCarthy should reclaim the starting QB role in Week 7.
17. Houston Texans (2-3)
Weekly Change: Up 2
C.J. Stroud erupted for four touchdowns in Houston’s 44-10 rout of Baltimore. It did come against another depleted defense, but the Texans’ offense has looked rejuvenated in recent weeks and that is a welcome sight for Houston fans.
16. New England Patriots (3-2)
Weekly Change: Up 7
Beating Buffalo on the road is the biggest statement of their season. Drake Maye is blossoming in Year 2, and the defense is rounding into form. The Patriots are firmly in the AFC playoff race.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
Weekly Change: Up 1
Pittsburgh was idle, but remains the AFC North favorite with a chance to prove it next week against Cleveland.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1)
Weekly Change: Neutral
The win over Kansas City had its share of good fortune, but it was still an impressive result. Jacksonville is off to a strong start, though I am not convinced they are ready to crack the top tier just yet.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2)
Weekly Change: Down 6
A week after losing to the Giants, they fell flat again against Washington. The offensive line is battered, the defense porous, and Justin Herbert has cooled off.
12. Seattle Seahawks (3-2)
Weekly Change: Down 2
A close loss to Tampa Bay doesn’t dampen confidence much. Sam Darnold is playing excellent football, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is an absolute stud.
11. San Francisco 49ers (4-1)
Weekly Change: Up 4
Injuries or not, San Francisco continues to compete and win. That resilience will pay off when reinforcements return.
10. Washington Commanders (3-2)
Weekly Change: Up 1
Jayden Daniels’ return sparked the offense, while the defense smothered Justin Herbert. This was Washington’s most complete performance of the season.
9. Denver Broncos (3-2)
Weekly Change: Up 4
A comeback win over Philadelphia may be the best victory by any team this season. The AFC West is now a three-team race.
8. Green Bay Packers (2-1-1)
Weekly Change: Neutral
The bye came at a good time. They should handle a struggling Bengals team next week.
7. Indianapolis Colts (4-1)
Weekly Change: Up 2
The Raiders never stood a chance. Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor, and Tyler Warren continue to impress, making the Colts one of the AFC’s top teams.
6. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)
Weekly Change: Down 1
Sloppy special teams, costly penalties, and a pick-six sunk them against Jacksonville. Still, there is plenty of talent on this roster and Chiefs fans don’t need to start panicking. Yet.
5. Los Angeles Rams (3-2)
Weekly Change: Down 1
The Stafford–Nacua connection is one of the league’s best, and the defense remains solid despite last week’s slip. Fixing their fumble issues is the priority.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1)
Weekly Change: Up 2
Underrated no more. Winning 38-35 over Seattle without Bucky Irving, Mike Evans, and Jamel Dean shows this roster’s depth and toughness.
3. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
Weekly Change: Down 1
A sloppy loss raises some concerns about focus and execution. They remain one of the league’s elite but need sharper play week to week.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
Weekly Change: Down 1
The loss to Denver exposed flaws in both the passing and rushing attack. They are fixable, but the Eagles need answers quickly because this offense is nowhere near the level we saw last season.
1. Detroit Lions (4-1)
Weekly Change: Up 2
For four weeks running, Detroit has looked like the league’s best team. Double-digit wins are becoming the norm for this group.
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