32. Miami Dolphins (-1)
31. Los Angeles Chargers (-2)
30. Tennessee Titans (+2)
29. Washington Commanders (-3)
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2)
27. New York Jets (=)
26. Indianapolis Colts (-4)
25. Arizona Cardinals (+3)
24. Dallas Cowboys (-10)
23. Atlanta Falcons (-3)
22. New Orleans Saints (+1)
21. Philadelphia Eagles (-8)
20. New York Giants (-2)
19. Las Vegas Raiders (-8)
18. Houston Texans (+7)
17. Detroit Lions (=)
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (+5)
15. Carolina Panthers (+4)
14. Cleveland Browns (+2)
13. Los Angeles Rams (-5)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (=)
11. Baltimore Ravens (-5)
Chicago Bears (4-2)
Considering the Bears had to play three weeks without starting quarterback Caleb Williams, a 4-2 record is anything but bad.
Yes, in Week 5, they took a beating from the Green Bay Packers (7:31) - but that was with Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum at quarterback. However, it's likely they wouldn't have accomplished much even with Williams in that game - the performance was too desolate, from start to finish. The fact that this defeat also happened against a division rival, of all teams, naturally stings even more.
It was all the more important that Caleb Williams' comeback last Sunday was crowned with a success. The Atlanta Falcons were dismissed 31:23. Only in the final phase did Atlanta manage to close in a bit on the otherwise dominant Bears.
If Chicago manages to show this form in the coming weeks as well (with the Patriots and Seahawks, teams that were in the Super Bowl last year, awaiting them), then they will count among the most dangerous teams in the league.
Green Bay Packers (4-2)
It took a while, but the Green Bay Packers finally seem to have truly arrived this season.
After delivering one lifeless performance after another in the first few weeks (admittedly, some of these lifeless performances still ended in victories), they finally managed to bring more dynamism to the field recently - and that was reflected in the results.
The Week 5 victory against their division rival from Chicago was probably the breakthrough: The Bears were thoroughly beaten 31:7. Last Sunday, a convincing 23:13 victory against the Dallas Cowboys was added.
The connection between Jordan Love and his receivers Matthew Golden and Christian Watson indeed seemed better than ever, and the defense also recently shined with multiple takeaways per game.
Only the Packers' running game has been very disappointing so far, though they could soon welcome back their star running back Josh Jacobs. Micah Parsons will also return sometime in the coming weeks. The outlook in Green Bay is actually not as bad as it might have seemed a few weeks ago.
New England Patriots (4-2)
Similar to Green Bay, New England has also managed to find its rhythm after several shaky performances at the start of the season - especially Drake Maye has achieved this.
In the first few weeks, the Patriots' quarterback was a true turnover machine, but recently he has managed to stabilize his game: starting with the impressive 29:26 victory against Buffalo. The following week, the Patriots added a 45:17 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders - a game in which Maye contributed five touchdowns and remained turnover-free.
Last Sunday's 26:19 victory against the New York Jets may not have been as spectacular as the previous ones, but it was another important step in the right direction: Maye again remained turnover-free, and they won again.
The trend in New England is definitely a positive one.
Seattle Seahawks (3-3)
The Seahawks have now lost two games in a row - consequently, they're dropping several spots in the Power Ranking. However, given their opponents, I'm quite a way from worrying about the Super Bowl champion.
In Week 5, Seattle had to bow to the undefeated San Francisco 49ers 29:32 in a close NFC West summit clash. The following Thursday, they suffered a 14:17 overtime loss in Denver. Two games that easily could have gone the other way.
Seattle's defense remains a unit feared by all. What should, however, give some cause for concern are the performances of quarterback Sam Darnold, who threw two interceptions in each of the past two games, and at inopportune moments.
One thing is clear: Seattle needs better efficiency from its offense if they want to even remotely build on last year's successes. However, it won't be easy for the Seahawks to get back on track. Their next opponents are the still-undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.
Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
As one of three teams, the Minnesota Vikings continue their undefeated run this season. While they haven't made any huge, huge statements yet - what Minnesota has achieved so far deserves respect.
Because the Vikings' defense is undoubtedly one of the best units in the NFL and has instilled fear in all its opponents so far. And the offense also looked somewhat better in their last game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 5 than in previous weeks. They ultimately prevailed 23:13 in the Big Easy.
Last week, the Vikings were not in action, which is why their perfect record remained untouched. Minnesota is also the clear favorite in their next game. Their opponents are the somewhat struggling Indianapolis Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
International Games are a burden for every NFL team, and no team is saddled with that burden more often than the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Annually, the Jaguars have to play in London. This year, they once again had the "honor" of doing so twice in a row. They ultimately returned home with one win and one loss.
Both games were exciting, to their credit. In the 19:17 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, they made things difficult for themselves for a long time, only to be unexpectedly lifted to victory at the end by an ideal kickoff return and kicker Cam Little.
Last Sunday, they got involved in a shootout against the Houston Texans, which they ultimately lost narrowly 31:34. That can happen against a division rival, and even more so in an International Game. So I don't want to attach too much importance to the loss.
For me, the Jaguars are still a team that, when offense and defense click, counts among the best in the NFL.
Denver Broncos (4-2)
The Broncos have had a more than decent season so far. They've had to stomach exactly two losses, but those were against arguably the two best teams the NFL currently has to offer (Kansas City, San Francisco).
And it's not as if the teams the Broncos have beaten so far were pushovers: They've defeated formidable opponents in the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks.
The victory against the Seahawks came last Thursday. The reigning Super Bowl champions were defeated 17:14 in overtime. And yes, some criticism arose afterwards regarding Broncos quarterback Bo Nix - but after almost three years, one shouldn't be truly surprised by his performances. Nix does what he always does - and not unsuccessfully.
If Nix were a miserable quarterback, the Broncos certainly wouldn't have made it to the AFC Championship Game last year. Is he an outstanding quarterback? Not that either. But that's not always necessary to be successful in the NFL.
Buffalo Bills (5-1)
After their Week 4 loss against the New England Patriots, the Buffalo Bills simply did what they do best: they turned on the scoring machine.
In both the 37:34 victory against the Los Angeles Rams and the 33:30 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Bills engaged in a shootout. Luckily for them, with Josh Allen and James Cook, they have the firepower to win such games.
Buffalo would, however, be well-advised to perhaps not always concede quite so many points. Of course, easier said than done. At least the game plan against Brock Bowers worked quite well recently.
The Baltimore Ravens now await as the next real test, at least if Lamar Jackson is fit again.
Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)
The Chiefs had their bye week quite early in the season. After their break in Week 5, they continued last Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The roles could hardly have been clearer: the still winless Chargers against the still undefeated Chiefs. Ultimately, Kansas City lived up to its role as favorite and won convincingly 22:6.
In addition to Kenneth Walker's now almost obligatory monster game, the Chiefs' defense also performed strongly and never allowed Justin Herbert to be even remotely dangerous.
The combination of good defense and an excellent running game has often led to success in the NFL. The Chiefs fans' hopes of making last season forgotten and becoming the top dog of the AFC again are more than justified in this form.
San Francisco 49ers (6-0)
Things are still going strong in San Francisco: As the only team so far this season, the 49ers have already secured six victories.
Especially the Week 5 victory against the Seattle Seahawks (32:29) was immensely important and showed that the Niners are capable of winning hard-fought games where not everything goes according to plan.
Against the Washington Commanders (23:17), a victory was again mandatory - and this was fulfilled. Although it got tight towards the end, this also distinguishes top teams: bringing such games across the finish line.
I stand by it, the 49ers have the offense and they have the defense of a championship team - the question mark in San Francisco always is and remains the health of the roster. While it's not perfect, it could also be worse.
