NFL Top 10: Week 6
As we approach the halfway point of the NFL regular season, there have certainly been surprise teams making leaps, as well as teams failing to meet high preseason expectations. However, there’s plenty of time for teams to turn it around, for better or for worse.
Let’s look at the top ten teams entering Week 6, ranked based on record and talent.
1. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
The Bills have proven themselves as the best team in football after taking down the defending AFC champion on Sunday night.
Josh Allen has been magnificent, totaling 12 passing touchdowns against two interceptions thus far, and the defense stepped up big-time, especially against the freight train that is the Chiefs’ offense. This team looks unstoppable on both sides of the ball.
2. Arizona Cardinals (5-0)
Who will hand Arizona its first loss of the season? The 49ers couldn’t pull it off Sunday, as the Cardinals grinded out a 17-10 win.
They’ll now head to Cleveland for a huge matchup between quarterbacks that went first overall in consecutive NFL drafts.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1)
Tom Brady defies everything you thought you knew about aging. The 44-year-old threw five touchdowns against the Dolphins on Sunday, along with 411 passing yards, as Tampa Bay stomped on Miami 45-17.
Brady and the Buccaneers appear to be in Super Bowl form already.
4. Los Angeles Rams (4-1)
The Rams got back on track Thursday night against the Seahawks. Wide receiver Robert Woods displayed his talent with 150 receiving yards after a slow start to the year.
As their schedule lightens up for the next few weeks, Matthew Stafford and the Rams could climb to first place in the NFC West.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (4-1)
Speaking of Los Angeles football teams, the Chargers are on the rise. They would not let up against the Browns in Week 5, taking the victory in a shootout as Justin Herbert posted four touchdowns and nearly 400 passing yards.
The Chargers look ready to make the jump from fringe contender to a sure-fire playoff team.
6. Green Bay Packers (4-1)
The Packers and Bengals matchup got ugly on Sunday, as there were a combined five missed field goals, including one missed by each team in overtime.
However, Mason Crosby made up for his three misses and won the game for the Packers to break the tie in overtime, and gaving Green Bay a 4-1 record.
7. Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
Remember when Lamar Jackson was criticized for being a bad passing quarterback?
Yeah, those conversations need to be put to rest for good.
He led a huge Baltimore comeback against the Colts, exploding for 442 yards and four touchdowns in the air to go along with 62 yards on the ground. Jackson has put the Ravens on his back, leading them to four tough wins despite multiple significant injuries on both sides of the ball in preseason.
8. Cleveland Browns (3-2)
Despite putting up 42 points against the Chargers, the Browns could not pull out a victory. It was a tough loss, but Cleveland put up a strong fight, nonetheless.
The rushing duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt has been dominant as usual, but if the Browns want to be Super Bowl contenders, they’ll need more from Odell Beckham Jr. and the wide receiver group.
9. Dallas Cowboys (4-1)
Now with a four-game winning streak, the Cowboys are by far the NFC East favorite. The offense is dangerous, and the defense looks much improved with the addition of former Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs snagged his sixth interception in just five games against the Giants, as well.
10. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)
Are the Chiefs in trouble? The answer is likely no, but they have got to get their act together. They once seemed unbeatable, but teams have started to figure out how to defend against Patrick Mahomes and their defense has been one of the league’s worst.
They have some work to do in order to prove themselves as a top-tier Super Bowl contender.
Daniel Mader is a second-year student majoring in digital/print journalism. To contact him, email dbm5725@psu.edu.
