NFL Power Rankings – Week 6, John Crowe
Sunday, October 18, 2020
“All good things must come to an end. “
It’s a saying we have all heard from time to time throughout our lives. Whether it be work, sport, family or even life itself, it generally applies to all. And this week, in our intrepid NFL Power Rankings, it certainly applies to the defending, reigning and conquering Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. After all, the Chiefs have been the dominant team in the league since midway through the 2019 season and until this past Sunday, haven’t really been challenged for that top spot. Want proof? The last time the Chiefs lost a game was back on November 10, 2019 to the Titans.
Yet, it was a tough week for the Chiefs. They started things first with Bill Belichick’s undermanned and Cam Newton-less Patriots containing quarterback Patrick Mahomes in a 26-10 KC win Monday night. Then, the Raiders took that game plan to another level in a 40-32 road victory.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"We didn't play our best football today (Sunday). (If) We don't play at a higher enough level against good football teams, then you're going to lose a game," said Patrick Mahomes after the game according to the team's YouTube Channel.
Now, don’t get us wrong, the Chiefs are still far and away the favorites to win the AFC at this point and time. Blips and defeats happen across a long NFL schedule never mind over two seasons. It’s what makes the Patriots 20-year Dynasty all the more impressive when you stop to think about it. So, at least at this particular pinpoint in time, the Chief are no longer the top dog in the NFL, at least in our humble opinion.
Who is? Well, you’ll have to read ahead to find out! No spoilers here!
Don’t forget to read, share and comment to let us know what you think as well! Stay tuned to GoLocal Prov all week long for the latest breaking news as COVID-19 continues to change the NFL landscape and schedule.
Best of Rest: Los Angeles Rams (4-1, Last week: not ranked) / New England Patriots (2-2, Last week: Best of Rest)
The Rams have firmly shaken off that Super Bowl loss slump that encapsulated them all last season. LA has become road warriors to in 2020, winning East Coast games at Washington and Philadelphia while losing a last-second game in Buffalo. With the 49ers slipping, the NFC West is still in their grasp with Seattle as the primary target.
As for the Patriots, the good news is that the facility is back open this week after last week's postponement of their game with Denver. The Pats actually got in a real practice on Thursday, their first in over a week. There’s more good news as both Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore, who tested positive for COVID-19, are expected back for this Sunday's game with the Broncos after taking part in that Thursday practice, according to NBC Sports Boston. The bad news is that the Patriots had another positive test on Friday, closing the facility yet again. As of Friday, the game Sunday is still on. Stay tuned right up to game-time Sunday.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2, Last week: ranked 9th)
Without Chris Goodwin (hamstring) in the lineup for a second straight week, Tom Brady struggled and forgot how many downs there were in a final minute loss at Chicago. Equally concerning is the broken ankle of defensive nose tackle Vita Vea. It doesn’t get any easier as the undefeated Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers come to Tampa this Sunday in the marquee match-up of week 6.
9. Buffalo Bills (4-1, Last week: ranked 4th)
Tuesday's night game in Tennessee, the Bills looked like the team that hadn't played in two weeks rather than the Titans. Is that 42-16 thrashing by the Titans just a one-game mirage or a symptom of a growing concern, especially as the running game continues to struggle, ranked 26th in the NFL. Unfortunately for Buffalo, they host Kansas City Monday night at 5pm in a game originally scheduled for Thursday night. The Chiefs too are coming off their first loss of the season and will be ready, willing and angry coming in to Upstate New York.
8. Chicago Bears (4-1, Last week: not ranked)
Give the Bears their due, down 13-0 late second quarter against the Bucs, Chicago could've folded, but they didn't. Quarterback Nick Foles rallied the troops for the comeback victory. Maybe these are not your average Bears?
7. Cleveland Browns (4-1, Last week: ranked 10th)
After an opening week loss to the Baltimore Ravens, all the Browns have done is win. And look good to boot! There are concerns with quarterback Baker Mayfield's shoulder but with the ground game averaging a league-best 188 yards as Cleveland, racking up 31 points per game (4th in NFL), things may be ok. Huge division game Sunday at Pittsburgh awaits the Browns.
6. Baltimore Ravens (4-1, Last week: ranked 5th)
Is it me or does Lamar Jackson look a bit off? Maybe it's the knee injury? Maybe it's coming off a season where he threw 36 touchdown passes as opposed to 9 so far this season (vs. 2 interceptions)? Or maybe the league is catching up to him? Either way, the Ravens are missing a certain something, but so far, their ability to win the games they should has them on pace to make the playoffs. But it does bear watching.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-0, Last week: ranked 6th)
Chase Claypool who? The rookie out of Notre Dame accounted for four scores against Philadelphia, becoming Big Ben Roethlisberger's new favorite target as the Steelers stayed undefeated after a week off due to the Titans' COVID-19 postponement. Beating Cleveland this Sunday would be a boost to their AFC North Division Championship aspirations.
4. Tennessee Titans (4-0, Last week: ranked 7th)
Give head coach Mike Vrabel all the credit in the World. The Titans, after 24 players/coaches/team personnel tested positive for COVID-19, shutting down their facility for over a week and postponing their game against the Steelers, Tennessee had every excuse to not play well Tuesday night against Buffalo. Instead, the Titans routed the Bills in a game that was never close. These Titans are who their head coach is: mentally tough, physically tough and playing with an edge. That's a dangerous combination for a team that went to the AFC Championship Game last season. Watch out AFC!
3. Seattle Seahawks (5-0, Last week: ranked 3rd)
Ho-hum. Another week and another win for the Seahawks. This time, a last-second, fourth-down touchdown score from Russell Wilson to DK Metcalf gets the job done. At some point though, Seattle's defense and run game are going to have to catch up to what Wilson.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1, Last week: ranked 1st)
Did Bill Belichick show the rest of the NFL how to contain Patrick Mahomes? Is the blueprint out there now? It sure looks like it after the Raiders held Mahomes and the KC offense to just 8 second-half points, those coming late in the fourth quarter. A combination of a crowded secondary and few men rushing the QB is what Mahomes may have to adjust to in order to make it back to the Super Bowl.
1. Green Bay Packers (4-0, Last week: ranked 2nd)
A bye week in week 5 leads the Packers to the top spot heading into week 6. How they do in week 6 in Tampa against the Buccaneers will clearly cement their top spot or send them back out. Rodgers vs. Brady on a late Sunday afternoon sounds normal, right? Enjoy for a few hours!
Last week:
Best of Rest: Patriots
10. Browns
9. Buccaneers
8. Colts
7. Titans
6. Steelers
5. Ravens
4. Bills
3. Seahawks
2. Packers
1. Chiefs
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