Culver City Observer -

2018 NFL Power Rankings - Week 6

1. Los Angeles Rams (6-0) - The Rams just continue to roll, with the #1 ranked offense in the NFL and the #1 rushing offense in the NFL. November will offer a challenge with games at New Orleans and at Mexico City to play the Chiefs. Next: at San Francisco - Sun, Oct. 21

2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) - The NFL has not seen anything like Tyreek Hill since the 1960's when Bob Hayes and Gale Sayers were scaring defenses. Hill has the world class speed of Hayes and can score in any manner similar to Sayers. Next: vs Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Oct. 21

3. New England Patriots (4-2) - The Pats are back after three straight wins. Running back James White continues has become Tom Brady's favorite target, with 37 receptions and White leads the Pats with 472 yards from scrimmage. Next: at Chicago Bears - Sun, Oct. 21

4. New Orleans Saints (4-1) - The Saints are coming off a bye and hope to continue the momentum they have built, winning four straight games. With an explosive offense and top ranked run defense, they are a formidable challenge. Next: at Baltimore Ravens – Sun, Oct. 21

5. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2) - The Chargers are coming off an impressive win in Cleveland and have a favorable schedule over the next six weeks with no games against teams with winning records through November. Next: vs Tennessee Titans (at London, UK) - Sun, Oct. 21

6. Baltimore Ravens (4-2) - The Ravens have a stout defense, #1 ranked in the NFL. This week's matchup against the Saints is lining up as the "Game of the Week" in the NFL and a possible preview of Super Bowl 53. Next: vs New Orleans Saints - Sun, Oct. 21

7. Minnesota Vikings (3-2-1) - Adam Thielen leads the NFL in receptions and receiving yards per game. Thielen, an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State, is setting records and reminds some of Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff. Next: at New York Jets - Sun, Oct. 21

8. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) - The Bengals are competitive in every game and have beaten two 4-2 teams, Baltimore and Miami. They will compete, but can they get to the playoffs with the #29 ranked defense in the NFL? Next: at Kansas City Chiefs - Sun, Oct. 21

9. Washington Redskins (3-2) - The Redskins are in first place in the NFC East and need to string some victories together to stay in first place. The defense can keep them in games, they just need their receiving group to make plays. Next: vs Dallas Cowboys - Sun, Oct. 21

10. Chicago Bears (3-2) - T The Bears are back in Chicago after their weekend vacation in Miami. The loss to the Dolphins not only shocked their fans, it also shocked the gamblers, which had 85 percent of their money bet on the Bears. Next: vs New England Patriots - Sun, Oct. 21

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2-1) - With the bye week coming up, the Steelers need to decide what to do with holdout Le'Veon Bell. Do they trade him before the trade deadline of October 30th? James Conner has looked good and costs less. Next: vs Cleveland Browns - Sun, Oct. 28

12. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) - The Eagles looked like the Eagles of 2017 after their impressive road win at New York. They still need help in the backfield, but it helps to have Carson Wentz playing well again. Next: vs Carolina Panthers - Sun, Oct. 21

13. Green Bay Packers (3-2-1) - The Packers need the bye week to get healthy. They are 0-2 on the road and 3-0-1 at home. With four of the next five games on the road, they will need to find some road wins to stay in the playoff race. Next: at Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Oct. 28

14. Miami Dolphins (4-2) - Albert Wilson has touchdown receptions of 29, 43, 74 and 75 yards through the first six games. The Dolphins acquired Wilson as a free agent in 2018. How good are the Chiefs if they can let Wilson go? Next: vs Detroit Lions - Sun, Oct. 21

15. Carolina Panthers (3-2) - The Panthers need to keep up with the Saints. They got a miracle win with the Graham Gano kick but will not face the Saints until the last three weeks. They play the Saints twice in the last three weeks. Next: at Philadelphia Eagles - Sun, Oct. 21

16. Dallas Cowboys (3-3) - Where have these guys been? The Cowboys stunning 40-7 blowout of the Jags did not look anything like the games from the first five weeks. Dak Prescott looked like the Prescott of 2016. A much-needed win. Next: at Washington Redskins - Sun, Oct. 21

17. Seattle Seahawks (3-3) - The Seahawks still have Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson. The Seahawks have improved on defense despite the loss of Earl Thomas and they are committed to running the football, which helps Wilson. Next: at Detroit Lions - Sun, Oct. 28

18. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3) - The Jags have lost three of their last four games. The losses at Kansas City and Dallas exposed weaknesses in their defense and at quarterback. They need to take control over the weak AFC South. Next: vs Houston Texans - Sun, Oct. 21

19. Cleveland Browns (2-3-1) - The Browns finally looked like the Browns that we have come to know and love after getting pounded by the Chargers at home. Baker Mayfield needs receivers (Dez Bryant?) to help the passing game improve. Next: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Oct. 21

20. New York Jets (3-3) - The Jets have somehow won two straight to get to 3-3. They don't do anything particularly well, being ranked #26 on offense and #22 on defense. But they are well coached and compete. Next: vs Minnesota Vikings - Sun, Oct. 21

21. Houston Texans (3-3) - What happened to the potent Texan offense? All six games they have played in have been decided by seven points or less. They need to score more points to take control of these games. Next: at Jacksonville Jaguars - Sun, Oct. 21

22. Tennessee Titans (3-3) - The Titans continue to grind their way through football games. They have not scored a touchdown in the last eight quarters and have failed to score a touchdown in three of their six games. Next: at Los Angeles Chargers (at London, UK) - Sun, Oct. 21

23. Detroit Lions (2-3) - The Lions have Matthew Stafford and some good receivers. They compete and are fun to watch. But the need to fix the defensive and offensive line before they can be taken seriously. Next: at Miami Dolphins - Sun, Oct. 21

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) - The Bucs fired their defensive coordinator this week. Head Coach Dirk Koetter fired Mike Smith, stating: "this is a production business." Words that may come back to haunt Koetter. Next: vs Cleveland Browns - Sun, Oct. 21

25. Denver Broncos (2-4) - Two weeks ago, Isaiah Crowell of the Jets rushed for 219 yards against the Broncos. Todd Gurley of the Rams just ran for 208 yards on the Broncos. Guess which NFL team has the worst rushing defense? Next: at Arizona Cardinals - Thu, Oct. 18

26. Atlanta Falcons (2-4) - The Falcons have lost Devontae Freeman for the season with an injury. This will make it a bit more challenging for the injury riddled Falcons, who have allowed the most points in the NFL. Next: vs New York Giants - Mon, Oct. 22

27. San Francisco 49ers (1-5) - The 49ers really run the ball well. They average 142 yards per game. They are also getting good play from C.J. Beathard. The 49ers compete in every game, they just need to learn to finish these games. Next: vs Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Oct. 21

28. Buffalo Bills 2-4) - Nate Peterman has thrown 79 career passes and 9 of them have been intercepted. With Josh Allen out with an elbow injury, the Bills added Derek Anderson to add some much-needed veteran help. Next: at Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Oct. 21

29. Indianapolis Colts (1-5) - Andrew Luck is tied with Derek Carr, Blake Bortles and Case Keenum for the NFL lead with 8 interceptions. Not very good company to be keeping these days. Next: vs Buffalo Bills - Sun, Oct. 21

Jevone Moore

Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn

30. Arizona Cardinals (1-5) - The Cardinals average 3.2 yards per carry and 64 yards per game, both the worst in the NFL. They are wasting the talents of David Johnson. But there is hope. The Cardinals play the Broncos this week. Next: vs Denver Broncos - Thu, Oct. 18

31. New York Giants (1-5) - There will be a new starting quarterback in a Giants uniform next season. Eli Manning is done in New York and that might be the best thing for him. He needs a new environment and a better offensive line. Next: at Atlanta Falcons - Mon, Oct. 22

32. Oakland Raiders (1-5) - The Raiders are circling the drain. Linebacker Derrick Johnson was released, there are rumors that former first round picks Amari Cooper and Kerry Joseph are on the trade block. The Raiders have scored 13 points in the last two games and ten of those came in garbage time. Next: vs Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Oct. 28