By Bill Seals - Fred Altieri
Sports Reporters - PFWA Members 

2023 NFL Power Rankings – Week 06

 

October 5, 2023

Mpu Dinani - LA Chargers

Chargers offensive line has allowed quartback Justin Herbert to be sacked 9 times in four games this season

1. San Francisco 49ers (5-0): Running back Christian McCaffrey scored a touchdown for the 14th consecutive game, while tight end George Kittle caught three touchdown passes from quarterback Brock Kirby as the 49ers routed the Dallas Cowboys, 42-10. The 49ers look like the best team in the NFL. Next: -5.5 at Cleveland Brown – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 37.5 (ATS: 4-1 – O/U: 3-2)

2. Philadelphia Eagles (5-0): The Eagles continue to find a way to win each week. This week against the Rams, the rediscovered tight end Dallas Goedert in a 23-14 win over the Rams at SoFi Stadium. Goedert caught eight passes for 117 yards and one touchdown in the victory. In the first four games this season, Goedert caught 13 passes for 88 yards and had no touchdowns. Next: -6.5 at New York Jets – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 42 (ATS: 3-1-1 – O/U: 3-2)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1): The Chiefs hung on for a road win at Minnesota, 27-20. The Chiefs have won four straight games. They are a good team, as usual, but they are not dominating opponents. The question in the AFC, is there a team that can keep the Chiefs from playing in the AFC Championship game on their homefield for a sixth consecutive season? Next: -10.5 vs Denver Broncos - Thu, Oct. 12 – O/U: 53.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 2-3)

4. Detroit Lions (4-1): The Lions continue to roar in the Motor City after bouncing the Panthers, 42-24. Jared Goff three for three touchdowns and ran for another in the victory. The Lions have a two-game lead over the Packers in the NFC North after five weeks. Next: -3 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 4-1 – O/U: 3-2)

5. Miami Dolphins (4-1): The Dolphins easily defeated the Giants, 31-16. The Dolphins have the top ranked offense in the NFL, the top ranked passing offense in the NFL, and the top ranked rushing attack in the NFL. You are not going to beat this team by scoring just 16 points. Next: -13.5 vs Carolina Panthers - Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 48.5 (ATS: 4-1 – O/U: 3-2)

6. Seattle Seahawks (3-1): The Seahawks are coming off a bye week. The Seahawks have only one turnover through the first four games, which leads the NFL. Combined with good young talent acquired through recent drafts, the Seahawks are a playoff team. Next: +2.5 at Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 2-2)

6. Buffalo Bills (3-2): The Bills flew across the Atlantic for their game in London against the Jaguars, arriving Friday morning. The seemed to play with a lack of energy and urgency in the first half, and the Jags took advantage, defeating the Bills, 25-20. Next: -14 vs New York Giants - Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 2-3)

8. Dallas Cowboys (3-2): The Cowboys were embarrassed on Sunday Night football by the 49ers, 42-10. The Cowboys are two games behind the Eagles in the NFC East division, and if they are forced to go on the road in the playoffs as a wild-card team, this team is not good enough to win at places like Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Detroit. Next: -2.5 at Los Angeles Chargers - Mon, Oct. 16 – O/U: 50.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 3-2)

9. Baltimore Ravens (3-2): The Ravens receivers dropped eight passes in a 17-10 loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh. One wide receiver that is catching passes is rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers, who leads the Ravens in receptions and receiving yards after his first five games in the NFL. Next: -4 at Tennessee Titans – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U 40.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 1-4)

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1): The Bucs are coming off a bye, with a 3-1 record and in first place in the NFC South. The Bucs have gotten good play from quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is ranked 8th in the NFL in passer rating, and they are tied with the 49ers for the best turnover ratio in the NFL at a +7. Next: +3 vs Detroit Lions - Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 1-3)

11. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2): Rookie wide receiver Quentin Johnston is off to a slow start through four games. Johnston was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft out of TCU. He is currently ranked No. 181 in the NFL for receptions with six. With the season ending knee injury to starting wide receiver Mike Williams, the Chargers need to get more production from Johnston. Next: +2.5 vs Dallas Cowboys - Mon, Oct. 16 – O/U: 50.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 2-2)

12. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2): Quarterback Kenny Pickett connected with wide receiver George Pickens for a 41-yard touchdown with just 1:17 left in the game to give the Steelers a stunning 17-10 victory over the Ravens in Pittsburgh. The Steelers trailed throughout the game until Pickett's touchdown pass. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at Los Angeles Rams – Sun, Oct. 22 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 1-4)

13. Cleveland Browns (2-2): The Browns had a bye in Week 5 and the hope is that quarterback Deshaun Watson will be ready to play on Sunday of Week 6. Watson missed the game in Week 4 with a shoulder injury, even though he had been medically cleared to play. That did not sit well with coaches and teammates. Next: +5.5 vs San Francisco 49ers – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 37.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 1-3)

14. Indianapolis Colts (3-2): Former Utah Utes running back Zach Moss rushed for 165 yards on 23 carries and added two touchdowns in a 23-16 win over the Titans. Rookie wide receiver Josh Downs, a third round pick out of North Carolina, caught 6 passes for 97 yards in the game. Next: -4.5 at Jacksonville Jaguars – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 46.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 3-2)

15. New Orleans Saints (3-2): The Saints pitched a shutout against the fading Patriots on the road, 34-0. The Saints held the offensively challenged Patriots to 156 yards in total offense and quarterback Derek Carr threw two touchdown passes in the rout. Next: -1.5 at Houston Texans – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 42.5 (ATS: 1-3-1 – O/U: 0-5)

16. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2): The Jaguars had consecutive games in London, so they did not go back to Jacksonville after their first game. That gave them an advantage over the Bills, who flew in for the game and it showed on the field, as the Jags defeated the Bills, 25-20. Next: -4.5 vs Indianapolis Colts - Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 46.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 2-3)

17. Atlanta Falcons (3-2): The Falcons got a 37-kicker Younghoe Koo with no time left on the clock to pull out a 21-19 win over the Texans in Atlanta. Quarterback Desmond Ritter threw for a career-high 329 yards in the victory. Next: -2.5 vs Washington Commanders – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 42 (ATS: 1-4 – O/U: 1-4)

18. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3): The Bengals were ranked last in total offense in the NFL going into their game with the Cardinals, which meant they would not be in last place after the Cardinal game. The Bengals beat the Cardinals 34-20 with wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase catching three touchdown passes from quarterback Joe Burrow, who threw for 317 yards. Next: -2.5 vs Seattle Seahawks – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U 44.5 (ATS: 1-3-1 – O/U: 2-3)

19. Los Angeles Rams (2-3): Wide receiver Cooper Kupp is back, and he did not miss a beat in his first game back, catching 8 passes for 118 yards. Rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua continued his good play with seven receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown. But the Eagles offense was too much for the Rams defense, controlling the football for nearly 38 minutes to beat the Rams, who have a less than stellar record of 9-10 record playing in front of their fans at SoFi Stadium over the past three seasons. Next: -6.5 vs Arizona Cardinals – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 48.5 (ATS: 3-1-1 – O/U: 2-3)

20. Las Vegas Raiders (2-3): Linebacker Robert Spillane picked off two passes and defensive end Maxx Crosby added a sack and four tackles for losses as the Raiders came from behind to defeat the Packers 17-13. Cornerback Amik Robertson's endzone interception saved the day for the Raiders in the last minute of the game. The Raiders broke a three-game losing streak. Next: -3.5 vs New England Patriots - Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 41.5 (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 1-4)

21. Houston Texans (2-3): Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has not thrown an interception through his first five games in the NFL. Stroud is averaging 292.2 passing yards per game, 3rd in the NFL and he has seven touchdown passes with no interceptions. The Texans lost a heartbreaker at Atlanta, 21-19, despite the efforts of Stroud. Next: +1.5 vs New Orleans Saints – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U 43.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 2-3)

22. Green Bay Packers (2-3): The Pack is not back after a disappointing performance in Las Vegas against the Raiders. Quarterback Jordan Love threw three interceptions in the loss. The Packers need a spark on offense and Love is not providing it. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at Denver Broncos - Sun, Oct. 22 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 3-2)

23. Tennessee Titans (2-3): The Titans finally got wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins going, but his 8 receptions for 140 yards were not enough in a 23-16 loss to the Colts on the road. The Titans are 0-3 on the road this season and have scored a total of 34 points on the road in three games. Next: +4 vs Baltimore Ravens – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 1-

24. New York Jets (2-3): The Jets finally got running back Breece Hall going, and Hall rushed for 177 yards and one touchdown against the Broncos putrid defense in a 31-21 win in Denver. The Jets took advantage of the Broncos league worst rushing defense to gain 234 yards on the ground. Next: +6.5 vs Philadelphia Eagles - Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 42 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 3-2)

25. Washington Commanders (2-3): The Commanders were playing on a short week at home against a team that had lost 14 consecutive football games. They had all sorts of advantages going into this game yet lost 40-20 to the Bears in a Thursday Night football game. Head coach Ron Rivera can see the buzzards circling above. Next: +2.5 at Atlanta Falcons – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 42 (ATS: 2-3 – O/U: 3-2)

4)

26. Minnesota Vikings (1-4): The Vikings can argue that they are the best 1-4 team in the NFL, after another close loss, this time to the Chiefs 27-20. The Vikings have lost all four games by seven points or less. The Vikings lead the NFL in turnovers with 12, which has not helped their cause. Next: -2.5 at Chicago Bears – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 1-3-1 – O/U: 1-4)

27. New York Giants (1-4): The Giants lead the NFL in sacks allowed at 30 and are last in the NFL in total offensive yardage per game at 255.2 yards per game. The Giant fell to the Dolphins 31-16, and they were fortunate to keep the game that close. Next: +14 at Buffalo Bills – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 46.5 (ATS: 0-5 – O/U: 1-4)

28. Arizona Cardinals (1-4): Quarterback Joshua Dobbs has to play well for the Cardinals to have a chance to win. On Sunday, Dobbs threw two interceptions, including a pick-6 as the Cardinals fell to the Bengals, 34-20. Next: +6.5 at Los Angeles Rams - Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 48.5 (ATS: 3-2 – O/U: 4-1)

29. Denver Broncos (1-4): Remember when the Broncos used to be tough to beat in Denver? The Broncos are 0-3 at home after falling to the Jets, 31-21. The Jets ran for 234 yards against the worst rushing defense in the NFL. Head coach Sean Payton, who was quick to criticize the previous head coach, is struggling to find the answers in Denver. Next: +10.5 at Kansas City Chiefs - Thu, Oct. 12 – O/U: 47.5 (ATS: 0-4-1 – O/U: 4-1)

30. New England Patriots (1-4): The Patriots continued to be road kill for visiting teams, getting stomped at home by the Saints, 34-0. The Pats are 0-3 on the season at home and have lost their last two games by a combined 72-3. Next: +3.5 at Las Vegas Raiders – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 41.5 (ATS: 1-4 – O/U: 1-4)

Brevin Townsell - LA Rams

Rams offensive line has allowed quartback Matthew Stafford to be sacked 13 times in five games this season

31. Chicago Bears (1-4): The Bears lost a legend and won a football game in Week 5. Hall-of-Fame linebacker Dick Butkus passed away at age 80. Butkus was the quintessential NFL Middle Linebacker and one of the greats of all-time. Butkus played nine seasons, all with the Bears. He passed away hour before his beloved Bears won their first game in 347 days, defeating the Commanders 40-20. Next: +2.5 vs Minnesota Vikings - Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 1-3-1 – O/U: 5-0)

32. Carolina Panthers (0-5): As expected, the Panthers lost in Detroit to the Lions. It was nice to see their passing game get going, with quarterback Bryce Young throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns, while wide receiver Adam Theilen caught 11 passes for 107 yards and one touchdown. Next: +13.5 at Carolina Panthers - Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: 48.5 (ATS: 0-4-1 – O/U: 2-3)

 

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