Week 5 within the NFL was an opportunity for the highest three groups to date in 2023 to flex in prime spots. The 49ers, Eagles and Chiefs, who all had been within the convention championship video games in 2022, all did not disappoint.
In the meantime, the Payments, Cowboys and Ravens all bought cooled down in a rush, with the Jaguars and Steelers additionally displaying they are often playoff elements. Whereas the order of the most effective powerhouses stays considerably the identical, the latest outcomes led to loads of shakeup all throughout the board within the league hierarchy.
This is who’s rising and falling within the weekly inventory look ahead to all 32 groups popping out of the Thursday and Sunday motion, with one recreation left on Monday night time:
MORE: Breaking down Brock Purdy’s excellent file as NFL starter
NFL energy rankings Week 6
1. San Francisco 49ers 5-0 (earlier rating: 1)
Brock Purdy is clicking with all of his receivers, with George Kittle’s flip to blow up on the Cowboys on Sunday night time. Christian McCaffrey continues to be doing his factor behind a high offensive line. The protection is loaded on each stage. Now the query is how lengthy can they keep undefeated? They only is likely to be excellent going into the epic Dec. Three matchup with the No. 2 crew.
2. Philadelphia Eagles 5-0 (4)
The Eagles are working towards an NFC championship recreation rematch with no indicators of a Tremendous Bowl losers hangover. Jalen Hurts is getting it achieved once more nevertheless the offense wants in a specific week. The offensive traces and defensive traces stay nasty. The secondary and protection is just a bit extra susceptible than final season.
3. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 4-1 (3)
Taylor Swift did not go the sport in Minnesota. Travis Kelce had a scary ankle damage, however he was in a position to shake it off and blow up the Vikings in crunch time like a lavender haze by purple defenders. Good factor Patrick Mahomes was there to ship in a tricky highway spot, as a result of he all the time belongs with Kelce.
4. Miami Dolphins 4-1 (7)
The Dolphins turned one other residence recreation right into a monitor meet even with a barely off afternoon for Tua Tagovailoa. It is not honest they will run De’Von Achane up and down the sphere with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert now.
5. Detroit Lions 4-1 (6)
The Lions have proved they’re for actual a number of occasions over, beginning with their season-opening win at Kansas Metropolis. They dominate up entrance offensively with the working recreation, for which the Panthers weren’t a match. Their younger protection is making the wanted massive performs when outcomes are doubtful, tol.
6. Buffalo Payments 3-2 (2)
The Payments, after three romps in America, got here all the way down to earth in London. Josh Allen struggled in opposition to the opposite Josh Allen and the Jaguars’ underrated younger protection for 3 quarters. The consequences of a generally shaky offensive line with out the stability of a dependable conventional working recreation proved expensive. A much bigger loss got here to the protection with working back-stopper Matt Milano happening.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-2 (11)
The Jaguars are laborious to cease offensively when everyone seems to be executing on level round Trevor Lawrence. He bought into the groove with Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, Travis Etienne Jr. and others for a second straight week in London, however the actual spark has been offered by a bettering go protection for a crew that already stops the run properly.
8. Dallas Cowboys 3-2 (5)
The Cowboys’ compressed offense bought to them in San Francisco as, go determine, their solely massive go play resulted of their one spotlight when the sport mattered. Additionally they are too big-play dependent defensively and bought destroyed in protection with the push contained. They will kill unhealthy groups, however have to show themselves (once more) vs. higher ones.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-2 (18)
How concerning the toughness of Kenny Pickett, mentally and bodily? Sure, the offense has been a wrestle each week, however he dug deep to make a much-needed successful play. It is no shock the Steelers are additionally leaning on T.J. Watt and their protection after they want it most to battle for the AFC North crown.
10. Baltimore Ravens 3-2 (8)
The Ravens are getting sloppy with Lamar Jackson within the new supposed higher passing offense, perhaps going out of their ingredient and never taking part in sufficient of a complement to the protection. It must be fastened, stat.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-1 (9)
The Buccaneers noticed the Saints and Falcons win video games behind them, however they nonetheless can really feel assured because the sneaky new division favorites given Baker Mayfield and the protection are taking part in higher than anticipated.
12. Seattle Seahawks 3-1 (10)
The Seahawks bought an early bye to assist Geno Smith keep wholesome and have received some video games with protection out of the gate, rebounding properly from a stunning Week 1 loss to the Rams. The Bengals are a terrific AFC check in Week 6.
13. Cleveland Browns 2-2 (12)
The Browns are attempting to carry regular within the powerful AFC North and can hope the accidents to Deshaun Watson and Myles Garrett will not linger. It was a foul bye given the Steelers and Bengals bought off the mat in an enormous method.
14. Inexperienced Bay Packers 2-2 (13)
The Packers are hanging as NFC North playoff contenders regardless of the robust setback to the favorites, the Lions, in Week 4. They want slightly sharper play from Jordan Love and extra impactful play by the protection all-around.
15. Los Angeles Chargers 2-2 (15)
The Chargers have to construct on ending back-to-back video games properly after the bye. Justin Herbert has MVP potential within the new offense, which ought to get Austin Ekeler again. Khalil Mack continues to encourage the actual Brandon Staley protection can nonetheless present up.
16. Indianapolis Colts 3-2 (17)
The Colts misplaced Anthony Richardson once more and slowly labored in Jonathan Taylor, however their working recreation nonetheless rolled with Zack Moss and the protection delivered. Gardner Minshew provides them an opportunity as one of many league’s higher backup QBs. They’re already the second-best crew within the AFC South after Jacksonville with early coach of the 12 months candidate Shane Steichen.
17. Cincinnati Bengals 2-3 (24)
The Bengals noticed the actual largely wholesome Joe Burrow in Arizona and made a world of protection for his or her pass-heavy offense. Their protection additionally rose to the event with massive performs. These are the Bengals we all know, and they’re proper again within the thick of a good AFC North race.
18. New Orleans Saints 3-2 (19)
The Saints marched into New England and pitched a shutout, displaying Dennis Allen’s crew energy continues to be protection. Derek Carr did not have to do a lot and might be hidden, which will not be the case in most weeks.
19. Los Angeles Rams 2-3 (14)
The Rams bought a actuality examine for his or her protection in opposition to the versatile, explosive and balanced Eagles. They nonetheless seemed good with their passing recreation with Cooper Kupp becoming a member of Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell, however they’re nonetheless most likely taking a look at a simply above .500 ceiling.
20. New York Jets 2-3 (21)
The Jets noticed Zach Wilson make a tricky mistake late, however in any other case he facilitated the offense and executed properly when wanted in a cushty matchup in Denver. There is likely to be a glimmer of hope for a wild-card playoff run.
21. Atlanta Falcons 3-2 (20)
The Falcons bought the resilient play from Desmond Ridder they wanted to belief extra of their QB on a day when their conventional working recreation wasn’t automated. The protection is a piece in progress that also wants a whole lot of jelling.
22. Houston Texans 2-3 (16)
The Texans noticed C.J. Stroud fall slightly again to earth in Atlanta, though he did ship late to place his crew in place to win. However their working recreation and protection will preserve holding them again from sneaky competition.
23. Washington Commanders 2-3 (22)
Sam Howell is unquestionably a gamer together with his arm and legs, however the offense stays inconsistent with utilization of everybody. The protection might be good when impassioned, which wasn’t the case in opposition to the Bears.
24. Tennessee Titans 2-3 (23)
The Titans are attempting to duct tape themselves into competitiveness and it was optimistic that DeAndre Hopkins lastly seemed like himself. However the concern is Derrick Henry and the working recreation sputtering and the stout un protection out of the blue wilting.
25. Las Vegas Raiders 1-3 (27)
The Raiders will get Jimmy Garoppolo again in an try to get again into the AFC wild-card race at residence in opposition to the Packers on Monday. But it surely’s nonetheless laborious believing of their protection past Maxx Crosby.
26. Minnesota Vikings 1-4 (29)
The Vikings’ magical late-game mojo is gone, changed with essential expensive errors and falling simply in need of ending. Now Justin Jefferson must struggle by a hamstring damage to maintain issues from unraveling additional.
27. Arizona Cardinals 1-4 (28)
The offense is aggressive with Josh Dobbs throwing rather a lot to Marquise Brown and Zach Ertz. However the protection is displaying its apparent holes. There is no tanking within the desert, however there is a laborious successful expertise cap for Jonathan Gannon.
28. New York Giants 1-4 (25)
The offensive line has damaged down with accidents. Saquon Barkley stays on the shelf with a foul ankle. Now Daniel Jones has a neck damage and Wan’Dale Robinson suffered a concussion in Miami. The protection additionally stinks. And the Payments are subsequent.
29. New England Patriots 1-4 (26)
Mac Jones is unhealthy. The offensive line and working recreation do not exist. The protection is falling aside with accidents and never sufficient energetic our bodies to execute in Invoice Belichick’s scheme. Massive modifications would possibly want to return quickly.
30. Denver Broncos 1-4 (30)
Sean Payton tried to create a extra practical offense with Russell Wilson and it is labored solely to some extent. There’s a whole lot of stress on it to supply with the protection falling aside and giving up massive performs in all places.
31. Chicago Bears 1-4 (32)
Justin Fields put the Bears on the board with a second straight spectacular passing efficiency, due to that commerce with the Panthers to get him D.J. Moore. Now he must preserve constructing on it with a simple defensive schedule forward.
32. Carolina Panthers 0-5 (31)
The Panthers are displaying extra offensive life and struggle with Bryce Younger, however the offensive and defensive position woes preserve inflicting main issues. They’re headed towards getting their new No. 1 wideout within the type of Marvin Harrison Jr.
