NFL power rankings for Week 6: Commanders, Broncos, Bears surge behind rookie QBs
· New York PostWho said you have to ease in a rookie quarterback?
The Commanders’ Jayden Daniels, Broncos’ Bo Nix and Bears’ Caleb Williams all have been starters since Week 1, and their 10 combined wins are the second most by a rookie quarterback class through the first five weeks of the season since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
It makes you wonder when the Patriots – who have fallen to new lows with a four-game losing streak – might make a switch from veteran Jacoby Brissett to rookie Drake Maye, especially if owner Robert Kraft is looking around with envy at other franchises getting a jumpstart from their young quarterback.
The surging Vikings and Falcons have the luxury of rookie quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy (injured) and Michael Penix Jr., respectively, waiting in the long-term plans.
Here are The Post’s NFL power rankings for Week 6:
1. Kansas City Chiefs 5-0 (1)
Unsigned until Sept. 17, Kareem Hunt cemented his place as the top running back for as long as Isiah Pacheco is sidelined by carrying 27 times for 102 yards in a 26-13 win against the Saints. Patrick Mahomes threw for 331 yards and helped the Chiefs have about an 18-minute advantage in time of possession. Harrison Butker kicked four field goals.
2. Minnesota Vikings 5-0 (2)
Sam Darnold did not torch his former team. And Aaron Jones left injured. So, the Vikings relied on their defense to intercept Aaron Rodgers three times in a 23-17 victory over the Jets in London. Andrew Van Ginkel returned his pick for a touchdown and Stephon Gilmore sealed the win with his in the red zone in the final minute.
3. Detroit Lions 3-1 (3)
Was it a bad time to have a bye? After going 2-1 in one-score games to start the season, the Lions’ offense was clicking on all cylinders in a 42-point outburst against the Seahawks in Week 4. But the defense is doing its part, too, with Aiden Hutchinson’s 6.5 sacks and Kerby Joseph’s three interceptions.
4. Houston Texans 4-1 (4)
Ka’imi Fairbairn’s tie-breaking 59-yard field goal as time expired helped ease the pain of blowing a 17-point lead and punctuated a 23-20 win against the Bills. Fairbairn also connected on kicks from 50 and 47 yards. Stefon Diggs had six catches for 82 of C.J. Stroud’s 331 passing yards in his first game against his former team.
5. Baltimore Ravens 3-2 (5)
Derrick Henry’s 51-yard run set up Justin Tucker’s 24-yard field goal to beat the Bengals, 41-38, in overtime. Henry’s game-changing run was the first play after a missed field goal. Lamar Jackson passed for 348 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 55 yard and another score, but he lost a fumble on the first possession of overtime.
6. Buffalo Bills 3-2 (6)
Josh Allen was off the mark all day in the loss to the Texans, completing 9-of-30 passes for 131 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown to Keon Coleman. Allen missed just one snap after his head bounced off the turf but he was diagnosed with a … a rolled ankle? James Cook ran for 82 yards and a touchdown.
7. Washington Commanders 4-1 (10)
No team has scored more points this season than the Commanders, who pounded the Browns, 34-13, for a fourth straight win. Daniels threw a 41-yard touchdown pass and was one of four rushers – along with Brian Robinson, Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols – who combined to carry 31 times for 211 yards. Daniels scored on the ground, too.
8. Atlanta Falcons 3-2 (12)
Kirk Cousins won over his new fanbase by throwing for a career-high 509 yards and four touchdowns – the last of which to KhaDarel Hodge was the overtime winner in a 36-30 victory against the Buccaneers. Cousins also drove the Falcons for the tying field goal as time expired in regulation by completing five passes in 1:14 with no timeouts.
9. Green Bay Packers 3-2 (14)
Jordan Love overcame the first pick-six of his career – a failed throw-away attempt – to complete his next nine passes, including two touchdowns to Tucker Kraft in a 24-19 win against the Rams. Xavier McKinney recovered a fumble and became the first player since 1970 with an interception in each of his first five games with a new team.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-2 (7)
Mike Evans joined the 100 career touchdowns club, catching two from Baker Mayfield in the overtime loss to the Falcons. It looked like the Buccaneers wrapped up a win when Lavonte David intercepted Cousins at Atlanta’s 28-yard line with 1:52 to play in the fourth quarter, but the Bucs somehow went backwards 14 yards and had to punt, never to regain possession.
11. Dallas Cowboys 3-2 (18)
12. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-2 (8)
13. Denver Broncos 3-2 (20)
14. Philadelphia Eagles 2-2 (13)
15. Los Angeles Chargers 2-2 (17)
16. Arizona Cardinals 2-3 (23)
17. San Francisco 49ers 2-3 (11)
18. Seattle Seahawks 3-2 (9)
19. Jets 2-3 (15)
An attempt to overcome a 17-point first-half deficit fell just short in a loss to the Vikings. Garrett Wilson broke out of his slow start with 13 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, but the Jets managed just 14 carries for 36 yards and Rodgers matched his career high with three interceptions. The offensive line can’t keep Rodgers upright, either.
20. New Orleans Saints 2-3 (16)
21. Chicago Bears 3-2 (21)
22. Giants 2-3 (27)
No Malik Nabers, no Devin Singletary, no problem. Daniel Jones threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns, and rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. ran for 129 yards to beat the Seahawks, 29-20. Isaiah Simmons blocked a field goal that was returned 60 yards for a victory-sealing touchdown to offset the earlier 102-yard fumble return touchdown by Seattle.