There were two massive upsets in Week 6 of the 2023 season that has caused a shake-up in our NFL power rankings going into Week 7.
The Cleveland Browns were an underdog against the San Francisco no matter what, but the absence of quarterback Deshaun Watson made them even more so.
However, Cleveland’s defense stepped up against a very good 49ers offense and Browns quarterback P.J. Walker did what he needed to and put his team over the top.
In East Rutherford, the visiting Philadelphia Eagles were road favorites over the New York Jets, but Gang Green put the clamps on Jalen Hurts and Co. and came up with a big play down the stretch to pull off an improbable victory.
With the Week 6 action in the books, let’s see how things look in our NFL power rankings going into Week 7.
32. Carolina Panthers (0-6) | Last week: 32
The Panthers got off to a good start against the Dolphins but sputtered after the first quarter. Carolina remains the only winless team in the NFL.
31. New York Giants (1-5) | Last week: 31
Another week, another bad offensive performance for the Giants. The return of Saquon Barkley makes New York better, sure, but not good enough to overcome everything else.
30. New England Patriots (1-5) | Last week: 30
The Pattriotss finally put some points on the board and even scored a few touchdowns, but that wasn’t enough to wash the stink off one of the worst teams in the NFL.
29. Chicago Bears (1-5) | Last week: 29
Just when the Bears looked to be getting their act together on offense, they struggle mightily against the Vikings and see Justin Fields suffer a hand injury.
28. Denver Broncos (1-5) | Last week: 28
The Broncos continue to be a disaster in every sense of the word. It would be shocking if Sean Payton doesn’t totally clean house, starting at this year’s trade deadline.
27. Arizona Cardinals (1-5) | Last week: 27
The Cardinals continue to fight tough but just don’t have the talent to beat most teams. This team might be real frisky down the stretch if Kyler Murray returns at some point.
26. Minnesota Vikings (2-4) | Last week: 26
The Vikings have won two of their last three, but those wins have come against two of the worst teams in the NFL in the Panthers and Bears — and they weren’t impressive, either.
25. Green Bay Packers (2-3) - BYE | Last week: 25
The Packers took the week off following back-to-back losses but have a great chance to right the ship against the lowly Denver Broncos in Week 7.
24. Tennessee Titans (2-4) | Last week: 19
The Titans went across the pond and threw up a stinker against the Ravens. We might get a look at Malik Willis or Will Levis if Ryan Tannehill misses time with his ankle injury. Tennessee gets a well-timed bye in Week 7.
23. Las Vegas Raiders (3-3) | Last week: 24
Josh McDaniels is now 3-0 against Bill Belichick and Las Vegas is now .500. However, it wasn’t all good, as Jimmy Garoppolo left this game with a potentially serious back injury and his status is up in the air.
22. New Orleans Saints (3-3) | Last week: 18
Another disappointing showing from the Saints’ offense, which has now tallied less than 20 points in four of six games. The defense has held up its end of the bargain.
21. Atlanta Falcons (3-3) | Last week: 17
Desmond Ridder’s awful end zone interception created a priceless Arthur Smith reaction. The Falcons desperately need better quarterback play if they want to make something out of 2023.
20. Indianapolis Colts (3-3) | Last week: 16
The Gardner Minshew revenge game didn’t go as planned and we also found out Anthony Richardson might need season-ending surgery. If Minshew’s performance on Sunday is what he’ll offer moving forward, Indy’s season won’t end well.
19. Washington Commanders (3-3) | Last week: 22
After an embarrassing loss in Week 6 against the Chicago Bears, the Commanders notched a bounce-back win over the Falcons. He has his flaws, but Sam Howell has been impressive overall this season.
18. Houston Texans (3-3) | Last week: 21
C.J. Stroud’s streak of not throwing interceptions ended but he also tossed a pair of scores and Houston’s defense stepped up big at home against the Saints.
17. New York Jets (3-3) | Last week: 23
The Jets’ talented defense did its thing an Zach Wilson didn’t screw anything up. That will be a recipe for success more often than not for Gang Green but the Jets remain an Aaron Rodgers miracle away from doing anything significant in 2023.
16. Los Angeles Chargers (2-3) | Last week: 14
15. Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) | Last week: 20
Joe Burrow and the offense certainly wasn’t at its best in Week 6 but the defense did its part to make sure it was enough against a good opponent in the Seahawks.
14. Los Angeles Rams (3-3) | Last week: 15
The Rams got back to .500 on the strength of a 20-0 second half versus the Arizona Cardinals. Los Angeles continues to be better than expected this season.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) | Last week: 10
The Bucs had a measuring-stick game against the Lions and fell short. Tampa Bay will have a tough divisional matchup against the Atlanta Falcons next week.
12. Baltimore Ravens (4-2) | Last week: 12
The Ravens went across the pond and handled the Titans with some defense and six field goals. They’re now sitting alone in first place with the Steelers, who beat them in Week 5, on bye.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) - BYE | Last week: 11
The Steelers rested up in Week 6 and now turn their attention to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7. Pittsburgh has a chance to win back-to-back contests for the second time this season.
10. Seattle Seahawks (3-2) | Last week: 6
The Seahawks had ample opportunity to escape with a win in Week 6 but continuously shot themselves in the foot. Not exactly the way Seattle wanted to come out of the bye.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) | Last week: 9
The Jags took care of business over old friend Gardner Minshew and the Colts. While all the attention was on the offense going into the season, Jacksonville’s defense might be its biggest bright spot right now.
8. Dallas Cowboys (4-2) | Last week: 8
7. Cleveland Browns (3-2) | Last week: 13
The Browns pulled off the biggest upset of the week over the Niners, and did it without Deshaun Watson under center. If Watson can get rolling consistently once healthy, the Browns have the defense to make noise.
6. Detroit Lions (5-1) | Last week: 7
The Lions just keep on rolling and are seeing impressive efforts from their defense, also. We’ll be keeping an eye on David Montgomery’s rib injury, as he’s a big piece of their offensive success.
5. Miami Dolphins (5-1) | Last week: 5
The Dolphins fell behind two scores early but then woke up, en route to outscoring the Panthers 42-7 over the final three quarters. Next week’s contest against the Eagles is another measuring-stick game.
4. Buffalo Bills (4-2) | Last week: 4
The Bills earned a bounce-back win, but it was an ugly one over a lowly Giants team. Prayers up for Buffalo running back Damien Harris, who suffered a scary injury.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (5-1) | Last week: 2
The Eagles are still one of the very best teams in the NFL but this offense isn’t quite there yet under new offensive coordinator Brian Johnson. Jalen Hurts has more picks through six games than he had all of last year.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1) | Last week: 3
The Chiefs have won five in a row since their season-opening loss. The scary thing for the rest of the league is, they’ve done so despite the offense not being at its best. Kansas City’s defense has been impressive.
1. San Francisco 49ers (5-1) | Last week: 1
Down weeks happen (especially on the road), so it’s hard to hold one game against the 49ers. They’ve looked like the best team in the NFL through six games and Sunday’s result didn’t change that. The bigger concerns are the health of Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams.
