New York, New York. Yeah, yeah, save your thoughts on geography placing the New York Giants and New York Jets‘ home field of MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The Giants and Jets play in the New York metropolitan market, and for the first time in a while, both teams are playing good football and hold winning records.

I’ve been doing Power Rankings for four or five years now, and I have never had both the Giants and Jets in the Top Ten. Heck, I’m not even sure the last time either of these teams sniffed the Top Ten before the Giants entered last week.

Of course, one team does play their home games in New York State: the Buffalo Bills (though their stadium is actually in Orchard Park, NY, so like, give the Giants and Jets the same leeway if you say the Bills are from Buffalo. Josh Allen and the Bills won in an incredibly tough environment in Kansas City, edging the Chiefs 24-20 on Sunday afternoon to improve to 5-1 on the season.

Where do these three New York teams rank? Is the Bills resume enough to put them above the 6-0 Philadelphia Eagles? Do the New York Giants leapfrog the Baltimore Ravens after upsetting them in Week 6, and did the New York Jets pass the Green Bay Packers after their big road win?

Read on to find out, and if you’d like to debate or discuss any rankings, join the conversation with @SakSports on Twitter.

Post-Week 6 Power Rankings

  1. Buffalo Bills (5-1) [Last Week: 1]
    • The Buffalo Bills come in on top for the sixth straight week. Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs (10 catches, 148 yards, TD) walked in to Arrowhead Stadium and came out with a win over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Buffalo holds an NFL-best +96 point differential (39 points higher than the next team: Philadelphia) and hasn’t lost since a short-handed Week 3 thriller loss to the Dolphins.
  2. Philadelphia Eagles (6-0) [Last Week: 2]
    • Don’t get me wrong, the Philadelphia Eagles are clearly an elite team this season, the second-best in the NFL by my measure. Buffalo simply as stronger victories and a resume of wins over stronger opponents. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles outlasted the Cooper Rush and the Cowboys 26-17, but nearly squandered a 20-3 lead.
  3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) [Last Week: 3]
    • For pretty much any other team in the NFL, losing to the Bills by four points would hardly be demoralizing. But for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to lose at home and score just 20 points isn’t a great indicator when comparing this team to previous years. But fear not Chiefs fan: even in a “down year” for the offense, Kansas City has still scored the most points in the NFL (179.) But their defense has been suspect, allowing 149 points through six weeks.
  4. New York Giants (5-1) [Last Week: 7]
    • After beating Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in London, followed by a 10-point comeback win over Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, the New York Giants have officially put the NFL on notice. Loads of credit has to go to new head coach Brian Daboll, who is making more happen with a very similar roster that Joe Judge could barely win a game with. A healthy and active Saquon Barkley (22 rushes, 83 yards, go-ahead TD) doesn’t hurt either.
SEE ALSO: Fourth Quarter Comeback Lifts Giants to 24-20 Win over Ravens to Improve to 5-1
  1. Minnesota Vikings (5-1) [Last Week: 8]
    • While the NFL raves about the Giants, Jets, and Cowboys unlikely hot starts, the 5-1 Minnesota Vikings still seem a little under the radar. Minnesota hasn’t beaten as many elite opponents (but did smack the Packers 23-7 in Week 1) and likes to sweat games out, winning four straight games by one score. But Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and the Vikings offense has put up 24-29 points in each win, with the defense never allowing more than 25 points. It’s a tight model, but if the Vikings keep it up on offense and defense at these rates, more wins could be in the pipeline. And don’t look now, but Minnesota already has a two-game lead over Green Bay with a head-to-head win to boot.
  2. Baltimore Ravens (3-3) [Last Week: 4]
    • I feel like I’m always defending the Baltimore Ravens, and while 3-3 definitely isn’t a good look, the sky isn’t falling yet in Maryland. The Ravens three losses have all come by one score, to quality opponents (a 42-38 shootout loss to the Dolphins when Tua was popping off, a 23-20 loss to the Bills, and this week’s 24-20 loss to the upstart Giants.) Obviously Baltimore needs to find a way to win these close games, but by virtue of a 19-17 win over the Bengals, the Ravens are in first place right now at 3-3.
  3. Dallas Cowboys (4-2) [Last Week: 6]
    • The Dallas Cowboys gave the undefeated Eagles a good fight in the second half, but fell 26-17 on Monday Night Football. Still, the Cowboys are staying afloat, with a 4-1 record during Cooper Rush’s tenure as the starter. Getting Dak Prescott back, which sounds imminent, should only make the Cowboys even more dangerous.
  4. New York Jets (4-2) [Last Week: 16]
    • A week after blowing out a short-handed Dolphins squad, Zach Wilson and the New York Jets officially put themselves on the map with a shocking 27-10 upset of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at Lambeau Field. The Jets are now 3-0 with Wilson in the lineup this season, as well as 3-0 on the road.
  5. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2) [Last Week: 9]
    • Justin Herbert failed to throw a touchdown pass despite 57 pass attempts, an NFL record for most pass attempts in a game without a touchdown. The Los Angeles Chargers fell behind 10-0 to the Broncos on Monday Night Football, but battled back to force overtime and eventually win by a field goal. Despite a 4-2 record, the Chargers have been outscored by 11 points this season, and have been underwhelming (compared to expectations) both offensively and defensively.
  6. Tennessee Titans (3-2) [Last Week: 13]
    • The Tennessee Titans had a bye in Week 6, and rise in these rankings because they didn’t get a chance to showcase inconsistency, unlike many other teams that played this week. Ryan Tannheill, Derrick Henry, and the Titans are riding a three-game winning streak after starting 0-2.
  7. Cincinnati Bengals (3-3) [Last Week: 12]
    • The Cincinnati Bengals offense broke out in the Superdome, with Joe Burrow throwing for 300 yards and three touchdowns, and second-year receiver Ja’Marr Chase hauling in seven catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals narrowly outlasted the Saints 30-26 are now 3-1 in their last four games.
  8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) [Last Week: 5]
    • With three losses in the last four weeks, and a 21-15 win over the Falcons that was closer than it should have been sandwiched in, something is off with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season. While the Buccaneers first two losses were to future Hall of Fame quarterbacks (Rodgers, Mahomes,) Tampa Bay lost 20-18 to rookie Kenny Pickett in Week 6.
  9. Green Bay Packers (3-3) [Last Week: 10]
    • After three straight dominant seasons, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers have been sluggish to start the 2022-23 season. Blame it on many things: Davante Adams departure, Nathaniel Hackett leaving for Denver, a general lack of weapons at Rodgers’ disposal. This week’s 27-10 home loss to the Jets was shocking, but a 3-3, Green Bay still comes in at #13 in these Power Rankings: there aren’t more than 12 teams I trust more than the Packers right now.
  10. San Francisco 49ers (3-3) [Last Week: 11]
    • The San Francisco 49ers’ up-and-down play continues, following up last week’s big 37-15 win over the Panthers with a 28-14 loss to Marcus Mariota and the Falcons in Week 6.
  11. Los Angeles Rams (3-3) [Last Week: 15]
    • The Los Angeles Rams got back in the win column with a win over… P.J. Walker and a Panthers team that just fired their head coach. Did I mention the Rams trailed 10-7 at halftime? Jokes aside, Los Angeles’ ability to turn it on in the second half and score the game’s final 17 points to win 24-10 was a welcome development.
  12. Atlanta Falcons (3-3) [Last Week: 24]
    • I still have no idea what to make of the Atlanta Falcons, but with a 3-3 record, three wins in their last four games, and a decisive 28-14 win over the 49ers in Week 6, I felt the need to move them much higher up. Atlanta has scored the sixth-most points in the NFL through six weeks.
  13. Seattle Seahawks (3-3) [Last Week: 22]
    • The Seattle Seahawks continue their unlikely rise up these Power Rankings, but more importantly, sit tied for first place in the NFC West, just like we all expected. Geno Smith continues to exceed expectations, and the Seahawks defense held Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense at bay in a 19-9 win in Seattle.
  1. Indianapolis Colts (3-2-1) [Last Week: 20]
    • The Indianapolis Colts are heating up, with a 3-1 record in their last four games. In Week 6, the Colts outlasted the Jaguars 34-27 behind three Matt Ryan touchdown passes to improve to 3-2-1.
  2. New England Patriots (3-3) [Last Week: 23]
    • The New England Patriots are on fire, winning by a combined score of 67-15 over the last two weeks. With a sort of hodge-podge roster and backup rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe (a fourth round 2022 selection out of Western Kentucky) it’s hard not to put praise on Bill Belichick for figuring out how to make things wok these past two weeks.
  3. Arizona Cardinals (2-4) [Last Week: 14]
    • Even without Deandre Hopkins, the Arizona Cardinals had the tools to sat least stay afloat during his six-week suspension. That’s what makes last week’s narrow loss to the Eagles and this week’s upsetting 19-9 loss to the Seahawks sting even more: Arizona could have had a 3-3 or 4-2 record through six weeks. Next week, Hopkins is back, but there will also be another change: Marquise Brown is out for the season, and Arizona has compensated by trading for Panthers wide receiver Robbie Anderson.
SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Cardinals Acquire WR Robby Anderson from Panthers
  1. New Orleans Saints (2-4) [Last Week: 21]
    • The New Orleans Saints offense continued to churn with Andy Dalton in the lineup, putting up a solid 26 points, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with Joe Burrow (3 Pass TD, 1 Rush TD) and the Bengals, who scored 30.
  2. Las Vegas Raiders (1-4) [Last Week: 18]
    • The Las Vegas Raiders had a bye this week, and have a winnable game against the Texans at home in Week 7.
  3. Miami Dolphins (3-3) [Last Week: 17]
    • With a revolving door at quarterback due to injury concerns, the Miami Dolphins have struggled mightily the last two weeks, losing 24-16 to the Vikings this week. But Tua Tagovailoa is expected back in the lineup next week, just in time for a Sunday Night Football matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
  4. Cleveland Browns (2-4) [Last Week: 19]
    • After a 2-1 start, the Cleveland Browns have dropped three straight games. The first two were by three points or less, but this week’s loss came in crushing 38-15 fashion at the hands of the Patriots.
  5. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4) [Last Week: 30]
    • The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the Buccaneers 20-18 in Week 6, but I’m not ready to crown this team, nor rookie Kenny Pickett, yet.
  6. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4) [Last Week: 27]
    • Trevor Lawrence led the offense to 27 points on the road, but Matt Ryan and the Colts outlasted Jacksonville 34-27 in a back-and-forth affair.
  7. Washington Commanders (2-4) [Last Week: 28]
    • The Washington Commanders came out on top 12-7 in an ugly “somebody has to win” Thursday Night Football matchup with the Bears. Carson Wentz is now out 4-6 weeks with a broken finger, ushering in last year’s unlikely solid quarterback option: Taylor Heinicke.
  8. Denver Broncos (2-4) [Last Week: 29]
    • Appearing on prime time for the fourth time in six weeks, the Denver Broncos lost another tight battle, falling to the Chargers 19-16 in overtime for their second straight primetime, overtime loss. It appeared Russell Wilson and the offense had figured something out after gaining a 10-0 first quarter lead, but the Broncos scored just six points over the next three quarters. But darn it, this defense is stingy, and Denver is in almost every game they play until the bitter end.
  9. Detroit Lions (1-4) [Last Week: 26]
    • The Detroit Lions were on bye this week, and travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys in Week 7 in what could be Dak Prescott’s return game.
  10. Chicago Bears (2-4) [Last Week: 25]
    • Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears had am embarrassing 7-point performance on Thursday Night Football, but hey, at leas the defense held the Commanders to 12 points.. right?
  11. Houston Texans (1-3-1) [Last Week: 31]
    • The Houston Texans had an early bye after their Week 5 win over the Jaguars, and travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders in Week 7.
  12. Carolina Panthers (1-5) [Last Week: 32]
    • The dumpster fire Carolina Panthers lost 24-10 to the Rams in Week 6, and a week after firing head coach Matt Rhule, Carolina traded Robbie Anderson to the Cardinals as the next step in their rebuilding process. Could the Panthers actually entertain offers on superstar running back Christian McCaffrey?

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Header Photo Credits: Fansided/Buffalowdown, Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports, Giants Wire/USA Today

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Posted on 0 By Billy Sakmann NFL Posted in NFL, Sak Sports Blog Tagged #, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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