NFL Power Rankings After Week 6: 49ers Stay No. 1, Browns Soar

Football Nation Week 7 power rankings

San Francisco remains No. 1 after completing a 6 and 0 start, while Kansas City moves to No. 2 after pairing the league's best yards per play figure with a dominant defensive result. Cleveland makes the largest jump after holding Baltimore to 10 points. Houston, Carolina, New Orleans and Arizona also force major corrections with meaningful Week 6 wins.

This ranking was completed Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 7:03 AM Central after every Week 6 game reached FINAL. Records and latest results were checked against the official NFL Week 6 schedule and cross checked against ESPN's Week 6 scoreboard. Team efficiency was checked from TeamRankings using the 2026 season through Monday night's final.

Football Nation ranks current team quality, not record alone. The order weighs opponent quality, recent form, average scoring margin, points per game, yards per play, third down and red zone efficiency, turnover margin, sack rate and the clearest current path to winning. Player availability is not assumed beyond confirmed game results. Week 7 practice reports remain the next injury checkpoint.

Biggest Week 6 movers

Cleveland rises 13 places after beating Baltimore, Houston rises 11 after winning in London, Carolina rises nine after controlling Philadelphia, and New Orleans and Arizona each rise eight after important conference wins. Seattle falls eight after a second straight loss, while idle Detroit drops six because several teams added stronger current evidence.

All 32 NFL teams ranked

1. San Francisco 49ers (6 and 0) | Previous: 1 | No change

Latest final: San Francisco 23, Washington 17. The 49ers remain the only six win team and own the best average scoring margin at plus 12.2. They also lead the league at 51.52 percent on third down, finish 85 percent of red zone trips with touchdowns and gain 6.4 yards per play. The concern is that the Commanders stayed within one score. Next: at Atlanta. Football Nation verdict: the most complete resume still belongs at No. 1.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (5 and 0) | Previous: 3 | Up 1

Latest final: Kansas City 22, Los Angeles Chargers 6. The Chiefs lead the league at 6.7 yards per play, carry a plus 11.4 average scoring margin and protect possessions well enough to post a plus 1.0 turnover margin per game. Holding the Chargers to six points adds a defensive answer to the elite efficiency. The concern is a 56.52 percent red zone touchdown rate. Next: at Seattle. Football Nation verdict: Kansas City moves ahead of idle Minnesota.

3. Minnesota Vikings (5 and 0) | Previous: 2 | Down 1

Latest final before the bye: Minnesota 23, New Orleans 13. The Vikings remain unbeaten with a plus 9.0 average scoring margin, a league best plus 1.2 turnover margin per game and a league best 9.83 percent sack rate. The concern is an offense averaging only 4.6 yards per play. Next: Indianapolis. Football Nation verdict: the defense and possession profile preserve an elite ranking, but Kansas City added a complete win while Minnesota rested.

4. Buffalo Bills (5 and 1) | Previous: 5 | Up 1

Latest final: Buffalo 33, Las Vegas 30. Buffalo leads the league at 32.8 points per game, gains 6.5 yards per play and converts 47.62 percent of third downs. That offense can survive a close game even when the defense does not control it. The concern is a minus 0.5 turnover margin per game and only a plus 4.3 average scoring margin. Next: Week 7 bye. Football Nation verdict: the highest scoring offense earns the top four spot.

5. Green Bay Packers (4 and 2) | Previous: 9 | Up 4

Latest final: Green Bay 23, Dallas 13. The Packers have won consecutive games by double digits and own a plus 0.7 turnover margin per game. Their season scoring margin is only plus 0.3, but the current form is much stronger than the full six game average. The concern is a 35.53 percent third down rate and only 4.5 yards per play in the latest win. Next: at Detroit. Football Nation verdict: Green Bay is the hottest four win team.

6. New England Patriots (4 and 2) | Previous: 8 | Up 2

Latest final: New England 26, New York Jets 19. The Patriots have followed a road win in Buffalo and a 45 point outburst against Las Vegas with another divisional win. They gain 5.8 yards per play and have a plus 3.8 average scoring margin despite a minus 1.0 turnover margin per game. The concern is that repeated giveaways leave little margin against better opponents. Next: at Chicago on Thursday. Football Nation verdict: the form supports a top six ranking.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (4 and 2) | Previous: 12 | Up 5

Latest final: Pittsburgh 26, Tampa Bay 19. Pittsburgh has won two straight and now owns a plus 1.5 average scoring margin with a plus 0.5 turnover margin per game. The defense creates a stable weekly floor, and the pass rush produces a 7.37 percent sack rate. The concern is an offense gaining 5.0 yards per play and converting only 32.89 percent of third downs. Next: at New Orleans. Football Nation verdict: winning without offensive dominance moves Pittsburgh into the top ten.

8. Carolina Panthers (3 and 2) | Previous: 17 | Up 9

Latest final: Carolina 25, Philadelphia 14. Carolina is fourth in scoring at 29.2 points per game, gains 5.9 yards per play and finishes 66.67 percent of red zone trips with touchdowns. The Panthers also own a plus 4.6 average scoring margin after beating another conference opponent by double digits. The concern is a modest 38.81 percent third down rate. Next: Tampa Bay. Football Nation verdict: the offensive profile and Week 6 control demand a major rise.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars (4 and 2) | Previous: 4 | Down 5

Latest final: Houston 34, Jacksonville 31. Jacksonville still owns a plus 8.3 average scoring margin, gains 5.8 yards per play and converts 47.95 percent of third downs. The concern is that a home loss to a one win opponent exposed a defense that could not protect a late scoring pace. Next: Week 7 bye. Football Nation verdict: the full body of work remains strong, but the Texans loss removes Jacksonville from the top five.

10. Cleveland Browns (4 and 2) | Previous: 23 | Up 13

Latest final: Cleveland 13, Baltimore 10. Cleveland has four wins and an 8.44 percent sack rate, and the defense just held an offense averaging 26 points to its lowest output of the season. The concern is still severe: the Browns score only 17.7 points per game, gain 4.5 yards per play and own a minus 2.7 average scoring margin. Next: at Tennessee. Football Nation verdict: a quality divisional win produces the week's biggest rise, but the offense caps the ceiling.

11. Baltimore Ravens (4 and 2) | Previous: 6 | Down 5

Latest final: Cleveland 13, Baltimore 10. Baltimore still gains 6.0 yards per play, averages 26 points and finishes 71.43 percent of red zone trips with touchdowns. The concern is that those season strengths vanished against Cleveland, where the Ravens managed only 10 points and lost the turnover battle. Next: Cincinnati. Football Nation verdict: the ceiling remains high, but an ugly divisional loss requires a drop outside the top ten.

12. Denver Broncos (4 and 2) | Previous: 13 | Up 1

Latest final: Denver 17, Seattle 14 in overtime. Denver has won four straight and pairs a plus 0.7 turnover margin per game with a 7.69 percent sack rate. The concern is an offense at 19 points and 4.4 yards per play, which leaves the defense responsible for almost every close finish. Next: at Arizona. Football Nation verdict: four wins and repeated late execution outweigh the negative season scoring margin.

13. Detroit Lions (3 and 2) | Previous: 7 | Down 6

Latest final before the bye: Detroit 45, Arizona 21. Detroit shares the league scoring lead at 32.8 points per game, gains 5.9 yards per play, scores touchdowns on 77.27 percent of red zone trips and owns a plus 0.8 turnover margin per game. The concern is not performance but opportunity: six teams added meaningful Week 6 wins while Detroit rested. Next: Green Bay. Football Nation verdict: the Lions remain dangerous despite the temporary slide.

14. Chicago Bears (4 and 2) | Previous: 15 | Up 1

Latest final: Chicago 31, Atlanta 23. Chicago owns a plus 5.2 average scoring margin, converts 45.45 percent of third downs and produces a 9.44 percent sack rate. The Week 6 win also came with a plus two turnover edge, an important response after the Green Bay loss. The concern is inconsistent offensive efficiency at 5.3 yards per play. Next: New England on Thursday. Football Nation verdict: the Bears are back in the upper half with a direct chance to climb.

15. Cincinnati Bengals (3 and 2) | Previous: 10 | Down 5

Latest final before the bye: Cincinnati 31, Miami 24. The Bengals convert 50 percent of third downs, produce a 9.19 percent sack rate and maintain a plus 3.8 average scoring margin. The concern is that several teams added better Week 6 evidence while Cincinnati rested, and the most recent win came against winless Miami. Next: at Baltimore. Football Nation verdict: Cincinnati remains a credible playoff team but needs a divisional road result to regain the top ten.

16. Houston Texans (2 and 4) | Previous: 27 | Up 11

Latest final: Houston 34, Jacksonville 31 in London. Houston gains 5.7 yards per play, owns a plus 0.5 turnover margin per game and has scored 30 points per game across its last three. The concern is the 2 and 4 record and only a plus 0.2 average scoring margin. Next: New York Giants. Football Nation verdict: a road upset of a four win opponent confirms that the current Texans are better than their early record.

17. New York Giants (3, 2 and 1) | Previous: 16 | Down 1

Latest final: New Orleans 34, New York 27. The Giants remain above .500 and average 22.7 points, but the latest defeat included a minus three turnover margin and pushed the season scoring margin to minus 0.7. The concern is that 41.67 percent third down efficiency cannot overcome repeated short fields for the opponent. Next: at Houston. Football Nation verdict: the tie and three wins preserve a middle tier position, but the ball security must improve.

18. Las Vegas Raiders (3 and 3) | Previous: 14 | Down 4

Latest final: Buffalo 33, Las Vegas 30. The Raiders average 27 points, gained 6.2 yards per play in the latest game and pushed a five win opponent to the final possession. The concern is a zero average scoring margin and a minus 1.0 turnover margin per game across the last three. Next: Los Angeles Rams. Football Nation verdict: the competitive Buffalo loss prevents a deeper fall, but three defeats eliminate the top half case.

19. Seattle Seahawks (3 and 3) | Previous: 11 | Down 8

Latest final: Denver 17, Seattle 14 in overtime. Seattle owns a plus 4.3 average scoring margin and an 8.16 percent sack rate, but the offense has fallen to 4.5 yards per play across the last three games. The Week 6 loss also included a minus three turnover margin. Next: Kansas City. Football Nation verdict: the defense remains competitive, but two straight losses and offensive regression force a sharp drop.

20. New Orleans Saints (2 and 4) | Previous: 28 | Up 8

Latest final: New Orleans 34, New York Giants 27. The Saints score touchdowns on 84.21 percent of red zone trips, second best in the league, and created a plus three turnover advantage in the Week 6 win. The concern is 4.8 yards per play and a minus 4.3 average scoring margin across the season. Next: Pittsburgh in Paris. Football Nation verdict: the Giants win and elite finishing rate move New Orleans out of the bottom tier.

21. Arizona Cardinals (2 and 4) | Previous: 29 | Up 8

Latest final: Arizona 18, Los Angeles Rams 16. Arizona earned a road divisional win and generates a 7.53 percent sack rate, giving the defense a repeatable path to close games. The concern is a minus 8.7 average scoring margin, 4.6 yards per play and a red zone touchdown rate below 48 percent. Next: Denver. Football Nation verdict: beating the Rams matters, but the season efficiency keeps Arizona below the middle tier.

22. Los Angeles Rams (2 and 4) | Previous: 18 | Down 4

Latest final: Arizona 18, Los Angeles 16. The Rams still gain 5.9 yards per play, convert 44 percent of third downs and own only a minus 0.5 average scoring margin, all better than the record suggests. The concern is finishing: they scored 16 against a defense that entered with one win and failed to turn efficiency into points. Next: at Las Vegas. Football Nation verdict: the underlying offense prevents a collapse, but four losses require a lower rank.

23. Atlanta Falcons (2 and 4) | Previous: 19 | Down 4

Latest final: Chicago 31, Atlanta 23. Atlanta gains 5.7 yards per play and scores touchdowns on 75 percent of red zone trips, but the offense did not receive enough possessions after a minus two turnover day. The season turnover margin is now minus 1.2 per game, worst in the league. Next: San Francisco. Football Nation verdict: explosive ability keeps Atlanta dangerous, but giveaways and four losses place it in the lower third.

24. Dallas Cowboys (2 and 4) | Previous: 20 | Down 4

Latest final: Green Bay 23, Dallas 13. Dallas gains 5.5 yards per play, converts 47.22 percent of third downs and owns a 77.27 percent red zone touchdown rate. The concern is that those strong drive numbers have produced a minus 1.3 average scoring margin because the Cowboys carry a minus 0.7 turnover margin per game and scored only 13 in Green Bay. Next: at Philadelphia. Football Nation verdict: efficiency offers hope, but the record and recent finish demand a fall.

25. New York Jets (2 and 4) | Previous: 21 | Down 4

Latest final: New England 26, New York 19. The Jets own a plus 0.7 turnover margin per game and an 8.13 percent sack rate, but the offense averages only 18.7 points and 4.9 yards per play. The concern is that the defense did not turn those pressure and possession advantages into a divisional win. Next: Miami. Football Nation verdict: the Jets have enough defense to escape the bottom tier, but the offense limits the ranking.

26. Philadelphia Eagles (2 and 4) | Previous: 22 | Down 4

Latest final: Carolina 25, Philadelphia 14. Philadelphia has lost four straight, gains a league low 4.4 yards per play and owns a minus 5.2 average scoring margin. The 68.75 percent red zone touchdown rate matters only when the offense reaches the scoring area often enough. Next: Dallas on Monday night. Football Nation verdict: the Eagles remain ahead of the bottom six because of early wins, but the current form is among the league's worst.

27. Indianapolis Colts (2 and 4) | Previous: 24 | Down 3

Latest final: Tennessee 26, Indianapolis 20. The Colts average 24 points but gain only 4.7 yards per play and own a league worst minus 1.3 turnover margin per game. Losing at home to a previously winless division opponent erased the benefit of the scoring average. Next: at Minnesota. Football Nation verdict: the offense can create points, but giveaways and a minus 3.3 average scoring margin make Indianapolis difficult to trust.

28. Tennessee Titans (1 and 5) | Previous: 32 | Up 4

Latest final: Tennessee 26, Indianapolis 20. The Titans earned their first win with a plus two turnover margin and continue to create pressure with a 7.84 percent sack rate. The concern is the full season profile: 14 points per game, 4.5 yards per play and a minus 7.5 average scoring margin. Next: Cleveland. Football Nation verdict: the Week 6 upset gets Tennessee out of last place, but one win does not erase five difficult weeks.

29. Washington Commanders (1, 4 and 1) | Previous: 25 | Down 4

Latest final: San Francisco 23, Washington 17. The Commanders stayed close to the No. 1 team and own a plus 1.0 turnover margin per game, but the record is now 1, 4 and 1 with a minus 6.8 average scoring margin. The concern is converting favorable possession into wins while gaining 5.1 yards per play. Next: Week 7 bye. Football Nation verdict: competitiveness against San Francisco prevents a larger drop, but the win total controls the placement.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 and 5) | Previous: 26 | Down 4

Latest final: Pittsburgh 26, Tampa Bay 19. The Buccaneers have lost five straight and average 19.8 points with 4.7 yards per play. Their last three games show more competitiveness, but the season turnover margin remains minus 0.5 per game and the red zone touchdown rate is below 48 percent. Next: at Carolina. Football Nation verdict: the effort is better than the record, but repeated losses keep Tampa near the bottom.

31. Miami Dolphins (0 and 5) | Previous: 31 | No change

Latest final before the bye: Cincinnati 31, Miami 24. Miami gains 5.1 yards per play, a respectable figure for a winless team, but averages only 14 points and owns a league worst minus 12.4 average scoring margin. The minus 0.8 turnover margin per game compounds the problem. Next: at New York Jets. Football Nation verdict: the bye offered time to reset, but Miami needs a win before the ranking can move.

32. Los Angeles Chargers (0 and 6) | Previous: 30 | Down 2

Latest final: Kansas City 22, Los Angeles 6. The Chargers are the league's only six loss team, average 15 points, gain 4.6 yards per play and own a minus 10.2 average scoring margin. They also failed to create a sack or a red zone touchdown in the latest game. Next: Week 7 bye. Football Nation verdict: Miami has one fewer loss and a slightly better yards per play figure, leaving Los Angeles at No. 32.

Football Nation conclusion

San Francisco owns the best complete resume, Kansas City owns the strongest per play offense, and Minnesota remains the most stable defensive challenger. The next fault line is the large group from Green Bay through Cincinnati. Week 7 gives that group direct tests, including Patriots at Bears, Packers at Lions and Bengals at Ravens. The fact most likely to change the top three is Minnesota's response after the bye while Kansas City visits a Seattle team that still owns a positive scoring margin.

Source record and factual cutoff

Official NFL Week 6 schedule and final scores. Checked October 20, 2026 at 7:03 AM Central.

Official NFL Week 7 schedule and opponents. Checked October 20, 2026 at 7:03 AM Central.

ESPN Week 6 scoreboard. Cross check performed October 20, 2026 at 7:03 AM Central.

TeamRankings points per game. 2026 season through Week 6, checked October 20, 2026 at 7:03 AM Central.

TeamRankings average scoring margin. 2026 season through Week 6, checked October 20, 2026 at 7:03 AM Central.

TeamRankings yards per play. 2026 season through Week 6, checked October 20, 2026 at 7:03 AM Central.

TeamRankings third down conversion rate. 2026 season through Week 6, checked October 20, 2026 at 7:03 AM Central.

TeamRankings red zone touchdown rate. 2026 season through Week 6, checked October 20, 2026 at 7:03 AM Central.

TeamRankings turnover margin per game. 2026 season through Week 6, checked October 20, 2026 at 7:03 AM Central.

TeamRankings sack rate. 2026 season through Week 6, checked October 20, 2026 at 7:03 AM Central.