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NFL Nation, ESPN
Welcome to Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season.
The Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens secured large wins in Week 6 over the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders, respectively. In the meantime, the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots all misplaced to maneuver to 1-5 on the season. How do all 32 groups stack up now after the motion?
We have up to date the rankings, and our NFL Nation reporters picked one lesson that we have discovered from each workforce thus far this season. Which groups and gamers are overperforming — or underperforming? What has — and hasn’t — labored out by means of six weeks?
Let’s try the brand new 1-32 rankings beneath.
Our energy panel of greater than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluates how NFL groups stack up in opposition to each other, rating them from 1 to 32.
Earlier rankings: Preseason | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6
Leap to a workforce:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Week 6 rating: 1
Lesson discovered: Protection will carry the Chiefs.
For all the Chiefs’ offseason plans to return to their high-scoring methods, it is turning into evident their protection should carry the load after which some if they’re to win one other Tremendous Bowl. The Chiefs are once more center of the pack (fifteenth) in scoring per recreation (23.6 factors). However Kansas Metropolis’s protection is sixth in factors allowed per recreation (17) and has held every opponent, together with 4 of the NFL’s prime 11 scoring groups, beneath its season common. — Adam Teicher
Week 6 rating: 2
Lesson discovered: Wait till the Vikings play the video games.
Minnesota was a preseason consensus choose not solely to complete final within the NFC North however to take action with a document beneath .500 — partly due to a brutal opening to its schedule. Mathematically, each projections may nonetheless come true. However at 5-0, Minnesota is greater than midway to making sure a profitable document in 2024. The Vikings have additionally dominated their opponents with an NFL-high 63-point scoring differential. — Kevin Seifert
Week 6 rating: 4
Lesson discovered: The Lions’ floor assault is elite.
Working behind a powerful offensive line, Detroit’s two-headed monster in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs is arguably the perfect RB duo within the league. After a 47-9 win in Dallas, they turned the primary working again duo to every produce 70 or extra scrimmage yards in every of the primary 5 video games of a season. Montgomery additionally broke Billy Sims’ (1980-81) franchise mark with eight consecutive video games with a dashing landing. Detroit’s stable dashing assault additionally helps open the sphere for large targets by WRs Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown and TE Sam LaPorta. — Eric Woodyard
Week 6 rating: 3
Lesson discovered: The Texans can win within the clutch.
Houston is undefeated in one-score video games as 4 of their 5 wins have been inside one possession, together with two on game-winning drives. The Texans confirmed they may win a nasty slugfest in Week 5 against the Bills. Houston confirmed it may win a shootout in Week 1 against the Colts. The Texans protection closed out the Bears on the final drive in Week 2. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned the explanation for his or her success is that they make performs in situational soccer. — DJ Bien-Aime
Week 6 rating: 5
Lesson discovered: The Ravens will go so far as the offense takes them.
QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry have the Ravens ranked because the No. 1 offense, and it might want to keep this dominant for Baltimore to make a championship run. The protection is struggling in opposition to the go and giving up 24.8 factors per recreation, the third most in workforce historical past after six video games. The Ravens are 4-0 this yr after they rating 24 or extra factors. They’re 0-2 when being held to 23 or fewer. The season rests on the productiveness of the offense. — Jamison Hensley
1:34
Belichick impressed with what he has seen from Ravens
Invoice Belichick explains to Pat McAfee what’s working properly for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense.
Week 6 rating: 6
Lesson discovered: Do not overreact.
Should not this be a lesson for each workforce yearly? The Payments began the season with large highs by scoring 30-plus factors in three straight wins. However large lows adopted with a lopsided loss to the Ravens and missed alternatives against the Texans. The Payments have some new gamers, so pure rising pains are anticipated. That is additionally a bunch that has a current historical past of selecting up its efficiency close to the top of the common season. — Alaina Getzenberg
Week 6 rating: 8
Lesson discovered: QB Baker Mayfield and OC Liam Coen are a harmful mixture.
The Bucs put up 44 factors of offense (in addition they had a fumble restoration for a landing to make it 51 whole) Sunday against the Saints — a workforce that was giving up only a 25% crimson zone scoring price, the perfect mark within the NFL — they usually’re tied for an NFL-leading 178 offensive factors scored. Their 594 internet yards of offense Sunday was a franchise document. — Jenna Laine
Week 6 rating: 9
Lesson discovered: The Packers’ protection can take the ball away.
Inexperienced Bay would not rank within the prime 10 within the league in yards allowed per recreation, passing yards per recreation, dashing yards per carry, third-down cease share or crimson zone protection. Nonetheless, the Packers lead the league with 17 takeaways, together with one on particular groups. It is probably the most by means of six video games of an NFL season for the reason that Bears had been on the identical tempo in 2018. The one query is that if/when the Packers get to the postseason they usually’re taking part in the highest groups, can they nonetheless take the ball away? — Rob Demovsky
Week 6 rating: 7
Lesson discovered: Rookie QB Jayden Daniels is legit.
A franchise that has sought a solution at quarterback for many years can lastly breathe straightforward. It is not simply that Daniels ranks third in QBR (73.6) after six video games or that he has thrown for 1,404 yards and 6 touchdowns and rushed for an extra 322 and 4 scores. It is all about how he continues to develop due to the preparation he does throughout the week, and the way he is creating the next degree of chemistry together with his receivers, notably Terry McLaurin. As coach Dan Quinn mentioned following Sunday’s loss to Baltimore, “There’s numerous perception in him.” — John Keim
Week 6 rating: 13
Lesson discovered: Nothing will come straightforward for the 49ers.
In 2023, San Francisco ran roughshod over opponents, profitable 12 regular-season video games by a second-best common of 19.08 factors, with a third-best 11.35 common level differential in all video games. These Niners had been wholesome and loaded with stars. With out RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles), DT Javon Hargrave (triceps), LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles), S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) and others due to damage, this yr’s version is decidedly not. That has left San Francisco in additional tight video games. By means of six weeks, San Francisco has misplaced three one-score video games and has a 5.33 common level differential. It might want to begin pulling a number of the shut video games out to make one other playoff run. — Nick Wagoner
Week 6 rating: 15
Lesson discovered: The offensive id is a piece in progress.
By hiring OC Arthur Smith within the offseason, the Steelers appeared to sign they needed to be a ground-and-pound workforce. However earlier than the Week 6 win over Las Vegas, the offense did not constantly transfer the ball on the bottom. Najee Harris‘ 106 dashing yards Sunday — a part of a season-best 183 workforce whole — may imply the start of a working renaissance. Or the tide may flip if coach Mike Tomlin opts to interchange QB Justin Fields with a now-healthy Russell Wilson to jump-start the passing recreation, which ranks twenty eighth with 166.8 yards per recreation. Nonetheless, the workforce’s offensive id is but to be revealed by means of six video games. — Brooke Pryor
Week 6 rating: 14
Lesson discovered: The Falcons might be versatile offensively.
In Week 5, QB Kirk Cousins threw for a franchise-record 509 yards in opposition to the division rival Buccaneers. He did not want to copy that efficiency Sunday in opposition to the Panthers, for the reason that Falcons ran for a complete of 198 yards, led by RB Tyler Allgeier‘s 105 yards and a landing. Bijan Robinson added 95 yards on the bottom and a pair of touchdowns. After a gradual begin offensively, Atlanta appears to have discovered its groove. The workforce is eighth within the league in yards per recreation (368.3) and WR Drake London is tied for second within the NFL in receiving touchdowns (4). — Marc Raimondi
Week 6 rating: 11
Lesson discovered: It’ll be a bumpy journey.
Coming off a 1-6 collapse to finish final season, the one manner coach Nick Sirianni and the Eagles may keep away from turmoil was by getting off to a sizzling begin to soothe a fan base on edge. That did not occur. The Eagles are 3-2 and have seemed completely atypical regardless of boasting one of many higher offensive rosters within the league. Issues got here to a head in a Week 6 dwelling win over the Browns when the group voiced its displeasure over the course of a lackluster efficiency and Sirianni responded by yelling at some patrons on the finish of the sport. Possibly issues will quiet down as we get deeper into the season, however that is onerous to image for the time being. — Tim McManus
Week 6 rating: 12
Lesson discovered: Fortunes change rapidly within the NFL.
The Seahawks have gone from 3-0 and on prime of the NFC West to 3-3 and reeling on protection. Accidents on that aspect of the ball and a a lot more durable slate of opposing quarterbacks have been vital elements. Over the primary three weeks — whereas dealing with Bo Nix, Jacoby Brissett and Skylar Thompson — Seattle allowed the fourth-fewest factors per recreation at 14.3. Within the losses to Jared Goff, Daniel Jones and Brock Purdy, the Seahawks allowed 35.7 factors per recreation, which is the second-most within the league since Week 4. — Brady Henderson
Week 6 rating: 10
Lesson discovered: There isn’t any margin for error.
Prior to now, the Cowboys overcame their miscues and nonetheless gained video games. The roster isn’t as proficient with their departures and lack of additives in free company. When issues go fallacious, they can not pull themselves out of the ditch. The offense cannot have crimson zone turnovers as a result of the protection cannot give them additional possessions with takeaways. It will not get simpler. Six of Dallas’ remaining 11 video games come in opposition to quarterbacks presently ranked within the prime 10 in QBR. For the Cowboys to get to the playoffs for a fourth straight season, they may have to play nearer to error-free soccer. — Todd Archer
1:58
Stephen A. crashes ‘Get Up’ to troll the Cowboys once more
Stephen A. Smith makes a shock look on “Get Up,” to troll the Cowboys after their loss to the Lions.
Week 6 rating: 17
Lesson discovered: Do not leap to conclusions a couple of rookie QB after three video games.
The Caleb Williams who was on show throughout Chicago’s 1-2 begin seems to be very totally different from the quarterback who has thrown the second-most touchdowns ever by a Bears rookie (9). Williams has proven vital enchancment in his workforce’s three straight wins over the Rams, Panthers and Jaguars. His completion share jumped from 59% (Weeks 1-3) to 74% (Weeks 4-6) and his yards per try elevated by 3.2 (from 5.3 to eight.5). He has thrown seven touchdowns to only one interception over the previous three weeks, versus a 2-4 TD/INT ratio from his first three video games. The command the No. 1 choose has proven over the Bears’ offense is noticeable and has Chicago headed into its bye week assured that it has discovered its id. — Courtney Cronin
Week 6 rating: 18
Lesson discovered: Coordinator Jesse Minter has modified the protection.
For the reason that Chargers drafted QB Justin Herbert in 2020, they’ve had one of many league’s worst defenses. They allowed the fifth-most factors (24.9) and the Tenth-most yards (353.3) per recreation over that span. By means of 5 video games in 2024, nonetheless, the Chargers have one of many league’s greatest defenses, permitting the fewest factors per recreation within the NFL by means of six weeks (13.2). The Chargers have allowed fewer than 21 factors in every of their first 5 video games of the season for the third time in franchise historical past. — Kris Rhim
Week 6 rating: 16
Lesson discovered: The Saints’ first two weeks had been an phantasm.
The Saints seemed like top-of-the-line groups within the league after a 2-0 begin, however after 4 straight losses, it is clear they’re inferior to these first two weeks recommended. Accidents have performed a component, however the Saints’ once-feared protection is now ranked final in yards allowed per recreation (395.8), it has tackling points and the workforce seems to lack the depth on both aspect of the ball to proper the ship. — Katherine Terrell
Week 6 rating: 22
Lesson discovered: We have to see extra.
The Colts’ 3-3 document is both an overachievement or underachievement, relying in your viewpoint. They’ve a disappointing, Thirtieth-ranked protection (permitting 389.5 yards per recreation), however they’ve reached .500 regardless of a rash of accidents to QB Anthony Richardson (oblique), DT DeForest Buckner (ankle) and RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle). If the Colts can get wholesome — the three aforementioned gamers are anticipated again quickly — perhaps Indianapolis can attain its ceiling this season. An upcoming stretch consists of conferences with the Texans, Payments, Vikings and Lions will most likely inform the story. — Stephen Holder
Week 6 rating: 20
Lesson discovered: The Cardinals are constantly inconsistent.
The primary six video games of the season have been a curler coaster for Arizona. They began red-hot in opposition to the Payments, then pale within the second half. Then they beat the pants off the Rams, pushed the Lions, obtained blown out by the Commanders, toppled the 49ers and obtained trucked by the Packers. Nobody is aware of which Cardinals workforce will present up on Sundays. And if they’d beat Inexperienced Bay on Sunday, the Cardinals would’ve had a share of first place within the NFC West. One minute their offense is unstoppable; the following, they commit over a dozen penalties. — Josh Weinfuss
Week 6 rating: 19
Lesson discovered: The Broncos’ offense is (and shall be) a wrestle.
Coach Sean Payton elected to throw rookie QB Bo Nix into the deep finish, and he has proven moments of hope and loads of frustration. The Broncos are thirty first on third down (25%) and 289th in completion share (61.1%) regardless of being close to the underside of the league in common yards per completion. So, they’ve Nix taking part in low-risk soccer and are nonetheless not finishing sufficient passes. Time is likely to be the remedy, however the journey goes to be bumpy. Possibly bumpier than Nix, Payton or the Broncos thought. — Jeff Legwold
Week 6 rating: 21
Lesson discovered: Proprietor Woody Johnson is out of persistence.
The proprietor’s choice to fire coach Robert Saleh after solely 5 video games speaks to his sense of urgency. It is a wake-up name for the complete constructing, and it may portend extra strikes. Maybe the Jets shall be extra inclined to trade for WR Davante Adams. And perhaps it is going to spur them to resolve the Haason Reddick holdout. — Wealthy Cimini
Week 6 rating: 24
Lesson discovered: The Bengals should not ok but.
There was solely a lot satisfaction within the locker room following Cincinnati’s win over the Giants. QB Joe Burrow acknowledged the offense did not play properly sufficient on a day when the protection responded. Cincinnati is 14th within the league in level per drive differential at 0.32. Mentioned Burrow after the sport: “We’re looking for ourselves, looking for wins. We discovered one in the present day, that is nice. However we all know now we have to be higher going ahead.” — Ben Child
Week 6 rating: 23
Lesson discovered: Protection is the Dolphins’ energy.
Coach Mike McDaniel mentioned as a lot following a win over the Patriots in Week 5. Whereas the Dolphins’ offense has sputtered with out QB Tua Tagovailoa, their protection quietly ranks fifth in yards allowed per recreation (285.4) and leads the NFL in third-down share (25.5%). In its first yr below coordinator Anthony Weaver, Miami’s protection has been a lone optimistic in a largely disappointing first six weeks of the season. Nonetheless, it will not imply a lot till the Dolphins’ NFL-worst scoring offense improves. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
0:40
Mike McDaniel supplies an replace on Tua Tagovailoa’s standing
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel shares the newest particulars on Tua Tagovailoa’s damage.
Week 6 rating: 25
Lesson discovered: The Giants nonetheless wrestle to attain factors.
New York’s offensive line is improved, it added a No. 1 large receiver in Malik Nabers and coach Brian Daboll is looking performs. It is nonetheless not sufficient. This workforce struggles to attain factors … once more! The Giants are twenty ninth within the NFL, averaging 16.0 factors per recreation. That is after being Thirtieth within the league with 15.6 PPG final season. “The final word aim is to attain factors,” Daboll mentioned. The Giants simply have not discovered how you can do it constantly. — Jordan Raanan
Week 6 rating: 27
Lesson discovered: The Rams are lacking a difference-maker within the secondary.
The 1-4 Rams rank thirty first in go protection DVOA and have simply two interceptions this season. Los Angeles made adjustments to the secondary throughout its remaining recreation earlier than the bye week, together with making CB Tre’Davious White a wholesome scratch. The Rams signed White to a one-year deal coming off an Achilles tear, however the former All-Professional struggled to begin the season. This possible is not an improve Los Angeles will have the ability to make till the offseason, but when the protection is to take a step ahead, the Rams have to spend money on a playmaker. — Sarah Barshop
Week 6 rating: 26
Lesson discovered: Rookie tight finish Brock Bowers is legit.
The Raiders took some warmth for utilizing the No. 13 choose on a place that was not a necessity, however all Bowers has completed is produce and present he is a foundational piece for the franchise. His 37 catches lead all NFL tight ends and are the second-most by a good finish in his first six profession video games within the Tremendous Bowl period (1970), trailing solely Keith Jackson, who had 38 receptions in 1988. Bowers can be the primary rookie tight finish with no less than eight catches in back-to-back video games since 2013. — Paul Gutierrez
Week 6 rating: 28
Lesson discovered: It takes time to discover a franchise QB.
The Titans believed they may have their franchise quarterback in Will Levis with new coach Brian Callahan guiding the way in which. To this point, that hasn’t been the case. Levis’ seven interceptions lead the NFL and three of the Titans’ 4 losses had been determined within the fourth quarter. He has but to throw a landing go within the fourth quarter and 4 of his interceptions have are available that timeframe. Levis acknowledged it takes a course of to get the place he needs to be: “I simply hope to get there in these subsequent few weeks as soon as we get into the meat of the season.” — Turron Davenport
Week 6 rating: 30
Lesson discovered: Offseason considerations in regards to the offense had been legit.
The Browns downplayed the transition from coach Kevin Stefanski’s West Coast-based scheme to a brand new shotgun-centric assault with Deshaun Watson again as beginning quarterback. Nevertheless it has did not take off and the various offseason questions, from Watson’s poor efficiency to the shortage of cohesion on an injury-riddled offensive line, have constantly surfaced. The Browns are the primary workforce for the reason that 2014 Jaguars to fail to achieve 20 factors in every of their first six video games. — Daniel Oyefusi
0:24
Stefanski: Deshaun offers Browns greatest likelihood to win
Kevin Stefanski explains why the Browns are sticking with Desahun Watson at quarterback.
Week 6 rating: 31
Lesson discovered: No expectations are warranted for the Panthers.
Normal supervisor Dan Morgan was questioned earlier than the season for saying he did not have expectations for the season. Now we all know why. Whereas there have been good items offensively and defensively, depth was skinny and no person knew if QB Bryce Young would enhance. He did not, which is why he is behind Andy Dalton. Accidents have decimated the protection, and the workforce’s minus-100 level differential is by far the worst within the NFL. — David Newton
Week 6 rating: 29
Lesson discovered: The protection has gotten a lot worse.
Coach Doug Pederson fired coordinator Mike Caldwell and employed Ryan Nielsen, however the change hasn’t helped. They’ve really gotten worse, dropping considerably within the six main defensive classes (scoring, dashing, passing, whole yards, third down and crimson zone) and rank final within the league in go protection (276.7 yards per recreation) and crimson zone price (76.2%). Accidents to CB Tyson Campbell (hamstring) and LB Foyesade Oluokun (foot) have been an element, however that is shaping as much as be one of many Jaguars’ worst defenses ever. They’re on tempo to surrender 505 whole factors and 390 yards allowed per recreation, which might be the second worst in franchise historical past. — Michael DiRocco
Week 6 rating: 32
Lesson discovered: QB Drake Maye sparks hope.
Maye’s debut beginning efficiency Sunday included an exquisite 40-yard landing go that stood out partly on account of its rarity. Since 2020, the Patriots have had simply two passing touchdowns of 35 or extra air yards — one from Cam Newton and one other from Mac Jones. Maye conducting the feat in his first profession begin, which included three touchdowns and a misplaced fumble, offers the Patriots one thing to construct on. — Mike Reiss
