Tyler Ash Sports Blog: NFL Power Rankings Week 6: San Diego Bolts to the Top

Antonio Gates hauls in a reception versus the Jets (K.C. Alfred- U/T San Diego)

1. San Diego Chargers (4-1)

Philip Rivers, the NFL's MVP through the first five weeks of the season, added three TDs in the Chargers’ drubbing of the Jets. Branden Oliver—the Chargers' fourth-string tailback—compiled 114 rushing yards to go along with a TD and 68 receiving yards with a TD.

2. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

Russell Wilson rushed for 122 yards, the most by a quarterback in the history of “Monday Night Football.” The Seahawks post an 11-1 record in prime time under head coach Pete Carroll.

3. Denver Broncos (3-1)

Peyton Manning joined Brett Favre as the only NFL quarterbacks in the 500 TD club. He threw for a career-high 479 yards (with four TDs) in Sunday’s win over the Cardinals, connecting with WR Demaryius Thomas for 226 yards—the most receiving yards for any player in a game this season.

4. Arizona Cardinals (3-1)

The Cardinals need Carson Palmer back now more than ever with backup QB Drew Stanton exiting Sunday’s loss with a concussion.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)

The Eagles have scored a TD in seven different ways this season—via the rushing touchdown, passing/receiving touchdown, kickoff return for a touchdown, punt return for a touchdown, fumble return for a touchdown, interception return for a touchdown and punt block return for a TD. They can become the only team in NFL history to score a TD in all eight ways if they are successfully able to block a field goal and return it for a touchdown.

6. Dallas Cowboys (4-1)

DeMarco Murray became just the third running back in league history to rush for 100 yards in his team's first 5 games of the season. O.J. Simpson accomplished the feat with the Buffalo Bills in 1973 and 1975, while Browns running back Jim Brown first achieved it in 1958.

7. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)

Andy Dalton is 2-5 in prime time games in his career with a 22.6 QBR in his career. He is 31-14 with a 57 QBR in all other games. (Via ESPN Stats & Info)

8. New England Patriots (3-2)

The Patriots are back (they never really left the elite pack of teams) and now face the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium with first place in the AFC-East on the line.

9. Indianapolis Colts (3-2)

The Colts’ defense made up for an afternoon of offensive miscues that included two Andrew Luck interceptions and two fumbles (one from Ahmad Bradshaw, one from punt returner Griff Whalen).

10. San Francisco 49ers (3-2)

Another win for the 49ers, however, the rumors that Coach Jim Harbaugh has lost the locker room and will leave the organization at the end of the year will not dissipate.

11. Green Bay Packers (3-2)

Aaron Rodgers was right, Packers fans need to relax. After all, the team plays in the middling NFC North.

12. Baltimore Ravens (3-2)

Torrey Smith’s drops are becoming a problem for the Ravens. Smith has already dropped three passes—a year after dropping just five the entire season.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)

The Steelers’ defense bailed out Big Ben and the offense in their 17-9 victory over the Jags. A crucial divisional matchup against the Browns at the DawgPound is up next.

14. Buffalo Bills (3-2)

Despite throwing a pick-six, Kyle Orton proved why he is a better short-term option at QB than E.J. Manuel.

15. Detroit Lions (3-2)

The Lions need to find a formidable kicker immediately. Recently-released Alex Henery cost the Lions a win versus the Bills by missing all three of his field goal attempts. Detroit, who started the year with rookie Nate Freese at kicker, has gone a combined 4-of-12 on field goal attempts this season. The Lions are 0-of-6 on field goals from 40-to-49 yards, an area where 18 NFL teams are at 100 percent.

16. New York Giants (3-2)

The Giants have registered 105 total points in their three-game winning streak.

17. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)

Despite the loss, the Chiefs demonstrated again why they are a formidable team. Problem is, they play in the same division as AFC heavyweights San Diego and Denver.

18. Houston Texans (3-2)

Arian Foster had an encouraging performance in the Texans’ overtime loss at Dallas, averaging 6.8 yards per carry (two TD runs) with almost four of those yards (3.8) coming after contact.

19. Carolina Panthers (3-2)

The Panthers look mediocre right now, but a .500 record might be enough to grab the NFC South crown this season.

20. Cleveland Browns (2-2)

The Browns completed the greatest regular season road comeback in NFL history with their improbable 29-28 victory over the Titans. Brian Hoyer—now 5-2 with three game-winning drives in seven starts for the Browns—has established himself as a solid starting QB.

21. Chicago Bears (2-3)

“Bad Jay” Cutler came out again, throwing two ill-advised interceptions in a loss…The Bears have been outscored 34-3 in the second half the last two weeks…Matt Forte has yet to record a rushing TD all season (he did haul in his first receiving TD of 2014 on Sunday).

22. Atlanta Falcons (2-3)

The Falcons' 30^th ranked defense is weighing the club down in a very winnable division.

23. New Orleans Saints (2-3)

The Saints won Sunday, in spite of a pick-six thrown by Drew Brees (thrown two interceptions of that nature already this year with 6 interceptions thrown overall) and another lackluster effort by the NFL’s 28^th ranked defense.

24. Miami Dolphins (2-2)

Coming off bye week

25. Minnesota Vikings (2-3)

Teddy Bridgewater’s importance to Vikings was underscored in their humiliating loss to the Packers on “Thursday Night Football.”

26. St. Louis Rams (1-3)

The Rams put up a valiant effort in a 34-28 road loss to the Eagles.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4)

Regardless of when Josh McCown returns, QB Mike Glennon has proven he deserves to be the starter.

28. Washington Redskins (1-4)

The return of Robert Griffin III is being keenly anticipated, even though the QB’s play before getting hurt was generally average.

29. New York Jets (1-4)

With Denver visiting MetLife Stadium this upcoming week and a Thursday night matchup against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium ensuing, Rex Ryan’s days of spearheading the Jets appear numbered.

30. Tennessee Titans (1-4)