NFL: Weekly Power Rankings
1. Los Angeles Rams (5-0, +0): The Rams went on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks, who are usually one of the best home teams in the league, and came away with a 33-31 victory. It wasn't easy as the Rams trailed for the majority of the game, but in the end, they remained undefeated. After the rivalry was tied 17-17 at the half, Seattle got out to a seven point lead heading to the fourth. Los Angeles shut them down in the final quarter, though, and outscored the Seahawks 9-0 to end it. QB Jared Goff was 23-32 for 321 yards and a score. RB Todd Gurley also scored three times. The Rams will stay on the road versus the Denver Broncos this weekend with a chance to reach the 6-0 plateau.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0, +0): The Chiefs faced one of the best defenses in the league in the Jacksonville Jaguars, and QB Patrick Mahomes looked just fine. He didn't have his best game, but it was enough to propel them to a 30-14 win over the Jags. RB Kareem Hunt, the second year back out of Toledo, led both teams in rushing with 87 yards on 22 carries and one touchdown. TE Travis Kelce was the best receiver on the field, amassing 100 yards on just five receptions. Kansas City did give up 430 yards to QB Blake Bortles, which doesn't sound very good, but it's mainly because the Chiefs jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead. The Chiefs will face another tough task, this time going on the road to the New England Patriots.
3. New Orleans Saints (4-1, +0): The Saints' loss in Week 1 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continues to look more and more confusing every time they step on the field. Somehow, someway, the Bucs went in New Orleans and ran over the Saints. Four games later, and it seems like HC Sean Payton's team has figured it out. They have won their last four games, which most recently consisted of a 43-19 blowout over the Washington Redskins, who currently lead the NFC East. QB Drew Brees broke the all-time passing yards record in this game, which was a special moment to see on Monday Night Football, as he totaled 363 yards and three touchdowns on 26-29 passing. WR Tre'Quan Smith had 111 yards. New Orleans heads into their bye week next.
4. Chicago Bears (3-1, +0): The Bears had their bye week during Week 5 so they were off while the rest of the NFC North went 2-1, as the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings won. Chicago is still riding high from their 48-10 victory over Tampa Bay, who came into the game with a lot of momentum. QB Mitchell Trubisky was great that day, going for 354 yards and six touchdowns. It isn't likely that he'll be able to keep that up, but DL Khalil Mack and the rest of the defense has enough to talent to carry this team to more wins down the road. The Miami Dolphins are the next opponent, and the Bears should be able to take care of business as Miami has lost their last two, by a combined score of 65-24 to the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals.
5. New England Patriots (3-2, +1): The Patriots have won two straight games after going down to the Detroit Lions, 26-10, a few weeks back. New England looked lost at Ford Field that night, but have rebounded nicely since. After blowing out the then-undefeated Miami Dolphins, 38-7, last week, they took down the Indianapolis Colts, 38-24, on Thursday Night Football. QB Tom Brady was pretty efficient, hitting 34-44 for 341 yards and three touchdowns, but he did throw two interceptions. RB Sony Michel compiled 98 yards on 18 carries for 5.4 yards per rush and a score. The schedule kicks up these next two games as the Pats will take on two teams in front of them in the rankings: Kansas City and Chicago. The former will be at home.
MVP Rankings:
1. Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)
2. Jared Goff (Rams)
3. Drew Brees (Saints)
4. Khalil Mack (Bears)
5. Tom Brady (Patriots)
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated.
