2018 NFL Power Rankings – Week 6
2018 NFL Power Rankings – Week 6
❶ Los Angeles Rams 6-0-0 (Defeated the Broncos 23-20)
The Rams have won their last two games by a total of 5 points. The important word in that opening sentence is “won”. Even with those two close wins, they still maintain an average point differential of +13.0 points per game. Have NFL film rooms caught up to the Rams? We’ll find out in a couple of weeks.
❷ Kansas City Chiefs 5-1-0 (Lost to the Patriots 43-40)
There is no shame to losing to the Patriots in Foxborough. The Chiefs still have the 5th ranked Opponents winning percentage (0.552), 4th ranked Turnover differential (+4) and 4th ranked Scoring differential (+7.2).
❸ New Orleans Saints 4-1-0 (Bye Week)
Even with a week off due to the bye, the Saints still boast the third highest scoring offense in the NFL. If there’s a problem in Metairie, LA . . . the Saints have the hardest remaining schedule (0.644) in the NFL.
❹ New England Patriots 4-2-0 (Defeated the Chiefs 43-40)
The Patriots made my top 10 last week at number 7. With the fact that the 3rd, 5th and 6th ranked teams all lost combined with the Patriots defeating the 2nd ranked team from last week – it shouldn’t be a shock to see them now in the 4th spot.
❺ Baltimore Ravens 4-2-0 (Defeated the Titans 21-0)
After an off week in Cleveland, the Ravens once again found their offense and didn’t forget the defense in an impressive shutout of the Titans. Their Scoring differential of +12.7 is second only the Rams.
❻ Los Angeles Chargers 4-2-0 (Defeated the Browns 38-14)
The Chargers moved up three spots from last week on the strength of the 3rd ranked Opponents winning percentage (0.517), 6th ranked Turnover differential and 12th ranked Scoring differential.
❼ Pittsburgh Steelers 3-2-1 (Defeated the Bengals 28-21)
After a rocky start, things seem to be falling in place for the Steelers and they’re now on the plus side of .500 for the first time this season. Even though the data suggests a lower spot (Opponents winning percentage = 0.583 [Rank = 7], Scoring differential = +2.8 [Rank = 11] and Turnover differential = -2 [Rank = 23]) the Eye Test puts them at number 7.
❽ Chicago Bears 3-2-0 (Lost to the Dolphins 31-28)
A disappointing (and surprising) loss coming off their bye week to the Dolphins dropped the Bears five spots from last week. However, they still have the 2nd ranked turnover differential (+6) and the 3rd ranked scoring differential (+8.6).
❾ Cincinnati Bengals 4-2-0 (Lost to the Steelers 28-21)
While the Bengals are still in first place in the AFC North, the data tells another story. Opponents winning percentage is 0.536 (Rank = 11), Turnover differential is +/-0 (Rank = 16) and Scoring differential is a pedestrian +2.7 (Rank = 13).
❿ Miami Dolphins 4-2-0 (Defeated the Bears 31-28)
Minnesota Vikings 3-2-1 (Defeated the Cardinals 27-17)
Green Bay Packers 3-2-1 (Defeated the 49ers 33-30)
Washington Redskins 3-2-0 (Defeated the Panthers 23-17)
All four of these teams are really too close to each other to warrant a single one of them to be all alone at number 10. The enigma in this group is the Miami Dolphins. They have played the 5th ranked opponent’s schedule (0.552), have a +2 Turnover differential (Rank = 9) but have a Scoring differential of -2.5 (Rank = 20). They also have the easiest remaining schedule in the NFL (tied with Atlanta) of 0.436.
