NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Browns surge, Chiefs press 49ers
By Tara West · Sharper Points AI Desk · Edited by Jordan HawkesPublished The Cleveland Browns staged the week's largest climb, rising six places to No. 19 after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 13-10. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs pressed closer to the top of the board with a decisive 22-6 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers to reach 5-0.
The League Leaders
San Francisco 49ers (No. 1, +2.22) The San Francisco 49ers hold the league-best rating of 2.22 and remain No. 1 overall following a 23-17 home victory over the Washington Commanders, beating their pregame expected margin of 4.07. On the availability report, wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and defensive end Nick Bosa were listed as Out on the Week 6 injury report; as confirmed absences, their missing production remains an active tactical test for the depth chart.
Kansas City Chiefs (No. 2, +1.92) The Kansas City Chiefs climbed two spots to No. 2 with a 1.92 rating after a 22-6 home win against the Los Angeles Chargers, beating their pregame expected margin of 3.52 by 12.48 points. Their upward move was driven mostly by their own game performance. Wide receiver Rashee Rice and tackle Josh Simmons were listed as Out on the Week 6 injury report, standing as confirmed absences during the victory.
Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 3, +1.90) The Jacksonville Jaguars fell one spot to No. 3 with a 1.90 rating after a 31-34 home loss to the Houston Texans, falling short of their pregame expected margin of 2.38. The team moved because rivals changed, not because of its own play driver. Cornerback Montaric Brown and long snapper Ross Matiscik were listed as Out on the Week 6 injury report as confirmed absences.
Minnesota Vikings (No. 4, +1.60) The Minnesota Vikings sit at No. 4 with a 1.60 rating after spending Week 6 on a bye. Minnesota moved down one spot because rivals changed while they were off. Their undefeated 5-0 record remains anchored by a defense ranked No. 1 in efficiency with a -0.113 EPA allowed per play.
New England Patriots (No. 5, +1.31) The New England Patriots held firm at No. 5 with a 1.31 rating after a 26-19 home win over the New York Jets, outperforming their pregame expected margin of 1.94. Cornerback Carlton Davis III was listed as Out on the Week 6 injury report as a confirmed absence, while wide receiver A.J. Brown was listed as Questionable, leaving his game status uncertain.
Risers and Fallers
Cleveland Browns (No. 19, -0.42) The Cleveland Browns generated the week's largest climb, rising six places to No. 19 with a -0.42 rating after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 13-10 at home despite a pregame expected margin of -1.34. The movement was driven mostly by their own play. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel and running back Dylan Sampson were listed as Out on the Week 6 injury report as confirmed absences.
Carolina Panthers (No. 8, +0.96) The Carolina Panthers moved up four spots to No. 8 with a 0.96 rating after earning a 25-14 road victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, beating their pregame expected margin of 1.02. The shift was driven mostly by their own play. Running back AJ Dillon was listed as Out on the Week 6 injury report, sitting out as a confirmed absence.
Chicago Bears (No. 6, +1.05) The Chicago Bears climbed three positions to No. 6 with a 1.05 rating following a 31-23 road victory against the Atlanta Falcons, surpassing their pregame expected margin of 0.47. Their rise was driven mostly by their own performance. Linebacker T.J. Edwards and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo were listed as Out on the Week 6 injury report as confirmed absences.
Dallas Cowboys (No. 22, -0.53) The Dallas Cowboys dropped four spots to No. 22 with a -0.53 rating after losing 13-23 on the road to the Green Bay Packers, underperforming their pregame expected margin of -0.40. The fall was driven mostly by their own play, reflecting a defense ranked worst in the league at No. 32 in EPA allowed per play (0.093). Cornerback Cobie Durant and tackle Drew Shelton were listed as Out on the Week 6 injury report as confirmed absences.
Los Angeles Chargers (No. 32, -2.22) The Los Angeles Chargers dropped three places to a league-worst No. 32 ranking and a -2.22 rating following a 6-22 road loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, missing their pregame expected margin of -3.52. The team moved because rivals changed, even as their offense ranks worst in the league at No. 32 with a -0.137 EPA per play. Safety Derwin James and tackle Joe Alt were listed as Out on the Week 6 injury report as confirmed absences.
Baltimore Ravens (No. 10, +0.74) The Baltimore Ravens fell three ranks to No. 10 with a 0.74 rating after a 10-13 road defeat against the Cleveland Browns, failing to cover their pregame expected margin of 1.34. The decline was driven entirely by their own play. Quarterback Lamar Jackson and center Cam Jurgens were listed as Out on the Week 6 injury report as confirmed absences.
The full rankings
Previous ranks are from our Week 5 edition.
| Rank | Team | Record | Rating | Last | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco 49ers | 6-0 | +2.22 | 1 | – |
| 2 | Kansas City Chiefs | 5-0 | +1.92 | 4 | ▲ 2 |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 4-2 | +1.90 | 2 | ▼ 1 |
| 4 | Minnesota Vikings (bye) | 5-0 | +1.60 | 3 | ▼ 1 |
| 5 | New England Patriots | 4-2 | +1.31 | 5 | – |
| 6 | Chicago Bears | 4-2 | +1.05 | 9 | ▲ 3 |
| 7 | Buffalo Bills | 5-1 | +1.00 | 8 | ▲ 1 |
| 8 | Carolina Panthers | 3-2 | +0.96 | 12 | ▲ 4 |
| 9 | Seattle Seahawks | 3-3 | +0.90 | 6 | ▼ 3 |
| 10 | Baltimore Ravens | 4-2 | +0.74 | 7 | ▼ 3 |
| 11 | Detroit Lions (bye) | 3-2 | +0.71 | 10 | ▼ 1 |
| 12 | Cincinnati Bengals (bye) | 3-2 | +0.69 | 11 | ▼ 1 |
| 13 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 4-2 | +0.46 | 14 | ▲ 1 |
| 14 | Green Bay Packers | 4-2 | +0.44 | 16 | ▲ 2 |
| 15 | Houston Texans | 2-4 | +0.36 | 15 | – |
| 16 | Los Angeles Rams | 2-4 | 0.00 | 13 | ▼ 3 |
| 17 | Denver Broncos | 4-2 | −0.06 | 20 | ▲ 3 |
| 18 | Atlanta Falcons | 2-4 | −0.28 | 17 | ▼ 1 |
| 19 | Cleveland Browns | 4-2 | −0.42 | 25 | ▲ 6 |
| 20 | New York Giants* | 3-2-1 | −0.46 | 19 | ▼ 1 |
| 21 | Las Vegas Raiders* | 3-3 | −0.46 | 22 | ▲ 1 |
| 22 | Dallas Cowboys | 2-4 | −0.53 | 18 | ▼ 4 |
| 23 | New York Jets | 2-4 | −0.62 | 23 | – |
| 24 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1-5 | −0.65 | 21 | ▼ 3 |
| 25 | Indianapolis Colts | 2-4 | −0.78 | 24 | ▼ 1 |
| 26 | New Orleans Saints | 2-4 | −0.96 | 27 | ▲ 1 |
| 27 | Philadelphia Eagles | 2-4 | −1.19 | 26 | ▼ 1 |
| 28 | Washington Commanders | 1-4-1 | −1.57 | 28 | – |
| 29 | Tennessee Titans | 1-5 | −1.83 | 31 | ▲ 2 |
| 30 | Miami Dolphins (bye) | 0-5 | −2.08 | 30 | – |
| 31 | Arizona Cardinals | 2-4 | −2.15 | 32 | ▲ 1 |
| 32 | Los Angeles Chargers | 0-6 | −2.22 | 29 | ▼ 3 |
* Tied on rating rounded to 0.01; ordered by recency-weighted scoring margin.
Ratings as of Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 12:00 p.m. ET, methodology version 1.0.0. Injury and roster context: NFL injury reports and weekly rosters via nflverse, checked Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 6:03 a.m. ET.
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