The opening five weeks have provided plenty of surprises, from unexpected undefeated starts to shocking stumbles out of the gate. Somehow, we've played just about 30% of this 2024 season, and our priors from the spring and summer mean less than they ever have.
It finally feels like we've got the necessary data to make some real conclusions about what we're seeing this season. While it’s still early, patterns are emerging that allow us to reassess the league’s power structure. Consider Easy. Simple. Smooth. If those words apply to your NFL quarterback, you have a good one. The rankings are quite shifty due to difficulty of schedule the first five weeks and injuries. It used to be about standout players but even that hasn’t been consistent.
Here we go for Week 6:
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Down yet another offensive playmaker with Rashee Rice on injured reserve, the Chiefs just kept on winning, beating the Saints 26-13 on Monday night. Kansas City now sits at 5-0, one of only two undefeated teams. While Patrick Mahomes did not throw a touchdown, he averaged 8.5 yards per attempt on his way to 331 yards. Travis Kelce stepped up with 9 catches for 70 yards on 10 targets, but JuJu Smith-Schuster was the real surprise of the night, finishing with 7 catches for 130 yards. It's honestly a relief that the Chiefs keep winning games. This way, we don't have to force any of those tired "what's wrong with the Chiefs?" conversations. Even with an injury-riddled roster and a bit of a turnover problem, they're still the team to beat. With a great defense on the other side, the Chiefs will be tough to beat if they keep getting contributions from players like Smith-Schuster and Kareem Hunt on offense.
2. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings improved to 5-0 after a 23-17 victory over the New York Jets in London, remaining one of only two undefeated teams in the NFL alongside the Chiefs. Sam Darnold had his worst game of the season, completing only 14 passes for 179 yards with an interception. Despite this, Darnold made crucial fourth-quarter throws to Justin Jefferson and Johnny Mundt to set up the final field goal. Sunday's win in London was Minnesota's sloppiest yet, and that's why it was the most impressive so far. There was far more uncertainty and adversity than we've seen in most of the Vkings' other games, but the defense still buckled down and delivered at the end. It was nice to see them win a dicey one. The Vikings are one win away from surpassing their projected 6.5 season win total, putting them in an excellent position in the NFC North and for playoff contention. This might be the most competitive division in the NFL.
3. Detroit Lions
The Lions have a 3-1 record after a Week 5 bye. They are currently in second place in the NFC North behind the Minnesota Vikings. Their recent offensive success coupled with a highly-ranked offensive line provides a solid foundation for the rest of the season. Nothing personal, Lions, it's just that Minnesota snagged an impressive wins while Detroit sat idle in Week 5. The Lions have a big opportunity for a statement of their own this week with a chance at a revenge win in Dallas, where they lost a wacky one last winter. However, Dallas also needs this win.
4. Houston Texans
I think that Houston has a direct path to the playoffs. The Texans improved to 4-1 after a thrilling 23-20 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Nico Collins had a standout play with a 67-yard touchdown reception, though he left the game with a hamstring injury after that play and didn’t return. The Texans didn't manage much in the way of fireworks after Nico Collins exited the win against Buffalo, but I don't think the box score does justice to how well C.J. Stroud played. A guy we already thought so highly of clearly seems to have leveled up his game. The defense held Josh Allen to just 131 passing yards and 1 touchdown. At 4-1, the Texans are meeting the offseason hype and look like serious contenders in the AFC.
5. Buffalo Bills
I'm not pressing the panic button on Buffalo. The Bills played two contenders, back-to-back, and their shortcomings got exposed on both sides of the ball. That's understandable for a team with so many new pieces, but now let's see how they respond from last week. The Bills lost to the Houston Texans 23-20, dropping their record to 3-2 for the season. Josh Allen had a difficult game, managing only 131 yards and one touchdown there the air. The offense was limited to just 276 total yards against a Texans defense that struggled some to open the season. The defense showed some strength, limiting the Texans to just 2 touchdowns. However, they were unable to stop Houston’s final drive, which led to the game-winning field goal. Two consecutive losses have exposed some weaknesses, particularly on offense. The upcoming game against the Jets will be crucial for rebuilding momentum and confidence.
7. San Francisco 49ers
If desperation can produce a solid win then the 49ers better find it. If they lose this week to drop to 2-4, it doesn’t get easier the following week with Kansas City on deck and Dallas in the hole. The 49ers dropped to 2-3 after a narrow 24-23 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at home. This marks their third loss in four games after winning the season opener. Jordan Mason led the ground game with 14 carries for 89 yards, setting a franchise record for most rushing yards (536) through the first 5 games of a season. Kicker Jake Moody suffered an ankle injury in the first half, forcing the team to adjust their strategy on fourth downs. Even with all their drama and injuries, I don't think I'd have guessed I'd drop the 49ers outside the top 10 all season. Sunday's meltdown against the Cardinals almost justifies it. It's too early to be worried, but this felt like a loss they'll regret when we're arguing about playoff seeding in December. The upcoming divisional game against the Seahawks will be crucial in determining whether the 49ers can recover and make a push for the playoffs.
8. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles currently have a 2-2 record after a Week 5 bye. Their performance in upcoming games, starting with the Browns, will be crucial in determining their trajectory for the rest of the 2024 season. A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Lane Johnson are all expected back in action when the Eagles host Cleveland this weekend. If they're at full strength, there's no reason we shouldn't see a higher level of play from these guys. Of course, a win at home against the worst team in the NFL, should give them a burst of energy.
9. Washington Commanders
I believe in Washington. The Commanders have gone head-to-head against great offenses, like Cincinnati's, and won. The Commanders improved to 4-1 after a dominant 34-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns. This is their best start to a season since 2008. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels continues to impress, throwing for 238 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception against the Browns. Daniels also showcased his dual-threat ability, rushing for 82 yards on 11 attempts. Their strong start puts them among the top teams in the NFC. This past week, they took down a quality defense in Cleveland. I firmly believe they're a good team. This week's trip to Baltimore is less about proving they belong, and more about showing us how high their ceiling really is.
10. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys improved to 3-2 after a close 20-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's easy to argue that Dak Prescott's questionable decision-making early on was the only reason the Steelers even had a chance to beat the Cowboys on Sunday night. It's undeniable that Prescott's clutch final drive was the only reason Dallas escaped with a win. Prescott had a mixed game but led a game-winning touchdown drive, showing a great performance when it mattered most. Ball security is a concern, with Prescott committing 3 turnovers in the game. The Cowboys’ outlook after Week 5 is cautiously optimistic. There are plenty of concerns with these Cowboys, but they have a quarterback that's going to give them a chance when the game's on the line. Hopefully, he’s enough to overcome the Cowboys missing D.
Here we go for Week 6:
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Down yet another offensive playmaker with Rashee Rice on injured reserve, the Chiefs just kept on winning, beating the Saints 26-13 on Monday night. Kansas City now sits at 5-0, one of only two undefeated teams. While Patrick Mahomes did not throw a touchdown, he averaged 8.5 yards per attempt on his way to 331 yards. Travis Kelce stepped up with 9 catches for 70 yards on 10 targets, but JuJu Smith-Schuster was the real surprise of the night, finishing with 7 catches for 130 yards. It's honestly a relief that the Chiefs keep winning games. This way, we don't have to force any of those tired "what's wrong with the Chiefs?" conversations. Even with an injury-riddled roster and a bit of a turnover problem, they're still the team to beat. With a great defense on the other side, the Chiefs will be tough to beat if they keep getting contributions from players like Smith-Schuster and Kareem Hunt on offense.
2. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings improved to 5-0 after a 23-17 victory over the New York Jets in London, remaining one of only two undefeated teams in the NFL alongside the Chiefs. Sam Darnold had his worst game of the season, completing only 14 passes for 179 yards with an interception. Despite this, Darnold made crucial fourth-quarter throws to Justin Jefferson and Johnny Mundt to set up the final field goal. Sunday's win in London was Minnesota's sloppiest yet, and that's why it was the most impressive so far. There was far more uncertainty and adversity than we've seen in most of the Vkings' other games, but the defense still buckled down and delivered at the end. It was nice to see them win a dicey one. The Vikings are one win away from surpassing their projected 6.5 season win total, putting them in an excellent position in the NFC North and for playoff contention. This might be the most competitive division in the NFL.
3. Detroit Lions
The Lions have a 3-1 record after a Week 5 bye. They are currently in second place in the NFC North behind the Minnesota Vikings. Their recent offensive success coupled with a highly-ranked offensive line provides a solid foundation for the rest of the season. Nothing personal, Lions, it's just that Minnesota snagged an impressive wins while Detroit sat idle in Week 5. The Lions have a big opportunity for a statement of their own this week with a chance at a revenge win in Dallas, where they lost a wacky one last winter. However, Dallas also needs this win.
4. Houston Texans
I think that Houston has a direct path to the playoffs. The Texans improved to 4-1 after a thrilling 23-20 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Nico Collins had a standout play with a 67-yard touchdown reception, though he left the game with a hamstring injury after that play and didn’t return. The Texans didn't manage much in the way of fireworks after Nico Collins exited the win against Buffalo, but I don't think the box score does justice to how well C.J. Stroud played. A guy we already thought so highly of clearly seems to have leveled up his game. The defense held Josh Allen to just 131 passing yards and 1 touchdown. At 4-1, the Texans are meeting the offseason hype and look like serious contenders in the AFC.
5. Buffalo Bills
I'm not pressing the panic button on Buffalo. The Bills played two contenders, back-to-back, and their shortcomings got exposed on both sides of the ball. That's understandable for a team with so many new pieces, but now let's see how they respond from last week. The Bills lost to the Houston Texans 23-20, dropping their record to 3-2 for the season. Josh Allen had a difficult game, managing only 131 yards and one touchdown there the air. The offense was limited to just 276 total yards against a Texans defense that struggled some to open the season. The defense showed some strength, limiting the Texans to just 2 touchdowns. However, they were unable to stop Houston’s final drive, which led to the game-winning field goal. Two consecutive losses have exposed some weaknesses, particularly on offense. The upcoming game against the Jets will be crucial for rebuilding momentum and confidence.
6. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens improved to 3-2 after a thrilling 41-38 overtime victory against the Cincinnati Bengals, marking their third consecutive win after a tough start to the season. Lamar Jackson had an outstanding game, throwing for 4 touchdowns. Did you know Lamar Jackson currently has 176 more passing yards, 98 more rushing yards, three more touchdowns and two fewer turnovers than he did through his first five games of 2023? Derrick Henry had a historic day, joining the 10,000-yard rushing club and becoming the 14th running back to reach 100 career scrimmage touchdowns. There have been some early bumps in the road, but the reigning MVP has the Ravens' offense humming right now so teams should be concerned even with a 3-2 record. As they head into their Week 6 matchup against the Commanders, the Ravens appear to be strong contenders in the AFC with the potential for a deep playoff run if they can address their defensive issues and maintain their offensive output.
The Ravens improved to 3-2 after a thrilling 41-38 overtime victory against the Cincinnati Bengals, marking their third consecutive win after a tough start to the season. Lamar Jackson had an outstanding game, throwing for 4 touchdowns. Did you know Lamar Jackson currently has 176 more passing yards, 98 more rushing yards, three more touchdowns and two fewer turnovers than he did through his first five games of 2023? Derrick Henry had a historic day, joining the 10,000-yard rushing club and becoming the 14th running back to reach 100 career scrimmage touchdowns. There have been some early bumps in the road, but the reigning MVP has the Ravens' offense humming right now so teams should be concerned even with a 3-2 record. As they head into their Week 6 matchup against the Commanders, the Ravens appear to be strong contenders in the AFC with the potential for a deep playoff run if they can address their defensive issues and maintain their offensive output.
7. San Francisco 49ers
If desperation can produce a solid win then the 49ers better find it. If they lose this week to drop to 2-4, it doesn’t get easier the following week with Kansas City on deck and Dallas in the hole. The 49ers dropped to 2-3 after a narrow 24-23 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at home. This marks their third loss in four games after winning the season opener. Jordan Mason led the ground game with 14 carries for 89 yards, setting a franchise record for most rushing yards (536) through the first 5 games of a season. Kicker Jake Moody suffered an ankle injury in the first half, forcing the team to adjust their strategy on fourth downs. Even with all their drama and injuries, I don't think I'd have guessed I'd drop the 49ers outside the top 10 all season. Sunday's meltdown against the Cardinals almost justifies it. It's too early to be worried, but this felt like a loss they'll regret when we're arguing about playoff seeding in December. The upcoming divisional game against the Seahawks will be crucial in determining whether the 49ers can recover and make a push for the playoffs.
8. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles currently have a 2-2 record after a Week 5 bye. Their performance in upcoming games, starting with the Browns, will be crucial in determining their trajectory for the rest of the 2024 season. A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Lane Johnson are all expected back in action when the Eagles host Cleveland this weekend. If they're at full strength, there's no reason we shouldn't see a higher level of play from these guys. Of course, a win at home against the worst team in the NFL, should give them a burst of energy.
9. Washington Commanders
I believe in Washington. The Commanders have gone head-to-head against great offenses, like Cincinnati's, and won. The Commanders improved to 4-1 after a dominant 34-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns. This is their best start to a season since 2008. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels continues to impress, throwing for 238 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception against the Browns. Daniels also showcased his dual-threat ability, rushing for 82 yards on 11 attempts. Their strong start puts them among the top teams in the NFC. This past week, they took down a quality defense in Cleveland. I firmly believe they're a good team. This week's trip to Baltimore is less about proving they belong, and more about showing us how high their ceiling really is.
10. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys improved to 3-2 after a close 20-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's easy to argue that Dak Prescott's questionable decision-making early on was the only reason the Steelers even had a chance to beat the Cowboys on Sunday night. It's undeniable that Prescott's clutch final drive was the only reason Dallas escaped with a win. Prescott had a mixed game but led a game-winning touchdown drive, showing a great performance when it mattered most. Ball security is a concern, with Prescott committing 3 turnovers in the game. The Cowboys’ outlook after Week 5 is cautiously optimistic. There are plenty of concerns with these Cowboys, but they have a quarterback that's going to give them a chance when the game's on the line. Hopefully, he’s enough to overcome the Cowboys missing D.