NFL Power Rankings and TV Schedule for Week 6

2009 NFL Power Rankings: Week 6
power rankings taken from all of the major sports websites: si, espn, cbssports
1 (1) Colts 5-0-0 They're coasting into their bye week making a strong claim to being to being better than everyone in the league. (Kuharsky)
2 (2) Giants 5-0-0 Eli Manning learned that the best medicine for plantar fasciitis is a Sunday with the Raiders. (Clayton)
3 (3) Vikings 5-0-0 They seem to be growing stronger with each passing week. (Chadiha)
4 (4) Saints 4-0-0 Just a guess, but I'm thinking Drew Brees will come out firing after the bye, re-establishing his MVP credentials. (Sando)
5 (8) Broncos 5-0-0 The Broncos have silenced more doubters each week to the point where far fewer are around. (Kuharsky)
6 (11) Bengals 4-1-0 Time for the doubters to shut up; the Bengals are pretty good. (Chadiha)
7 (10) Eagles 3-1-0 Against the Bucs, Donovan McNabb got back into a passing rhythm with youngsters DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. (Clayton)
8 (9) Falcons 3-1-0 Matt Ryan & Co. seemed like a playoff team during their dismantling of the 49ers. Take it as a good sign for Atlanta. (Sando)
9 (5) Jets 3-2-0 Braylon Edwards already looks like a steal of a trade for the Jets. (Clayton)
10 (6) Patriots 3-2-0 Tom Brady is out of sync with his receivers, but no secondary is more out of sync than that of the Titans, who are the Pats' next foe. (Clayton)
11 (7) Ravens 3-2-0 Two tough losses and now a road trip to Minnesota? That's harsh. (Chadiha)
12 (14) Bears 3-1-0 A 3-1 record, much of it produced without injured linebacker Brian Urlacher, is pretty impressive. (Chadiha)
13 (15) Steelers 3-2-0 Rashard Mendenhall is making his case for a permanent starting job. (Chadiha)
14 (13) Packers 2-2-0 They'd better have done something about their offensive line during their bye week. (Chadiha)
15 (12) 49ers 3-2-0 The worst defeat at Candlestick Park since 1967 will force the 49ers to reassess heading into their bye week. At least Frank Gore is coming back. (Sando)
16 (16) Chargers 2-2-0 San Diego comes out of its bye into a critical home game against Denver that could signal a changing of the guard. (Kuharsky)
17 (17) Cowboys 3-2-0 The Cowboys have miles to go to play better football, but at least Miles Austin made Sunday's visit to the Chiefs profitable. (Clayton)
18 (21) Dolphins 2-3-0 After beating the Jets with extensive use of the Wildcat, what's next, the wishbone? (Clayton)
19 (19) Cardinals 2-2-0 One of these weeks, Beanie Wells will announce his arrival with a 100-yard rushing performance and a long-term spot in the Cards' offense. (Sando)
20 (24) Seahawks 2-3-0 Beating the Cardinals at home in Week 6 would affirm Seattle's belief that the Seahawks can win the division with Matt Hasselbeck healthy. (Sando)
21 (18) Jaguars 2-3-0 A complete dud in Seattle could allow them to show us how they bounce back from big adversity. (Kuharsky)
22 (20) Texans 2-3-0 The Texans' never-ending identity crisis continued with their failures in Arizona. A trip to Cincy might be another tough assignment. (Kuharsky)
23 (26) Panthers 1-3-0 Beating the declining Redskins isn't anything to brag about. Carolina still seems like a bad team trying to find its way. (Sando)
24 (22) Redskins 2-3-0 Congress might have to hold a hearing to determine why the Redskins' offense remains in a recession. (Clayton)
25 (23) Bills 1-4-0 Against the Browns, the Bills' no-huddle offense proved to be the falsest start of the 2009 season. (Clayton)
26 (27) Lions 1-4-0 Don't let the record fool you. This is a better team. (Chadiha)
27 (25) Titans 0-5-0 Facing New England at Gillette Stadium coming off a tough loss doesn't sound like a cure for all that's ailing Tennessee. (Kuharsky)
28 (29) Browns 1-4-0 They had to win eventually, right? (Chadiha)
29 (28) Raiders 1-4-0 A pathetic showing against the Giants showcased a starting quarterback who plays as if he isn't capable and doesn't care. (Kuharsky)
30 (30) Chiefs 0-5-0 K.C. was undone by little-­known receiver Miles Austin in a game when it had a great chance to win. (Kuharsky)
31 (31) Buccaneers 0-5-0 The team that stood by Jerramy Stevens might add Matt Jones to the locker room? Not sure that's the right way to go. (Sando)
32 (32) Rams 0-5-0 The offense showed improvement with 400 yards and 27 first downs against the Vikings in Week 5, even though some yardage was in garbage time. (Sando)

1 Giants · Trends 1
You have to give Eli Manning credit for playing last week, but now he has to go to the Superdome and play that tough New Orleans defense. The best NFC team (for now) will be decided in that game.
2 Colts · Trends 2
The scary thing is they really haven't been healthy yet. The bye week will help in that area. Peyton Manning is on his way to another MVP.
3 Saints · Trends 3
Their bye came at a time they probably didn't want it since they were playing so well. It will be interesting to watch that defense matched up against that Giants offense.
4 Vikings · Trends 4
They showed against St. Louis that they are veteran enough to not have letdowns. Now they get two tough ones, against Baltimore and then Pittsburgh. We'll know how good they are in three weeks.
5 Broncos · Trends 5
Hard to believe they are here. But I believe now. Just a warning: Be careful Monday at San Diego. That could be an ambush. The Chargers are desperate.
6 Falcons · Trends 9
Matt Ryan and that passing game will be even better as the season moves along. Ryan is gaining more and more confidence and will get even more the rest of the way. They looked dominant at San Francisco.
7 Eagles · Trends 10
They will score a lot, so the key for them will be that defense. It seems to be getting better, but some of the offenses they've played are dreadful.
8 Bengals · Trends 11
They are for real. The defense is really improved. I still think the offense can do a lot more, and will as the season moves along. Cedric Benson adds the much-needed running dimension.
9 Bears · Trends 12
Coming off their bye, they face a good Atlanta team on the road. Jay Cutler will have to continue to play like he has the past three games.
10 Patriots · Trends 7
One of the glaring things that showed up against the Broncos was their lack of a pass rush. They have to be better there -- or they can forget about a Super Bowl.
11 Steelers · Trends 13
The pass rush finally showed up Sunday against the Lions, but that defense still isn't all the way back. The return of Troy Polamalu is badly needed.
12 Ravens · Trends 8
It's hard to believe that defense didn't keep a lead late against the Bengals. Now they get Brett Favre. Here's one thing they need to do: Let Joe Flacco loose more. They didn't against the Bengals, and it cost them.
13 Jets · Trends 6
Two road games, two losses. That has to be a concern. The defense struggled at Miami. Now the schedule gets easier, which should help them go on a little run.
14 Chargers · Trends 15
Here come the Broncos. If the Chargers are to have a real chance to win the division, they have to win that game. Did they find a defense during their bye week?
15 Cowboys · Trends 16
Was that a season saver against the Chiefs? They did find a much-needed deep threat in Miles Austin and Tony Romo came alive. For a half, it looked like Wade Philips might get it at halftime.
16 49ers · Trends 14
Thud. That's the 49ers defense crashing to Earth. They were exposed some against the Falcons. And they don't have an offense that can keep up.
17 Cardinals · Trends 18
They beat the Texans, but the defense is still having issues. They have to get better on that side of the ball quickly. They also aren't running the ball at all.
18 Packers · Trends 17
Aaron Rodgers better hope the bye fixed that offensive line. If not, he might not make it through the season.
19 Dolphins · Trends 19
Does anybody doubt Chad Henne should be playing now? His arm gives them another dimension. Henne, not the Wildcat, will decide this team's fate.
20 Seahawks · Trends 22
Did Matt Hasselbeck's return save the season? It sure looked that way against the Jaguars.
21 Texans · Trends 23
The defense continues to be a problem, although it did play better in the second half against the Cardinals. Now they have to go play a hot Bengals team on the road. That won't be easy
22 Jaguars · Trends 21
They get the perfect tonic for their showing in Seattle -- the St. Louis Rams. But the Jaguars aren't very good on defense and they have no pass rush with only four sacks.
23 Panthers · Trends 25
They got their first victory, but the offense still isn't good. The good news is that Julius Peppers showed up against the Redskins.
24 Redskins · Trends 20
Paging Mike Shanahan. Paging Mike Shanahan. It's only a matter of time.
25 Lions · Trends 28
They will be in a lot of high-scoring games. Their pass defense isn't that good. It will take another draft to fix that.
26 Titans · Trends 24
It isn't good. They can't stop anybody and their passing game isn't good enough to keep up. Can you believe it's this bad? I can't.
27 Browns · Trends 32
Wonder what Brady Quinn thought as he watched Derek Anderson complete two passes against the Bills? The passing game has no weapons -- they've been traded away -- and it shows.
28 Bills · Trends 26
When does T.O. pop? How's he feel about his year in Buffalo now? At least they have good wings.
29 Raiders · Trends 27
Sit JaMarcus Russell right now. He isn't good. He doesn't seem to care. The rest of the team isn't far behind.
30 Buccaneers · Trends 29
Is it time to go to Josh Freeman? It might be. Why not? Josh Johnson isn't very good.
31 Chiefs · Trends 31
There is progress. Matt Cassel played better against Dallas and the defense was better. They'll take it.
32 Rams · Trends 30
They look nastier than Rush Limbaugh's mouth. Sure, you want in, Rush? This is what happens when the talent pool is thin. You can't compete. They are two offseasons away from winning.


Week 6
Sun, Oct 18 Stadium Time (ET) Tickets Network DIRECTV SIRIUS Westwood One
STL @ JAC Jacksonville Municipal Stadium 1:00 PM Tickets FOX 709 156 (STL) 130 (JAC)
NYG @ NO Superdome 1:00 PM Tickets FOX 710 127 (NYG) 157 (NO)
BAL @ MIN Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 1:00 PM Tickets CBS 705 152 (BAL) 123 (MIN)
DET @ GB Lambeau Field 1:00 PM Tickets FOX 708 155 (DET) 91 (GB)
HOU @ CIN Paul Brown Stadium 1:00 PM Tickets CBS 704 154 (HOU) 121 (CIN)
CLE @ PIT Heinz Field 1:00 PM Tickets CBS 706 153 (CLE) 122 (PIT)
KC @ WAS FedEx Field 1:00 PM Tickets CBS 707 155 (KC) 125 (WAS)
CAR @ TB Raymond James Stadium 1:00 PM Tickets FOX 711 158 (CAR) 126 (TB)
ARI @ SEA Qwest Field 4:05 PM Tickets FOX 713 121 (ARI) 125 (SEA)
PHI @ OAK Oakland Coliseum 4:05 PM Tickets FOX 712 122 (PHI) 126 (OAK)
BUF @ NYJ Giants Stadium 4:15 PM Tickets CBS 715 91 (BUF) 127 (NYJ)
TEN @ NE Gillette Stadium 4:15 PM Tickets CBS 714 123 (NE)
CHI @ ATL Georgia Dome 8:20 PM Tickets NBC 127 (CHI) 126 (ATL) Radio
Mon, Oct 19 Stadium Time (ET) Tickets Network DIRECTV SIRIUS Westwood One
DEN @ SD Qualcomm Stadium 8:30 PM Tickets ESPN 206 126 (DEN) 125 (SD) Radio
Byes: Cowboys, Colts, Dolphins, 49ers