9. Houston Texans (4-2)
Week 5 Rank: 13th
Week 6 Result: Watson outduels Mahomes as the Texans beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-24.
Next four opponents: @Colts, Raiders, @Jaguars, BYE
Deshaun Watson made sure his name is in the hat for the MVP by throwing for 280 yards and a touchdown while running for two more. Carlos Hyde got his revenge against the Chiefs who traded him to the Texans, running for 116 yards and a score. A sore left ankle noticeably limited Patrick Mahomes, and he threw his first interception of the season. The Texans even withstood the return of Tyreek Hill, who scored two touchdowns. Week 7 brings a huge AFC South showdown between the Texans (4-2) and the Indianapolis Colts (3-2).
10. Minnesota Vikings (4-2)
Week 5 Rank: 15th
Week 6 Result: The Vikings air show beats the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-20
Next four opponents: @Lions, Redskins, @Chiefs, @Cowboys
Kirk Cousins and Stefon Diggs are friends again as they hooked up for 167 yards and three scores against an Eagles defense who are still short both of their starting defensive backs. Cousins is on fire, throwing for back-to-back 300-yard games through the air. The Vikings defense gave up their first 100-yard rushing game in nine contests but held off the Eagles to get their fourth win of the season.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (4-2)
Week 5 Rank: 10th
Week 6 Result: Chiefs get outdueled by the Houston Texans, 31-24.
Next four opponents: @Broncos, Packers, Vikings, @Titans
The return of Tyreek Hill and his two touchdowns was not enough to overcome Deshaun Watson and former Chief Carlos Hyde in Week 6. Mahomes looked limited by his sore left ankle but still threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns. The Chiefs defense gave up 472 total yards of offense, which is something that even Mahomes could not overcome. The Chiefs head to the Mile High air in Denver to take on the Broncos on Thursday Night Football in Week 7.
12. Carolina Panthers (4-2)
Week 5 Rank: 17th
Week 6 Result: Panthers hold off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 37-26 in London
Next four opponents: BYE, @49ers, Titans, @Packers
Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel both scored two touchdowns, while Kyle Allen threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Allen is 5-0 as a starter, and he has yet to throw an interception this season. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, who threw five interceptions to hand the Panthers their fourth straight win. Do we have a quarterback controversy in Carolina?
13. Chicago Bears (3-2)
Week 5 Rank: 16th
Week 6 Result: BYE
Next four opponents: Saints, Chargers, @Eagles, Lions
The Bears travel to New Orleans to take on the 5-1 Saints in Week 6.
14. Detroit Lions (2-2-1)
Week 5 Rank: 14th
Week 6 Result: The Lions lose at the last second to the Green Bay Packers 23-22
Next four opponents: Vikings, Giants, @Raiders, @Bears
The Lions lost on a Mason Crosby field goal in the final second after a controversial penalty was called against the Lions, which kept the Packers’ drive alive and ultimately led to the winning kick. Matthew Stafford threw for 265 yards, 121 of which went to wideout Kenny Golladay. The Lions face another tough NFC North foe when they visit Minnesota to take on the Vikings in Week 7.
15. Los Angeles Rams (3-3)
Week 5 Rank: 11th
Week 6 Result: Rams get dominated by the 49ers, 20-7.
Next four opponents: @Falcons, Bengals, BYE, @Steelers
The Rams got destroyed by the upstart San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. Jared Goff threw for only 78 passing yards, and the team produced just 157 yards of total offense. The Rams have a chance to get their offense back on track against the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)
Week 5 Rank: 8th
Week 6 Result: The Eagles get walloped by the Minnesota Vikings, 38-20
Next four opponents: @Cowboys, @Bills, Bears, BYE
The Eagles gave up 333 passing yards and four touchdowns to Kirk Cousins, with Stefon Diggs collecting three of those touchdowns. The Vikings led throughout, which provided plenty of opportunities for Carson Wentz to throw to catch up. Wentz ended the day with an impressive 306 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles’ defense was without their two starting corners, and it was very evident that the Vikings could do no wrong in the passing game. Next, the Eagles head into Dallas to take on the Cowboys for a first-place battle in Week 7.