2022 NFL Power Rankings, Week 6: Giant surprise, Steelers demise

There were some great individual performances in Week 5. And the NFL’s lone undefeated team had a little bit of a scare in the desert.

The NFL’s current season has enjoyed five weeks of a full 16-game slate. Now it’s the stretch of the season where teams get a little vacation time. It starts Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas and Tennessee taking Week 6 off.

Meanwhile, offenses around the league performed somewhat better this week. But it’s worth noting that the Colts, Broncos, Lions, Steelers and Jaguars all failed to score a touchdown this past week. So what do the newest NFL Power Rankings look like?

32

Washington Commanders 1-4

Last week: L, 21-17 vs TEN
Last rank: 32nd

The club’s Week 1 win over the Jaguars has turned into a distant memory as the Commanders haven’t tasted victory since. The losing streak reached four games after a tough loss to the visiting Titans.

Carson Wentz would throw for 359 yards and two scores – both to wideout Dyami Brown. Down by four late in the fourth quarter, he drove his team to what could have been the game-winning score but was picked off at the Titans’ one-yard-line.

31

Pittsburgh Steelers 1-4

Last week: L, 38-3 at BUF
Last rank: 29th

Mike Tomlin’s club made its way to Buffalo for the third consecutive year and in hindsight, probably wished his team hadn’t made the trip. A once-proud defense was walloped for 552 total yards and the Steeler trailed 31-3 in the second quarter.

The Bills averaged 10.2 yards per offensive play, embarrassing coordinator Teryl Austin’s unit. Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for 327 yards but was picked off and sacked three times in the loss.

30

Carolina Panthers 1-4

Last week: L, 37-15 vs SF
Last rank: 31st

The Panthers were home for the third straight week and for the fourth time in five games as they took on the improving 49ers. Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and P.J. Walker were sacked a combined six times and the former served up a pick-six in the 22-point loss.

On Monday, the team parted ways with head coach Matt Rhule, defensive coordinator Phil Snow and special teams assistant coach Ed Foley. And Steve Wilks was named interim head coach.

29

Detroit Lions 1-4

Last week: L, 29-0 at NE
Last rank: 28th

It’s pretty safe to say that four weeks into the season, not many people would have had the Lions as the highest-scoring team in the league. Dan Campbell’s club headed to New England looking for a much-needed win and instead wound up getting blanked by the Patriots.

Quarterback Jared Goff threw one interception. He was also sacked twice and one of those resulted in a fumble return for a touchdown by the Patriots’ defensive unit.