Week 6 is said and done and we have some new teams in both the bottom 10 and the top 10. Even a new player breaks into the top 10 candidates for MVP after a career-game this past Sunday. For those unfamiliar with the rankings, I’ll sum it up briefly. I always start off with the eyesores of the league and get them out of the way. The worst 10 teams I see as worst in the leauge, a little thing I dubbed “Bottom of the Barrel.” Then we go to the other end of the spectrum and showcase who I believe the 10 most impressive teams are at the moment, a.k.a. “Top of the Pops”. And from there we go to the “MVP Race”. This one kind of goes without saying, but it’s the 10 most standout players who I feel are most deserving to be handed the hardware at the moment. The number you see in parenthesis is where each team/player ranked the previous week. 

Bottom of the Barrel:

  1. Cincinnati (10) Broke into the bottom 10 after handing the Bucs the game in a 24-21 loss in Week 5. Coming off a bye week, they couldn’t really move anywhere. Record: 2-3

  2. Denver (9) Would’ve climbed their way out of the bottom 10 if they could’ve hung on against the Jets, despite Orton only going 14 of 34. Record: 2-4

  3. Oakland (8) If anyone was going to let San Francisco get their first win, it might as well be the Raiders. Let Frank Gore run for 149 yards and managed just 9 points against a previously 0-5 team. Record: 2-4

  4. San Diego (NR) Were down 17-0 at one point to the St. Louis Rams and their rookie QB Sam Bradford. They seem to always start off slow, but this is ridiculous. Record: 2-4

  5. Dallas (NR) Arguably the league’s most talented team is also the most undisciplined. More stupid penalties and a loss to an equally disappointing Minnesota finally puts them on the list, maybe long overdue. Record: 1-4

  6. Detroit (7) I feel bad having the Lions this low, but you are what your record says you are. Even though they have been in every game and put up points, they can’t manage to get the W’s. Record: 1-5

  7. San Francisco (3) After finally getting their first win of the season, they move up one spot. But they have a long way to go if they want to live up to the expectations most had for them to win the NFC West. Record: 1-5

  8. Cleveland (4) The Browns have been long-time residents at the bottom of this list. If they ever want to make a change of address, the defense had better stop someone and Colt McCoy better be a fast learner. Record: 1-5

  9. Carolina (2) Had a bye in Week 6, but I thought they should actually win against a Cutlerless Bears in Week 5. They scored 6 points. Enough said. Record: 0-5

  10. Buffalo (1) They have been able to a keep a few games close, but their record is right about where I expected when I called for them to win 1 or 2 before the season began. Scott Norwood might be off the hook for a while. Record: 0-5

Climbed Out: Seattle (5), St. Louis (6)

Top of the Pops:

  1. Nawlins (NR) Blew out the Bucs to possibly get back on track after a surprising loss to Arizona. Still not quite where they should be, but definitely a top 10 squad. Record: 4-2

  2. Tennessee (NR) Destroyed Jacksonville to keep pace in the AFC South with Indy and Houston. Lost Vince Young to a sprained knee, but the defense and Chris Johnson stepped up. Record: 4-2

  3. Atlanta (4) Couldn’t get going against the Eagles in a game I expected them to win, even on the road. They slip 4 spots because it wasn’t even close. Record: 4-2

  4. Philadelphia (NR) No Vick, no problem. Kolb threw for 326 yards and 3 TDs on the Atlanta defense. Maclin stepped up with DeSean Jackson leaving after a vicious hit. We’ll see how long they can stick around the top 10. Record: 4-2

  5. NY Giants (7) Got their 4th straight win after starting 0-2. Hard to believe this is the same team. Ahmad Bradshaw had a field day with Detroit’s defense, or lack thereof. Record: 4-2

  6. Indianapolis (6) Manning did his usual thing, but Addai also finally had a big game. Then of course suffered a shoulder injury. Luckily they have a bye week to possibly get Donald Brown healthy. Record: 4-2

  7. Baltimore (3) They slip 1 spot after blowing a 10-point 4th quarter lead to New England. Never sleep on Tom Brady. With or without Randy Moss. Record: 4-2

  8. New England (5) Moving up 2 thanks to the win over Baltimore and Atlanta’s slide. They continue to get it done with a lot of players you’ve never heard of. Record: 4-1

  9. Pittsburgh (2) Ben Roethlisberger showed no signs of rust and the defense played lights out as usual. Playing Cleveland certainly didn’t hurt. Record: 4-1

  10. NY Jets (1) Squeaked out a win against Denver after a late-game pass interference call. Mark Sanchez continues to manage the game well and the defense only allowed 14 completions. Record: 5-1

Fell Out: Chicago (8), Green Bay (9), Kansas City (10)

MVP Race:

  1. Philip Rivers (9) He’s been doing his part with a limited receiving corps, but another disappointing loss and he’ll be knocked off this list. 

  2. Adrian Peterson (8) Ran for 73 yards and a score on Dallas’ defense. Good enough for 4th best in the league in rushing. Best of all, no fumbles yet this season.

  3. Drew Brees (10) Returned to form after a miserable week against Arizona, throwing for 263 yards and 3 TDs against Tampa.

  4. Lawrence Timmons (NR) Has been playing consistently all season, but finally cracks the top 10 after an 11 tackle, 2 sack and 1 INT game. 

  5. Clay Matthews (6) Missed the game against Miami with a hamstring injury. For now he’s gonna hold steady at #6. Afterall, even after missing a game he’s still the league leader in sacks.

  6. LaDainian Tomlinson (5) Who would’ve thought he’d be 7th in the league in rushing and averaging 5.3 a carry? Had 2 scores against Denver to bring his season total to 5.

4. Arian Foster (4) Still leading the league in rushing after 71 yards and 2 scores against Kansas City. Only carried it 18 times though since they had to battle their way back from a big deficit.

  1. Chris Johnson (3) Creeping his way up on Foster for the most rushing yards. Clearly more important to his team than Foster, proving that in last night’s game against the Jags.

  2. Tom Brady (2) Brought the Patriots back when they looked down and out against Baltimore. Even had some trash talk for Terrell Suggs which you couldn’t help but like. Threw 2 picks but his clutch performance keeps him at #2. 

  3. Peyton Manning (1) No surprise here. Another 300-yard game and 2 TDs against Washington, he keeps making Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie look like Pro Bowlers. 

Fell Out: Kyle Orton (7) 

Those are the lists for Week 6. Feel free to post comments what you agree/disagree with, or even post your own lists.