NFL power rankings: Fruitful trip for Falcons

Will all of the injuries catch up to the Vikings? They are so thin on the offensive line they signed ex-Falcons tackle Jake Long during the bye week.

3. Cowboys (5-1)

After they won at Lambeau for their fifth straight W no one can deny the Cowboys (and rookie QB Dak Prescott) are legit. There is no way injured QB Tony Romo should get his starting job back.

4. Seahawks (4-1)

Sure, CB Richard Sherman got away with mugging Falcons WR Julio Jones. But they won in spite of a botched field goal and blown coverages because that pass rush still is fierce and QB Russel Wilson is unflappable.

5. Broncos (4-2)

Trevor Siemian was back at QB vs. Chargers after Paxton Lynch struggled against Falcons. The offense still was sluggish.

6. Bills (4-2)

RB LeSean McCoy ran all over the 49ers as the Bills won their fourth straight. They exhaled when McCoy returned after a first-half knee injury.

7. Packers (3-2)

Fans at Lambeau booed the Packers after they coughed up four turnovers in a loss to the Cowboys. Those uncharacteristic giveaways and injuries in the secondary suggest their problems are temporary.

8. Steelers (4-2)

There has to be some concern that offense flamed out in both of their losses.

9. Falcons (4-2)

That 21-0 third quarter was a thing of beauty. Regarding Julio Jones’ dropped pass that went for an interception: that's an odd time to be aggressive passing the ball.

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10. Chiefs (3-2)

They bounced back from blowout loss to the Steelers by coming out of the bye and pounding the Raiders. The defense especially made amends.

11. Washington (4-2)

That’s two weeks in a row that the defense played well. Maybe it’s time to take these guys seriously

12. Cardinals (3-3)

It’s hard to know what to make of their blowout win over the Jets, who didn’t seem to be trying all of that hard.

13. Eagles (3-2)

The Redskins lit up Philly’s defense for 493 yards and rookie QB Carson Wentz had his first bad game.

14. Raiders (4-2)

We already knew the defense isn’t good but the Chiefs held that offense to 286 yards and forced two turnovers.

15. Ravens (3-3)

The Ravens blew a lead in the final two minutes at the Giants and then couldn’t score after a gifted roughing the passer penalty. Their roster is old and injured.

16. Texans (3-2)

Their own fans walked out on them after three bad quarters against the Colts but then they became the first NFL team since 2011 to rally from a 14-point hole over the final three minutes.

17. Lions (3-3)

For the second straight week they won after K Matt Prater made a field goal and the defense followed it up with a clinching INT.

18. Giants (3-2)

WR Odell Beckham stopped with the emotional outbursts and went for 222 yards and two TDs to beat the Ravens.

19. Titans (3-3)

They’ve already matched their win total from 2015.

20. Bengals (2-4)

The Bengals got caught up in a bunch of woofing with the Patriots and now are off to their worst start six-game start since 2010.

21. Rams (3-3)

A week after Coach Jeff Fisher’s fake punt failed, the Rams were stopped on fourth down at the Detroit 1 at the end of the first half.

22. Buccaneers (2-3)

They say they are recharged after a bye week and game at 49ers offers a chance for two straight Ws.

23. Saints (2-3)

The defense still is awful but QB Drew Brees still can do things like throw for 465 yards and four TDs to beat the Panthers.

24. Jaguars (2-3)

Yeah, it was against the Bears, but Jags should feel good about coming back from down 13-0 on the road.

25. Dolphins (2-3)

Before the bye, Adam Gase called his offense “inept” and then they put 30 on the Steelers.

26. Chargers (2-4)

Coach Mike McCoy was emotional after beating Broncos, probably because he saved his job for the moment.

27. Colts (2-4)

After blowing that 14-point lead at Houston to fall in AFC South cellar, coach Chuck Pagano told reporters: “You probably think I’m crazy but I’m encouraged.”

28. Panthers (1-5)

It was unlikely they would be as good as last season but, even with injuries, how can they be this bad?

29. Jets (1-4)

The Jets looked as if they didn’t feel like playing against Arizona.

30. Bears (1-5)

At least they can always laugh at the Browns.

31. 49ers (1-5)

QB Colin Kaepernick was OK in first start of the season but defense collapsed at Bills.

32. Browns (0-6)

When will they get their first W? Next three are at Bengals, vs. Jets, vs. Cowboys.