It’s already Week 6 in the NFL. Some things are clear. The San Francisco 49ers are very good. The Miami Dolphins are very fast (and probably very good). And some things are not clear. Two of the most highly respected coaches in the league in the last two decades find themselves near the bottom of this week’s Power Rankings. And the Kansas City Chiefs look out of sorts on offense despite winning.
In the “Becoming Clear” category is how each team’s additions are affecting outcomes this year. For that reason, we’re doing a rookie check-in this week, although we’ve taken the liberty of expanding the category to “notable new guy” when warranted.
(Last week: 1)
Sunday: Beat Dallas Cowboys 42-10
Should we do Sam Darnold here? San Francisco beat Dallas so badly Sunday night that Darnold got into the game, but no, this section is just going to be a 49ers appreciation post since the Niners don’t have any newcomers making a significant impact. Being the best team in the NFL in mid-October is not the goal, but Brock Purdy’s 123.1 passer rating would be the highest for any quarterback in a season since at least 2000, according to TruMedia, and there’s no indication San Francisco will slow down.
Up next: at Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Last week: 2)
Sunday: Beat Los Angeles Rams 23-14
After coming within four points of a Super Bowl, the Eagles added two of the most productive new guys in the offseason. Defensive lineman Jalen Carter, the No. 9 pick, is tied for seventh in the league with 23 QB pressures. D’Andre Swift, acquired in an offseason trade from Detroit, has 361 rushing yards in the last three weeks. Save the arguments about whether the Tush Push is a football play. Dominating the lines of scrimmage is the essence of football, and that’s what Philly is doing.
Up next: at New York Jets, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
(Last week: 4)
Sunday: Beat New York Giants 31-16
Miami might have missed on second-round cornerback Cam Smith, but the Dolphins made up for it with third-round pick De’Von Achane. After totaling 5 yards in the first two games of the season, the rookie running back leads the NFL with 455 rushing yards in the last three weeks. He’s averaging 12.3 yards per carry in that time and has two of the three fastest speeds in the NFL this year (21.93 mph and 21.76 mph), according to NextGen Stats.
Up next: vs. Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Last week: 7)
Sunday: Beat Carolina Panthers 42-24
Second-round tight end Sam LaPorta is one of the best rookies in the league and a big reason the Lions are fourth in the league in scoring (29.6). LaPorta leads all tight ends with 25 catches for 289 yards. Throw in the fact that running back Jahmyr Gibbs has shown flashes and second-round safety Brian Branch might be a star, and Detroit is in the running for the best draft of 2023, not to mention the third-best team in the NFC.
Up next: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
(Last week: 5)
Sunday: Beat Minnesota Vikings 27-20
It seems weird to say, but the Chiefs, who are a surprising ninth in the league in scoring (25.6 ppg), could use some help, and they aren’t getting much of it from this draft class. Second-round pick Rashee Rice is second on the team in catches with 17 but has only 173 yards. First-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah has four quarterback hurries and half a sack.
Up next: vs. Denver Broncos, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
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Do the Patriots have a future with Bill Belichick, or without? Sando’s Pick Six
(Last week: 3)
Sunday: Lost to Jacksonville Jaguars 25-20
Tight end Dalton Kincaid, selected 25th, hasn’t exactly transformed the Buffalo offense. Kincaid has been on the field for more than 60 percent of the Bills’ snaps but has barely topped 100 receiving yards for the season (17 catches, 118 yards). Buffalo isn’t getting much out of the rest of its six-man draft class either. The Bills are getting a pass this week for losing in London to a team that spent the week there, but they need a bounce-back game quickly.
Up next: vs. New York Giants, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
(Last week: 6)
Sunday: Lost to San Francisco 49ers 42-10
Saying anything bad feels like piling on after Sunday night, after which Dallas has to turn in its contender card, but this year’s draft class doesn’t suggest there’s help on the way. First-round pick Mazi Smith has played only about 25 percent of the snaps and has four tackles on the defensive line. Second-round tight end Luke Schoonmaker has one catch for 1 yard.
Up next: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Monday. 8:15 p.m. ET Rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon has lived up to his draft position so far for the Seahawks. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
(Last week: 9)
Sunday: Bye
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon was a surprise at No. 5 in the draft. Guess we should have given Pete Carroll the benefit of the doubt about drafting defensive backs. Witherspoon was the NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 4, has one interception, two sacks and a nasty attitude the Seahawks love. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, 20th, is off to a slow start due in part — but only in part — to a wrist injury. He has 12 catches for 62 yards.
Up next: at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Last week: 10)
Sunday: Bye
The 2023 draft class has been fine, and second-round offensive tackle Cody Mauch is starting, but the best addition by far has been quarterback Baker Mayfield. The former No. 1 pick looked destined to end his career as a backup. Now he’s top 10 in the league in passer rating (101.9) with seven touchdowns versus two interceptions, and the Bucs are infatuated. Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht called him “a dude” on Peter Schrager’s podcast last week. Crushes on Mayfield have flamed out fast in the past, but the Buccaneers lead the division at the moment.
Up next: vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, 4:25 ET DO DEEPER What we learned in NFL Week 5: Lions legitimately good, Patriots worst team in football?
(Last week: 16)
Sunday: Beat Buffalo Bills 25-20
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley (22 catches, 333 yards) has helped after being acquired in a trade with the Falcons, but the draft class hasn’t provided much. Jacksonville drafted 13 players in the offseason. First-rounder Anton Harrison is starting at right tackle, but second-round tight end Brenton Strange (two catches, 7 yards) and third-round running back Tank Bigsby (41 yards on 15 carries) haven’t blossomed yet.
Up next: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Last week: 8)
Sunday: Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers 17-10
Wide receiver Zay Flowers, the No. 22 pick, is third among all rookies with 317 receiving yards, and he’s carrying a huge chunk of the Ravens’ passing game. He’s 11th in the league in team target percentage (28.6 percent), according to TruMedia. In the “new guy” category, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has a lot fewer catches (seven) than he had offseason headlines during his free agency.
Up next: at Tennessee Titans, Sunday in London, 9:30 a.m. ET
(Last week: 19)
Sunday: Beat New England Patriots 34-0
The Saints took two defensive players in the top 40, but defensive linemen Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey have combined for only 15 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks. Neither has played more than half of New Orleans’ snaps. But how about the old guy? Wide receiver Michael Thomas, who hasn’t had more than 450 receiving yards in a season since 2019, is New Orleans’ leading receiver with 284 yards already.
Up next: at Houston Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Last week: 11)
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