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NFL Folk, ESPN
Welcome to Generation 7 of the 2024 NFL season.
The Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens tie heavy wins in Generation 6 over the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders, respectively. In the meantime, the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and Brandnew England Patriots all misplaced to proceed to 1-5 at the season. How do all 32 groups stack up now later the motion?
We’ve up to date the ratings, and our NFL Folk journalists picked one lesson that we’ve discovered from each and every group to this point this season. Which groups and gamers are overperforming — or underperforming? What has — and hasn’t — labored out via six weeks?
Let’s take a look at the pristine 1-32 ratings underneath.
Our energy panel of greater than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluates how NFL groups stack up towards one every other, score them from 1 to 32.
Earlier ratings: Preseason | Generation 2 | Generation 3 | Generation 4 | Generation 5 | Generation 6
Leap to a group:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Generation 6 score: 1
Lesson discovered: Protection will raise the Chiefs.
For the entire Chiefs’ offseason plans to go back to their high-scoring tactics, it’s turning into clear their protection must raise the burden and next some if they’re to win every other Tremendous Bowl. The Chiefs are once more center of the gather (fifteenth) in scoring in keeping with competition (23.6 issues). However Kansas Town’s protection is 6th in issues allowed in keeping with competition (17) and has held every opponent, together with 4 of the NFL’s govern 11 scoring groups, underneath its season reasonable. — Adam Teicher
Generation 6 score: 2
Lesson discovered: Wait till the Vikings play games the video games.
Minnesota was once a preseason consensus pick out no longer simplest to complete closing within the NFC North however to take action with a listing underneath .500 — partially as a result of a brutal opening to its agenda. Mathematically, each projections may nonetheless come true. However at 5-0, Minnesota is greater than midway to making sure a profitable listing in 2024. The Vikings have additionally ruled their warring parties with an NFL-high 63-point scoring differential. — Kevin Seifert
Generation 6 score: 4
Lesson discovered: The Lions’ floor assault is elite.
Operating at the back of a powerful offensive series, Detroit’s two-headed monster in David Sir Bernard Law and Jahmyr Gibbs is arguably the most productive RB duo within the league. Upcoming a 47-9 win in Dallas, they become the primary working again duo to every make 70 or extra scrimmage yards in every of the primary 5 video games of a season. Sir Bernard Law additionally unpriviledged Billy Sims’ (1980-81) franchise mark with 8 consecutive video games with a dashing landing. Detroit’s forged dashing assault additionally is helping seen the grassland for heavy objectives by means of WRs Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown and TE Sam LaPorta. — Eric Woodyard
Generation 6 score: 3
Lesson discovered: The Texans can win within the take hold of.
Houston is undefeated in one-score video games, as 4 of its 5 wins were inside of one ownership, together with two on game-winning drives. The Texans confirmed they might win an uncongenial slugfest in Generation 5 towards the Expenses. Houston confirmed it will win a shootout in Generation 1 towards the Colts. The Texans’ protection closed out the Bears at the closing force in Generation 2. Texans teacher DeMeco Ryans mentioned the cause of their luck is they form performs in situational soccer. — DJ Bien-Aime
Generation 6 score: 5
Lesson discovered: The Ravens will journey so far as the offense takes them.
QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry have the Ravens ranked because the Refuse. 1 offense, and it’s going to want to keep this dominant for Baltimore to form a championship run. The protection is suffering towards the go and give up 24.8 issues in keeping with competition, the 1/3 maximum in group historical past later six video games. The Ravens are 4-0 this season after they rating 24 or extra issues. They’re 0-2 when being held to 23 or fewer. The season rests at the productiveness of the offense. — Jamison Hensley
1:34
Belichick inspired with what he has discoverable from Ravens
Invoice Belichick explains to Pat McAfee what is operating smartly for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense.
Generation 6 score: 6
Lesson discovered: Don’t overreact.
Shouldn’t this be a lesson for each and every group each and every yr? The Expenses began the season with heavy highs by means of scoring 30-plus issues in 3 instantly wins. However heavy lows adopted with a lopsided loss to the Ravens and overlooked alternatives towards the Texans. The Expenses have some pristine gamers, so herbal rising pains are anticipated. This could also be a bunch that has a contemporary historical past of selecting up its efficiency alike the tip of the steady season. — Alaina Getzenberg
Generation 6 score: 8
Lesson discovered: QB Baker Mayfield and OC Liam Coen are a deadly mixture.
The Bucs publish 44 issues of offense (additionally they had a fumble cure for a landing to form it 51 overall) Sunday towards the Saints — a group that was once give up only a 25% pink zone scoring price, the most productive mark within the NFL — and so they’re secured for an NFL-leading 178 offensive issues scored. Their 594 web yards of offense Sunday was once a franchise listing. — Jenna Laine
Generation 6 score: 9
Lesson discovered: The Packers’ protection can tug the ball away.
Inexperienced Bay doesn’t rank within the govern 10 within the league in yards allowed in keeping with competition, passing yards in keeping with competition, dashing yards in keeping with raise, third-down block proportion or pink zone protection. On the other hand, the Packers manage the league with 17 takeaways, together with one on particular groups. It’s probably the most via six video games of an NFL season because the Bears have been at the similar past in 2018. The one query is that if/when the Packers get to the postseason and so they’re taking part in the govern groups, can they nonetheless tug the ball away? — Rob Demovsky
Generation 6 score: 7
Lesson discovered: Rookie QB Jayden Daniels is respectable.
A franchise that has sought a solution at quarterback for many years can in spite of everything breathe simple. It’s no longer simply that Daniels ranks 1/3 in QBR (73.6) later six video games or that he has thrown for 1,404 yards and 6 touchdowns and pressed for time for an extra 322 and 4 ratings. It’s all about how he continues to form as a result of the preparation he does all over the life, and the way he’s growing the next degree of chemistry along with his receivers, particularly Terry McLaurin. As teacher Dan Quinn mentioned following Sunday’s loss to Baltimore, “There’s a lot of belief in him.” — John Keim
Generation 6 score: 13
Lesson discovered: Not anything will come simple for the 49ers.
In 2023, San Francisco ran roughshod over warring parties, profitable 12 regular-season video games by means of a second-best reasonable of nineteen.08 issues, with a third-best 11.35 reasonable level differential in all video games. The ones Niners have been wholesome and loaded with stars. With out RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles), DT Javon Hargrave (triceps), LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles), S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) and others as a result of harm, this yr’s version is decidedly no longer. That has left San Francisco in additional tight video games. Via six weeks, San Francisco has misplaced 3 one-score video games and has a 5.33 reasonable level differential. It’ll want to arrive pulling one of the most similar video games out to form every other playoff run. — Nick Wagoner
Generation 6 score: 15
Lesson discovered: The offensive id is a piece in go.
By means of hiring OC Arthur Smith within the offseason, the Steelers seemed to sign they sought after to be a ground-and-pound group. However ahead of the Generation 6 win over Las Vegas, the offense didn’t constantly proceed the ball at the floor. Najee Harris’ 106 dashing yards Sunday — a part of a season-best 183 group overall — may ruthless the start of a working renaissance. Or the stream may flip if teacher Mike Tomlin opts to switch QB Justin Areas with a now-healthy Russell Wilson to jump-start the passing competition, which ranks twenty eighth with 166.8 yards in keeping with competition. Nonetheless, the group’s offensive id is but to be noticeable via six video games. — Brooke Pryor
Generation 6 score: 14
Lesson discovered: The Falcons will also be flexible offensively.
In Generation 5, QB Kirk Cousins threw for a franchise-record 509 yards towards the category rival Buccaneers. He didn’t want to reflect that efficiency Sunday towards the Panthers, because the Falcons ran for a complete of 198 yards, led by means of RB Tyler Allgeier’s 105 yards and a landing. Bijan Robinson added 95 yards at the floor and 2 touchdowns. Upcoming a gradual arrive offensively, Atlanta turns out to have discovered its groove. The group is 8th within the league in yards in keeping with competition (368.3) and WR Drake London is secured for moment within the NFL in receiving touchdowns (4). — Marc Raimondi
Generation 6 score: 11
Lesson discovered: It’s getting to be a bumpy trip.
Coming off a 1-6 fall down to finish closing season, the one means teacher Nick Sirianni and the Eagles may steer clear of turmoil was once by means of getting off to a scorching begin to soothe a fan bottom on edge. That didn’t occur. The Eagles are 3-2 and feature regarded completely regular in spite of boasting one of the vital higher offensive rosters within the league. Issues got here to a head in a Generation 6 house win over the Browns when the society voiced its displeasure over the process a lackluster efficiency and Sirianni replied by means of yelling at some consumers on the finish of the sport. Possibly issues will relax as we get deeper into the season, however that’s withered to image on the month. — Tim McManus
Generation 6 score: 12
Lesson discovered: Fortunes trade temporarily within the NFL.
The Seahawks have long gone from 3-0 and on govern of the NFC West to 3-3 and reeling on protection. Accidents on that aspect of the ball and a miles harder slate of opposing quarterbacks were important components. Over the primary 3 weeks — week dealing with Bo Nix, Jacoby Brissett and Skylar Thompson — Seattle allowed the fourth-fewest issues in keeping with competition at 14.3. Within the losses to Jared Goff, Daniel Jones and Brock Purdy, the Seahawks allowed 35.7 issues in keeping with competition, which is the second-most within the league since Generation 4. — Brady Henderson
Generation 6 score: 10
Lesson discovered: There’s no margin for error.
Within the presen, the Cowboys overcame their miscues and nonetheless gained video games. The roster isn’t as proficient with their departures and dearth of additives in loose company. When issues journey improper, they may be able to’t remove themselves out of the trench. The offense can’t have pink zone submits since the protection can’t give them difference possessions with takeaways. It gained’t get more straightforward. Six of Dallas’ ultimate 11 video games come towards quarterbacks these days ranked within the govern 10 in QBR. For the Cowboys to get to the playoffs for a fourth instantly season, they may want to play games nearer to error-free soccer. — Todd Archer
1:58
Stephen A. crashes ‘Get Up’ to troll the Cowboys once more
Stephen A. Smith makes a amaze look on “Get Up,” to troll the Cowboys later their loss to the Lions.
Generation 6 score: 17
Lesson discovered: Don’t leap to conclusions a few rookie QB later 3 video games.
The Caleb Williams who was once on show all over Chicago’s 1-2 arrive appears to be like very other from the quarterback who has thrown the second-most touchdowns by means of a Bears rookie (9). Williams has proven important development in his group’s 3 instantly wins over the Rams, Panthers and Jaguars. His final touch proportion jumped from 59% (Weeks 1-3) to 74% (Weeks 4-6) and his yards in keeping with struggle larger by means of 3.2 (from 5.3 to eight.5). He has thrown seven touchdowns to only one interception over the presen 3 weeks, versus a 2-4 TD/INT ratio from his first 3 video games. The command the Refuse. 1 pick out has proven over the Bears’ offense is revealed and has Chicago headed into its bye life assured that it has discovered its id. — Courtney Cronin
Generation 6 score: 18
Lesson discovered: Coordinator Jesse Minter has modified the protection.
Because the Chargers drafted QB Justin Herbert in 2020, they’ve had one of the vital league’s worst defenses. They allowed the fifth-most issues (24.9) and the Tenth-most yards (353.3) in keeping with competition over that span. Via 5 video games in 2024, alternatively, the Chargers have one of the vital league’s ideally suited defenses, permitting the fewest issues in keeping with competition within the NFL via six weeks (13.2). The Chargers have allowed fewer than 21 issues in every in their first 5 video games of the season for the 1/3 age in franchise historical past. — Kris Rhim
Generation 6 score: 16
Lesson discovered: The Saints’ first two weeks have been an phantasm.
The Saints appeared like one of the vital ideally suited groups within the league later a 2-0 arrive, however later 4 instantly losses, it’s unclouded they’re inferior to the ones first two weeks advised. Accidents have performed an element, however the Saints’ once-feared protection is now ranked closing in yards allowed in keeping with competition (395.8), it has tackling problems and the group seems to dearth the intensity on each side of the ball to proper the send. — Katherine Terrell
Generation 6 score: 22
Lesson discovered: We want to see extra.
The Colts’ 3-3 listing is both an overachievement or underachievement, relying to your point of view. They have got a disappointing, Thirtieth-ranked protection (permitting 389.5 yards in keeping with competition), however they’ve reached .500 in spite of a rash of accidents to QB Anthony Richardson (indirect), DT DeForest Buckner (ankle) and RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle). If the Colts can get wholesome — the 3 aforementioned gamers are anticipated again quickly — perhaps Indianapolis can succeed in its ceiling this season. An nearest stretch comprises conferences with the Texans, Expenses, Vikings and Lions will most definitely inform the tale. — Stephen Holder
Generation 6 score: 20
Lesson discovered: The Cardinals are constantly inconsistent.
The primary six video games of the season were a curler coaster for Arizona. They began red-hot towards the Expenses, next pale in the second one part. Later they beat the pants off the Rams, driven the Lions, were given blown out by means of the Commanders, toppled the 49ers and were given trucked by means of the Packers. Nobody is aware of which Cardinals group will display up on Sundays. And if that they had beat Inexperienced Bay on Sunday, the Cardinals would’ve had a percentage of first park within the NFC West. One little their offense is unstoppable; the later, they devote over a lot consequences. — Josh Weinfuss
Generation 6 score: 19
Lesson discovered: The Broncos’ offense is (and might be) a attempt.
Tutor Sean Payton elected to throw rookie QB Bo Nix into the deep finish, and he has proven moments of hope and enough quantity of frustration. The Broncos are thirty first on 1/3 indisposed (25%) and 289th in final touch proportion (61.1%) in spite of being alike the base of the league in reasonable yards in keeping with final touch. So, they’ve Nix taking part in low-risk soccer and are nonetheless no longer finishing enough quantity passes. Generation may well be the fix, however the trip goes to be bumpy. Possibly bumpier than Nix, Payton or the Broncos idea. — Jeff Legwold
Generation 6 score: 21
Lesson discovered: Proprietor Woody Johnson is out of persistence.
The landlord’s choice to fireside teacher Robert Saleh later simplest 5 video games speaks to his sense of urgency. It’s a serious warning call for all of the development, and it will portend extra strikes. In all probability the Jets might be extra prone to business for WR Davante Adams. And perhaps it’s going to spur them to unravel the Haason Reddick holdout. — Lavish Cimini
*Scribbler’s word: The Jets did business for Adams on Tuesday.
Generation 6 score: 24
Lesson discovered: The Bengals aren’t just right enough quantity but.
There was once simplest such a lot delight within the vault room following Cincinnati’s win over the Giants. QB Joe Burrow stated the offense didn’t play games smartly enough quantity on a future when the protection replied. Cincinnati is 14th within the league in level in keeping with force differential at 0.32. Stated Burrow later the sport: “We’re trying to find ourselves, trying to find wins. We found one today, that’s great. But we know we have to be better going forward.” — Ben Child
Generation 6 score: 23
Lesson discovered: Protection is the Dolphins’ energy.
Tutor Mike McDaniel mentioned as a lot following a win over the Patriots in Generation 5. Generation the Dolphins’ offense has sputtered with out QB Tua Tagovailoa, their protection quietly ranks 5th in yards allowed in keeping with competition (285.4) and leads the NFL in third-down proportion (25.5%). In its first yr beneath coordinator Anthony Weaver, Miami’s protection has been a lone certain in a in large part disappointing first six weeks of the season. On the other hand, it gained’t ruthless a lot till the Dolphins’ NFL-worst scoring offense improves. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Generation 6 score: 25
Lesson discovered: The Giants nonetheless attempt to attain issues.
Brandnew York’s offensive series is progressed, it added a Refuse. 1 vast receiver in Malik Nabers and teacher Brian Daboll is asking performs. It’s nonetheless no longer enough quantity. This group struggles to attain issues … once more! The Giants are twenty ninth within the NFL, averaging 16.0 issues in keeping with competition. That is later being Thirtieth within the league with 15.6 PPG closing season. “The ultimate goal is to score points,” Daboll mentioned. The Giants simply haven’t discovered learn how to do it constantly. — Jordan Raanan
Generation 6 score: 27
Lesson discovered: The Rams are lacking a difference-maker within the secondary.
The 1-4 Rams rank thirty first in go protection DVOA and feature simply two interceptions this season. Los Angeles made adjustments to the secondary all over its ultimate competition ahead of the bye life, together with making CB Tre’Davious White a wholesome scratch. The Rams signed White to a one-year trade in coming off an Achilles tear, however the former All-Professional struggled to start out the season. This most likely isn’t an improve Los Angeles will be capable of form till the offseason, but when the protection is to tug a step ahead, the Rams want to spend money on a playmaker. — Sarah Barshop
Generation 6 score: 26
Lesson discovered: Rookie tight finish Brock Bowers is respectable.
The Raiders took some warmth for the usage of the Refuse. 13 pick out on a place that was once no longer a necessity, however all Bowers has carried out is make and display he’s a foundational piece for the franchise. His 37 catches manage all NFL tight ends and are the second-most by means of a good result in his first six occupation video games within the Tremendous Bowl presen (1970), trailing simplest Keith Jackson, who had 38 receptions in 1988. Bowers could also be the primary rookie tight finish with no less than 8 catches in back-to-back video games since 2013. — Paul Gutierrez
Generation 6 score: 28
Lesson discovered: It takes age to discover a franchise QB.
The Titans believed they may have their franchise quarterback in Will Levis with pristine teacher Brian Callahan guiding the best way. To this point, that hasn’t been the case. Levis’ seven interceptions manage the NFL and 3 of the Titans’ 4 losses have been made up our minds within the fourth quarter. He has but to throw a landing go within the fourth quarter, and 4 of his interceptions have are available in that age body. Levis stated it takes a procedure to get the place he needs to be: “I just hope to get there in these next few weeks once we get into the meat of the season.” — Turron Davenport
Generation 6 score: 30
Lesson discovered: Offseason considerations in regards to the offense have been professional.
The Browns downplayed the transition from teacher Kevin Stefanski’s West Coast-based scheme to a pristine shotgun-centric assault with Deshaun Watson again as founding quarterback. However it has didn’t start out and the numerous offseason questions, from Watson’s unpriviledged efficiency to the dearth of concord on an injury-riddled offensive series, have constantly surfaced. The Browns are the primary group because the 2014 Jaguars to fail to succeed in 20 issues in every in their first six video games. — Daniel Oyefusi
Generation 6 score: 31
Lesson discovered: Refuse expectancies are warranted for the Panthers.
Common supervisor Dan Morgan was once puzzled ahead of the season for pronouncing he didn’t have expectancies for the season. Now we all know why. Generation there have been just right items offensively and defensively, intensity was once slim and no one knew whether or not QB Bryce Younger would toughen. He didn’t, which is why he’s at the back of Andy Dalton. Accidents have decimated the protection, and the group’s minus-100 level differential is by means of a ways the worst within the NFL. — David Newton
Generation 6 score: 29
Lesson discovered: The protection has gotten a lot worse.
Tutor Doug Pederson fired coordinator Mike Caldwell and leased Ryan Nielsen, however the trade hasn’t helped. They’ve in truth gotten worse, shedding considerably within the six primary defensive sections (scoring, dashing, passing, overall yards, 1/3 indisposed and pink zone) and rank closing within the league in go protection (276.7 yards in keeping with competition) and pink zone price (76.2%). Accidents to CB Tyson Campbell (hamstring) and LB Foyesade Oluokun (understructure) were an element, however that is shaping as much as be one of the vital Jaguars’ worst defenses ever. They’re on past to surrender 505 overall issues and 390 yards allowed in keeping with competition, which will be the moment worst in franchise historical past. — Michael DiRocco
Generation 6 score: 32
Lesson discovered: QB Drake Maye sparks hope.
Maye’s debut founding efficiency Sunday incorporated a wonderful 40-yard landing go that stood out partly because of its deficit. Since 2020, the Patriots have had simply two passing touchdowns of 35 or extra breeze yards — one from Cam Newton and every other from Mac Jones. Maye undertaking the feat in his first occupation arrive, which incorporated 3 touchdowns and a misplaced fumble, provides the Patriots one thing to manufacture on. — Mike Reiss
