Who says you have to go easy on a rookie quarterback?
Commanders' Jayden Daniels, Broncos' Bo Nix and Bears' Caleb Williams have all been starters since Week 1, and their combined 10 wins are the first by a rookie since the 1970 AFL season through the first five weeks of the season. This is the second-highest number for a quarterback class. NFL merger.
I'm curious as to when the Patriots, who have lost four straight and have a record low, will switch from veteran Jacoby Brissett to rookie Drake Maye, but especially if owner Robert Kraft is interested in him being acquired by another team. Especially if you're looking around with envy. Jump start with a young quarterback.
The thriving Vikings and Falcons have the luxury of rookie quarterbacks JJ McCarthy (injured) and Michael Penix Jr., respectively, awaiting long-term plans.
Here are the Post's NFL power rankings for Week 6:
1. Kansas City Chiefs 5-0 (1)
Kareem Hunt, who was unsigned until September 17th, solidified his status as the top running back in a 26-13 win over the Saints with 27 carries for 102 yards in the absence of Isaiah Pacheco. . Patrick Mahomes threw for 331 yards and helped give the Chiefs an almost 18-minute advantage in time of possession. Harrison Butker kicked four field goals.
2. Minnesota Vikings 5-0(2)
Sam Darnold didn't burn down his former team. And Aaron Jones was out injured. So the Vikings won 23-17 against the Jets in London, relying on their defense to stop Aaron Rodgers three times. Andrew Van Ginkel returned the pick for a touchdown, and Stephon Gilmore scored in the red zone in the final moments to seal the victory.
3. Detroit Lions 3-1(3)
Was it a bad time to say goodbye? After going 2-1 in one-score games to open the season, the Lions' offense was firing on all cylinders with a 42-point outburst against the Seahawks in Week 4. But the defense is also playing its part with Aiden Hutchinson playing well. 6.5 sacks, 3 interceptions by Kirby Joseph.
4. Houston Texans 4-1(4)
Kaimi Fairbairn's game-tying 59-yard field goal as time expired erased the sting of blowing a 17-point lead and punctuated a 23-20 victory over the Bills. Fairbairn also connected on kicks from 50 and 47 yards. Stefon Diggs had six catches for 82 of CJ Stroud's 331 passing yards in his first game against his former team.
5. Baltimore Ravens 3-2(5)
Derrick Henry's 51-yard run set up Justin Tucker's 24-yard field goal and they defeated the Bengals 41-38 in overtime. Henry's game-changing run was on the first play after the missed field goal. Lamar Jackson passed for 348 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 55 yards and a score, but lost a fumble on the first possession of overtime.
6. Buffalo Bills 3-2 (6)
Josh Allen was off the mark all day in the loss to the Texans, completing 9 of 30 passes for 131 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown to Keon Coleman. Allen missed just one snap after his head bounced off the turf, but was diagnosed with…a rolled ankle?James Cook ran for 82 yards and a touchdown.
7. Washington Commanders 4-1(10)
No team has scored more points this season than the Commanders, who defeated the Browns 34-13 and won their fourth straight game. Daniels threw a 41-yard touchdown pass and was one of four rushers, along with Brian Robinson, Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols, who combined for 31 carries for 211 yards. Daniels also scored on the ground.
8. Atlanta Falcons 3-2 (12)
Kirk Cousins rushed for a career-high 509 yards and four touchdowns, gaining a new fan base. The last of those touchdowns was scored in overtime by CaDarrell Hodge in a 36-30 victory over the Buccaneers. Cousins also completed five passes in 1 minute 14 seconds with no timeouts, leading the Falcons to a game-tying field goal as time expired.
9. Green Bay Packers 3-2 (14)
Jordan Love overcame his first career missed pick-six pass and completed his next nine passes, including two touchdowns to Tucker Craft, in a 24-19 win over the Rams. Xavier McKinney recovered a fumble and became the first player since 1970 to have an interception in each of his first five games with a new team.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-2(7)
Mike Evans joined the career 100 touchdown club by catching two from Baker Mayfield in the overtime loss to the Falcons. With 1:52 left in the fourth quarter, it looked like the Buccaneers had won when Lavonte David intercepted Cousins at the Atlanta 28-yard line, but somehow the Bucs retreated 14 yards, were forced to punt, and lost the ball. I couldn't get it back.
11. Dallas Cowboys 3-2 (18)
12. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-2(8)
13. Denver Broncos 3-2 (20)
14. Philadelphia Eagles 2-2 (13)
15. Los Angeles Chargers 2-2 (17)
16. Arizona Cardinals 2-3 (23)
17. San Francisco 49ers 2-3 (11)
18. Seattle Seahawks 3-2(9)
19. Jets 2-3 (15)
Their attempts to overcome a 17-point deficit in the first half fell short, and they lost to the Vikings. Garrett Wilson came off a slow start with 13 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, but the Jets had just 14 carries for 36 yards and Rodgers tied a career high with three interceptions. The offensive line can't stand Rodgers either.
20. New Orleans Saints 2-3 (16)
21. Chicago Bears 3-2 (21)
22. Giants 2-3 (27)
No Malik Nabors, no Devin Singletary, no problem. Daniel Jones threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns, and rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. ran for 129 yards in a 29-20 victory over the Seahawks. Isaiah Simmons blocked a field goal that was returned 60 yards for the game-clinching touchdown, which offset Seattle's earlier 102-yard fumble return touchdown.
