NFL Power Rankings Week 6: 5 biggest surprises and disappointments

We're starting to learn which teams are the contenders and which are the pretenders following Week 5 of the 2021 season. But still, every week, there are teams that catch us by surprise, either by overachieving or underachieving.

In this article, we look at five teams that shocked us in Week 5, and five teams that did not live up to expectations.

NFL Power Rankings: 5 biggest surprises of Week 5

#5 – Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals were the width of a post away from upsetting the Green Bay Packers in Week 5 as Evan McPherson sailed his overtime kick the wrong side of the flag atop the upright. Joe Burrow stood toe-to-toe with Aaron Rodgers despite suffering a throat contusion that resulted in a post-game hospital trip. Ja'Marr Chase starred with 159 yards and a TD.

#4 – Houston Texans

Another team on the losing side in Week 5, the Houston Texans gave the New England Patriots a genuine scare. Head coach David Culley's outfit led from the fifth minute of the game until there were 15 seconds left on the clock as Nick Folk kicked the game-winning field goal.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick may have a reputation of limiting rookie quarterbacks, but third-round pick Davis Mills had the game of his life with 312 yards and three touchdowns. The Texans had a 22-9 lead early in the third quarter but could not hold on. However, they showed they can put up a fight against anybody.

#3 – Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers beating the Cleveland Browns in a clash between two of the AFC's top contenders was no major surprise, but the nature of how Justin Herbert disected the Browns in Week 5 was a shock. It was a statement of intent from the Chargers, as Herbert passed for 398 yards and four touchdowns to win the 47-42 shootout against one of the NFL's premier defenses.

#2 – Chicago Bears

Expectations for the Chicago Bears were low going into the game against the Las Vegas Raiders, but the Bears defense restricted the NFL's passing leader Derek Carr to 206 yards and no touchdowns in Week 5. DeAndre Houston-Carson picked off Carr while Khalil Mack feasted, leading the game in tackles with seven, and a sack.

In his first game since being officially named the Bears starter, Justin Fields played risk-free without being asked to run often, completing 12 of 20 for 111 yards and a passing touchdown, as sixth-round rookie running back Khalil Herbert put up 75 yards on the ground. This was old school football executed perfectly by the Bears.

#1 – Pittsburgh Steelers

Many had written Ben Roethlisberger off ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 5 game against the Denver Broncos, but Big Ben rolled back the years with an efficient 15 of 25 for 253 yards and two touchdowns. The running game clicked with Najee Harris rushing for 122 yards and a touchdown, and the defense closed out a 27-19 win despite a spirited late comeback effort led by Teddy Bridgewater.

NFL Power Rankings: the 5 biggest disappointments of Week 5

After reviewing the teams that exceeded expectations, it's time to look at five teams that disappointed in Week 5.

#5 – New York Jets

The New York Jets' maiden win of the 2021 season against the Titans proved to be a false dawn when they faced the Atlanta Falcons in London in Week 5. With an opportunity for the young Jets to clinch a second straight win, they never showed up. Matt Ryan carved up the Jets' secondary for 342 yards and two touchdowns as the Falcons built up a 20-3 half-time lead and never looked back.

#4 – Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers may have fallen to the Dallas Cowboys last week, but they should have gotten back on track against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5. The Panthers led 15-6 at half-time and let an 18-13 advantage slip with 1:15 left after the Eagles blocked a punt. This was an example of how not to close as Sam Darnold chucked three picks and the Panthers threw the game away.

#3 – San Francisco 49ers

Kyle Shanahan's offense, filled with pre-snap movements and creative concepts, was supposed to be undefendable. The San Francisco 49ers managed to put up 338 total yards, with QB Trey Lance passing for 192 and rushing for 89, but they could not convert their time of possession into points.

It's back to the drawing board for the 2-3 Niners after the 17-10 loss to the unbeaten Arizona Cardinals. The offense was only three from 11 on third downs and one of five on fourth downs in Week 5. Credit to the Cardinals defense, but whether it's Jimmy Garoppolo or Trey Lance at quarterback for their next game, Shanahan needs to figure out how his offense can make big plays before it's too late.

#2 – Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders have bigger issues to solve right now if they are going to save their season, but against a low-scoring Chicago Bears side in Week 5, they were unable to compete. Derek Carr had his worst game so far in 2021 and the running game was ineffective. The Raiders only gained a total of 249 yards, with the Bears outrushing them 143 to 71.

#1 – Kansas City Chiefs

In a game billed as two of the AFC's very best going head-to-head on Sunday Night Football, the Kansas City Chiefs were the NFL's biggest disappointments in Week 5. Patrick Mahomes is still making wow plays but they are increasingly scattered with turnovers as the Chiefs were kept to scoring only 20 points.

The Buffalo Bills proved they are a far more complete team than the Chiefs in the 38-20 primetime win. Josh Allen outpassed Mahomes 315 to 272 yards as the Kansas City defense was chasing shadows. The 2021 Chiefs are a shell of head coach Andy Reid's teams that won back-to-back AFC championships.