Teams with rookie QBs are increasing

Who said you have to cut a rookie quarterback some slack?

The Commanders' Jayden Daniels, the Broncos' Bo Nix and the Bears' Caleb Williams have all been starters since Week 1, and their 10 combined wins are the second-most by a rookie quarterback class through the first five weeks of the season since the AFL 1970. NFL merger.

One wonders when the Patriots — who have sunk to new lows with a four-game losing streak — might move on from veteran Jacoby Brissett to rookie Drake Maye, especially with owner Robert Kraft looking enviously at other franchises to get a chance Jump-starting help from their young quarterback.

The surging Vikings and Falcons have the luxury of having rookie quarterbacks JJ McCarthy (injured) and Michael Penix Jr. waiting for them in the 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 out of contract until Sept. 17, cemented his place as the top running back while Isiah Pacheco is out by catching 27 balls for 102 yards in a 26-13 win over the Saints. Patrick Mahomes threw for 331 yards and helped the Chiefs gain a lead of about 18 minutes in time of possession. Harrison Butker kicked four field goals.

2. Minnesota Vikings 5-0 (2)

Sam Darnold didn't set his former team on fire. And Aaron Jones left injured. So the Vikings relied on their defense to intercept Aaron Rodgers three times in a 23-17 win over the Jets in London. Andrew Van Ginkel returned his pick for a touchdown and Stephon Gilmore sealed the victory with his pick in the red zone in the final minute.

3. Detroit Lions 3-1 (3)

Was it a bad time to say goodbye? After going 2-1 in one-score games to start the season, the Lions' offense was firing on all cylinders in a 42-point win over the Seahawks in Week 4. But the defense also plays its part with Aiden Hutchinson with 6.5 sacks and three interceptions from Kerby Joseph.

4. Houston Texans 4-1 (4)

Ka'imi Fairbairn's game-winning 59-yard field goal as time expired helped ease the pain of blowing a 17-point lead and gave the Bills a 23-20 win. Fairbairn also scored with shots from 50 and 47 meters. 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, beating the Bengals 41-38 in overtime. Henry's game-winning run was the first play of the game after a missed field goal. Lamar Jackson passed for 348 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 55 yards and another score, but lost a fumble on the first possession of overtime.

6. Buffalo Bills 3-2 (6)

Josh Allen was off 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 he was diagnosed with… a twisted 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 for their fourth straight victory. 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 ​​won over his new fan base by throwing for 509 yards and four touchdowns, the most of his career. The last of those was KhaDarel Hodge's 36-30 overtime win over the Buccaneers. Cousins ​​also drove the Falcons to the game-winning field goal as regulation expired, completing five passes in 1:14 with no timeouts.

9. Green Bay Packers 3-2 (14)

Jordan Love overcame the first pick-six of his career – a failed throwing attempt – and completed his next nine passes, including two touchdowns to Tucker Kraft, in a 24-19 win over the Rams. Xavier McKinney recovered a fumble and became the first player since 1970 to record an interception in each of his first five games with a new team.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-2 (7)

Mike Evans joined the 100 career touchdown club, catching two from Baker Mayfield in the overtime loss to the Falcons. It looked like the Buccaneers had clinched a victory when Lavonte intercepted David Cousins ​​at the Atlanta 28-yard line with 1:52 to play in the fourth quarter, but the Bucs somehow went back 14 yards and had to punt, without regaining possession of the ball.

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)

The Vikings' attempt to overcome the 17-point deficit in the first half narrowly failed. Garrett Wilson overcame his slow start with 13 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, but the Jets managed just 14 carries for 36 yards and Rodgers tied his career high with three interceptions. The offensive line also can't keep Rodgers upright.

20. New Orleans Saints 2-3 (16)

21. Chicago Bears 3-2 (21)

22. Giants 2-3 (27)

No Malik Nabers, no Devin Singletary, no problem. Daniel Jones threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns, and rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. ran for 129 yards, beating the Seahawks 29-20. Isaiah Simmons blocked a field goal that was returned 60 yards for a game-winning touchdown to offset Seattle's earlier 102-yard fumble return touchdown.

23. Cincinnati Bengals 1-4 (25)

24. Indianapolis Colts 2-3 (19)

25. Las Vegas Raiders 2-3 (22)

26. Los Angeles Rams 1-4 (24)

27. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-4 (32)

28. Tennessee Titans 1-3 (29)

29. Miami Dolphins 2-3 (30)

30. Cleveland Browns 1-4 (28)

31. Carolina Panthers 1-4 (31)

32. New England Patriots 1-4 (26)