Week 6 of the 2026 NFL season featured some troubling performances from offenses around the league. The Cardinals went 0-for-5 in the red zone, yet still defeated the Rams, who lost a fumble and turned the ball over on downs twice. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had an interception for the sixth straight game, helping lead to a sixth straight loss. And Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was sacked five times against the Bears.
Why did these offenses struggle so much? In addition to our updated 1-32 rankings, we asked our NFL Nation reporters to pick out the biggest offensive issue for each team. From ineffective run games to a lack of red zone efficiency, what is causing each team to falter this season?
To form the list, our power panel of more than a dozen NFL analysts evaluates how all 32 teams stack up against one another. Here are a few highlights from this week's rankings:
The Texans are slowly climbing up our list after a shocking 0-4 start to the season. After defeating the Titans in Week 5, Houston got another win over a divisional opponent in the Jaguars. The London matchup was also the Texans debut of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who had three receptions for 34 yards after being traded from the Cardinals last week.
The Rams are out of the top 10 in our rankings for the first time this season after their second straight loss Sunday. They are the fifth team in the past 50 seasons to enter a season as the outright Super Bowl favorite and lose at least four of their first six games, per ESPN Research. None of the previous four teams made the conference title game (2015 Seahawks, 2002 Rams, 1999 Vikings and 1987 Giants).
The NFC East is off to a rocky start, becoming the first division in NFL history to be winless in consecutive weeks in which every team in the division played a game, per ESPN Research. That struggle has been illustrated in our list. Compared to last week's rankings, the Cowboys are down six spots, the Eagles are down five, the Giants fell four and the Commanders were lowered one spot. Dallas is the only one of those teams to not play a backup QB this season.
Let's get into the full list, starting with the same No. 1 team from last week.
Jump to a team:
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
1. San Francisco 49ers (6-0)
Week 6 result: Beat the Commanders 23-17
Week 6 ranking: 1
Biggest issue on offense: Wide receiver injuries
The Niners haven't had many problems in terms of production, but they have had a significant amount of attrition at wideout. Ricky Pearsall (knee), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), Christian Kirk (calf) and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) were supposed to be four of the team's top five receivers and all landed on IR before Week 3. That doesn't account for Deebo Samuel Sr.'s multiweek hamstring injury or the various bumps and bruises Mike Evans played through before departing Monday night's game with Achilles tendonitis. The good news? Most of them are expected back this season, but the 49ers have had to scramble in the meantime. -- Nick Wagoner
2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)
Week 6 result: Beat the Chargers 22-6
Week 6 ranking: 2
Biggest issue on offense: Offensive tackle health
The Chiefs have done an admirable job protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes, especially since left tackle Josh Simmons, their 2025 first-round pick, has been out because of a bulging disc in his lower back. Coach Andy Reid suggested Simmons won't be ready for Sunday's showdown against the Seahawks. Plus, right tackle Jaylon Moore sustained a concussion against the Chargers. Reid might have to continue altering the Chiefs' playbook if undrafted rookies Kahlil Benson (left tackle) and Joshua Ezeudu (right tackle) are the starters. -- Nate Taylor
3. Buffalo Bills (5-1)
Week 6 result: Beat the Raiders 33-30
Week 6 ranking: 3
Biggest issue on offense: Putting the ball on the ground
Any criticism of an offense that leads the league in scoring and ranks top three in total offense and yards per play might seem like a nitpick. But running back James Cook III and quarterback Josh Allen have coughed up a few too many fumbles to start the season. Just imagine what this offense would look like if it weren't for five lost fumbles, including three in opposing territory. The Bills did show improvement against the Raiders on Sunday, though, committing zero turnovers. -- Nick Suss
4. Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 6 ranking: 6
Biggest issue on offense: Injuries across the board
The Vikings spent the five games before their bye searching for smooth air offensively. There were plenty of reasons for that, but the biggest was simply health-related personnel turnover. Players who have missed at least one game include quarterback Kyler Murray (concussion), receivers Justin Jefferson (ankle) and Jordan Addison (hamstring), running back Jordan Mason (finger), left tackle Christian Darrisaw (concussion), left guard Donovan Jackson (knee), and tight ends T.J. Hockenson (concussion) and Josh Oliver (biceps). All but Jackson and Oliver are expected to return next week. -- Kevin Seifert
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
Week 6 result: Lost to the Texans 34-31
Week 6 ranking: 5
Biggest issue on offense: Penalties
Penalties have cost the Jaguars three touchdowns, including a pair of 3-yard touchdown runs by running back Bhayshul Tuten. It happened again in Sunday's loss, with a questionable holding call on tight end Brenton Strange. The Jaguars didn't get points on that possession because QB Trevor Lawrence threw an end zone interception two plays later. Jacksonville did score touchdowns after the other two penalties against New England and Cincinnati, but it finally caught up to them in a three-point loss to the Texans. -- Michael DiRocco
6. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)
Week 6 result: Lost to the Broncos 17-14
Week 6 ranking: 4
Biggest issue on offense: Turnovers
The Seahawks' run game has been underwhelming and their pass protection has been problematic, but no issue is holding first-year coordinator Brian Fleury's unit back like turnovers. It has committed 12 of them, third most of any offense so far. While Sam Darnold's struggles go beyond his interceptions, he has thrown seven picks in four games since returning from a glute injury. Seattle has also lost five fumbles. How costly have those giveaways been? Ten of the Seahawks' turnovers have come in their three losses, which were by a combined eight points. The opponents in those losses scored 44 points off those takeaways. -- Brady Henderson
7. New England Patriots (4-2)
Week 6 result: Beat the Jets 26-19
Week 6 ranking: 9
Biggest issue on offense: Offensive line health
The Patriots had three starters -- right tackle Morgan Moses (ankle), left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (hamstring) and right guard Ben Brown (knee) -- get knocked out of Sunday's game. And the only reason Brown was in the lineup was because opening-day starter Mike Onwenu (ankle) and his replacement Greg Van Roten (hip) were put on IR earlier in the season. The Patriots have started three different OL combinations in their first six games, and there will likely be a fourth Thursday in Chicago. -- Mike Reiss
8. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
Week 6 result: Lost to the Browns 13-10
Week 6 ranking: 7
Biggest issue on offense: Penalties
Baltimore's offense has been flagged an NFL-worst 31 times, with a bulk of the penalties coming from false starts (13) and holding (13). On Sunday, the Ravens were called for delay of game three times with backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, which led to a season-low 10 points. "When you're fighting behind the sticks, it's hard to get in a rhythm," offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten said Sunday. The Ravens have talked about trying to find that perfect balance of motions, shifts and cadences under first-year coordinator Declan Doyle to limit the pre-snap mistakes. -- Jamison Hensley
9. Chicago Bears (4-2)
Week 6 result: Beat the Falcons 31-23
Week 6 ranking: 13
Biggest issue on offense: Penalties
Quarterback Caleb Williams being back under center alleviates a lot of the issues the Bears struggled with in his absence, such as red zone execution, third-down efficiency and their downfield passing attack. One area that can stand to be cleaned up more is offensive penalties, which accounted for seven of the Bears' infractions Sunday. Those offensive penalties helped generate Chicago's most penalty yardage in a game since 2016 (133). The Bears are currently tied for the third-most offensive holding penalties (10). That's an area they'll want to fix so it doesn't derail drives. -- Courtney Cronin
10. Denver Broncos (4-2)
Week 6 result: Beat the Seahawks 17-14
Week 6 ranking: 10
Biggest issue on offense: Finding Bo Nix
Nix won't blame possible after-effects of two ankle surgeries since January for his struggles. Nor will he blame missing virtually all of the team's offseason program, or that coach Sean Payton took away playcalling duties from Davis Webb after just four games. The bottom line is 2026 Nix doesn't look much like 2025 Nix or even 2024 rookie Nix. He resides near last in virtually every statistical metric, looking tentative in all facets of his game. Payton has said "there are a lot of dirty hands." But at some point the defense can't keep saving this team's offense -- or its quarterback. -- Jeff Legwold
11. Green Bay Packers (4-2)
Week 6 result: Beat the Cowboys 23-13
Week 6 ranking: 14
Biggest issue on offense: Ineffective running backs
Maybe this changes with the return of Josh Jacobs, who came off the commissioner exempt list this week. Without Jacobs for the first six games, the Packers have averaged only 59.8 rushing yards -- worst in the league by more than 16 yards and the third fewest by any team through six games in the past 20 seasons. MarShawn Lloyd, who missed most of the past two seasons because of injuries, is finally healthy but has averaged just 1.27 yards after contact -- 42nd among 43 qualified running backs. Kaleb Johnson has Green Bay's longest run of the season at 31 yards, but he has fumbled twice and barely played the past two weeks. -- Rob Demovsky
12. Detroit Lions (3-2)
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 6 ranking: 11
Biggest issue on offense: Third-down conversions
Detroit's offense is tied with Buffalo for the most offensive points scored per game (32.8), which has been fueled by a strong start from veteran QB Jared Goff (12 touchdown passes with zero interceptions). But the Lions could improve on third down. They are currently ranked 22nd in third-down conversion percentage at 37.3%. And to go even deeper, Detroit is tied for dead last in third-and-short percentage (third-and-3 or less) at 43.8%. -- Eric Woodyard
13. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 6 ranking: 12
Biggest issue on offense: Explosive rushing game
Cincinnati spent the offseason trying to find ways to manufacture bigger rushing plays. So far, that hasn't materialized. Cincinnati ranks 21st in rushes of 10 or more yards per game, according to ESPN Research. The Bengals are tinkering with how their offense will look moving forward, both when it comes to having QB Joe Burrow under center and how they want to split carries between running backs Chase Brown and Samaje Perine. A more efficient, downhill attack could help Cincinnati find better balance and perhaps unlock those big plays on the ground. -- Ben Baby
14. Los Angeles Rams (2-4)
Week 6 result: Lost to the Cardinals 18-16
Week 6 ranking: 8
Biggest issue on offense: "Unforced errors"
Coach Sean McVay tried to describe why the Rams are beating themselves with penalties, turnovers and "so many unforced errors" at critical times on offense. But ultimately, he said he's "not really sure" why the Rams can't get out of their own way. "A lot of different guys are taking their turn," McVay said. "... We've had some really critical errors at really unfortunate times. That's what our narrative has been for this year. We can't keep saying, 'Oh, we haven't done that before.' Well, this year we are doing it. We have to be able to fix it, and it's my job to do that." -- Sarah Barshop
15. Carolina Panthers (3-2)
Week 6 result: Beat the Eagles 25-14
Week 6 ranking: 18
Biggest issue on offense: Lack of an early rushing attack
The Panthers are organically throwing to run. While the team would like to have a more balanced attack early, the offense is leaning heavily on its passing game to start fast and score points. The Panthers are averaging a league-worst 26.2 rushing yards in the first half. Defenses are then getting worn out against the passing attack, and running back Chuba Hubbard is taking advantage -- the offense averages a second-best 82.6 rushing yards in the second half. That production might not be sustainable, even with QB Bryce Young among the league leaders in passing yards. -- Mike Kaye
16. Houston Texans (2-4)
Week 6 result: Beat the Jaguars 34-31
Week 6 ranking: 21
Biggest issue on offense: Lack of a run game
The Texans' passing attack is humming, as quarterback C.J. Stroud ranks second leaguewide in passing yards (1,712), but an effective run game would take this offense to the top tier. They're averaging 84.8 rushing yards per game (25th) and have 32 rushing first downs on the season (tied for 22nd). Running back David Montgomery, who was acquired via trade in March, is averaging a career-low 2.7 yards per carry and missed Week 6 because of a groin injury. -- DJ Bien-Aime
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
Week 6 result: Beat the Buccaneers 26-19
Week 6 ranking: 20
Biggest issue on offense: Third-down efficiency
The Steelers' offensive consistency issues center on third-down inefficiency. They've converted only 33% of their attempts, fifth worst in the league. The passing game has struggled against man coverage on third down, and coach Mike McCarthy has acknowledged it, saying he "definitely wants to get the ball ran more." Even in Sunday's overtime win over the Bucs, the Steelers went 5-of-15 on third down, including a failed third-and-goal pass to DK Metcalf from the 1 late in the fourth quarter that helped give Tampa Bay enough time to force overtime. -- Cameron Wolfe
18. Las Vegas Raiders (3-3)
Week 6 result: Lost to the Bills 33-30
Week 6 ranking: 17
Biggest issue on offense: Run blocking
Las Vegas signed center Tyler Linderbaum with the expectation that he would fix the team's run blocking issues from last season. Instead, those have continued, especially Sunday, when the Raiders totaled just 65 rushing yards. The unit struggled containing the Bills' offensive line; Linderbaum had a hard time blocking defensive tackle Deone Walker. Caleb Rogers, who started at right guard over Jackson Powers-Johnson, also whiffed on a block that led to Ashton Jeanty being stopped for a 3-yard loss at the goal line in the fourth quarter. -- Ryan McFadden
19. Cleveland Browns (4-2)
Week 6 result: Beat the Ravens 13-10
Week 6 ranking: 23
Biggest issue on offense: Run blocking
Quarterback Deshaun Watson's poor play in the first three quarters of games can't be ignored, but coach Todd Monken has acknowledged that an inconsistent run game has placed Watson and the offense in disadvantageous situations. With an entirely new offensive line from last season, the Browns rank 24th in ESPN's run block win rate metric and last in yards before contact per rush on designed runs (1.29). It's a big reason they're averaging the eighth-longest average conversion distance in the NFL (8.9). -- Daniel Oyefusi
20. Dallas Cowboys (2-4)
Week 6 result: Lost to the Packers 23-13
Week 6 ranking: 15
Biggest issue on offense: Lack of consistency in the run game
The Cowboys' run game is off to its worst start -- 456 yards in six games -- since 1989, the year before Emmitt Smith showed up. Six different running backs have more total rushing yards than the Cowboys. Javonte Williams has seven rushing touchdowns, but the inconsistency and lack of attempts are killing the offense. Coordinator Klayton Adams said last week the Cowboys are being forced to play with one arm tied behind their back because they can't run it well enough. That has impacted the passing game, too. Quarterback Dak Prescott was under duress on 21 of his 41 second-half pass attempts against Green Bay, averaging only 4.8 yards per attempt. -- Todd Archer
21. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)
Week 6 result: Lost to the Panthers 25-14
Week 6 ranking: 16
Biggest issue on offense: Inability to sustain drives
The Eagles have a three-and-out rate of 39.1%, far and away the worst in the NFL. That has a direct impact on the defense, which ranks third in snaps played with 406, including 74 on Sunday. It's no coincidence that Vic Fangio's group has been most vulnerable late in games. "That's terrible. I think about that all time time, dude, we have to get our defense off the field," left tackle Jordan Mailata said. "It's not good enough. ... [The defense] gave us every chance, and we just didn't execute and we didn't give [them] a breather." And now Philly will have to navigate its third-down problems without QB Jalen Hurts for the rest of the season. -- Tim McManus
22. Atlanta Falcons (2-4)
Week 6 result: Lost to the Bears 31-23
Week 6 ranking: 22
Biggest issue on offense: Protecting QB Michael Penix Jr.
Opposing teams have made adjustments against the Falcons and Penix since they put up a combined 80 points in Weeks 3 and 4. He is being blitzed 46.7% of the time, the second-highest rate in the NFL. When Penix is under pressure, he has the seventh-worst EPA per dropback (minus-0.67) and the second-worst completion percentage over expected among quarterbacks with at least 30 dropbacks in those situations, per NFL Next Gen Stats. The Bears sacked Penix five times, one week after he injured his ribs on a big hit. -- Marc Raimondi
23. New York Giants (3-2-1)
Week 6 result: Lost to the Saints 34-27
Week 6 ranking: 19
Biggest issue on offense: Finding a running back
Six games into the season, the Giants are still searching for dependable running back options. Cam Skattebo is coming off a game in which he was demoted into a role that didn't yield a single carry because of fumbling issues. New York had four running backs active, and none averaged more than 3.5 yards per carry. The offensive line has to do its part, but as coach John Harbaugh said after Sunday's loss, "Nobody has really taken the bull by the horns." Harbaugh's Giants were supposed to be a running team. So far, they are below average. -- Jordan Raanan
24. New Orleans Saints (2-4)
Week 6 result: Beat the Giants 34-27
Week 6 ranking: 26
Biggest issue on offense: Slow starts
The Saints have had issues all around (running the ball and protecting QB Tyler Shough are two other key issues), but the slow starts have persisted since the beginning of last season. Dating to Week 1 of the 2025 season, they rank last in first-quarter points. In 2026, New Orleans is currently tied for 30th in that category. The Saints found momentum last week by scoring twice in the final minute of the first half against the Giants, but coach Kellen Moore needs to figure out a solution as soon as possible. -- Katherine Terrell
25. New York Jets (2-4)
Week 6 result: Lost to the Patriots 26-19
Week 6 ranking: 25
Biggest issue on offense: Red zone efficiency
The Jets are the NFL's worst offense in the red zone, scoring on 37.5% of attempts (6-for-16). They're actually worse than last season (44.7%), something very few thought was possible. There are many reasons for the struggles, ranging from QB Geno Smith (33rd out 33 qualified passers in red zone QBR) to the playcalling. The Jets keep saying they're close to a breakthrough, but that rationale doesn't appease a frustrated fanbase. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich is balanced in his playcalls, but something is amiss. -- Rich Cimini
26. Indianapolis Colts (2-4)
Week 6 result: Lost to the Titans 26-20
Week 6 ranking: 24
Biggest issue on offense: QB Daniel Jones is struggling
Jones has committed nine turnovers this season, with multiple giveaways in three of the Colts' six games. There is some context, to be sure. The team's receivers are very underwhelming without Alec Pierce (heel), and the offensive line isn't consistently handling blitzes well. But Jones is not able to rise above those issues, ranking near the bottom of the league in QBR (30th), yards per attempt (29th) and completion rate (29th). At this point last season, he ranked top five in all three categories. -- Stephen Holder
27. Arizona Cardinals (2-4)
Week 6 result: Beat the Rams 18-16
Week 6 ranking: 29
Biggest issue on offense: Red zone efficiency
Sunday's win amplified the Cardinals' red zone issues. They were 0-for-5 in the red zone and are now ranked 27th in red zone efficiency. It almost cost them in Los Angeles, but six field goals saved the day. After the game, quarterback Jacoby Brissett and coach Mike LaFleur each said they need to look at the film of Sunday's game to identify the issues. LaFleur alluded to a solution. "I know where we could have been better," he said. -- Josh Weinfuss
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5)
Week 6 result: Lost to the Steelers 26-19
Week 6 ranking: 27
Biggest issue on offense: Almost everything
Running back Bucky Irving ran all over the Cowboys two weeks ago and is averaging 4.7 yards a pop. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson also called a good game that week. But with offense turning the ball over at least twice in four of six games, both quarterbacks (Baker Mayfield and Jalon Daniels) being under considerable duress and top Bucs receivers Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. ranking 58th and 71st in receiving yards, respectively ... things aren't going smoothly. -- Jenna Laine
29. Washington Commanders (1-4-1)
Week 6 result: Lost to the 49ers 23-17
Week 6 ranking: 28
Biggest issue on offense: Too many third-and-longs
Of the Commanders' 81 third downs, 48 have been for 7 yards or longer. So the Commanders are ranked 31st in third-down conversions at 30.9%. And when facing a third-and-7 or longer, they have picked up a first down only 10 times. It's not just a matter of running the ball better on early downs because Washington averages 4.1 yards per carry on first down. The big culprit is 16 offensive penalties on second down. Only one team (Chargers) has had more. -- John Keim
30. Tennessee Titans (1-5)
Week 6 result: Beat the Colts 26-20
Week 6 ranking: 31
Biggest issue on offense: Passing "attack"
The Titans' passing game is severely inconsistent and last in the league at 153.3 passing yards per game. Although QB Cam Ward has had accuracy issues and failed to see open receivers on occasion, it's not all on him. Ward's pass catchers have dropped passes, and no one has emerged as the second option to rookie receiver Carnell Tate. Second-year wideout Elic Ayomanor had an outstanding training camp but hasn't had much of an impact (seven catches over six games). The tight end group has also been nonexistent, totaling 14 receptions for 90 yards. -- Turron Davenport
31. Los Angeles Chargers (0-6)
Week 6 result: Lost to the Chiefs 22-6
Week 6 ranking: 30
Biggest issue on offense: Everything?
The Chargers' offense under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is a major reason they're winless. The Chargers' average points dropped to 15.0 per game with Sunday's loss, which ranks 30th in the NFL. They are averaging 287.2 yards (26th). Quarterback Justin Herbert has a league-worst eight interceptions and the lowest QBR (29.9). And the team has consistently struggled to put together sustainable drives. Case in point? They had four three-and-outs against the Chiefs to go along with two turnovers. Whatever light is at the end of the tunnel is pretty dim. -- Anthony Gharib
32. Miami Dolphins (0-5)
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 6 ranking: 32
Biggest issue on offense: Balance
The Dolphins own the league's 10th-best rushing offense but rank 31st in passing yards per game, last in completion percentage and last in touchdown-to-interception ratio. Quarterback Malik Willis leads all qualified starters in average time to throw at 3.16 seconds -- in part because his receivers aren't getting open consistently -- and has turned the ball over in every game but one. Coach Jeff Hafley said before the bye week that the passing game as a whole needs to improve -- not just Willis. With rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas returning to practice this week, Miami could get a shot in the arm in Week 7. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques