Where the Bills sit in NFL power rankings, expert opinions after tough loss to Patriots

The team bus taking the Buffalo Bills to the top of the NFL power rankings took a wrong turn Sunday night.

Coming into Sunday night’s game, the Bills had a great shot at being the undisputed AFC East leader and the clear No. 1 team in NFL Power Rankings.

But the Bills’ 23-20 loss, coupled with the Eagles‘ 21-17 loss, opened the door for the rest of the league to catch up to the two formerly unbeaten teams.

Bills’ average rank in Week 6: 2.8 (Week 4: 1.6)

Let’s see what NFL analysts had to say:

Bills ranking: 3 (⬇ one spot)

Falcons ranking: 19 (⬆ two spots)

Bills: Buffalo was the last unbeaten team remaining in the NFL before falling to the Patriots. This team has the second-highest scoring offense in the AFC, but could be in for some tougher environments. It played four of its first five games of the season at Highmark Stadium.

Falcons: The Falcons got a week to rest in Week 5. Unfortunately for them, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Panthers and Saints, their NFC South rivals, all won. A tough game against the Buffalo Bills is up next.

Bills ranking: 3 (⬇ one spot)

Falcons ranking: 17 (⬇ one spot)

Bills: Buffalo has new competition in the AFC East. With the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets floundering, the Patriots proved they can now go toe-to-toe with the Josh Allen-led Bills. After winning five straight division titles, Sean McDermott’s squad shouldn’t look at Sunday night’s outcome as a fluke. The Patriots found ways to slow the Bills offense and not allow Allen to beat them. Buffalo remains the most talented team in the division, but the team is no longer undefeated. The outcome should be viewed as a speed bump. The victory means far more to the Patriots, who are trying to build something under new head coach Mike Vrabel. Whereas, the Bills still have much higher aspirations. Still, these two teams meet again in two months. Buffalo will need to send a message then. — Brent Sobleski

Falcons: The Atlanta Falcons found a little momentum before their bye week, thanks to a 34-27 win over the Washington Commanders. That game illustrated just how explosive Atlanta’s offense can be when Michael Penix Jr. is playing efficiently. Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts have always been a fantastic core skill group. The question is whether Penix can play at a high level consistently. The Falcons aren’t likely to go far if he can’t. Atlanta’s defense has been much better than last year’s, but it isn’t good enough to carry the team when Penix makes multiple mistakes. Next Monday’s matchup with the Buffalo Bills should bring a playoff-caliber test to Atlanta. — Kris Knox

Bills ranking: 3 (⬇ one spot)

Falcons ranking: 20 (⬆ two spots)

Bills: The Bills had been on cruise control since the wild comeback vs. the Ravens at home. Their schedule has been favorable until they got bit by a game, gritty division rival in the New England Patriots. Now they have more work than expected to win the AFC East.

Falcons: The Falcons have been an offensive roller-coaster ride with Michael Penix Jr. and Bijan Robinson. They also have flashed defensively on the winning side but also broken down when losing. Raheem Morris will try to put them on the right side of consistency after the bye.

Bills ranking: 3 (⬇ one spot)

Falcons ranking: 21 (⬆ one spot)

Bills: Buffalo was upset as a massive favorite on Sunday night, but the team remains the favorite to win the Super Bowl (+425). Despite that, losing to the Patriots could make the AFC East much more interesting in the 2025 season.

Falcons: The Falcons were on the bye in Week 5. Their odds of winning the Super Bowl are +11000.

Bills ranking: 2 (⬇ one spot)

Falcons ranking: 17 (↔ no change)

Bills: Sometimes Josh Allen turnovers prove very costly. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s a reminder that he is human. With an ineffective James Cook, this offense was stuck in its tracks. Down goes the last unbeaten team.

Falcons: (Bye week)

— Bill Wolcott is a producer who helps cover the Buffalo Bills, high school and Rochester sports in general. The lifelong New Yorker has been a journalist for 31 years.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NFL Power Rankings for Buffalo Bills in Week 6: What experts say