Updated: October 10, 2006, 12:14 PM ET

Power Rankings: Bears strengthen hold on top

Week:

ESPN.com's Power Rankings
The rankings were determined by a poll of ESPN.com's NFL staff -- writers John Clayton, Len Pasquarelli, Michael Smith, Scouts Inc. insiders Jeremy Green and Keith Kidd, and ESPN.com NFL editors Peter Lawrence-Riddell and Joe Wojciechowski.

Two new teams hit their way into the top five with dominating defensive performances. The Broncos jumped five spots (No. 8 to No. 3), while the Chargers moved up four places (No. 9 to No. 5). Both teams are giving up less than 10 points a game through the first five weeks of the season. Denver fans probably will be happy to see the Broncos ahead of the Patriots, who they beat in Week 4 in Foxborough.

The Bears remained on top, picking up all seven first place votes this week after routing the Bills. Through five games, the Bears have outscored their opponents 156-36. The Colts, despite struggling at home against the Titans, held onto the No. 2 spot.

Anyway, on to the rankings. You can rank the teams yourself with SportsNation's NFL Power Rankings.

2006 Power Rankings: Week 6
RANKTEAM / RECORD TRENDINGCOMMENTS
1
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Last Week: 1		Think Don Shula and the '72 Dolphins are getting a little nervous? The Bears have yet to show any real flaws so far this season.
2
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Last Week: 2		So they didn't cover the 18.5-point spread and it was a close game. Those things happen. But the Colts should be a little worried when Travis Henry -- Travis Henry! -- can run for 123 yards against them.
3
5
Last Week: 8		Obviously if the Broncos average 12.3 points per game all season they might run into some trouble. But for now, the defense (which is giving up only 8.5 points per game) is enough.
4
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Last Week: 4		With his injury, poor play and the T.O. mess, a lot of people forgot that Donovan McNabb is one of the best QBs in the NFL. No one is forgetting now.
5
4
Last Week: 9		Not only can Philip Rivers play, but he seems to have easily picked up the leadership mantle that Drew Brees used to hold.
6
3
Last Week: 3		The defense is scary good, but the Ravens need more from Jamal Lewis to beat the big boys. He averaged a respectable 84 yards in the first three games but just 38 yards in the last two games against San Diego and Denver.
7
2
Last Week: 5		Wasn't Troy Brown supposed to be done a few years ago? He's still out the making big plays in big situations.
8
2
Last Week: 6		Getting Jerramy Stevens back will be a boost for the Seahawks offense. Obviously not a Shaun Alexander boost, but he'll help.
9
2
Last Week: 7		The NFL benches WR Chris Henry for two games and here's guessing Marvin Lewis isn't the least bit upset.
10
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Last Week: 10		The already stingy Falcons defense gets a boost with the return of DE John Abraham just in time for the Giants game.
11
1
Last Week: 12		Even with the injuries on the defensive side, the Jags have managed to post two shutouts this season, tops in the league.
12
2
Last Week: 14		Forget Peyton, Rex and Donovan, the Panthers say one of their own it's the league's best. 'MVP man, that's the bottom line,' Carolinas Mike Minter said about Julius Peppers.
13
2
Last Week: 15		It took 100 touches before Reggie Bush scored his first NFL TD. It won't take 100 more for him to score again.
14
Rams
4-1
2
Last Week: 16		The Rams haven't been overpowering, but at 4-1 they're getting it done. A win against the Seahawks would put a pretty emphatic stamp on the Rams as contenders.
15
4
Last Week: 11		We've said it before, if you don't have a line that can protect the QB, then Drew Bledsoe is going to have some serious issues.
16
2
Last Week: 18		In a must-win game, Tiki Barber stepped up on the field and off it and led the Giants to a win.
17
3
Last Week: 20		Chester Taylor is a poor man's Tiki Barber. He runs hard, gets yards but for some reason, can never seem to find the end zone.
18
5
Last Week: 13		Maybe the Steelers miss Jerome Bettis more than they thought they would. The Bus not only got the tough yards, but he was the heart and soul of the team.
19
3
Last Week: 22		That was some scary hit on Larry Johnson on Sunday. That's two stomach-in-your-throat hits Chiefs players have taken this year (Trent Green being the other).
20
3
Last Week: 17		After two games where it looked like the offense was back on track, the Redskins took two steps back Sunday against the Giants.
21
Jets
2-3
2
Last Week: 19		Wow! What happened to the team that gave the Colts such a good run last weekend?
22
7
Last Week: 29		Yes, their victory Sunday was over the Raiders. But beating the local rival is a good stepping stone for this rebuilding team.
23
2
Last Week: 21		Bears sure laid out the welcome mat for Dick Jauron's return to Chicago.
24
1
Last Week: 25		David Carr has the best QB rating in the NFL. Really.
25
2
Last Week: 23		Yes, they played the Patriots hard. But at 1-4, that might not matter. The Dolphins are pretty close to being sunk.
26
2
Last Week: 24		Romeo Crennel says the Browns are 'developing.' Not really sure what that means, but we assume it's a good thing.
27
1
Last Week: 26		Things are obviously not going well in Arizona. But a rookie QB that can play like Matt Leinart will always give the fans something to buzz about.
28
1
Last Week: 27		Well, silver linings aren't plentiful for 0-4 teams, but the Bucs have one in QB Bruce Gradkowski. He has a good arm, a nice touch and 'there was a lot of promise. He played his brains out,' as coach Jon Gruden said.
29
1
Last Week: 28		Is it a bad sign that the Packers are already talking about what they might do with their high draft pick? (FYI -- they're looking at a RB).
30
1
Last Week: 31		The VY era is off to a pretty good start. No wins, but the Titans managed to scare the horseshoes off the Colts.
31
1
Last Week: 30		No truth to the rumor that Matt Millen has asked Jim Leyland to coach the team once the Tigers' season is finished.
32
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Last Week: 32		Look at their schedule. Going 0-16 might be unlikely, but there's probably only one game (Cardinals in Week 7 at home) you could make even a decent case that the Raiders should win.
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Power Rankings
Glossary
TG - Tim Graham (AFC East); JW - James Walker (AFC North); PK - Paul Kuharsky (AFC South); BW - Bill Williamson (AFC West); MM - Matt Mosley (NFC East); KS - Kevin Seifert (NFC North); PY - Pat Yasinskas (NFC South); MS - Mike Sando (NFC West)

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