As the season goes on, the Automatic Otto Rankings get tougher and tougher to list. But we’ll try it out. Here’s our rankings for Week 6.
5- Philip Rivers, Chargers (last week: NR)
Philip Rivers set career highs in completions, attempts, and yards in Week 6’s matchup against Green Bay, however he fell one completion and three yards short of tying the game in the final seconds. Rivers picked apart the Packers to the tune of 503 yards and two touchdowns, and is putting up career numbers.
He leads the entire NFL in passing yards (second place is about 400 yards away), and is on pace to throw for over 5,600 yards.
4- Matthew Stafford, Lions (last week: NR)
Last week, Stafford was benched in a 42-17 drubbing at the hands of the Cardinals. On Sunday he rebounded to the tune of 405 yards passing and four touchdowns as Detroit picked up their first win on the season.
3- Landry Jones, Steelers (last week: NR)
Landry Jones started the season as a third string QB for the Steelers, on Sunday he entered for an injured Michael Vick and was near perfect as Pittsburgh knocked off the NFC West leading Arizona Cardinals 25-13. Jones completed 8 of 12 passes for 168 yards and two scores.
Vick’s injured hamstring could lead to another start this weekend for Jones, as the Steelers take on the Chiefs.
2- Andy Dalton, Bengals (last week: 2)
For the second week in a row, Andy Dalton makes our list, and rightfully so. The Red Rifle is having a career season. The Bengals are undefeated through six weeks (best start since 1988), and Dalton is having an MVP season. Three more touchdowns against the Bills gives him 14 on the season, to just two interceptions.
He ranks in the top five in yards and touchdowns, and sports a 116.1 QB rating, second only to Tom Brady.
1- Cam Newton, Panthers (last week: NR)
If you had said that Cam Newton and the Panthers would miss their No. 1 wide receiver the entire season, and still be undefeated after six weeks, we probably would have said to lay off whatever you are on, but yet, here we sit. Carolina is 5-0, and Cam Newton is an MVP candidate.
On Sunday, against a team that usually gives him a hard time, Cam returned the favor on the road, in Seattle, rushing for one score, then tossing the game winner with 32 seconds left to play. He’s been a leader for a team that is really without a No. 1 wide out, but apparently that’s not a problem for Newton and the Panthers, who are on a roll. Cam has earned the No. 1 spot this week and he’s a legit MVP candidate.
Cam Newton takes the top spot in the Automatic Otto Awards for Week 6.
