A late blocked field goal in overtime cost the Los Angeles Rams a chance to beat the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. They fell 37-34 and dropped to 2-3.
The slow start has kept L.A. from living up to its offseason hype, but national outlets still view the Rams as one of the NFL’s better teams in the Week 6 power rankings.
The Rams are in the top 10 of every outlet in this roundup, ranging from as high as No. 6 to as low as No. 10. They return home to host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Here’s a roundup of power rankings for the Rams for Week 6.
USA Today: 8
Still just good enough to get beaten by their defense and special teams. But Myles Garrett will be back at some point, and maybe that will be the point when this team isn't having to scrap for wins in the final
minutes. But they need to get out of the ditch soon − if the season ended today (it doesn't) the Rams wouldn't qualify for the playoffs.
CBS Sports: 10
Who saw this team at 2-3 after five games? Dream team? Maybe we all rushed to judgement.
FOX Sports: 9
The Rams really drew the short straw on their schedule this season, and it’s starting to take its toll. Their three losses this season are to the 49ers, Broncos and Bills — three legitimate Super Bowl contenders. But at some point, they’re going to have to beat teams like that if they want to realize their Super Bowl dream.
It would help if their special teams weren’t so awful. It says something about how good they are that they were a blocked overtime field goal away from beating the Bills on Monday night. Los Angeles has a really soft schedule coming up and will need to use that to get on a roll quickly before their dream season turns into a full-fledged nightmare.
The Athletic: 10
The star-studded Rams haven’t had a winning record all season, and that’s partly because Harrison Mevis’ 48-yard, game-winning field goal attempt in overtime Monday night was blocked. Matthew Stafford’s early-season rust is gone (he threw for 383 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions) and Puka Nacua was excellent (17 catches on 24 targets), but it still wasn’t enough.
Yahoo Sports: 10
The Rams can play the what-if game. What if Week 1 hadn't been in Australia? What if the officials had gotten a flubbed defensive pass interference call right at Denver in Week 3? And what if Harrison Mevis' field goal hadn't gotten blocked in overtime on Monday against the Bills? But they are also a veteran team and know the NFL is a results business. A team that got heaps of Super Bowl hype all offseason is 2-3.
The special teams is a recurring problem. The blocked field goal Monday night could be looked at as a bad break for many teams, but the Rams' special teams have been a problem for a while. Huge special teams mistakes led to losses in their final two games against the Seahawks last season, including in the NFC championship game. It shouldn't be a surprise that the special teams let them down with the game on the line Monday.
Sports Illustrated: 6
It was wild seeing Matthew Stafford so vehemently trying to quiet down a crowd inside his own home stadium before he probably realized that it’s 70% Bills fans. There’s not much you can do there. At least the people who paid to be there weren’t disappointed.
Bleacher Report: 10
After a slow start to Monday night's game, the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills picked up the pace in the second half, trading scoring drives late in the third quarter and into overtime.
In the extra period, linebacker Nate Landman forced a fumble that gave the Rams a chance to win, but the Bills blocked the field goal.
Ultimately, the Rams couldn't stop Josh Allen from icing the game with a couple of big runs for first downs, and the Bills kicked the game-winning field goal. It's a gut-wrenching loss for Los Angeles. The NFL's 2026 dream team falls back under .500, taking a hit in the power rankings.
ESPN: 8
The Rams' defense has been inconsistent at times, and it has only eight sacks this season (tied for sixth fewest in the NFL). But Los Angeles should get more sack production once the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is back on the field. Garrett, who had knee surgery in mid-September, is eligible to return to practice this week. Rams coach Sean McVay said the team is unlikely to open Garrett's 21-day practice window this week, but that the pass rusher is making "good progress."
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams stay in top 10 of Week 6 power rankings despite loss to Bills
