Broncos are a bottom-5 team in NFL power rankings

© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Hackett is an offensive mind who was supposed to turn Denver’s offense around. Instead, the offense seems to have taken several steps backward. The Broncos are averaging just 15.6 points per game, which ranks as the third-worst average in the NFL. Wilson hasn’t been perfect at quarterback, but much of the blame for Denver’s offensive struggles fall on Hackett. The team’s play-calling is often puzzling, with numerous passing plays called in short-yardage situations over the last six weeks. Hackett hasn’t been good enough and after starting 2-4, he should be on the hot seat.

After a 19-16 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6, the Denver Broncos are now ranked 28th overall in Nate Davis’ latest NFL power rankings for USA TODAY Sports. That’s down one spot from their No. 27 ranking last week.

Here is Davis’ note on the Broncos this week:

If it feels like you’ve been force fed this train wreck of a team, that’s right – Monday’s loss occurring in Denver’s fourth prime-time appearance already. It tapers off moving forward, but there’s still a London game, a Sunday nighter and a Christmas showcase.

Elsewhere in the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs are ranked No. 3, followed by the Chargers (No. 13) and Las Vegas Raiders (No. 26).

The New York Jets, who the Broncos will host this week, are ranked No. 12.

The Carolina Panthers are ranked last (No. 32) and the Buffalo Bills are ranked No. 1. To view the complete NFL power rankings going into Week 7, visit USATODAY.com.

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