Packers up to No. 2

"Ask Vic" will publish on M-W-F through the football season.

This drama is bad for football
The Mason Rudolph injury created another one of those medical dramas that are increasing in number in today's game.
Rudolph was knocked unconscious by a blow to the head from the Ravens' Earl Thomas. TV trained its camera on the motionless Rudoloph and shamefully added video of the Ryan Shazier incident. The facemask to the dazed Rudolph's helmet was removed, which allowed for a photo that begs the question, "Why would anyone want to play football?"
This is a bad look for the game and the NFL needs to find a way to attend to these players less dramatically. The league provides a medical tent for players who've strained a hamstring, but it leaves in full view to a frightened TV audience players with head and neck injuries.
I don't have the answer -- I'll leave that to higher minds -- but you're not going to convince parents football is a safe game to play by providing these gut-wrenching scenes.
Maybe the answer is football isn't a safe game to play and the NFL should stop trying to convince parents it is.

Packers, Jaguars, Steelers

• The Packers' impressive win in Dallas, along with their 4-1 start, is worthy of the No. 2 spot in this week's power rankings. I also think the Packers are about to get on an extended roll, but I'll temper all of that praise with some caution about their offense/defense rankings. The Packers are No. 25 on offense (23rd rushing and 15th passing) and No. 22 on defense (26th against the run and 14th against the pass), and those are not impressive numbers. In fact, they aren't as good as last year's numbers: 12-22-9 on offense and 18-22-12 on defense.
• Jacksonville is a lowly No. 24 on defense (25th against the run and 18th against the pass). Those are shameful numbers for a defense that's supposed to be the Jaguars' calling card. The fact of the matter is Gardner Minshew and the offense (6-8-10) are carrying the team.
• The Steelers are 1-4 and in danger of their worst season in a long, long time, but I like the direction of their defense. As I've noted, they're beginning to play Steelers football again. The Steelers are 16-21-12 on defense and on the rise. Offense (29-29-25) has obviously been compromised by injuries at quarterback. I think it's also important to note the Steelers' four losses have come at the hands of the Patriots, Seahawks, 49ers and Ravens, who are a combined 16-3.

Here are the Week 6 "Ask Vic" all-important power rankings:
1. Patriots -- Giants next crummy win.
2. Packers -- Time to roll.
3. Saints -- They are not toast.
4. 49ers -- Powerful, young, fast defense.
5. Seahawks -- Arrow pointing straight up.
6. Colts -- They don't miss Luck.
7. Chiefs -- Soft.
8. Lions -- At the test vs. Packers.
9. Eagles -- Offense is clicking.
10. Rams -- Showdown vs. 49ers.
11. Bills -- They deserve a rest.
12. Ravens -- I'm not impressed.
13. Bears -- Bye and then the Saints.
14. Vikings -- A phone call from the POTUS?
15. Cowboys -- Packers embarrassed them.
16. Panthers -- Winning with undrafted QB.
17. Browns -- Seahawks, Pats next two games.
18. Raiders -- They're in the hunt.
19. Chargers -- Who are they?
20. Bucs -- In London vs. Carolina.
21. Texans -- Struggling to beat bad teams.
22. Jaguars -- Defense gashed by Panthers.
23. Titans -- Good team going to waste.
24. Giants -- They need Barkley.
25. Steelers -- Fighting through tough times.
26. Broncos -- Tough schedule ahead.
27. Cardinals -- Murray flashes.
28. Falcons -- Where's bottom?
29. Washington -- Who's the next lucky coach?
30. Bengals -- Sinking in Cincinnati.
31. Jets -- Was it worth it, Le'Veon?
32. Dolphins -- Rested and ready to lose.