Week 5 NFL Power Rankings

Past Power Rankings: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4

With the Bengals staying at #1, there is another AFC team trailing them. No, it’s not the Broncos. No, definitely NOT the Patriots. It’s a team that is certainly catching some fire. We also have a new #32, a team that was there recently! To top it off, we have 2 teams that are undefeated and 2 teams that are still looking for win #1!

Let’s also make this clear, I’m not too big in moving teams after a bye week (depending on the situation, of course). With that being said…

Let the Power Rankings commence!

1. Cincinnati Bengals , 3-0 (Last Week: 1)

The Bengals, now coming off of a bye week, get to travel to Foxborough to face the Patriots. Not that they need any adjustments but we’ll see how this team has changed with a week off.

2. San Diego Chargers , 3-1 (Last Week: 5) 3

Philip Rivers is playing like a wild man. With a nearly non-existent running game, he’s led the #5 passing offense to three straight wins. Now, the Jets come into town. Games like these are necessary wins if they want to take the division away from the Broncos.

3. Arizona Cardinals , 3-0 (Last Week: 3)

Without Carson Palmer, they’re still winning. Andre Ellington has been carrying the running load while the receiving corps keeps producing. We can’t leave the most important part of this team out: defense. #5 defense and still getting better. Now, we’ll see how they do against Peyton Manning and the Broncos at Mile High. Both teams coming out of a bye.

4. Seattle Seahawks , 2-1 (Last Week: 4)

Another bye week team, the Seahawks travel to the nation’s capital to take on the Washington Redskins. After beating the Broncos in OT, the Seahawks will need to work on their defense. We know Kirk Cousins is very capable of sending the ball downfield, something the “Legion of Boom” struggled with against the Chargers and the Broncos.

5. Baltimore Ravens , 3-1 (Last Week: 9) 4

A few weeks ago, the Ravens were pretty darn low on my list. With wins over Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Carolina, the Ravens look VERY good. Steve Smith Sr. look 5 years younger and is EASILY leading the team in receiving yards. They go into a huge week as they take on the Colts in Indianapolis.

6. Denver Broncos , 2-1 (Last Week: 6)

For having the #23 offense and the #27 defense in the NFL, the Broncos are doing a bit better than statistics indicate. Coming off of the bye week, they must establish the running game. Becoming too reliant on Peyton Manning isn’t the best thing but it works. This team has too much potential. They’ll face another stiff test this week as the Cardinals come into town.

7. Philadelphia Eagles , 3-1 (Last Week: 2) 5

Not wanting to rely on the run game killed the Eagles. Why would you not use LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles? This offense is fast-paced, to say the least but it’s not effective when it’s not used to it’s full potential. Could have easily been 4-0. Playing the Rams this week at home can help re-build the momentum.

8. Detroit Lions , 3-1 (Last Week: 15) 7

After a very good performance by Matthew Stafford vs the Jets, the Lions now get the Bills at home. Now, predicting an easy win wouldn’t be wise since Kyle Orton is now starting for Buffalo, as opposed to EJ Manuel. But having the #1 defense makes it that much easier.

9.  Dallas Cowboys , 3-1 (Last Week: 18)  9

Who says Tony Romo is near the end? Having DeMarco Murray has been a Godsend for the ‘Boys, letting them open up the field and pick apart defenses. Their latest victim, the Saints, had no chance. Also, Murray is on pace to go over 2,000 rushing yards. Could he be in contention to have one of the greatest rushing seasons the NFL has every seen?

10. Indianapolis Colts , 2-2 (Last Week: 13) 3

After a shocking 0-2 start, the Colts are back to .500. In their last two games, they’ve outscored their opponents 85-34. To top it off, Andrew Luck already has 1,305 passing yards, 13 TDs, and 4 INTs. Their rushing game is also picking up, averaging 118 yards/game with the Ahmad Bradshaw and Trent Richardson duo.

11. Green Bay Packers , 2-2 (Last Week: 17) 6

In a game where I picked the Bears, the Packers tore them apart. Now, despite having them just outside of the top-10, I’m still not sold on this team. I want to remind everyone that this squad is supposed to be a Super Bowl favorite. Eddie Lacy only has 161 yards (supposed to be elite, I have no idea why) and the team, like the Broncos, is QB reliant. If it weren’t for Aaron Rodgers, they’d be 1-3.

12. San Francisco 49ers , 2-2 (Last Week: 16) 4

Another team that is facing drama, they still found way to win. With rumors claiming that several players want HC Jim Harbaugh out, things are getting dicey. Yet, they were able to slow down Philadelphia and win at home. If they want to get something going, it’s best to follow the man that has taken this team to three NFC Championship games and a SB appearance.

13. Carolina Panthers , 2-2 (Last Week: 7) 6

Since the suspensions, the Panthers have lost two straight. To add insult to injury, their loss to the Ravens featured Steve Smith going off on their secondary. With Greg Hardy being advised to sit out the rest of the season, the Panthers need to reorganize themselves. This week, they get a Bears team that is also coming off of a loss.

14. Chicago Bears , 2-2 (Last Week: 8) 6

Dominated by the Packers. Plain and simple. Lucky for them, it was only week 4 and not sometime in the last month of the regular season. Jay Cutler may need to be a bit smarter when picking his targets and how he gets it there. The Panthers are definitely ailing but in now way can you take it easy against them.

15. Kansas City Chiefs , 2-2 (Last Week: 20) 5

With JaMaal Charles back, the Chiefs EXPLODED vs the Patriots. Alex Smith also proved that he can throw passes of 30+ yards. And congrats to the fans for having the loudest stadium in the NFL. Arrowhead is once again the hardest stadium to play in!

16. New York Giants , 2-2 (Last Week: 24) 8

Like Tony Romo, Eli Manning has revived himself, bashing the Redskins. 300 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT. The defense has also shown up to put in its part. They will host the Atlanta Falcons this week, so we’ll see which of the two teams can get up past .500 and which will sink below.

17. Atlanta Falcons , 2-2 (Last Week: 10) 7

As explained above, the Falcons play this Giants this coming week. The Falcons are inconsistent. Great win over the Saints, dominated by the Bengals, destroyed the Buccaneers, but once again dominated by the Vikings. The offense can’t do it alone. Having the #1 offense doesn’t get you anywhere if you have the #31 defense.

18. Miami Dolphins , 2-2 (Last Week: 21) 3

Playing in neutral territory, the Dolphins dominated the Raiders. Ryan Tannehill carried the offense and the defense forced three INTs against Derek Carr and Matt McGloin. This keeps them in a 3-way tie for first in the AFC East with the Patriots and the Bills. They get to go into the bye week with hope that Knowshon Moreno returns in week 6 vs the Packers.

19. Buffalo Bills , 2-2 (Last Week: 14) 5

Like their division rival up above, the Bills are in a fight for the AFC East lead. This week w ill feature a slightly different team as EJ Manuel has been benched for Kyle Orton. A 2-0 started has slowed down to a 2-2 first quarter of the season. It will be up to Orton to bring this team back but he faces a stiff test in the Detroit Lions.

20. Houston Texans , 3-1 (Last Week: 25) 5

3-1 and #20? Well, I’m nowhere near when it comes to trusting this offense. The defense, superb. JJ Watt has been incredible, to say the least. This week, they’ll face the Cowboys, who have been hot since their week 1 loss to the 49ers. The battle of Texas will define the Texans.

21. New England Patriots , 2-2 (Last Week: 12) 9

Well, well, well. Everyone was waiting for this. As bad as this team is doing, the Patriots are still in a tie for first. No other team in their division looks hot and it could just leave the door open for the Pats. Their defense is great, sitting pretty at #4, but the o-line is what kills this team. I’m still not going to count the Pats out. Doing so would be unwise.

22. New Orleans Saints , 1-3 (Last Week: 11) 11

This is the first 4 games in 4 words, “ok, bad, hmmm, ohhh”. It’s just going from bad to worse in New Orleans. They were spanked by the Cowboys. Now, they get to face the Buccaneers, who are coming off of their first win of the seasons vs the Steelers. They will need “Dome-Field Advantage” if they want to save their season.

23. Minnesota Vikings , 2-2 (Last Week: 26) 3

A lot of upside here. The one downside, Teddy Bridgewater was injured in their big win vs the Falcons. This week, they get to play the Packers in Green Bay. Because I’m not too sold on either team, this will definitely be a game to watch.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers , 2-2 (Last Week: 19) 5

Very disappointing loss to the Buccaneers at home. Being up 4 points late in the 4th quarter, Mike Glennon connects with Vincent Jackson for the game-winning TD. This team has been accustomed to having great defenses but this one does not come to par. Antonio Brown has emerged as one of the top-2 weapons for Ben Roethlisberger, La-Veon Bell being #1. A lot of promise but consistency is key.

25. Cleveland Browns , 1-2 (Last Week: 23) 2

The one team that I moved while on a bye week (which I hate doing) but there was so much movement down here that I had no choice. The Browns get to face the Titans this week, another team that is struggling.

26. New York Jets , 1-3 (Last Week: 22) 4

I’ve said it hundred of times before, Rex Ryan needs to be OUSTED! Simple as that. We all know what goes on with this team so explaining is unnecessary.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers , 1-3 (Last Week: 32) 5

Plug in Mike Glennon and you get a win. No surprise there. Most of us are probably wondering why Josh McCown started in the first place.

28. Washington Redskins , 1-3 (Last Week: 27) 1

I thought they would be 2-2 by now. I was in the wrong, by far. After being pounced on by the Giants, the Redskins may need to rework some things. Here’s a fun fact, Kirk Cousins threw 4 INTs vs the Giants while Robert Griffin III was yet to throw one before he was injured. Just throwing that out there.

29. St. Louis Rams , 1-2 (Last Week: 29)

The Rams get to play the Eagles this week… Super. Funny enough, this team has both the #9 offense and the #12 defense. So, numbers never lie?

30. Tennessee Titans , 1-3 (Last Week: 28) 2

Beautiful showing in week 1 vs the Chiefs. Since then, nothing. They’ve been outscored 100-34 in their last three games, all losses. It’s going from bad, to worse.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars , 0-4 (Last Week: 31)

Another game, another loss. To give them some credit, they sure did put a scare on the Chargers in the first 25 minutes or so of the game. After that, it was over. There’s a lot of promise in Blake Bortles and the defensive front line showed potential.

32. Oakland Raiders , 0-4 (Last Week: 30) 2

 

Biggest Movers:

Dallas Cowboys 9 

New Orleans Saints 11 

Follow Alexandro H. Zatarain on Twitter: @TheRealZatarain 

 

Photo Credit: Jake Roth, USA TODAY Sports