NFL Power Rankings 5

NFL Power Rankings

After Week 5

NOTE: Previous ranking (from two weeks ago) is noted in the first parenthesis, record in second parenthesis.

1. (2) Seattle Seahawks (3-1) – Seattle finally moved to #1 in my poll because I finally believe in Russell Wilson. The young man is a stud. How did he fall so low in the draft?

2. (1) Denver Broncos (3-1) – They had a bye and then blew out Arizona, a team that was only one of two unbeaten squads in the league… yet they dropped a spot in my rankings. It wasn’t because of them, it was because of Seattle.

3. (6) San Diego Chargers (4-1) – Despite RB injuries and a Keenan Allen sophomore slump, the Chargers keep rolling along. Their defense is legit and Philip Rivers is a real MVP candidate.

4. (13) Indianapolis Colts (3-2) – Speaking of MVP candidates, Andrew Luck has to be in the conversation. In fact, he may be the leader at this point. The Colts defense has also vastly improved. They are a very dangerous squad.

5. (17) Green Bay Packers (3-2) – Aaron Rodgers is back and the Packers have looked untouchable the last couple of weeks. They are also suddenly in a tie for first in the NFC North.

6. (16) San Francisco 49ers (3-2) – They’ve gone back to running the football and it’s helped them tremendously. Their defense also looks physical again. It’s about time.

7. (15) Dallas Cowboys (4-1) – This is a team that’s impressed me a lot this season. Their offensive line is paving holes for Demarco Murray, and they are actually leaning on the run this season for once. Romo made some big plays last game, but Murray has been the lead guy.

8. (4) Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) – Nearly blew a big lead against St. Louis, but a win is a win. Looks like Philly and Dallas will be fighting it out all season in the NFC East.

9. (3) Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) – Ugly loss on SNF, but that said more about a desperate Patriots team than Cincy. They will be just fine.

10. (5) Arizona Cardinals (3-1) – This ranking is very tentative, as they may not have a QB capable of starting. But if Carson Palmer comes back, look out once again.

11. (7) New England Patriots (3-2) – The offense showed up to play for the first time all season. Tom Brady wants everyone to relax, so I will.

12. (9) Carolina Panthers (3-2) – There are suddenly concerns about their defense, but Cam Newton seems to be playing his way back into form. Still tough to gauge how good this team really is though.

13. (10) Baltimore Ravens (3-2) – Despite a tough loss at Indy, I have to admit that they’ve accomplished quite it a bit to start the season considering the off the field distractions and injuries they’ve sustained.

14. (25) New York Giants (3-2) – I’m suddenly in a believer. That team I ranked dead last after two weeks is long gone. The offense and defense are getting back to what I’d expect from a team that’s won two somewhat recent Super Bowls.

15. (11) Detroit Lions (3-2) – The Lions have looked terrific this season, but just can’t seem to sustain it. Part of the problem right now is Calvin Johnson’s bum ankle, but the team is more than one guy.

16. (14) Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) – Pittsburgh ranked this high because their record is above .500. I still can’t explain a loss to TB or how they just sneaked by the Jags.

17. (20) Buffalo Bills (3-2) – Here come those confusing Bills. Now led by Kyle Orton, will they find any consistency?

18. (8) Chicago Bears (2-3) – Turnovers continue to plague this team (cough, Cutler, cough). If they can clean it up, they may start winning some meaningful games.

19. (21) Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) – KC has hung in there really well this season considering a tough schedule and some personnel losses in the offseason.

20. (12) Atlanta Falcons (2-3) – Big game against the Bears this weekend will propel one of them back into playoff discussion and the other one out.

21. (18) New Orleans Saints (2-3) – Drew Brees and this offense has been very disappointing this season. Word that newly acquired Jairus Byrd is out has to be devastating too.

22. (22) Houston Texans (3-2) – They arguably could be 4-1 right now yet I ranked them 22. To be higher, a team has to be capable of playing offense.

23. (26) Miami Dolphins (2-2) – Before the bye they played a great football game. Can that team emerge this week when they return to the field?

24. (24) Cleveland Browns (2-2) – It took another epic comeback, but the Browns are .500 again. If they can learn to play better in the first half of games, they can really start challenging for the division.

25. (29) Minnesota Vikings (2-3) – Teddy got a start two weeks ago and was terrific. If he can stay healthy, Minnesota would be a dangerous spoiler team.

26. (19) Washington Redskins (1-4) – Cousins played well once again at Seattle, but they really had not shot winning on the road against the champs.

27. (23) New York Jets (1-4) – And suddenly there is a quarterback controversy…

28. (32) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4) – Glennon has lit something in this team to make them decent once again. I think they’ll win a few more games this season easily.

29. (27) St. Louis Rams (1-3) – If I’m predicting right now, the race for Marcus Mariotta is between St. Louis and Tennessee. Jacksonville and Oakland just drafted QB’s, so I’m pulling them from consideration.

30. (28) Tennessee Titans (1-4) – If I’m predicting right now, the race for Marcus Mariotta is between St. Louis and Tennessee. Jacksonville and Oakland just drafted QB’s, so I’m pulling them from consideration.

31. (30) Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5) – Bortles has ignited some offense, but it hasn’t been enough for a win quite yet.

32. (31) Oakland Raiders (0-4) – We’ll see if Oakland can muster any sort of challenge this year to any teams. But they are potentially headed for the top overall pick.

By: The Sports Guys