Week 5 NFL Power Rankings: Another New No. 1! Cowboys Climb While Raiders, Rams Tumble

 The beginning of this season has not gone as predicted by anyone. Upsets seem to be brewing every week and the teams we believe are the best suddenly falter. Another week of massive change in the ranks, here we go.

1. Buffalo Bills (3-1)
Previously #3 +

Just three weeks after an atrocity of a performance in week 1, the Bills find themselves atop the NFL. The turnaround has just been unbelievable by this team. They have two 35+ point wins in three weeks along with a 20+ point victory. Josh Allen has been incredible but the true strongpoint of this team is becoming the defense. They were what held this team back a year ago, I'm not so sure Kansas City can compete right now with the more complete Bills. A final note is how well this offense is distributing the football. Guys like Dawson Knox and Emmanuel Sanders are making key impacts in the pass game along with Zack Moss on the ground. 

2. Arizona Cardinals (4-0)
Previously #7 +

I don't think many saw this coming. The Cardinals are the league's longest remaining unbeaten. Kyler Murray is just unfair at times. He keeps getting better and we saw him embarrass the Rams' elite defense this weekend in a bit of a blowout victory for this team. Murray makes everyone around him better and is finding ways to go deep other than DeAndre Hopkins. This defense has also improved so much. Byron Murphy is turning into a stud CB. The Cardinals at least as of now, look like the team to beat in the NFL's best division. 

3. Los Angeles Chargers (3-1)
Previously #8 +

A shock to some possibly, the Chargers have overtaken the Rams for the best team in LA (at least for the time being). Not many would have expected this as the Rams were our no. 1 team last week, but that shows how much things can change in just one week. The Chargers are having the full on breakout that we predicted. Their offense is hitting new highs and their defense has taken the next step we saw coming with Brandon Staley on as the new HC. Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, and Keenan Allen led this offense past a tough Raider team to prove that for now, they are the team to beat in the AFC West. Football in LA just got even more exciting.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)
Previously #2 -

Despite the win, the Bucs fall one spot for the second straight week. While they beat the Patriots in Brady's return, it was not convincing. The Patriots should have won the game. I did not agree with the late game decision-making by Bill Belichick but thats another story for later. The Bucs are dealing with some injuries that are keeping them from their full potential. The are still one of the most well-rounded squads in the league. With Tom Brady, they are never out of a game. I loved the addition of CB Richard Sherman who started in his Bucs debut and played well. He is a massive addition to this contender.

5. Green Bay Packers (3-1)
Previously #5

Just like the Bills, the Pack have made an impressive turnaround after an embarrassing week 1. Aaron Rodgers and his offense are back. He looked really poised and good again on Sunday against Pittsburgh and reconnected with Randall Cobb for two TDs. Cobb becoming a consistent threat for the Packers might go a long way towards making a playoff run. While the Steelers offense is bad, the Packers D was impressive this week. Rookie CB Eric Stokes looks like a home-run first round pick. He and Jaire Alexander are beginning to become one of the best CB duos in football. This team is dangerous. 

6. Dallas Cowboys (3-1)
Previously #11 +

How bout' them Cowboys? They are back. For real. I said this last week, but I'm reinforcing it even more now. They just took down the previously undefeated Carolina Panthers in impressive fashion. The offense is just as good as we expected (especially with Zeke heating up) but man, this defense. DC Dan Quinn is doing an amazing job. They are one of the biggest turn-around stories in the league. Second-year CB Trevon Diggs is becoming a superstar in front of our eyes. He already has 5 interceptions in just 4 games. He is an early front-runner for DPOY. I love what Dallas has going for them and they have legit Super Bowl chances playing the way they are right now.

7. Los Angeles Rams (3-1)
Previously #1 -

The Rams fall much further than anyone might have expected going into Sunday with the embarrassment of a loss to the Cardinals. The hottest team in football was just no match for Arizona. Sean McVay appeared to have been out-coached by...Kliff Kingsbury? If teams figure out the Rams as well as the Cards did, they might not be as good as we thought. I still think this is the best team in the NFC West but they won't have much time to recover from this one as they quickly have to turn it around for a Thursday Night road-trip to Seattle this week. That will be a MASSIVE game.

8. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
Previously #9 +

A good win here for the Ravens. I had them on upset alert in my week 4 game picks, but they easily staved off the Broncos. They barely kept their 100-yard rushing streak alive in this one as the air game took center stage. It was great to see Lamar Jackson hucking it. Marquise Brown is having a breakout season and would have so much more hype around him if he didn't have that terrible (drop heavy) game last week against Detroit. The Ravens look like they are excelling in every aspect of the game right now.

9. Cleveland Browns (3-1)
Previously #4 -

I didn't like what I saw from Cleveland this week. They did beat a good Minnesota team, but Baker Mayfield was really bad. They have proven they can win games off just the run game and defense, but in the playoffs, they will need more from their QB to get to the big game. Until I see more from Baker, I don't know just how high I can put this team despite their talented roster.

10. Kansas City Chiefs (2-2)
Previously #10

The Chiefs aren't in a great place right now. For the first time in the Mahomes-era, it is really under questioning if the team can win with a horrible defense. We've seen them do it for years, but this might be the worst Chiefs D yet. Mahomes is still Mahomes and Tyreek Hill went off against the Eagles, but they are proving they must score 40+ every week to win. It's not sustainable, especially in the playoffs. Unless we see some defensive improvement, the Chiefs really might be in trouble. 

11. Seattle Seahawks (2-2)
Previously #16 +

A huge bounceback win from Seattle. After a terrible first half, the Seahawks hit the gas pedal right out of the gate in Q3 and didn't look back. Russell Wilson was masterful! He is yet to throw an interception and simply looks like a magician out there again. With 2 passing TDs and a rushing TD, Wilson lead the Hawks past the division rival Niners to keep Seattle alive in the NFC West. The defense also looked improved (aside from a total miscommunication on one TD play). Jamal Adams is blossoming into a coverage player! So much will be told by the upcoming battle vs the Rams on Thursday night.

12. Las Vegas Raiders (3-1)
Previously #6 -

The luck finally runs out for the Raiders. After a magical first three weeks of the season, the Raiders take their first fall of the year. Dropping 6 spots is big, but it shows that this team isn't in that elite tier just yet. A win against the Chargers would have put them squarely within the top 5. I still think this is a playoff team, but the loss to the Chargers show how they can be beaten. Derek Carr was smothered all game and this offense could not keep up.

13. San Fransisco 49ers (2-2)
Previously #12 -

It's been a rough two weeks for the Niners. After getting unlucky and losing on a game-winning FG against Green Bay in week 3, they got smoked in the second half vs Seattle this week. Jimmy Garopollo was playing pretty well before getting injured in this one leaving Trey Lance to finish out the second half. He was decent in his time but this team just couldn't keep up with a resurgent Seattle squad. The Niners are reeling and currently sit last place in the West, they will need to upset the 4-0 Cardinals this weekend or risk falling into a major hole. A must-win game for SF this week to avoid dropping three straight.

14. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)
Previously #18 +

This team is so fun to watch. They have a gritty style of play about them and refuse to lose. They faced a multi-score deficit against the lowly Jags on Thursday night and rallied back to win on a last second field goal. Joe Burrow is must-watch TV. He is getting better and better by the week and is really living up to the no. 1 overall pick hype. The Bengals D was what has been holding them back for many years, but it is starting to look like a positive unit. I don't know how the next few weeks will play out for this breakout team, but they have a chance to sneak into the playoffs with the new 7-team format.

15. Carolina Panthers (3-1)
Previously #13 -

It had to end at some-point. The Panthers took their first loss of the season to the Cowboys. It was a good fight for this young Panther team, but they were simply bested in this one. Two INTs from Sam Darnold really screwed them but he has been really good overall for Carolina and looks like their franchise QB. While the defense had easily it's worst showing yet, I still think its one of the top 10 defenses in the sport. Christian McCaffrey coming back within the next few weeks from injury will boost this team again. I don't know totally what to think of them yet, but they are close to contention regardless.

16. Denver Broncos (3-1)
Previously #15 -

Just like the Panthers, the loss finally came for the Broncos. It's tough to judge them completely because the game was pretty close throughout and Teddy Bridgewater couldn't finish the game due to injury. The Broncos have to pray Bridgewater is back in the lineup ASAP because Drew Lock is not it. Bridgewater's conservative, accurate, and turnover free play really helps this run-first offense succeed with the defense guiding the way of this team. A get-right game against the Steelers looms.

17. Washington Football Team (2-2)
Previously #23 +

It wasn't pretty, but the Football Team got back in the win column this week vs the Falcons. A game they should have won with ease was a struggle, but Taylor Heinicke and Terry McLaurin's connection took center stage as the two won them this game. I don't know what to say about this defense which has gone to trash, but the offense isn't as bad as one might think. How about JD McKissic's game winning 30-yard catch and run TD as well?? If they can find ways to keep winning, Ryan Fitzpatrick's return could make things interesting here.

18. Tennessee Titans (2-2)
Previously #14 -

Oh man. What an awful loss. The Titans without AJ Brown and Julio Jones were unable to beat the lowly Jets in OT. A shocker. Aside from Derrick Henry's routine 150+ rush yards, this offense could not move the ball. We give them a bit of a pass as they were without their stud receivers, but even with that, you shouldn't be losing to the worst team in football. The Titans will need to rebound quickly as the Colts won and now have a path to the AFC South title just like that. This is the worst division in football.

19. New England Patriots (1-3)
Previously #20 +

I know they lost, but I really liked what I saw from this gritty New England team. The Patriots should have beat the Bucs. I really don't agree with the field goal attempt (a 56-yarder) on 4th and 1 with a minute to go when you can easily pick up that first down on a QB-sneak and then pickup another 10 or so yards for a chip-shot. Mac Jones was so impressive. With 2 TD passes, he went toe-to-toe with the best QB to ever do it. He is the future of this team. The Patriot defense also continues to prove they are elite. They are much closer to being a contender again than many give them credit. Next year they should be back in the playoffs if they don't string together a run this year.

20. New Orleans Saints (2-2)
Previously #17 -

Probably the hardest to read team in the NFL right now. They have beat the Packers and Patriots with relative ease but also lost to the Panthers (decisively) and the terrible Giants (this week). Jameis Winston is hard to read as well. I like the talent this roster has, but they clearly aren't completely in sync. This team has .500 written all over it.

21. Minnesota Vikings (1-3)
Previously #19 -

In the short season so far, the Vikings have been left with so many what-ifs. This team could realistically be 4-0 if not for some mistakes. Sadly for some, that is just how football works. After a really nice win vs Seattle last week, the Vikings kept it close all day against the Browns but couldn't find the endzone more than once. Kirk Cousins had his worst game yet of this season.  I like the Vikings, but they clearly just are unable to finish most late game situations.

22. Chicago Bears (2-2)
Previously #28 +

Justin Fields got his first career win as the Bears took down the Lions in a crapshoot. The Bears won pretty easily but it wasn't a super strong showing from the team. They will hope star RB David Montgomery's knee injury isn't too bad as he is their best offensive player right now. Justin Fields showed some promise but has struggled quite a bit so far anyway. This Bears team has 7-10 or less written all over it.

23. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3)
Previously #24 +

I like this Eagles team way too much for no reason. While their defense is awful, their offense is actually pretty solid. Jalen Hurts has been so good so far this season. He looks like he could be their franchise QB and is probably making some teams regret not taking him in the first round of last year's draft. He is really getting better on not turning it over and has a much better arm than he is given credit for. That being said, the Eagles are not there yet. They seem to be able to stay in close games with good teams but can't finish them off. I like this team, they just aren't there yet.

24. Indianapolis Colts (1-3)
Previously #25 +

It was great to see this talented roster finally get a win. Carson Wentz needed it. While it wasn't super pretty, the Colts won pretty decisively. The executed in the redzone finally which is a great sign. The run game led by Jonathan Taylor was also nice as well. I want to see more from this defense that I know can be elite. The Colts are still in the thick of the AFC South race even though they started 0-3. They have playoff caliber talent, they just need to get it done. They have a good chance still. This win will go a long way.

25. Miami Dolphins (1-3)
Previously #22 -

Things just keep getting worse for these Dolphins. I can't believe I saw them as real playoff contenders this year. They clearly aren't there yet. Jacoby Brissett has not been good in injury-relief of Tua Tagovailoa. That doesn't help them much as Tua wasn't good either pre-injury. They have a talented defense which is elite against the pass but cannot stop the run even if their lives depended on it. Also, what happened to Myles Gaskin. He has been terrible. The Dolphins look like they need to improve all over the place this off-season. They have a ton of talent, a great coaching staff, and a lot of money. Next off-season will be pivotal for a team that looks shot unless they can bring in a Cam Newton to play QB for them. (They should consider that).

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3)
Previously #21 -

I will keep saying it. It's over for Big Ben. He is so bad. He should have retired. That is all I have to say about this football team that will not improve unless they put in Dwayne Haskins or even Mason Rudolph soon.

27. New York Jets (1-3)
Previously #32 +

Robert Saleh and the Jets have their first win! What a game. They stopped the Titans elite offense and played well on the offensive side of the ball themselves. I was so glad to see some signs of life from Zach Wilson who was putting his arm talent on full display in this one. The Jets have so much work to do, but this win is a major building block for the future. The morale is going to be much higher in coming weeks after this. 

28. New York Giants (1-3)
Previously #31 +

A big week in the big apple. Both of their winless football teams upset pretty good squads. The Giants were in this game from the start and then finished it in overtime. The confidence from the team in this one was infectious. Jabrill Peppers, Saquon Barkley, John Ross, and Daniel Jones lead the way as the Giants won their first of the year. What an upset. I don't know if it will change too much going forward, but it was nice to see.

29. Atlanta Falcons (1-3)
Previously #27 -

Classic Falcons choke job in week 4. They had the Washington Football Team handled for most of the way and then fell victim to yet another comeback. The defense collapsed again. The one bright spot for this team was, and has been RB/WR Cordarelle Patterson. What a pickup. He had 3 TDs in the game and is becoming such an offensive weapon. On a stacked offense with Matt Ryan, Calvin Ridley, Kyle Pitts, and Mike Davis, who would have thought that Patterson would be the best guy through four weeks.

30. Houston Texans (1-3)
Previously #29 -

After a promising debut by rookie QB Davis Mills, he was awful on Sunday. The Texans were shutout and lost by 35. There is really no hope for this team until they trade Deshaun Watson. At least they have stud WR Brandin Cooks...

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4)
Previously #30 -

It's been a rough first quarter for Urban Meyer and the Jags. They blew a multi-score lead against the Bengals this week and just don't look like a team ready to win any games for awhile. Trevor Lawrence had his best game yet, but he is not enough to win games right now. James Robinson is also heating up and is proving this offense needs to run through him. The Jags D might be the worst in the league. Not much going well for this team. 

32. Detroit Lions (0-4)
Previously #26 -

The Lions are going nowhere. They just can't beat anyone. The future is bright with young talent and a pile of draft picks, but they are probably the worst team in the sport again.