Post Quarter 1 NFL Power Rankings '23: Will Anyone Catch SF?

 With a quarter of the NFL season out of the way, I decided it would be a good time to release my first power rankings of the season. I used to do them weekly, but now it doesn't feel as worth to do it so often. After each quarter of the season seems like a better time. With 5 games out of the way, lets see how everyone stacks up! I will also list one X-factor player on each team for the remainder of the year for some fun.

1. San Francisco 49ers (5-0)

Right now there is just simply no one better. Aside from a back and forth game with a divisional rival in the Rams early on the in the season, no one has even stood a chance against this Niner team. Everything is clicking on all cylinders for Kyle Shanahan's crew as it also looks like they have two serious MVP candidates in QB Brock Purdy and RB Christian McCaffrey. This is the first time in a long time where I felt an undefeated team has a chance to genuinely go 17-0 in the regular season. Until someone proves otherwise, I'm not quite sure how to beat this team. Keep an eye on Randy Gregory who the team just acquired in a trade. He will feast as opposing teams have to block Nick Bosa and company.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (5-0)

The Eagles also find themselves as the other only undefeated team in the NFL. Since their Super Bowl loss, there has been no hangover at all. While Philly has had a lot of close ones and uneven offensive performances left and right, they seem to always find a way to win. Once they reach the tougher part of their schedule, we will see what this team is truly made of, but all their guys are playing pretty much as well as they did during their Super Bowl run a year ago. Two key off-season additions in RB D'Andre Swift and rookie DT Jalen Carter have been pivotal in contributing to this 5-0 start to the season.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)

After yet another dominate win over Denver, the Chiefs are my top team in the AFC once again. No shocker there. The craziest part is that the Chiefs really haven't been anything insane yet, and they are still 5-1 and look primed to reach the Super Bowl once again. They aren't even close to playing their best which is the scary part. On a team with many returning starters, look no further than rookie WR Rashee Rice who is picking up steam in terms of his connection with Patrick Mahomes. He could turn in a 1,000 yard season when it is all said and done.

4. Miami Dolphins (4-1)

Before getting shellacked by the Bills, this was everyone's top team in the league. It honestly was an out of character showing for this team and I know they are still one of the league's elites. Tua Tagovailoa is my current front-runner for league MVP with how well he has operated the league's best offense through this first quarter. Rookie RB De'Von Achane also emerged out of nowhere into complete superstardom before a knee injury knocked him onto IR. The real concern for this team is their defense, which forces them to win shootouts pretty much anytime they face real competition. Superstar CB Jalen Ramsey is nearing a return, when he comes into the fold just how much better will this defense be? 

5. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

A huge MNF win over the Giants propelled Seattle into its bye week in week 5, which could not have come at a better time. Charles Cross, Abe Lucas, Jamal Adams, Tariq Woolen, Geno Smith, and OTHERS were all banged up heading into this bye. Now they are all nearing full health. Seattle got a bad week 1 loss to the Rams out of its system and looks like one of the most well-rounded teams in the sport. Rookie CB Devon Witherspoon has emerged as an instant superstar and force to be reckoned with. The Seahawk defense as a whole has been much improved so far this season as they are 2nd against the run and tied for first in sacks (through 4 games). The world is still waiting for other first round rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba to introduce himself. With health to the OL will come more opportunity for him. I can't wait to see this YAC threat really get incorporated to one of the league's best offenses. 

6. Detroit Lions (4-1)

If not for an OT loss at the hands of the aforementioned Seahawks, the Lions would be 5-0 and setting the NFL world on fire. They truly have turned around into one of the game's best teams. The offense looks even more potent than last season, propelled by a superstar start to the season by free agent signing RB David Montgomery. Rookie TE Sam LaPorta has also burst onto the scene and instantly looks like one of the NFL's best tight ends. Aidan Hutchinson is clearly making a second-year jump as he now is an early season DPOY candidate. This team is so fun to watch from so many different aspects. I'm excited to see second-year WR Jameson Williams work his way into this high octane offense. He didn't get a ton of run as a rookie and is now finally coming off his suspension. He is one of the fastest players in the NFL and could be a perfect complement to Amon-Ra St. Brown in this offense if used correctly.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2)

This team has had its share of early season boneheaded plays and weird losses, but at 3-2 fresh off of two straight impressive victories over good teams, the Jags look like they are headed in the right direction. They handed it to the Bills last weekend in London and looked great in almost every aspect. Trevor Lawrence is getting hot again and now young RB Travis Etienne is really getting going too. Two players that could be X-factors down the stretch are D-linemen Davon Hamilton and Travon Walker. Hamilton just came off of IR and is a key run-stuffing cog, while Walker has all the talent in the world and is just scratching the surface with what he can become. The Jags look like a playoff team once again. 

8. Buffalo Bills (3-2)

The Bills have looked like the best team in football at times, and also among the worst. Quite a rollercoaster for the first 5 weeks of the year. After a weird week 1 loss to the Jets, the Bills won three straight in dominant fashion, before falling to the Jags last week in another weird one. I'm not too worried about this high-powered offense but I am worried about the D. Injuries are piling up and it looks like they will be without superstar players like CB Tre White, LB Matt Milano, and nagging injuries to their star safety duo Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. In a bind, Josh Allen seems to blindly throw the ball around the yard. That is not a good recipe for winning. I am keeping an eye on WR Gabe Davis down the stretch as he has scored in multiple straight games and is looking like a breakout WR2 behind Stefon Diggs.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

Call me crazy for having a below .500, 3-loss team firmly in the top 10, but these are what power rankings are for. It is not just the standings. After looking lost through the first few weeks of the season, the Bengals got their swagger back in a dominant victory over the Cardinals on Sunday. Joe Burrow has been playing banged up with his calf injury, but he looked pretty healthy on Sunday as he torched the lowly Arizona secondary. Ja'Marr Chase had himself a day with 15 catches, 190 yards, and 3 scores. That duo is so back. The Bengal run D has been damn suspicious but their pass rush, led by Trey Hendrickson, has been killer. Second year DB Daxton Hill has been a breakout player for the Bengals this season, with 2 picks and 3 pass breakups already. I want to see if he can continue to turn into an elite young player as the season progresses. 

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)

I know it is still so early, but I am liking a lot of what I am seeing from Tampa Bay. Their defense has been hungry and their offense is rejuvenated under QB Baker Mayfield. Mayfield is off to the best start of his career it feels like, having thrown over 800 yards, 7 TDs, to just 2 picks on the young season. I really don't know if it will keep up or if this whole thing will crash and burn like what we've seen from Mayfield's teams in the past, but right now they are a top 10 NFL team. In a week NFC South, Tampa could potentially coast into a home playoff spot. Mayfield remains the X-factor here as the team's success lives and dies through his right arm.

11. Baltimore Ravens (3-2)

Another team that has been pretty up and down in just 5 games. The Ravens have looked like their gritty, classic-selves for much of the season, but also do have two head-scratching losses. They lost in OT to a Gardner Minshew led Colt team a few weeks back, and then blew an easy win against the archaic Steeler offense last week as well. Lamar Jackson just doesn't look fully confident to me for some reason either. Injuries remain a problem with this team like they have so many times in recent history. The Ravens have some more hard games coming up, and how they play in them will decide the fate of their season. Rookie WR Zay Flowers is the X-factor of this team right now. He has looked so good at times but really needs to be their alpha WR1 for this offense to reach new heights. It will be fun to see if he can get there this year.

12. Dallas Cowboys (3-2)

Looks like another year of the 'Boys being pretenders. After a great couple weeks to start the year, the Cowboys dropped an embarrassing game against the lowly Cardinals and then got their backs blown out on prime time against those Niners. This offense is worse than last year and their D is starting to look worse as well. Micah Parsons is pretty much the lone bright spot on that D right now. I genuinely think a QB change to either Cooper Rush or Trey Lance could do something positive to this team. Dak Prescott just doesn't improve. An X-factor player for this team has to be CB Da'Ron Bland who has had to step up in wake of the Trevon Diggs injury. He has looked really good, but he will have to keep it up if Dallas wants to avoid letting this season slip away from them.

13. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)

It was a rough couple of opening weeks for the Chargers, but they look to be sort of back on track at .500 and coming off the early bye. Justin Herbert has been incredible as always and the defense is starting to improve as well. How about that 6 sack game from Khalil Mack? If he can channel any level of that production throughout the rest of this season, he and Joey Bosa are going to be the hardest duo to stop in pass protection all year long. Star RB Austin Ekeler is also on the verge of returning from a multi-week injury absence. The stars may be aligning right now for the Chargers! With Mike Williams going down for the season with injury, the Chargers need to find out how to give rookie first-round wideout Quentin Johnston a real role in this offense. He plays a lot like Williams and they need to get him involved down the stretch.

14. New Orleans Saints (3-2)

The return of Alvin Kamara has been huge for this offense which sputtered for a couple of weeks here. They are coming off of a massive 34-0 road victory over the Patriots which has this team riding high. They will need to channel that momentum and ride it for hopefully a large winning streak. Everything is there for this team to be a playoff contender. They finally have their QB in Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara is better than ever, an elite WR duo with Chris Olave and Michael Thomas, and one of the league's best defenses. Not to mention they are playing in arguably the easiest division in all of the NFL. I think even a 10-7 or 9-8 record may wind up being enough to win the division and secure that home playoff game. This Saints team is built to win a playoff game or two. If they can just get in, that is all they will need to potentially go on an unlucky run. Free agent addition at RB Jamaal Williams feels like the X-factor for this team. He was so great for Detroit last season and when he comes back from injury, the Saints have a legit elite RB duo that could give opposing defenses nightmares. Excited to see he and Kamara share the backfield when he returns.

15. Cleveland Browns (2-2)

Injuries really have sucked the fun out of a promising season for the Browns. At 2-2, they can't afford many more key injuries. Nick Chubb is out for the season, and Deshaun Watson has already missed time and is expected to miss more with a shoulder injury. It may waste what is arguably the best defense in football throughout 5 weeks. Star rusher Myles Garrett has led the way but this defense as a whole has just been phenomenal. If Watson can return soon, the Browns will have a fighting chance to make something special out of this season. RB Jerome Ford remains the X-factor on this team as he has looked really good at times in relief of Chubb and feels like a player this offense can ride while Watson is out. 

16. Indianapolis Colts (3-2)

It really sucks how many injuries rookie QB Anthony Richardson has already dealt with just through 5 weeks. He has started multiple games and only finished just one. In the games he's played, he has been super promising and has looked like a clear franchise option...that is if he can stay healthy. With Richardson set to miss some time for his most recent injury, the team will have to hope they can find a way to win with Gardner Minshew under center. Lucky for him, this run game has been special! Zack Moss has looked like a superstar in his relief of Jonathan Taylor while he held out for a new contract (which he just received). With Taylor back, the Colts can rely on their run game with Richardson out and hope it will be enough to keep them in the race for a wide-open AFC South. 

17. Atlanta Falcons (3-2)

I was not high on this team heading into the season, but I have to give them credit, they have surprised me in a good way. Desmond Ridder definitely looks improved in his second year under center and continues to win games at home every single time. Arthur Smith runs this offense exactly how he likes, and it works for the most part. Rookie RB Bijan Robinson has been an instant superstar like many predicted. What many did not see coming was the improvement on the defensive side of the football. He has been great for years, but CB1 AJ Terrell is the X-factor of this team. When he shuts down an opponents' WR1, the entire defense feasts. I could not tell you where this season goes from here for this team, but they are going to be in it thanks to playing in the NFC South.

18. Houston Texans (2-3)

I'm not sure if there is a team with a losing record that I am more impressed and shocked by. While again, they do have a losing record, this team looks lightyears better than the one they were rolling out every week a season ago. No. 2 overall pick CJ Stroud has been the best rookie in the NFL as he is breaking records with his insane stat that he is yet to throw a single interception. Rookie HC DeMeco Ryans is doing an awesome job with his team. Even if this team goes 7-10, that is a massive improvement over last season and 100% a step in the right direction. Playing in one of the worst divisions in the sport, the Texans really do have a chance to even sneak in to the playoffs this year if they can end up on the winning end of some of these close games. For the first time in awhile I can say that the Texans are a really fun team to watch. 
Side note: Stroud has not even gotten sacked since week 2 either, he is SPECIAL! 

19. Los Angeles Rams (2-3)

Their record is not a good indicator of how good they are. At 2-3, you would think they were a bad to dead average team. This team is definitely solid, and better than average at worst. QB Matthew Stafford is having a resurgent season, majorly in part to breakout rookie WR Puka Nacua having a record-setting start to the year. Cooper Kupp's return was also exactly what we expected...dominant. The shocking part has been that the Rams' OL has been pretty good despite not many known entities starting. Young RB Kyren Williams has also been a major surprise, as he is amongst the NFL's early season TD leaders. Nacua remains the X-factor on this team. With Kupp officially back, if Nacua can continue to produce superstar numbers in this offense, the Rams are going to be one of the hardest teams to scheme for defensively. While their record may not show it right now, I think the Rams will make the playoffs when it is all said and done in a weaker NFC.

20. New York Jets (2-3)

I really feel for Jets fans. 2-3 is not good by any stretch of the imagination, but they are 2-3 with some really close losses that leave you wondering just how good they'd be if they had a stud veteran QB under center instead of the ever-unpredictable Zach Wilson. What I've seen from this team so far convinces me that this would really be one of the best teams in football if Aaron Rodgers did not go down on the first drive of the season. Their defense is so clearly elite and their skill position studs make plays whenever called upon. Breece Hall is so so good and the Jets need to continue to ride him like they did last week. Until they make a QB change (if they end up doing it) Zach Wilson has to be the X-factor here. He has looked a little bit better each and every week, but makes 1-2 really bad plays that leave fans questioning everything per game. If, and this is a HUGE if, he can clean up his easy mistakes, the Jets could be interesting down the stretch. I would really love them to make a true run at Kirk Cousins in the trade market (which I will get to later).

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)

Despite their winning record and current playoff positioning, the Steelers are not a good team. They just aren't. Their defense is good, but man is their offense bad. OC Matt Canada sucks, and Kenny Pickett doesn't play like he would be much better with another man calling the plays either. It feels like they have gotten lucky many times in some close wins against mediocre competition so far this year. TJ Watt has been one of the best players in the NFL and the frontrunner for DPOY, but he is really their only superstar player right now. WR George Pickens remains this team's X-factor. Whenever he is called upon, he makes big play after big play. They NEED to get him the ball more. If they do, they could start winning some games convincingly. This team might luck their way into the playoffs, but they do not strike me as a great team by any means right now.

22. Las Vegas Raiders (2-3)

Feels like the Raiders are ALWAYS in this range. They win some close ones against average teams but can't ever seem to really get over the hump. That is what they signed up for when they signed veteran QB Jimmy Garopollo this off-season. I always thought that was a weird move, and it remains weird seeing them hovering around .500 once again. The worst place you can be in the NFL is in the middle in purgatory, and that is where the Raiders have been living for some time. Hunter Renfrow feels like their X-factor right now. They simply just don't use him but we know he can be an elite slot option. If they can incorporate him into the offense next to superstar Davante Adams and breakout Jakobi Meyers, this offense could maybe be elite. Let Renfrow cook.

23. Green Bay Packers (2-3)

I thought we'd have a clear answer on if Jordan Love had it or not by now. I feel like I am even more in the dark after 5 weeks than I was going into the year. Love has made some really great plays and some really awful ones. It almost feels like he was better the first few weeks than he has been playing the last few. Love had his worst game yet this past MNF agains the Raiders where he threw 3 picks. He can move well and has great arm talent, but his accuracy is troubling at times. The Packers will live and die by Love this year, and we need to see some improvement soon or he will be the next Dak Prescott level QB in this league. He is the X-factor for the Packers as their D has been good, but not good enough to get over Love's weekly struggles.

24. Washington Commanders (2-3)

The Washington Commanders have probably been the league's most up and down team through 5 weeks. There have been times when it felt like they could be close to contending, and then, more recently, times where it seems like they are one of the worst of the worst. A blowout loss to the Bears on primetime was not a great look. On the bright side, I think they have their franchise QB in Sam Howell. He has looked pretty good for the most part. He can really move and take hits and also has quite the arm. RB Brian Robinson continues to look like a stud RB1 for this team as well. The inconsistency from this offense as a whole though has killed them. They have undoubtedly the worst offensive line in the NFL, and you really can't win if that is the case. Stud edge rusher Chase Young feels like the X-factor for the Commanders. He has looked pretty good in his return from injury but will need to consistently play elite football for this defense to good from solid to great down the stretch.

25. Tennessee Titans (2-3)

The Titans would be lower, but in a year where there are so many teams that are just downright disgustingly bad, two wins gives them something here. This team is really caught in the middle. They should be sellers at the deadline. Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill look aged and it might be best for the Titans to trade them while they still have value and look toward the future with young QBs Will Levis and Malik Willis on roster. Rookie RB Tyjae Spears is the X-factor for this team. He has played so well that the Titans have been forced to basically have he and King Henry split snaps, and Spears has arguably been better. I don't think this is it for Henry, but I do think the Titans should trade him to a contender to give Spears all the work and let Henry use what he has left in the tank to try and win something. Just imagine if a team like the Ravens got Henry...

26. Minnesota Vikings (1-4)

I am less shocked than others at what the early season has held for the Vikings, but I didn't think they would be quite THIS bad. For a team that was undefeated in one score games last season, a result like this is not unthinkable, but it certainly wasn't predicted. Kirk Cousins has looked great and so has Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson, and rookie Jordan Addison, but they have not been able to come up clutch and their defense has been horrid. With Justin Jefferson now on IR and set to miss real time, the Vikings could be big sellers at the deadline in an attempt to land USC's Caleb Williams or UNC's Drake Maye in the draft this coming Spring. Teams like the Jets would certainly pick up the phone for Cousins, especially with how well he's played. It is going to get really interesting here in Minnesota in the coming weeks. What happens with Cousins figures to be this team's X-factor of sorts.

27. Arizona Cardinals (1-4)

Despite being a lowly 1-4, I am actually more impressed with the Cardinals than I expected. I thought they would be easily the worst team in the NFL and wasn't even sure if they'd win a game. They pulled off a major upset over Dallas a few weeks back and have played some close games with solid teams throughout. They really should be 2-3 if not for a bad blown lead against the Giants earlier on this season. Journeyman QB Josh Dobbs has been a real bright spot for this team and the clear X-factor here. He has a case to keep playing even when Kyler Murray returns from his ACL injury. While the Cardinals may have the league's worst defense, their offense is fun to watch. Keep another eye on rookie UDFA RB Emari Demercado. He looked good in relief of the injured James Conner last week and could get a lot of work in the coming weeks with Conner out.

28. Chicago Bears (1-4)

Expectations were high for this team coming in to the season, and while a 1-4 start is pretty much a nightmare here, there are some positives. Justin Fields is coming off back-to-back four TD performances which is a huge win for the Bears who are trying to figure out if he is their long term answer at the QB position. Another positive was their dominant win over the Commanders this past week, seeing WR DJ Moore go for over 200 yards! Fields and Moore might be onto something, but aside from that, it is not great. The Bears will likely not have a winning record this year but do own their own first AND the Panthers' first which at the current moment would be the first pick in the draft. At least the future beyond this season may be bright in Chi-town...

29. New England Patriots (1-4)

These bottom four teams are really pretty much interchangeable. I have not seen a year where the teams at the bottom are THIS bad before. Truly. The Patriots are awful. Bill Belichick cannot adjust to the modern game and has not been able to win without Tom Brady at all. Mac Jones is failing big time this season with 0 talent around him and he has been benched multiple times. What is even more concerning is the fact that this defense, which is pretty much ALWAYS good no matter what, doesn't even look special anymore either. It is truly a rough time to be a Patriot fan, but I don't even feel bad as they've had all their recent success with Brady. The X-factor for the Patriots I will say is CB J.C. Jackson who they just re-acquired from the Chargers. Jackson was one of the best CBs in the NFL with New England but fell off right after he left. If he can return to his old ways, maybe the Patriots will be able to win a few games...

30. New York Giants (1-4)

Just terrible. I don't really have much to say here. They are just bad. A year after making the playoffs, the Giants cannot do anything right. Daniel Jones has been awful, but they also have probably the second worst OL in the league as well. There aren't really any bright spots here, I'm not even going to mention X-factors for this bottom of the dumpster teams.

31. Denver Broncos (1-5)

At least the Broncos could hang their hats on the fact that Russell Wilson was playing better this season. Now that doesn't even feel true as he was awful in the loss to the Chiefs to open up week 6, throwing 95 yards and 2 picks. This team is expected to be a major seller at the deadline and try and figure out how to revamp this franchise in the off-season. Change is coming to Denver once again, and no one is really safe from being moved. The Sean Payton experiment in the Rocky Mountains is off to a horrific start. 

32. Carolina Panthers (0-5)

Will they even win a game? Bryce Young has not looked good at all, but you also can't really blame him as he has NOTHING around him. At 0-5 the Panthers are the only winless team in the sport with pretty much no talent on the roster outside of Young and edge rusher Brian Burns. To make matters worse they don't even have their first rounder this season. Nightmare. It is hard to say if Young is playing poorly because of how bad the situation is, or if the Panthers should have gone with CJ Stroud or Anthony Richardson, who both look very promising early. I'm not going to put much blame on Young, but he doesn't have a lot of optimism in me to improve with the state of this team.

It will be fun to revisit these rankings in another few weeks and see how big the changes are instead of doing it week to week. After one quarter (and change) here we are...