WEEK 5 NFL POWER RANKINGS

Like I have done in the past, I will summarize this weeks power rankings with one word: Bold. This week I am getting really bold with where I am putting teams. To be honest it was pretty hard doing the middle chunk of teams, because outside of the top 10 and bottom 2, it was pretty loose, and I could change my mind within the coming hours about the placement of these teams, thats how much I think these teams could move. However I believe I have landed on somewhat firm spots for these teams, but over the coming weeks, I think we will see some teams settle into areas of the power rankings.

32. CHICAGO BEARS (0-4)

LAST WEEK 32

lost to the Broncos, 31-28

Every week the Bears somehow fail to meet their low expectations. Yes, Justin Fields had a good game, agaisnt a defense that let up 70 offensive points in one game, with more injuries to that said defense, so as much as I want to give the kid credit, that isn't saying much. You should be able to just run the ball against this defense, and run out the clock, while also scoring points, but they didn't. Instead, they let Russ cook their defense in the second half, and Fields gave them a free TD. I think this team should start thinking to do what the Cardinals are doing, and commit to a total rebuild.

31. CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-4)

LAST WEEK 30 

lost to the Vikings, 21-13

Well, so far I feel the biggest problem with Carolina is the coaching. I think Frank Reich is not calling the best plays to win the game. A lot of people are making excuses that the playcalling is safe to protect his young QB, but Bryce is the playmaker, and they should let him make plays for this offense. The running game hasn't been the same as it was last year, and the defense hasn't either. I felt like in the offseason the Panthers should have just made Steve Wilks the head coach, and they would have been set, but I guess we'll never know.

30. NEW YORK GIANTS (1-3)

LAST WEEK 26 

lost to the Seahawks, 24-3

What a fall from grace. The Giants, on paper, have a solid roster, and a good head coach, so why are they getting blown out so frequently? It's just about everything, i'd say. But definitely, the offensive line is somehow still horrible. They have invested so many top picks into the line and it is still bad, that is so beyond me.

29. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-3)

LAST WEEK 21 

lost to the Cowboys, 38-3

Is this extreme to put them here? Maybe, but I told you I was being bold. The offense, is not going to get much of anything done with the core of players they have. Defensively, they've been okay, but they lost some key pieces to injury this sunday, so I don't have much confidence in this team to win very many games.

28. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-3)

LAST WEEK 25 

lost to the Chargers, 24-17

Unforunately, the Raiders played without Jimmy G this past week, but Aidan O-Connell wasn't that bad in his first game as a pro. It wasn't pretty, but it was good enough, especially when your getting sacked by Khalil Mack 6 times. It is pretty impressive that it still came down to the last drive of the game considering the sacks. I think the Raiders have probably the most mediocre future in the league.

27. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-3)

LAST WEEK 29 

beat the Panthers, 21-13

Good news and bad news for the Vikings: The defense played better, Kirk didn't have a good game. The Panthers are a pretty bad opponent, and this felt like a potential get right game, that wasn't really the case despite the win. They should have taken better care of business offensively, but instead showed some more flaws. Beat a bad team, but I will still move them up a few spots.

26. NEW YORK JETS (1-3)

LAST WEEK 24 

lost to the Chiefs, 23-20

It feels wrong to drop this team after almost beating the Chiefs, but they only drop simply because so many teams behind them moved up on the power rankings. I think Zach Wilson played pretty good against a good Chiefs defense, and probably should have won had the Referees not had a financial incentive to help certain teams win. The defense picked off Mahomes 2 times, should have been 3, and just played great. Nonetheless, they sit at 1-3, and if they lose next week, the season could be too far to salvage given the qb situation, which would be catastrophic after going all in to win it all this season.

25. CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-3)

LAST WEEK 10 

lost to the Titans, 27-3

I think if you weren't already sounding alarms about the Bengals, you should be now. It's not just Burrow potentially playing hurt, it's the offensive line, the defense, and the run game. None of it is working. I think there are a lot of conversations that need to happen within Cincinnati, pretty embarrassing loss to the Titans.

24. TENNESSEE TITANS (2-2)

LAST WEEK 27 

beat the Bengals, 27-3

This team moved up on the Power Rankings, but don't be too fooled. I don't have that much confidence in this team really at all. I think the defense is alright, but I think this team relies on King Henry just a bit too much. If he is good on Sunday, then they have a good shot to win, but if he isn't, then this team flat out sucks. Pretty odd to have the team ride a 29 year old running back, nothing against Henry, just the team shouldn't be dependent on his success.

23. DENVER BRONCOS (1-3)

LAST WEEK 23 

beat the Bears, 31-28

I feel like this requires an explanation. The Broncos have had the worst defense in the league through 3 weeks. However, they are getting 5 starters back this week potentially on the defensive side that they have not had the first 3 weeks. I think that could make a difference for them moving forward, especially against Zach Wilson. If the defense can't get it done against Zach Wilson this next week, they will go down on the list, but I wasn't aware of the injuries to the players on the defense, getting quite a bit of solid players back. The offense is still competent as Russ is having a good season (as I predicted).

22. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-2)

LAST WEEK 22 

lost to the Eagles, 34-31

I mean, I feel like there's not really a whole lot to say about the Commanders, they got some help against the Eagles, but it feels like they are the ultimate middle of the road team. All the teams below them I'd say are below average, and the teams yet to be said are average as well or above average.

21. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-2)

LAST WEEK 17 

lost to the Bucs, 26-9

I mean I feel like the NFC South plays pretty weird football, and it gets even weirder when they play against eachother. I think that is evident in this past week, where the Saints did not really show up. I liked the defense going into this week, but now I don't know. I feel like this is a different team that plays every week, I don't know what Saints team we're going to get week in and out.

20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-2)

LAST WEEK 28 

beat the Saints, 26-9

Like I said previously, I am not the biggest fan of the play that comes out of the NFC South, as I feel like it's pretty sloppy, but the Bucs did take care of business against the Saints, so I will give them credit for that, but this team is not one I would bet on being good throughout the season.

19. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-2)

LAST WEEK 15 

lost to the Texans, 30-6

Pretty seriously concerned about the offense, and espeially Kenny Pickett. Look, I don't think the playcalling is very amazing for the Steelers at all, but there also comes a point where the skill of the players should probably overcome, and the offense has not done that. They don't run the ball very well, and the passing offense looks stale. I think Pickett has to do a little more, but I will say I do think its mainly play-calling, but that excuse will likely only last for so long. Also the defense that is supposedly really good, just got 30 dropped on them by a rookie QB.

18. CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-2)

LAST WEEK 18

lost to the Ravens, 28-3

The Browns were playing without Deshaun Watson, and went with the rookie DTR. I liked DTR and was excited for him, it's just unfortunate it was against a really good Baltimore defense who is a divisional opponent. I could say the defense could have kept them in the game better, but the offense wasn't doing anything so I can't dock the defense too much when they are out there so much.

17. ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-3)

LAST WEEK 31 

lost to the 49ers, 35-16

I told you I was going to be bold. If the Cardinals didn't have a tanking narrative around them this season, I think more people would recognize how good they are playing. They essentially outdueled the Commanders in week 1, but suffered the loss, then played the Giants whom they scored 28 points on, beat the Cowboys, and was in the game for 3 quarters against the Niners. They have played good football, just have played some tough opponents, this team could be really good if it had some superstars on both sides of the ball, which they have a chance to do this offseason. However, they are still playing really good football, as Gannon has these guys playing above expectations.

16. ATLANTA FALCONS (2-2)

LAST WEEK 1

lost to the Jaguars, 23-7

I mean could a team not utilize its weapons any less than the Atlanta Falcons. I like the defense enough, but Ridder is not the greatest, and they don't use Pitts and London at all in their offense, both top 10 picks. That to me, is un-acceptable. I don't know how much longer that can go on before someone is fired, because that should be a top 10 maybe 5 offense in the league, and playing a struggling Jaguars should have been a closer game.

15. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2-2)

LAST WEEK 19 

lost to the Rams, 29-23

I want you to keep in mind: many, many, many, NFL scouts said that Anthony Richardson would be a project starter, and would probably need to sit for a year. He is playing like a veteran to me, a veteran that is a freak athlete. This team still excites me, could be getting Jonathan Taylor back, and the defense can make some plays sometimes with the nice pieces they have. I think this team will compete for the AFC South until the end of the season, and I am for sure tuning in for Richardson every Sunday.

14. LOS ANGELES RAMS (2-2)

LAST WEEK 16

beat the Colts, 29-23

This team should get Cooper Kupp back this week, and that could be a really, really scary passing offense in this league. I think the defense is still shaky in LA, but Donald is still doing enough for them to stay afloat, I just really want to see hat this passing offense looks like this season with Kupp back.

13. GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-2)

LAST WEEK 11

lost to the Lions, 34-20

They kind of got dominated by the Lions. The score doesn't really make it seem like it, but they couldn't do anything well at all for awhile in that game. I like Jordan Love and I think this team is for sure capable of winning a good amount of games this season.

12. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-2)

LAST WEEK 14

beat the Falcons, 23-7

They got the W in London, in a pretty convincing game agaisnt the Falcons. I do not know if the Jaguars are going to get back on track however, as they have played pretty shaky all year. I am giving them the benefit of the doubt and moving them up a few spots, but I'll keep an eye on the Jaguars.

11. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-2)

LAST WEEK 12

beat the Raiders, 24-17

This is just the Falcons with a superstar QB. I think the coach is not very good, and that the team is concerning to me because of it. If Khalil Mack didn't have 6 sacks, I don't know if they still win that game, but I have to put them high because it is an elite roster with an elite QB.

10. HOUSTON TEXANS (2-2)

LAST WEEK 20

beat the Steelers, 30-6

Look, this team gets better, and better every week this year. Stroud is the real deal, Tank Dell, a very underrated receiver in this years draft is blossoming into a great wideout, and the defense is coached up to a point where they held a playoff team to 6 points. They are good, lets just face it, they would beat a lot of teams the way they are playing right now, and they are red hot.

9. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-1)

LAST WEEK 9

beat the Giants, 24-3

I feel the Seahawks have had back-to-back get right games after a so-so start to the season. Last week, they got their run game figured out, and this week they got their defense figured out. It was against the Giants pass protection, but 11 sacks is still impressive. This to me I can confidently say is a good team, but also confidently say that they aren't really elite yet.

8. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-1)

LAST WEEK 5

beat the Jets, 23-20

Yikes! That was way too close against a Jets team that is pretty hopeless. Mahomes has been just okay this season, along with the offense. Let's be honest, they probably didn't deserve to win that game, defense got a little dotted up by Zach Wilson and the Chiefs didn't really move the ball very well at all, nothing was working super well. You may think dropping them 3 spots to 8 is an overreaction, but they lost to the Lions week 1 at home, The offense looked dead against the Jags in week 2, they played the worst team in the league week 3, and now probably should have lost in week 4. I have respect for Andy Reid, and I think this team is probably going to be okay, but for having a 3-1 record, they are not playing very good football.

7. DALLAS COWBOYS (3-1)

LAST WEEK 7

beat the Patriots, 38-3

Do I trust the Cowboys? No, not at all. When they are good though, they are really good. The offense when clicking can move down the field no problem, and the defense is still top 5. Now, they have had issues in the redzone the past few weeks, that does need to be fixed, especially against a team like the Niners next week, but nonetheless, they are still good.

6. BALTIMORE RAVENS (3-1)

LAST WEEK 6

beat the Browns, 28-3

The Ravens are pretty good at defense and offense. They just find ways to win, and I think there is a clean path for them to win the AFC North as of right now. I do really like the defense though, easily top 5 and Lamar is having a sneaky good year this year as well.

5. DETROIT LIONS (3-1)

LAST WEEK 6

beat the Packers, 34-20

The Lions took care of business against the Packers Thursday night, as they stomped them in every aspect of the game. This team should be a top seed in the NFC when it's all said and done, as they are looking to get their first division win in the NFC North in a long time.

4. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-0)

LAST WEEK 4

beat the Commanders, 34-31

I think this team isn't really playing to their fullest potential. If you watch all of their games this season, I think you would know what I mean. Playing pretty close games when you have the rushing attack that they have, is pretty odd for an undefeated team. I can't really knock an undefeated team with no apparent way to beat them, but I can't really aplaud them for much this season so far.

3. MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-1)

LAST WEEK 2

lost to the Bills, 48-20

The Dolphins maybe have the best offense in the league, but their defense just let up 48 to the Bills. I still think they are really good, and there's not really a clear way to stop them, other than just simply outscoring them. They lost to the Bills big time, but the Bills are the 2nd best team in the league.

2. BUFFALO BILLS (3-1)

LAST WEEK 3

beat the Dolphins, 48-20

Wow, that was maybe the best game the Bills could have played. Outscored the offense that just put up 70 the previous week, and hold them to 20. When it comes to the best offense in the league, holding that to 20 is pretty impressive. I think the Bills are the team to beat in the AFC.

1. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-0)

LAST WEEK 1

beat the Cardinals, 35-16

The Niners sit alone at the top, yet again. They played a pretty close 3 quarters with their divisional rival Cardinals, but they pulled away in the end with 4 McCaffrey TD's. They are polished on offense, elite defense, and are healthy. The QB play from Purdy is getting better as time goes on, and I would say that this year could really be their year, but it is only Week 5, so I won't make that claim yet. However, the Niners are the best team in the league, I think the Bills are close, but unless this team really starts to fall with injuries, can't see them falling out of 1 in the near future.