NFL Week 5 Power Rankings

Can we get the Ravens in primetime every week? Not because I am a Ravens fan, but because they have yet to produce anything short of madness in three primetime games this season. Their victory over the Indianapolis Colts emphatically brought to a close a pretty wild week in the NFL.

Kickers had a weekend to forget, missing 13 extra points and 12 field goals, the NFL International Series returned, and we saw a passing of the guard in the AFC. Week 5 had all the drama we could ask for, so how does it all impact my Power Rankings?

Read on to find out.

1.       Buffalo Bills (4-1) +1

The Bills went into Arrowhead and gave the Kansas City Chiefs the treatment they have been inflicting on the rest of the AFC for four years. It was a hell of a performance in an almighty spot. It was the snatching of a crown if I’ve ever seen one. This is the team to beat.

2.       Arizona Cardinals (5-0) -1

Kliff Kingsbury has guided the Cardinals to the only undefeated record in the NFL, and they yet again showed on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers they can win in a variety of ways. Sunday was ugly, it was tough, but they got it done. The Cardinals have well established themselves as the team to beat in the NFC West.

3.       Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1) +1

I feel like I mention Tom Brady a lot in these descriptions of the Bucs, but I’m just constantly in awe of what he is achieving. On a weekly basis now he looks better than he ever has in his career – is it just me that thought Brady looked more athletic running than he has in a long time? Antonio Brown is the best receiver in this offense, and Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were already a top-three duo.

4.       Los Angeles Rams (4-1) -1

Most importantly for the Rams, they got back in the win column. It wasn’t the prettiest, and now two weeks in a row Matthew Stafford has shown some alarming misfires. He seemed to recover somewhat, and Robert Woods certainly handed out a reminder he is still a dude. It may be Stafford still needs a little more time to iron everything out.

5.       Dallas Cowboys (4-1) +1

I’m not sure there is a defense in the league equipped to handle the Cowboys' offense when they’re playing like this. Dak Prescott is at the peak of his powers, 2021 Ezekiel Elliot is a bad, bad man, and Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb are cheat codes.

6.       Green Bay Packers (4-1) -1

Without question, the Packers victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday was the wackiest game I’ve ever watched. Mason Crosby is fortunate he got all the opportunities he did, and thank god one of the kickers finally made the most of one. At what point will Matt LaFleur look to Aaron Rodgers to win the game rather than leaving it to Crosby? 

7.       Los Angeles Chargers (4-1)

The Chargers are such a joy to watch. They have weaknesses, for sure, but Justin Herbert gives them something just a handful of teams have: a generational QB. Watching Herbert play is mesmerizing, and there is nothing to tell he’s in his second year. With him pulling the strings, this team can go toe-to-toe with anyone – and in Week 6 we are treated to Herbert vs Lamar Jackson.

8.       Baltimore Ravens (4-1) +1

One very clear theme of the 2021 season is the Ravens are putting their fans through every emotion on a weekly basis. For much of Monday night the Ravens looked completely beaten, and to be a team in desperate need of help all over the field. The latter remains true, but Jackson has taken the next step and deserves recognition as a passer with the very best in the game. With him under center, this team will always be relevant.

9.       Cleveland Browns (3-2) -1

If you’re going to lose a game, at least go down swinging. The Browns should have found a way to win this game, up six with 12 minutes left, nevertheless, after a few down weeks on offense they found a way to be prolific. It coincided with the defense being picked apart, but the Browns have shown they’re capable of keeping pace with the best teams in the NFL. They need to figure something out with Odell Beckham Jr., though.

10.   New Orleans Saints (3-2) +4

Jameis Winston showed the best and worst of the Winston experience on Sunday, with a perplexing interception followed by a 72-yard bomb. Either way, he guided the Saints to their third win of the season and a bounce-back after last week’s disappointing loss. I still want to see him show more, though, before the Saints move up a tier.

11.   Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)

Sunday night saw the Chiefs well and truly humbled. They finally got a taste of what it’s like to play the Chiefs at Arrowhead. Mental errors or unfortunate breaks happened at the worst times, and the other team took advantage of them emphatically. Welcome to the world you created, KC, I hope you enjoy it. In all seriousness, this defense is a significant issue. Andy Reid needs to find some kind of solution to keep it from costing them dearly late in the season.

12.   San Francisco 49ers (2-3)

San Francisco did lose, slipping to 2-3 for the season, and Trey Lance sustained an injury, but their performance showed how competitive and talented this team is. The offensive line is an issue, as is their secondary, but they have the foundational pieces to still be a relevant team down the stretch. They have a bye week at the perfect time, and the hope has to be they have a healthy QB who they’re ready to roll with come Week 7.

13.   Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) +4

The Bengals may have lost, but they matched up with the Packers and should have won the game. Kicking woes aside (the wind was clearly a big factor), the Bengals could have won this game. Defensively they’re more solid than I expected, and their offense has such a great group of weapons – if Zac Taylor can just be more aggressive, this team could take a big step towards being a legitimate darkhorse.

14.   Tennessee Titans (3-2) +4

If only the Titans could play the Jacksonville Jaguars every week. Derrick Henry continued his dominance against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars, rushing for 130 yards and three touchdowns. The Titans handled the Jags comfortably and importantly got back in the win column to secure the top spot in the AFC South.

15.   Carolina Panthers (3-2) -2

The Panthers should have beaten the Philadelphia Eagles. Sunday’s loss highlighted the issues Sam Darnold had in New York, and the reasons the Panthers were able to acquire him. He threw three poor interceptions, and a number of other team errors took this game away from the Panthers. These types of performances will keep the Panthers in the middle of the pack.

16.   Las Vegas Raiders (3-2) -7

I will never again vaunt the Raiders up my rankings until they have proved they belong for more than half the season. Two seasons in a row I have elevated them, only for them to promptly crash down to earth spectacularly. Aside from issues on the field, Jon Gruden’s departure leaves this team in a very tough spot – I am excited, though, to see what Mike Mayock can do now Gruden has left the building.

17.   Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3) +3

The Steelers got back to winning ways and they did so by chipping away at the early narratives surrounding this team. The ground game was effective, Najee Harris rushed 23 times for 122 yards, and Ben Roethlisberger connected downfield with his receivers throughout the game. Until the fourth quarter, the defense was excellent, too. This is the type of performance the Steelers must turn into a platform to bounce back and chase their division.

18.   Denver Broncos (3-2) -3

After a very impressive first three weeks, the real Broncos team is emerging. Unfortunately for Denver, that is a middle-of-the-pack team, with a good defense but lacking offense. They can move the ball down the field, but scoring touchdowns has been a difficulty all season. Plus, when they do struggle to move the ball and take up playclock, they just aren’t good enough to keep up with opposing offenses. Vic Fangio has work to do.

19.   Chicago Bears (3-2) +6

The Bears have now won back-to-back games and are surprisingly 3-2. While it wasn’t necessarily very pretty or explosive, the Bears comprehensively beat the Raiders in Las Vegas, and now Justin Fields has two wins under his belt on solid performances. Now it is a case of keeping him healthy, and finding a way to get the most from Allen Robinson.

20.   Indianapolis Colts (1-4) +2

For three quarters it looked as if the Colts were on the verge of one of the most impressive and surprising wins of the season. Carson Wentz had one of the best games of his career, Jonathan Taylor exploded, Michael Pittman Jr. did too, and the defense completely stomped the Ravens. While the loss is brutal, this team showed its offensive capabilities – now they need to start tying together complete performances.

21.   Minnesota Vikings (2-3) -2

The Vikings are clearly on a mission to make every game as hard as possible for themselves. While they have had a number of impressive individual or unit performances, they just can’t string together complete performances. They were very fortunate to leave Sunday with a win, even though they were in a position to kill the game long before any trouble emerged. The Vikings are stale and need a refresh.

22.   New England Patriots (2-3) -1

Given the quality of their performance last week against the Bucs, a more convincing win was expected over the Houston Texans. Nevertheless, a win is a win, and the Patriots are, importantly, getting a lot from Mac Jones already. He is showing excellent command of the offense, and save some typical rookie mistakes, is playing good football and leading the team how he needs to.

23.   Seattle Seahawks (2-3) -7

Thursday night's loss to the Rams isn’t the driving force for the Seahawks dropping down so low, it’s what the loss cost. Russell Wilson sustained a finger injury which required surgery and will keep him off the field for reportedly at least four weeks. The good news is he’ll be back, the bad news is this roster, guided by Geno Smith, may not win more than one of their next four games. By then it may be too late for Wilson to carry his team into the playoffs.  

24.   Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) -1

The Eagles found a way to win despite their own mistakes and stumbles. A late-game blocked punt was a huge play, and without it I doubt the Eagles would have left Carolina with a win. The positives come from Darius Slay and the defense, and Devonta Smith. Without them, the Eagles would have had nothing on Sunday.

25.   Miami Dolphins (1-4) -1

For just a second in the first quarter, it seemed the Dolphins were maybe going to make it interesting against the Buccaneers. Then the second quarter happened. Then the fourth quarter happened and it got completely out of hand. The Dolphins don’t have a standout strength, and they aren’t good enough across the board. They get Tua Tagovailoa back this week in London, but I don’t think it will make much of a difference.

26.   Washington Football Team (2-3)

What has happened to this defensive line is a mystery. The unit was so strong last season, and, rightfully, expectations were high heading into this season. They have been so disappointing, and as they are, this team is not good enough to make up for it.

27.   Houston Texans (1-4)

Davis Mills and the Texans bounced back in a big way from their performance last Sunday in Buffalo, but it still wasn’t enough. Mills showed his ability to control an offense and move the ball, and if the Texans have found a guy in Mills, their future becomes very different. Either way, this team is just not destined for success this season.

28.   Atlanta Falcons (2-3)

Despite a second half surge from the New York Jets, the Falcons held on to preserve their lead and left London with their second win of the season. Kyle Pitts showed exactly why the hype was so high around him entering the draft – he’s so fluid and such a mismatch – and Cordarrelle Patterson is a revelation.

29.   New York Giants (1-4)

If performance wasn’t enough of an issue, the Giants are being ravaged by significant injuries. Daniel Jones, Kenny Golladay, and Saquon Barkley all finished the game on the sideline or in the locker room, and the latter two figure to miss at least a week. On a more positive note, Kadarius Toney looks to be a legitimate playmaker.

30.   New York Jets (1-4)

After their huge win over the Titans last week, I expected the Jets to come out firing a little more than they did. Zach Wilson is going to be inconsistent, and last week’s win was an example of what can happen when it clicks, but if it isn’t clicking, this loss and the three others will be the result.

31.   Detroit Lions (0-5)

How can you not feel bad for the Lions? They became the first team in NFL history to lose on a game-winning field goal of 50 or more yards twice in a season when the Vikings walked off on them this week. The Baltimore Ravens converted a 4th & 19 and then kicked a 66-yard field goal to walk-off, and now the Vikings kicked a 54-yard walk-off having gotten possession at their own 18 with 37 seconds left. Brutal.

32.   Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5)

It seems the Jaguars never stand a chance if they are facing Derrick Henry. As far as the Jaguars are concerned, they have a significant issue at head coach, and I don’t see them making much, if any, progress while Urban Meyer is calling the shots.

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