NFL Post Week 5 Power Rankings

Every week there are teams that improve and regress. Some undefeated teams finally fall and others finally start to get on the right track. This is just the nature of an NFL weekend filled with games. Let’s check out how this week has the teams stacking up. 

32. New York Jets

31. New York Giants

30. Atlanta Falcons

29. Jacksonville Jaguars

28. Washington Football team

27. Denver Broncos

26. Cincinnati Bengals

25. Detroit Lions

24. Houston Texans

23. Miami Dolphins

22. Philadelphia Eagles

21. Minnesota Vikings

20. Los Angeles Chargers

19. Dallas Cowboys

18. San Francisco 49ers

17. Carolina Panthers

16. Arizona Cardinals

15. Indianapolis Colts

14. Las Vegas Raiders

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

12. Chicago Bears

11. New England Patriots

10. Cleveland Browns

• Surprise, surprise. The Browns are seeming like legit contenders this year. No seriously, the Browns are looking to be a solid team on both offense and defense. Offensively, Baker is starting to come into his own with the play-action game they are establishing. The running game is clicking with Chubb and Hunt. Defensively, Myles Garrett is a beast of a player and helps to hide some of the other areas of concern. This team will have a real challenge next week and after that, we will see how well they will be. 

9. New Orlean Saints

• Brees ain’t lose his touch. In a win over a Chargers team led by an up and coming rookie quarterback, Brees still was able to pull out the best of himself. With guys like Kamara, Cook, and Sanders Brees still had reliable targets to get the job done. The main issue for this team is not just the defense but the penalties. They can have the perfect play on defense then have it negated by a bone head penalty. The three starters on the back end all have at least two penalties early on and it's killing the team. If they can clean that up and get Michael Thomas back from suspension this team is still a contender. 

8. Los Angeles Rams

• Another week, another win for this squad. The win was powered this time by a defensive effort that was led by Aaron Donald and Troy Reeder. Between the two they had 15 tackles and seven sacks. Don’t get it wrong, the offense was no slouch as it put up 30 points with Jared Goff accounting for three scores. This team is truly starting to hit its stride both offensively and defensively. They will be a serious threat for the Seahawks if they continue like this. For now, their next potential victim is the injured San Francisco 49ers. 

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Chase Claypool is seriously going to be a problem. Four total touchdowns and over 100 yards receiving made him look to be a star in the making. If they can get even half that production on a regular basis from him this team will be dangerous. Offensively, they have the weapons to score 30 points a game. Defensively, their front seven is dangerous in getting to the quarterback. They still need to fortify the backend but they can manage for now. Their next challenge against the Browns will be a good test to see their limits. 

6. Buffalo Bills

• This is a tough hit to take, yet was probably needed to keep this team on track. The Bills just lost by 26 to a Titans team that has barely practiced in the last two weeks. It’s not to say that the Bills aren’t good or that Allen isn’t legit. It’s more about the Titans just being that good. Josh Allen can bounce back for sure with weapons like Diggs, Brown, and Beasley. They just need to get that defense back playing at a high level as they look out of sorts in terms of points allowed. They are getting close to allowing almost 30 points per game. If they get that under control then they still have a chance to contend. The Bills will have a tough matchup next when they face the Chiefs on Monday Night football. 

5. Tennessee Titans

• Derrick Henry is a grown man and if the world hadn’t noticed that yet, they have now. The fact Henry tossed Josh Norman like he was in high school is insane. Not only do they have that monster at running back, but they have a quarterback in Tannehill that just makes the right play. This season he looks to be like Alex Smith with the Chiefs. You add in the opportunistic defense and you have a recipe for success. If they can avoid any more positive COVID tests, this team will be going far in the playoffs. Their next matchup against the Texans should be a win as the Texans are in the midst of a transition period. 

4. Baltimore Ravens

• Patrick Queen is the real deal. The offense of the Ravens is still moving but they aren’t as potent as last year. This year the defense is back as the main attraction for this team. They are in the top five of most defensive categories with Patrick Queen and Marlon Humphrey leading the way. They combine for 70 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, a pick, and five forced fumbles with two recoveries. If this team is to continue they need to continue to expand the passing attack on offense and let the defense eat when they go up. This week against the Eagles should be a bit of a challenge but one that they should be able to overcome. 

3. Seattle Seahawks

• Russell Wilson is truly a magician on the field. His connection with DK Metcalf is unreal and can soon become one of the most dangerous connections in the future. The defense is starting to try and come to life after allowing over 400 yards passing on defense each week. They held Cousins to under 250 and even got two turnovers. KJ Wright had one of the best interceptions of the year with the one-handed catch he made. If the defense can progress and continue to improve this team should be the hands-down leader for making the Super Bowl. 

2. Kansas City Chiefs

• Down goes the kings. I repeat, down goes the kings. The loss to the Raiders this past weekend was a blow but one that the Chiefs can overcome. Even after allowing 40 points on Sunday, they still had a chance to go to overtime with Patrick Mahomes at the helm. After going down by two scores, Mahomes led his team to a touchdown with 4 minutes left. The defense just couldn’t get the job done. If they can tight up a bit on defense and get the offense going early the Chiefs will be fine. Their matchup with the Bills should be a good challenge to bounce back from their loss as the Bills will be feeling the same way. 

1. Green Bay Packers

• The bye week didn’t hurt the Packers, it actually helped in their standing as probably the best team in the league. Overall you got one of the baddest men in the game at quarterback. You got a running game that is moving along being led by Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. Then you add in a defense that has been turning on the clamps and you got a team that is clearly a front runner to win the whole thing. You add in the likely return of Davante Adams and this team will be scary. Their next game is against the Buccaneers and the battle between two legends will be a great show to see.

Writer

-By: Darren Braxton