NFL Power Rankings: Week 5

The NFL regular season has passed the quarter pole, and we are beginning to see which teams are for real (Packers, Patriots, Lions), which ones are still pretending (Dolphins, Vikings, Rams) and which ones we aren’t sure about just yet (Bears, Raiders, Cowboys). 

The NFL Power Rankings are published bi-weekly here on MTSS, being updated every odd-numbered week based on team results to date. Our rankings are our best (kind-of) educated guess at which team would beat the ones listed below it in the rankings. You get the idea. The biggest movers were Tennessee (+12) and Philadelphia (-14). If you have been paying attention, those should make sense.

(Week 3 rankings are in parenthesis.)

1.  (1) Green Bay (4-0) – Aaron Rodgers is the early season MVP. Brett who?
2.  (7) Baltimore (3-1) – Dominating defense; struggling offense.
3.  (2) New England (3-1) – Tom Terrific breaking records every week.
4.  (8) Detroit (4-0) – Unbelievable back-to-back comebacks in Weeks 3-4.
5.  (3) New Orleans (3-1) – Hitting on all cylinders since the Week 1 loss to Packers.
6.  (11) Houston (3-1) – The new 3-4 defense is definitely improved.
7.  (16) Buffalo (3-1) – A great start, then the trap game against the Bungles.
8.  (9) San Diego (3-1) – Chargers haven’t beaten anybody good as of yet.
9.  (15) New York Giants (3-1) – The G-Men not expected to be 3-1 at this point.
10. (22) Tennessee (3-1) – One of the few teams playing solid D this year.
11. (20) Washington (3-1) – Still not sure how good they are or aren’t.
12. (21) San Francisco (3-1) – One of this season’s early season surprises.
13. (14) Tampa Bay (3-1) – Haven’t really beat anybody yet, but appear strong.
14. (4) New York Jets (2-2) – Offense is struggling mightily. Sanchize stinks.
15. (13) Chicago (2-2) – Devin Hester is great. The O line is another story. Porous.
16. (10) Pittsburgh (2-2) – Ben is hurt. The defense is getting old. Struggling.
17. (17) Oakland (2-2) – Hue says they will win the division. Maybe.
18. (5) Atlanta (2-2) – Not as good as expected. Offensive identity is unclear.
19. (12) Dallas (2-2) – Who really knows what this team is. Rough so far.
20. (6) Philadelphia (1-3) – The Dream Team is having a nightmare season.
21. (25) Cincinnati (2-2) – They lose easy ones and win tough ones.
22. (24) Cleveland (2-2) – One of the least threatening offenses in the league.
23. (27) Carolina (1-3) – Cam continues to light it up. Team is competitive now.
24. (19) Arizona (1-3) – Kolb struggling. Defense improving. Cards have hope.
25. (26) Jacksonville (1-3) – Gabbert at the controls now; needs WR help badly.
26. (31) Kansas City (1-3) – Finally in the win column. Now beat somebody with a win.
27. (23) Denver (1-3) – John Fox still figuring out what he has. Should use Tebow more.
28. (32) Seattle (1-3) – The Hawks are actually improving, but headed for division cellar.
29. (28) Indianapolis (0-4) – Reggie Wayne was right. Painter should be starting.
30. (18) St. Louis (0-4) – The Rams get worse every week. Spags may be in trouble.
31. (29) Minnesota (0-4) – Donovan is terrible. Time to see what Ponder can do.
32. (30) Miami (0-4) – Too many holes to plug in this sinking ship.

So what do you think? Sound off. Let us know where you think we’ve got it right, and for sure where you know we have it wrong. Join the conversation.

As always, thanks for reading.

Steve