NFL Power Rankings: Week 5
1 – San Francisco 49ers (4-0)
LW – Win over Denver Broncos 24-14
“BrOcK PuRdY HaS’nT PlAyeD a GoOd DeFeNsE.” Well, he just did and threw up 218 yards and 2 TDs. The Broncos were touted as the top defensive unit in the league and Purdy and company put 24 points on them. If Purdy dices up the defending Super Bowl Champs on Sunday, the “System QB” slander comes to an end, and Purdy is the runaway MVP through 5 weeks. Major props to the 49ers O-Line who haven’t given up a sack this season.
2 – Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)
LW – Win over Las Vegas Raiders 30-27
After a 1 year hiatus, the Chiefs are really good again. Things are almost back to normal, and all seems kind of right with the world. That being said, the Chiefs may have a problem at WR. Rashee Rice suffered a hamstring injury and breakout star/Reon’s dance partner Tyquan Thornton dislocated his ankle. Time for a Tyreek Hill reunion? Now that would make things all the way back to normal.
3 – Buffalo Bills (3-1)
LW – Loss to New England Patriots 26-29
The Bills defense played so poorly it made Drake Maye look good for the first time all season. That secondary got exposed against a heavy vertical attack. WR Keon Coleman is really starting to come into his own this year with his second 100+ receiving game of the season. Josh Allen is still Superman but he can only carry this team so far if his defense is his kryptonite.
4 – Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
LW – Won against Seattle Seahawks 30-23
It’s a little concerning that this defense let a poor Chargers’ offense put 23 points on them. They won at the end of the day but if playoff aspirations continue, the defense needs to be better. Offensively, the Seahawks are as reliant on the run game as ever. Thank God that Emmanuel Wilson is a thing after they placed Jadarian Price on IR.
5 – Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)
LW – Win against Cincinnati Bengals 22-17
No pass rush, no problem for the Jags. After Sunday, they have a total of 10 takeaways this season. Very impressive. Parker Washington was on a milk carton but the Duval faithful welcomed in Brenton Strange, a TE who led all Jags pass catchers with 95 yards.
6 – Minnesota Vikings (4-0)
LW – Win over Miami Dolphins 15-10
If you asked me before the season if the Vikings could start 4-0, I’d give it a 3% chance. Good thing I didn’t bet on it. The Vikings offense is hard to watch especially with Justin Jefferson out and injured but the defense is the real story here. Brian Flores once again completely disrupts offenses with his incredibly high blitz rate. This defense will carry this team for the rest of the season.
7 – Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
LW – Win over Tennessee Titans 24—18
Uh-oh… Lamar Jackson is hurt. That’s never a good sign. The Ravens struggled without Jackson in the game. In the second half against the Titans, backup QB, Tyler Huntley led the offense to no points, 4 punts and lost a double digit lead. Without Jackson, the offense will have to rely on Derrick Henry much more. The front office thought the same thing and traded for All Pro Center Cam Jurgens. You ready for 25+ touches for Derrick Henry? I am.
8 – Chicago Bears (3-1)
LW – Win over New York Jets 23-12
My respect level for Ben Johnson went through the roof when he let Case Keenum start the game. After that first snap, it was Tyson Bagent’s game. He did… okay. 268 yards is great but had no TD passes and was technically picked off 4 times (only 1 of them stood). The run game did everything for this team. I mean, Kyle Monangai, did everything for this team. 30 rushes for 146 yards and 2 TDs. He’s the engine until Caleb Williams returns.
9 – Los Angeles Rams (2-2)
LW – Win over Philadelphia Eagles 24-20
This “Superteam” is in trouble. Barely escaping with a win against a sorry Eagles team is not ideal. Physically, this team has all the talent and does really well on Sundays, but they just aren’t locked in mentally. Penalties are an issue. They had 8 for 100 yards against the Eagles and have 10 penalties in the redzone this season. Self-inflicted wounds are not the mark of an elite team.
10 – Las Vegas Raiders (3-1)
LW – Loss against Kansas City Chiefs 27-30
This is the best Raiders team in recent memory. Taking a great Chiefs team down to the wire is something you can build upon. You know how George Kittle and Travis Kelce host TE U every offseason? They might have to permanently relocate to Las Vegas because Raiders are maximizing their TEs. The trio of Brock Bowsers, Ian Thomas and Michael Meyer combined for 22 targets, 200 + yards and 2 TDs.
11 – Denver Broncos (2-2)
LW – Loss to San Francisco 49ers 14-24
I hate to say it but the Jaylen Waddle trade might have been a bust. Not because Waddle isn’t good (well, the drops are an issue) but because Bo Nix doesn’t like throwing deep. Nix has become far too reliant on little dump off passes for minimal gain which is why the Broncos’ leading pass catcher was a RB. They’ll have to rely on their great defense until Nix regains confidence.
12 – New England Patriots (2-2)
LW – Win against Buffalo Bills 29-26
Drake Maye finally looks like Drake Maye! Now, is that a product of a bad Bills defense or Maye’s confidence coming back? Only time will tell. I will say his stat line looks like it did last season – 269 yards passing while adding 54 yards on the ground. However, turnovers continue to be an issue. He added another 2 this game bringing his total up to 9 on the young season.
13 – Carolina Panthers (2-2)
LW – Win over Detroit Lions 32-26
Bryce Young might be the easiest guy to root for. I am so happy his breakout is continuing. He has been one the best QBs in the league this season. This is the confidence that can lead a team to playoffs. The chemistry between Young and Tet McMillan is undeniable. If those two can keep this up, this is the most fun offense in the NFL.
14 – Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
LW – Win over Houston Texans 34-30
*I am writing his on Saturday after the Cowboys lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in embarrassing fashion. The Cowboys should not be ranked in the top 16.*
15 – Cleveland Browns (3-1)
LW – Win over Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24
This Browns team is flush with young talent that may be stars in the future. In the win against the Steelers, they were led by second year RB Quinshon Judkins (96 yards total) and rookie WRs Denzel Boston (89 yards) and KC Conception (64 yards). Although they are 3-1, this is a development year and if all goes to plan, this team could be a problem in the future.
16 – Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)
LW – Loss to Los Angeles Rams 20-24
Without a doubt, the fakest 2-2 team in the NFL this season. I firmly believe this team should be 0-4. The offense, led by Jalen Hurts, is absolutely pitiful. It’s crazy to me that a professional QB could only muster a paltry 93 yards passing through a full 60-minute game especially after your star RB goes out due to injury. Trash team. Looks like the front office saw the writing on the wall and started selling this early in the season. Stalwart Tackle Lane Johnson abruptly retires and the GM sends All Pro Center Cam Jurgens to Baltimore. This is the last time this team will be ranked in the top 16 in 2026.