NFL Power Rankings: Week 5
16 – Cleveland Browns (2-2)
PR - 15
Sitting atop the AFC North standings after 4 weeks. It crazy to think that a team led by Jacoby Brissett would be in the position they are in today. The Browns really only have two options – run with Nick Chubb or throw to Amari Cooper. Both need to be working in order to win. Cooper was held to one reception for 9 yards last game and guess what? They took the L against the Falcons.
15 – New York Giants (3-1)
PR – NR
Quite possibly the worst 3-1 team in the league right now. They have to rely heavily on a now healthy Saquon Barkley. Their WR room is in shambles because of injuries – I think only Richie James and David Sills are healthy. They literally can’t run a 3 WR set. Oh and lets not forget that Daniel Jones left with an injury and so did backup QB Tyrod Taylor. Next QB on the depth chart? Saquon Barkley.
14 - Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)
PR – 9
A team that has all the pieces to be a contender but have a hard time playing for a full 60 minutes. They had a 27-7 lead against the Texans going into the second half and held that lead for the majority of the 3rd quarter but only won 34-24. Can’t let a team like the Texans climb back in it like that. But on the bright side, Austin Ekeler finally had some production.
13 – Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
PR – 11
Who the hell is Jamal Agnew? I don’t know either but he showed up for the Jags in the redzone to the tune of 2 TD. The Jags were largely competitive in a game against the best team in the league. In fact that led for the entire 1st quarter in a rain soaked game against the Eagles.
12 - Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)
PR – 14
Andddd here come the Bengals. After a rough start to the season, they look like they are finally starting to put it together. The gave the previously undefeated Dolphins their first L of the season. Would the outcome be different had Tua not suffered a traumatic brain injury? Possibly. But the Bengals ultimately came out victorious and Tee Higgins looks like more of a threat than Ja’Marr Chase.
11 - Minnesota Vikings (3-1)
PR – 10
The 3 point win against the Saints in London honestly wasn’t that impressive. They barely beat a team with their top 3 offensive players out (Jameis Winstom, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas). Kirk Cousins does not look good but Justin Jefferson finally does and that is the one bright spot on this team.
10 – Los Angeles Rams (2-2)
PR – 6
Monday Night Football exposed the Rams. They cant find any offensive rhythm outside of Cooper Kupp and even then most of those targets are within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. Matthew Stafford needs to learn how to look at all the other position players and Jalen Ramsey should learn how to tackle before talking smack.
9 – Baltimore Ravens (2-2)
PR – 5
This is a much better team than the record shows. The offense… I mean Lamar Jackson, is elite. He is really showing out for his contract year. JK Dobbins looks like his old self with his 2 TD against the Bills. The defense needs some major major help but even with all their insufficiencies, the Ravens have trailed for a total of 14 seconds in their two losses this season.
8 – San Francisco 49ers (2-2)
PR – 13
Best defense in the league? I certainly think so. They are the only team this season to not allow more 20 points in a game. They only allow an average of 234 yards per game and have 15 sacks so far. Jimmy G, Deebo and Kittle need to do exactly what they did on Monday Night in order to come out with victories.
7 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2)
PR – 8
Were the recipients Patrick Mahomes revenge game. The defense is still solid but were absolutely torched by the Chiefs. Tom Brady is going through a divorce but at least he got Mike Evans and Chris Godwin back!
6 – Dallas Cowboys (3-1)
PR – 16
I have to admit, I am very surprised by Cooper Rush. The backup QB did exactly what was asked of him and has yet to lose a game. Dak still cant fully grip a ball so expect another week of Rush and company.
5 – Miami Dolphins (3-1)
PR – 2
The loss of Tua hurts. Maybe if it was treated correctly the first time around, the Dolphins would be in a different situation. No one knows when Tua will come back but until then, it is Teddy Bridgewater time. When Tyreek Hill was asked about the current QB situation, he responded with something to the extent of “it doesn’t matter who throws me the ball, I’ll get mine.” There was no compliments or talk of accuracy which isn’t exactly a vote of confidence from Hill. Coach Mike McDaniel will have to coach his ass off and manufacture touches for his playmakers.
4 – Green Bay Packers (3-1)
PR – 7
No Davante no problem? That is certainly not the case but Aaron Rodgers is figuring it out and it helps to be playing against the Patriots’ 3rd string QB. I think the Packers have found a diamond in the rough with Romeo Doubs though. Call me crazy but I saw flashes of Davante when the ball was in his hands.
3 – Kansas City Chiefs (3-1)
PR – 4
By taking down Tom Brady and the tough defense of the Bucs, the Chiefs showed the world that Patrick Mahomes doesn’t need Tyreek Hill – all he needs his Travis Kelce and unsustainable, extremely high efficiency by Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
2 – Buffalo Bills (3-1)
PR – 2
This team can win in so many different ways and in different scenarios. The Bills were down 3-20 through the 2nd quarter but battled back and never gave up hope in a game that featured heavy rain. Josh Allen is a man of many talents but his best talent is winning.
1 – Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)
PR – 1
The big theme of this week’s podcast was “Magic.” This begs the question – when will the Eagles magic finally end? The answer is probably not anytime soon. The Eagles are great on both sides of the ball. Jalen Hurts rediscovered DeVonta Smith and now Hurts has 3 passing options (Smith, Brown and Goedert) and the ability to run. Good luck stopping that. Defensively, the Eagles have only given up 71 points which is 9th best in the league.