NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: Shift in Top 10

Last Sunday's two biggest showdowns caused some movement at the top of our Week 5 NFL Power Rankings. The Jets and Ravens had to slide after losing to the Saints and Patriots, respectively, creating a little shift in the top 10.

There's been minimal movement at the bottom of the rankings, however. We're through just four weeks of the regular season, but it's already pretty clear that there are some downright awful teams in the league this season. Everyone made a huge deal of Detroit's record-breaking 0-16 campaign in 2008 -- but at the season's quarter-pole, no fewer than four teams look fully capable of taking a run at that dubious mark.

Then again, you never know ... I mean, who had Cincinnati-Baltimore and New England-Denver (Bill Belichick coaching tree storyline aside) circled as the biggest games of Week 5? Not this guy, I can tell you that.

1. Giants (4-0) Last Week: 1
Ho-hum. Another week, another workmanlike road victory for the G-men, who are now 3-0 away from the Meadowlands. With Oakland visiting New York this week, the Giants should be 5-0 when they head to New Orleans next week for a monster NFC clash.
2. Saints (4-0) Last Week: 3
Everyone knows that the Saints lead the league with 36 points per game. But did you know that they rank seventh in defense, giving up only 16.5 points per game? That's a stellar combination. -- Knox Bardeen
3. Colts (4-0) Last Week: 5
At this point, another division title is all but a lock. There was some worry affixed to the wholesale changes in the coaching staff, but Peyton Manning has proven again why he's the best QB in football. Up next is a Sunday night trip to 0-4 Tennessee, but primetime is where Manning and the Colts shine. -- R.J. White
4. Vikings (4-0) Last Week: 6
Brett Favre's bunch hasn't been perfect (except record-wise, of course), but Minnesota keeps finding a way to get it done. The Vikes let Green Bay back in a game they dominated Monday, but they hung on for the win and continue to look more and more comfortable with Favre at the helm.
5. Patriots (3-1) Last Week: 7
How can the Patriots be four spots ahead of a Jets team that beat them? Back-to-back wins over Atlanta and Baltimore, plus a healthier-by-the-week Tom Brady gives New England the benefit of the doubt. If the Pats get through Denver this week, their current two-game win streak could turn into a six-gamer in the blink of an eye.
6. Ravens (3-1) Last Week: 2
Hard to drop Baltimore too far after losing on a late fourth-quarter dropped pass in Foxborough. The defense still doesn't look quite right for the Ravens, but the offensive improvement is making up for it.
7. Broncos (4-0) Last Week: 8
Each week everyone dismisses the Broncos as a flash-in-the-pan, and every week the Broncos throw up a dominant defensive performance to win a game. Next up are the Patriots at home, where student (McDaniels) faces master (Belichick). Can student prevail? -- White
8. Eagles (2-1) Last Week: 10
Philly makes a two-spot jump while on a bye. Why? Blame it on the return of Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook this week, which takes the Eagles from a good team to a great team. Tampa Bay, Oakland and Washington are the next three opponents, so look out.
9. Jets (3-1) Last Week: 4
The good news is that the defense played incredible against Drew Brees and the Saints' aerial attack. The bad news is that New York still lost by 14 to New Orleans because Mark Sanchez finally looked like a rookie. Monday night's game at Miami is a big one in the early season, for both teams.
10. Bears (3-1) Last Week: 9
Chicago rebounded from a lethargic first half against Detroit on Sunday to roll by 24. Still, the Lions picked apart the Bears' pass defense for those opening 30 minutes, so that aspect of Chicago's defense remains a concern.
11. Steelers (2-2) Last Week: 17
The Steelers make a huge jump -- but that's based on their first three quarters Sunday night against the Chargers, not the final 15 minutes. Pittsburgh dominated San Diego for a long time, but once again showed some weakness late and almost let one slip away. This is a top-10 team once it remembers how to close out games.
12. Falcons (2-1) Last Week: 12
It's good news for the Falcons' run defense that Frank Gore will not play on Sunday. To prove that their offense can overcome defensive liabilities, the Falcons will need to put up points against a stingy 49ers defense. -- Bardeen
13. 49ers (3-1) Last Week: 15
Hard to know how much to read into the Niners' 35-0 shellacking of St. Louis in Week 4, given the state of the Rams. This week's game versus Atlanta, then Week 6 and 7 road trips to Houston and Indianapolis will give us a pretty good indication where San Fran stands.
14. Bengals (3-1) Last Week: 13
Three straights wins for Cincinnati, including big ones over Pittsburgh and Green Bay. But ... you can't need a rally and overtime to knock off Cleveland and earn a lot of power rankings respect. Get a Week 5 win at Baltimore and we'll talk.
15. Chargers (2-2) Last Week: 12
After getting destroyed by the defending champions for three quarters, the Chargers finally showed some signs of life at the end of the Sunday night game. This was supposed to be an easy year for the supposed 2009 AFC West champions, but Denver has thrown a wrench in those plans. -- White
16. Cowboys (2-2) Last Week: 14
So far, Dallas' record pretty accurately depicts what we've seen on the field -- this is an average football team. The defense is good, not great, and the offense is talented, but struggles mightily at times. There's lots of time to turn it around, but so far, Dallas looks much more comparable to Washington than Philly or New York in the NFC East.
17. Jaguars (2-2) Last Week: 19
It's hard to know what to make of this team. We think of them as a run-first team, led by uber-talented back Maurice Jones-Drew, but David Garrard has been finding emerging weapons Mike Sims-Walker and Marcedes Lewis in the passing game recently. A cross-country win in Seattle would legitimize the Jaguars' 2009 prospects. -- White
18. Packers (2-2) Last Week: 16
This is a good time for a bye for the Pack, because this team needs to regroup a bit. The defense has been mediocre, but not nearly as mediocre as the offensive line, which might wind up getting Aaron Rodgers killed. The schedule is favorable for the next two months, so Green Bay needs to make some headway.
19. Texans (2-2) Last Week: 20
Everyone's favorite preseason sleeper, the Texans were written off mighty quickly after a rough Week 1 loss to the Jets. Yet after an easy win against the Raiders, one where the Houston rush defense actually stopped somebody, the Texans are back to .500 and thinking Wild Card yet again. -- White
20. Dolphins (1-3) Last Week: 24
Not a bad debut for quarterback Chad Henne, who looked plenty comfortable slinging passes against Buffalo's battered secondary. If the Dolphins can take advantage of Monday night's home game versus the Jets, they'll be right back in the playoff picture.
21. Cardinals (1-2) Last Week: 21
Arizona had Week 4 off, so we don't know any more or less about the Cards than we did following their Week 3 blowout loss to Indianapolis. They certainly haven't looked like an NFC elite team yet, though.
22. Redskins (2-2) Last Week: 27
Washington's five-spot leap in the power rankings has more to do with its record and the utter ineptitude of the teams below than it does anything Washington's shown. The Redskins barely beat a terrible Tampa Bay team in Week 4 -- it's hard to have any confidence that they'll turn it around soon.
23. Bills (1-3) Last Week: 18
Remember back in Week 1 when Buffalo handed away a game to the Patriots? This Bills team barely resembles that fiesty squad. In the last two weeks, New Orleans and Miami have taken Buffalo behind the woodshed.
24. Seahawks (1-3) Last Week: 22
The question everyone wants to know the answer to is: Will Matt Hasselbeck play this week against Jacksonville? The bigger issue looming, though, is whether his presence really matters or not -- Seattle hasn't shown any signs of being a top-notch team.
25. Raiders (1-3) Last Week: 26
Previously on The Raiders: The running game was just embarrassed by the worst rushing defense in the league. Now, Coach Tom must now suffer the consequences of his tirade (as seen on the season premiere), Tune in next week, as Crazy Al plays coaching roulette and JaMarcus tries to cement his place as the worst NFL QB of all time. -- White
26. Lions (1-3) Last Week: 25
Detroit's got to be wondering how bad you have to be before getting an easy schedule. The Lions have run a gauntlet so far, with Pittsburgh visiting Motown Sunday. Daunte Culpepper looks like he's in for the injured Matthew Stafford for that one -- and it might not be a bad time for Stafford to sit one out.
27. Panthers (0-3) Last Week: 28
The Panthers were killed by the league from a strength of schedule standpoint and an anemic offense that has only gained 880 total yards thus far doesn't instill hope for a Panthers turn around. -- Bardeen
28. Titans (0-4) Last Week: 23
Where did it all go wrong? After taking the defending champions to the wire on Kickoff Thursday, the Titans have dropped three more games to start the season at 0-4, which is a veritable death toll for their playoff hopes. People are clamoring for Vince Young to get a second (or third, or whatever it is) chance. -- White
29. Chiefs (0-4) Last Week: 29
The Chiefs get the Cowboys and Chargers at home and the Redskins in Washington before the bye. They could potentially be winless heading into December. Maybe they should hire Herm Edwards -- I heard he plays to win the game. -- White
30. Rams (0-4) Last Week: 30
St. Louis could easily be No. 32 in this thing. Heck, 35-0 losses don't happen very often in the NFL, let alone to a division rival. Kyle Boller just stinks at QB, which means he fits right in with the rest of this disaster.
31. Buccaneers (0-4) Last Week: 31
The offense is in over its head and a few key cogs in the wheel, like Antonio Bryant, seem to be injured at all times. If only the defense weren't miserable too. -- Bardeen
32. Browns (0-4) Last Week: 32
Cleveland missed an opportunity to break through against Cincinnati in Week 4 -- and if the Browns blow another chance this week in Buffalo, they're a very good bet to start 0-9 before a Week 10 visit to Detroit. Plus, if any team gives the appearance of one ready to implode, it's Eric Mangini's rag-tag bunch.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-08-2009 @ 4:31PM

John said...

I think we are seeing why the Vikings pursued Brett favre as much as they did. And I think those of us that have said Ted Thompson screwed up royally by getting rid of Brett for Aaron Rodgers are ready to say "I told you so!". Rodgers is clearly not a leader and is unable to make quick decisions in a clutch. He is so afraid to make mistakes that he ends up making them. By the end of this season, I think a lot of people will be admitting that Rodgers is an average quarterback and always will be. That is if he survives that long!

10-08-2009 @ 4:34PM

dillin63 said...

The Chiefs,the way their playing right now would only have a (50-50) chance to win their BYE WEEK! if they played it!

10-08-2009 @ 6:23PM

abbienaidanmom said...

Who dat! Glad to see we are getting some recognition. So when we beat the Giants in week 6, will you put us at #1? Giants are good, but so overrated.

10-09-2009 @ 11:10AM

Big Blue said...

HAHA Ya you mean IF

10-10-2009 @ 2:23PM

No, I don't mean IF.

10-09-2009 @ 12:28AM

jetfan said...

Its funny, nearly every article in Fanhouse has
at the end a place to type in your comments,such
as this. Yet I have seen the Rush Limbow post in
here for the last few days and I would love to
comment about that racist but,I can't. No place to
comment. Hmmmm I wonder why??

10-09-2009 @ 7:59AM

roy0851 said...

i am sending a big thanks to al davis fro having the worse qb in the nfl for the past two years, we know j russ is laughing all the way to the bank with your money. and now you people say that he is the worse one in the nfl. that is a big joke we knowned that for two years now. and our running game is just as bad as well as our oline. so when is al going to let the people he hires to do their job and trust them to do what is best for the team.so thanks al you get 25th place and should be in 32ed. and gee it took evetyone this long to figure this out with j russ what a waste he is no leader ship and no arm . just thorws it up and no one knows where it is going to go way to go j russ!!!! but one thing good for us raiders fans is our d always fighting for a o that just lays down and dies ans here you can have the game. it is very sicking to see a good d get destroyed by a bad o. well at least there is hope we might win more than five if wwe play a pee wee leauge team good luck raiders we need all we can get.

10-10-2009 @ 1:26AM

reggie bush#25 is great said...

brett favre is the worst qb ever
mikeal vick is even better than him.
j russell is better than brett

10-09-2009 @ 12:37PM

jjhubb1 said...

I will own up to saying I thought Farve was done He has played well lately so let me wash this crow down.I think Cincy deserves a little better rank they outplayed Denver except the score did not reflect, it should be 4-0. Cleveland is always going to play tough we are in state rivals

10-09-2009 @ 3:18PM

pianomana said...

Knowned is my new favorite word.

10-10-2009 @ 1:15AM

saints................#1 said...

go saints there # 2, but they should be # 1
were gonna kill ny giants
i predict saints 31- ny giants 24
go reggie bush and all of the SAINTS.

10-10-2009 @ 11:54AM

bbueno820 said...

I'm a huge Drew Brees fan, Jets/Chargers fan. I've followed Drew Brees since he was drafted by San Diego in the second round of the 2001 draft. After all the good years he'e had and one bad year with the Chargers. this could be his year to finally challenge for a SB.
I'm routing for the Saints for that reason alone. As much as dislike Eli for rejecting the Chargers coming out of the 2004 draft I wouldn't go wishing they meet the Giants in the NFC championship game, they are the last team the Saints fans should want to meet. The Jets did lose to them in the Dome, but don't forget that the game could have easily been won by the Jets. They gave up one rushing TD that's all, the 14 points came into play because Mark S. is learning how to be an NFL QB. The INT he threw he could have easily been thrown away and had 3 more downs to pay with making it 2 and goal, that could have made the game 7 to 3 Jets or 3 to 3 instead of 10-0 Saints, the second came on a safty where he again failed to throw the ball away already outside the hash marks when he was hit causing a fumble and TD for the Saints. My point is the game could have been very different had our QB had some more time under his belt.

The Giants have a more experienced QB in cry baby Eli and the defense has played more downs as a unit than that of the Jets and yes they can put pressure on Brees up the middle which is where he is most vulnerable.

Something else I read here written by a Saints fan, Reggie Bush is a very good half back not great, just good, he's on my fantasy team and ain't producing much. He's no Marshall Faulk. And, no! Micheal Vick is in no way shape or form better than Brett Farve, neither is J. Russel. Google up some lifetime stats, the numbers don't lie. Brett is 40 something and still has better numbers the bad second half of last years he had was cause the Jets played him knowing he was hurt so he played and threw poorly.

10-10-2009 @ 2:14PM

jonathan said...

The Jets should be ranked ahead of New England. If New England wins there next game then put them ahead. We lost one game to the Saints before we got Braylon Edwards. Get your ranking system right

10-10-2009 @ 3:27PM

Bernie said...

Ditto, I agree but they are taking into account that Mark Sanchez is a rookie with everything to prove. They have no faith in rookie QB's in this league. He will prove his worth when he stops throwing interceptions when pressured then maybe his critics will give him some respect and you won't see the Jets ranking take such a hard hit in one week. JMO

10-12-2009 @ 9:14AM

Cyndi said...

So..Cinci beat the Ravens. Let's talk.

10-12-2009 @ 4:39PM

maxtheoldhippie said...

Three straights wins for Cincinnati, including big ones over Pittsburgh and Green Bay. But ... you can't need a rally and overtime to knock off Cleveland and earn a lot of power rankings respect. Get a Week 5 win at Baltimore and we'll talk.

LETS TALK

10-22-2009 @ 7:03PM

lsulinebacker64 said...

All that's said is said but I'll just keep WEEK 6 in my mind the rest of year. The Vikings won the game over the Ravens because of a last sec missed FG kick. If it was made Minnesota would have lost it.