NFL Power Rankings Week 4: San Fran stays strong, Bills sputter overseas and Eagles hold serve

We are past the one month mark in the NFL regular season, and if there is only one thing that is clear going into Week 6, that would be the San Francisco 49ers are the best team in the league. They have proved week in and week out that they are the pole setters as the rest of the league’s heavy hitters take turns making their short-lived claims as contenders. The Top-6 is pretty clear, but things get a little murky once you go farther down the list. Without further ado, these are our Power Rankings after Week 5.

1. San Francisco 49ers (5-0), last week 1

The clinic continues. Each and every week that’s what the Niners are putting on for the rest of the league. They are like the Harlem Globe Trotters of football. They travel around the country putting on a dazzling spectacle in which they dominate their poor opposition while making it look like a rehearsed choreography. Purdy made everything look easy against one of the “best defenses in the league.” Every week someone else steps up on the offensive end. McCaffery didn’t have to be great after stretching his TD streak to 14 games. Aiyuk had some big catches early on. Deebo had a quiet 85 total yards, but on Sunday in the Bay it was George Kittle’s turn to take the spotlight, catching three balls for three TDs and 67 yards.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (5-0), last week 2

The Eagles were ready for a fight on their west coast road trip to LA. They let their defense do the talking, holding the Rams to just 250 yards and keeping them off the scoreboard in the final 30 minutes from SoFi Stadium. Jalen Hurts had 300+ yards and 72 rushing but the Eagles still need to fine tooth their red zone offense. They were just 2/6 on Sunday and are getting into the end zone on just 42.1% of their redzone trips inside the 20, which is 27th in the league. If only they could run the Brotherly Shove on every play.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1), last week 4

The Chiefs game in Minnesota was much trickier than it read on paper. A 3-1 team going into the home a team that had just snapped a three game losing steak to start the season. KC’s fumble recovery on the first play of the game led us to believe it was going to be easy for the Chiefs, but that was far from the case. Travis Kelce gave his team a scare, going down on a non contact play just before halftime, but he returned and would seal the game with a TD catch late in the third quarter. It’s far from perfect for the Chiefs, but they are learning how to win games when their offense isn’t fully clicking, which will come very handy later on this season.

4. Buffalo Bills (3-2), last week 3

Traveling to London for a game isn’t easy. I’m not giving the Bills a pass for laying a stink bomb at Tottenham Stadium, but it’s true that the road trip across the pond isn’t the same as making a road trip across the country. If you need any proof, just look at the performance from the same Josh Allen and Bills offense that went for 48 points against the Dolphins two Sundays ago. They waited much too long to get the offense going, and by the time they did Big Ben’s clock struck midnight for Bills Mafia.

5. Miami Dolphins (4-1), last week 5

Miami got humiliated last week in Buffalo, and even though it was their first loss of the season doubts about the defense, and Tua, and if this team was ready to contend for the AFC started to rise. Tua, Tyreek and Devone Achane reminded us very quickly that speed kills, and the Dolphins have the fastest team in the league. Achane had the fastest clocked speed in the NFL this season, but Tyreek topped that with his 69 yard TD catch and run in another comfortable win for Miami.

6. Detroit Lions (4-1), last week 6

I know it was just a win against the lowly Panthers, but the fan base at Ford Field has to be buzzing after their win over Carolina. It’s been a long time since the Lions gave their fans something to be excited about, but the defense is looking dominant, and the offense has put up 76 points in the last two games. It’s time to recognize this team as one of the best in the league.

7. Seattle Seahawks (3-1), last week 9

BYE

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2), last week 10

There may have been more Bills fans in Tottenham Stadium on Sunday, but that didn’t mean the Jags didn’t see it like a home game. They have grown much more accustomed to playing games overseas, and getting to play in London in back to back weeks gave then an edge over the Bills who looked like they had trouble adjusting to the travel. The travel may have worn on Buffalo, but take nothing away from the Jags defense who shut down the Bills for three quarters. Trevor Lawrence and the offense still haven’t sorted everything out, but the important thing is they comeback stateside with back to back wins in their pocket.

9. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2), last week 12

BYE

10. Baltimore Ravens (3-2), last week 8

All the Ravens had to do in Pittsburgh is not make plays to lose the game against a Steelers team that can’t put the ball in the end zone. All they had to do was not give the defense or special teams a chance to change the game. All they had to do is punch the ball into the end zone after recovering a fumble inside the Steelers 10 yard line up by two with five minutes left on the clock. They didn’t do any of those things, and some how they found a way to lose that game. They are 3-2 this year, but this year but their wins came against the Texans in Week 1, the Bengals at their worst in Week 2, and the Browns without Deshaun Watson. This is not a good team, and once they start to play better teams that will start to show.

11. Los Angeles Rams (2-3), last week 11

Everyone in LA was chomping at the bit to see what this Rams offense would look like once Cooper Kupp returned from injury. Puca Nacua did a fantastic job filling the shoes of one of the top receivers in the game for the first four weeks, and we could see flashes of just how good this duo can be. Kupp had 118 yards on 8 catches and Nacua had 7 for 71, but there were times were Stafford and Kupp’s timing was off. LA scored TDs on two of their first three drives, but the Rams had just 4 first downs in the second half, and failed to string a drive together as they were blanked by the Eagles D in the final half hour.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1), last week 13

BYE

13. Dallas Cowboys (3-2), last week 7

You had to feel it coming. The first real test of the Cowboys season was an absolute disaster, and is anyone really surprised? The Niners showed the Boys what a real Super Bowl contender looks like with a drubbing of Dallas on Sunday night. Before the game, there was talk of two of the best offenses going head to head, there was only one real offense on the field at Levi Stadium. There was talk of two of the best defenses going head to head, there was only one team with a top defense in San Fran. Jerry Jones said this game was going to good measuring stick to see where the Cowboys are. The Niners took that stick, broke it over their knee and left Dallas picking up the pieces.

14. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3), last week 20

It’s about time. Just as everyone was ready to throw the Bengals season into the dumpster fire, Joe Burrow and Ja’maar Chase show us why people were still believing in this team even after a 1-3 start. Chase reminded everyone after the loss against the Titans that he’s “always f***ing open” and that was the case against the Cardinals, torching them for 192 yards and scoring three TDs on 15 catches.

15. Indianapolis Colts (3-2), last week 17

The Colts Week 5 game against the Titans was headlined be the return of Jonathan Taylor, but it was running back Zack Moss who stole the show. The fourth year rusher went for 165 yards on the ground and almost 200 total yards, as the Colts narrowly avoided a third straight OT game. The good news is the Colts won, the bad news is Anthony Richardson was injured early in the game suffering an AC joint injury to his throwing shoulder. He’s a big, powerful dual threat QB, but the Colts have to find a balance of using him and protecting their first round draft pick.

16. Cleveland Browns (2-2), last week 14

BYE

17. New Orleans Saints (3-2), last week 19

The Saints seems to have broken the seal on their 20 point barrier that was plaguing them through the first four games of the season. It was the defense that put Derek Carr and the offense in striking position most of the day, but Carr has yet to really make a connection with his star receivers. That should come in time, but until then New Orleans will need their defense to continue to carry the load.

18. Atlanta Falcons (3-2), last week 21

When the Falcons lose their offense looks horrendous. When they win, it doesn’t look a whole lot better, but somehow someway they have done enough to win three of their five games. Desmond Ridder had a 300 yard game, running in a TD and connecting with Bijan Robinson but it took three quarters to get the offense clicking.

19. Houston Texans (2-3), last week 18

C.J. Stroud wasn’t at his best against the Falcons, but he didn’t have a bad day either. He still went for 249 yards, didn’t throw an interception and when the Texans needed it, he constructed a go ahead TD drive with under two minutes to go. Unfortunately, the the defense got lit up by Desmond Ridder, and allowed the Falcons set up a game winning field goal as the time expired. It’s not going to be perfect all the time in Houston, but the fact fans are disappointed with defeat, and not just accepting of it, like in years past, is a good sign for the Texans.

20. Green Bay Packers (2-3), last week 15

AJ Dillon did a great job filling in for Aaron Jones, running between the tackles, and running hard. The defense held Davante Adams in check, and picked off Jimmy G to start the second half in a play that seemed like it was going to change the momentum of the game. Unfortunately Jordan Love has been less than impressive in this first two primetime games. He has just 428 yards, one TD and five interceptions over the last two weeks, and has been directly responsible for the Packers’ two game losing skid.

21. Washington Commanders (2-3), last week 16

The Commanders blowout loss to the Bills a few weeks ago was ugly, but understandable. The Commanders blowout loss to the Bears was ugly and incomprehensible. This was a team that took the Eagles to overtime the week before. If we are making excuses for Washington, then we can say that game took it out of them and Ron Rivera’s team wasn’t ready for the quick turnaround on a short week. There were times when it looked like the Commanders didn’t even want to be there. Their secondary got shredded all night, and they couldn’t move the ball for the first half. By the time the second half came around, they were down 27-3 and the Bears had the game well in hand.

22. Las Vegas Raiders (2-3), last week 29

Jimmy G and the Raiders snapped their three game losing streak on Monday Night, and finally it was the defense that stepped up and made plays that changed the game. Jimmy G is a game manager now more than ever, and with Josh Jacobs slow start to the season, the defense is going to have to force turnovers like they did against the Packers. Coming into Week 5 they had just one interception, but Jordan Love threw three picks as the Raiders held off Green Bay in a less than thrilling game from Allegiant Stadium.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2), last week 26

The Steelers had no right winning their game against the Ravens, but their defense once again came to save the day. A safety turned the tides as a blocked punt gave fans something to cheer about after 50 minutes of mundane, depressing football. The special teams sparked the comeback, with the two point safety and a field goal to close the deficit to 10-8, but Greg Olszewski fumbled a punt with five and a half to go which gave the Ravens the green light to stretch the lead out to what would have had to be an insurmountable task for an PIT offense that did nothing all day. Joey Porter Jr. picked off Lamar in the end zone with 4:04 to go and that was just what Kenny Pickett needed to see to spur the offense to an 8 play, 80 yard TD drive capped off by a 41 yard pass to George Pickens to take a 14-10 lead. Baltimore still had time to put a game winning drive together, but Alex Highsmith strip sacked Jackson, and T.J. Watt was there to recover it and seal the deal from the Steel City.

24. Arizona Cardinals (1-4), last week 22

Arizona had been more impressive than the Bengals going into the weekend, but unfortunately Cincy had their coming out game at the expense of the Cardinals. Josh Dobbs and the offense gave the Bengals a fight for three quarters, but the pick six Dobbs through at the end of the first half was too much to comeback from. The task was made even more difficult when James Connor was sidelined with an apparent knee injury.

25. Minnesota Vikings (1-4), last week 24

It’s better from the Vikings, but better is not good enough. Last year they were specialists at winning one possession games, this year all five of their games have been decided by one possession, but they have only won one of those games. They now have as many loses as they did all of last season, and with news coming out of Minnesota that Justin Jefferson will be placed on injured reserve this team is sinking quick.

26. New York Jets (2-3), last week 28

As soon as Aaron Rodgers went down with his achilles injury, we knew that the only way the Jets were going to win football games was with their defense and special teams. The defense scored 9 points, the special teams kicked five field goals, and the offense got one TD from a Breece Hall 72 yard, one play drive to start the second half. It’s just the state of affairs for the Jets right now, and unfortunately for them they don’t play the Broncos every week.

27. Tennessee Titans (2-3), last week 23

Another loss and another game in which Derrick Henry doesn’t eclipse 20 carries. It might seem like too simple of a receipe, but the numbers are their to support the theory. In the Titans two wins this season, Henry has got 25 and 22 carries. In their three losses he has 15, 11, and 13. I get they might want to save him for the end of the season, but if you are already out of the playoff race by that time there is really no point in keeping him fresh for that part of the campaign.

28. Chicago Bears (1-4), last week 32

The Bears are in the Win column! With their coach on the hot seat and the city on the brink of rebellion against ownership and the GM, the Bears finally put an end to their 14 game losing streak that dated back to Week 7 of last year. It appears that the Bears have found a secret to success, and that secret starts and ends with DJ Moore. The Chicago WR1 had 230 yards and 3 TDs on Thursday night, and more than made up for a handful of injuries in the backfield. Moving forward the injuries to the RBs could present a big problem, but at least they have a win under their belts.

29. New York Giants (1-4), last week 27

It took the Giants four and a half games, and a 102 yard pick six to score their first first-half touchdown of the season. It came with under 2:00 to go in the second quarter, and all it really did was delay the inevitable defeat at the hands of the Miami Dolphins. Daniel Jones suffered a neck injury in the fourth quarter, which will make matters worse for Brian Daboll and the Giants who are desperately waiting for Saquon Barkley to return from his ankle injury before it’s too late.

30. New England Patriots (1-4), last week 25

It’s gone from embarrassing to pathetic in New England. After losing 38-3 to Dallas they lay a goose egg against the New Orleans Saints who posted 34 on them. Mac Jones’ offense is nonexistent, and the defense is laughable. Bill Belichick used to get away with one word answers when his teams were winning Super Bowls, but you have to go to press conferences and face the music when your team stinks. I’d be shocked if we don’t see a change at the QB position in the next week or two.

31. Denver Broncos (1-4), last week 30

I’m not going to say the relationship between Russell Wilson and Sean Payton is at a near breaking point, because I have no facts to prove that. But I do have two eyes and the optics would suggest that either A) those two are quickly growing sick of each other, B) those two are quickly growing sick of losing, or C) both.

32. Carolina Panthers (0-5), last week 31

We shouldn’t be judging the Panthers week by week by wins an losses. It’s not fair for a team that is not ready to be winning games at this point in the season. Carolina went down 14-0 early, and could have just thrown in the towel. The Panthers would go on to turn the ball over three times, and trailed 35-10 to start the fourth quarter. The Panthers scored couple TDs to pad the stats and the mind of Bryce Young who has been having a tough time getting his team into the end zone. The scoreline may be ugly, but the way Carolina ended that game will help this team grow moving forward, although it’s hard to see that silver lining right now.