NFL Power Rankings - Week 5

Here are my NFL Power Rankings after Week 5, with last week's ranking in parenthesis:

Week: 1 2 3 4 5

1. New York Giants (4-0) (1)

The Giants crushed the Seahawks this week to remain in the # 1 spot convincingly. They will head to Cleveland for what could be a trap game or more likely it could be another blow out.

2. Dallas Cowboys (4-1) (2)

Dallas barely holds on to the # 2 spot this week after squeaking by the Bengals. Washington and Tennessee are about even with Dallas right now, but since they all won I'm keeping them in their previous rankings for now.

3. Tennessee Titans (5-0) (3)

Tennessee passed a big test this week by beating the tough defense of Baltimore on the road. They didn't blow anyone away with their offense, but they still won the game. I'd like to see more from them offensively before I move them any further up in the rankings.

4. Washington Redskins (4-1) (4)

What can you say about Washington? Another impressive victory this week against the Eagles. The offense is definitely solid, but I would like to see more sacks and turnovers from the defense. The Redskins haven't turned the ball over yet on offense, which is remarkable.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) (7)

Pittsburgh just seems to find ways to win games. I didn't think they would take down Jacksonville on the road, but they were able to do so. However, I think Pittsburgh is still a step below the top 4 teams.

6. Buffalo Bills (4-1) (5)

Buffalo took a big L this week in Arizona. Arizona is a tough place to play, so I won't put too much stock in the loss. They get a bye week to try and patch things up defensively and to get Trent Edwards back healthy.

7. Carolina Panthers (4-1) (11)

Carolina is almost in this spot by default, despite my doubts about them being one of the better teams in the NFL. However, they have been consistent both offensively and defensively this season. Big game for them this week with Tampa on the road. I'd like to see if Carolina plays as well on the road as they have at home.

8. Denver Broncos (4-1) (9)

Denver bounced back nicely after their disappointing loss to the Chiefs. The defense held it together to beat Tampa, but they face a much better running team this week in the Jaguars.

9. New England Patriots (3-1) (16)

The Patriots came off the bye week and looked good in San Francisco. Huge game for the Patriots this week against the Chargers, who have not been playing well.

10. Chicago Bears (3-2) (19)

The Bears have surprised me with their play this season. The reason for their success has been mostly because of the QB play of Kyle Orton, who has been great this year. I definitely did not expect Orton to play as good as he has and he along with the running of Matt Forte and the Bears solid D is what has made this team a playoff contender.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) (6)

The Eagles lost another big game this week and they are going to have to start playing better if they want to stick around in the NFC East. They now travel to San Francisco in a game that they can't afford to lose and could be without Brian Westbrook once again.

12. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3) (12)

Jacksonville had a tough loss at home against the Steelers and now must head to Denver. Jacksonville has played a tough schedule so far, which has led to their slow start, but I think they will turn things around soon.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) (13)

Tampa Bay could have made a statement this week by winning in Denver, but came up just short. They get Carolina at home now and need to win to keep pace in the division.

14. San Diego Chargers (2-3) (8)

The Chargers are hurting badly right now and just can't seem to get things going. They struggled two weeks in a row at Oakland and at Miami and I can't see how they expect to beat the better teams in the NFL if they are struggling with Oakland and Miami.

15. New York Jets (2-2) (15)

The Jets were off this week, but I think we learned that they still have a great chance to make the playoffs after watching teams like San Diego and Indy struggle a little bit. I think the Jets might be ready to take off in the AFC.

16. Arizona Cardinals (3-2) (18)

Nice bounce back victory for the Cardinals who still look to be the class of the NFC West, for whatever that is worth. They get Dallas at home this week and will look to expose the Dallas defense with their passing game.

17. Indianapolis Colts (2-2) (17)

The Colts are lucky to be 2-2 right now and will face a physical Baltimore team this week. I think Baltimore might be able to pull off the upset on the road, but a lot of that depends on Joe Flacco not making any big mistakes. The Colts look very average to me right now.

18. New Orleans Saints (2-3) (14)

The Saints lost a tough one to the desperate Vikings in a game that had a lot of momentum swings and wacky plays. They get Oakland this week, so they should be able to bounce back. However, the injuries just keep piling up for the Saints, as they now have lost starting corner Tracey Porter for the year.

19. Green Bay Packers (2-3) (10)

The Packers defense needs to step things up, point blank. If this team plays any kind of defense, then they would be one of the best teams in the NFC and a top 10 team in the NFL, because Aaron Rodgers and the offense has been solid.

20. Baltimore Ravens (2-2) (20)

Tough loss for Baltimore against the Titans. No shame in losing to them. Now they get a chance to make a statement on the road against Indy.

21. Minnesota Vikings (2-3) (23)

Minnesota came out desperate against the Saints on the road and pulled off the victory. They get Detroit this week at home and have an excellent chance to get back to .500.

22. Atlanta Falcons (3-2) (25)

I have to admit that I'm shocked the Falcons were able to go into Green Bay and beat the Falcons. That is not something that Atlanta has done often. Matt Ryan and Roddy White are really starting to get some chemistry together. The Falcons should be very happy with the progress they have made this season.

23. Miami Dolphins (2-2) (29)

Miami got their second straight impressive win and I think this team is headed in the right direction under their new coach. Miami is certainly better than they showed in the first two weeks of the season.

24. San Francisco 49ers (2-3) (21)

The 49ers lost to the Patriots this week and have another tough game with the Eagles coming up.

25. Cleveland Browns (1-3) (24)

The Browns will try to get back on track against the Giants. Certainly not an easy task for them.

26. Seattle Seahawks (1-3) (22)

Seattle has hit rock bottom and has a big game against the struggling Packers this week.

27. Houston Texans (0-4) (26))

Tough loss for the Texans against the Colts. I still don't think the Texans are that bad of a team, they've just had a tough schedule so far, losing to Indy, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, and Tennessee.

28. Oakland Raiders (1-3) (27)

I'm interested to see how the Raiders play against New Orleans after coming off a bye week and having their coach fired.

29. Cincinnati Bengals (0-5) (31)

The Bengals have put up a fight against Dallas and the Giants, so I don't think they are as bad as their record shows. They've lost to the Giants, Cowboys, Titans, Ravens, and Browns.

30. Kansas City Chiefs (1-4) (28)

I have no idea how this team beat Denver after putting up such a stinker against Carolina. I had them as the worst team in the NFL before they beat Denver and they could be headed back there soon.

31. Detroit Lions (0-4) (30)

Detroit is a mess once again but at least they finally got rid of Matt Millen.

32. St. Louis Rams (0-4) (32)

The Rams head to Washington where they most likely will get blown out once again..