Boy, oh boy, Week 4 was a wild one. We saw some teams make major statements, while others continued to raise even more questions. The Falcons jumped up the rankings after a dominant divisional win, while the Saints took one of the biggest tumbles of the week. The Jaguars continue to impress, the Patriots knocked off the Bills, and the Bears absolutely dominated the Jets.
We’re officially starting to get a better idea of which teams are for real and which teams might have been fooling us early in the season. With injuries piling up and some teams already facing must-win games, Week 5 is where things really start to get interesting.
Here are my Week 5 NFL Power Rankings.
1 San Francisco 49ers (0)
The Niners remain number one after four weeks of my power rankings. They are the juggernaut of the NFC, even with the defensive injuries they have. Brock Purdy has dominated this season, and their offensive line looks incredible. They played a very good Broncos team and remained in control the entire game. Can they keep this start going?
2 Kansas City Chiefs (0)
The Chiefs remain at the top with another impressive outing against the Raiders. Kenneth Walker played amazingly yet again, rushing for two touchdowns and 177 yards, while Patrick Mahomes passed for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Walker has really taken a lot of pressure off Mahomes, allowing balance in an offense that needed it. The defense looked a little suspect but made the plays they needed to win the game.
3 Seattle Seahawks +1
Seattle won a fairly easy game against the Chargers at home. The Chargers scored 17 garbage-time points in a game that was already won by Seattle. Sam Darnold did what he needed to do to win, along with the rest of the Seahawks. It was the comeback game they needed after the loss to Washington last week. Next up is the big test against the 49ers.
4 Jacksonville Jaguars +4
The Jaguars won another impressive game against the Bengals in Cincinnati. The defense made plays when they needed to, and the Jags’ offense did just enough to win. Even after their loss to the Broncos two weeks ago, they have now had back-to-back wins against two stellar AFC teams. Next up is the up-and-down Eagles in London.
5 Buffalo Bills −2
The Bills lost at home to the Pats by three but still played well enough to win. Josh Allen scored a touchdown on the ground and through the air, while James Cook also ran for a touchdown. But the Bills’ defense couldn’t hold up against the Pats. Keon Coleman continues his impressive season with 116 yards and a receiving touchdown. The Bills do have some questions to answer in the weeks to follow. They have a big test against the Rams in LA on Monday night.
6 Minnesota Vikings (0)
The Vikings are somehow 4-0 after beating the 2-2 Packers, 3-1 Bears, 0-4 Bucs and now 0-4 Dolphins. The Dolphins almost had the lead had Chris Bell not stepped out of bounds before catching a long touchdown pass. The Vikings’ defense was stellar yet again, while the offense did just enough to win. They play the streaky Saints next, who were fairly impressive on offense. Can the Vikings’ streaky offense step up?
7 Los Angeles Rams (0)
The Rams made a big comeback in Philly and avenged last season’s loss to the Eagles. The Rams held Jalen Hurts under 100 yards passing, and while Matthew Stafford threw two picks, Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua helped lead the Rams to victory. Stafford is a concern at the moment, though. They face a huge test against the Bills at home on Monday.
8 Denver Broncos −3
The Broncos were held in check in San Francisco against the Niners. Bo Nix only threw for 214 yards on 5.1 yards per attempt with a 43.9 QBR. Their leading receiver was running back RJ Harvey. Jaylen Waddle also caught his first touchdown as a Bronco. The Broncos need balance on offense and defense to truly have their potential unveiled. But for now, the Broncos in my eyes are still a top-tier team, but they have some questions to figure out.
9 New England Patriots +3
The Patriots won an important game against the Bills. Drake Maye did throw an interception and lose a fumble, but he threw three touchdowns to keep the Patriots afloat. The Pats’ defense did just enough to keep the Bills in check and win the divisional game. The Patriots seem streaky but are, in my eyes, another top-tier team. Next up is a big game against the Raiders, who seem like a solid squad.
10 Chicago Bears (0)
The Bears won in dominating fashion against the Jets on paper. They held the Jets to only 32 offensive snaps, and Tyson Bagent produced in a game-manager role. Kyle Monangai rushed 30 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns, while Rome Odunze caught six passes for 94 yards. Even with whichever backup quarterback plays, it seems Ben Johnson can call a great game. A huge test remains next week against the Cheeseheads up in Green Bay.
11 Baltimore Ravens −2
The Ravens remained in control against the powerless Titans. They jumped out to a 24-7 halftime lead but remained scoreless in the second half, mainly due to QB Lamar Jackson’s injury. The Titans scored twice in garbage time to make the game seem closer than it was in the box score. The Ravens punted on five straight second-half possessions and missed a field goal. They have some cleaning up to do with backup Tyler Huntley, but it was just enough against the Titans. The bigger questions remain: How long will Lamar be out, and how will Tyler Huntley be able to lead this team? Will Derrick Henry be able to spearhead the Ravens’ offense?
12 Carolina Panthers +3
In a back-and-forth game against the Lions, the Panthers came out on top. Bryce Young and the highly ranked Panthers passing offense threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns, while Chuba Hubbard rushed for 122 yards and another two rushing scores. The Panthers’ defense played just well enough to win against the Lions. Next up is their early bye week, followed by a huge NFC affair against the Eagles.
13 Cincinnati Bengals −2
The Bengals lost Ja’Marr Chase to a concussion and later Tee Higgins, but Joe Burrow threw for 428 yards and three interceptions. The Bengals’ rushing offense was nowhere to be found, averaging only 1.5 yards per carry on 23 total rushing yards. The Bengals are another team that has to get their offensive and defensive questions figured out.
14 Philadelphia Eagles −1
The Eagles lost a heartbreaker in a game they controlled for most of the afternoon against the Rams. Jalen Hurts threw for under 100 yards, they lost Saquon Barkley to injury, and the offense looked lost. They had a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and squandered it in the final four minutes of the contest. This whole season, the Eagles have had some questionable games, and their last two games have been very concerning.
15 Detroit Lions −1
The Lions’ offense once again looked stellar in the back-and-forth affair against the Panthers, but the defense once again showed its true colors in this matchup. Jared Goff threw for 400 yards, Jameson Williams caught six passes for 102 yards, and while Jahmyr Gibbs was held in check, he still played a solid game. But the Lions’ defense seems to be in a constant disconnect compared to the offense. If the defense can get figured out, the Lions should produce more wins, but until then, it’ll continue to be a roller coaster.
16 Las Vegas Raiders (0)
The Raiders were in a competitive game against the Chiefs at home but floundered at the end and lost. Kirk Cousins played impressively again, and the Raiders’ defense looked great for three quarters. Are the Raiders for real this season?
17 Dallas Cowboys +2
The Cowboys’ offense will more likely than not always look good, but the defense is always their Achilles’ heel. In an all-Texas back-and-forth affair, the Cowboys did just enough to win. Dak Prescott threw for 335 yards and a passing touchdown, while Javonte Williams ran for three touchdowns. The defense did just enough against C.J. Stroud and held the Texans’ run offense at bay. The Cowboys have what appears to be a favorable matchup against the 0-4 Bucs next.
18 Atlanta Falcons +6
Atlanta won in blowout fashion against the Saints in New Orleans. Michael Penix Jr. was efficient, and the Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson duo ran for five rushing touchdowns. After looking lost at 0-2, the Falcons are now 2-2 and look on the rise. Now they have a tough test against the Ravens at home on Sunday Night Football.
19 Indianapolis Colts +1
The Colts won an uglier game than what the scoreboard showed in London against Washington. Daniel Jones looked absolutely putrid after an opening-possession fumble and threw an ugly interception. But Jonathan Taylor did his thing and ran for two touchdowns, leading the Colts to victory. Marcus Mariota looked great against the Colts’ defense but got hurt on the second possession. The Commanders’ third-string QB, Athan Kaliakmanis, looked impressive against the Colts’ defense, and Sauce Gardner was a huge weakness in what the Colts thought was their strength: their corners. The Colts caught a break in a game they probably should’ve lost.
20 Cleveland Browns +2
The Browns won an impressive game and continue to defy the odds this season as they are 3-1. They almost gave up their 21-10 halftime lead, but they did just enough to win on the walk-off field goal. The Browns’ offense won a balanced game, and the defense was impressive. Next up is the 1-3 Jets. Can the Browns improve to 4-1?
21 Pittsburgh Steelers −3
The Steelers lost a doozy in Cleveland. A late comeback was attempted, but it was too little, too late for Pittsburgh. The Steelers trailed 21-10 at halftime but were able to tie the game at 24-24 before the Browns took the last possession for a field goal and won. Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdowns but also threw two picks. Jaylen Warren, DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson played well, but it wasn’t enough. The vaunted Steelers defense was also partially exposed. If the Steelers’ defense plays well, they will be in games. They can’t rely on their offense to win games.
22 New York Giants +1
The Giants won against Arizona in comeback fashion. Jameis Winston continued his erratic play style, but it worked in their favor. The Giants’ defense also played a great game and picked off Jacoby Brissett three times. Malik Nabers also had a good game, going over 100 yards with a receiving touchdown. Though the win was against the 1-2 Cardinals, the Giants are now 3-1. Next up is the Commanders in Washington.
23 Green Bay Packers +2
The Packers had an uninspiring win in Tampa against undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels. Jordan Love continues to play uninspiring football, but he led them to the win nonetheless. The Packers’ running game wasn’t much improved either. The defense led them to the win and forced two interceptions against Jalon Daniels. Next up is a divisional game against their rival, Da Bears.
24 New Orleans Saints −7
In another surprise, the Saints got blown out at home, 45-24, by the division-rival Falcons. The Saints’ defense got exposed by Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson for a combined five rushing touchdowns. Tyler Shough and Chris Olave continue to look impressive, but the Saints’ running game missed Travis Etienne, as they only mustered 50 rushing yards on 2.5 yards per carry. The defense has to get better.
25 Houston Texans −4
Houston is another surprise 0-4 team. The defense that was supposed to be one of the best blew their opportunity at a first win against the Cowboys. Welcome back, Nico Collins, who had seven catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. The Texans’ run game remains inept and ineffective. C.J. Stroud had a strong outing, but the defense let them down. Houston had a three-point lead, but on the last drive of the game, Dallas took the last possession on a 74-yard drive for a CeeDee Lamb touchdown.
26 Washington Commanders (0)
The Commanders started out strong defensively against Indianapolis, but on Washington’s second offensive drive, Marcus Mariota got hurt and third-string rookie seventh-rounder Athan Kaliakmanis came in, changing their game plan. Though Kaliakmanis looked like a seventh-rounder at times and threw a bad interception in the third quarter, he made some incredibly strong throws. The Colts maintained control after Washington’s 6-0 lead. Washington’s defense held on the best it could, but they lost in London.
27 Arizona Cardinals +1
Arizona ran out to a 14-3 lead but floundered the rest of the way against Big Blue. They only mustered 115 total yards in the second half, and on fourth-and-goal, Jacoby Brissett threw a pick-six to Deonte Banks to seal it. After a strong Week 1 win against the Chargers, the Cardinals have lost three straight. Where is the involvement for Marvin Harrison Jr., outside of his one catch for a touchdown?
28 New York Jets −1
The Jets only ran 32 plays against the Bears as an offense. That is unacceptable. Chicago had 34 first downs while New York ran just 32 plays, only the second such instance in NFL history. The Jets’ defense also looked lost against Bears backup QB Tyson Bagent and the Bears’ defense. Aaron Glenn’s job is definitely at risk.
29 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0)
Even with a backup QB, Tampa also gave Green Bay a really hard fight. They held Green Bay under 90 yards rushing and held Jordan Love in check. But with undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels at the helm, he struggled to keep up with Green Bay’s defense. The Bucs’ run game was solid. The defense held them in this game, but it’s another loss for the Bucs.
30 Los Angeles Chargers (0)
The Chargers went up the West Coast this week to play the Seahawks, looking to avenge their winless record. Instead, they left still winless. After the first drive of the third quarter, the Seahawks led 27-6, and the Chargers did make an attempt at a comeback, but it was too little, too late. Justin Herbert threw two more interceptions, took a lot of very hard hits, and not a lot went right defensively. Jim Harbaugh’s job is at serious risk.
31 Tennessee Titans (0)
The Titans also put up a good fight against the Ravens, even in the loss. They held the Ravens scoreless in the second half (granted it was against Tyler Huntley), and Carnell Tate had his best outing as a rookie with 145 receiving yards on nine catches. Cam Ward still looked meh, though, throwing a bad interception on their first drive of the game.
32 Miami Dolphins (0)
Miami put up a great fight against the Vikings, and had Chris Bell stayed in bounds before catching the pass, they could’ve had the lead. Instead, they lost a dogfight on the road in Minnesota. The Dolphins showed some fight at least.
