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Week 5 Power Rankings: NFC feeling tremors, KC rebounds

Wed Oct 1 11:54am ET
Field Level Media

While the NFL rests on a traditional off-day Tuesday, Field Level Media NFL writers reviewed their notes to rank all 32 teams entering Week 5.

Philadelphia kept putting up wins and is the last undefeated team left in the NFC, while Kansas City turned in an almost-vintage showing to pile on the injury-ravaged Ravens.

League-wide, the health situation stands one rung short or carnage for Baltimore and multiple other teams dealing from a shorter deck only one month into the season due to injuries.

There have been reasons to doubt the Packers the past two weeks, and the Buccaneers are in the passing lane with the Seahawks -- Week 5 opponents -- for the current No. 2 position in the NFC behind Philly.

We're still buying the Bills, even if the defense inspires doubt.

It's almost time to project fits for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, and the lowest level of our rankings warrant some mocking. The New York teams are still in the running, with the Jets "passing" the Giants and joining the Saints and Titans as the last teams left without a win.

Here's the league-wide pecking order from our view entering Week 5:

32. New Orleans Saints (0-4)

Last Week: L, 31-19 at Buffalo Bills

Up Next: vs. New York Giants (1-3), 1 p.m. ET

There is plenty of love for rookie QB Jaxson Dart in these parts. The Saints' effort hasn't been an issue, but a talent gap is undeniable.

31. Tennessee Titans (0-4)

Last Week: L, 26-0 at Houston Texans

Up Next: at Arizona Cardinals (2-2), 4:05 p.m. ET

With Tennessee holding a league-worst point differential of minus-69, opponents have 11 more touchdowns than the Titans through only four games. The Brian Callahan Watch is officially underway in Nashville.

30. New York Jets (0-4)

Last Week: L, 27-21 at Miami Dolphins

Up Next: vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-2-1), 1 p.m. ET

If Aaron Glenn can't get more out of his talent-laden defense, the Jets are c-o-o-k-e-d.

29. Carolina Panthers (1-3)

Last Week: L, 42-13 at New England Patriots

Up Next: vs. Miami Dolphins (1-3)

Impossible to predict the direction of the Panthers on the premise of their past two results. Wide-lens view implies another long year in Carolina.

28. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)

Last Week: L, 28-3 at Denver Broncos

Up Next: vs. Detroit Lions (3-1), 4:25 p.m. ET

No time to lick their wounds, the Bengals might be guilty of folding early as WR Ja'Marr Chase assessed after being outscored by 63 points in two blowout losses without Joe Burrow.

27. New York Giants (1-3)

Last Week: W, 21-18 vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Up Next: at New Orleans Saints (0-4), 1 p.m. ET

Did the Giants get it right with Jaxson Dart? He elevated energy and made winning plays. Next mission: a winning streak. New York has played 25 games since its last back-to-back wins.

26. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3)

Last Week: L 25-24 vs. Chicago Bears

Up Next: at Indianapolis Colts (3-1), 1 p.m. ET

The real Ashton Jeanty made an appearance with three total TDs, the kind of positive Pete Carroll needs after letting a win slip away.

25. Cleveland Browns (1-3)

Last Week: L, 41-17 at Detroit Lions

Up Next: vs. Minnesota Vikings (2-2), 9:30 a.m. ET (London)

Dillon Gabriel gets the keys in a difficult-to-navigate matchup with blitz happy Vikings coordinator Brian Flores. At least he's in his usual surroundings leading up to the game, and the Browns have surrounded the rookie with a flawless offensive line and top-notch skill players.

24. Miami Dolphins (1-3)

Last Week: W, 27-21 vs. New York Jets

Up Next: at Carolina Panthers (1-3), 1 p.m. ET

Subtracting Tyreek Hill might lead to a needed reset for the offense and QB Tua Tagovailoa. Going the other way is the beginning of the end for coach Mike McDaniel.

23. New England Patriots (2-2)

Last Week: W, 42-14 vs. Carolina Panthers

Up Next: at Buffalo Bills, 8:20 p.m. ET (Sunday)

For the non-believers, Drake Maye is on the right path. Proof? Last week he became the first player ever under the age of 24 with at least two touchdown passes and a completion percentage of 75 or higher in three consecutive games.

22. Houston Texans (1-3)

Last Week: W, 26-0 vs. Tennessee Titans

Up Next: at Baltimore Ravens (1-3), 1 p.m. ET

The Texans pitched a shutout last week and have to like their chances at Baltimore with Lamar Jackson (hamstring) on the shelf. Houston is 2-11 all-time against the Ravens.

21. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)

Last Week: W, 34-27 vs. Washington Commanders

Up Next: Bye week

Moving offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to the sideline seemed to jolt his memory that Drake London becomes an unguardable best in the slot. Falcons likely to spend bye week considering what to do if Robinson bolts for Oklahoma State.

20. Dallas Cowboys (1-2-1)

Last Week: Tie, 40-40 vs. Green Bay Packers

Up Next: at New York Jets (0-4), 1 p.m. ET

Outscored 132-114, the Cowboys cannot be taken seriously as contenders until they get consistent stops. Green Bay scored points on every second-half possession last week.

19. Chicago Bears (2-2)

Last Week: W, 25-24 vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Up Next: Bye week

Survived Vegas with a patchwork secondary and erratic offense. Come will come out of bye week for a "Monday Night Football" visit to Washington.

18. Arizona Cardinals (2-2)

Last Week: L, 23-20 at Seattle Seahawks

Up Next: vs. Tennessee Titans, 4:05 p.m. ET

Consecutive division losses by a grand total of four points might be progress or an ouch in the standings for the Cardinals come December.

17. Minnesota Vikings (2-2)

Last Week: L, 24-21 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin

Up Next: vs. Cleveland Browns (1-3) in London, 9:30 a.m. ET (Sunday)

Carson Wentz draws another difficult assignment in the Browns. Cleveland's back seven is being overlooked due to the strong start to the season (again) from Myles Garrett.

16. Washington Commanders (2-2)

Last Week: L, 34-27 at Atlanta Falcons

Up Next: at Los Angeles Chargers (3-1), 4:25 p.m. ET

Averaging 154.8 rushing yards per game but have allowed 10 sacks, which might be helping the Commanders decide to take their time getting Jayden Daniels back on the field.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)

Last Week: W, 24-21 vs. Minnesota Vikings

Up Next: Bye week

Doing enough to sit above .500 with no running game and weak run defense. Finding one or both are top priority during the bye week.

14. Baltimore Ravens (1-3)

Last Week: L, 37-20 at Kansas City Chiefs

Up Next: vs. Houston Texans (1-3), 1 p.m. ET

If John Harbaugh had the option of flexing his team into a bye week, he'd be pulling that trigger. A health situation is nearing crisis levels and Baltimore can't get to the quarterback (four total sacks) or stop the run (141.3 yards per game). Without Lamar Jackson (hamstring), life won't get any easier.

13. Denver Broncos (2-2)

Last Week: W, 28-3 vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Up Next: at Philadelphia Eagles (4-0), 1 p.m. ET

Denver has two of the top first-step pass rushers, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, and two of the best pass blockers in an edge matchup worth checking out. When the Buccaneers backed off the blitz last week, the Eagles failed to move the ball.

12. San Francisco 49ers (3-1)

Last Week: L, 26-21 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Up Next: at Los Angeles Rams (3-1), 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday)

Crossing fingers and toes Brock Purdy can play with the 49ers staring down a high-energy pass rush and three-game losing streak in this matchup.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)

Last Week: W, 26-21 at San Francisco 49ers

Up Next: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (2-2), 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday)

Maybe they are great at stealing signs in Jacksonville, or maybe rookie coach Liam Coen has shifted the culture. Kansas City is a great test given the Chiefs have won seven in a row in this series.

10. Indianapolis Colts (3-1)

Last Week: L, 27-20 at Los Angeles Rams

Up Next: vs. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3), 1 p.m. ET

Offense and backfield combination of Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor deserving of credit coming their way. Resurgence of DT DeForest Buckner in the middle has been one of the less-discussed keys to a sizzling start.

9. Green Bay Packers (2-2)

Last Week: Tie, 40-40 at Dallas Cowboys

Up Next: Bye week

Somewhere Matt LaFleur is still steaming about the second-half defense from the Packers last week, and he'll have plenty of extra time to dissect how Green Bay wound up tied in Dallas.

8. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

Last Week: W, 23-20 vs. Arizona Cardinals

Up Next: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1), 4:05 p.m. ET

Fine, we were wrong about Sam Darnold. Last week he produced his 15th start with at least a 100 QB rating since 2024, second-most in NFL.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)

Last Week: L, 31-25 vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Up Next: at Seattle Seahawks (3-1), 4:05 p.m. ET

Head coach Todd Bowles has to require more out of his defense to win the type of game the Bucs face on Sunday. They held the accelerator too long against the Eagles, when the little-too-late adjustment to play coverage and stop the run with base personnel worked like a charm and opened the door for a rally.

6. Los Angeles Chargers (3-1)

Last Week: L, 21-18 at New York Giants

Up Next: vs. Washington Commanders (2-2), 4:25 p.m. ET

Still a great team? Losing left tackle Joe Alt last week is an enormous blow to the Chargers, hitting at the core of the team identity with Rashawn Slater (torn patellar tendon) already on season-ending IR.

5. Los Angeles Rams (3-1)

Last Week: W, 27-20 vs. Indianapolis Colts

Up Next: vs. San Francisco 49ers (3-1), 8:20 p.m. ET (Thursday)

No layups in the NFC West, and the Rams can't exhale if Brock Purdue is out. They've never held Christian McCaffrey to less than 135 total yards in four career games. He has 28 receptions and five total touchdowns in those matchups.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (2-2)

Last Week: W, 37-20 vs. Baltimore Ranves

Up Next: at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1), 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday)

Flickering hope for a full revival of Patrick Mahomes and the passing game emerged in the second half at New York. It's a good time for the Chiefs to see the flame-fanning Ravens' defense, which was torched by the Bills (41 points in Week 1) and Lions.

3. Detroit Lions (3-1)

Last Week: W, 34-10 vs. Cleveland Browns

Up Next: at Cincinnati Bengals (2-2), 1 p.m. ET

Detroit leads the NFL in scoring offense (34.3 points per game), while Cincinnati has one garbage time TD in the past two games. Take cover, Bengals fans.

2. Buffalo Bills (4-0)

Last Week: W, 31-19 vs. New Orleans Saints

Up Next: vs. New England Patriots (2-2), 8:20 p.m. ET (Sunday)

The last time the Bills started a season 5-0 was 1991. Josh Allen and James Cook are clicking, and Super vibes are easy to see. Buffalo has won 14 straight at home and put up points in 15 of 16 quarters this season.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)

Last Week: W, 31-25 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Up Next: vs. Denver Broncos (2-2), 1 p.m. ET

Running men with an old-school investment in using the offensive line as a tool for sustained success, Philadelphia doesn't the lowly offensive ranking (251.5 yards per game). When Plan A is Saquon Barkley and Plan B is Jalen Hurts (516 rushing yards, seven TDs combined), who can blame them?

Week 5 Power Rankings: NFC feeling tremors, KC rebounds

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