NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand going into Week 5
1. Green Bay Packers
2. New England Patriots
Record: 3-0
Week 5 opponent: at Dallas Cowboys
Week 4 MVP: Nobody — they had a bye!
One thing to know: With an extra week to rest and scheme, will the Patriots come out with any other unusual tactics, like their constantly evolving offensive line.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 4-0
Week 5 opponent: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 4 MVP: Andy Dalton continues to impress, coming up with 321 yards on 17-24 passing, with one touchdown, no interceptions, and a 127 passer rating.
One thing to know: The dual running threat of Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard — the two combined for four touchdowns in Week 4 – have helped the Bengals become one of the best third-down and goal-line teams in the league.
4. Seattle Seahawks
Record: 2-2
Week 5 opponent: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 4 MVP: Kam Chancellor. The safety showed just how valuable he is to the Seahawks defense late in the 4th quarter Monday night — stripping Calvin Johnson at the goal line to save the game for his team.
One thing to know: The Seahawks are banged up at the running back position, and their offensive line looked worrisome on Monday, but one way or another this team is 2-2. They’ll be tested in Cincinnati this weekend.
5. Denver Broncos
Record: 4-0
Week 5 opponent: at Oakland Raiders
Week 4 MVP: Von Miller registered a team-best 4.4 grade from Pro Football Focus, and came up with four tackles, one sack, and two QB hits.
One thing to know: The defense continues to carry this team as Peyton Manning's arm continues to look worn down.
6. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 4-0
Week 5 opponent: vs. Houston Redskins
Week 4 MVP: Devonta Freeman. For the second-straight week, the sophomore running back found the back of the end zone three times as the Falcons cruised against the Texans.
One thing to know: Dan Quinn has turned this team around and already looks like a favorite for Coach of the Year laurels. The Falcons were 6-10 last season and didn't win a game in October. Now they look like the real deal.
7. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 3-1
Week 5 opponent: at Detroit Lions
Week 4 MVP: Larry Fitzgerald. The veteran is off to a great start in his 12th season. Through Arizona's first four games he’s hauled in five TDs and 30 catches for 432 yards.
One thing to know: The Cards found the back of the end zone just one time in five trips to the red zone against the Rams on Sunday. That was the difference in the 24-22 loss, their first of the season.
8. Carolina Panthers
Record: 4-0
Week 5 opponent: Bye
Week 4 MVP: Josh Norman, who had a pick-6 and interception against Jameis Winston. The Panthers defense nabbed four total interceptions against the No. 1 pick.
One thing to know: We’ll learn a lot about this team in the coming weeks. After four wins against four lousy teams (the Jaguars, Texans, Saints, and Buccaneers), the Panthers travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks after their bye.
9. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 2-2
Week 5 opponent: at Houston Texans
Week 4 MVP: In a game with few standout performances, how about Adam Vinateri, who went 3-3 on field goals, including the game-winner.
One thing to know: All things indicate that Andrew is on his way back, but he also reportedly has a slight "separation" in his shoulder, which sounds worrisome.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 2-2
Week 5 opponent: at San Diego Chargers
Week 4 MVP: Le'Veon Bell answered the call to step up in Ben Roethlisberger's absence, and came up with 129 rushing yards and a touchdown. He should have been called upon to carry them in overtime, too.
One thing to know: The Steelers should have beaten the Ravens, an encouraging sign with Michael Vick starting in place of Roethlisberger. On the other hand, with a tough schedule coming up, the Steelers badly needed this win.
11. New York Giants
Record: 2-2
Week 5 opponent: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 4 MVP: Rashad Jennings: the running back had a beautiful 51-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter to seal the win for the Giants.
One thing to know: The Giants really should be 4-0. But considering how lousy the NFC East has been so far, 2-2 still puts them in a tie for first place.
12. Buffalo Bills
Record: 2-2
Week 5 opponent: at Tennessee Titans
Week 4 MVP: Rookie cornerback Ronald Darby impressed, getting two pass deflections and allowing just two completions on seven targets.
One thing to know: The Bills feel like an unknown from week to week, which may continue to be the case as Tyrod Taylor gets more experience.
13. New York Jets
Record: 3-1
Week 5 opponent: Bye
Week 4 MVP: Chris Ivory, who ran all over the Dolphins with 166 rushing yards and a touchdown.
One thing to know: The Jets' meager 6.4 yards per pass attempt highlights the weakness in Ryan Fitzpatrick's game and the offense overall — they lack a big playmaker to take them to another level.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 1-3
Week 5 opponent: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 4 MVP: Running back Justin Forsett broke out of an early slump for 150 rushing yards.
One thing to know: The Ravens got handed this game by Steelers kicker Josh Scobee, who missed two late field goal attempts, which is concerning when the Steelers were being helmed by Michael Vick.
15. Minnesota Vikings
Record: 2-2
Week 5 opponent: at Denver Broncos
Week 4 MVP: Adrian Peterson shot out of a canon for a 48-yard TD on a 4th-and-1 in the 4th quarter. He’s averaging 5.0 yards per carry this season.
One thing to know: The Vikings defense picked off Peyton Manning twice on Sunday and turned the interceptions into 10 points.
16. San Diego Chargers
Record: 2-2
Week 5 opponent: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 4 MVP: Philip Rivers, who went 23-38 for 358 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
One thing to know: Rivers' performance is even more impressive when considering the Chargers were missing 60% of their starting offensive line.
17. Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 1-3
Week 5 opponent: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 4 MVP: Kicker Cairo Santos knocked in seven field goal attempts for all 21 of Kansas City's points.
One thing to know: The Chiefs have too many weapons to get stopped in the red zone this often. According to Football Outsiders, the Chiefs are 24th in Drive Success Rate, which measures first downs and touchdowns per drive.
18. St. Louis Rams
Record: 2-2
Week 5 opponent: at Green Bay Packers
Week 4 MVP: Todd Gurley. The rookie running back logged 146 yards on 19 carries in his debut.
One thing to know: It's hard to know what to make of this team. Their two wins have come against two of the league’s best teams (Seahawks and Cardinals), but they lost to the Redskins and a Steelers team without Roethlisberger for the second half. What gives?
19. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 2-2
Week 5 opponent: vs. New England Patriots
Week 4 MVP: Terrance Williams: Williams averaged 16.3 yards per catch and had a beautiful diving touchdown catch that tied the game late in the 4th quarter. Considering the Cowboys injuries, he’ll have to step up in the coming weeks.
One thing to know: The Cowboys injury woes continue, as they lost Lance Dunbar with a torn ACL suffered against the Saints on Sunday night. This team needs to tread water until they get some of their key players back.
20. Washington Redskins
Record: 2-2
Week 5 opponent: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 4 MVP: Pierre Garcon. The WR hauled in a gutsy four-yard pass with 26 seconds left to beat the Eagles.
One thing to know: Washington continues to live and die by Kirk Cousins and his interceptions. Cousins didn't throw any picks against the Eagles, ran for a TD, and threw for another. If he can do this consistently, the 'Skins have a shot at winning the division.
21. Detroit Lions
Record: 0-4
Week 5 opponent: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 4 MVP: James Ihedigbo, who led the Lions with 8 tackles and 1 sack against the Seahawks.
One thing to know: The Lions are the only team remaining without a win, but came within inches of beating the Seahawks on the road.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 1-3
Week 5 opponent: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week 4 MVP: Sam Bradford. The quarterback had his best performance as an Eagle, throwing for 270 yards and three TDs.
One thing to know: DeMarco Murray continues to struggle mightily in Philadelphia. Against Washington, the running back had just 36 yards on eight carries. He's now demanding more touches.
23. Oakland Raiders
Record: 2-2
Week 5 opponent: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 4 MVP: Aldon Smith, the Raiders newly acquired pass-rusher, who finished with sick tackles, a sack, and according to PFF, obliterated Martellus Bennett in the pass rush.
One thing to know: Week 5 against the Broncos will be a revealing game for one of the surprise teams of the league.
24. New Orleans Saints
Record: 1-3
Week 5 opponent: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 4 MVP: Drew Brees. The quarterback picked up his 400th career TD pass in thrilling fashion, hooking up with CJ Spiller for an 80-yard, game-winner in overtime against Dallas.
One thing to know: Rob Ryan’s defense continues to struggle. They’re giving up 26.0 points per game, which is tied for 22nd in the NFL.
25. Cleveland Browns
Record: 1-3
Week 5 opponent: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 4 MVP: Josh McCown finished with an impressive 321 yards on 32-41 passing, with two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 119 passer rating.
One thing to know: Somehow, McCown is 2-9 for his career when he passes for over 300 yards in a game.
26. Miami Dolphins
Record: 1-3
Week 5 opponent: Bye
Week 4 MVP: Jarvis Landry was maybe the lone bright spot, racking up 189 yards in returns.
One thing to know: The Dolphins fired head coach Joe Philbin, and it'll be interesting to see whether defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle sticks around after players have seemingly turned on him.
27. Tennessee Titans
Record: 1-2
Week 5 opponent: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 4 MVP: Nobody — they had a bye!
One thing to know: With a week off, it'll be interesting to see whether the protection around Mariota improves, as he's been sacked 12 times in three games.
28. Chicago Bears
Record: 1-3
Week 5 opponent: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 4 MVP: Robbie Gould. The Chicago kicker had four FGs, including a 54-yarder and a 49-yarder at the end of regulation to give the Bears their first win of the season.
One thing to know: Will Montgomery, the team’s veteran center, will miss the rest of the season with a fractured tibia.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 1-3
Week 5 opponent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 4 MVP: Wide receiver Allen Hurns continued his hot streak, pulling in 11 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown.
One thing to know: Head coach Gus Bradley is backing rookie kicker Jason Myers, who missed a game-winning field goal twice in Week 4.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 1-3
Week 5 opponent: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 4 MVP: Doug Martin. The running back picked up 106 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers.
One thing to know: Jameis Winston threw four more interceptions on Sunday. He has six touchdowns and seven interceptions so far this season.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 1-3
Week 5 opponent: at New York Giants
Week 4 MVP: Aaron Lynch, who sacked Aaron Rodgers twice.
One thing to know: Over their last three games, the Niners have scored 28 points and conceded 107. Maybe the offense is too simple.
32. Houston Texans
Record: 1-3
Week 5 opponent: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 4 MVP: DeAndre Hopkins has been good no matter who the quarterback has been, and he pulled in nine catches for 157 yards in Week 4.
One thing to know: The Texans are a dumpster fire. They were losing 42-0 before the Falcons took their foot off the gas, and their quarterback situation is still a giant coin-flip.
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