NFL Power Rankings: Bleacher Report's Week 5 Monday Morning Edition
The Week 5 NFL Power Rankings are starting to take shape as the sun rises on another Monday morning and Michael Vick's injury status will be on the top of every sports page.
It was another week of upsets, benchings, and brutal hits. The No. 1 team from last week took a tumble, but that doesn't mean they'll stay out of the top spot long.
I'm Brian DiTullio, an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, and here is the Monday morning look at the NFL Week 5 Power Rankings.
*NOTE: As always the Monday Night Football teams will be ranked based on my projection of who will win. Hopefully it won't end in disaster like last week's game did for me.
32. San Francisco 49ers
1 of 32
2010 Record: 0-4
Last Week's Ranking: 32
Last Game: Lost, 16-14, to Atlanta
The 49ers are a team that can't get much worse. Quarterback Alex Smith threw two interceptions on the way to allowing the Falcons back into the game, and head coach Mike Singletary fired offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye last week.
This Week: at home vs. Philadelphia
31. Buffalo Bills
2 of 32
2010 Record: 0-4
Last Week's Ranking: 25
Last Game: Lost, 38-14, to the New York Jets
The Bills may have cut Trent Edwards and gone with Ryan Fitzpatrick, but not much has really changed offensively for the Bills. Not much changed on the defense, either, as the Jets rumbled all over the Bills this week.
The Bills get no style points this week for their loss to the Jets, so they fall back to near the bottom.
Next Game: at home vs. Jacksonville
30. Detroit Lions
3 of 32
2010 Record: 0-4
Last Week's Ranking: 29
Last Game: Lost, 28-26, to Green Bay
The Lions definitely are improved over the 2009 version of the team, but they're still 0-4, so they'll have to stay close to the bottom. The good news is they're staying in games they would've been steamrolled in last year and especially in 2008.
Next Game: at home vs. St. Louis
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29. Carolina Panthers
4 of 32
2010 Record: 0-4
Last Week's Ranking: 31
Last Game: Lost, 16-14, to New Orleans
The Panthers edge out the Lions in the rankings because they played the defending Super Bowl champions in a close game. Not sure how much that is going to mean by the end of the year with the way the Saints are playing, but it still counts for something now.
Jimmy Clausen looked a little better in his second game under center, but the future still is largely unknown at this point.
Next Game: at home vs. Chicago
28. Oakland Raiders
5 of 32
2010 Record: 1-3
Last Week's Ranking: 26
Last Game: Lost, 31-24, to Houston
The Raiders still don't have a consistent offense, defense, or plan of attack. They weren't supposed to beat the Texans and they didn't behind a non-existent running game and an OK performance from Bruce Gradkowski.
Next Game: at home vs. San Diego
27. Arizona Cardinals
6 of 32
2010 Record: 2-2
Last Week's Ranking: 20
Last Game: Lost, 41-10, to San Diego
The Cardinals were riding high last week and probably were ranked a little too high, but that's the way things can work out from a week-to-week basis. Now that course has been reversed.
Derek Anderson was benched in the second quarter for the second time this year. It looks like there's nowhere to go but down for the Cardinals at the moment.
Next Game: at home vs. New Orleans
26. Cleveland Browns
7 of 32
2010 Record: 1-3
Last Week's Ranking: 30
Last Game: Won, 24-17, over Cincinnati
The Browns finally managed to play all four quarters and get a victory, but they didn't look pretty doing it. A win is a win, though, and the Browns no longer have to worry about going 0-16.
Still, there's a lot of work to do on both sides of the ball and their move up the ranks may be short-lived.
Next Game: at home vs. Atlanta
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
8 of 32
2010 Record: 2-2
Last Week's Ranking: 28
Last Game: Won, 31-28, over Indianapolis
The Jaguars shocked a lot of people by beating the Indianapolis Colts, who also now find themselves at 2-2. However, the Jags needed every last second of the game to do it against an injury-depleted Colts.
The win still is good enough to move them up a few spots in the rankings.
Next Game: at Buffalo
24. Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
2010 Record: 1-2
Last Week's Ranking: 24
Last Game: Won, 27-13, over Houston
The Cowboys were idle this week and are holding the same spot in the rankings due to so many questions surrounding the consistency of the offense and defense.
Next Game: at home vs. Tennessee
23. Minnesota Vikings
10 of 32
2010 Record: 1-2
Last Week's Ranking: 22
Last Game: Won, 24-10, over Detroit
The Vikings also were idle this week, but fall a spot due to the Redskins beating the Eagles.
Next Game: at New York Jets
22. St. Louis Rams
11 of 32
2010 Record: 2-2
Last Week's Ranking: 27
Last Game: Won, 20-3, over Seattle
For the second straight week, the Rams looked like a much-improved football team and took it to the Seahawks. Sam Bradford looked good while running back Steven Jackson gained 77 yards despite a groin injury.
Next Game: at Detroit
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
12 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Week's Ranking: 17
Last Game: Lost, 38-13, to Pittsburgh
The Bucs were idle this week, but got knocked down a bit after too many lower-ranked teams had good games.
Next Game: at Cincinnati
20. New York Giants
13 of 32
2010 Record: 2-2
Last Week's Ranking: 19
Last Game: Won, 17-3, over Chicago
The Giants found a way to win the game, but fall one place due to the Denver victory. The 2-2 record is a turn for the better, but they'll have to work harder to move up in the rankings. While a win is a win, the win over the Bears featured a lot of ugly football.
Next Game: at Houston
19. Chicago Bears
14 of 32
2010 Record: 3-1
Last Week's Ranking: 6
Last Week: Lost, 17-3, to the Giants
The Bears take a huge tumble this week because their 3-0 record was based off of two lucky victories, and a loss to the New York Giants, who haven't been very good either, puts the Bears down closer to where they should be.
Jay Cutler is lucky to be alive after the nine first-half sacks, and the Bears are look to be the team we all thought they were. If the Bears are down to their third quarterback next week, this ranking may be generous.
Next Week: at Carolina
18. Seattle Seahawks
15 of 32
2010 Record: 2-2
Last Week's Ranking: 12
Last Game: Lost, 20-3, to the Rams
The Seahawks lost to the Rams in a game that stunned a lot of people. This is a game that, on paper, the Seahawks should've won.
Next Game: at home vs. San Diego (two weeks)
17. Cincinnati Bengals
16 of 32
2010 Record: 2-2
Last Week's Ranking: 14
Last Game: Lost, 23-20, to Cleveland
Too many mistakes put another loss on the Bengals' record, but a more consistent showing of the offense, especially Carson Palmer to Terrell Owens, keep the Bengals from falling too far. However, that could change if the offense doesn't stop trying to turn the ball over.
Next Game: at home vs. Tampa Bay
16. Denver Broncos
17 of 32
2010 Record: 2-2
Last Week's Ranking: 21
Last Game: Won, 26-20, over Tennessee
Kyle Orton never quit and put up great numbers two weeks in a row, throwing for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns. The Broncos are starting to put things together and may be climbing the ranks again next week.
Next Game: at Baltimore
15. Miami Dolphins
18 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Week's Ranking: 13
Last Game: Lost, 31-23, to the Jets
Plays tonight vs. the New England Patriots
The Dolphins, if this prediction of a loss proves correct, may be down two in the division, but I don't think this will be an easy win for the Patriots. I also think the Dolphins will rebound.
Next Game: at Green Bay (two weeks)
14. Philadelphia Eagles
19 of 32
2010 Record: 2-2
Last Week's Ranking: 6
Last Game: Lost, 17-12, to Washington
Michael Vick has given the Eagles a spark. Now he's potentially on the sidelines pending test results to see how bad his injury is. Kevin Kolb wasn't terrible but the Eagles offense didn't exactly score a lot of points in the second half.
Next Game: at San Francisco
13. Washington Redskins
20 of 32
2010 Record: 2-2
Last Week's Ranking: 23
Last Game: Won, 17-12, over Philadelphia
The Redskins have two things working in their favor this week: they beat the Eagles and the Rams won again, making their loss to St. Louis last week not hurt as much. Mike Shanahan has this team on the right track and, despite the mistakes in the Eagles game, they pulled out a victory.
Next Game: at home vs. Green Bay
12. San Diego Chargers
21 of 32
2010 Record: 2-2
Last Week's Ranking: 18
Last Game: Won, 41-10, over Arizona
The Chargers were able to get some of their groove back against a reeling Arizona team. The offense was sharp in the passing game with Philip Rivers, and rookie running back Ryan Mathews scored his first NFL touchdown.
The defense also came up with nine sacks, so the Chargers were operating at peak level.
Next Game: at Oakland
11. Tennessee Titans
22 of 32
2010 Record: 2-2
Last Week's Ranking: 8
Last Game: Lost, 26-20, to Denver
The Titans lost a close game to Denver, but quarterback Vince Young needs to play better. His ability to play up to his potential will determine if the Titans stay in the middle of the pack or break back into the top 10.
Next Game: at Dallas
10. Green Bay Packers
23 of 32
2010 Record: 3-1
Last Week's Ranking: 2
Last Game: Won, 28-26, over Detroit
The Packers were winning easily until they let the Lions keep scoring field goals. Green Bay also avoided the game-killing penalties of their Monday night game, but this team still has some issues on the offense to work out.
Next Game: at Washington
9. New Orleans Saints
24 of 32
2010 Record: 3-1
Last Week's Ranking: 5
Last Game: Won, 16-14, over Carolina
Despite the fact the Saints won, it was against the lowly Carolina Panthers and it was a game that was far too close for the Saints to be considered in the top five. The offense wasn't performing at a top level and the game was won on the foot of a 46-year-old kicker. The Saints have to do better than that going forward.
Next Game: at Arizona
8. Indianapolis Colts
25 of 32
2010 Record: 2-2
Last Week's Ranking: 3
Last Game: Lost, 31-28, to Jacksonville
Ordinarily a loss like the one the Colts suffered would've dropped them out of the top 10, but Jacksonville didn't overpower the Colts, the Colts were without Joseph Addai and several other vets, and Peyton Manning still is Peyton Manning.
But another game like this and it won't matter for the Colts. They need to get their act together and overcome adversity better.
Next Game: at home vs. Kansas City
7. Baltimore Ravens
26 of 32
2010 Record: 3-1
Last Week's Ranking: 15
Last Game: Won, 17-14, over Pittsburgh
The Ravens outlasted the Steelers defense, and Joe Flacco stayed cool under pressure. The Ravens now hold a 2-0 record in the division and Flacco proved he can move the offense against one of the best defenses in the league.
Next Game: at home vs. Denver
6. Houston Texans
27 of 32
2010 Record: 3-1
Last Week's Ranking: 7
Last Game: Won, 31-24, over Oakland
The Texans got back on the winning track this week against the Raiders and Arian Foster became the story of the game as he ran for 131 yards despite being benched in the first half. This is a team that should be undefeated.
Next Game: at home vs. the New York Giants
5. Kansas City Chiefs
28 of 32
2010 Record: 3-0
Last Week's Ranking: 11
Last Game: Won, 31-10, over San Francisco
The Chiefs were idle this week and move up in the rankings since they still are 3-0. They face a Colts team this week that absolutely does not want to be below .500 for the first time in what seems like a generation.
Next Game: at Indianapolis
4. New England Patriots
29 of 32
2010 Record: 2-1
Last Week's Ranking: 10
Last Game: Won, 38-30, over Buffalo
Plays tonight vs. Miami
This ranking is based on my prediction the Patriots will win tonight in Miami. With this potential win, the Patriots overcome the loss to the Jets in the division and the Patriots can challenge New York for supremacy in the AFC East again.
Next Game: at home vs. Baltimore
3. New York Jets
30 of 32
2010 Record: 3-1
Last Week's Ranking: 9
Last Game: Won, 38-14, over Buffalo
The Jets did exactly what they were supposed to do and destroyed the Bills. Mark Sanchez and the Jets offense is firing on all cylinders at the moment so until something changes, they're a top-five team.
Next Game: at home vs. Minnesota
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
31 of 32
2010 Record: 3-1
Last Week's Ranking: 1
Last Game: 17-14 loss to the Ravens
The Steelers had a slight setback against the Ravens, but you can't win them all. The Steelers get Ben Roethlisberger back after the bye week, so they could reclaim the top spot again soon.
Next Game: at home vs. Cleveland (two weeks)
1. Atlanta Falcons
32 of 32
2010 Record: 3-1
Last Week's Ranking: 4
Last Game: Won, 16-14, over San Francisco
The Falcons pulled a close victory over a far inferior San Francisco team, but the fact is the better team found a way to win. One hallmark of a good team is the ability to adjust to the unexpected, and that's what the Falcons did this week.
Next Game: at Cleveland
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