2010 NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: Jets on Top, Bills at the Bottom and More

1.New York Jets: 3-1, T-First AFC East

Wasn’t LaDanian Tomlinson supposed to be out of gas? Mark Sanchez has an 8:0 TD:INT ratio, and the Jets are looking like one of the most potent offensive attacks in the league right now. The defense isn’t half bad, either.

2.Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-1, T-First AFC North

The team couldn’t imagine a better start without Big Ben, and the defense looks as dangerous as ever. Now with Roethlisberger back in the fold, the Steelers should enjoy even more success. 

3.Baltimore Ravens: 3-1, T-First AFC North

Even though star RB Ray Rice has struggled a bit, the Ravens have found a way to get it done. Flacco has plenty of weapons and the team’s defense is playing extremely well. When Ed Reed gets back, watch out for the Ravens.

4.San Diego Chargers: 2-2, T-Second AFC West

The Chargers soar in this week’s rankings thanks to a huge defeat over the Cardinals last week. The offense hasn’t lost a step without Vincent Jackson, and Philip Rivers appears as focused as ever.

5.Green Bay Packers: 3-1, T-First NFC North

The Packers offense continues to look good despite the absence of a true running game. Defensively, inconsistencies and injuries have forced some re-shuffling which could come back to bite them.

6.New Orleans Saints: 3-1, T-First NFC South

After squeaking by Carolina, the Saints have swung momentum back in the team’s favor moving forward. Although injuries have slowed up the running game, Drew Brees has proven that he can do it just fine on his own.

7.Atlanta Falcons: 3-1, T-First NFC South

Matty “Ice” Ryan is looking like a very confident quarterback. With the defense stepping up in a big way thus far early in the season, the Falcons have a better shot at taking home the division than most believe.

8.Kansas City Chiefs: 3-0, First AFC West

Not much changes for the Chiefs during their bye week, but only 38 points allowed through three games is awfully impressive.

9.Houston Texans: 3-1, First AFC South

Although the game against Oakland was too close for comfort, it’s clear that the Texans offense can go toe to toe with any other in the league. However, the defense (specifically the secondary) will continue to be a work in progress.

10.New England Patriots: 3-1, T-First AFC East

It’s going to be a rather interesting year in New England. The defense is still very young, and Tom Brady doesn’t appear to have the same magic that he did a few years ago. Having said that, they’re still a very dangerous opponent.

11.Chicago Bears: 3-1, T-First NFC North

This week’s plummet in the rankings falls squarely on the massive shoulders of the offensive line. If the Bears hope to maintain any success on the offensive side of the ball, the O-line is going to have to play dramatically better.

12.Indianapolis Colts: 2-2, T-Second AFC South

After sustaining just two losses all of last season, the Colts find themselves at 2-2 through just the first quarter of the season. With Manning in a contract year, don’t expect the Colts to suddenly roll over, but the defense is a major question mark.

13.Dallas Cowboys: 1-2, Fourth NFC East

Hopefully the bye week gave the ‘Boys a much needed team identity. If they hope to live up to lofty expectations, they’re going to have to play some seriously good football.

14.Denver Broncos: 2-2, T-Second AFC West

It certainly looks like the Broncos got the better end of the Orton-Cutler swap, which should be considered good news since Josh McDaniels has made some other rather questionable transactions.

15.New York Giants: 2-2, T-Second NFC East

Tom Coughlin’s seat was never hot to begin with, but the G-Men shot down any talk of that after their impressive Sunday night win. This team should continue to improve.

16.Philadelphia Eagles: 2-2, T-First NFC East

If Michael Vick is forced to miss any more than a week or two, this team is in serious trouble. RB LeSean McCoy (broken rib) is out indefinitely, and Kevin Kolb looks miserable at the helm.

17.Washington Redskins: 2-2, T-First NFC East

If only the Redskins could look good over the course of an entire game rather than just chunks at a time, they may be higher in the rankings.

18.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2-1, Third NFC South

Still a pretender in the eyes of most, an early bye week may come back to hurt them later in the season. The Bucs also have one of the worst ground games in the NFL.

19.St. Louis Rams: 2-2, T-First NFC West

Sam Bradford is very much for real, and the Rams could even make some noise for the division crown if they continue to play this well. This is a team on the rise.

20.Tennessee Titans: 2-2, T-Second AFC South

CJ2K isn’t making quite the same splash that he did last season, and Vince Young isn’t going to beat anybody with his arm.

21.Miami Dolphins: 2-2, Third AFC East

Henne’s performance has the Dolphins thinking about turning to Chad Pennington and/or Tyler Thigpen. Wasn’t Brandon Marshall supposed to help? Yikes.

22.Oakland Raiders: 1-3, Fourth AFC West

Bruce Gradkowski is clearly the best man for the job in Oakland, and this is a team that could easily be 3-1.

23.Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-2, T-Second AFC South

Despite an impressive (although miraculous) victory over the Colts, the Jags are a bad team. Don’t expect them to win more than seven games this year.

24.Cleveland Browns: 1-3, Fourth AFC North

Mangini and co. finally got their first win of the season, but this team still looks pretty bad outside of RB Peyton Hillis.

25.Minnesota Vikings: 1-2, Third NFC North

Brett Favre simply doesn’t look like he did last season, and Adrian Peterson can’t do it by himself. The playoffs seem very out of reach barring a big turnaround.

26.Cincinnati Bengals: 2-2, Third AFC North

Carson Palmer has gone from bad to worse and this team appears destined for implosion. Get your popcorn ready!

27.Seattle Seahawks: 2-2, T-First NFC West

How long until Charlie Whitehurst takes the reigns from Hasselbeck? It won’t be soon enough.

28.San Francisco 49ers: 0-4, Fourth NFC West

Coach Mike Singletary said that the 49ers most recent loss was the kind of football game that the team wants to play. Well, what happens when your style of play results in a loss?

29.Arizona Cardinals: 2-2, T-First NFC West

The Cardinals might have two wins, but their 58 points for and 118 points against tell the story that fans need to know.

30.Detroit Lions: 0-4, Fourth NFC North

Until Matthew Stafford gets back, the Lions may not even register a win.

31.Carolina Panthers: 0-4, Fourth NFC South

They came close against New Orleans, but ultimately fell just short. Now that WR Steve Smith has a high ankle sprain, the Panthers are going to become even more one-dimensional.

32.Buffalo Bills: 0-4, Fourth AFC East

Bills fans: whom do you want with the No. 1 pick?