San Francisco 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers (22) returns an interception for a 31-yard touchdown Sunday as teammate Dashon Goldson looks for someone to block. The 49ers overwhelmed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-3 in Week 5 to improve to 4-1 and moved up four places in the AFR NFL Power Rankings to No. 2.

The Top Five

The San Francisco 49ers pulled off one of the stunners of Week 5, absolutely demolishing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-3 to improve to 4-1 on the young season.

The 49ers moved up four places to No. 2 in the new AFR NFL Power Rankings as a result of that game, which highlighted just how good the San Francisco defense has become. Linebacker Patrick Willis gets the publicity and Justin Smith has been there forever, but there are some fresh faces who are making the difference.

Free-agent acquisition Carlos Rogers has quietly been one of the best signings of the offseason, solidifying the cornerback position for the 49ers since coming over from Washington. First-round pick Aldon Smith had two more sacks against the Bucs and has 3½ sacks on the season as a designated pass-rusher from the outside linebacker spot.

Jim Harbaugh is on the short list of contenders for coach of the year for the work he’s done in San Francisco in his first year as an NFL head coach.

The Green Bay Packers survived an early punch in the mouth from the Atlanta Falcons for a 25-14 win and moved up to the top of the rankings this week.

The Detroit Lions survived their coming-out party on national TV, picking up a 24-13 victory over the Chicago Bears in a sloppy game marred by a blizzard of yellow flags. The Lions fell two spots to No. 3 despite the victory.

The Buffalo Bills continued the misery of the Philadelphia Eagles with a 31-24 win to remain at No. 4 and the New England Patriots round out the top five after a 30-21 win over the New York Jets.

Complete rankings appear below:

Rank/Team Pvs Week 5 Result Week 6 Opponent
1. Green Bay (5-0) 2 Won at Atlanta 25-14 vs. St. Louis
2. San Francisco (4-1) 6 Beat Tampa Bay 48-3 at Detroit
3. Detroit (5-0) 1 Beat Chicago 24-13 vs. San Francisco
4. Buffalo (4-1) 4 Beat Philadelphia 31-24 at New York Giants
5. New England (4-1) 5 Beat New York Jets 30-21 vs. Dallas
6. Baltimore (3-1) 3 Bye vs. Houston
7. New Orleans (4-1) 9 Won at Carolina 30-27 at Tampa Bay
8. Houston (3-2) 8 Lost to Oakland 25-20 at Baltimore
9. Cincinnati (3-2) 13 Won at Jacksonville 30-20 vs. Indianapolis
10. Washington (3-1) 11 Bye vs. Philadelphia
11. Tennessee (3-2) 7 Lost at Pittsburgh 38-17 Bye
12. Oakland (3-2) 14 Won at Houston 25-20 vs. Cleveland
13. San Diego (4-1) 18 Won at Denver 29-24 Bye
14. New York Giants (3-2) 10 Lost to Seattle 36-25 vs. Buffalo
15. Dallas (2-2) 17 Bye at New England
16. Pittsburgh (3-2) 25 Beat Tennessee 38-17 vs. Jacksonville
17. Chicago (2-3) 16 Lost at Detroit 24-13 vs. Minnesota
18. New York Jets (2-3) 15 Lost at New England 30-21 vs. Miami (Monday)
19. Minnesota (1-4) 24 Beat Arizona 34-10 at Chicago
20. Cleveland (2-2) 21 Bye at Oakland
21. Tampa Bay (3-2) 12 Lost at San Francisco 48-3 vs. New Orleans
22. Seattle (2-3) 29 Won at New York Giants 36-25 Bye
23. Atlanta (2-3) 19 Lost to Green Bay 25-14 vs. Carolina
24. Carolina (1-4) 22 Lost to New Orleans 30-27 at Atlanta
25. Philadelphia (1-4) 23 Lost at Buffalo 31-24 at Washington
26. Arizona (1-4) 20 Lost at Minnesota 34-10 Bye
27. Denver (1-4) 27 Lost to San Diego 29-24 Bye
28. Jacksonville (1-4) 26 Lost to Cincinnati 30-20 at Pittsburgh
29. Indianapolis (0-5) 28 Lost to Kansas City 28-24 at Cincinnati
30. Miami (0-4) 30 Bye at New York Jets (Monday)
31. Kansas City (2-3) 32 Won at Indianapolis 28-24 Bye
32. St. Louis (0-4) 31 Bye at Green Bay