NFL Power Rankings Week 5: At the First-Quarter Mark

There wasn't much shuffling in the top of the rankings in Week 4 as many teams played to their potential and avoided losing ground.

The New York Giants, though, dropped out of the Top 10 after losing a close game to the Philadelphia Eagles.

As for the top ranked teams: Did the Atlanta Falcons close win over the 1-3 Carolina Panthers alarm you? Did they, or anyone, do enough to earn consideration over the Houston Texans?

Check out how I see things after four weeks of football has come to pass.

Be sure to check back Tuesday morning for updated rankings after the the Monday Night Football matchup between the Chicago Bears (2-1) and Dallas Cowboys (2-1).

32. Cleveland Browns (0-4)

The Cleveland Browns are the NFL's youngest team, and it's shown in the first four weeks of the 2012 NFL season. However, a nice corps of those young players have begun to develop, and the team has played closely in each of its four losses.

Basically, they are who thought they were. A young but talented AFC North team that has a lot of upside in the not-so-distant future.

Last: Lost 23-16 to Baltimore Ravens

Next: at New York Giants (10/7)

31. Indianapolis Colts (1-2)

No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck has played well through his first three starts. It hasn't been enough, though, to carry the Colts on his shoulders. That's okay. He's playing better, sooner than most franchise quarterbacks in their first season.

Things won't get easier for the Colts and Luck in Week 5 as they host Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. While there is shootout potential here, we're betting on Rodgers gaining the upper hand.

Look for the Colts to continue to hover around the bottom of the rankings for the foreseeable future.

Last: Idle

Next: vs. Green Bay Packers (10/7)

30. New Orleans Saints (0-4)

The New Orleans Saints are better than an 0-4 team. However, after the first quarter of the season is in the books, you are what your record says you are.

New Orleans hasn't been able to do much on defense and has struggled at times with its high-flying offense in the absence of head coach Sean Payton. Drew Brees is a world-class talent, but without a defense or a win to his name he's relegated to the bottom of the barrel until he can prove otherwise.

Last: Lost 28-27 to Green Bay Packers

Next: vs. San Diego Chargers (10/7)

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3)

Blaine Gabbert has been decent and held out until Week 4 to throw his first interception of the season. Decent is about the extent of his and the offense's play at the first-quarter mark of the season. Even that's pushing it.

The Jags' defense, though, is in shambles and is approaching the bottom of the league rankings in both pass and rush defense.

On a positive note, Gabbert does look like he has potential, and Maurice Jones-Drew probably has a handful of seasons left in the tank. They may right the ship eventually, but it's going to be a struggle each and every week in 2012 as the team grows together.

Last: Lost 27-10 to Cincinnati Bengals

Next: vs. Chicago Bears (10/7)

28. Oakland Raiders (1-3)

Last week it looked as if the Oakland Raiders had finally turned a corner. They beat a respectable Pittsburgh Steelers team with an excellent offensive effort.

They came out in Week 4 against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos and regressed back to their earlier-season form. It may up getting worse before it gets better as they face the "Hotlanta" Falcons in Week 6.

One question that has to be asked is: What is wrong with Darren McFadden and the offensive game plan?

Last: Lost 37-6 to Denver Broncos

Next: Bye

27. Tennessee Titans (1-3)

Chris Johnson finally put together a worthwhile offensive performance. The only problem is that the game was over and it didn't matter. Jake Locker re-injured his shoulder and sat and watched as Matt Hasselbeck limped his way to the finish.

The Titans' defense is absolutely horrible, and the prospect of starting Hasselbeck for an extended amount of time doesn't bode well for the Titans working themselves out of this 1-3 hole they've dug themselves into.

Last: Lost 38-14 to Houston Texans

Next: at Minnesota Vikings (10/7)

26. Kansas City Chiefs (1-3)

Matt Cassel has been pretty awful to this point, at least when the game is still on the line. Most of the stats you'll see for Cassel have come in garbage time, after his team was already so far gone the opposing team's defenses let up.

The team's only win came against the winless New Orleans Saints and was of a comeback fashion. It was led by the speedy legs of Jamaal Charles. 

If the defense can get it together and someone other than Charles can step up earlier in ball games, the Chiefs may be able to salvage this season because they certainly have the potential to do so.

Last: Lost 37-20 to San Diego Chargers

Next: vs. Baltimore Ravens (10/7)

25. Miami Dolphins (1-3)

The Miami Dolphins have played better than many have expected and have contended in three of their four games to this point. Running back Reggie Bush has carried the load and provided an offensive spark with his game-changing speed.

Rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill hasn't been perfect, but he wasn't expected to be right away. It's been fun watching them at least, and they'll likely continue to pose problems with their stout defensive front.

If their secondary improves, they could certainly turn things around before it's too late.

Last: Lost 24-21 (OT) to Arizona Cardinals

Next: at Cincinnati Bengals (10/7)

24. New York Jets (2-2)

Mark Sanchez has been hot and cold, and the New York Jets have failed to play the tough defense that it's prided itself on under head coach Rex Ryan.

To make matters worse, the Jets have lost star cornerback Darrelle Revis for the season and have an upcoming Monday Night Football game against the Houston Texans next week.

If you thought the 34-0 drubbing at the hands of the 49ers was bad, just wait, it could get very, very ugly in front of the world in prime time Monday night.

Last: Lost 34-0 to San Francisco 49ers

Next: vs. Houston Texans (10/8)

23. Carolina Panthers (1-3)

The Carolina Panthers are a few plays away from being 3-1. Sure, they were outclassed by the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football, but they've been competitive since and came one play away from handing the red-hot Atlanta Falcons their first loss of the season.

Cam Newton fumbled away a first down that would have led to a game-sealing running out of the clock, and the Falcons marched the ball down the field from their own 1-yard line to kick a game-winning field goal.

The Panthers are close, very close, to breaking out. It will take some better defense and a more consistent performance from Cam Newton to turn that corner, though.

Last: Lost 30-28 to Atlanta Falcons

Next: vs. Seattle Seahawks (10/7)

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been struggling to find an identity on offense under first-year head coach Greg Schiano. One week they run the ball into the ground and the next air it out to no avail. Whatever they're doing, they need to figure it out and quick before things slip away from them.

On defense, the team has been technically sound and solid at times and then completely awful at others. That's including key moments with games on the line. They'll need to dig down a little deeper when the stakes get high if they want to help their struggling offense close out football games.

Last: Lost 24-22 to Washington Redskins

Next: Bye

21. Seattle Seahawks (2-2)

The Seattle Seahawks are a defensively-minded team. That much is certain. They're also one absurdly blown replacement call from being 1-3.

Despite an impressive Week 2 spanking of the Dallas Cowboys, the Seahawks haven't really impressed many people to this point. Their offense has tried to utilize Marshawn Lynch and let rookie quarterback Russell Wilson work off of that. When the running game fails, the Seahawks will to.

Its defense isn't always going to be able to stifle opponents like it did the Cowboys. That means Wilson and the offense will have to make up for it, and I'm not quite sure they can at this point.

Last: Lost 19-13 to St. Louis Rams

Next: at Carolina Panthers (10/7)

20. Detroit Lions (1-3)

Slow starts. They pretty much sums up each game for the Detroit Lions and for the first quarter of the season as well.

Matthew Stafford is lighting it up through the air, but the team's defense and special teams units aren't functioning as NFL-caliber units to this point.

Sure, there's a ton of talent on the offense with Stafford, Calvin Johnson and their supporting cast. But offense can only take a team so far. That's going to be the story of this year's Detroit Lions.

Last: Lost 20-13 to Minnesota Vikings

Next: Bye

19. Buffalo Bills (2-2)

The 2012 Buffalo Bills can score some points. If C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson can get healthy, the team's still got a chance to excel this year.

However, the Bills have invested franchise money into Ryan Fitzpatrick. The problem with that is that Fitzpatrick is inconsistent (4 TD and 4 INT in loss to Patriots). His inconsistencies stem from bad decision-making, and his insistence on forcing passes into places he doesn't have the arm strength to put them.

That's a problem, as much of today's NFL offense is predicated on the ability of a quarterback to take the top off of a defense. If Fitzpatrick continues to leave throws short, his superb offensive line may not be able to keep the QB upright against more and more pressure.

Last: Lost 52-28 to New England Patriots

Next: at San Francisco 49ers (10/7)

18. Washington Redskins (2-2)

It hasn't been pretty, but rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III has led the Washington Redskins to a 2-2 start to the 2012 season. Through the first quarter of the year, the rookie has impressed with quick decision-making and pinpoint accuracy.

Despite not having a defense capable of stopping anyone, it seems, the Redskins have still remained competitive with an explosive running game starring Griffin III and rookie running back Alfred Morris.

Those two are a handful for any defense, and they'll continue to be a concern for any team they face this season because of the creativity involved in their offensive game plan.

Last: Won 24-22 over Tampa Bay

Next: vs. Atlanta Falcons (10/7)

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2)

The Pittsburgh Steelers don't seem very much like the Pittsburgh Steelers so far in 2012. For one thing, they haven't been able to get any type of running game going.

Their dominant defense also hasn't done the best job at stopping the run either.

Instead, the Steelers have relied on the arm of Ben Roethlisberger. It's worked, to an extent, but as the team comes off its bye week it will need to re-establish the run if it has any hopes of contending in the AFC North.

Last: Idle

Next: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (10/7)

16. St. Louis Rams (2-2)

The St. Louis Rams have had an up-and-down start to the 2012 season. They're 2-2 but squandered a late lead in their opening-week loss to the Detroit Lions that they should have held on to.

There are a lot of questions that remain on offense, including their offensive line's ability to both run and pass block up front. Steven Jackson continues to be slowed by injuries, and Sam Bradford hasn't been able to find a reliable target with exception to Danny Amendola.

The Rams are much improved on defense under Jeff Fischer, though, especially in their secondary. How improved? That'll be answered with how they handle tests like the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers in the coming weeks.

Last: Won 19-13 over Seattle Seahawks

Next: vs. Arizona Cardinals (10/4)

15. San Diego Chargers (3-1)

It's hard to judge the 2012 San Diego Chargers because the teams they have beat have combined records of 3-9. They've put a hurting on the hapless Tennessee Titans and annihilated the Kansas City Chiefs last week with an early offensive outburst.

But when faced with a challenge, the team folded against the Atlanta Falcons to the tune of a 27-3 embarrassment at Qualcomm Stadium. The Falcons traveled to the West Coast and walked into the Chargers' place and sent a wake up call to the then 2-0 team.

Their first true test will be against the Drew Brees-led passing attack of the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are winless and will be looking to take out their frustrations on the first team it sees. Hopefully the Chargers are up to the task.

Last: Won 37-20 over Kansas City Chiefs

Next: at New Orleans Saints (10/7)

14. Minnesota Vikings (3-1)

The Minnesota Vikings are the surprise team of 2012. They started out slow, escaping the Jacksonville Jaguars in overtime and then losing to the Indianapolis Colts the following week. Then, they strung together back-to-back wins against the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions.

Many people asked if the Vikings were legitimate after their decisive Week 3 win over the Niners.

Does beating the Lions convince you? How about the way that they did it? Two special teams touchdowns led them to that victory.

What's enough for you to finally be a believer? A win over Tennessee next week would be a good start. Good teams beat the teams they are supposed to. We'll see.

Last: Won 20-13 over Detroit Lions

Next: vs. Tennessee Titans (10/7)

13. New York Giants (2-2)

Eli Manning and the defending Super Bowl champion Giants have had to battle injuries in order to even be at the .500 mark through the first quarter of the season.

Despite those struggles, Manning has looked as good as ever in engineering successful offensive performances. His torching of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 is perhaps one of his finest games to date.

But all is not good in the Big Apple for this Giants team. They have a tough schedule ahead of them and will need to grind out games like their Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. It's those close games that the Giants are used to winning.

Last: Lost 19-17 to Philadelphia Eagles

Next: vs. Cleveland Browns (10/7)

12. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)

Tony Romo had a second-half meltdown similar to that of Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 4. He ended with five interceptions, the second time he's done that on Monday Night Football.

As a team, the Dallas Cowboys have gotten away from the running game and relied too heavily on Romo and Rob Ryan's defense to keep them in games. Speaking of the defense, it's secondary is much improved with the additions of cornerbacks Brandon Carr and rookie Morris Claiborne.

Wins over Tampa Bay and the New York Giants are the lone bright spots to this point. After being convincingly beat by both Seattle and Chicago it's back to the drawing board for Jerry Jones' 'Boys.

Last: Lost 34-18 to Chicago Bears

Next: BYE; vs. Detroit Lions (10/22)

11. Chicago Bears (3-1)

It's hard to tell who the 2012 Chicago Bears really are. They're definitely a defensively sound football team with some key offensive players in place.

The team's Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers was ugly and exposed some holes along the offensive line. However, they've been able to keep Jay Cutler relatively unscathed as of late leading to consecutive wins against the St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys.

Luckily for Cutler and the Bears, they only play the Packers one more time this season.

Last: Won 34-18 over Dallas Cowboys

Next: at Jacksonville Jaguars (10/7)

10. Denver Broncos (2-2)

Questions arose about Peyton Manning's ability to throw the deep ball accurately after his new team was pushed around by the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. They lost another one in Week 3 to the Houston Texans, and those questions began to turn into doubt.

However, when you think about it, the Denver Broncos are 2-2 and have lost one-score games to the league's only undefeated football teams. That's saying something.

Their Week 5 matchup against the New England Patriots will pit Manning against Tom Brady for what will hopefully be another great shootout between the two future Hall of Famers.

Last: Won 37-6 over Oakland Raiders

Next: at New England Patriots (10/7)

9. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)

Cincinnati began its season on Monday Night Football and was laughed off the field by the Baltimore Ravens by a 44-13 slaughter. Since, it's been all Andy Dalton and A.J. Green.

However, the three teams the Bengals beat were the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins and Jacksonville Jaguars, none of which seem to have much of a pass defense this season.

I'm starting to believe in Dalton, and A.J. Green is a phenomenal wide receiver. If the defense can play big in some of their more difficult games, they may be able to sustain the momentum they've built. If it comes down to shootouts, I'm not so sure they can maintain this current offensive prowess.

Last: Won 27-10 over Jacksonville Jaguars

Next: vs. Miami Dolphins (10/7)

8. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)

Michael Vick started the season off by putting every single Eagles fan on notice: Nothing is going to come easy in 2012. Vick's been injured and thrown more than three interceptions twice in a game and somehow the Eagles are still 3-1 after the first quarter of the 2012 season is in the books.

Vick's ability to elude the rush has served him well, but he's made some pretty poor decisions as a result. Even without Jeremy Maclin, who's been injured since Week 1 at Cleveland, the Eagles' offense has taken flight in big wins of the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens.

I'm still skeptical that this team can sustain these close games, and I think they're one injury to Vick away from being relegated to the lower half of these rankings.

Last: Won 19-17 over New York Giants

Next: at Pittsburgh Steelers (10/7)

7. Green Bay Packers (2-2)

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers rebounded from a controversial replacement referee call that gave the win to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. They did it against perhaps one of the best suited teams to beat them in the NFL: the New Orleans Saints.

The Packs' pass rush has been a significant factor in its success to this point. Then again, the team is completely reliant on the arm of Rodgers. A more balanced attack was attempted in the win over the Saints, but it's clear that the quarterback is the one who will determine this team's success again this season.

They have the Colts coming up next, followed by the (now) undefeated Houston Texans. That game, more than any other on their remaining schedule, will define how this season is going to go for the Packers.

Last: Won 28-27 over New Orleans Saints

Next: at Indianapolis Colts (10/7)

6. New England Patriots (2-2)

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are very close to being undefeated. Up until the middle of the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills, some people may have forgotten that.

No, sadly, the Patriots' run as the dominant force in the AFC East is not dissipating just yet. They have a new-found running game to balance out their attack and will be getting Aaron Hernandez back for Brady's arsenal in the upcoming weeks.

A win over the Broncos would be a big statement win for the Pats. It isn't a must-win game, if there is such a thing early in the season, but it sure is close.

Last: Won 52-28 over Buffalo Bills

Next: vs. Denver Broncos (10/7)

5. Arizona Cardinals (4-0)

The Arizona Cardinals haven't pushed anyone around, well, with exception to the Philadelphia Eagles.

They've played tough, hard-nosed football on defense and watched as Kevin Kolb has turned into the quarterback they prayed he would be after injuries and inconsistency plagued his first season in the desert.

It might not be pretty and it might not be big convincing victories, but the Cards are undefeated and have a real possibility of continuing that well into the season. The first game that looks "un-winnable" (I use that term loosely) comes in Week 8 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Last: Won 24-21 (OT) over Miami Dolphins

Next: at St. Louis Rams (10/4)

4. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

The new-look Baltimore Ravens are less familiar than any of the other remaining top four teams. Sure, the faces are all the same for the most part, but it's the methods and roles that have reversed.

Baltimore is known for its defense and hard-nosed running game.

This year, it's a no-huddle and high-tempo offense that has elevated Joe Flacco and the passing game to new heights. The defense, on the other hand, is a shell of what it once was. They're allowing nearly 300 yards per game through the air and almost 100 on the ground.

The fact that the Ravens are 3-1 right now is a testament to the success of their new offense under coordinator Cam Cameron.

Last: Won 23-16 over Cleveland Browns

Next: at Kansas City Chiefs (10/7)

3. Atlanta Falcons (4-0)

The undefeated Atlanta Falcons have arguably the best wide receiver tandem in the NFL. They also have a sure-fire, first-ballot Hall of Famer in Tony Gonzalez as an excellent third option in the passing game.

When they need to run the ball, they have two excellent backs in Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers who have different but impressive skill sets.

Couple their impressive offense with a pretty stifling secondary and you get an undefeated team through the first four weeks of the season.

We've seen this type of regular season success before from the Falcons, but something seems different about them this year. They may be ready to make a move in the playoffs this year.

Last: Won 30-28 over Carolina Panthers

Next: at Washington Redskins (10/7)

2. San Francisco 49ers (3-1)

San Francisco stumbled against a tough Minnesota Vikings defense in Week 3. Other than that, they've been just as advertised through the first four weeks of the season.

Frank Gore is having a revitalization this season and has stayed healthy while running like a man possessed. Alex Smith is playing like more than just a "game manager" as he's been labeled. He's been a big part of the team's offensive success so far.

On defense, the unit has played tough and made every opponent battle and struggle for every yard they gain. A shutout of the Jets in Week 4 in which they forced three fumbles is testament to that toughness.

Last: Won 34-0 over New York Jets

Next: vs. Buffalo Bills (10/7)

1. Houston Texans (4-0)

The Houston Texans have arguably the best roster in the NFL from top to bottom. Players like Andre Johnson, Arian Foster and Matt Schaub are household names. They've also got a top-five defense that has played sound and fundamental football to this point.

Excellent offense, check. Top-tier defense, check. Undefeated 4-0 record, check.

As they head into a Monday night matchup against the New York Jets, the question isn't really if they are going to win. Rather, it's by how much when all is said and done at the Meadowlands?

Last: Won 38-14 over Tennessee Titans

Next: at New York Jets (10/8)