NFL Power Rankings 2013: Complete Week 5 Outlook for All 32 Teams

Only five NFL teams remain undefeated heading into Week 5 of the 2013 season, a fitting tie-in to the upcoming league schedule. 

All five of those teams will face opponents with a .500 record or better this weekend, and all five will do so as the visiting team.  

You can't make this stuff up, folks. 

Elsewhere, expected contenders continue to fall by the wayside with the quarter mark of the season officially upon us. Atlanta, Green Bay and defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore are not where they expected to be after four games, but will their standing in the power rankings be affected because of it?

We'll answer that question and pose a few more in a fresh look at where all 32 NFL teams stand heading into a crucial Week 5 slate of games. 

Week 5 NFL Schedule

*via NFL.com. 

Week 5 NFL Power Rankings

1. Denver Broncos (4-0, at Dallas)

Can Denver be stopped?

After a rout of Philadelphia on Sunday, Peyton Manning will bring his 16-to-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio to AT&T Stadium for a showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. The 'Boys allowed Philip Rivers to throw for 412 yards and three touchdowns in Week 4 in a 30-21 loss. 

It's far too early for the Broncos to get cocky, but it's becoming abundantly clear that the blueprint to stopping this offense hasn't yet hit the black market. Looking invincible, Denver grabs the top spot this week. 

2. New Orleans Saints (4-0, at Chicago)

Speaking of good offenses, the New Orleans Saints are back in rare form. Drew Brees is slinging it all over the yard, and the matchup nightmare that is tight end Jimmy Graham continues to terrorize opposing linebackers and safeties. 

The Saints face a tough test against a Chicago defense in Week 5, but the Bears haven't been as successful in stopping the pass (277.8 yards allowed per game, good for 23rd in the league) as they have in past years. New Orleans could make a loud statement to the entire NFC with a win. 

3. Seattle Seahawks (4-0, at Indianapolis)

Seattle scraped by against Houston thanks to Matt Schaub's late mistakes, but looked out of rhythm on offense and probably should be 3-1 at this point in the season. 

Still, Pete Carroll's bunch is resilient, and can continue to prove doubters wrong by going into Indianapolis and taking down a Colts team that also blew out the San Francisco 49ers earlier this year. Their Week 5 game is one of the most interesting matchups to date this season. 

4. New England Patriots (4-0, at Cincinnati)

What more can the Patriots do to earn more power ranking love? New England held on for a tight victory in Atlanta on Sunday night, and is suddenly atop the AFC East yet again despite Miami, Buffalo and New York all nipping at its heels. 

The unproven talent surrounding Tom Brady continues to impress, and the Patriots continue to hover among the Top Five teams in football despite injuries on both sides of the ball. 

Facing a Cincinnati squad in Week 5 that will have home-field advantage and the motivation of a disappointing 2-2 start, the Pats will once again have to bring their "A" game to remain undefeated in 2013. 

5. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0, at Tennessee)

Kansas City handed the New York Giants their fourth straight loss to start the year on Sunday, and reminded us yet again that this Andy Reid defense might just be for real. 

Rendering just 306.2 yards per game to opposing offenses and carrying a turnover differential of plus-nine, the Chiefs will stare down the Titans without the threat of Jake Locker under center—the quarterback is expected to miss at least four-to-six weeks, as reported by USA Today's Jim Wyatt. 

There's a very real possibility Kansas City could be 5-0 come Monday morning. 

6. Indianapolis Colts (3-1, vs. Seattle)

A loss to Miami lingers as Indy's only setback through three games, but there's no time to dwell on the past with Seattle coming to town. 

As Andrew Luck continues to grow as a quarterback and his new backfield mate Trent Richardson continues to acclimate himself to the offense, the Colts will remain a serious threat in the AFC. Just how big of a threat will be determined by their performance against the Seahawks. 

7. San Francisco 49ers (2-2 vs. Houston)

The 49ers took out some frustration against NFC West rival St. Louis last Thursday, and will have a long period of rest to prepare for Houston's arrival. 

While the offense has been suspect in the two losses, it will yet again have a chance to prove itself against a Texans defense that is currently first in the NFL in yardage allowed per game. Better eat your Wheaties, Colin Kaepernick. 

8. Chicago Bears (3-1, vs. New Orleans)

The first Jay Cutler hiccup of the 2013 season came against Detroit, but opinions differ on which team the Lions 40-32 win said more about. 

Rebounding from that loss won't be an easy task for the Bears to accomplish. New Orleans is on fire to start the year, bringing an explosive offense and improved defense to Soldier Field. You can see from USA Today writer Tom Pelissero's tweet below, turnovers might be the key to a Chicago upset:

Week 5 will be an excellent gauge for Marc Trestman's team moving forward. 

9. Miami Dolphins (3-1, vs. Baltimore)

Miami's inspiring start to the 2013 season came crashing down on Bourbon Street, but there are plenty of positives to take away from its 3-1 start. 

Ryan Tannehill is showing major progress in his second year, the team has shown resiliency in wins over Indianapolis and Atlanta and the defense will be able to learn a lesson after allowing the Saints to score 38 points. 

Hosting the defending champions in Week 5, the Dolphins have a prime opportunity to again make a statement to the rest of the AFC. 

10. Tennessee Titans (3-1 vs. Kansas City)

Granted, the New York Jets aren't the Broncos, but Tennessee's defense has been on point through four games, and that progression was on full display in a big Sunday victory. As noted by ESPN's Stats & Info, defense will be the buzz word as the Titans prepare for the Chiefs:

The AFC East is up for grabs, and the Titans appear up for that challenge heading into the matchup with Kansas City. 

11. Detroit Lions (3-1 at Green Bay)

Don't look now, but the Lions are atop the NFC North and a win over Green Bay this week would allow them to equal their win total from 2012. The arrival of Reggie Bush has expanded the offense to new heights and the Bears were the most recent recipient of that progress. 

12. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2, vs. New England)

The Bengals are a Johnathan Franklin fumble away from being 1-3. To make matters worse, New England comes to town on Sunday with a boatload of confidence and an undefeated record. 

Though the AFC North is suddenly a wide-open division, the Bengals can't expect their three rivals to continue to lose. The pressure to protect its home field and pick up an important conference victory will motivate Cincinnati in practice. 

13. Baltimore Ravens (2-2, at Miami)

The question in Baltimore is simple: Why is the running game nonexistent? The Baltimore Sun discussed that issue in this Twitter post:

Ray Rice has been banged up, but it's curious, to say the least, that Joe Flacco is throwing 50 passes in games like he did Sunday against Buffalo. Against a Miami defense allowing less than 100 yards per game on the ground, establishing the run early will be key. 

14. Green Bay Packers (1-2, vs. Detroit)

With two weeks of preparation, Green Bay will be mentally and physically rested to contend with Detroit's high-powered offense at Lambeau Field. The Packers can't afford a 1-3 start, so consider this game of the must-win variety. 

15. Atlanta Falcons (1-3, vs. New York Jets)

Speaking of 1-3 starts, one half of last year's NFC Championship Game is well behind the eight ball in the NFC South. 

Fortunately, Carolina is 1-2 and Tampa Bay is 0-4. The saving grace for the Falcons isn't too great, though, as the Saints have a three-game lead in the division already and don't appear poised to slow down anytime soon. 

Is it time to panic in Atlanta?

16. Houston Texans (2-2, at San Francisco)

Houston was a handful of mistakes away from becoming a Top 10 NFL team on this list. 

Quarterback play keyed a late collapse in Houston on Sunday, as the Texans were a possession or two away from picking up a huge upset victory over the Seahawks. Richard Sherman's pick-six ended that dream prematurely. 

There's no rest for the weary—San Francisco is coming to town with extra rest and momentum from Thursday's big win over St. Louis. 

17. San Diego Chargers (2-2, at Oakland)

Philip Rivers is officially on fire. He threw for 412 yards in San Diego's win over Dallas, and did so to a group of wideouts that includes Antonio Gates and a myriad of unproven talent. 

It's hard to project the Chargers as an AFC West favorite with two division rivals in the top five of this list, but those who feel that assessment is unfair will look to the four games with Denver and Kansas City as a major proving ground. This week, a tough test awaits against the much-improved Raiders. 

18. Dallas Cowboys (2-2, vs. Denver)

Dallas' defense stood strong in its first three games, but San Diego exploited major holes in Monte Kiffin's coverage scheme on Sunday. 

The Cowboys appear set to enter a steak-knife sword fight with Denver looming on the schedule in Week 5. The NFL's No. 1 offense comes to Big D fresh off a record-setting performance against Philadelphia. 

19. Cleveland Browns (2-2, vs. Buffalo)

After an 0-2 start, the insertion of Brian Hoyer at the quarterback position has reinvigorated the Browns. Wins over Minnesota and Cincinnati have Cleveland trending in the right direction, and a winnable home game against Buffalo could vault the Browns into first place in the AFC North. 

Considering the Trent Richardson trade and hapless start, that would certainly be a top storyline heading into Week 6. 

20. Carolina Panthers (1-2, at Arizona)

Looking for consistency, the Carolina Panthers will emerge from their bye week with a matchup against Arizona on deck. After pummeling the Giants into submission in their last game, the Panthers will get a chance to toss their name into the NFC sleeper picture with a win. 

21. New York Jets (2-2, at Atlanta)

Geno Smith had the worst game of his young NFL career against the Titans, but has a swift chance for redemption in Week 5. Unfortunately, the Jets will have to travel to Atlanta on Monday Night Football to face a Falcons team desperate for a win. 

New York's strong defensive start and Atlanta's injury woes on offense are positives heading into the game, but it would be shocking to see the Jets pull off an upset. 

22. Arizona Cardinals (2-2, vs. Carolina)

The Cardinals have gotten off to a slow start on offense, averaging only 320.2 yards per contest through Bruce Arians' first four games. Luckily, the Cards still have two wins and sit in the same boat as San Francisco with respect to the NFC West. A win over Carolina will make Arizona an interesting team. 

23. Buffalo Bills (2-2, at Cleveland)

An encouraging start for the Bills has led to a Week 5 matchup with Cleveland that suddenly has tons of intrigue. 

Playing on Thursday with identical records, the Bills and Browns both have an opportunity to push their win-loss total above .500. EJ Manuel has a big opportunity to remind us of his talent in the process. 

24. Minnesota Vikings (1-3, Bye Week)

With Matt Cassel once again an NFL starter, the Vikings picked up their first win of the 2013 in London over Pittsburgh. No game is on the schedule this week, but the Vikings at least have some momentum to build on moving forward. 

25. St. Louis Rams (1-3, vs. Jacksonville)

In Week 1, the Rams showed fortitude in their come-from-behind victory over Arizona. 

Since then, St. Louis has regressed in each of its next three games. Luckily, the Jaguars offer a chance for swift retribution. The Rams can't hope to make the playoffs without turning it around in Week 5. 

26. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3, at New York Giants)

Like the Rams, the Eagles got off to an encouraging start. Three games later and questions are already creeping in about Chip Kelly's ability to lead an NFL franchise. 

However, those questions center around his defense. The Eagles have been atrocious in stopping opposing offenses, just check the box score from Sunday's game against Denver for confirmation. Facing NFC East rival New York this week, Philly can't expect to win without upping its defensive efficiency. 

27. Washington Redskins (1-3, Bye Week)

Speaking of poor defense, the Redskins have been among the NFL's worst in getting off the field. Only Philadelphia allows more yards per game than Washington. 

The bye week will offer Robert Griffin III a chance to rest his surgically repaired leg and also give Alfred Morris a chance to heal up after injuring his ribs in the win over Oakland. 

28. Oakland Raiders (1-3, vs. San Diego)

Matt Flynn couldn't lead Oakland to its second victory of the year against Washington, so Terrelle Pryor is expected to play against the Chargers after returning to practice late last week. 

The Raiders defense, a pleasant surprise after four games, will face a fierce test against a high-powered San Diego offense. 

29. Pittsburgh Steelers (0-4, Bye Week)

There isn't much to cheer about in Pittsburgh these days, unless you're a baseball fan, of course.

The bye week gives the Steelers a chance to wipe the slate clean and prepare for the remainder of the season. A road game with the Jets awaits in two weeks.  

30. New York Giants (0-4, vs. Philadelphia)

It's been a comedy of errors for the Giants during this 0-4 start, and blame can't be placed on one party. Defense, offense and special teams have all dropped the ball. Hopefully the threat of losing their first divisional contest will light a fire under the Giants in their game against the Eagles. 

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4, at St. Louis)

Jacksonville has started its rebuilding effort just four games into the 2013 season. According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, starting left tackle Eugene Monroe is headed to Baltimore:

There's a real possibility Jacksonville could go winless in 2013. They've shown nothing to argue otherwise in an 0-4 start, but can follow the precedent set by Cleveland if they can win a game after trading a former first-round pick away. 

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4, Bye Week)

Tampa Bay is a mess. The bye week couldn't come sooner for a team that is currently last in the NFC South, winless, dealing with a quarterback change and apparently leaking information about Josh Freeman's pharmaceutical happenings.

It's going to be a long season for the Buccaneers.  

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