NFL Power Rankings: Reviewing Week 5 Standings After Sunday's Action

The NFL is known for parity, but the 2015 season is taking it to a new level.

Through the Sunday games of Week 4, only eight teams have a winning record. 

To put that number into perspective, a year ago, 10 teams in the AFC alone finished above the .500 mark. 

As a result, the NFL power rankings are a very fluid situation. 

This week's power rankings features a small group of contenders which have separated themselves, followed by a giant mess of mediocre teams trying to claw their way back to the top. 

Rank	Team	W-L
1	New England Patriots	3-0
2	Green Bay Packers	4-0
3	Cincinnati Bengals	4-0
4	Seattle Seahawks	1-2
5	Denver Broncos	4-0
6	Atlanta Falcons	4-0
7	Arizona Cardinals	3-1
8	Carolina Panthers	4-0
9	Pittsburgh Steelers	2-2
10	New York Jets	3-1
11	St. Louis Rams	2-2
12	Dallas Cowboys	2-2
13	Minnesota Vikings	2-2
14	Baltimore Ravens	1-3
15	New York Giants	2-2
16	Buffalo Bills	2-2
17	San Diego Chargers	2-2
18	Kansas City Chiefs	1-3
19	Indianapolis Colts	2-2
20	Oakland Raiders	2-2
21	Washington Redskins	2-2
22	Philadelphia Eagles	1-3
23	New Orleans Saints	1-3
24	Detroit Lions	0-3
25	Houston Texans	1-3
26	Jacksonville Jaguars	1-3
27	Chicago Bears	1-3
28	Tennessee Titans	1-2
29	Miami Dolphins	1-3
30	Cleveland Browns	1-3
31	San Francisco 49ers	1-3
32	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1-3

Notable Rankings

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

It's tough to think of the Bengals as a top-three team after all of their playoff failures in recent years. But maybe Andy Dalton has elevated his game to the point where the Bengals need to be considered a serious contender. 

In consecutive wins over the Ravens and the Chiefs—two playoff-caliber defenses—Dalton has thrown for more than 700 yards, with four touchdowns and just one turnover. 

"

Andy Dalton's 123 passer rating is highest of any @Bengals QB thru 4 games in club history (min. 10 attempts)

— Jon Zimmer (@NFLhistory) October 4, 2015"

The real test for Cincinnati awaits next week, as the Bengals host the Seattle Seahawks. 

With a win over Seattle, the Bengals would solidify their spot near the top of the rankings and as viable Super Bowl contenders. 

8. Carolina Panthers

Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

An undefeated team deserves a spot in the top 10, but it's far too early to call the Panthers contenders for anything other than the NFC South. 

The Panthers' four wins have come against teams which are a combined 4-12 this season. 

To better put that into perspective, consider the starting quarterbacks the Panthers have defeated: Blake Bortles, Ryan Mallett, Luke McCown and Jameis Winston.

After a bye in Week 5, the Panthers enter a four-week stretch in which they play the Seahawks, Eagles, Colts and Packers. If they can emerge from that gauntlet with two or more victories, then it will be time to take the Panthers seriously. 

12. St. Louis Rams

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Rams knocked off the Seahawks without Todd Gurley. Now just imagine what they can accomplish with the first-round running back performing like he did against Arizona's staunch defense. 

Gurley ran for 149 yards on just 19 carries and added another 15 yards on two receptions. 

"

This was a great team win. The offense actually closed out the game when the defense ran out of gas. But GREAT defensive effort too. #Rams.

— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) October 4, 2015"

While their 2-2 record certainly isn't intimidating, the Rams' two wins are among the most important on their schedule (Seahawks, Cardinals). An early 2-0 record within the division virtually ensures the Rams will hang around in the NFC West race.

The Rams travel to Green Bay in Week 5 for one of their toughest tests of the season. An upset of the Packers would vault them up the power rankings. 

18. Kansas City Chiefs 

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The Chiefs certainly can't feel good about sitting at 1-3, but the toughest stretch on their schedule is now in the review mirror. 

With a three-game deficit in the AFC West standings (including a loss to the division-leading Broncos), the Chiefs can forget about a division crown. But a relatively light schedule from here on out gives them hope for a wild card. 

"

"This team has good character. Coach (Reid) stressed to stay together as a family. We are family," #Chiefs OL Ben Grubbs on this tough time.

— BJ Kissel (@ChiefsReporter) October 4, 2015"

In their next four games, the Chiefs will host the Bears, Steelers and Lions, while paying a visit the Vikings.

A 3-1 record in that stretch seems attainable, which would reset the Chiefs at 4-4 at the midway point just before another showdown with the Broncos in Denver. 

29. Miami Dolphins

Rob Foldy/Getty Images

After the debacle of the previous two weeks, it's tough not to place the Dolphins at No. 32. But no matter how much of a mess Joe Philbin has created in Miami, there's still talent on the roster. 

The Dolphins have an opportunity to rebound with the Titans and Texans up next on the schedule, but will Philbin be the one to lead Miami through to a turnaround?

"

Joe Philbin decision is expected by tomorrow http://t.co/ya5vPaV5qg

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 5, 2015"

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross will decide Philbin's future on Monday. 

Given the talent on Miami's roster and their uninspired play the past two weeks, it's certainly reasonable to think a change in command could breathe some life into the Dolphins.