2010 NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs Last Unbeaten, But Who's #1?

Run-on Rundown: The New Orleans Saints won by two, the Indianapolis Colts lost by three, Michael Vick was injured in Donovan McNabb's return to Philadelphia, the Kansas City Chiefs are the only undefeated team left,  and Jay Cutler got a concussion after being sacked nine times in one half, and finally, in Monday Night Football, Ricky Williams, Davone Bess, Cameron Wake, and the Miami Dolphins were beat down by Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez, Patrick Chung, and the New England Patriots.

Climb of the Week: Washington Redskins (+9)

Fall of the Week: Indianapolis Colts (-8)

Here are the updated week five power rankings:

32. Buffalo Bills

Record: 0-4

Last Week's Rank: 32

Ryan Fitzpatrick almost ran for as many yards as he threw Sunday.  Well, not really, but the offensive game plan should be questioned when your quarterback (that doesn’t happen to be Michael Vick) has 44 percent of the rushing attempts.

Outcome: L(14-38) @New York Jets

At the Plate: Jacksonville

On Deck: Bye

In the Hole: @Baltimore

31. Detroit Lions

Record: 0-4

Last Week's Rank: 30

Calvin Johnson’s end zone heroics are negated in a loss where Shaun Hill ran for more yards than Jahvid Best.  Yeah, that’s not a misprint, but neither is the fact that they outgained the Packers 308 to 169, won the turnover battle, and still lost.

Outcome: L(26-28) @Green Bay

At the Plate: St. Louis

On Deck: @New York Giants

In the Hole: Bye

30. Carolina Panthers

Record: 0-4

Last Week's Rank: 29

Jimmie Clausen threw his first career touchdown pass in a game where he had his best statistical performance of the year recording a 90.6 quarterback rating.  DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart also had their best outings of the season, but each of their production continues to pale in comparison to their dominance in years past.

Outcome: L(14-16) @New Orleans

At the Plate: Chicago

On Deck: Bye

In the Hole: San Francisco

29. San Francisco 49ers

Record: 0-4

Last Week's Rank: 27

The 49ers fall to an astonishing 0-4 in a game where they were up 14-0 before giving up 16 unanswered points to Atlanta.  San Francisco could still easily win the division as they are only down two games behind the rest of the pack who are all 2-2.

Outcome: L(14-16) @Atlanta

At the Plate: Philadelphia

On Deck: Oakland

In the Hole: @Carolina

28. Cleveland Browns

Record: 1-3

Last Week's Rank: 31

The Browns are finally able to finish in the fourth quarter in a win against state-rival Cincinnati.  Peyton Hillis looks legit as he recorded his second straight hundred yard game against a strong Bengals defense.

Outcome: W(23-20) Cincinnati

At the Plate: Atlanta

On Deck: @Pittsburgh

In the Hole: @New Orleans

27. Oakland Raiders

Record: 1-3

Last Week's Rank: 25

Three turnovers by Bruce Gradkowski wiped out what could have been a heroic performance against the high-flying Texans.  Well, at least they get another high draft pick this year, oh wait, they traded it for a now 30 year old Richard Seymour: brilliance.

Outcome: L(24-31) Houston

At the Plate: San Diego

On Deck: @San Francisco

In the Hole:@ Denver

26. Arizona Cardinals

Record: 2-2

Last Week's Rank: 23

They were outgained 124 yards from scrimmage to 419 by the Chargers.  Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the team currently leading the AFC West, the Arizona Cardinals!  They should have traded for Kevin Kolb when they had the chance.

Outcome: L(10-41) @San Diego

At the Plate: New Orleans

On Deck: Bye

In the Hole: @Seattle

25. Seattle Seahawks

Record: 2-2

Last Week's Rank: 20

Who’s real?  Who’s not?  One week the Seahawks are blowing out the 49ers, the next they are getting killed by the Broncos, then they upset the Chargers, and this week they got embarrassed by the Rams.  Bye week priority number one: find an identity.

Outcome: L(3-20) @St. Louis

At the Plate: Bye

On Deck: @Chicago

In the Hole: Arizona

24. St. Louis Rams

Record: 2-2

Last Week's Rank: 28

Sam Bradford threw for 289 yards in the Rams second straight victory.  St. Louis is actually the only team in the NFC West who has positive net points on the year.

Outcome: W(20-3) Seattle

At the Plate: @Detroit

On Deck: San Diego

In the Hole: @Tampa Bay

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 2-1

Last Week's Rank: 26

The Buccaneers used the bye week to regroup after a Pittsburgh trouncing.

Key Injuries (As of 9/24):

HB Carnell Williams - Probable (Hamstring)

C Jeff Faine - Questionable (Calf)

TE Kellen Winslow - Probable (Knee)

QB Josh Freeman - Probable (Thumb)

At the Plate: @Cincinnati

On Deck: New Orleans

In the Hole: St. Louis

22. Miami Dolphins

Record: 2-2

Last Week's Rank: 14

Chad Henne went an incredible 29 for 39 passing and 300 yards against the Patriots Monday, except three of those ten were interceptions.  It’s hard to run a successful wildcat when you down multiple scores.

Outcome: L(14-41) New England

At the Plate: Bye

On Deck: @Green Bay

In the Hole: Pittsburgh

21. Denver Broncos

Record: 2-2

Last Week: 24

19 yards on the ground?  No problem as the Broncos comeback and beat the Titans led by Kyle Orton’s 341 passing yards.  Josh McDaniels must not preach having a balanced offense as Denver leads the league in passing yards and is last in rushing.

Outcome: W(26-20) @Tennessee

At the Plate: @Baltimore

On Deck: New York Jets

In the Hole: Oakland

20. Tennessee Titans

Record: 2-2

Last Week's Rank: 15

Chris Johnson only has 358 rushing yards for 3.8 yards a pop in four games; so much for 2500.  The Titans were expected to have a top 10 offense and a bottom 10 defense now have the exact opposite of that.

Outcome: L(20-26) Denver

At the Plate: @Dallas

On Deck: @Jacksonville

In the Hole: Philadelphia

19. Jacksonville Jaguars

Record: 2-2

Last Week's Rank: 21

David Garrard saved his best performance of the season to unleash against divisional bully Indianapolis.  The Jaguars needed a 59 yard field goal to pull off the upset and that is what Josh Scobee, who missed 10 out of 28 field goals last year, delivered.

Outcome: W(31-28) Indianapolis

At the Plate: @Buffalo

On Deck: Tennesee

In the Hole: @Kansas City

18. Minnesota Vikings

Record: 1-2

Last Week's Rank: 18

Brett Favre could definitely use an extra week of practice to make up for that missed time in camp.

Key Injuries (As of 9/24):

TE Visanthe Shiancoe - Day-to-Day (Leg)

QB Brett Favre - Probable (Ankle, Right Elbow)

C John Sullivan - Probable (Calf)

WR Bernard Berrian - Probable (Knee)

T Bryant McKinnie - Probable (Finger)

WR Percy Harvin - Probable (Hip)

OLB Ben Leber - Probable (Back)

At the Plate: @New York Jets

On Deck: Dallas

In the Hole: @Green Bay

17. New York Giants

Record: 2-2

Last Week's Rank: 19

The Giants recorded nine sacks in the first half, but failed to beat the single-game record of 12.  That’s about the only thing New York failed to do Sunday night in a 17-3 Bears beat down.

Outcome: W(17-3) Chicago

At the Plate: @Houston

On Deck: Detroit

In the Hole: @Dallas

16. Dallas Cowboys

Record: 1-2

Last Week's Rank: 16

After a rough start, the Cowboys will use their bye to reignite their squad ready for that do-or-die Super Bowl run.

Key Injuries (As of 9/24):

CB Mike Jenkins - Probable (Knee)

TE Jason Witten - Probable (Head)

WR Dez Bryant - Probable (Ribs)

At the Plate: Tennessee

On Deck: @Minnesota

In the Hole: New York Giants

15. Cincinnati Bengals

Record: 2-2

Last Week's Rank: 12

The Bengals lost to the pathetic Browns, but Terrell Owens couldn’t care less because he got the ball ten times for 222 yards and a touchdown.  Cedric Benson is only averaging 3.3 yards per carry this year compared to 4.2 last season.

Outcome: L(20-23) @Cleveland

At the Plate: Tampa Bay

On Deck: Bye

In the Hole: @Atlanta

14. Philadephia Eagles

Record: 2-2

Last Week's Rank: 11

The Eagles benched Kevin Kolb for Michael Vick.  Then after killing dogs, I mean, defenses he got hurt and now Kolb’s back under center, confidence erased.  The McCurse!

Outcome: L(12-17) Washington

At the Plate: @San Francisco

On Deck: Atlanta

In the Hole: @Tennessee

13. Washington Redskins

Record: 2-2

Last Week's Rank: 22

Donovan McNabb gets a little revenge against his former team in a close game Sunday.  The Redskins won despite Ryan Torain leading the team in rushing and Anthony Armstrong leading the team in receiving.  Exactly, who?

Outcome: W(17-12) @Philadelphia

At the Plate: Green Bay

On Deck: Indianapolis

In the Hole: @Chicago

12. San Diego Chargers

Record: 2-2

Last Week's Rank: 17

The Chargers averaged seven yards a snap on offense Sunday against Arizona.  The defense was equally impressive led by Shaun Phillips and his four sacks and interception.

Outcome: W(41-10) Arizona

At the Plate: @Oakland

On Deck: @St. Louis

In the Hole: New England

11. Kansas City Chiefs

Record: 3-0

Last Week's Rank: 13

The Chiefs avoided competition and now are the only remaining unbeaten team in the league.

Key Injuries (As of 9/24):

OLB Tamba Hali - Probable (Foot)

At the Plate: @Indianapolis

On Deck: @Houston

In the Hole: Jacksonville

10. Chicago Bears

Record: 3-1

Last Week: 9

Chicago officially has the worst offensive line in the league.  The line gave up ten sacks while maintaining their cowardly run blocking for Bears backs that are averaging 2.9 yards a carry on the season.

Outcome: L(3-17) @New York Giants

At the Plate: @Carolina

On Deck: Seattle

In the Hole: Washington

9. Indianapolis Colts

Record: 2-2

Last Week: 1

Just another day at the office, Peyton Manning continues his brilliance while boasting a league high 112.2 quarterback rating.  While Manning has been consistent with years past, the Colts as a whole are out of the ordinary and now 2-2 after losing each divisional game they played this season.

Outcome: L(28-31) @Jacksonville

At the Plate: Kansas City

On Deck: @Washington

In the Hole: Bye

8. Atlanta Falcons

Record: 3-1

Last Week's Rank: 10

The Falcons hold onto the division lead with a miraculous finish.  An Atlanta defense which was suspect in the past is currently ranked sixth in the NFL in points allowed.

Outcome: W(16-14) San Francisco

At the Plate: @Cleveland

On Deck: @Philadelphia

In the Hole: Cincinnati

7. Houston Texans

Record: 3-1

Last Week's Rank: 8

No Andre Johnson, no problem.  Arian Foster busts out for 187 yards and two touchdowns all in the final three quarters.  Brian Cushing will return in week five to a struggling defense.

Outcome: W(31-24) @Oakland

At the Plate: New York Giants

On Deck: Kansas City Chiefs

In the Hole: Bye

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 3-1

Last Week's Rank: 6

Going 3-1 with Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch starting at quarterback is an incredible feat.  Ben Roethlisberger returns from his suspension in the nick of time as the Steelers are handed their first loss of the season by their bitter rival, the Baltimore Ravens.

Outcome: L(14-17) Baltimore

At the Plate: Bye

On Deck: Cleveland

In the Hole: @Miami

5. Green Bay Packers

Record: 3-1

Last Week's Rank: 7

The Packers turned the ball over four times and still managed to beat the Lions by Sunday.  Clay Matthews did add to his sack total which is now a league leading seven quarterback takedowns.

Outcome: W(28-26) Detroit

At the Plate: @Washington

On Deck: Miami

In the Hole: Minnesota

4. New England Patriots

Record: 3-1

Last Week's Rank: 4

The Patriots forced four interceptions in an absolute route of the Dolphins Monday night.  They got most of their scoring off returns including a kickoff, blocked field goal, and interception return.

Outcome: W(41-14) @Miami

At the Plate: Bye

On Deck: Baltimore

In the Hole: @San Diego

3. New York Jets

Record: 3-1

Last Week's Rank: 3

Who would have thought that LaDainian Tomlinson would be leading the Jets in rushing at any point of 2010?  The Jets had two backs go over 100 yards last game and with Santonio Holmes coming back from his suspension this week look for the offense to be even more productive.

Outcome: W(38-14) @Buffalo

At the Plate: Minnesota

On Deck: @Denver

In the Hole: Bye

2. New Orleans Saints

Record: 3-1

Last Week's Rank: 2

John Carney interrupted his midlife crisis to kick three field goals which put the Saints on top against Carolina.  With a Pierre Thomas-Reggie Bush combination turning into Chris Ivory and Ladell Betts, the Saints resorted to throwing the ball 48 times which surprisingly only resulted in one touchdown.

Outcome: W(16-14) Carolina

At the Plate: @Arizona

On Deck: @Tampa Bay

In the Hole: Cleveland

1. Baltimore Ravens

Record: 3-1

Last Week's Rank: 5

Only seventy rushing yards against the NFL’s best run defense is nothing to be ashamed of, but 256 passing yards is something to be proud of.  The Ravens now possess first place in the brutal AFC North.

Outcome: W(17-14) @Pittsburgh

At the Plate: Denver

On Deck: @New England

In the Hole: Buffalo