NFL Power Rankings: 10 Teams That Could Rise After Week 5 Games
It's still early enough in the NFL season that teams can recover from a slow start.
Sometimes we are too quick to dismiss teams who have struggled, as we are too quick to anoint teams as elite because of a great start.
One game does not make a season but for the following 10 teams, a victory in Week Five will do wonders for their immediate future.
No. 10: Kansas City Chiefs (3-0)
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It's hard to say that a 3-0 team has something to prove. But in the case of the Chiefs, we all know it's true. They are undefeated but their opponents (San Diego, Cleveland and San Francisco) have a combined record of 3-9.
This week they play the Colts and can make an enormous statement with a win. Not only would it be a tremendous road win, but it would come against a quality opponent.
Fortunately, Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel, has faced the Colts, in Indianapolis, before. As the Patriots stand-in for Tom Brady in 2008, Cassel and New England lost a close one 18-15. Of course, this time, he doesn't have Randy Moss and Wes Welker to throw to.
No. 9: Detroit Lions (0-4)
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At 0-4 there really isn't anywhere to go except up. But of all the winless teams in the NFL (Carolina, San Francisco, Buffalo are also 0-4) the Lions have put up the best fight of anyone.
Look at the Lions losses, thus far: They had the Bears beat in the opener, save for Calvin Johnson's mishap in the endzone. They repeatedly clawed their way back into the game against Philadelphia, only losing by a field goal. Last week's loss to Green Bay could have easily produced a different outcome had they converted one of their 4 second-half field goals into a touchdown or just limited the turnovers.
Even their 24-10 loss at Minnesota was closer than the score indicated.
This week, the Rams come to Ford Field high off another impressive victory. Sam Bradford is hot, but the man who was taken one spot after Bradford, Ndamukong Suh, has been quietly just as good. From the Nose Tackle spot he has 15 tackles and 3 sacks already.
If the Lions move to 1-4, they won't be in the NFC North hunt. But they will be on track to compete next year.
No. 8: Denver Broncos (2-2)
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It's hard to believe that Kyle Orton is the league's leading passer. Even harder to believe considering that his corps of receivers isn't filled with Pro Bowlers.
The Broncos might be 2-2 but their 2 losses came in fairly close games. They have an incredible tough task coming up this week, traveling to Baltimore. But a win there puts them into the conversation for top teams in the AFC.
No one is sold on Kansas City yet and with their impeding trip to Indianapolis, they Chiefs could return home to a tie in the AFC West.
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No. 7: Washington Redskins (2-2)
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The Redskins hardly dominated the Eagles last Sunday but they did get another critical win. Had they not been defeated pretty handily by the Rams, the rest of the NFC East would be looking up at them.
Still, Washington is right up there in position to compete for the division. They already hold a slight edge over the Eagles and the Cowboys but because of what happened in St. Louis two weeks ago they cannot afford another NFC loss.
Donovan McNabb and the Redskins offense doesn't match up particularly well against that ball-hawking Packer defense. But Washington's defense is quick enough to make plays, especially against a depleted Green Bay backfield.
No. 6: Tennessee Titans (2-2)
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The Titans have been in every game they've played thus far and last week's loss to Denver was a heartbreaker. But with the Colts struggling a bit, the AFC South remains anyone's division.
Although the Texans are the favorite in the early going, they have yet to square off with the Titans. Furthermore, they have not yet faced a running back like Chris Johnson.
This week, the Titans can prove that they are in the same class as the Texans by doing what Houston failed to do: go to Dallas and beat the Cowboys.
No. 5: Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)
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It would appear that Michael Vick's rib injury isn't as serious as once thought. He is now "day to day."
A win this week is vital for the Eagles to keep pace in the division. And although the 49ers are winless at 0-4, Philadelphia will deserve some accolades if they can travel across the country and win a night road game at Candlestick.
Either way, the Eagles will be playing with a rusty Kevin Kolb or a banged up Michael Vick so a win here will prove that they are a multi-faceted team and not solely dependent on Vick's legs.
Expect LeSean McCoy to carry the load and if he does--and the Eagles win--that's just another area of the Eagles offense that the rest of the NFC will have to worry about.
No. 4: Oakland Raiders (1-3)
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Once again, the Raiders are off to a lousy start. But all hope is not lost at this point.
Aside from the abysmal performance in their season opener at Tennessee, the Raiders have competed in every other game thus far: they lost the previous two games by a combined 8 points.
And since taking over for Jason Campbell, Bruce Gradkowski has looked pretty good.
This week, they host the Chargers. A win over their rivals would bring both teams to 2-3 records with the Raiders owning a slight edge because of the head-to-head win. Furthermore, the other two AFC West teams have very difficult road challenges in Week 5: Kansas City goes to Indianapolis and the Broncos go to Baltimore.
There is good possibility that by next Monday, the 2-3 Raiders are tied for second place in the division,
No. 3: New York Giants (2-2)
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Considering how pitiful the Bears looked last Sunday night at the Meadowlands, it's difficult to believe that everything is right with the Giants. The 17-3 win over Chicago helped morale and quited their critics a bit.
And although the Bears were 3-0 coming into the game, Chicago was not a quality opponent. At least on that day. But with their next game coming at Houston, the Giants will climb high in the rankings with a win over the 3-1 Texans.
It would be a good NFC East measuring stick for New York, who has yet to play a divisional game. The Cowboys defeated Houston earlier this year. Furthermore, if they managed to shut down Arian Foster, they can partly redeem themselves for their embarrassing performance against Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans in Week Three.
No. 2: New York Jets
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Since their tough loss in the season opener, the Jets have done everything right. Wins over New England, Miami and Buffalo have given them a huge edge in the AFC East.
In order to maintain that momentum, however, they need to keep winning. Right now, no one can claim AFC superiority: not Pittsburgh and Baltimore or Houston and neither can the Jets.
But a convincing win over the Vikings on Monday night will get more attention than anything the Ravens, Texans or anyone else in the AFC does.
A win, coupled with losses by Baltimore and Houston, would make the Jets the most accomplished team in the AFC.
No. 1: Minnesota Vikings (1-2)
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If the Vikings win in Week Five--at the Jets, on Monday Night--would make them the poster boys for the early season comeback.
Not so long ago (2007) the Giants started the season 0-2 then went on to win the Super Bowl that same year.
That's a tall order to repeat for the 2010 Vikings but they can climb back to .500 with a win over the Jets. And at 2-2, they would certainly be back in the race for the NFC North: they have yet to play Chicago and Green Bay.
But even more important than improving their record, a Vikings win over the Jets should help them get their swagger back. Although the defense has been solid all season, the supposed strength of Brad Childress' team (the offense) has been far below what they achieved last season.
Part of that is injuries to the receiving corps. Part of it is Favre's rustiness. But Minnesota still has the best running back in the conference. The Jets have not faced a back like Adrian Peterson yet this year.
Peterson can spark a Vikings win next Monday night, and, maybe, spark a complete 180 degree recovery in the season.
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