NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: Great Bye Week for Dallas Cowboys

Biggest Risers: San Diego Chargers, New York Giants (Seven spots)

Biggest Faller: Chicago Bears (Eight spots)

1. New Orleans Saints (3-1); Last Week- 1

New Orleans only squeaked by the Panthers at home, but who would really steal their top spot?

2. Green Bay Packers (3-1); Last Week- 4

The Packers are ranked at No. 2 but I have less confidence in my preseason Super Bowl champ now than in the start of the year.

3. Baltimore Ravens (3-1); Last Week-7

My preseason AFC champion won a big one in Pittsburgh on Sunday, but their fortunes could change once Ben Roethlisberger returns.

4. New York Jets (3-1); Last Week- 8

The Jets’ defense and running game is going to keep them in every contest.  Still, I think they’re going to need to fight to make the playoffs.

5. Atlanta Falcons (3-1); Last Week- 6

The Falcons are a balanced football team that, in my opinion, is more suited for a long postseason run than some of the teams ahead of them in these rankings.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1); Last Week- 3

The Steelers aren’t going to drop much simply because they had a tremendous shot at beating Baltimore without their starting quarterback.

7. New England Patriots (3-1); Last Week- 10

Touchdowns five different ways last night in Miami.  Can we all admit the Pats are the best-coached team in the league?

8. Houston Texans (3-1); Last Week- 9 

I’m still not sure if the Cowboys looked that good in their victory over Houston in Week 3 or if the Texans are a bit overrated.

9. Indianapolis Colts (2-2); Last Week- 2

Wow.  Peyton Manning is so good because he wins the games he is supposed to win.  Sunday’s loss in Jacksonville was shocking.  Super Bowl hangover?

10. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0); Last Week- 14

I feel confident that after Kansas City’s Week 5 matchup with Indy, there won’t be any undefeated teams left in the NFL.

11. San Diego Chargers (2-2); Last Week- 18

The Jekyll and Hyde Chargers are just one of a bunch of NFL teams who haven’t performed up to expectations this season, but they demolished Arizona this week.

12. New York Giants (2-2); Last Week- 19

Depending on your perspective, the Giants won either the ugliest game in league history, or an awesome defensive battle.  Either way, they’re in a three-way tie for first in the NFC East.

13. Chicago Bears (3-1); Last Week- 5

The Bears’ loss Sunday night just makes their win over the Cowboys that much more heart-breaking.

14. Dallas Cowboys (1-2); Last Week- 16

The bad...the Cowboys are in last place in the NFC East.  The good...they’re now just a win back of being in the lead.

15. Minnesota Vikings (1-2); Last Week- 17

The Vikings’ Monday night game against the Jets this week is a pivotal moment in their season.

16. Washington Redskins (2-2); Last Week- 22

I found myself rooting for the Redskins in Philly on Sunday, but now it’s back to hating them.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2); Last Week- 11

The Bengals don’t seem to have an identity on offense.  They’re going to have some trouble catching Pittsburgh and Baltimore–two teams that, as of right now, are clearly superior.

18. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2); Last Week- 12

I still think the Eagles (once Vick returns) are the Cowboys’ top competition within the division.  They won’t win many games if Kevin Kolb is at quarterback, though.

19. Miami Dolphins (2-2); Last Week- 13

Rough night for Chad Henne.  They are in trouble in a loaded AFC East.

20. Denver Broncos (2-2); Last Week- 24

The Broncos did the Cowboys a favor in taking down the Titans in a hard-fought game this week.  Now, they need to catch Kansas City.

21. Tennessee Titans (2-2); Last Week- 15

The Titans’ are one-dimensional on offense.  That dimension is really good, but I think the Cowboys match up well with them.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2); Last Week- 28

How the hell did the Jags beat Indy?  They are a far worse team and probably only win one-in-twenty against the Colts.

23. St. Louis Rams (2-2); Last Week- 27

The Rams may have found something here in Sam Bradford.  Anything is possible in the NFC West.

24. Seattle Seahawks (2-2); Last Week- 20

The Seahawks have now taken down San Fran and San Diego, but lost to Denver and St. Louis.  Who knows?

25. Arizona Cardinals (2-2); Last Week- 21

I told you last week this team wasn’t as good as their then 2-1 record.  They could win the division with a sub-.500 record.

26. Tampa Bay Bucs (2-1); Last Week- 25

I’m not sure how the Bucs fell a spot after a bye, but it’s probably because I’m just not yet a believer.  I do like Josh Freeman, though.

27. San Francisco 49ers (0-4); Last Week- 23

Want a bold prediction?  The 0-4 Niners will win the NFC West.  I promise they’re the best team.

28. Oakland Raiders (1-3); Last Week- 26

I will not pick Oakland to make the playoffs ever again.  I will not pick Oakland to make the playoffs ever again.

29. Cleveland Browns (1-3); Last Week- 31

The first win is always the most difficult.  Of course, the second win is still pretty difficult if you’re Cleveland.

30. Detroit Lions (0-4); Last Week- 29

The Lions are the most exciting 0-4 team of all-time.

31. Carolina Panthers (0-4); Last Week- 30

The Panthers showed nice fight in New Orleans, but what the helllllllll were they doing at the end of the game? Worst clock management I’ve ever seen.

32. Buffalo Bills (0-4); Last Week 32

Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett, or Andrew Luck?  Or how about another running back?

Hey Cowboys fans. . .

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