NFL Power Rankings for Week 5 from the Sports Mac

1. Baltimore Ravens (LW: 1)

Despite giving up more than 300 yards passing, they were never really threatened by the Broncos.

2. Atlanta Falcons (LW: 2)

While it wasn’t the prettiest win in the world, the Falcons won a game that they were expected to.

3. New York Jets (LW: 3)

The Jets staff will take what Mark Sanchez gave them this week, not great stats, but managed the game and no turnovers.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (LW: 7)

The whole team should be buoyed by the return of their franchise QB from suspension after missing the first four games.

5. Indianapolis Colts (LW: 9)

An unexpected solid defensive performance helped offset a quiet day from Peyton and the offense in beating KC.

6. New England Patriots (LW: 10)

Out goes Randy Moss, in comes Deion Branch, but how will it help with the group of young wide receivers?

7. Kansas City Chiefs (LW: 3)

That they were able to hold the Colts to under 20 points is a plus defensively; scoring less than 10 is a negative though.

8. New Orleans Saints (LW: 5)

Only being able to manage 85 yards rushing is not helping Drew Brees and what he wants to do offensively.

9. New York Giants (LW: 15)

For a season that seemed lost two weeks ago, it may now be the Giants who are the favorite in the NFC East.

10. Green Bay Packers (LW: 6)

Without a doubt, the most injury-laden team in the league and, now, may have to play without their starting QB.

11. Tennessee Titans (LW: 17)

A good road win over the Cowboys has restored the faith of Titans fans after the loss to Denver the previous week.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (LW: 18)

A tough road win over a struggling San Francisco team will help the team and Kevin Kolb’s confidence.

13. Chicago Bears (LW: 19)

Here’s a question: How many games can the Bears defense win without expecting anything from the Bears offense?

14. Houston Texans (LW: 9)

You really want to believe that they’re ready to take the next step when a performance like the one against the Giants crops up.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LW: 20)

The first win over a quality team this season might show that the players and Raheem Morris are making progress.

16. Cincinnati Bengals (LW: 11)

A win over Baltimore, but losses to Cleveland and Tampa Bay mean once again this is the enigma of the NFL.

17. Dallas Cowboys (LW: 12)

Does it just seem that no matter what talent Wade Phillips has, he just can’t have a team that plays up to its potential?

18. Washington Redskins (LW: 21)

While they haven’t been stellar, wins the last two weeks might have McNabb and the Redskins thinking division title.

19. Minnesota Vikings (LW: 13)

This is now the early candidate for train wreck of the season, and you can’t help but watch it in slow motion.

20. San Diego Chargers (LW: 14)

You have to wonder how many more slow starts fans and ownership will tolerate before they demand more.

21. Denver Broncos (LW: 16)

Do you realize there are 21 RBs in the NFL that have run for more yards than the Broncos have put up as a team this year?

22. Miami Dolphins (LW: 22)

Hopefully, they have been able to shore up the defense during the week off. It’ll help that they’ll face the struggling Packers.

23. Detroit Lions (LW: 28)

Now, that’s how you break a 10 game losing streak. Can they carry that momentum over to their next game?

24. Arizona Cardinals (LW: 29)

Will Ken Whisenhunt be tempted to stay with his rookie QB for the rest of the season or is it back to Derek Anderson?

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (LW: 23)

Yes, they did win a second week in a row, but it was against the Bills which is not exactly the same as the Colts.

26. Oakland Raiders (LW: 27)

Maybe Tom Cable can win a bunch of games with a two QB system for the entire season.

27. Seattle Seahawks (LW: 24)

The old regime’s roster purge is almost complete after they dumped Deion Branch for a fourth round pick.

28. Cleveland Browns (LW: 25)

They have the Cardinals' problem: who the heck are we going to start at QB for our next game?

29. St. Louis Rams (LW: 26)

All of the good feelings of the past two weeks disappeared in a 38 point loss to a team that had a 10 game losing streak.

30. San Francisco 49ers (LW: 30)

Given the way they’ve lost games this season, it might be a little dodgy to expect a great performance against Oakland.

31. Buffalo Bills (LW: 31)

They were able to move the ball and score points again, but that defense needs to find a way to stop somebody.

32. Carolina Panthers (LW: 32)

When you hold the opposing QB to 32 yards passing and four INTS and still lose by 17, you are right where you should be on this list.