NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Houston Texans and 4 Postseason Locks

Obviously until we get deeper into the NFL season, the playoff picture won't become more clear.

That being said however, there are some teams who have been performing consistently enough, that they're already a lock for the postseason despite it only being four weeks into the year.

Let's begin in the AFC.

Houston Texans

Unlike the 2010 season, where that was suppose to be "the year" after a 9-7 campaign in 2009, the Houston Texans are rolling in 2011.

And even though WR Andre Johnson may be out for a brief period of time, they're so much more of a complete team now that Houston has proven they can win without him, as evidenced by the second half versus Pittsburgh.

Also, their sole loss of the year came on the road against the New Orleans Saints 40-33, where they actually held a 26-17 fourth quarter lead, so it's also evident that the Texans have the ability to compete with the NFL's best teams.

The defense has significantly improved, the special teams is solid, and once Johnson gets healthy, there's a good chance Houston could finish with the AFC's No. 1 seed.

Green Bay Packers

The defending Super Bowl champions looked the part versus the Denver Broncos at home on Sunday.

QB Aaron Rodgers completely dismantled a Denver defense that has actually made some solid improvements since 2010.

Also, the defense has picked up the pace big time the past two weeks after being picked apart by Drew Brees and Cam Newton, however, even when underachieving the Packers still won the game.

As of right now this is the best team in football, and although NFC North rival Detroit is also 4-0, the Lions still have a lot more proving to do than Green Bay.

New Orleans Saints

The second best team in pro football resides in the NFC, thus giving the national conference supremacy over the AFC.

After four weeks of play, the New Orleans Saints are 3-1, with the sole loss coming on the road at Green Bay in Week 1.

Since then, The Big Easy has ran off wins over Chicago 30-13 (2010 NFC North champs), Houston (arguably the AFC's best team), and Jacksonville (tough place to play on the road).

QB Drew Brees is having another great year and being in arguably the toughest NFL division from top to bottom, the Saints are a few steps ahead of the Falcons, Buccaneers, and Panthers.

Baltimore Ravens

On Sunday night, the Baltimore Ravens proved to have one of the best defenses (if not the best defense) in pro football.

It's not easy winning NFL games when your offense only scores one TD, but when you have a defense like the Ravens, three defensive TDs are never too far-fetched.

The New York Jets just had a good defensive gameplan as well, but Baltimore's proved to be even more effective and now Edge Allen Poe's Ravens are 3-1.

Also, the road loss at Tennessee doesn't look like a fluke now as the Titans are 3-1, and RB Chris Johnson is getting back on track.

Other than Houston, the Ravens are a lock for the postseason and when they meet the Texans at home on Oct. 16, that could very well be a prequel to the AFC Championship.

Week 5 Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

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