NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Did ESPN Get It Right or Wrong?

ESPN released their Week 5 NFL Power Rankings on Tuesday, so let's dive into the list to see if the Worldwide Leader got it right. 

No. 1-10

1. Green Bay Packers (4-0) 

2. New Orleans Saints (3-1)

3. New England Patriots (3-1)

4. Detroit Lions (4-0)

5. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

6. Houston Texans (3-1)

7. San Diego Chargers (3-1)

8. Tennessee Titans (3-1)

9. Buffalo Bills (3-1)

10. New York Giants (3-1)

Comments: How many people would have guessed this top 10 through four weeks of football? I'd guess not many, but ESPN got this mostly right. I'd personally put the Lions ahead of both the Saints and Patriots. It's not just a fluke anymore, even if they have had to fight back from 20 points down the past two weeks. Being 4-0 is something that should be rewarded.

The Bills have been a nice story through four weeks, but it's doubtful that they'll be sticking in the top 10. Say what you want about Victor Cruz's "fumble," but New York probably lucked out to get back into the top 10.

No. 11-20

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)

12. Washington Redskins (3-1)

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)

14. New York Jets (2-2)

15. Oakland Raiders (2-2)

16. San Francisco 49ers (3-1)

17. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)

18. Chicago Bears (2-2)

19. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)

20. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3)

Comments: The 49ers don't get enough credit from ESPN, as they only went from 20th to 16th. At 3-1, they deserve to be higher and maybe even top 12.

It's amazing to look at the middle group of teams and see the Steelers, Jets, Falcons and Eagles, as many predicted those four to be in the hunt for a Super Bowl. Each has major weaknesses that need to be addressed, and in the Eagles' case, in a hurry. 1-3 isn't a death sentence to a season, but it doesn't leave much wiggle room from here on out. And even if the Eagles do make the playoffs, they'll have to win games away from the Linc because of their horrid start.

The Jets and Steelers each need to get their lines figured out before they venture back into the top 10. Overall, not many complaints on this portion—other than the 49ers at 16.

No. 21-32

21. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)

22. Cleveland Browns (2-2)

23. Arizona Cardinals (1-3)

24. Carolina Panthers (1-3)

25. Seattle Seahawks (1-3)

26. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3)

27. Denver Broncos (1-3)

28. Kansas City Chiefs (1-3)

29. Indianapolis Colts (0-4)

30. Minnesota Vikings (0-4)

31. Miami Dolphins (0-4)

32. St. Louis Rams (0-4)

Comments: The one problem is the Vikings at No. 30. Sure, they've been in every game and likely should have a win. But they don't, and their loss against the previously winless Chiefs should relegate them to the NFL's basement. That's just comparing a rotten apple to a moldy orange, however, and the Rams have done more than effort to warrant the cellar.

The bottom 13 is such a clear indication of the importance of a quarterback in today's NFL. Look at all the good backs among those teams: Steven Jackson, Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jamaal Charles (pre-injury) and Peyton Hillis. That doesn't matter anymore. There's probably only two quarterbacks in that group that have a chance, and that's Kevin Kolb and Cam Newton. The rest probably aren't going to win you many games in the NFL.