NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Dallas Cowboys and the 2 Flattest Teams

The Dallas Cowboys have opened what looked to be a promising season at 2-2, with two come-from-ahead losses to go along with two average wins. The Cowboys have the talent to go a long way, but something is missing. It seems like Dallas lacks a sense of urgency, and that's why the team leads my list of the NFL's three flattest teams.

Quarterback Tony Romo impressed everyone in the league with his toughness, as he led the Cowboys to wins in Week 2 and Week 3 while suffering through a broken rib and a collapsed lung. Then, he impressed everyone with his ability to absolutely blow a game against the Detroit Lions in Week 4, as Dallas and Romo choked away a 24-point lead before falling 34-30.

Something is just off with this Cowboys team, and for some reason, they can't sustain success or remain consistent throughout games. If they don't get things together in a hurry, they could find themselves buried in the competitive NFC East.

The San Diego Chargers might be the most unimpressive 3-1 team in NFL history. The Bolts are another team with loads of talent, but something is just off so far this season. The Chargers own three unimpressive wins over teams with a combined record of 1-11. They beat the Minnesota Vikings 24-17 in Week 1, the Kansas City Chiefs 20-17 in Week 3 and the Miami Dolphins 26-16 in Week 4.

San Diego has always gotten off to slow starts under head coach Norv Turner, so the town's fans might just be rejoicing that they actually have wins to celebrate early this season. But if the Chargers don't somehow figure out how to get their prolific offense (seventh in the NFL averaging 415.8 yards per game) to put points on the board, it could be a long season out west.

What is going on in Pittsburgh? I have never seen a team reach a Super Bowl, then come out as uninspired as the Steelers have this season. They opened the year by getting blasted 35-7 by the Baltimore Ravens, then were handed two easy wins over cupcakes in the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts before getting shoved around by the Houston Texans this past Sunday in a 17-10 loss.

Pittsburgh's offensive line, once a strength, has been awful. The team's run defense, another former strength, is currently ranked 22nd in the NFL, allowing 119.5 yards per game. The rushing offense that has been the team's driving force over the past few seasons has also been dismal, averaging just 93.8 yards per game (21st in the league).

Right now, the Steelers have looked like a .500 team, not the defending AFC champions. They have to snap out of their current funk if they want to have a prayer at making the playoffs, much less returning to the Super Bowl.

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