NFL Power Rankings - Week 5

Quarterback Paxton Lynch #12 of the Denver Broncos loses the ball while pursued by outside linebacker Vic Beasley #44 of the Atlanta Falcons in the first half of the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 9, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Oct. 9, 2016 - Source: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images North America)

1. (1.) New England Patriots (4-1)

QB Tom Brady finally returned from his suspension and got himself a nice warmup match at Cleveland. He completed 28-of-40 passes for 406 yards, 3 touchdowns and a QBR of 127.7. By the way, TE Martellus Bennett was the recipient of all three touchdown passes.

2. (4.) Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1)

The Steelers scored 24 straight points to turn a six-point deficit into a convincing 31-13 win against the Jets. QB Ben Roethlisberger passed for 380 yards and 4 touchdowns. WR Sammie Coates had 6 receptions for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns.

3. (3.) Green Bay Packers (3-1)

Here are two surprising statistics: Green Bay’s passing offense ranks 27th with 209.8 yards per game. Green Bay’s rushing defense is the best in the league, allowing just 42.8 yards per game.

4. (5.) Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

It took a bye week for the Seahawks to get to the top of the NFC West and one spot up in this week’s power rankings. The week 6 matchup against the in-form Falcons promises to be an exciting affair.

5. (2.) Minnesota Vikings (5-0)

So, this time I am dropping the only unbeaten team left after a win against a playoff contender? Right now Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Seattle, Minnesota and Denver are pretty evenly matched and the rankings just reflect the impressions I get week by week. If you need a sports related reason, though, the Vikings have the league’s worst rushing offense.

6. (6.) Denver Broncos (4-1)

QB Trevor Siemian, who missed Sunday’s game against the Falcons with a shoulder injury, is expected to start on Thursday night at San Diego. Rookie QB Paxton Lynch looked very nervous, leading to many inaccurate throws and 6 sacks.

7. (10.) Atlanta Falcons (4-1)

The Falcons kept Denver’s defense off balance all game long and proved that they don’t rely entirely on WR Julio Jones in the passing game. LB Vic Beasley Jr. notched the first game of his career with multiple sacks, finishing with 3.5 quarterback takedowns.

8. (8.) Dallas Cowboys (4-1)

I still remember it very well when QB Tony Romo took over from Drew Bledsoe in Dallas. On Sunday I had the distinct feeling that someone is going to take over from Tony Romo soon.

9. (11.) Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

The 49ers were the right opponent at the right time for the struggling Cardinals. The defense produced 3 turnovers and 7 sacks. Let’s see if this win kick-starts Arizona’s season.

10. (7.) Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)

I think the Eagles were the better team at Detroit but they went home empty-handed. QB Carson Wentz’ streak of pass attempts without an interception came to an end as well as he tried to lead a game-winning two-minute drill.

11. (12.) Oakland Raiders (4-1)

The Raiders keep gaining confidence by winning close games. For the first time in five years they are on a three-game winning streak.

12. (9.) Carolina Panthers (1-4)

TE Greg Olsen had a career-high 181 receiving yards in the loss against Tampa Bay. He now has the eighth most receiving yards among tight ends in NFL history. QB Cam Newton, who sat out the game with a concussion, is expected to play at New Orleans this Sunday.

13. (17.) Kansas City Chiefs (2-2)

Houston, New York Giants, Cincinnati and Baltimore all lost in week 5. That’s how you move up four spots during your bye week. The Chiefs face a tough matchup at the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

14. (20.) Buffalo Bills (3-2)

LB Lorenzo Alexander recorded 3.0 sacks in the win at the Los Angeles Rams and leads the league with 7.0 sacks.

15. (13.) Houston Texans (3-2)

I am beginning to think that the Texans need the home field advantage if they want to get far in the playoffs. They didn’t stand a chance at New England and it didn’t look much better at Minnesota. The next away game is at Denver, by the way.

16. (21.) Washington Redskins (3-2)

PR Jamison Crowder returned a punt 85 yards to the house as the Redskins win at Baltimore 16-10. It was Washington’s first punt return touchdown since 2008. Washington is on a three-game winning streak as they host the Eagles on Sunday.

17. (15.) Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The Bengals are a bit like the Houston Texans; they win against beatable opponents and lose against playoff contenders. Given the competitive nature of the AFC, they could miss out on the postseason this year.

18. (14.) New York Giants (2-3)

The Giants are on a three-game losing streak and need to stop this downward trend against the Ravens on Sunday. CB Janoris Jenkings intercepted QB Aaron Rodgers twice last week.

19. (16.) Baltimore Ravens (3-2)

It was a tough loss against the Redskins. First, LB C.J. Mosley intercepted a pass then fumbled the ball while reaching for the end zone. Then WR Breshad Perriman’s touchdown was overturned in the final minute because one foot was out of bounds.

20. (19.) Indianapolis Colts (2-3)

I could go on about the offensive line and the defense like I could every week but I would rather point out RB Frank Gore, who is now 9th all-time with 12,367 rushing yards.

21. (18.) Los Angeles Rams (3-2)

Los Angeles’ reliance on their defense cost them against the Bills as they did not find a way to stop them or to create any turnovers.

22. (23.) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3)

The Jaguars enjoyed a bye week after their victorious trip to London. That’s plenty of preparation time for their next game at Chicago.

23. (24.) New Orleans Saints (1-3)

Even though the Panthers are going from one loss to another it won’t be an easy task for the Saints if they cannot establish a running game.

24. (27.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)

This time K Roberto Aguayo was in the news for all the right reasons, kicking the game-winning field goal at Carolina as time expired. Enjoy the bye week.

25. (26.) Detroit Lions (2-3)

The win against the Eagles was much needed after three straight losses. The Lions were off to a good start, scoring touchdowns on each of their first three possessions for a 21-7 lead, but needed a field goal with 1:28 minutes left to win the game 24-23.

26. (30.) Tennessee Titans (2-3)

The Titans have three winnable home games coming up against the Browns, Colts and Jaguars. They could have a 5-3 record at the halfway point of the season.

27. (22.) New York Jets (1-4)

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t commit a single turnover at Pittsburgh and completed 65.8% of his passes for 255 yards.

28. (25.) San Diego Chargers (1-4)

The Chargers are too mistake-prone. At Oakland they committed 4 turnovers and blew an opportunity to score the tying field goal with a little over two minutes left.

29. (28.) Chicago Bears (1-4)

Rookie RB Jordan Howard rushed for 100+ yards in his last two games. He also scored the first touchdown of his NFL career on a 21-yard reception.

30. (29.) Miami Dolphins (1-4)

After another two tough matchups against Pittsburgh and Buffalo, Miami will be happy to have a bye week; likely with a 1-6 record.

31. (31.) San Francisco 49ers (1-4)

QB Blaine Gabbert isn’t the answer; not even temporary. HC Chip Kelly announced that QB Colin Kaepernick will start at Buffalo in week 6.

32. (32.) Cleveland Browns (0-5)

Now here is something worthy of a bottom ranked team: The Browns lost seven games in a row and 14 of their last 15. And another one: Five quarterbacks played for the Browns in five games this season.