Week five has come and gone, and the contenders and pretenders are starting to sort themselves out. The Minnesota Vikings have yet to suffer their first loss, and the Cleveland Browns have yet to earn their first victory. Now that a quarter of the season is done, Ryan Smith brings his first edition of the power rankings.
Week Six NFL Power Rankings
32. The Cleveland Browns
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Cleveland Browns are the worst team in the NFL. As if starting the season with Robert Griffin under center wasn’t bad enough, they’re now on their third string quarterback, Cody Kessler… and he’s injured too. They’re 0-5, and if history is any indication, Hue Jackson will be unemployed before too much longer.
31. The Chicago Bears
While the Browns are bad, the Chicago Bears aren’t much better. Even after Brian Hoyer had a career day, the team just imploded. The defense is giving up 350 yards a game, but the offense is only scoring 17 points. It looks like the team has talent, but coach John Fox just hasn’t been able to get things to click.
30. The Miami Dolphins
Sorry Peyton Manning, it looks like not all of your endorsements are successful. Adam Gase hasn’t been able to turn this team around, and honestly, they look like they’ve gotten worse. For a squad with a ton of talent on paper, they look like they’re playing All-Madden against someone on Rookie mode.
29. The San Francisco 49ers
The good news is that nobody expected the San Francisco 49ers to be good this year. The bad news is that they lived up to those expectations. Blaine Gabbert has played like Blaine Gabbert, and the crowd is actually asking for Colin Kaepernick to start. The season is already over for the 49ers, but Chip Kelly needs to change things up unless he wants to be unemployed yet again.
28. The San Diego Chargers
The sad thing is that the San Diego Chargers are not the 28th best team in the NFL. They’re actually quite talented. Rookie Joey Bosa made a fantastic debut, and tight ends Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry are arguably the second best tight end duo in football. Unfortunately, they keep finding creative ways to lose. Fumbles, botched snaps, and bad luck are what is separating San Diego from 1-4 and 5-0.
27. The Tennessee Titans
Unlike the San Diego Chargers, the Tennessee Titans expected to be bad this year. Instead of drafting someone with their first overall pick, they traded back and invested in the future. Unfortunately, that meant that sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota is playing with the 2015 version of the team. Sure, they went out and got DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, but when your leading receiver has 225 yards through five games, you might be in trouble.
26. The New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are the most confusing team in the NFL. They’re averaging almost 400 yards and 30 points a game on offense. Unfortunately, they’re also giving up over 420 yards and 32 points a game. Their entire defense needs to be recycled. They need to draft an entire secondary and get some serious pass rushers in there. Unfortunately, that probably isn’t going to happen this year, and the Saints will remain at the bottom of the power rankings.
25. The Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars received a ton of hype this off-season, but sadly they just haven’t been able to live up to the expectations. Somebody predicted this months ago, but you can’t go from one of the worst teams in football to an elite squad.
24. The New York Jets
The reason that the New York Jets have struggled this year is very simple. Ryan Fitzpatrick turned into Ryan Fitzpat-pick. The Harvard grad has thrown ten interceptions this year, and it’s completely sunk the team. They had a chance at getting a lead in the AFC East, and they’ve failed miserably.
23. The Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers won’t be near the bottom of the depth chart for long. They’ve had a miserable start, but that can’t last long. The defense is simply too good, and once Cam Newton returns, they’ll get back on their feet.
22. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t better than the Panthers, but after beating them on Monday Night Football, they’ve earned the spot for the week. Jameis Winston needs to fix his turnover problems, but the Buccaneers could be one of the better young teams in the NFL in the coming seasons.
21. The Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are another one of those teams that should be much higher on this list, but for some reason, Jim Irsay refuses to help Andrew Luck out. He’s one of the best young quarterbacks on one of the very worst teams in football.
20. The Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have a lot of heart. Matthew Stafford has quietly had a good season, but his team hasn’t been there for him. Much like the Indianapolis Colts, the rest of the team just isn’t on Stafford’s level.
19. The New York Giants
A lot has been made about Odell Beckham Jr.’s “sideliene drama” this year, but the reality is that the New York Giants have bigger problems. They’re not scoring touchdowns when it matters, and that’s hurt them. Their defense has improved drastically since last year, but their offense needs to get moving if they want to catch up in the division.
18. The Cincinnati Bengals
The biggest problem with the Cincinnati Bengals? That Andy Dalton is second in the NFL in passing yards and 22nd in touchdowns. It’s not entirely his fault, as his pass protection has been absolutely dreadful. The Bengals aren’t bad, but if they want to compete in the AFC North, they need to start winning games.
17. The Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are no stranger to slow starts. They were down 21 points to the San Diego Chargers in week one, but they managed to win. They started 1-5 last season, but they still came painfully close to a first round bye in the playoffs. The defense is missing Justin Houston, but fans are starting to wonder if Alex Smith is holding the team back.
16. The Houston Texans
Is it obvious that the Houston Texans are missing J.J. Watt yet? Hell, after his performance with the Bears, they might even be missing Brian Hoyer. Especially considering the fact that off-season acquisition Brock Osweiler is 17th in passing yards and has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns.
15. The Arizona Cardinals
What in the world is wrong with the Arizona Cardinals? This team was supposed to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and instead they’ve lost to Jimmy Garoppolo in his first start, Tyrod Taylor, and Case Keenum. This team has a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, and they could absolutely get back into the top ten, but they’ve gotta prove it.
14. The Baltimore Ravens
Poor Baltimore. Their defense is incredible, but their offense is so bad, they can’t get five seconds to rest. Joe Flacco and company went three and out on the first five drives of their 16-10 loss to the next team on this list. How is a defense supposed to make big plays when they’re on the field for an entire half?
13. The Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are in the hunt for the NFC East title, you like that? Kirk Cousins and the Redskins started off slow, but have since found their footing. They’ve won three in a row, and their match up against arguably their biggest rival this Sunday will have post-season implications.
12. The Los Angeles Rams
How strange is it to see Case Keenum and the Los Angeles Rams this close to the top ten? After they were blanked by the 49ers in week one, the Rams have bounced right back. They hold wins over the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals early in the season. In a division that could come down to the wire, every win matters.
11. The Buffalo Bills
After an 0-2 start, everyone was calling for Rex Ryan‘s head. How did the Buffalo Bills respond? By winning their next three games. With the 49ers and Dolphins up next, there’s no reason the Bills can’t be 5-2 when they go back for seconds against Bill Belichick and company.
10. The Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have come a long way from being the worst team in the NFC East. Behind rookie passer Carson Wentz, the Eagles started out 3-0 before dropping a heartbreaker to the Detroit Lions. Nobody wins them all, but there’s no question the Eagles have improved significantly.
9. The Dallas Cowboys
Despite losing Dez Bryant and Tony Romo, the Dallas Cowboys have been just fine. Behind the great wall of Dallas, Ezekiel Elliott has rushed for 546 yards in five games, leading the league. It’ll be interesting to see how involved they let rookie quarterback Dak Prescott get in the offense as the season goes by.
8. The Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are one of the best worst teams in the NFL. Sure, they’re 4-1, but they could easily be 0-5. Derek Carr, Michael Crabtree, and Amari Cooper are coming up big when it matters, and the number one priority, as the late, great Al Davis would say, is to “Just Win, Baby!”.
7. The Green Bay Packers
It’s hard to see where the Green Bay Packers are. They’ve got one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL and a solid defense, but they’ve struggled in every game this year. Against the lowly Lions and Jaguars, the Packers only won by a single score. If the Packers are going to challenge the best teams in the NFC, they’re going to have to make a statement.
6. The Pittsburgh Steelers
As always, the Pittsburgh Steelers is the epitome of a hot and cold team. One week, they’re getting destroyed by Carson Wentz and the Eagles, the next they’re blowing out the Kansas City Chiefs. They should easily dispose of the Miami Dolphins this weekend, but it’ll be interesting to see what Ben Roethilsberger and company bring when they play a certain team from the north-east in three weeks.
5. The Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have the league’s best defense. Sound weird? It’s true. They’re only giving up around 264 yards a game, and the Legion of Boom is as strong as ever. Their offense is struggling, but if you remember, they started off on the wrong foot last year as well. The offensive line is getting healthy and the Seahawks get their first serious test of the year this week against a red hot offense.
4. The Denver Broncos
The defending Super Bowl champions suffered their first loss of the season last week, and find themselves in an intriguing situation. They have to face the San Diego Chargers on Thursday Night Football without their head coach. While the Bronco defense is perfectly capable of winning in Gary Kubiak‘s absence, the Chargers are dangerous. It’ll be interesting to see if Trevor Siemian can participate in a shoot-out if that’s what it comes to.
3. The Atlanta Falcons
What is there to say about the Atlanta Falcons? They’re number one in most statistical categories and boast wins over the Raiders, Broncos, and the Panthers, it’s weird that this team isn’t undefeated. They face a stiff challenge against the Seattle Seahawks this weekend, but a win could be enough to bump them above the next team on this list.
2. The New England Patriots
When Tom Brady came out of the tunnel last week, one half of the AFC Championship game was booked. The Cleveland Browns were in trouble, and the best quarterback in NFL history tore them apart. The New England Patriots were great without him, but with him? Watch out, NFL.
1. The Minnesota Vikings
As one brilliant sportswriter pointed out, the Minnesota Vikings have been fine without Teddy Bridgewater. In fact, they’ve been better than fine. They’re the only undefeated team in the NFL, they’re only giving up 12 points a game, and they lead the league in sacks and takeaways. Even without Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson, the Vikings have been fantastic, and are well on their way to a Super Bowl appearance.
