NFL Power Rankings: Week 5

Did you really think things would be any different? The NFL regular season is proving once again to be the Patriots’ plaything. Bill Belichick is laughing at the masses for having any hope of dethroning his dynasty. The Patriots have handled all challenges with ease. The Bills were the latest team to fall and although the score was close, it never felt like they were seriously challenging Tom Brady and The Hoodie. They remain at the top of the power rankings for one more week. This hurts my soul in a way I don’t want to talk about any longer.

I lead with the Patriots for this simple truth. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Like the tides, teams rise and fall according to outside forces. Sometimes that outside force is another, better team imposing their will on you, and sometimes it’s the perception the team has bought themselves after a particularly strong or weak game.

It’s a long season, however, and we still have plenty of games to play. Don’t despair too greatly if your team isn’t where you thought they would be. After all, it might get better but it’s more likely that we are seeing the pecking order of the 2019 season play out.

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

Biggest Rise: Panthers (up 5), Lions/Saints (up 4)

Kyle Allen has stepped in and played adequately. The Texans teed off on him for most of Sunday’s game, but he did a good job of pushing the ball in the fourth quarter and keeping the Panthers’ O on the field long enough to drain the clock and the Texans hopes in the process. His move to get away from J.J. Watt was unbelievable.

The Lions get bumped up because they didn’t get blown out by the Chiefs. I don’t believe in moral victories, but the Lions actually played really well in the game and had a legit chance to win against a loaded Chiefs team. They get the bump because I believe they are simply better than the teams behind them.

Biggest Fall: Ravens (down 7), Falcons (down 6), Texans/Vikings/Colts (down 5)

Quote the Raven, “Nevermore.” A few weeks ago it looked like Lamar Jackson was going to be the QB who set the world on fire this season. He was doing it all. The ball was jumping out of his hands and falling accurately into his WRs’ outstretched arms. Since then, they’ve been beaten by the Chiefs and the Browns. Jackson has looked completely mortal. I don’t know if the Ravens are actually good. I do know I’m going to wait for them to prove it to me.

The Texans are a victim of bad coaching and no roster depth. It’s pretty clear that Bill O’Brien is not equipped to lead a NFL franchise to glory. His constant mistakes when it comes to play-calling and clock management have cost the Texans time and time again. Let’s hope that the Texans’ front office recognizes that O’Brien isn’t the man for the job before it costs them Deshaun Watson.

Biggest Surprise: Saints

After losing Drew Brees, I suspected that the Saints would just kind of naturally fall towards the bottom of the league. Instead, Teddy Bridgewater has kept them afloat. The win against the Cowboys wasn’t dominant, but it was a solid team win. The Saints look like they have enough pieces in place to stay in the hunt until Brees returns.

Team I’m most intrigued by: Buccaneers

The Bucs are now 2-2 after a surprising win over the Rams. I don’t think this is a playoff team, yet it’s hard not to like what Bruce Arians has done for this team. Jameis Winston will probably always be inconsistent. When he’s on, he can light it up. It helps to have Mike Evans eviscerating the souls of any CB he’s up against.