Week 5 NFL Power Rankings

Tanking For Caleb Williams

32. Carolina Panthers (0-5)

Watching the Panthers mismanage their way to a 0-5 record is like being a bystander at a car crash. They traded up to pick one, which gave even the most biased Panthers fans pause. Giving up picks 9, 61, a 2024 first-rounder, a 2025 second-rounder, and star receiver DJ Moore. So when they selected Bryce Young, a quarterback with one glaring issue. He's five feet 10 inches. It felt like a disaster was waiting to happen in Carolina. They inserted Young into an offence with no talent. They expected him to tread water until they could solve the issue at receiver. Young had to drive at 150km an hour in a Peel P50. Of course, that isn't going to end well. The brakes have failed, the engine has broken down, and Young has lost all confidence in his driving ability. They say car crashes feel like they happen in slow motion. This season will be one long and torturous accident for the Panthers.

31. Chicago Bears (1-4)

The Bears are terrible. There's not much more to say.

30. New England Patriots (1-4)

How Robert Kraft, owner of the Patriots, manages Bill Belichick this season is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing stories in sports. Belichick is the greatest coach of all time. He's 18 wins away from the all-time coaching record. He still loves his job. But he's also 71, and his team has been abysmal. Like most great sporting figures, the game eventually passes you by. And it feels like we’ve reached that point with Belichick. The Patriots will be looking to draft a rookie QB. I'm sure Belichick will be implored to tank for one. But will he want to stick around and develop another QB? I doubt it. This season could get really ugly both on and off the field for the Patriots. The once-great dynasty is now the 3rd worst team in the NFL. Something has to change.

29. Arizona Cardinals (1-4)

I respect the Arizona Cardinals. They play hard. Take good teams to their limit. Once they get some actual talent in the building, the culture they are establishing will propel them to the playoffs. The Cardinals are becoming a great example of how to get high picks while teaching your players to fight hard and compete.

28. Denver Broncos (1-4)

After the Bronco's brutal loss to the Jets, expect them to sell every asset they have not named Patrick Surtain II before the upcoming trade deadline. It's tank season in Broncos country.

The Good Bad Teams

27. Washington Commanders (2-3)

The only reason the Commanders aren't tanking Is because Ron Rivera wants to keep his job as head coach. Unfortunately, the efforts seem futile after their 40-20 loss to the Bears. Yes, the 31st-ranked Chicago Bears. I'm not sure Washington deserves to be in this tier. They aren't tanking, but they aren't one of the good, bad teams, either. By week 10, there will be a definitive answer to this question. Until then, they will be awkwardly placed at 27.

26. Las Vegas Raiders (2-3)

The Raiders are reportedly looking to TRADE for players at this upcoming deadline. The 2-3 Raiders are looking to add. Yet another team who thinks they are better than what they are. A hard reset is needed in Las Vegas, but no one has the guts to pull the trigger.

25. New York Giants (1-4)

Legendary basketball coach Pat Riley had a theory called "the disease of more". Last year the Giants had a very successful season. They overachieved. They won a playoff game. Daniel Jones got paid, and everyone was happy. Or so we thought. Athletes love winning in every facet of their sport. This includes being rewarded with a contract that recognises their winning ability. So when Jones was given an enormous extension, many Giants players began to feel undervalued and underappreciated. And the one thing you don't want in a locker room is jealousy towards your QB, your leader. The Giants have lost the vibe they had last season. They are no longer the underdog that everyone doubted. The team that no one believed in. They have become more concerned with getting paid than winning. And it has cost them dearly. The disease of more applies to every sport and every success level. The Giants are yet another one of its victims.

24. New York Jets (2-3)

It’s tough to get excited about a Zach Wilson-led side. Their only two wins have come under bizarre circumstances (Week 1 Aaron Rodgers gets injured, Week 5 Hackett Bowl), and their defence relies on the refs letting a lot of physicality go. It's devastating to imagine how fun this team would have been with a healthy Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. The suffering of Jets fans continues.

The Unrankable AFC South

23. Tennessee Titans (2-3)

The "control the ball, no turnovers, dominate time of possession, let the other team make mistakes" strategy from Mike Vrabel might have worked when Derrick Henry was at his peak three years ago. But 1,826 carries in seven years takes a toll, and unfortunately, Henry is feeling the effects. Worst of all, the Titans can't even adjust their strategy. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been so bad this season, throwing two touchdowns and five interceptions, with a QBR of 37.3 (30th in the league), that they are petrified of throwing. That equates to a very average football team.

22. Indianapolis Colts (3-2)

The Colts have two significant issues.

1. The players don't like the coach

2. The owner can't run a team

The actual on-field play is entertaining. Rookie QB Anthony Richardson is amazing. Star running back Jonathan Taylor has returned to the team after holding out for a new contract. The skill players are exceeding their talent. It's just a shame they have such an incompetent owner.

21. Houston Texans (2-3)

Rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans drafted C.J. Stroud this offseason to turn things around in Houston. It's working. Give them three seasons. The Texans will be returning to the playoffs soon enough.

Barely Hanging Around

20. Minnesota Vikings (1-4)

Take away past performance. In a vacuum, the Vikings deserve to be ranked in the 30s. 1-4 is a disgusting record. But I can't give up on them. Too much talent. Too well-coached. Too experienced. If the Vikings finished this season with five wins, which they are currently on track for, it would be akin to Port Adelaide completely self-combusting next year after two bad Finals losses. That can't happen, right? Right?

19. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

The Bengals' 34-20 victory over the Cardinals felt like a message to the NFL. "We are back". Unfortunately, they have the Seahawks, 49ers and Bills next on the schedule. That is brutal. Going 0-3 during that stretch practically ends their season. It's do-or-die time in Cincinnati.

"I Wouldn't Want To Play Those Guys"

18. New Orleans Saints (3-2)

No other team in the NFL can make you feel as many emotions as the New Orleans Saints do. "Oh, what a throw by Carr!" "What are they doing?" "Kamara, are you kidding me!" "I can't believe the defence just let that happen.", "Carr, where are you throwing???. They gave up 26 points to the Buccaneers in week 4, then seven days later held Bill Belichick to ZERO points. Consistency is critical for the Saints. They have yet to find it.

17. Atlanta Falcons (3-2)

The NFC South is so wide open that Bijan Robinson might carry this team to a playoff spot.

16. Green Bay Packers (2-3)

This team is just one big question mark. First-year starting quarterback Jordan Love needs to show more this season to prove he can take over from Aaron Rodgers. Is he the future of the franchise? Is it sustainable to have your receiving core led by Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs? The defence has given up 20 to the Bears, 25 to the Falcons and 34 to the Lions. Can they hold a great offence below 30? The Packers are talented and well-coached enough to make the playoffs, but will they actually pull it off?

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)

The Bucs embody Baker Mayfield. They are outgoing, in-your-face, tough trash-talkers. The chip on Mayfield's shoulder has carried over to his new team, creating a “nobody believes in us” culture in Tampa Bay. I love it. Sometimes, you have to root for storylines in sports, and I desperately want to see Mayfield taking a Tom Brady-less Bucs to the playoffs.

X-Factors With Major Flaws

14. Los Angeles Rams (2-3)

Health. The factor that will determine the fate of this Rams season. If Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford stay healthy for the rest of the season. Pencil them in for a playoff spot.

13. Los Angeles Chargers (2-3)

I can't decide if this is too high or too low. Coach Brandan Staley's analytical approach leads to 4-5 really dumb decisions each week. That's going to cost the Chargers at least two wins. But quarterback Justin Herbert is so good that he guarantees you a playoff spot. They have started 2-2, so to make the playoffs from here, they have to go 8-5. This leaves the question: can Staley single-handedly make enough bad decisions that it stops his quarterback from taking his team to the playoffs? I wouldn't put it past him.

12. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

The Seahawk's three wins have come against the Lions in OT (impressive), the Panthers by 10 (good offensive performance), and the Giants by 21 (dominated all night). They have averaged 27.8 points through four games, the 6th most this season. Geno Smith has continued his remarkable comeback as a starting quarterback. Pete Caroll remains one of the NFL's best coaches at 72 years old. Yet, I still feel hesitant to call them a playoff team. When you remove the Giants game, the Seahawks defence has given up 29.3 points per game. That's horrendous. Their schedule isn't getting any easier, either. They play the 49ers twice, the Cowboys, Eagles, Rams, Browns and Ravens. If the Seahawks want to make the playoffs, Carrol and his staff must find a way to get the defence back on track.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2)

The Jaguars can only play well in London. That's a major issue.

Great Defence, Bad Offense

10. Cleveland Browns (2-2)

Picture this: You're an opposing QB. It's snowing. Your receivers are shaking as you read out the play call. You break the huddle, look to your right, and see all-pro pass rusher Myles Garret staring you down. The ball is snapped, the pocket collapses quickly, and your receivers are stuck in the snow. CRUNCH. Garrett's 123kg frame spear-tackled you into the turf.

That nightmare is what quarterbacks are going to be experiencing when the winter weather returns in Cleaveland. Not fun. Defences wins championships, and the Browns have one of the best.

9. Baltimore Ravens (3-2)

The Ravens have failed quarterback Lamar Jackson, and they know it. The Odell Beckham Jr signing has been a complete failure. Taking Zay Flowers in the draft looks like a good pick. But to expect a rookie receiver to be your team's number-one option is ridiculous. The Ravens should try to trade for a wide receiver before the deadline. Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton would fit well with this offence.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)

Would most people rank the Steelers at eight? No. But Mike Tomlin is too good of a coach to let this offence continue to struggle as it has. The defence will keep games close, and as the season progresses, the points will come.

Fraud Watch

7. Dallas Cowboys (3-2)

This is the same Cowboys team as always. They will beat up on the bad teams. Finish the season with 10-11 wins. A former Cowboys player will go to ESPN and guarantee the Cowboys win the Super Bowl. Then one day later, they will lose a close game in the first round. I will consider this team fraudulent until they prove they can win games against good teams.

Excellent Record, But…..

6. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)

The Chiefs don't look 100%. Patrick Mahomes has made terrible throws this season, something you never see. Tight end Tarvis Kelce had never missed a game due to injury UNTIL this season. Mahomes is getting increasingly frustrated by his receivers. These are signs that the Chiefs aren’t in Super Bowl form. The 4-1 record looks good on paper, but something just isn’t right in Kansas City.

Great Team, Unproven In The Playoffs

5. Detroit Lions (4-1)

There is nothing like playoff football. And unfortunately for the Lions, almost no one on this team has played in that situation. Detroit is electrifying to watch on both sides of the ball. But can an in-experienced side go toe to toe with the NFL's best in a playoff atmosphere? We'll have to wait and see.

AFC Kings

4. Miami Dolphins (3-2)

The Bills humbled the Dolphins in week 4. But a sign of a great team is when you get knocked down, you get straight back up and respond. The Dolphins did that in week 5, winning 31-16 against the Giants.

(P.S. If I had to vote for an MVP through the first five weeks, it would be Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. He's the NFL's version of Steph Curry. Not only does he score all the time. Hill's gravitational pull draws in so many defenders that it leaves his teammates completely open with 10 yards of space to work with. Why do you think the Dolphins run game works so well? The defenders who typically defend the run must sit three yards deeper against the Dolphins to limit Tyreek. If that's not the definition of the most valuable player, then I don't know what is.

3. Buffalo Bills (3-2)

The Bills can throw it, run it, create turnovers on defence and limit big-play receivers. Now, that is a scary team.

The Best Of The Best

2. Philadelphia Eagles (5-0)

Super Bowl hangover? Philly has never heard of it. They’ve picked up exactly where they left off last season. Jalen Hurts is playing like an MVP. This off-season draft class has bolstered an already elite defence. "The Brotherly Shove" play the Eagles have developed is a guaranteed 3 yards. The schedule does get harder with the Jets, Dolphins, Commanders, Cowboys twice, Chiefs, Bills, and 49ers all on the horizon. But the Eagles are once again the most well-rounded team in the NFL, and they are showing no signs of slowing down.

1. San Francisco 49ers (5-0)

The 49ers can be described in one word. Effortless. The offence moves the ball like the defence isn't even there. Quarterback Brock Purdy maneuvers the pocket like multiple 150kg defenders aren't trying to take his head off. Kyle Shannon calls plays fearlessly, believing in his players to execute. And guess what? They always do. The 49ers are the best team in football right now, and it's not particularly close.