Nolan Anderson’s NFL Power Rankings: Post Week Five
Five weeks down and things are starting to truly take shape around the league. Let’s take a look at the week five power rankings.
- Eagles (last week #1)
The only team in the NFL with no losses, and every week, QB Jalen Hurts continues to impress. Through the first five games, Hurts is sporting a nearly 70 percent completion percentage, ahead of the likes of Mahomes, Rogers, and Josh Allen.
- Bills (last week #2)
Last year, the Steelers got the jump on the Bills in week one of the season, this year was a completely different story. The Bills had the upper hand against the Steelers in every aspect of the game. The 38-3 score continues the trend of the Bills of dominating their opponents.
- Chiefs (last week #3)
At least once a week, Mahomes throws a pass that should be impossible to complete. Yet, he makes it look easy. Four TDs to old reliable Travis Kelce was too much for the Raiders to overcome.
- Ravens (last week #5)
Lamar Jackson began this year by shutting down continued contract negotiations to focus on the season and bet on himself. Five weeks in and the gamble is paying off. The Ravens will live and die on the back of Jackson this season, and the Ravens ownership group is looking at a MASSIVE contract this offseason.
- Vikings (last week #7)
The Vikings are an enigma. One week a “double-doink’ is needed to squeak out a win. Another, The Vikings absolutely dominate. Despite the up and down performances, the one thing that matters is wins, and the Vikes are 4-1 and leading the division. 5.
- Cowboys (last week #11)
This Dallas defense is ABSURDLY GOOD. Is there a single player in the NFL right now who is more valuable on the defensive side of the ball than Micah Parsons? The answer is no, there is not.
- Giants (last week #10)
The Giants had half of a QB, one wide receiver, no defensive backs, and were facing the reigning MVP in the league… and it didn’t matter. Something is in the water across the pond and the Giants are stunning the league one win at a time.
- Buccaneers (last week #9)
Let’s be real. Tom Brady had a tough week. With divorce rumors abound and tabloids swirling his personal life, one could expect a less than stellar performance. Despite this, Brady went out and threw the ball over 50 times and grinded out a tough divisional win. (With a maybe assist from the refs)
- 49ers (last week #14)
I get it, the QB situation is not the best, but for the 49ers, does it truly even matter? This defense is the best in the league, bar none. Allowing a league best (and its not even close) 12.2 points per game. Defensive Coordinator DeMeco Ryans is going to be fielding a ton of coaching offers next season.
- Chargers (last week #13)
I don’t feel great about having the Chargers so high, but not a lot separates these teams in the middle. I still trust QB Justin Herbert as one of the best young QB’s in the game, but head coach Brandon Staley seems to be doing everything in his power to give games away.
- Packers (last week #4)
Maybe, just maybe, letting go of a once in a generation talent at wide receiver, and replacing him with Sammy Watkins, and 57-year-old Randall Cobb was a bad idea.
- Bengals (last week #11)
Five weeks into the season, and I can’t put my finger on what is wrong with the Bengals. Last year, so much of the offense was geared on big play receptions of Jamar Chase. This year, opponents have clamped down and the Bengals are struggling to adapt their offensive scheme.
- Dolphins (last week #6)
What a difference a few weeks can do for a perception of a team. Two weeks ago, the Dolphins were one of the top teams in the NFL. After losing two quarterbacks in two games, the Fins are trouble.
- Rams (last week #18)
According to Football Outsiders, defensive tackle Arron Donald had the third most productive game of his entire career. This is a three time defensive player of the year, delivering a dominating performance, and the Rams still lost by 12 points to Cooper Rush and the Cowboys.
- Seahawks (last week #21)
The Seahawks lost yes, but Geno Smith can no longer be denied, he is a true quarterback in this league, leading one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.
- Titans (Last week #16)
I have few good opinions about the Titans. Yes, Derrick Henry is a force on the ground, but watching the Titans offense is like watching a team play in thick mud. The Titans are lucky Wentz pulled a Wentz at the end of the game.
- Browns (last week #20)
The Browns had one goal this season, survive until Deshaun Watson comes back, and so far, they have been doing just enough to stay in the hunt. Running Back Nick Chubb may be the best in the league, and I expect this offensive to take another leap upon Watson’s return.
- Jaguars (last week #12)
Six turnovers in two weeks. No team is going to win with those numbers.
- Cardinals (Last week #17)
Five teams have faced down the Eagles this season, and five teams lost. However, the Cardinals had the best performance against the Eagles so far and might finally have some offensive momentum that is more than QB Kyler Murray just running around.
- Patriots (Last week #23)
Every few games, Bill Belichick likes to remind the league why he is THAT dude. With his third string QB behind center, the Pats blew the Lions out of the water, keeping the highest scoring team in the league out of the endzone.
- Raiders (last week #18)
The highest ranked one-win team. The Raiders cannot seem to get the wins, but this is easily the best one-win team in the league on paper. Talent is abound. QB Derrick Carr went toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes Monday night, but it wasn’t enough.
- Falcons (last week #22)
The offense isn’t traditional, but it sure is entertaining. Every week head coach Arthur Smith delivers one of the most unique offensive game plans, and it was almost enough to topple Brady and the Bucs.
- Jets (Last week #25)
Has Zach Wilson finally arrived? After an up and down rookie campaign, and injuries delaying the start of the season, Wilson finally took the field healthy and looked more than component. Its still far too early, but the Jets just might have their QB of the future.
- Bears (last week #29)
Another riser despite the loss. The Bears looked like a real NFL offense this week. QB Justin Fields actually THREW THE BALL!!!
- Colts (last week #31)
- Broncos (last week #19)
I’m grouping the Colts and Broncos together, so I only have to write about that awful game once. The Thursday night game on Amazon was one of the worst games I have ever had the displeasure of sitting through. The Colts won, but we all lost.
27. Panthers (last week #26)
Head Coach Matt Rhule is fired, starting QB Baker Mayfield is out multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain. Its time for Panther fans to start looking forward to the 2023 draft.
28. Lions (last week #24)
We get it, the Lions are feisty, the Lions try really hard! But its not enough.
29. Saints (last week 27)
Taysom Hill is back! The Swiss army knife of a player, listed as a tight end on the Saints roster, had three touchdowns on the ground, one in the air, a special teams tackle, a fumble recovery, and also handled kick returner duties. This dude is a monster.
30. Commanders (last week #28)
Head Coach Ron Rivera was asked Monday why the Commanders are at the bottom of the NFC EAST. His answer was simple, “The quarterback.” Wentz has had three different chances with three different teams and is well on his way to squandering this one.
31. Steelers (last week #25)
It is hard to blame rookie QB Kenny Picket for that one. For some reason the Steelers thought it would be a good idea to give Picket his first ever NFL start against Von Miller and the dominant Bills defense.
32. Texans (last week #32)
Since the 2019 season, the Texans are 5-0 against the Jaguars and 4-28-1 against everyone else. I was not surprised the Texans got their first win against the Jags. But, I expect it to be their only victory of the season.
