While most power rankings will fluctuate wildly, these should stay reasonably similar on a week-to-week basis.
Number 32: Miami Dolphins (ELO: 1264, +0)
The Dolphins are the worst team in the NFL. The escaped their bye week without losing, a testament to how bad the Dolphins have been.
Number 31: Cincinnati Bengals (ELO: 1285, -2)
The Bengals made it close against fellow bottom-feeder Arizona, but the Bengals fell to 0-5 after a last-second field goal by Zane Gonzalez. The Bengals travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens next week.
Number 30: Washington Redskins (ELO: 1305, -2)
The Redskins put up a fight against the Patriots, and the final score does not indicate how reasonably well the Redskins played for a half. Jay Gruden was fired Monday morning, and the Redskins will likely fall to No. 31 in the rankings next week.
Number 29: Arizona Cardinals (ELO: 1309, +2)
The Cardinals pulled out a close win in Cincinnati. While it should be cause for celebration, the Cardinals did beat one of the worst teams in the NFL. Congrats?
Number 28: New York Giants (ELO: 1326, -1)
The Giants were crushed by Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen. Facing a short week and a trip to Foxborough, the once 2-2 Giants appear to be heading back into a losing streak.
Number 27: New York Jets (ELO: 1345, -1)
The Jets scored on offense for the second time this season. In return for scoring, they let the Eagles record 10 sacks and one of the best fantasy defensive performances of the decade. Sam Darnold returns just in time to face a disgruntled Cowboys team.
Number 26: Atlanta Falcons (ELO: 1368, -2)
The Falcons are a defensive horror show. Will Fuller shredded the secondary for over 200 yards and a trio of touchdowns. The Falcons were solid offensively, but the defense was disgusting.
Number 25: Denver Broncos (ELO: 1380, +5)
The Broncos finally won a game, defeating the Chargers in Los Angeles. While the Chargers have been underwhelming, the Broncos were able to stifle Melvin Gordon and the Chargers offense. Things are looking up in Denver.
Number 24: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ELO: 1403, -1)
After an impressive showing against the Rams, the Buccaneers gave their best effort in New Orleans. However, the secondary fell flat as Teddy Bridgewater turned into Drew Brees and systematically picked apart the Bucs’ defense.
Number 23: Pittsburgh Steelers (ELO: 1425, -1)
If JuJu Smith-Schuster does not fumble in overtime, the Steelers would likely be in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC North. However, Smith-Schuster had the ball punched out by Marlon Humphrey, and the Steelers allowed the Ravens to move the ball deeper into field goal range before Justin Tucker knuckled a ball inside the goal post.
Number 22: Oakland Raiders (ELO: 1463, +3)
The Raiders jumped out to an impressive 17-0 lead against the Bears. Despite surrendering the lead, the Raiders showed immense resilience and battled back to win the game. The Raiders are now 3-2, and they have a pair of high quality wins on their resume.
Number 21: Tennessee Titans (ELO: 1469, -3)
The Titans are unfortunate to drop three spots as they only lost by a touchdown to a good Bills team. The offense and defense played quite well, but the Titans lost due to four missed field goals from the leg of Cairo Santos.
Number 20: Jacksonville Jaguars (ELO: 1470, +0)
The Jaguars remain in the same place after a close loss to the Panthers in Charlotte. The Jags failed to contain Christian McCaffrey, but they still had the chance to tie the game late. The Jags failed to convert on three Hail Mary attempts, but it was not a bad performance.
Number 19: Carolina Panthers (ELO: 1486, +0)
The beneficiary of the Jaguars failing three times on Hail Mary attempts, the Panthers are now 3-0 under Kyle Allen. A trip to London to face the Buccaneers could push the Panthers into the top half of the power rankings.
Number 18: Los Angeles Chargers (ELO: 1501, -6)
The Chargers looked ugly against the Broncos. The offense was ineffective (besides Austin Ekeler), and the Chargers have rarely looked competent during the season. They desperately need Derwin James.
Number 17: Detroit Lions (ELO: 1507, -2)
The Lions fall two spots due to the performances of the Bills, 49ers, and Colts. The early bye hurt the Lions, but they will be well-rested for a game for NFC North superiority against the Packers in Week 6.
Number 16: Buffalo Bills (ELO: 1512, +0)
The Bills were fortunate for four missed field goals by Cairo Santos, but they went into Nashville and secured a victory. They have a stranglehold on the fifth seed in the AFC. They should make the playoffs and continue to rise in the power rankings.
Number 15: Indianapolis Colts (ELO: 1519, +6)
The Colts had the win of the season. They held the Chiefs to just 13 points. Since Patrick Mahomes became the starter, their lowest scoring output had been 26. The Colts played extremely well despite a banged-up Marlon Mack, a hobbled TY Hilton, and Darius Leonard-less defense. Wow.
Number 14: Cleveland Browns (ELO: 1543, -6)
The Browns were ripped to shreds by the 49ers on Monday Night Football. Baker Mayfield was certifiably awful for four quarters, and the offensive line was eaten alive by the likes of Nick Bosa and DeForest Buckner.
Number 13: Minnesota Vikings (ELO: 1565, +1)
Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook were fantastic as the Vikings dismantled the Giants. Neither could be stopped, an encouraging sign for the Minnesota offense moving forward.
Number 12: San Francisco 49ers (ELO: 1566, +5)
The 49ers had the most comprehensive victory of the week. After an early bye, the Niners had a tremendous day on offense and defense with Matt Breida and Nick Bosa having equally productive games. The only negative for the Niners was a special teams unit that only converted on one of four field goals.
Number 11: Chicago Bears (ELO: 1585, -7)
Without a 21-0 run in the second half, the Bears would be significantly lower. Khalil Mack was missing-in-action, and the offense had few highlights. Mitch Trubisky needs to return.
Number 10: Houston Texans (ELO: 1599, +3)
The Texans had the offensive explosion of the week, scoring 53 points against a hapless Atlanta defense. Will Fuller posted three touchdowns, and Deshaun Watson had a perfect passer rating. If the Texans can string together good performances, they will be a tough out in the playoffs.
Number 9: Dallas Cowboys (ELO: 1600, -6)
The final score is misleading. Despite losing by 10, the Cowboys were thoroughly crunched by the Packers. A pair of late touchdowns made the score respectable, but the Cowboys looked mortal.
Number 8: Green Bay Packers (ELO: 1602, +3)
As previously noted, the scoreline of Packers-Cowboys was misleading. The Packers were dominant offensively and defensively for most of the game. Aaron Jones was productive, finding the end zone four times.
Number 7: Philadelphia Eagles (ELO: 1617, +3)
While the Sam Darnold-less Jets are atrocious, the Eagles took care of business, forcing 10 sacks and winning by 25. The Eagles face a steeper test in Minnesota next week.
Number 6: Baltimore Ravens (ELO: 1623, +3)
It took overtime, but the Ravens dispatched the Steelers in Pittsburgh. However, the Ravens are in a precarious position in the power rankings, and they could find themselves in a free-fall if Lamar Jackson turns the ball over three times again.
Number 5: Los Angeles Rams (ELO: 1627, +0)
Back-to-back losses could spell disaster, but the Rams were a missed field goal away from beating the Seahawks in Seattle. They should not be punished for an admirable performance just four days after being embarrassed by an inferior Buccaneers team.
Number 4: Kansas City Chiefs (ELO: 1628, -2)
The Chiefs had their worst performance in 20 months. While the Lions and Colts have contained Patrick Mahomes and the offense to a certain degree, it is not time to hit the panic button in Kansas City.
Number 3: Seattle Seahawks (ELO: 1640, +4)
The Seahawks slipped out with a win. Even if Greg Zuerlein had connected on the field goal, the Seahawks would likely remain in the top five of the power rankings. Russell Wilson has established himself as the MVP frontrunner through five weeks, and his run should continue against an inconsistent Browns team.
Number 2: New Orleans Saints (ELO: 1659, +4)
I have gone on record that I did not think the Saints would make the playoffs this season. Through five weeks, that might be the dumbest thought I have ever had. The Saints have been clinical despite the loss of Drew Brees. The Saints are the best team in the NFC.
Number 1: New England Patriots (ELO: 1809, +0)
The Patriots have returned to the 1800-point realm. They have been unequivocally the best team in the NFL. The Patriots have the NFL’s second-best offense while sporting a defensive unit that is on pace for the lowest points per game allowed in the history of competitive sports. While the Patriots will play some better offenses later in the season, they could still make a run at the 1985 Bears and 2000 Ravens for being the best defense in NFL history.
