Campus Chronicle

High Point University

NFL power rankings: Week 5

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By Noah Stern

Sports Editor

 

The NFL season is five weeks in, but it’s never too early to take a look at how each team is faring. Here are NFL power rankings through week five:

  1. Green Bay Packers (4-0)

The biggest question mark coming into the season was quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ performance after the Packers drafted Jordan Love with their first-round pick this offseason. It’s clear that Rodgers isn’t going anywhere soon. The Packers are playing well offensively and defensively. They are clear-cut Super Bowl contenders.

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)

This offense is still putting up points easily, and until this week, the Chiefs’ defense was flourishing. The Las Vegas Raiders came into Arrowhead Stadium ready for a shootout, and they exposed the Chiefs’ secondary. There are clearly still things to clean up on the defensive side of the football, but as long as quarterback Patrick Mahomes is there, the Chiefs will compete for another Super Bowl.

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-0)

This team’s defense was never a question. It was all about how the offense was going to perform. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is back, and his young receivers are making great plays for him. This Steelers team is well built, but they’ve had injury issues in the past few years. They will be legitimate contenders as long as they can stay healthy.

  1. Baltimore Ravens (4-1)

The Ravens’ defense was simply superb against a young Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. After a few shaky weeks, they finally got back to their old form, and it should continue for the rest of the season. Quarterback Lamar Jackson needs to reassume his MVP form for this offense to succeed this season.

  1. Buffalo Bills (4-0)

The Bills finally have a good team. Their defense is elite, and quarterback Josh Allen is turning into an MVP candidate. They seem to be the best team in the AFC East for the first time in a very long time. If Allen can be consistent every week, this team will be competing for the Super Bowl.

  1. Seattle Seahawks (4-0)

With quarterback Russell Wilson’s performance, this team is going to win many games this year. The defense has been extremely subpar this season, but Wilson is winning these games single-handedly. Coach Pete Carroll is finally letting Wilson air out the ball, and it’s working. Look out.

  1. Tennessee Titans (3-0)

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is playing up to the contract he signed this offseason, leading the Titans to another great season. Unfortunately, the team had a COVID-19 outbreak and shut down facilities. It’s difficult to predict how this will affect their play on the field, but Titans fans have much to be optimistic about for the rest of the season. 

  1. Cleveland Browns (4-1)

The Browns are finally competing. It’s been a long time coming for this franchise that hasn’t seen the playoffs since 2002. They’ve only had two winning seasons since 1997. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Browns’ offense are effortlessly moving the ball up and down the field, while the defense is keeping the team in games. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is pushing all the right buttons for a Browns franchise that has needed a winning culture for far too long.

  1. Los Angeles Rams (4-1)

The Rams are having a bounceback year after last year’s extremely disappointing season. Their offense has been putting 

up points, while defensive tackle Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey are leading this defense. The Rams are still a difficult team to predict with Jared Goff still in as starting quarterback. The Rams should be competitive, but no one will be surprised if their play falters in the coming weeks.

  1. New England Patriots (2-2)

The Pats were another question mark coming into the year. Many players opted out of the season on the defensive side of the football, and no one knew how Cam Newton would play. But people forget just how great of a coach Bill Belichick is. This Pats team is playing well and should continue to be one of the top teams in the NFL.

 

  1. Chicago Bears (4-1)
  2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)
  3. New Orleans Saints (2-2)
  4. Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)
  5. Carolina Panthers (3-2)
  6. Arizona Cardinals (3-2)
  7. Indianapolis Colts (3-2)
  8. San Francisco 49ers (2-3)
  9. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3-1)
  10. Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
  11. Los Angeles Chargers (1-3)
  12. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3-1)
  13. Miami Dolphins (2-3)
  14. Minnesota Vikings (1-3)
  15. Detroit Lions (1-3)
  16. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4)
  17. Washington Football Team (1-4)
  18. Denver Broncos (1-3)
  19. Houston Texans (1-4)
  20. New York Giants (0-5)
  21. Atlanta Falcons (0-5)
  22. New York Jets (0-5)

 

Records as of Oct. 11