NFL power rankings Week 5: New No. 1 as blowouts reshape perception
Nothing like a good, old-fashioned blowout to re-establish dominance among NFL tiers. Week 4 brought about a slew of one-sided victories as nine different contests were decided by at least 14 points, with a handful of games with 20-plus point margins. There’s an old saying in the NFL that good teams cover, great teams blow the doors off their opponents. Well, it goes something like that.
The most impressive win of the weekend has to go to the Buffalo Bills, whose 28-point victory came at the expense of last week’s No. 1 team, the Miami Dolphins. Mike McDaniels’ team was not up to repeating their 70-point performance and therefore had to vacate the top spot for Week 5. With only two remaining unbeaten teams, which one took over, and what does the rest of the top five look like?
Carolina Panthers (0-4) | Last Week: 31
Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) after a loss against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears (0-4) | Last Week: 32
Sep 11, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) drops back to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos (1-3) | Last Week: 30
Apr 25, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs during a Denver Broncos mini camp at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Cardinals (1-3) | Last Week: 27
Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Joshua Dobbs (9) and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (9) hug after their game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) | Last Week: 24
Dec 26, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A general view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet outside of Allegiant Stadium before the game against the Miami Dolphins. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants (1-2) Will Be Updated after MNF | Last Week: 26
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8), is shown on the ground after being sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (not shown) in the first quarter. Sunday, September 10, 2023
Minnesota Vikings (1-3) | Last Week: 25
Dec 30, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) on the sidelines in the fourth quarter against Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Falcons (2-2) | Last Week: 21
Sep 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder throws a pass against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans (2-2) | Last Week: 29
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) celebrates with Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) after a touchdown Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium in Houston
New England Patriots (1-3) | Last Week: 18
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 01: Jalen Tolbert #18 of the Dallas Cowboys tackles Demario Douglas #81 of the New England Patriots while Douglas returns a punt during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Washington Commanders (2-2) | Last Week: 23
Sep 10, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) reacts after rushing for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Titans (2-2) | Last Week: 28
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) | Last Week: 13
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) takes the field for warm ups prior to a Week 2 NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
New York Jets (1-3) | Last Week: 22
Sep 17, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis Colts (2-2) | Last Week: 20
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Kwity Paye #51 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates with Zaire Franklin #44 after recovering a fumble in the second quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers (2-2) | Last Week: 10
Sep 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) | Last Week: 19
Dec 11, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws the ball during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) | Last Week: 17
Sep 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) scrambles with the ball against the Washington Football Teamat FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints (2-2) | Last Week: 15
Aug 23, 2018; Costa Mesa, CA, USA: Detailed view of New Orleans Saints helmets during joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers at the Jack. R. Hammett Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) | Last Week: 14
Sep 10, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) passes the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns (2-2) | Last Week: 12
Dec 17, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks (2-1) Will Be Updated after MNF | Last Week: 11
Jan 14, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) makes a throw in the second quarter of a wild card game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Rams (2-2) | Last Week: 16
Sep 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play in the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) | Last Week: 9
Sep 17, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is congratulated by quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens (3-1) | Last Week: 7
Sep 24, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA;Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) reacts when a fourth down play is reviewed on the jumbotron during overt time against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions (3-1) | Last Week: 6
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) takes the field against Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
Dallas Cowboys (3-1) | Last Week: 8
Oct 1, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the second half against the New England Patriots at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins (3-1) | Last Week: 1
Jan 15, 2023; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard (25) intercepts a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first half in a NFL wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) | Last Week: 4
Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs (3-1) | Last Week: 3
Nov 7, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills (3-1) | Last Week: 5
Dec 28, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) reacts after his touchdown pass against the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers (4-0) | Last Week: 2
Oct 1, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) and offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) celebrate after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
