NFL Power Rankings: Week 5

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Well, shit – we’re a bunch of football writers, so I guess we have to get in on the ‘NFL Power Rankings’ action. So, here we are. Your boy “Big Natural” is a major advocate of the Bill Parcells school of thinking in that ‘you are what your record says you are.’

With that in mind, my power rankings are going to be based on the body of work. I don’t care what you were supposed to do before the season started. Nor do I care what you could do in a potential matchup. I’m placing an emphasis on what teams have actually done.

NFL POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 5

1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) – If the Chiefs could go any higher on the list, they would. They’re the only undefeated team remaining, and they handled a pretty good Texans squad on Sunday night. Kareem Hunt is running away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and Alex Smith is contending for the MVP honors. They host the Steelers this Sunday.

2. Green Bay Packers (4-1) – What a game on Sunday. I said in our weekly NFL picks segment on YouTube that as long as Aaron Rodgers is standing, the Packers have a chance. And, who really looks like a threat in the NFC this year? The Packers travel to Minnesota on Sunday.

3. Denver Broncos (3-1) – The Broncos had a bye week, but they still look like the only legitimate threat to the Chiefs in the AFC so far. They’re doing it with defense and behind an improved Trevor Siemian. They’ll return to action on Sunday, when they host the atrocious 0-5 New York Giants on Sunday Night Football.

4. Carolina Panthers (4-1) – In a battle between two teams trying to prove their legitimacy, the Panthers bested the Lions. Cam Newton is distributing the ball around, and that defense is playing at an elite level. They look like the second best team in NFC right now. Up next: hosting an up and coming Eagles team on Thursday Night Football.

5. Atlanta Falcons (3-1) – The Falcons lost to a good Bills defense, but that Packers win is looking a lot better. They’re still one of the contenders in the NFC, and they return from a bye week by hosting the Dolphins on Sunday.

6. Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) – We’re five games in and the Eagles haven’t collapsed yet. Moreover, the rest of the NFC East looks like a bunch of “meh.” We’ll see where this team sits come Thursday, after a game against the Panthers, but for now, I’m ready to buy in on the Eagles.

7. New England Patriots (3-2) – The Patriots are the Patriots, but something definitely appears to be wrong with this team. The defense finally showed some signs of life against Tampa Bay, but I’m not convinced all problems have been solved. That said, they benefit from the NFL looking wide open this season. They should be atop the AFC East before long. They travel to New York to play the 3-2 upstart Jets on Sunday.

8. Seattle Seahawks (3-2) – Credit to the Seahawks for holding that top ranked Rams offense in check on Sunday. It looks like Pete Carroll’s squad has found its footing, and they may have re-established themselves as the favorite in the NFC West. They’re on bye this week.

9. Detroit Lions (3-2) – I jinxed ’em….plain and simple. Motor City…that’s my bad, y’all. A week after I say the Lions are ready to contend for the NFC title, they lose to the Panthers in a game I thought would be their coming-out party. That said, there’s still a lot to love about this team, and they should correct course on the road in New Orleans this weekend.

10. Buffalo Bills (3-2) – The Bills are the most intriguing team in the NFL so far, in my opinion. That defense looks like it could stop anyone, and Tyrod Taylor has the offense humming right along. Right now, this looks like a playoff team. We’ll see come December. The Bills have the week off.

11. Los Angeles Rams (3-2) – I’m not going to weigh that Seahawks loss too heavily, not when the offense has been so good all season long. I still maintain that Todd Gurley is in the hunt for the NFL MVP honors…maybe not Jared Goff as much after that game…but these guys should be just fine. They travel to Jacksonville on Sunday in a battle between the two most surprising teams in the NFL so far.

12. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2) – What on Earth are we to make of the AFC South? The #1 spot has literally changed every week for the last three weeks among three different teams. But, this week, the Jags get the nod. That defense has looked absolutely nasty (in odd-numbered weeks – see: Houston, Baltimore, Pittsburgh). As I just said, the Rams are up next.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) – I don’t like the Steelers that much this year. Especially after that Jacksonville game, it looks like Ben Roethlisberger may have lost a step. The AFC North is wide open, as the Steelers and Ravens are tied at 3-2, and the Bengals have played themselves back into contention at 2-3. The Steelers travel to play the Chiefs on Sunday.

14. Houston Texans (2-3) – Deshaun Watson is absolutely electric, and Will Fuller’s return has sparked this offense. That said, they’re still 2-3. Are they the best 2-3 in the NFL? Yes…but they’re still 2-3. They host the Browns this weekend, in a game that should see them return to .500.

15. Washington Redskins (2-2) – The Redskins are coming off a bye this week when they host the 49ers. On offense, they’re good….no one’s probably surprised by that. But, it’s the improvement on defense that has me believing that this team could contend for a playoff spot.

16. Minnesota Vikings
17. Baltimore Ravens
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19. New Orleans Saints
20. Miami Dolphins
21. New York Jets
22. Dallas Cowboys
23. Cincinnati Bengals
24. Oakland Raiders
25. Tennessee Titans
26. Arizona Cardinals
27. Los Angeles Chargers
28. Indianapolis Colts
29. Chicago Bears
30. San Francisco 49ers
31. New York Giants
32. Cleveland Browns

WEEK 5 PLAYOFF PROJECTIONS

AFC

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. New England Patriots
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Denver Broncos
6. Buffalo Bills

NFC

1. Green Bay Packers
2. Carolina Panthers
3. Philadelphia Eagles
4. Seattle Seahawks
5. Atlanta Falcons
6. Detroit Lions

Week 5 Super Bowl Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Green Bay Packers

Catch y’all next week.

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. A strong advocate of GSD (get shit done) and #BeBetter, he’s down to talk Tennessee Titans and Alabama Crimson Tide football over a beer any day. Check him out covering the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley, @WrestlingNewsCo