Now, through the quarter-way mark of the 2024 NFL season, we’re getting a good idea of where all 32 teams stand: Are they contenders, pretenders, mushy middle and bottom-feeders? It’s all taking shape and coming together.
With an awfully interesting and eventful September of football in the works, let’s see how all 32 NFL teams stack up against each other in our Week 5 power rankings.
Which NFL teams are vying for the top spot in this week’s power rankings?
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (31)
The Jaguars were nearly stunned by the Houston Texans, but late CJ Stroud’s heroics sent Doug Pederson’s sinking crew to 0-and-4 on the season.
Moral victories mean nothing in football. This season is already over, and it’s not too early to wonder if the Jaguars are plotting a blow-it-all-up rebuild.
31. New England Patriots (29)
How much longer can they stick with Jacoby Brissett?
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He has yet to reach 200 yards in a single game this year. Two TD passes in four games. Does Jerod Mayo really think Maye can’t do any better at this point?
Man, it feels weird talking about the Patriots as a completely irrelevant team these days. ‘Least they had Tom Brady and Bill Belichick once upon a time?
30. Tennessee Titans (32)
The Titans lost Will Levis to injury early on Monday against the Miami Dolphins, but the Tony Pollard-led ground game carried the load offensively. And the Tennessee D was hardly challenged by Tyler Huntley, and the visitors cruised to a 31-12 victory to remove themselves from the winless club.
Yeah, they will probably lose if Tua Tagoviloa starts that game. But this still oughta feel good for a Tennessee team that had nothing going for three weeks.
29. Carolina Panthers (28)
So, uh…back to Bryce Young, anybody?
Diontae Johnson was a bright spot in an otherwise yawn-fest of a 34-24 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Andy Dalton came back to earth after a near-perfect performance in Sin City last week…and we just feel like it’s worth giving Young another shot in this lost season.
28. New York Giants (27)
Daniel Jones had a good stat line in last Thursday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but the Giants couldn’t find the end zone once against Mike Zimmer’s vulnerable defense. The result? A 20-15 loss.
With a brutal and unfair schedule ahead, it’s not too early to talk about the Giants winning the first overall pick.
27. Arizona Cardinals (24)
Kyler Murray’s group has become awfully frustrating to watch. After nearly upsetting the Bills in Week 1, they crushed the Rams at home…only to drop back-to-back sloppy games to the Lions and Commanders at home.
The Redbirds’ D was gashed by Washington’s run game, allowing 216 yards and four TDs on the ground. Jonathan Gannon was brought in to coach this team because of his defensive background, yet Arizona can’t even stop a nosebleed.
With the 49ers and Packers next on the schedule, the Cardinals face a real likelihood of falling to 1-and-5. Might Gannon’s seat start to warm up by then?
Also Read: 10 NFL Teams Whose 2024 Seasons Are OVER Already
26. Miami Dolphins (19)
Well, the Dolphins are pretty much done, then. The arrogance of the front office and coaching staff to think they could win with Tyler Huntley and Skylar Thompson as their QBs with Tua sidelined.
There’s still no timeline for Tagovailoa’s return. At 1-3, it just already feels like that’s it for a team that entered this year with championship expectations.
25. Los Angeles Rams (21)
Sean McVay’s Rams came up short in a tight 24-18 road loss to Caleb Williams’ Chicago Bears that dropped them to 1-3 on the year.
We don’t want to harp on the Rams, who are without their top two receivers in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. But with a daunting schedule ahead, we’re just not sold on them going on a hot second-half run like they did a year ago to reach the NFL postseason.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (30)
Well, the Bengals kept their season alive FOR NOW with a dominant victory over old friend Andy Dalton and the Carolina Panthers in Week 4. We don’t wanna jump the gun here, but a Bengals win over Baltimore in Week 5 — coupled with a Steelers loss to the Cowboys — would have Cincy just one game out of first in the AFC North.
So don’t give up hope just yet, Bengals fans. It’s far from over.
23. Cleveland Browns (20)
While Joe Flacco was busy leading the Colts to a win over the Steelers in relief of Anthony Richardson, Browns fans were stuck watching more garbage quarterback play from Deshaun Watson.
Four games, four straight games of under 200 yards passing. Four touchdowns and three interceptions. Remind us why the Browns let Flacco walk again last year.
The 1-3 Browns have a gauntlet of a schedule ahead. Is it crazy to think that the reigning Coach of the Year, Kevin Stefanski, might not make it through the full NFL season? The Browns need to wake up soon — Watson especially.
22. Denver Broncos (26)
Did the Broncos really beat Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on the road with only 10 points? With rookie QB Bo Nix throwing for 60 yards? It’s the NFL…so of course, they did.
Vance Joseph’s D locked down Rodgers’ Jets in a rain-filled affair, but the win wasn’t sealed until Greg Zuerlein missed a last-minute go-ahead field goal for Gang Green. And just like that, Sean Payton’s group is 2-and-2 after dropping their first two games.
With the Raiders and Chargers next on the schedule, the Broncos have a realistic path to 4-and-2. Don’t sleep on Payton’s team, especially with the way this defense is playing.
21. Las Vegas Raiders (25)
Antonio Pierce’s Raiders gutted out a 20-16 victory over the Browns in a defensive slugfest, thanks to a clutch red-zone stand in the waning seconds against Deshaun Watson and company.
Vegas’ ground game led the way with 152 yards on 29 carries — perfectly making up for Gardner Minshew’s limitations as a passer. At 2-2, the Raiders are very much in the NFL postseason mix and promise not to be pushovers this year.
20. Chicago Bears (23)
The Bears leaned on the old-fashioned style of football to defeat the Rams — playing stingy defense and running the ball down their throats for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
Caleb Williams and the sluggish passing game still haven’t got going. You know it’s going to improve eventually, but when? DJ Moore’s patience is running thin, and understandably so. But where are Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen in all of this?
With the 1-3 Panthers and winless Jaguars next on the Bears’ schedule, the golden opportunity is there to get this offense on track.
19. Los Angeles Chargers (15)
That 2-0 start was fun while it lasted, huh?
Yes, the Chargers were without Joey Bosa, Derwin James, Rashawn Slater, and Joe Alt in their 17-10 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday. But they took their gas off the pedal after taking a 10-0 lead and couldn’t solve the banged-up KC offense when it mattered most.
The silver lining? A Week 5 bye for the Chargers’ injured players before returning to the field with a road game in Denver.
18. New Orleans Saints (12)
Well, so much for that 2-0 start. The Saints have come back to earth and look like your good ol’ 8-to-9-win team. The Dennis Allen specialty.
New Orleans somehow lost to Kirk Cousins’ Falcons despite not giving up a single offensive touchdown. A muffed punt TD, a Derek Carr pick-six, and a dumb 30-yard defensive PI penalty by Paulson Adebo on Atlanta’s final drive led to New Orleans’ undoing.
This team just gets too reckless and careless in close games under Allen. The more that stays the same. If they lose to the Chiefs in Week 5, might Allen be on the hot seat? Hmm…
17. Atlanta Falcons (18)
The Falcons could easily be 4-and-0, but they could easily be 0-and-4. So 2-2 isn’t the worst-case scenario for Raheem Morris’ squad, and a win over Tampa on Thursday would put them atop the AFC South.
Atlanta’s D is still playing excellent football, but we’re waiting for the Kirk Cousins-led offense to explode. Thursday night would be a good start vs. Tampa Bay.
16. Dallas Cowboys (17)
The Cowboys saved their season — for now — with a tight win over the rival Giants in a Thursday night affair. It wasn’t pretty on the offensive side, but style points aren’t a thing in the NFL.
The Dak Prescott-CeeDee Lamb combo is still as good as ever. But if the Cowboys are to contend in the crowded NFC This year, someone on offense other than Lamb will need to step up to help Dak.
15. Indianapolis Colts (22)
A big-time jump for Shane Steichen’s squad following a statement home win over the previously undefeated Steelers. And they did it with Joe Flacco having to play hero following a hip injury to Anthony Richardson.
Indy has won two straight games now following a disappointing 0-2 start. Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce have led the way offensively, and the defense is finally making some big plays that were lacking during the two-game losing skid.
With an easy schedule ahead, the Colts can really place themselves in a favorable playoff position here.
14. New York Jets (10)
Just an all-around disappointing loss for Aaron Rodgers’ Jets. A home game against Denver was supposed to be a cakewalk, but they mustered just nine points in a gross 10-9 loss.
So, the offense remains a work in progress, which is odd given the talent level. The Jets especially need Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson to get going quickly.
13. Geen Bay Packers (9)
The Packers trailed 28-0 to the Minnesota Vikings at one point but outscored them 29-3 the rest of the way to make the score look closer than it was.
Not sure how to analyze this loss. Yes, Jordan Love will get better as he gets healthier. But this Packers D isn’t playing up to its high skill level. Allowing 22.3 points per game through four weeks? Not an inspiring start for new DC Jeff Hafley.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (7)
The Eagles may as well have forfeited in advance instead of showing up for a beatdown against Tampa Bay.
You can cite the absences of AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith all you want, but the Eagles’ defense has been awful, with only one good week in New Orleans. It’s becoming harder and harder to buy Nick Sirianni’s group as an NFL contender.
11. San Francisco 49ers (13)
The 49ers got back to basics and made easy work of the Patriots, cruising to a 30-13 victory to get back to .500.
We knew the 49ers would bounce back. At full strength, they’re the best team in the NFC. But on a side note: Can Brandon Aiyuk get it going? Ever?
10. Baltimore Ravens (14)
Tell your friends and your neighbors! The Ravens are back, thank you very much, as evidenced by a prime-time shellacking of Josh Allen’s Bills on Sunday Night Football.
Lamar Jackson threw two touchdowns. Derrick Henry rushed for 199 yards and finished with two TDs, and the Ravens’ D limited this high-flying Buffalo offense to 10 points. Jolly good work, chaps.
Your friendly reminder that the Ravens are a prime Super Bowl contender.
9. Washington Commanders (16)
Jayden Daniels had another superb outing in Sunday’s beatdown of the Arizona Cardinals, tossing 233 yards, one touchdown, 47 rushing yards and one rushing score.
The Commanders, as we all expected, are atop the NFC East heading into October at 3-1. It’s early, but they certainly look more balanced and disciplined than the Cowboys and Eagles. Just sayin’.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11)
As they did in last year’s Wild Card Round, Bake Mayfield’s Bucs humiliated the Eagles at Raymond James Stadium – this time by a final score of 33-16.
The Saints’ sloppy loss to Atlanta asserts Tampa Bay as the team to beat in the NFC South. They can pad their lead with a road win over the Falcons on Thursday night.
7. Seattle Seahawks (6)
Geno Smith’s career day went to waste in Motor City, as the Seahawks’ defense napped throughout Monday night’s loss to the Lions.
But you can’t hate on the ‘Hawks for losing to one of the NFL’s best teams on the road. But Hawks fans oughta hope that the defense isn’t actually that vulnerable and that Monday was simply one bad day.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (4)
Well, the Steelers can’t be happy about that effort in Indianapolis. Don’t let the 27-24 score fool you. This game was dominated by Indy from start to finish.
Justin Fields’ lackluster play leaves you wondering if a healthy Russell Wilson might get a look at QB when he’s healthy. We’ll see how things play out after the Steelers host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
5. Houston Texans (8)
The Texans shrugged off their ugly Week 3 road loss to Minnesota by narrowly avoiding an upset at home over the winless Jags. Hey, what did we say about style points not counting in the NFL?
CJ Stroud and Nico Collins are firing on all cylinders, but the Texans need the likes of Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, Derek Stingley, and Danielle Hunter to step up against tougher opponents down the stretch — starting on Sunday vs. Buffalo.
4. Buffalo Bills (2)
We won’t harp too much on the Bills for losing to the Ravens here. They were due for a loss after playing near-flawless football for three weeks.
The Bills were gonna have it tough against an angry and desperate Baltimore team on the road, and nothing went right in their 35-10 blowout loss. It happens.
Time to shift the focus over to another tough opponent on Sunday — a showdown in Houston against old friend Stefon Diggs and the Texans.
3. Detroit Lions (3)
Jared Goff was practically perfect in Monday’s domination of the Seahawks: 18 of 18 for 292 yards, two touchdowns, and a receiving TD of his own from Amon-Ra St. Brown!
The defense got carved up aplenty by Geno Smith and DK Metcalf, but no apology is necessary when you put up 42 points against a stingy Seattle defense. The Lions head into a much-needed bye week before visiting Dallas in Week 6.
2. Minnesota Vikings (5)
Just as we all predicted, Sam Darnold is playing like the MVP front-runner for over four weeks. OH, and the Vikings are a perfect 4-0, featuring statement wins over three other Super Bowl contenders in the 49ers, Texans and Packers!
Who knows if Darnold will keep this up, but it’s not even just the offense. Brian Flores is playing his way to another head coaching job, with Minny allowing just 14.8 points per game through five weeks.
Let’s see if they can keep the momentum going in London on Sunday when the Vikings meet old fiend Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (1)
The Chiefs will be No. 1 here as long as they keep winning. Sunday’s gutsy road win over the Los Angeles Chargers marked KC’s 10th straight win dating back to last season.
Losing Rashee Rice is an awful blow for the NFL defending champs. But they just keep finding ways to win, and Rice’s absence opens the door for Xavier Worthy and JuJu Smith-Schuster to step up and produce more on offense.
Also Read: Why Travis Kelce’s 2024 NFL Season Is Off To A Slow Start?
