Causion's NFL Power Rankings 2016: Pre - Week 5
Today I reveal my weekly NFL power rankings heading into week 5 of the 2016 season. I will take into account everything I know about these teams, and give heavy consideration to what was displayed on the field so far this season. This gives an accurate assessment of where teams are at in my opinion.
This Week's Rankings
1. Denver Broncos - (1 Last week)
Trevor Siemian left the game last week with a injury to his non throwing shoulder, but Paxton Lynch came in and played well. They are the best team in the league to me, led by that defense.
Trevor Siemian left the game last week with a injury to his non throwing shoulder, but Paxton Lynch came in and played well. They are the best team in the league to me, led by that defense.
2. Minnesota Vikings - (3 - last week)
Enough of the doubting, that Vikings Defense is the real deal they just shut down some big time offenses in consecutive weeks. And Sam Bradford looks like a real starter.
Enough of the doubting, that Vikings Defense is the real deal they just shut down some big time offenses in consecutive weeks. And Sam Bradford looks like a real starter.
3. Philadelphia Eagles - (4 - last week)
They had a bye this week, but a prime to keep rolling.
They had a bye this week, but a prime to keep rolling.
4. Green Bay Packers - (5 - last week)
They come out of their bye week healthy and ready to start putting some big points on the board.
They come out of their bye week healthy and ready to start putting some big points on the board.
5. New England Patriots - (2 last week)
Pats were shut out at home. Wow. But 3-1 without Brady is impressive and they get Tom back this week. Grab your seat belts, this could get ugly.
Pats were shut out at home. Wow. But 3-1 without Brady is impressive and they get Tom back this week. Grab your seat belts, this could get ugly.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers - (7 - last week)
The Steelers bounced back from the embarrassing lost to the Eagles by putting a thumping on the Chiefs. Bell looks great and that offense looks poised for a run.
The Steelers bounced back from the embarrassing lost to the Eagles by putting a thumping on the Chiefs. Bell looks great and that offense looks poised for a run.
7. Atlanta Falcons - (10 - last week)
Matt Ryan and Julio Jones put on a performance for the ages against the Panthers. 500 yards passing, 300 yards receiving. Good grief. They face that Broncos Defense this week. Wooo!!
Matt Ryan and Julio Jones put on a performance for the ages against the Panthers. 500 yards passing, 300 yards receiving. Good grief. They face that Broncos Defense this week. Wooo!!
8. Seattle Seahawks - (11 - last week)
Don't look now, but Russell Wilson is getting into his groove. He did whatever he wanted against the Jets and that Seahawks defense tormented the Fitzpatrick. They are climbing.
Don't look now, but Russell Wilson is getting into his groove. He did whatever he wanted against the Jets and that Seahawks defense tormented the Fitzpatrick. They are climbing.
9. Dallas Cowboys - (13 - last week)
Dak Prescott started slow but without Dez Bryant, he got everyone involved and leaned on Ezekiel Elliot for a great road win over the 49ers. The Cowboys are looking good.
Dak Prescott started slow but without Dez Bryant, he got everyone involved and leaned on Ezekiel Elliot for a great road win over the 49ers. The Cowboys are looking good.
10. Oakland Raiders - (15 - last week)
They have three road victories in four weeks, which means something. The defense is improving each week.
They have three road victories in four weeks, which means something. The defense is improving each week.
11. Houston Texans - (14 - last week)
They have a two-game lead in the division after a month, which makes them the team to beat. But not having J.J. Watt will hurt.
They have a two-game lead in the division after a month, which makes them the team to beat. But not having J.J. Watt will hurt.
12. Baltimore Ravens - (6 - last week)
The Ravens lost to a good Raiders team by a point and not much separates these two teams. They have to sure up that secondary if they want to be a contender.
The Ravens lost to a good Raiders team by a point and not much separates these two teams. They have to sure up that secondary if they want to be a contender.
13. Cincinnati Bengals - (16 - last week)
They have a tough game this week at Dallas, but they are getting healthy. They could have Tyler Eifert back this week.
They have a tough game this week at Dallas, but they are getting healthy. They could have Tyler Eifert back this week.
14. Los Angeles Rams - (18 - last week)
At 3-1, the defense is carrying this team. But at some point, you have to score more points.
At 3-1, the defense is carrying this team. But at some point, you have to score more points.
15. Kansas City Chiefs - (8 - last week)
Was that really the same defense that picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick six times a week ago? They need this bye week bad, as the Steelers exposed them big time.
Was that really the same defense that picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick six times a week ago? They need this bye week bad, as the Steelers exposed them big time.
16. Carolina Panthers - (9 - last week)
This does not look like the Superbowl team from last year. They have major problems in a lot of areas. And now Cam Newton's concussion could be an issue.
This does not look like the Superbowl team from last year. They have major problems in a lot of areas. And now Cam Newton's concussion could be an issue.
17. Washington Redskins - (17 - last week)
At 2-2, they've evened their record after the 0-2 start. Now they face the Ravens in Baltimore, in Baltimore. A true test.
At 2-2, they've evened their record after the 0-2 start. Now they face the Ravens in Baltimore, in Baltimore. A true test.
18. New York Giants - (12 - last week)
The injuries in the secondary and backfield showed up against the Vikings. Now they get Aaron Rodgers. Better hope guys get back.
The injuries in the secondary and backfield showed up against the Vikings. Now they get Aaron Rodgers. Better hope guys get back.
19. Buffalo Bills - (26 - last week)
They are now 2-2 and Rex Ryan has turned this thing around. They have a tough trip to Los Angeles to face the Rams this week.
They are now 2-2 and Rex Ryan has turned this thing around. They have a tough trip to Los Angeles to face the Rams this week.
20. Arizona Cardinals - (10 - last week)
Who ever imagined they'd be down this far after the first month? Carson Palmer hasn't been the same quarterback.
Who ever imagined they'd be down this far after the first month? Carson Palmer hasn't been the same quarterback.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars - (22 - last week)
They finally got their first victory, which could get them going. They head to the bye and then play at Chicago.
They finally got their first victory, which could get them going. They head to the bye and then play at Chicago.
22. New York Jets - (20 - last week)
They can't win with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. It's time to make a change. Way too many turnovers.
They can't win with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. It's time to make a change. Way too many turnovers.
23. Indianapolis Colts - (24 - last week)
This is a team that some picked to win the AFC South. At 1-3, they sure don't look like they will now.
This is a team that some picked to win the AFC South. At 1-3, they sure don't look like they will now.
24. New Orleans Saints - (30 - last week)
Was that a season-saving victory at San Diego? It had that feel to it, but they have a long way to go.
Was that a season-saving victory at San Diego? It had that feel to it, but they have a long way to go.
25. San Francisco 49ers - (28 - last week)
Is it time to make a quarterback change? Or does that short week put that off for another week?
Is it time to make a quarterback change? Or does that short week put that off for another week?
26. Chicago Bears - (32 - last week)
Should Brian Hoyer stay in as the starter if Jay Cutler is healthy? Yea, probably not. But for the first time the Bears showed some signs of life.
Should Brian Hoyer stay in as the starter if Jay Cutler is healthy? Yea, probably not. But for the first time the Bears showed some signs of life.
27. Detroit Lions - (23 - last week)
They just haven't played well, and it might cost Jim Caldwell his job. The offense didn't look good against the Bears.
They just haven't played well, and it might cost Jim Caldwell his job. The offense didn't look good against the Bears.
28. Tennessee Titans - (21 - last week)
At 1-3, they need to get it going. Coach Mike Mularkey is already on the hot seat, and rightfully so. The real crime is not having a number 1 receiver to help that young quarterback.
At 1-3, they need to get it going. Coach Mike Mularkey is already on the hot seat, and rightfully so. The real crime is not having a number 1 receiver to help that young quarterback.
29. Miami Dolphins - (27 - last week)
The early schedule was brutal, but they have so many issues right now. It's going to take time to fix this roster.
The early schedule was brutal, but they have so many issues right now. It's going to take time to fix this roster.
30. San Diego Chargers - (28 - last week)
They've blown two 13-point fourth-quarter leads in two games. That's tough to take. And the injuries, got damn. Smh.
They've blown two 13-point fourth-quarter leads in two games. That's tough to take. And the injuries, got damn. Smh.
31. Tampa Bay Bucs - (29 - last week)
They are throwing it way too much, which is a problem. But the defense isn't good enough, which forces it. The hype was too soon.
They are throwing it way too much, which is a problem. But the defense isn't good enough, which forces it. The hype was too soon.
32. Cleveland Browns - (31 - last week)
There are no moral victories in the NFL. This team is just not good. They lose because the are not good.
There are no moral victories in the NFL. This team is just not good. They lose because the are not good.