Causion's NFL Power Rankings: Pre - Week 5
Today I reveal my weekly NFL power rankings heading into week 5 of the 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. New England Patriots
Although they had a bye week last week, they still are playing at the highest level of any team in the league in my opinion.
Although they had a bye week last week, they still are playing at the highest level of any team in the league in my opinion.
2. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers didn't throw for the eye popping stats, but the Packer defense was lights out, giving up only a field goal.
Aaron Rodgers didn't throw for the eye popping stats, but the Packer defense was lights out, giving up only a field goal.
3. Cincinnati Bengals - 5 last week
The Bengals are playing as well as any team in the league right now. Andy Dalton has never been better.
The Bengals are playing as well as any team in the league right now. Andy Dalton has never been better.
4. Denver Broncos - 3 last week
They pulled off a very good win against a good Vikings team and it wasn't easy. That defense was tested, but the running game is what pulled this one out. Peyton's arm strength? Idk...
They pulled off a very good win against a good Vikings team and it wasn't easy. That defense was tested, but the running game is what pulled this one out. Peyton's arm strength? Idk...
27. New Orleans Saints - 31 last week
They saved their season by beating the Cowboys, but now face a tough task at Philadelphia. Drew Brees still didn't look all the way back against Dallas.
They saved their season by beating the Cowboys, but now face a tough task at Philadelphia. Drew Brees still didn't look all the way back against Dallas.
30. Detroit Lions
At 0-4, they are in a huge hole. Can they recover? Not the way they are playing offense. That had to be a tough one to take in Seattle.
At 0-4, they are in a huge hole. Can they recover? Not the way they are playing offense. That had to be a tough one to take in Seattle.
29. Tampa Bay Bucs - 26 last week
With a rookie passer, there will be some rough days like they had against the Panthers. This is about building for the future with Jameis Winston.
With a rookie passer, there will be some rough days like they had against the Panthers. This is about building for the future with Jameis Winston.
32. San Francisco 49ers - 29 last week
Even when the defense plays well, which it did against the Packers, the 49ers just can't score enough on offense. Colin Kaepernick is really struggling.
Even when the defense plays well, which it did against the Packers, the 49ers just can't score enough on offense. Colin Kaepernick is really struggling.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers - 9 last week
It's tough to win games without Ben Roethlisberger. But they blew that Ravens game. A new kicker is in order.
It's tough to win games without Ben Roethlisberger. But they blew that Ravens game. A new kicker is in order.
28. Miami Dolphins - 21 last week
They fired coach Joe Philbin, but will that change things? The players still seem to lack heart and their D line has played like they are just ready to cash their check.
They fired coach Joe Philbin, but will that change things? The players still seem to lack heart and their D line has played like they are just ready to cash their check.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars - 27 last week
They could easily be leading the division, if not for two missed field goals. Now they face a third consecutive road game when they visit Tampa Bay.
They could easily be leading the division, if not for two missed field goals. Now they face a third consecutive road game when they visit Tampa Bay.
9. New York Jets - 13 last week
At 3-1, the defense might be scary good. Todd Bowles is already building this team in his mold.
At 3-1, the defense might be scary good. Todd Bowles is already building this team in his mold.
6. Carolina Panthers - 7 last week
The schedule will get a lot tougher, which will tell us a lot more about this team. So far, it's a hell of a start.
The schedule will get a lot tougher, which will tell us a lot more about this team. So far, it's a hell of a start.
11. St. Louis Rams - 16 last week
We knew the defense would be good, but with Todd Gurley and Tavon Austin, the offense might be better than expected.
We knew the defense would be good, but with Todd Gurley and Tavon Austin, the offense might be better than expected.
8. Seattle Seahawks - 10 last week
Seattle got away with one Monday might, thanks to the officials. The defense was special, but now they have that tough test at Cincinnati.
Seattle got away with one Monday might, thanks to the officials. The defense was special, but now they have that tough test at Cincinnati.
13. New York Giants - 19 last week
The biggest thing from the victory over the Bills was how well they ran to the football. The defense came up big.
The biggest thing from the victory over the Bills was how well they ran to the football. The defense came up big.
14. San Diego Chargers - 17 last week
They fought through a ton of injuries to beat the Browns. Now comes a physical game vs. the Steelers.
They fought through a ton of injuries to beat the Browns. Now comes a physical game vs. the Steelers.
5. Atlanta Falcons - 6 last week
That offense is explosive and that defense is flying to the ball. Devonte Freeman gives them a dimension they have been missing at running back for awhile now.
That offense is explosive and that defense is flying to the ball. Devonte Freeman gives them a dimension they have been missing at running back for awhile now.
15. Buffalo Bills - 8 last week
At 2-2, who are they? They have been way too inconsistent at the start of this season.
At 2-2, who are they? They have been way too inconsistent at the start of this season.
16. Kansas City Chiefs - 15 last week
They've lost three straight tough games to fall to 1-3 after their impressive opener. They are getting healthy and will improve.
They've lost three straight tough games to fall to 1-3 after their impressive opener. They are getting healthy and will improve.
18. Washington Redskins - 28 last week
Kirk Cousins did a nice job in beating the Eagles. Now it's time to see if he can string together a couple of victories.
Kirk Cousins did a nice job in beating the Eagles. Now it's time to see if he can string together a couple of victories.
20. Dallas Cowboys - 15 last week
Their once-promising season has turned sour because of injuries. But you have to beat the Saints in OT to be good if your good, right?
Their once-promising season has turned sour because of injuries. But you have to beat the Saints in OT to be good if your good, right?
21. Indiannapolis Colts - 22 last week
Without Andrew Luck, they found a way against the Jaguars to take the division's top spot. Now comes a short week with another division game against the Texans.
Without Andrew Luck, they found a way against the Jaguars to take the division's top spot. Now comes a short week with another division game against the Texans.
23. Cleveland Browns
Josh McCown is playing some solid football, but the defense has become an issue. This team competed at San Diego, but that's not good enough.
Josh McCown is playing some solid football, but the defense has become an issue. This team competed at San Diego, but that's not good enough.
22. Baltimore Ravens - 25 last week
That was a season-saving victory at Pittsburgh. The schedule gets softer now, starting with the Browns this week.
That was a season-saving victory at Pittsburgh. The schedule gets softer now, starting with the Browns this week.
26. Philadelphia Eagles - 20 last week
What has happened to the offense that will revolutionize the game? Despite what he says, Chip Kelly has to be concerned with the 1-3 start.
What has happened to the offense that will revolutionize the game? Despite what he says, Chip Kelly has to be concerned with the 1-3 start.
7. Arizona Cardinals - 4 last week
That was a major dud against the Rams. They just didn't look right, especially on defense. Still will be good.
That was a major dud against the Rams. They just didn't look right, especially on defense. Still will be good.
12. Minnesota Vikings - 11 last week
At 2-2, they've lost both road games. That's something young teams have to overcome.
At 2-2, they've lost both road games. That's something young teams have to overcome.
17. Oakland Raiders - 14 last week
I will say this all year long: This team will be in the playoff mix in 2016. This is a growing year.
I will say this all year long: This team will be in the playoff mix in 2016. This is a growing year.
19. Tennessee Titans - 18 last week
Marcus Mariota got off to a hot start, but will it continue coming off the bye? There's no reason to think it won't.
Marcus Mariota got off to a hot start, but will it continue coming off the bye? There's no reason to think it won't.
31. Houston Texans - 24 last week
So much for this team having a playoff season. They look awful -- and not just at quarterback. What has happened to the defense? Lol. Told you so. Lol.
So much for this team having a playoff season. They look awful -- and not just at quarterback. What has happened to the defense? Lol. Told you so. Lol.
25. Chicago Bears - 32 last week
Credit goes to Jay Cutler for playing through pain to beat Oakland. Now comes a tough game at Kansas City.
Credit goes to Jay Cutler for playing through pain to beat Oakland. Now comes a tough game at Kansas City.