NFL power rankings, Week 5: Texans rise, Cowboys fall
The Dallas Cowboys are looking lost, while the Houston Texans have found themselves behind Deshaun Watson and a punishing defense.
32
San Francisco 49ers 0-4
Last week: L, 18-15 (OT) at AZ
Last rank: 32nd
The 49ers are going to win under Kyle Shanahan, but it won’t be often this season.
31
Cleveland Browns 0-4
Last week: L, 31-7 vs. CIN
Last rank: 31st
Regardless of personnel, Hue Jackson has to do better than this.
30
Indianapolis Colts 1-3
Last week: L, 46-18 at SEA
Last rank: 29th
Indianapolis is playing hard, but without Andrew Luck, it’s an uphill fight.
29
Los Angeles Chargers 0-4
Last week: L, 26-24 vs. PHI
Last rank: 27th
The Chargers stink. Los Angeles just had three straight “home” games, and lost them all.
28
New York Giants 0-4
Last week: L, 25-23 at TB
Last rank: 25th
How many losses before Ben McAdoo becomes a hot seat candidate? The Giants have all kinds of problems.
27
Chicago Bears 1-3
Last week: L, 35-14 at GB
Last rank: 26th
The Mitchell Trubisky era begins. Mike Glennon is the most relieved of all.
26
Miami Dolphins 1-2
Last week: L, 20-0 vs. NO
Last rank: 22nd
Between the losses to the Jets and Saints, it’s fair to wonder if the Dolphins stink something awful.
25
New York Jets 2-2
Last week: W, 23-20 (OT) vs. JAX
Last rank: 30th
Give the Jets a ton of credit. Minimal talent, and tied with the Patriots.
24
Cincinnati Bengals 1-3
Last week: W, 31-7 at CLE
Last rank: 28th
After beating the Browns, can the Bengals back it up against the Bills at home?
23
Baltimore Ravens 2-2
Last week: L, 26-9 vs. PIT
Last rank: 19th
Until Joe Flacco morphs into an actual quarterback, the Ravens are going to have a rough season.
22
Jacksonville Jaguars 2-2
Last week: L, 23-20 (OT) at NYJ
Last rank: 18th
Jacksonville had a chance to get to 3-1, and then Blake Bortles went full Blake Bortles.
21
Arizona Cardinals 2-2
Last week: W, 18-15 (OT) vs. SF
Last rank: 23rd
The Cardinals beat the 49ers, but this is a dead team walking.
20
Minnesota Vikings 2-2
Last week: L, 14-7 vs. DET
Last rank: 10th
Dropping 10 spots is no joke, but without Dalvin Cook and a real quarterback, what’s left?
19
New Orleans Saints 2-2
Last week: W, 20-0 at MIA
Last rank: 20th
The Saints might have discovered a defense for the first time in years, notching a shutout in London.
18
Buffalo Bills 3-1
Last week: W, 23-17 at ATL
Last rank: 24th
The Bills are playing great defense and running the ball well. Can they keep it going into October?
17
Oakland Raiders 2-2
Last week: L, 16-10 at DEN
Last rank: 9th
The Raiders can’t score, and the defense is Khalil Mack and 10 road cones.
16
Tennessee Titans 2-2
Last week: L, 57-14 at HOU
Last rank: 6th
When you give up 57 points, you drop hard.
16
Washington Redskins 2-2
Last week: L, 29-20 at KC
Last rank: 11th
Washington played well enough to win on most nights but not in Kansas City.
14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-1
Last week: W, 25-23 vs. NYG
Last rank: 16th
The Buccaneers can’t kick the ball, but they can do everything else.
13
Houston Texans 2-2
Last week: W, 57-14 vs. TEN
Last rank: 21st
Deshaun Watson looked terrific against the Titans. Now, a huge test against the Chiefs on Sunday night.
12
Dallas Cowboys 2-2
Last week: L, 35-30 vs. LAR
Last rank: 5th
Dallas has to figure out how to get Ezekiel Elliott going, who is averaging 3.6 yards per carry.
11
Carolina Panthers 3-1
Last week: W, 33-30 at NE
Last rank: 15th
Can Cam Newton keep playing well when he isn’t facing New England’s defense?
10
Seattle Seahawks 2-2
Last week: W, 46-18 vs. IND
Last rank: 14th
Seattle still has obvious issues, but they are getting themselves right offensively.
9
Los Angeles Rams 3-1
Last week: W, 35-30 at DAL
Last rank: 17th
the Rams look fantastic. A win this week over the Seahawks would be another statement.
8
Denver Broncos 3-1
Last week: W, 16-10 vs. OAK
Last rank: 13th
Not sold on the offense, but the defense is back to its championship form.
7
New England Patriots 2-2
Last week: L, 33-30 vs. CAR
Last rank: 3rd
The Patriots have an incredible offense, but an equally horrifying defense. Not good.
6
Detroit Lions 3-1
Last week: W, 14-7 at MIN
Last rank: 12th
Nobody is talking about the Lions, but they came within a whisker of being 4-0. Very good team.
5
Pittsburgh Steelers 3-1
Last week: W, 26-9 at BAL
Last rank: 8th
Pittsburgh bounced back for a resounding win over the Ravens. Well done.
4
Philadelphia Eagles 3-1
Last week: W, 26-24 at LAC
Last rank: 7th
Philadelphia looks to be the class of the NFC East at the moment.
3
Green Bay Packers 3-1
Last week: W, 35-14 vs. CHI
Last rank: 4th
Green Bay continues to look like the class of the North. Now, a big game against the Cowboys.
2
Atlanta Falcons 3-1
Last week: L, 23-17 vs. BUF
Last rank: 1st
The Falcons are still one of the top Super Bowl contenders, but losing to Buffalo at home is rough.
1
Kansas City Chiefs 4-0
Last week: W, 29-20 vs. WSH
Last rank: 2nd
Kansas City has the top MVP candidates in Kareem Hunt and Alex Smith. They’re also the last undefeated team. Look out.