NFP Power Rankings

Every week, the National Football Post brings you our weekly power rankings: a breakdown of how we stack up the league.

Week 5 Power Rankings (previous rankings in parenthesis)

ICONRay Lewis and the Ravens jump to No.1 after winning on the road at Pittsburgh.

1. (3) Baltimore Ravens: 3-1
Joe Flacco leads the Ravens down the field in the final minute against the Pittsburgh defense to win a big divisional game on the road.

2. (6) N.Y. Jets: 3-1
The Jets have won three AFC East games in a row—and QB Mark Sanchez has yet to throw an interception this season.

3. (2) Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-1
The Steelers won three games without Ben Roethlisberger—and the Pro Bowl QB is coming back.

4. (5) New Orleans Saints: 3-1
With Carolina in a position to steal one in the Dome, the Saints defense shut the door on rookie QB Jimmy Clausen.

5. (7) Green Bay Packers: 3-1
Winning is the bottom line in the NFL, but is it time to start questioning the defense in Green Bay?

6. (9) New England Patriots: 3-1
The Pats’ exploded in the second half and dominated the kicking game in the win at Miami.

7. (3) Chicago Bears: 3-1
Mike Martz. Jay Cutler and the offensive line are now under the microscope in Chicago after the Giants physically beat them up.

8. (8) Atlanta Falcons: 3-1
For the second straight week, the Falcons survive and win it on a field goal to stay atop the NFC South.

9. (12) Houston Texans: 3-1
Arian Foster continues his breakout season—after he was benched for the first quarter in the win over Oakland.

10. (1) Indianapolis Colts: 2-2
The numbers are there for Peyton Manning, but the Colts’ defense is suspect.

11. (18) San Diego Chargers: 2-2
Is it time for an early season run after the standard slow start out in San Diego?

12. (13) Dallas Cowboys: 1-2
Will we continue to see the balanced play calling from Jason Garrett as the Cowboys come off of the bye?

ICONThe 3-0 Chiefs head to Indy on Sunday.

13. (14) Kansas City Chiefs: 3-0
How good are the 3-0 Chiefs? We will find out the next two weeks with back-to-back road games at Indy and Houston.

14. (19) N.Y. Giants: 2-2
The Giants defensive line put on a clinic against the Bears Sunday night in the 17-3 win.

15. (12) Miami Dolphins: 2-2
A nightmare of a game for the Dolphins special teams unit last night in the loss to the Patriots.

16. (21) Washington Redskins: 2-2
McNabb gets the win in the his return to Philly, and the ‘Skins are sitting in first place in the East.

17. (17) Minnesota Vikings: 1-2
Did the bye week do anything to help Brett Favre and the Vikings’ passing game?

18. (15) Cincinnati Bengals: 2-2
T.O. is happy, but the rest of the Bengals shouldn’t be after dropping one to the Browns.

19. (24) Denver Broncos: 2-2
Kyle Orton is off to a Pro Bowl start for the Broncos, but where is the running game?

20. (10) Philadelphia Eagles: 2-2
A big drop for the Eagles, but this is a different football team with Kevin Kolb at QB.

ICONJohnson was shut down by the Broncos' defense.

21. (16) Tennessee Titans: 2-2
When RB Chris Johnson is shut down, the Titans are just an average football team.

22. (26) Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-2
David Garrard saves his job with a big time game at home in the win over Indy.

23. (23) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2-1
Can the Bucs come off of the bye week and beat Cincy? Why not.

24. (29) St. Louis Rams: 2-2
Sam Bradford looks like the early favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award for a club that has reeled off two straight wins.

25. (20) Seattle Seahawks: 2-2
Another move from Pete Carroll as he makes a deal for running back Marshawn Lynch.

26. (25) San Francisco 49ers: 0-4
We keep waiting for the Niners to put it together—but they are running out of time.

27. (22) Arizona Cardinals: 2-2
We knew their would be problems at the QB position, but where is the defense in ‘Zona?

28. (27) Oakland Raiders: 1-3
Another close game for the Raiders, but the 1-3 record doesn’t lie.

29. (31) Cleveland Browns: 1-3
The Browns get their first win of the season with Seneca Wallace at QB.

30. (28) Detroit Lions: 0-4
Over 400-yards of offense at Green Bay, but another rough start for this franchise.

31. (31) Carolina Panthers: 0-4
An injury to Steve Smith means more handoffs for Clausen.

32. (32) Buffalo Bills: 0-4
What is Chan Gailey's plan in Buffalo? We are still trying to figure that out.

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