The NFP Power Rankings

Throughout the season, our NFL experts will give you our weekly power rankings: a rundown of how we stack up the teams.

Power Rankings: Week 5 (previous ranking included)

1. (1) NY Giants (4-0)
The Giants made it look easy in Kansas City and should do it again on Sunday with the Raiders coming to town.

2. (3) New Orleans Saints (4-0)
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has his unit playing at a high level—and the Saints are winning games because of that.

3. (4) Indianapolis Colts (4-0)
Peyton Manning has thrown for over 300 yards in every game to start the season, and he looks to be playing the best football of his career.

4. (6) New England Patriots (3-1)
Wins aren’t supposed to look pretty against the Ravens defense, and Tom Brady made the plays that counted.

5. (2) Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
A tough road loss in Foxborough won’t stop QB Joe Flacco and Ray Lewis—they are around to stay.

6. (8) Minnesota Vikings (4-0)
Brett Favre was magical against the Packers last night—and proved he could win without a running game.

7. (5) NY Jets (3-1)
Rex Ryan’s defense can only do so much when their rookie QB has a rough day.

8. (11) Denver Broncos (4-0)
Mike Nolan’s defense isn’t a secret anymore—and this team is for real.

9. (9) Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook are healthy as the Eagles get back to work.

10. (17) San Francisco 49ers (3-1)
We tend to forget that the Niners are one play away from being 4-0.

11. (15) Chicago Bears (3-1)
Jay Cutler continues to produce touchdowns for a team trying to find the running game.

12. (12) Atlanta Falcons (2-1)
The Falcons come back from the bye week with a huge matchup in San Fran.

13. (13) Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)
Ugly wins still count—but it shouldn’t have been that tough for the Bengals in Cleveland.

14. (16) Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)
The Steelers found a running back in Rashard Mendenhall, but why can’t they close out games?

15. (7) San Diego Chargers (2-2)
Are the Chargers that soft up front? It sure looked like it against the Steelers.

16. (10) Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
Without Felix Jones, the Cowboys don’t have any explosive weapons on offense.

17. (19) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
The Jags offense is suddenly erupting, and QB David Garrard is playing his best football.

18. (18) Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
The Cards come back from the bye week with a likely shootout with the Texans on the schedule.

19. (14) Green Bay Packers (2-2)
The Packers offensive line is more than an issue—it is now a major problem.

20. (20) Houston Texans (2-2)
Playing against the Raiders can always improve the confidence of your defense.

21. (26) Washington Redskins (2-2)
Even with a win, Jim Zorn and Jason Campbell are still under fire in D.C.

22. (27) Miami Dolphins (1-3)
Chad Henne’s first start in Miami produced the Dolphins first win—thanks to the running game.

23. (22) Detroit Lions (1-3)
Matthew Stafford’s knee injury cast a shadow on another good performance for the rookie.

24. (21) Tennessee Titans (0-4)
Jeff Fisher has his hands full with a defense that has vanished in Nashville.

25. (25) Carolina Panthers (0-3)
A loss to the ‘Skins would all but finish any chance of getting back in the NFC South race.

26. (23) Buffalo Bills (1-3)
The Bills haven’t improved from Week 1, and their defense is being pushed around.

27. (24) Seattle Seahawks (1-3)
The Seahawks need Matt Hasselbeck to return before this season spirals out of control.

28. (28) Oakland Raiders (1-3)
Nothing is working in Oakland, and it starts with QB JaMarcus Russell—who is teetering with all-time lows.

29. (29) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4)
New QB, same result. It is going to be a long season for Raheem Morris in Tampa.

30. (31) Cleveland Browns (0-4)
Another loss, but QB Derek Anderson showed that he could put points on the board in an OT loss to Cincy.

31. (30) Kansas City Chiefs (0-4)
Did Todd Haley inherit this bad of a football team in KC?

32. (32) St. Louis Rams (0-4)
The Rams didn’t belong on the same field with San Fran—and it showed in another blowout loss.

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