Top 5
1. Buffalo Bills (4-1)
Previous Rank: #1
The Bills or the Cardinals? That’s the question everyone is asking themselves when it comes to the top spot in this week’s batch of NFL Power Rankings. I’m going with the Bills at No.1 for the second consecutive week. Why? It’s simple. I believe the Bills would beat the Cardinals if they were to play at a neutral site this week.
Kansas City has struggled early on this season, but they still have a lot of talent, and going into Arrowhead and pummeling the Chiefs 38-20 in primetime is impressive.
The Bills have proven to be a complete team through the first five-weeks of the season, and that week-1 loss to the Steelers looks further and further away in the rearview mirror every time Buffalo takes the field. Led by Josh Allen, the Bills offense is a top-10 unit averaging 34.4 points per game, a mark that tops the NFL. Buffalo also boasts the league’s top-rated defense and is holding opponents to just over 250 yards per game. Need I say more?
The Bills will be back in primetime Monday night when they travel to Nashville to take on the 3-2 Titans. There’s no doubt in my mind the Bills will get their points. The question is, can Buffalo’s defense stop King Henry? This game is must-see television and one of the two or three top-matchups of week-6.
2. Cardinals (5-0)
Previous Rank: #2
Another week, another win for the Cardinals. 5-0 has a nice ring to it.
Arizona’s impressive road-wins over the Titans and Rams were early-season statements. Sunday’s 17-10 win over the 49ers had a different feel. The offense didn’t play well and it was ugly. Nonetheless, the defense came through in the clutch and the Cardinals found a way to win and protect their undefeated record. That’s what good teams do in this league.
This week, the Cardinals travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns. The matchup to watch is Arizona’s defense against the Browns rushing attack. Cleveland leads the NFL in rushing at 187.6 yards per game. Arizona is allowing their opponents to rush for nearly 140 yards per game, ranking them 28th in run defense. The offense will need to show up after a quiet week if the Cardinals want to remain undefeated entering week-7.
3. Los Angeles Rams (4-1)
Previous Rank: #3
After taking one on the chin 37-20 by the hand of the Cardinals in week-4, the Rams woke up in week-5 and downed the Seahawks 26-17 on Thursday night. A finger injury forced Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson to exit the game in the second half, and that probably helped the Rams secure the victory. Geno Smith entered the game for Wilson and the Seahawks held possession in a one-score game with two-minutes to go before Smith threw an interception on a long pass intended for Tyler Lockett. A Los Angeles field goal followed to seal the deal. It wasn’t the prettiest of wins for the Rams, but they got it done.
The Rams’ next three games are against the Giants, Lions and Texans. Here’s to betting the Rams are 7-1 before meeting the Titans in week-9.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1)
Previous Rank: #4
Still no movement through the top-four spots in this week’s power rankings.
The Dolphins are no good and the Bucs did what they were supposed to. Tom Brady continues to play some of the best football of his career. On Sunday, Brady threw for more than 400-yards and five touchdowns in the same game for the first time in his 22-year NFL career (ESPN). Brady also tossed five touchdown passes in the Bucs’ 48-25 win over the Falcons in week-2.
Tampa Bay’s defense looked a little suspect through the team’s first three games, but the group has looked vastly improved over the last two weeks. Sure, the quality of Tampa Bay’s opponents probably have something to do with it, but the Bucs defense has only allowed opponents to muster an average of 297 total yards over the last two games. Oh by the way, those same opponents rushed for a combined 19 rushing yards over that same stretch.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Previous Rank: NR
The first change comes in the last spot in the top-five. I normally don’t downgrade teams after a win, but that’s what I’m doing here with the Packers after exchanging missed field goals in an 25-22 road win in overtime over the Bengals. It was a close call, but to me, it all comes down to the eye test and the Chargers look better through five games.
Yes, the run defense needs to improve (32nd, 157.6 YPG), but the Chargers’ lone loss is to the Cowboys, and Dallas looks the part of a Super Bowl-hopeful team early on. It’s also important to mention the Chargers pass defense is respectable and the offense is lethal, so that even things out a bit.
Justin Herbert and the Chargers visit Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on Sunday. This is another game I won’t be missing. The last time I checked, the Ravens have a top-five rushing attack, the NFL’s top-ranked offense, and the game does down to the wire every time they play. Yes, please!
The Packers, Ravens and Cowboys were all very close to securing the fifth and final spot.
Bottom 5
28 – Giants: 44-20 (L) at. Cowboys
Previous Rank: NR
29 – Dolphins: 45-17 (L) at. Bucs
Previous Rank: 28
30 – Detroit: 19-17 (L) at. Vikings
Previous Rank: 30
31 – Texans: 25-22 (L) vs. Patriots
Previous Rank: 32
32 – Jaguars: 37-19 (L) vs. Titans
Previous Rank: 31
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