The NFL Blog: Power Rankings (After Week 5)

Power Rankings After Week 5

1. Tennessee 5-0 (1st)
2. Washington 4-1 (3rd)
3. Buffalo 4-1 (2nd)
4. New York Giants 4-0 (6th)
5. Dallas 4-1 (4th)
6. Carolina 4-1 (NR)
7. Philadelphia 2-3 (7th)
8. Pittsburgh 4-1 (NR)

-Previous week’s ranking in parenthesis;

Out: San Diego (5th); Tampa Bay (8th);

Explanation: My power rankings were relatively stable this week compared with week 4 when I pretty much decided to start all over. I kept the Titans in the #1 spot as they stayed undefeated by holding on to beat the Ravens on the road. They could have easily lost but in the NFL it’s less about style points and more about winning at all costs. The Bills suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday, getting beat by 24 in Arizona, but they were without Trent Edwards for basically the entire game, and Edwards is the leader of that offense. JP Losman came into the game and got some things done but he’s a major step down. Losman turned the ball over 3 times in place of Edwards. I think the Bills would have won if Edwards hadn’t gotten hurt and that’s why I only dropped them to third. However, if Edwards’ injury keeps him out or keeps him from performing well then obviously it would be a big blow to the Bills and I’d move them down at that point. I moved the Redskins up to 2nd as they won at Philly to move to 4-1. I move the Giants up to 4th after they demolished the Seahawks, 44-6. I moved the Cowboys back a spot to 5th after their lackluster performance at home against the Bengals. They got the win but it was hardly a dominant performance and I’m a little concerned about that team’s psyche. I dropped the Chargers out of my rankings after they were shutdown and beat down by the Dolphins, 17-10. They are now just 2-3 on the season. The Panthers jumped from off the board right into the 6th spot in my power rankings after they pounded the Chiefs 34-0 to improve to 4-1. Even though the Eagles lost to fall to 2-3 and Brian Westbrook sustained cracked ribs, I still think the Eagles are one of the better teams in the League so I left them at 7th. They’re banged up and they’ve been playing tough games each week. Their schedule is about to get much easier and I think McNabb and the Eagles will make hay. The Steelers got back into my rankings in the 8 spot despite all of their injuries after they pulled out another win in a close game against a tough opponent. The Bucs fell out of my rankings after they lost to Denver. Losing by 3 at Mile High is actually a pretty respectable showing but they may now be switching QB’s again if Griese can’t play and I just don’t like their offense any better than last year.