NFL Power Rankings 5.0

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As the 2018-19 NFL season is underway, certain franchises have stepped into the spotlight. As the weeks progress, here are the NFL Power Rankings, brought to you by The Athletes Hub:

1. Los Angeles Rams (5-0) (-)

In a high-scoring victory over the Seattle Seahawks, the Los Angeles Rams continue to contain the deepest roster in the NFL. With Super Bowl projections, there is still speculation that the postseason will be a hindrance for this franchise.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) (-)

Even after the trash talk brought up by the Jacksonville Jaguars defense, Patrick Mahomes and company looked comfortable against a formidable opponent. Next in line are the New England Patriots, which should make for a must-watch event on Sunday night.

3. New England Patriots (3-2) (+1)

In their first game with Julian Edelman in the huddle, the New England Patriots looked comfortable in their win over the Indianapolis Colts. With a few days of extra rest, the week six matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs will draw a lot of attention.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2) (-1)

In a game where the Jacksonville Jaguars may have climbed up to the #2 slot with a victory, their offense could not find its rhythm on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. With a wild card matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in week six, a blowout victory is needed for a source of momentum moving forward.

5. Carolina Panthers (3-1) (-)

A game-winning 63-yard field goal to win the game keeps the Carolina Panthers within the top five of this week’s power rankings. Although it was high-scoring and exciting to watch, the Panthers should have never been in danger of losing to a Giants roster that is rapidly depleting.

6. New Orleans Saints (4-1) (-)

A blowout victory over the Washington Redskins locks the New Orleans Saints in at #6. The accomplishments of Drew Brees are kept in the history books, but will this season end in promise?

7. Chicago Bears (3-1) (+2)

The bye week should serve the Chicago Bears well, as they now are forced to play against four consecutive AFC East opponents. Although it’s unlikely their stretch will result in 4-0 over the next four weeks, a record of 3-1 during that time span is practical.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (4-1) (+3)

There is certainly work to be done, but the Cincinnati Bengals are worth a slot within the top ten of this week’s power rankings. This could easily change though, as the Bengals are forced to play against the Steelers in week six, as well as on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs in week seven.

9. Minnesota Vikings (2-2-1) (+4)

The Vikings have been inconsistent at times this season, but last week is enough to sneak them into the #9 slot. A victory on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles is admirable, and places momentum for week six against the Arizona Cardinals.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) (-)

Philadelphia allowed for a close game to get away from them in week five, but still remain on the cusp of the top ten. Their chances against the New York Giants are favorable, as the NFC East is still up for grabs.

11. Green Bay Packers (2-2-1) (-4)

Outside of Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, there is not much to work with for the Green Bay Packers. Although the Detroit Lions have shown flashes of elite offensive play, the blame is on the Packers defense through the first six weeks.

12. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2-1) (+3)

There is still hope within Pittsburgh, as the Steelers blew out the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon. While the running back situation may turn into a controversy in due time, the Steelers looked like their 2017 selves in week six.

13. Baltimore Ravens (3-2) (-1)

The Baltimore Ravens defense did its job in week six, allowing only 12 points in a overtime loss in week six against the Cleveland Brown. This should have been a comfortable victory, but instead forces us to speculate whether Baltimore can compete among the top talent in the home stretch of the season.

14. Washington Redskins (3-2) (-5)

Washington couldn’t handle the firepower of the New Orleans on Monday night, and drops them back into the middle of the pack. While the Redskins are currently ranked as the second-best NFC East roster, that may quickly change within time.

15. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) (+1)

I’m still not sold on the Los Angeles Chargers this season, but a victory over the Oakland Raiders helps their case slightly. By winning the games that are viewed as projected wins, the Chargers could sneak in as a playoff contender later on.

16. Tennessee Titans (3-2) (-2)

The Tennessee Titans continue to waste their potential, as a 13-12 loss to the Buffalo Bills sets the franchise a few steps back. There is an open debate on whether Tennessee deserves to be at #16, but this seems like an appropriate position for now, given their past accolades.

17. Detroit Lions (2-3) (+6)

Granted the Detroit Lions are only 2-3, their two wins have come from the hands of the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. There is work to be done, but the Lions are capable of making a run in the second half of the season.

18. Houston Texans (2-3) (+7)

The Houston Texans have won two games in a row, the latest coming from an overtime victory against the Dallas Cowboys. The health of Deshaun Watson is in question, but the play on the defensive end has been elite as of late.

19. Denver Broncos (2-3) (-1)

A blowout loss to the New York Jets won’t help the resume of the Denver Broncos, as the defense allowed points to be scored in each of the last three quarters. Soon enough, the Broncos will be in a few must-win situations.

20. Seattle Seahawks (2-3) (-)

The Seattle Seahawks came in as the heavy underdog at home against the Los Angeles Rams, but kept up with them for the most part on Sunday. Chris Carson continues to be the face of the run game, but the defense will surely miss Earl Thomas.

21. Dallas Cowboys (2-3) (-)

Dallas continues to surprise its fans; but not always in the best light. A 4th & 1 situation in overtime forced Jason Garrett to punt the ball, and in result, his job could be in the cross hairs.

22. Miami Dolphins (3-2) (-5)

At one point in time, the Miami Dolphins were ranked #12 in the week three power rankings. Two weeks later, hope is suddenly slipping from a franchise that is without a true leader on either side of the ball.

23. Atlanta Falcons (1-4) (-4)

A loss where the Atlanta Falcons allow 41 points to the Pittsburgh Steelers stings. Julio Jones continues to only be useful in garbage time, which correlates to the team’s 1-4 start to the campaign.

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) (-2)

A bye week doesn’t alter the Tampa Bay Buccaneers standing on the power rankings, but the question behind the quarterback situation does. Jameis Winston is the projected starter, but I’m not sure he will manage to finish out the season under center.

25. Cleveland Browns (2-2-1) (+2)

It wasn’t clean, but the Cleveland Browns saw out a victory over the Baltimore Ravens in overtime. Baker Mayfield still isn’t comfortable under center and with particular reads, but this is a promising beginning to a new era in Ohio.

26. New York Jets (2-3) (+3)

It’s almost impossible to predict what the New York Jets will accomplish on Sunday’s anymore, as they have taken down the Denver Broncos in a game where they should have been shut down. Moving up three slots on the power rankings doesn’t seem like enough, but it’s a start.

27. New York Giants (1-4) (-3)

The behavior of Odell Beckham Jr. is starting to create a stir within the New York Giants sideline, and that’s only the beginning of what needs to be addressed for this franchise. With so much promise to start the season, I’m shocked at this outcome.

28. Oakland Raiders (1-4) (-2)

The Oakland Raiders can’t find any rhythm on either side of the ball, and it’s clear that the loss of Khalil Mack is taking a toll on the defense in particular. With the inability to win games when it matters most, the Raiders are doomed for mediocrity this year.

29. Indianapolis Colts (1-4) (-1)

There was little hope that the Indianapolis Colts would keep up with the New England Patriots on Thursday night, but it will be a setback nonetheless. The Andrew Luck experiment is continuing to spiral out of control, but the roster as a whole needs a makeover.

30. Buffalo Bills (2-3) (+2)

It would be unfair to put the Buffalo Bills any higher than #30 this week, but that doesn’t take anything away from their victory on Sunday. Hitting a game-winning field goal was huge, but the lack of consistency on the offense is worrisome.

31. Arizona Cardinals (1-4) (+1)

The Arizona Cardinals picked up their first win of the season, even though it was against the San Francisco 49ers. There are a few pieces within the roster that are bright spots, but the Cardinals shouldn’t have any hopes for this season.

32. San Francisco 49ers (1-4) (-2)

The loss to the Arizona Cardinals places the San Francisco 49ers at #32 by default. Although the 49ers can’t get any lower, the last five or six slots are exchangeable at this point in the year.

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Which undefeated #NFL team has been more impressive: @RamsNFL or @Chiefs?

— The Athletes Hub (@AthletesHub) October 10, 2018