2024 NFL Power Rankings: Week 5

A fantastic weekend of college football gave way to a great slate of NFL action. Miami and Virginia Tech put on a show Friday night, and Alabama and Georgia had the game of the weekend Saturday night.

Then on Sunday, we had several down-to-the-wire games in the early window, while other contenders put their stamp on the day with dominating performances.

In terms of team movements, the Vikings are making a strong case for number one, and the Jaguars are now the only winless team in the league. We’re getting to the point of the season where the fanbases of underperforming teams start looking towards next season, but a win in Week 5 can change fortunes quickly.

1 — Kansas City Chiefs (4-0, —)

The Chiefs came back from 10 down early to secure the 17-10 win over their division-rival Chargers. It was a costly victory, however, with WR Rashee Rice suffering what could be a serious knee injury. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes badly overthrew TE Travis Kelce, resulting in an interception, then blindly dove into Rice’s leg while the second-year receiver was making the tackle. Losing Rice won’t make this offense fire any faster, and now the burden falls on Mahomes to figure things out.

2 — Minnesota Vikings (4-0, up 2)

The Vikings’ impressive start to the season continues, this time with a road win in Green Bay. It was not QB Sam Darnold’s cleanest performance, but the box score numbers are gaudy once again. It’s becoming harder and harder to doubt the Vikings — their resumé speaks for itself.

3 — Buffalo Bills (3-1, down 1)

It was an ugly performance from the start for the Bills in a blowout loss in Baltimore on Sunday night. Star QB Josh Allen and this offense never got into a rhythm, and perhaps more concerningly, the Bills’ defense had no answers for the Ravens’ rushing attack. It doesn’t get any easier, either, with a trip to Houston on deck for a Bills team in need of a bounce-back.

4 — Detroit Lions (3-1, up 2)

An offensive explosion led to a home win over the Seahawks, a game in which the Detroit offense — and QB Jared Goff especially — could do no wrong. Goff had zero incompletions, the defense got a few stops at critical moments to secure the win, and the Lions are rolling. Trips to Dallas and Minneapolis follow the Week 5 bye, giving the Lions the opportunity to grab wins over key NFC opponents. Something to watch: first-round CB Terrion Arnold was flagged three times in the win over the Seahawks, bringing his total to eight on the year.

5 — Houston Texans (3-1, —)

It took a last-second touchdown from RB Dare Ogunbowale, but the Texans avoided a home loss to the Jaguars. Something’s felt off with this team all season, and that feeling was stronger than ever this week. If the Texans want to become true contenders, they’ll need to figure out why the offense hasn’t fully gotten going yet this year.

6 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1, up 4)

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and the team bounced back from a poor loss to the Broncos to dominate the Eagles. The offense couldn’t stop scoring in the first half, and the defense stifled the Philadelphia offense for large stretches of this game. Tampa Bay has demonstrated the highest highs and lowest lows already this season, but they do look like the early favorites in the NFC South.

7 — Baltimore Ravens (2-2, up 2)

Now that’s what we expected from the Ravens entering the year. A week after nearly blowing a big lead against the Cowboys, the Ravens never let up against the Bills. The combination of QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry looked every bit as electric as Ravens fans hoped, and now they travel to Cincinnati for an important divisional matchup.

8 — San Francisco 49ers (2-2, —)

The 49ers took care of business against the Patriots. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a welcome sight after back-to-back losses. The offense is starting to get healthier, which will be important as they try and keep pace with the Seahawks in the division.

9 — Green Bay Packers (2-2, down 6)

Starting QB Jordan Love returned to the lineup and threw four touchdowns, though he also had three turnovers in the loss to the Vikings. Minnesota got up 28-0 before a furious Green Bay comeback fell just short on a failed onside kick. The Packers are the youngest team in the league for the second year in a row, and with that some inconsistency is to be expected.

10 — Seattle Seahawks (3-1, up 2)

It came down to the wire, but the Seahawks weren’t quite able to get it done in Detroit. Seahawks QB Geno Smith played well, and while the offensive line had their issues, this time it was the defense that let them down. The Lions got whatever they wanted on offense all night, and if Seattle wants to stay in the division race, they can’t have repeats on Monday night.

11 — Indianapolis Colts (2-2, up 2)

Colts QB Anthony Richardson was on fire to start this game before exiting with a hip injury. The Colts built a 17-0 lead and held on for a 27-24 over the Steelers. The Indianapolis defensive line controlled much of this game, and backup QB Joe Flacco steadied the ship and led several late scoring drives to secure the win. The Colts now travel to a reeling Jaguars team and could have Richardson back for that game.

12 — Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1, up 2)

Steelers QB Justin Fields threw for over 300 yards, but it wasn’t enough to get the win in Indianapolis. Outside of one disastrous fumble, Fields played a great game. This time it was the Steelers’ defense that let them down, as the Colts were able to march up and down the field for much of this game. While QB Russell Wilson was named the starter coming out of the preseason, performances like this will make it tough for HC Mike Tomlin to go away from Fields.

13 — Atlanta Falcons (2-2, up 2)

Both of the Falcons’ wins this season have come on game-winning field goals in the final seconds but wins over the Eagles and Saints aren’t anything to sneeze at. Falcons QB Kirk Cousins showcases increasing comfort in this offense each week. A Thursday night tilt against the Buccaneers is up next, but Atlanta will need better offensive line play to build some real momentum in the coming weeks.

14 — Philadelphia Eagles (2-2, down 7)

Eagles HC Nick Sirianni’s seat grows ever hotter. The Eagles were never really competitive in a loss to the Buccaneers, with QB Jalen Hurts losing a fumble for yet another turnover. Down their top two receivers, the offense couldn’t get clicking, and the defense seems to have made little improvement from a year ago.

15 — New Orleans Saints (2-2, down 4)

Perhaps the Panthers and Cowboys really were that bad. After starting 2-0 and looking like the best team in football, the Saints are 0-2, losing to the Eagles and Falcons by a pair of last-second field goals. New Orleans travels to Kansas City for a Monday night showdown, which should be a good litmus test for both teams.

16 — Washington Commanders (3-1, up 7)

We have the latest rookie quarterback sensation to take the league by storm. Jayden Daniels is here, leading the charge in a blowout win over the Cardinals. Daniels just set the record for completion percentage over a four-game span — doing so over the first four games of his career is a ridiculous feat. The Commanders are the early leaders in the NFC East, and with the Browns on deck, they have a chance to keep their lead.

17 — Cincinnati Bengals (1-3, —)

The Bengals secured their first win of the season in Carolina, a win they hope will help stabilize their season. Much has been made of Cincinnati’s offense, but it’s the defense that’s been a problem in recent weeks. For a Super Bowl hopeful, the Bengals defense has been a sieve, and a Ravens offense that just shredded the Bills comes to town next. The Bengals will need to solve their defensive woes quickly to have a chance in that one.

18 — New York Jets (2-2, down 2)

The Jets sleepwalked through a rainy home game against the Broncos, resulting in a disappointing loss. The Jets’ stars didn’t show up and QB Aaron Rodgers was sacked five times. If New York wants to be the contender they believe they can be, this is a must-win game. Now the Jets play the Vikings in London, and a much stronger performance will be necessary to walk away with a win.

19 — Chicago Bears (2-2, up 4)

First-round QB Caleb Williams had his best game yet, pulling out a tough win over a feisty Rams squad. The Bears’ running game finally got going, with RB D’Andre Swift pairing with RB Roschon Johnson to form a strong one-two punch. The Chicago defense didn’t generate a ton of pressure, but they stepped up when it mattered most, forcing Rams QB Matthew Stafford into a game-sealing interception. The Panthers come to town next, giving Chicago an opportunity to get back above .500.

20 — Arizona Cardinals (1-3, down 2)

A dominating Week 2 win over the Rams had this team riding high, but a blowout loss to the Commanders is a sobering reminder of where this defense stands. It’s competing with the Panthers’ defense for worst defense in the NFL, and until the talent is upgraded on that side of the ball, more games like this will be in store. In terms of positive takeaways, first-round WR Marvin Harrison Jr. continues to live up to the hype, and his connection with QB Kyler Murray gives Arizona hope for the future.

21 — Los Angeles Rams (1-3, down 2)

The Rams have a game against the Packers before their bye week, and they’re one team grateful for the early bye. Injuries have derailed the season early for a promising NFC contender, and Stafford is doing everything he can to keep these games competitive. It wasn’t quite enough against the Bears in Chicago, but if Los Angeles can get some starters back soon, there’s still a chance to turn their season around.

22 — Denver Broncos (2-2, up 2)

Man, who would have thought the Broncos would claw their way back to .500? Back-to-back wins over the Buccaneers and Jets, two potential playoff teams, have the Broncos feeling a lot better about their season. It was ugly in the rain against the Jets, but they got the job done. With the Raiders coming to town in Week 5, the Broncos have a chance to build some momentum.

23 — Los Angeles Chargers (2-2, up 2)

A strong start against the Chiefs gave way to a one-score loss, something the Chargers are all too familiar with in the Mahomes-era. They’re off in Week 5, but Los Angeles won’t complain about the early bye, as they need to get healthier. Most notably, QB Justin Herbert is already dealing with some nagging injuries, and they’ll need him if they want to compete for the playoffs.

24 — Dallas Cowboys (2-2, down 3)

A narrow win over the Giants doesn’t inspire much confidence, given the Giants are one of the worst teams in football. A win is a win, but for a supposedly contending team, Dallas needs more. It’s been a rocky start to the season for the Cowboys, and a trip to Pittsburgh awaits them next.

25 — Tennessee Titans (1-3, up 2)

Titans QB Will Levis left the game after two drives with a shoulder injury and his backup, Mason Rudolph, provided a steadier hand as the Titans got their first win of the season. The Tennessee defense shut down the Miami offense, and for a team that’s been so close in previous weeks, securing a win heading into the bye is an important step. Levis will presumably start again if his injury isn’t serious, though Rudolph’s performance may give this coaching staff pause.

26 — Miami Dolphins (1-3, down 6)

When (if?) QB Tua Tagovailoa returns for the Dolphins, they’ll likely climb the power rankings . Until then, however, this is where they belong. Skylar Thompson last week, Tyler Huntley this week, neither replacement quarterback could keep the offense running. A game with the Patriots awaits next week, giving Miami a chance to get back in the win column.

27 — Las Vegas Raiders (2-2, down 1)

A thoroughly underwhelming game in every respect goes the Raiders’ way. Despite being down their two best players in ED Maxx Crosby and WR Davante Adams, Las Vegas got it done against the Browns to pull even at 2-2. Quarterback questions won’t go away anytime soon, but the Raiders appear committed to Gardner Minshew, at least for the time being.

28 — Carolina Panthers (1-3, up 1)

It came in a loss, but veteran QB Andy Dalton has reignited this Panthers team. First-round WR Xavier Legette had a breakout performance, joining a sneakily impressive group of Carolina weapons. The Panthers’ defense is bad enough that wins will be hard to come by, but it should give Panthers fans hope that the offensive infrastructure should be better for the next rookie quarterback they bring in.

29 — New England Patriots (1-3, down 1)

Now we’re seeing the team we expected the Patriots to be in the preseason. The game against the 49ers was never a contest, leaving New England in the same spot they were in last week. This season is about first-round QB Drake Maye’s development, even though that will likely come from the sideline given the state of the Patriots’ offensive line.

30 — New York Giants (1-3, —)

While first-round WR Malik Nabers did all he could, the Giants just didn’t have the horses to hang with the Cowboys in the end. It’s not going to get any easier with a trip to Seattle on tap, followed by dates with the Bengals, Eagles, Steelers and Commanders. It could get ugly fast in New York, and how this team responds could have a large say in what the roster and coaching staff looks like next year.

31 — Cleveland Browns (1-3, —)

On the plus side for Cleveland, QB Deshaun Watson had his best game of the season. He was legitimately good, utilizing his mobility and making several impressive throws. Unfortunately, it still wasn’t enough for the Browns to pull out the win. Browns WR Amari Cooper had several untimely drops, and the defense doesn’t look as dominant as it did a year ago.

32 — Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4, —)

It was a valiant effort, but the Jaguars fell to 0-4 after the Texans perfectly executed the game-winning drive. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence was sharper in this one, but the offense was still sluggish at times and the defense couldn’t get stops when needed. Now the Colts come to town, and Jacksonville desperately needs to win to stop the bleeding.