NFL Power Rankings Week 5

We saw history on “Monday Night Football,” when Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre became the first QB in history to eclipse the 70,000 passing yard mark and the 500 passing touchdown mark.

On a sour note, he did tie and then became the leading fumbler with 162 and counting.

Also this week, we saw Randy Moss get traded from the New England Patriots and back to the Minnesota Vikings, and Deion Branch get traded from the Seattle Seahawks and back to the New England Patriots.

I took some time off the power rankings, but we are up and running again so what is going on in the league?

1. Pittsburgh Steelers – Record (3–1)

It’s incredible how good they could be. Their defense is just absolutely dominant again and they are getting a two-time Super Bowl winning QB. Ben Roethlisberger will be back now after his suspension. This is just a scary thought. They are my favorite to go to the Super Bowl again. Big Ben might be a little rusty, but apparently he saw a QB guru during his suspension and that should help. Look out NFL.

2. New York Jets – Record (4–1)

Their defense could be just as dominant as the Steelers. Against the Vikings on MNF, they held the Vikings down until Favre pulled some magic out of a helmet. They probably have the best secondary, and no one can run on them. Their offense scares me, but where was this LaDainain Tomlinson the past few years for San Diego? He seems resurrected. QB Mark Sanchez wasn’t great against the Vikes, but he still hasn’t thrown an interception this year, and seems to be getting better every week.

3. Atlanta Falcons – Record (4–1)

This high after they only beat the Browns by 10? Umm, yes, plain and simple. They have won four in a row and their only loss was to the Steelers. Their four offensive stars: TE Tony Gonzalez, WR Roddy White, RB Michael Turner and QB Matt Ryan all look like they are going to have great years. Most importantly, Turner is back to his old self by averaging 4.5 yards a carry. Their secondary hasn’t been amazing, but they have the Top 10 rush defense. They could easily win the NFC South.

4. Baltimore Ravens – Record (4–1)

It is tempting to put the Ravens at No. 3, but the Falcons lost to the best team in overtime, and the Ravens lost to the second best team in regulation. They seem to be back to their Super Bowl contender label. Their only problem? Is Joe Flacco ready to step it up and lead this team on offense? The most exciting for the Ravens next week? Safety Ed Reed should be back. He makes the dominating defense that much better. That defense is also up there with the Jets and the Steelers.

5. New England Patriots – Record (3–1)

There supposedly was a fight between QB Tom Brady and WR Randy Moss, before they traded Moss, about appearance. What a joke. Sources say that isn’t true, but wow. To replace Moss, the Pats traded for WR Deion Branch. Yeah about that… he has 13 receptions for 112 yards and a TD. I understand he is a former Patriot and had chemistry with Brady, but this was a stupid move. He does not have Moss’s abilities, presence or deep threat capabilities and he doesn’t scare you. At all. None. Zip. Zero. Nada. Are you getting my point? And it’s not like they didn’t have three other short receivers. I'm going to have to say this was a pointless move.

6. Indianapolis Colts – Record (3–2)

Their secondary has been ravaged by injuries, and their receiving corps hasn’t been the healthiest either. No one on the Colts played great, not even QB Peyton Manning, which lead to a score that was pretty much 12-9 with a garbage TD in the last four minutes. But they did beat the last undefeated team, the Kansas City Chiefs. They didn’t do it in a pretty fashion, but they did win. They still could end up going 13-3 and I wouldn’t be surprised.

7. Green Bay Packers – Record (3–2)

They still have no running game and now QB Aaron Rodgers could miss some time after his O-Line failed him, which lead to his concussion. Backup QB Matt Flynn might have to start next week against the Dolphins. The Packers staff says he could start someday, somewhere els,e of course, but we haven’t seen it and I’d rather have Rodgers any day.

8. New Orleans Saints – Record (3–2)

Two straight loses. The loss to the Falcons wasn’t a huge upset, but the Saints followed that up against the Cardinals with a complete dud. QB Drew Brees didn’t even play up to his abilities. It was just a weird game. It must have been embarrassing for them to lose to an undrafted rookie QB in his very first start though. Hopefully, head coach Sean Payton can get them playing back to their abilities.

9. Tennessee Titans – Record (3–2)

They can thank the refs for their win against the Cowboys. I believe if it wasn’t for that ridiculous excessive celebration call, the Titans would have lost. It would be nice if RB Chris Johnson wasn’t so bi-polar. Every other game is a pitful showing. In his three good games he has a combined 398 rushing yards, six touchdowns and three wins. In the two feeble games he has a combined 89 yards with no touchdowns and two loses. And to top that, he isn’t the receiving threat he was last year. The Titan’s season rides on his shoulders. He needs to be more consistent if they expect to make the playoffs.

10. Houston Texans – Record (3–2)

They just might have the worst secondary in history. They give up an average of 329.6 yards through the air. Also the pick of “the most NFL ready cornerback in the draft” Kareem Jackson continues to prove me right that he was the wrong choice. Man, I love it when I’m right. The worst thing about this team? They are supposedly a high scoring team but they have given up more points than they have scored (118 points for; 136 points against). This seems like the typical Texans team. Everyone wants to pick them to go to the playoffs, but they always break your heart.

11. Kansas City Chiefs – Record (3–1)

They can defend the rush and they can run the ball. But they can’t seem to pass the ball or defend it very well. They seem to be very much improved on defense though. They have seemed to have the mentality of bend but don’t break on defense. That has worked for many teams, and it showed when they held the Colts to 19 points and very well could have only given up 12. With how poorly the Chargers have played, they could win the division.

12. Chicago Bears – Record (4–1)

They beat the lowly Panthers with their backup QB going 6–16 for 33 yards. Thankfully, RB Matt Forte decided to have a great game. Forte had 22 carries for 166 yards and two TDs. It helps when your defense gets three picks and five sacks. The Julius Peppers signing looks like a great one too.

13. New York Giants – Record (3–2)

The G-Men went from a team that everyone was asking why they were so bad, to beating everyone’s favorite team. And they didn’t just beat the Texans, they destroyed them. They held QB Matt Schaub to 15–34 for less than 200 yards and the NFL’s leading rusher to 25 yards on 11 carries. Then QB Eli Manning torched the Texans pathetic secondary. WR Hakeem Nicks now looks like an elite WR in the making.

14. Philadelphia Eagles – Record (3–2)

After my last power rankings Michael Vick was named the starting QB for the Eagles. Then due to injury, Kevin Kolb took over. He actually held his own, going 21–31, 253 yards and a touchdown. WR Jeremy Maclin (95 yards) and RB LeSean McCoy (92 yards and a touchdown) both had stellar games for the Eagles. The only problem with McCoy’s game, was the slide he did when he thought he had a first down. Not very smart, but understandable.

15. Washington Redskins – Record (3–2)

It’s funny how supposedly head coach Mike Shanahan doesn’t believe in QB Donovan McNabb. The guy he traded for, and has led a terrible team to a 3–2 record. He’s had a couple bad games, but it doesn’t help when the head coach isn’t very good, and the weapons around the QB are mediocre at best (except for WR Santana Moss). The two losses haven’t been due to McNabb, but more on Shanahan. Funny, I'm not even a McNabb fan.

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Record (3–1)

I am happily surprised they beat the team below. I said after the draft that WR Mike Williams could be a star right away, and boy was I right. He might not have all the big numbers, but he always seems to make the big play and be the key to the Bucs win. He did have his bye week already, so you can expect his numbers to jump throughout the season. And his QB, Josh Freeman, seems like he is getting better every week and will be a great QB in the future. This could be a playoff team in two or three years.

17. Cincinnati Bengals – Record (2–3)

If a team couldn’t be in more of a need for a bye this upcoming weekend than the Bengals, then I don’t know who does. T.O. is already gripping about his pay and the team’s offense. He wondered why no one wanted him this offseason, well this is why knucklehead. You’re a loud mouth who doesn’t deserve to be in the league. In all of this, I am surprised Chad Ochocinco hasn’t punched T.O. in the throat. What is even crazier, the two of them have a talk show on the channel “Versus.” No way they get into the playoffs with T.O. acting like a fool.

18. Miami Dolphins – Record (2–2)

I had hope for them to be good, but QB Chad Henne is killing me. He teases you like Alex Smith (see below). Their offense isn’t terrible, and their pass defense is great but they can’t stop the run very well. Their next game is against the Packers after a bye week. This will be a big test for Henne. He has the weapons and a good line. Can he live up to it? Or will they have to bring in Tyler Thigpen again?

19. Oakland Raiders – Record (2–3)

The Raiders finally stopped their 13 game losing streak to the San Diego Chargers. But it was the all important special teams – (and, yes, NFL Analysts, we all know special teams are important. It doesn’t go unnoticed if you say it every game.) – that got them the victory. They had two blocked punts that led to a safety and a recovery for a touchdown. They also had a fumble recovery on defense returned for a 64–yard touchdown by Tyvon Branch. The Raiders seem to have a great RB tandem of Michael Bush and Darren McFadden. Now, if they could only get a good QB.

20. San Diego Chargers – Record (2–3)

I feel sorry for QB Philip Rivers. His team is always failing him. At KC, the center wouldn’t snap the ball due to the noise. The special teams failed him by allowing two blocked punts. And finally, his line failed him again in the final minutes, allowing a near sack that lead to a fumble. He is leading the league in passing yards, and has done this without his franchise left tackle or his franchise type wide receiver (though Malcolm Floyd has performed admirably, I’d much rather have Vincent Jackson). But
LT Marcus McNeil will be back soon, and the Chargers always seem to get on a role at the end of the year.

21. Arizona Cardinals – Record (3–2)

How do they pull that off? It was an undrafted rookie QB who lead the Cardinals to the victory over the Saints. Actually, Max Hall didn’t really lead them, but the Saints should have beaten a team with such a green QB. The Cardinals scored 30 points and didn’t even score an offensive touchdown! Insane. Hall should be thankful they have a bye this upcoming weekend.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars – Record (3–2)

I never seem to know what to say about this team. QB David Garrard is a dead man walking in my eyes. He will be replaced in the offseason. RB Maurice Jones-Drew hasn’t had his typical season. And their supposed great weapon at WR Mike Sims-Walker has had a pathetic showing this year. They are 3-2 and tied for the division lead, but don’t expect it to last very long.

23. Minnesota Vikings – Record (1–3)

After a slow start by the Vikings, QB Favre had three touchdowns in the second half. It still wasn’t enough, especially when Favre pulled a typical Favre and threw a pick six. RB Adrian Peterson also had a slow start but had some big gains in the second half. In other news, hopefully CB Cedric Griffin is OK after he went down with an apparent knee injury. Griffin tore his ACL last year in the NFC Championship game and it was just his second game back. With any luck, Griffin will be OK soon.

24. Dallas Cowboys – Record (1–3)

Incredible, they just can’t catch a break can they? In Week 1 against the Redskins they had the fumble incident at the end of the first half that ended up being a TD for the ‘Skins, and in at the end of the game the holding call that cost them the game winning TD. This week? Different date, same story. This week it was an excessive celebrating call on offensive lineman Mark Colombo after he fell on a chest bump with TE Jason Witten. They called it because he left his feet and felt it could have been premeditated. Are you kidding me? After that, the game was over after a long return by the Titans.

25. Denver Broncos – Record (2–3)

Kyle Orton is having a huge year in the air. He is second in the NFL with 1,733 passing yards. That is just odd coming from him. But he could still not overcome the Bronco’s ineptitudes. They lost to the Ravens 41-17, and it will continue to be a long year in Denver. That extension of Orton looks pretty smart right about now.

26. Seattle Seahawks – Record (2–2)

They are coming off a bye week after they beat the San Diego Chargers. The Seahawks have a chance in the weak NFC West and that chance will increase with the acquisition of RB Marshawn Lynch. They then follow that by trading WR Deion Branch back to the Patriots. Next up, the Chicago Bears. They will need to plan for QB Jay Cutler if he returns from his concussion.

27. Detroit Lions – Record (1–4)

The Lions got their first win of the season against the worst team in the NFL, in my opinion. They crushed the Rams 44–6. And that was with their backup QB and their best WR out for awhile, due to a shoulder injury. There is still a lot of work to do here. But I think they could be OK in two or three years.

28. San Francisco 49ers – Record (0–5)

I have stuck with San Francisco and stuck with them. But now I give up. There is very little chance that they will come back from three games and win their division. I’ve also given up on QB Alex Smith. If there ever was a tease, he is it. He frustrates you and frustrates you. When you go to bench him, he plays great. I expect the Niners to take a QB in the first round in April’s draft, and that looks like it could be a Top five pick. My only hope for this team is that they keep Mike Singletary as the head coach. I don’t believe he is at fault for this team’s blunders. I could change my mind on that, too, in a couple weeks though.

29. Carolina Panthers – Record (0–5)

They are the youngest team in the league, but does that excuse their poor play? No one seems to be playing well for this team. Rookie QB Jimmy Clausen was bad, but you have to account for his weakened receiving corps. WR Steve Smith was held out due to a bum ankle, and they released WR Dwayne Jarret after he was arrested for another driving incident with alcohol. Luckily for them they have a bye this upcoming weekend.

30. St. Louis Rams – Record (2–3)

So St. Louis, expect to win when you have your rookie QB throw 45 times in a game? Yes, he has to be the future to this pathetic franchise, but 45 times? No way. Steven Jackson had 25 carries for 114 yards. Shoot, you could give it to him 15 more times. But throwing that much when you are down by 18 by halftime? That is terrible coaching. Sam Bradford has looked OK so far this season, but he hasn’t faced anyone impressive and I think the coaching will continue to fail him. “Bustford” already has eight picks, a poor completion percentage of 56.7 and a rating of 66.5. Yeah, I'm not convinced.

31. Cleveland Browns – Record (1–4)

My favorite punching bag. Well, besides the Rams and “Bustford.” I blame this team on the overrated Mike Holmgren. Everyone is blinded by his past accomplishments. That is everyone, except me. You cannot, I repeat, you cannot expect to win when your QB’s are Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme. If Delhomme isn’t released this week, then ownership needs to oblige Holmgren with his pink slip. My hopeful regards to rookie QB Colt McCoy who will start this weekend. And to welcome him? The Steelers. I feel for you Colt. Good luck with that.

32. Buffalo Bills – Record (0–5)

The bye this upcoming weekend couldn’t come any sooner. Well, actually it really doesn’t matter. They have a chance to tie the 2008 Detroit Lions by going 0-16. They do seem to be better under former-Harvard QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. He has thrown seven TDs to two interceptions. Also, with the trade of RB Marshawn Lynch, they can now focus on giving the ball to rookie RB C.J. Spiller, that is if their dumb head coach, Chan Gailey, would stop being so pigheaded.