Week 5 NFL Power Rankings
October 10th, 2018
Week 5 NFL Power Rankings
1. Los Angeles Rams (5-0 SU, 3-1-1 ATS) The Rams have what can easily be considered the best roster in the NFL. They’re showing up and winning the tight games, blowing out the other opponents, and running unchecked in the NFC West. Until someone topples them, they top the list.
Next Game: Los Angeles (-6.5) @ Denver
2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0 SU, 5-0 ATS) Mahomes and the Chiefs have to be the best storyline of the 2018 NFL season and right now they look as tough as anyone else. They’re getting a challenge this week when they travel to New England, and now’s the time to seal their fate as a Top-5 squad. This is that "now or never" moment that the Chiefs have historically blundered.
Next Game: Kansas City @ New England (-3.5)
3. New England Patriots (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) The Patriots look like they’ve turned a corner and that’s what we expected when they added Gordon to the roster and got Julian back. They’re favored against the Red Hot Chiefs this week and their team looks in sync at the perfect time. What a shock.
Next Game: Kansas City @ New England (-3.5)
4. New Orleans Saints (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) Drew Brees is at the top of my QB Power Rankings for players who I like watching succeed the most. He broke the record, he won us over, the Saints blew out Washington in primetime. Take the week off NOLA you’ve earned it.
Next Game: BYE
5. Carolina Panthers (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS) While the Panthers aren’t to be trusted as a betting team, they have only dropped one game and look to be clicking on most cylinders. Carolina is tough to play at home and they sport a team of talented skill players. At their best, they can beat anyone. At their worst, they can barely beat the Giants. But a win's a win. Carolina has always had a knack for winning ugly.
Next Game: Carolina @ Washington (-1.5)
6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS) If you told me three months ago that the Bengals would be 4-1 at this point in the season I would’ve ended our friendship. A combination of big play capability on both sides of the ball and some good breaks have the Bengals rolling strong into Rivalry Week.
Next Game: Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati (-2.5)
7. Minnesota Vikings (2-2-1 SU, 2-2-1 ATS) It's odd that Kirk Cousins always finds himself on teams that can't run the ball. Washington was pretty lame on the ground last year, but the Vikings have averaged just 65.8 yards per game on the ground, the second lowest mark in the NFL. So how do you counter balance that? Let Cousins rip it, of course! Kirk has thrown the second most pass attempts this year, and is second in passing yards. Not a coincidence. Fortunately, he has perhaps the best receiving corps in the league to throw to.
Next Game: Arizona @ Minnesota (-10)
8. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2 SU, 2-3 ATS) There's no real way to put a finger on what ails the Chargers. They are one of the best scoring teams in the league; an easy feat when you have Melvin Gordon and Phillip Rivers playing at a high level. But they're not good enough to pace with the Rams or Chiefs. While they destroyed Oakland and Buffalo, they also almost lost to San Francisco. We don't know who the Chargers are just yet. A road test against Cleveland should do more to reveal their actual identity.
Next Game: Los Angeles (-1) @ Cleveland
9. Baltimore Ravens (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) While Baltimore made light work of the Steelers, this team still lacks some of the top to bottom talent of our top five teams. The defense bends but hasn’t broken yet, and Baltimore's offensive support system around Joe Flacco simply isn't very good. Losing to Cleveland in an ugly, overtime game that was barely watchable makes it hard to back the Ravens any higher than this.
Next Game: Baltimore (-3) @ Tennessee
10. Chicago Bears (3-1 SU, 3-1 ATS) It goes without saying that the Bears are a great football team. But which Trubisky are we going to get down the stretch? He doesn't get to play the Bucs every week.
Next Game: Chicago (-3) @ Miami
11. Philadelphia Eagles (2-3 SU, 1-4 ATS) The defending Super Bowl Champs are having a tough start to the year and losing to Minnesota didn’t bolster their resume. Philly just lost Ajayi and are looking to trade, but they don't have much in the way of assets. Wentz is clearly a franchise quarterback in the making, but the magic that the Eagles found last year has dissipated. They thankfully get the Giants this weekend, but they are by no means a team you want to be backing, even against a tight line.
Next Game: Philadelphia (-3) @ New York
12. Green Bay Packers (2-2-1 SU, 2-3 ATS) Would they be a top-10 team if Crosby had made those five field goals? Maybe. But you can't be a top-10 team if you're relying on a kicker to win you games every week. The fact that the Packers haven't surrounded Rodgers with a better roster is shameful. Bad drafting. Terrible free agency management. Can you imagine how bad the Packers would be without Rodgers? Oh wait - we saw that version of this team last year with Brett Hundley running for his life every week.
Next Game: San Francisco @ Green Bay (-9.5)
13. Detroit Lions (2-3 SU, 4-1 ATS) Detroit made it out alive by holding Green Bay to five field goal attempts that they missed and while that doesn’t make them attractive in our eyes, it keeps them in the top half. Detroit gets a BYE but they’ll regress from this little stretch they’ve had here lately.
Next Game: BYE
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) Jacksonville can’t move the football to save their lives and with injuries at the RB spot they look vulnerable. Bringing in 2018 Jamaal Charles isn't going to help (even though we're all rooting for him).
Next Game: Jacksonville (-2.5) @ Dallas
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2-1 SU, 2-3 ATS) The Steelers rolled right over an injured Atlanta team, but the offense looked much more in sync last week. They get Cincinnati and this rivalry can only mean one thing: someone’s getting ejected. Pittsburgh’s offense should roll on and outrun Cincinnati.
Next Game: Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati (-2.5)
16. Cleveland Browns (2-2-1 SU, 4-1 ATS) Call Mayfield a magician because he made two wins appear on the Cleveland record in just one season. Seriously, though, this team is playing with energy and attitude again. Landry is making plays, the D-line is monstrous. Cleveland is a top half team.
Next Game: Los Angeles (-1) @ Cleveland
17. Miami Dolphins (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) The Dolphins fell victim to two very poorly timed turnovers that were both returned for TDs against Cincinnati. The Dolphins offense makes plays, but they don’t appear to have an offense put together that can sustain four quarters of competitive football.
Next Game: Chicago (-3) @ Miami
18. Seattle Seahawks (2-3 SU, 2-2-1 ATS) Seattle sits here because they can defend home turf with the best of them. Sure, they’re not a very good team, but if you have to play them in Seattle it’s going to suck. This squad has little direction, but they’re talented and keep things close at home. Going toe-to-toe with the best team in the league gets you some respect.
Next Game: Seattle (-3) @ Oakland
19. New York Jets (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS) Anyone else see that Crow flying past Denver on Sunday? The Broncos sure as heck didn't. Crowell's 219 yards and 1 touchdown came on just 15 attempts for an insane (and totally unsustainable) 14.6 yards per carry.
Next Game: Indianapolis @ New York Jets (-2.5)
20. Tennessee Titans (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) One of the most promising young offensive rosters in football has been totally unable to produce points in Tennessee. Baltimore is a tough test for them as a team that should be able to score against the Titans defense. This is a team that probably deserves more respect in the power rankings, but it's hard to grade them higher when they rank 29th in points scored on offense.
Next Game: Baltimore (-3) @ Tennessee
21. Atlanta Falcons (1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS) Amongst the 36 players who have caught 25+ balls this season, Julio Jones is 11th in catches, 3rd in yards, 7th in targets, 4th in catches for 1st downs...and dead last in touchdowns with zero.
Next Game: Tampa Bay @ Atlanta (-3.5)
22. Washington Redskins (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS) One of the reasons that Washington was remotely competitive last year was because Kirk Cousins could pile up hundreds of garbage time yards in a jiffy. That is not what Alex Smith is good at. Things are going from bad to much, much worse in Washington. Adrian Peterson also suffered a dislocated shoulder and is questionable for the home tilt against Carolina.
Next Game: Carolina @ Washington (-1.5)
23. Denver Broncos (2-3 SU, 0-4-1 ATS)
Denver’s QB situation is decided, but the decision is haunting them every week. Like Seattle, the Broncos can defend home turf with the best of them. But take out that Mile High leverage and Denver becomes yet another one-dimensional lower tier team.
Next Game: Los Angeles Rams (-6.5) @ Denver
24. Houston Texans (2-3 SU, 1-4 ATS)
To give Houston the slightest bit of credit, Dallas has a solid defense and their match-up with the Texans won’t totally ruin Houston just yet for me. This offense has just bee seriously underwhelming in nearly all facets of the game. Houston doesn’t look good.
Next Game: Buffalo @ Houston
25. Dallas Cowboys (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS) In the era of moving away from running backs the Cowboys’ entire offense is centered around one. Dak isn’t making the plays they need to get wins and they even went away from giving Zeke the carries he should have. Top to bottom the Cowboys are messy, and agonizingly difficult to trust against the spread.
Next Game: Jacksonville (-2.5) @ Dallas
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS) Tampa is coming off a bye and had an extra week to erase the horrifying memory of getting spanked by the Bears, while installing Jameis Winston back at quarterback. Now's as good of a time as any to remind everyone that the Bucs went 3-13 SU in games that Winston started through 2017.
Next Game: Tampa Bay @ Atlanta (-3.5)
27. Indianapolis Colts (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS) The Colts are a tough read because every game looks like they’re in it all the way up until the point that they’re not. Then this team runs into New England in prime time facing a healthier squad and can’t show up. This team is gritty, better than expected, but ultimately not good enough. In other words, they are as #onbrand for the Colts and Andrew Luck as they've always been.
Next Game: Indianapolis @ New York Jets (-2.5)
28. New York Giants (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS) The Giants were doing bad as it was and then Odell came to the media with thoughts on the offense’s struggles. Barkley is doing well and is a weapon, but Manning is far over the hill and that football is not getting to the people it needs to get to.
Next Game: Philadelphia (-3) @ New York
29. Oakland Raiders (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS) For the last three years, announcers and experts have been lamenting the fact that the Seattle Seahawks didn't give the ball to Marshawn on the goal line to beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl. So what does former announcer Jon Gruden do on 1st-and-goal from the one-yard line? A PLAY ACTION TO MARSHAWN THAT GETS INTERCEPTED. Great. Glad to see we're all learning from our collective mistakes. Marshawn gets to face his former team on Sunday in a rematch...in England. Yes, England. Not Seattle. Not Oakland. London, England.
Next Game: Seattle (-3) @ Oakland
30. Buffalo Bills (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS) Josh Allen is a strange thing to figure out especially after torching Minnesota then not being able to squeeze a point out of the offense. This team has absolutely no direction and this season is a total toss of up of who shows up to the stadium.
Next Game: Buffalo @ Houston
31. Arizona Cardinals (1-4 SU, 3-2 ATS) In a "Battle of Terrible", the Cardinals managed to beat the 49ers which secured their first outright win of the season. They’ll grab a few more, but it’ll take the right spots and matchups for this team to get a backing from me even against the spread. For the record, Minnesota is the wrong spot and/or matchup.
Next Game: Arizona @ Minnesota (-10)
32. San Francisco 49ers (1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS) No QB, Sherman gone, the 49ers are in disarray and it shows every week. Fade this team until they figure something out.
Next Game: San Francisco @ Green Bay (-9.5)
1. Los Angeles Rams (5-0 SU, 3-1-1 ATS) The Rams have what can easily be considered the best roster in the NFL. They’re showing up and winning the tight games, blowing out the other opponents, and running unchecked in the NFC West. Until someone topples them, they top the list.
Next Game: Los Angeles (-6.5) @ Denver
2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0 SU, 5-0 ATS) Mahomes and the Chiefs have to be the best storyline of the 2018 NFL season and right now they look as tough as anyone else. They’re getting a challenge this week when they travel to New England, and now’s the time to seal their fate as a Top-5 squad. This is that "now or never" moment that the Chiefs have historically blundered.
Next Game: Kansas City @ New England (-3.5)
3. New England Patriots (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) The Patriots look like they’ve turned a corner and that’s what we expected when they added Gordon to the roster and got Julian back. They’re favored against the Red Hot Chiefs this week and their team looks in sync at the perfect time. What a shock.
Next Game: Kansas City @ New England (-3.5)
4. New Orleans Saints (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) Drew Brees is at the top of my QB Power Rankings for players who I like watching succeed the most. He broke the record, he won us over, the Saints blew out Washington in primetime. Take the week off NOLA you’ve earned it.
Next Game: BYE
5. Carolina Panthers (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS) While the Panthers aren’t to be trusted as a betting team, they have only dropped one game and look to be clicking on most cylinders. Carolina is tough to play at home and they sport a team of talented skill players. At their best, they can beat anyone. At their worst, they can barely beat the Giants. But a win's a win. Carolina has always had a knack for winning ugly.
Next Game: Carolina @ Washington (-1.5)
6. Cincinnati Bengals (4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS) If you told me three months ago that the Bengals would be 4-1 at this point in the season I would’ve ended our friendship. A combination of big play capability on both sides of the ball and some good breaks have the Bengals rolling strong into Rivalry Week.
Next Game: Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati (-2.5)
7. Minnesota Vikings (2-2-1 SU, 2-2-1 ATS) It's odd that Kirk Cousins always finds himself on teams that can't run the ball. Washington was pretty lame on the ground last year, but the Vikings have averaged just 65.8 yards per game on the ground, the second lowest mark in the NFL. So how do you counter balance that? Let Cousins rip it, of course! Kirk has thrown the second most pass attempts this year, and is second in passing yards. Not a coincidence. Fortunately, he has perhaps the best receiving corps in the league to throw to.
Next Game: Arizona @ Minnesota (-10)
8. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2 SU, 2-3 ATS) There's no real way to put a finger on what ails the Chargers. They are one of the best scoring teams in the league; an easy feat when you have Melvin Gordon and Phillip Rivers playing at a high level. But they're not good enough to pace with the Rams or Chiefs. While they destroyed Oakland and Buffalo, they also almost lost to San Francisco. We don't know who the Chargers are just yet. A road test against Cleveland should do more to reveal their actual identity.
Next Game: Los Angeles (-1) @ Cleveland
9. Baltimore Ravens (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) While Baltimore made light work of the Steelers, this team still lacks some of the top to bottom talent of our top five teams. The defense bends but hasn’t broken yet, and Baltimore's offensive support system around Joe Flacco simply isn't very good. Losing to Cleveland in an ugly, overtime game that was barely watchable makes it hard to back the Ravens any higher than this.
Next Game: Baltimore (-3) @ Tennessee
10. Chicago Bears (3-1 SU, 3-1 ATS) It goes without saying that the Bears are a great football team. But which Trubisky are we going to get down the stretch? He doesn't get to play the Bucs every week.
Next Game: Chicago (-3) @ Miami
11. Philadelphia Eagles (2-3 SU, 1-4 ATS) The defending Super Bowl Champs are having a tough start to the year and losing to Minnesota didn’t bolster their resume. Philly just lost Ajayi and are looking to trade, but they don't have much in the way of assets. Wentz is clearly a franchise quarterback in the making, but the magic that the Eagles found last year has dissipated. They thankfully get the Giants this weekend, but they are by no means a team you want to be backing, even against a tight line.
Next Game: Philadelphia (-3) @ New York
12. Green Bay Packers (2-2-1 SU, 2-3 ATS) Would they be a top-10 team if Crosby had made those five field goals? Maybe. But you can't be a top-10 team if you're relying on a kicker to win you games every week. The fact that the Packers haven't surrounded Rodgers with a better roster is shameful. Bad drafting. Terrible free agency management. Can you imagine how bad the Packers would be without Rodgers? Oh wait - we saw that version of this team last year with Brett Hundley running for his life every week.
Next Game: San Francisco @ Green Bay (-9.5)
13. Detroit Lions (2-3 SU, 4-1 ATS) Detroit made it out alive by holding Green Bay to five field goal attempts that they missed and while that doesn’t make them attractive in our eyes, it keeps them in the top half. Detroit gets a BYE but they’ll regress from this little stretch they’ve had here lately.
Next Game: BYE
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) Jacksonville can’t move the football to save their lives and with injuries at the RB spot they look vulnerable. Bringing in 2018 Jamaal Charles isn't going to help (even though we're all rooting for him).
Next Game: Jacksonville (-2.5) @ Dallas
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2-1 SU, 2-3 ATS) The Steelers rolled right over an injured Atlanta team, but the offense looked much more in sync last week. They get Cincinnati and this rivalry can only mean one thing: someone’s getting ejected. Pittsburgh’s offense should roll on and outrun Cincinnati.
Next Game: Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati (-2.5)
16. Cleveland Browns (2-2-1 SU, 4-1 ATS) Call Mayfield a magician because he made two wins appear on the Cleveland record in just one season. Seriously, though, this team is playing with energy and attitude again. Landry is making plays, the D-line is monstrous. Cleveland is a top half team.
Next Game: Los Angeles (-1) @ Cleveland
17. Miami Dolphins (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) The Dolphins fell victim to two very poorly timed turnovers that were both returned for TDs against Cincinnati. The Dolphins offense makes plays, but they don’t appear to have an offense put together that can sustain four quarters of competitive football.
Next Game: Chicago (-3) @ Miami
18. Seattle Seahawks (2-3 SU, 2-2-1 ATS) Seattle sits here because they can defend home turf with the best of them. Sure, they’re not a very good team, but if you have to play them in Seattle it’s going to suck. This squad has little direction, but they’re talented and keep things close at home. Going toe-to-toe with the best team in the league gets you some respect.
Next Game: Seattle (-3) @ Oakland
19. New York Jets (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS) Anyone else see that Crow flying past Denver on Sunday? The Broncos sure as heck didn't. Crowell's 219 yards and 1 touchdown came on just 15 attempts for an insane (and totally unsustainable) 14.6 yards per carry.
Next Game: Indianapolis @ New York Jets (-2.5)
20. Tennessee Titans (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) One of the most promising young offensive rosters in football has been totally unable to produce points in Tennessee. Baltimore is a tough test for them as a team that should be able to score against the Titans defense. This is a team that probably deserves more respect in the power rankings, but it's hard to grade them higher when they rank 29th in points scored on offense.
Next Game: Baltimore (-3) @ Tennessee
21. Atlanta Falcons (1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS) Amongst the 36 players who have caught 25+ balls this season, Julio Jones is 11th in catches, 3rd in yards, 7th in targets, 4th in catches for 1st downs...and dead last in touchdowns with zero.
Next Game: Tampa Bay @ Atlanta (-3.5)
22. Washington Redskins (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS) One of the reasons that Washington was remotely competitive last year was because Kirk Cousins could pile up hundreds of garbage time yards in a jiffy. That is not what Alex Smith is good at. Things are going from bad to much, much worse in Washington. Adrian Peterson also suffered a dislocated shoulder and is questionable for the home tilt against Carolina.
Next Game: Carolina @ Washington (-1.5)
23. Denver Broncos (2-3 SU, 0-4-1 ATS)
Denver’s QB situation is decided, but the decision is haunting them every week. Like Seattle, the Broncos can defend home turf with the best of them. But take out that Mile High leverage and Denver becomes yet another one-dimensional lower tier team.
Next Game: Los Angeles Rams (-6.5) @ Denver
24. Houston Texans (2-3 SU, 1-4 ATS)
To give Houston the slightest bit of credit, Dallas has a solid defense and their match-up with the Texans won’t totally ruin Houston just yet for me. This offense has just bee seriously underwhelming in nearly all facets of the game. Houston doesn’t look good.
Next Game: Buffalo @ Houston
25. Dallas Cowboys (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS) In the era of moving away from running backs the Cowboys’ entire offense is centered around one. Dak isn’t making the plays they need to get wins and they even went away from giving Zeke the carries he should have. Top to bottom the Cowboys are messy, and agonizingly difficult to trust against the spread.
Next Game: Jacksonville (-2.5) @ Dallas
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS) Tampa is coming off a bye and had an extra week to erase the horrifying memory of getting spanked by the Bears, while installing Jameis Winston back at quarterback. Now's as good of a time as any to remind everyone that the Bucs went 3-13 SU in games that Winston started through 2017.
Next Game: Tampa Bay @ Atlanta (-3.5)
27. Indianapolis Colts (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS) The Colts are a tough read because every game looks like they’re in it all the way up until the point that they’re not. Then this team runs into New England in prime time facing a healthier squad and can’t show up. This team is gritty, better than expected, but ultimately not good enough. In other words, they are as #onbrand for the Colts and Andrew Luck as they've always been.
Next Game: Indianapolis @ New York Jets (-2.5)
28. New York Giants (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS) The Giants were doing bad as it was and then Odell came to the media with thoughts on the offense’s struggles. Barkley is doing well and is a weapon, but Manning is far over the hill and that football is not getting to the people it needs to get to.
Next Game: Philadelphia (-3) @ New York
29. Oakland Raiders (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS) For the last three years, announcers and experts have been lamenting the fact that the Seattle Seahawks didn't give the ball to Marshawn on the goal line to beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl. So what does former announcer Jon Gruden do on 1st-and-goal from the one-yard line? A PLAY ACTION TO MARSHAWN THAT GETS INTERCEPTED. Great. Glad to see we're all learning from our collective mistakes. Marshawn gets to face his former team on Sunday in a rematch...in England. Yes, England. Not Seattle. Not Oakland. London, England.
Next Game: Seattle (-3) @ Oakland
30. Buffalo Bills (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS) Josh Allen is a strange thing to figure out especially after torching Minnesota then not being able to squeeze a point out of the offense. This team has absolutely no direction and this season is a total toss of up of who shows up to the stadium.
Next Game: Buffalo @ Houston
31. Arizona Cardinals (1-4 SU, 3-2 ATS) In a "Battle of Terrible", the Cardinals managed to beat the 49ers which secured their first outright win of the season. They’ll grab a few more, but it’ll take the right spots and matchups for this team to get a backing from me even against the spread. For the record, Minnesota is the wrong spot and/or matchup.
Next Game: Arizona @ Minnesota (-10)
32. San Francisco 49ers (1-4 SU, 1-4 ATS) No QB, Sherman gone, the 49ers are in disarray and it shows every week. Fade this team until they figure something out.
Next Game: San Francisco @ Green Bay (-9.5)
ADVERTISEMENT
