Week 5: Power Rankings: Where does Kansas City land after first loss?
By Grant Tuttle
11. player. Scouting Report. Cleveland Browns. (4-1). 53. Pick Analysis. Last Week: 14
It’s true that the Browns have not yet played a top-tier team and it is likely true that they will fall in the power rankings when they start playing divisional opponents. That being said, Cleveland has been playing very good football as of late. They won yet another game this week, this time against the Indianapolis Colts. Cleveland’s starting to catch fire offensively as they have become more of a rushing offense than before which has paid off.
Pick Analysis. Last Week: 12. player. 48. Scouting Report. (3-2). Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 12
The Bucs fell flat against the Bears. Although the Bears may be better than anticipated, it is never a good look when your 41 year-old quarterback signals to the sideline to inquire about what down it is. Unfortunately, the Buccaneers seem out of sync. While Skip Bayless wants you to believe that they are a Super Bowl team, they clearly haven’t been to this point in the season. Bruce Arians likes to throw deep. Brady likes to throw short to his running backs. Players are getting injured. Tampa Bay has a lot to figure out.
player. Scouting Report. 13. (3-2). Las Vegas Raiders. 28. Pick Analysis. Last Week: 17
Like it or not, the Raiders are certainly not out of the playoff mix for this season. Derek Carr is not flashy or honestly good, but he has been serviceable enough to let Josh Jacobs run over teams. The defense has been better than anticipated and the Raiders have now defeated the Chiefs and the Saints which is a very nice resumé to start the season. Gruden has his team clicking right now.
(3-2). 14. player. Scouting Report. Arizona Cardinals. 32. Pick Analysis. Last Week: 12
Kyler Murray has slowed down a little after a hot start, but the Cardinals are still outperforming their expectations. They are clearly not going to be considered a top tier NFC team, but they will be competing for a playoff spot this season. DeAndre Hopkins has been a monster and the defense is playing good football.
15. 46. Pick Analysis. Last week: 11. (3-2). Scouting Report. Indianapolis Colts. player
The Colts have turned into a wacky team thanks to Philip Rivers. Just like every team that Rivers has ever been on, no one can truly tell whether they are contenders or not. This week the Colts dropped a game to the Browns. While Cleveland has been playing well, Indy seems to be out of rhythm. If the Colts hope to be in playoff contention, they must figure out a few things on the defensive side of the ball.
16. Scouting Report. Last Week: 13. (2-2). New England Patriots. player. 47. Pick Analysis
The Patriots are well-coached but are facing some real adversity without Cam Newton at the helm. New England has a lot to prove if they are hoping to hang with the Bills at the top of the division. To do so, they will need steady progression from N’Keal Harry so that their offense can continue to make strides in the passing game.
(3-2). 17. 87. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Last Week: 18. Carolina Panthers. player
No Christian McCaffrey? No problem. The Panthers have been playing excellent football lately and have remarkably found themselves at the top of the NFC South. Teddy Bridgewater has been very good and Robby Anderson has owned defenders all season long. If the Panthers can find some consistency from their young players on defense, they could move up even further.
Miami Dolphins. Pick Analysis. Last Week: 21. (2-3). 18. player. 59. Scouting Report
The Dolphins have looked good recently. While the 49ers are certainly ailing from a series of injuries, the Dolphins beat them by a wider margin than we have seen from them in a long time. Ryan Fitzpatrick is hot and cold, but the Dolphins are consistently well-coached which goes a long way in their overall success.
Pick Analysis. San Francisco 49ers. player. Scouting Report. Last Week: a5. (2-3). 19. 42
The 49ers are reeling from a series of injuries and it will take an enormous effort for them to get back on track. San Francisco could be a tough team down the stretch. For now, however, they are moving in the wrong direction.
player. 50. (1-3). Detroit Lions. 20. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Last Week: 20
Detroit didn’t get a chance to improve their record this week. Matt Stafford and Kenny Golladay have one of the best connections in football. If the Lions can find stability on defense, they could truly be a competitor for the playoffs. In fact, the Lions are closer to being competitive than most teams on the bottom half of the NFL.