NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: Miami Falls, Kansas City survives
By Grant Tuttle
17. Washington Commanders (2-2)
Last Week: 19 (+2)
I like the fight that these Commanders have. Washington has a very good front seven on defense and some nice pieces on offense. If Sam Howell can be functional, that team could win some games. After "proving it" against the Eagles, the Commanders have a viable path to the NFC Wild Card Round if things go their way.
18. Tennessee Titans (2-2)
Last Week: 23 (+5)
The Titans bopped the Bengals. While this is the dying breath of the Bengals season, it is a bit of a rebirth for the Titans. Mike Vrabel has his guys ready to play every single week. His stout defense showcases the ability to change games and the offense found its footing this week. The Titans are truly a team that could surprise and go on a run, or they could crash and burn.
19. Houston Texans (2-2)
Last Week: 25 (+6)
A commanding victory over Pittsburgh should turn some heads. The Texans are a young, physical, and athletic team that is ascending before they were expected to. CJ Stroud has looked very good along with a cast of makeshift receivers and DeMeco Ryans has his defense playing very well despite their inexperience. Could the Texans be a sneaky dark horse for a Wild Card spot? Maybe.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)
Last Week: 20 (-)
The Chargers beat the abomination that is the Las Vegas Raiders. Justin Herbert is playing really good football, but the team clung to a 7-point win. The potential is there (as it is every year with the Chargers), but who is buying this team? Not me. Brandon Staley has done an incredible disservice to that football team.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)
Last Week: 11 (-10)
What is this team??? One week, I feel ready to say that they could sneak into the playoffs. The next, they look like a bottom 10 team in the NFL. While Kenny Pickett getting hurt does not help them out, they got totally destroyed by the Houston Texans. I never could have predicted the outcome would be as devastating this week as it was.
22. New Orleans Saints (1-3)
Last Week: 15 (-7)
The Saints got whooped by the Buccaneers. I don't want to malign the Bucs, but how in the world are they finding a way to lose to that team by 17 points at home? The Saints have some soul-searching to do.
23. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3)
Last week: 16 (-7)
The Bengals have a disaster on their hands. They have a star quarterback who is hobbling around while he gets pelted with pressure on every snap. Further, their defense surrendered 400 yards of offense to the Tennessee Titans, who have no business putting up those stats on anyone, let alone a team that many were predicting a Super Bowl for. COUNT ME OUT. Who dey?
24. Minnesota Vikings (1-3)
Last Week: 24 (-)
VIKINGS WIN... Against the Panthers. This just seems like it is not going to go according to plan for Minnesota. The question now needs to be, is next year going to be a reset with Kirk Cousins, or is it going to be a year in which the Vikings look to clean house and start from the ground floor with no one but Justin Jefferson?