JOHN McCLAIN’S NFL POWER RANKINGS
WEEK 5
1
Arizona 4-0 (ranked No. 2 last week): After stunning the Rams, the Cardinals are the NFL’s only undefeated team.
2
L.A. Rams 3-1 (1): The Rams beat the Patriots before losing to the Cardinals on Sunday. Now they travel to Seattle.
3
Tampa Bay 3-1 (4): The Buccaneers escaped Gillette Stadium with a two-point victory over the Patriots in Tom Brady’s homecoming game.
4
L.A. Chargers 3-1 (14): The Chargers have a three-game victory streak after back-to-back AFC West wins over the Chiefs and Raiders.
5
Green Bay 3-1 (5): Remember that opening loss to New Orleans? The Packers forgot about it fast and have built a three-game win streak.
6
Baltimore 3-1 (7): John Harbaugh lost his topthree running backs, but the Ravens continue to win. They handed Denver its first loss.
7
Dallas 3-1 (16): Everyone knew the Cowboys could score, but nobody realized how improved their defense would be under Dan Quinn.
8
Buffalo 3-1 (11): The Bills crushed the Texans to build a three-game winning streak they’ll take to Kansas City for a Sunday night game.
9
Las Vegas 3-1 (3): The Monday night loss to the Chargers knocked the Raiders from the unbeatens. They return home vs. the Browns.
10
Kansas City 2-2 (15): The Bills vs. the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen. It has the makings of another great Sunday night game.
11
Cleveland 3-1 (12): After winning at Minnesota, the Browns are in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC North entering the Raiders game.
12
Seattle 2-2 (20): The Seahawks beat the Vikings to avoid the first three-game losing streak of Russell Wilson’s career.
13
Carolina 3-1 (8): The Panthers suffered their first loss to the Cowboys. They should be able to bounce back at home against the Eagles.
14
Cincinnati 3-1 (17): The Bengals rank as one of the league’s biggest surprises. They’re decisive underdogs playing at home against Green Bay.
15
Tennessee 2-2 (6): Losing to the Jets is inexcusable for the Titans, who could have taken control of the AFC South.
16
Denver 3-1 (9): After three wins against winless teams, the Broncos lost at home to the Ravens and lost QB Teddy Bridgewater, too.
17
San Francisco 2-2 (10): The 49ers visit the unbeaten Cardinals. Jimmy Garoppolo is injured. Rookie Trey Lance is in line to get his first start.
18
Washington 2-2 (23): Taylor Heinicke is so popular in the D.C. area, the politicians better be glad he doesn’t want to run for office.
19
New Orleans 2-2 (13): The Saints played at home for the first time. The sold-out Superdome was deafening. They lost to the Giants.
20
Chicago 2-2 (26): Rookie Justin Fields recovered from his awful first start against the Browns and ignited a victory over the Lions.
21
Indianapolis 1-3 (24): The Colts broke their three-game losing streak with a decisive victory at Miami. They play the Ravens on Monday.
22
New England 1-3 (22): The Patriots almost beat the Bucs and Tom Brady. They should be able to defeat the Texans decisively.
23
Minnesota 1-3(18): If the Vikings can’t defeat the winless Lions at home, something’s terribly wrong with Mike Zimmer’s team.
24
Miami 1-3 (19): The Dolphins beat the Patriots by a point, and now they have a three-game losing streak entering the Bucs game.
25
Pittsburgh 1-3 (21): It’s hard to believe, but the Steelers are the worst team in the AFC North. A three-way tie for first doesn’t include them.
26
Philadelphia 1-3 (25):The Eagles are going nowhere fast. They lost at home to the Chiefs. They travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers.
27
N.Y. Giants 1-3 (29): In a stunning upset, the Giants beat the Saints in New Orleans. They’ll try to pull another upset at Dallas.
28
N.Y. Jets 1-3 (31): Imagine the Jets and Giants winning on the same day. The Jets upset the Titans at home.
29
Atlanta 1-3 (28): The Falcons blew a chance to beat Washington. If they can’t win at home against the Jets, they’ll be in big trouble.
30
Houston 1-3 (27): The Texans lost by 40 at Buffalo. It’s the most decisive defeat in franchise history. They’ll try to beat the Patriots.
31
Detroit 0-4 (30): It’s been a rough stretch for new coach Dan Campbell. The Lions are coming off a loss to the Bears and play the Vikings.
32
Jacksonville 0-4 (32): The Jags have a 19game losing streak after getting beaten by the Bengals. They try to end it against the Titans.