Parity rules as no team is unbeaten

Jeff Schudel

League officials who crave parity have to love what’s going on in the NFL in 2014.

Just five weeks into the season, every team has at least one loss. The way it is setting up division races — and the NFL power rankings — will go right down to the end.

The Seahawks top our power rankings for the third straight week, but only because they beat the Broncos in a head-to-head match Sept. 21. The Broncos are a strong second after knocking off previously unbeaten Arizona.

The Cowboys (4-1) jumped from 14th to 10th. The Giants, ranked too low at 24th last week, are where they belong at 14 in the Week 6 rankings. They have tough road tests in Philadelphia and Dallas in the next two games.

The Browns moved from 25th to 21st by virtue of beating the Titans, 29-28, in the greatest road comeback in league history. They will make another jump next week if they find a way to beat the Steelers.

1. Seattle Seahawks (3-1, Last week 1): The Seahawks proved by beating the Redskins they can win in a hostile environment.

2. Denver Broncos (3-1, LW 3): Peyton Manning gets TD pass No. 500, and the Broncos trample previously unbeaten Arizona.

3. San Diego Chargers (4-1, LW 7): The Chargers have allowed 63 points through five games.

4. Indianapolis Colts (3-2, LW 9): That 0-2 start by the Colts is a distant memory.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1, LW 6): The Eagles got back in the win column by edging the lowly Rams.

6. Arizona Cardinals (3-1, LW 2): The Cardinals have to rebound vs. Washington after being crushed by Denver.

7. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1, LW 4): The Bengals were the last team this season to lose a game.

Tony Dejak/Associated Press Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert breaks up a pass to Rams receiver Stedman Bailey in the end zone during a preseason game. As the season has progressed, Gilbert, the Browns’ top draft pick, is seeing less playing time.