FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Only two unbeaten teams remain after the Baltimore Ravens rolled the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night and the Detroit Lions outlasted the Seattle Seahawks in a great Monday night game. Week 5 clarified a few things about some of the teams around the league, but it mostly muddied the picture.
There is a large middle class in the NFL through four games, but that's to be expected as teams are still figuring out who exactly they are. Those who can capture that identity sooner than others, though, will quickly begin to gain ground. Some already have, including the top team in this week's rankings.
(4-0)
1
2
Minnesota Vikings
A month ago, I certainly wouldn't have predicted the Vikings would take the top spot in these rankings, but they continue to pass every test. They are No. 4 in both points scored and points allowed, and they generate a lot of turnovers on defense.
(4-0)
2
Kansas City Chiefs
Are the Chiefs destined to only play one-score games this season? There are some mild concerns about this team compared to years past, but winning is a great way to keep those questions at bay.
(3-1)
3
7
Detroit Lions
The Lions dominated a Seahawks group I'm very high on, and showed why I think they are true Super Bowl contenders.
(2-2)
4
8
Baltimore Ravens
I'm starting to think that Derrick Henry joining Lamar Jackson is not unlike Kevin Durant joining Steph Curry. What can defenses do?
(3-1)
5
4
Buffalo Bills
One week after looking unstoppable against the Jaguars, the Bills looked very stoppable against the Ravens. I still think they are one of the best teams in the league.
(3-1)
6
8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay's impressive 33-16 win against the Eagles provided a lot of reasons to like this team. Maybe their Week 3 head-scratcher against Denver was an outlier?
(3-1)
7
8
Washington Commanders
Here's all you need to know about Washington's offense: The Commanders have more scoring drives (23) than Jayden Daniels does incompletions (19).
(3-1)
8
4
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks' first loss of the season came on the road against a good Lions team in front of a boisterous prime-time crowd. All things considered, I think they fared pretty well in the game and that bodes well for the months to come.
(2-2)
9
4
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco averaged over 7 yards per play on offense and shut down the Patriots. It might still take some time before we see this team fully healthy and gelling, but I think the 49ers will be around in January.
(3-1)
10
1
Houston Texans
I know rivalry games are often close, but I'm a little concerned Houston beat Jacksonville by only four points and needed a last-minute score to do so.
(3-1)
11
5
Pittsburgh Steelers
This is a big drop for a team that has only lost one game, but I just need to see more. While I like how Justin Fields has progressed so far, I wonder about the offense's ceiling.
(2-2)
12
7
Green Bay Packers
A furious fourth-quarter rally by the Packers wasn't enough against the Vikings, but it did show why so many believe this team is dangerous.
(2-2)
13
5
New York Jets
The Jets didn't score a single touchdown against an elite Denver defense, and Breece Hall gained just four rushing yards. That's a troubling sign for a team this talented.
(2-2)
14
5
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta's opponents so far are a combined 11-5, but the Falcons have been in every game and found ways to win two close ones. If the offense can coalesce, this group could become a well-balanced, battle-tested team.
(2-2)
15
8
Philadelphia Eagles
After an impressive road win against the Saints, the Eagles were dominated from start to finish by the Buccaneers. This group truly feels like it could implode or take off in any given week.
(2-2)
16
7
New Orleans Saints
The Saints are one of the toughest teams to slot right now. They've played well in all three phases to start the season and could easily be 4-0 right now. And yet, they aren't.
(2-2)
17
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas earned a division win on Thursday night, but it didn't move the needle for me. That could change if Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb keep heating up.
(2-2)
18
3
Indianapolis Colts
Adding Joe Flacco this offseason proved to be a smart move by Indy. The 39-year-old veteran filled in for Anthony Richardson well and guided the Colts past Pittsburgh's great defense.
(2-2)
19
1
Denver Broncos
We've all heard the stat by now: Through 10 attempts on Sunday Bo Nix had minus-9 yards passing. He also helped the Broncos to one of the ugliest wins of the season. Denver's defense is quietly amazing.
(2-2)
20
4
Chicago Bears
D'Andre Swift picked a good time to have maybe his best NFL outing. If the Bears can keep that balance on offense, they can could easily become a team to watch.
(1-3)
21
2
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals finally earned their first win and the offense looked sharp in stretches. I'm still concerned about the defense, though, which ranks 29th in EPA.
(2-2)
22
4
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles has allowed the fewest points this season, but they've also played the Raiders, Panthers and Steelers. Holding the Chiefs to 17 points is a bit more impressive, but the stout defense doesn't mean much if the offense keeps stalling.
(1-3)
23
1
Los Angeles Rams
Last year's Rams won seven of their final eight games to reach the playoffs. They'll need a repeat performance if they can't start picking up some wins.
(1-3)
24
6
Arizona Cardinals
I think Arizona could take a few good squads down to the wire this season, which is why Sunday's 42-14 loss to Washington was a big disappointment.
(2-2)
25
4
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders beat the Browns 20-16, but I don't really feel any differently about them. I'll need some more convincing.
(1-3)
26
1
Miami Dolphins
The skill players are still extremely talented, but I don't know if I can watch one more deep shot miss Tyreek Hill by 5 yards.
(1-3)
27
1
New York Giants
It would be fun to see what the Giants' offense would look like with both Malik Nabers and Saquon Barkley, but alas.
(1-3)
28
1
Cleveland Browns
The Browns could get Nick Chubb back soon, but that may not be enough to save their season.
(1-3)
29
3
Carolina Panthers
After shocking the league in Week 3, the Panthers fell back to Earth in their 34-24 loss to the Bengals. Still, this team's floor is higher with Andy Dalton.
(1-3)
30
2
Tennessee Titans
The Titans earned their first win on Monday night thanks to Nick Folk, Tony Pollard and a good defense, but they will need more against better teams.
(1-3)
31
New England Patriots
With only 52 points scored this season, and a defense that can't get off the field, the Patriots have a long way to go.
(0-4)
32
2
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags are the league's only 0-4 team, and they are bottom five in points scored and points against. Oof.
