FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Week in and week out, the NFL is full of surprises. Whether it's a crucial late-game mistake that potentially changed the fortunes for two AFC North teams or an overtime drive to decide the early division lead in the NFC South, each outcome ripples across the league's landscape and provides new information to fuel public perception.
It's still incredibly early in the 2024 season, so the picture will change several more times before all is said and done. But for some teams, including a few preseason favorites, the urgency is undoubtedly picking up. For others, the early-season wins will be meaningful for the playoff pushes to come.
Here are my updated NFL power rankings after a wild Week 5.
(5-0)
1
Minnesota Vikings
This season's biggest revelation, the Vikings have been really impressive in finding different ways to win games. On Sunday, they leaned on the defense — and it's a darn good one that leads all defensive units in EPA.
(5-0)
2
Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce's lateral on a third-and-22 in the second quarter is the perfect encapsulation of this team. Was it a designed play by one of the game's most creative minds or an ad-lib by one of the game's best improvisors? That fact that either could be true is why this offense is so scary.
(3-1)
3
Detroit Lions
Detroit had the week off, but the Lions left on a high note and their 42-29 prime-time win still lingers.
(3-2)
4
Baltimore Ravens
Welcome to the NFL, where one mishandled snap can mean the difference between continuing a positive trend and suddenly facing questions. Baltimore may not dominate defensively right now, but its offense is a juggernaut.
(4-1)
5
2
Washington Commanders
Aside from the Vikings, the Commanders feel like the hottest team in the league right now. Their defense has held back-to-back teams under 15 points, too.
(4-1)
6
4
Houston Texans
This was a nice win by the Texans, even if the main headlines from the game were about the Bills' game management.
(3-2)
7
2
Buffalo Bills
The Bills' dominant win in Week 3 now feels like a distant memory and some real questions have started to pop up. I still believe this is a good team, but it may be finding itself more than I previously thought.
(3-2)
8
4
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay has the league's best turnover margin, and the No. 6 scoring offense. That's going to win you a lot of football games.
(3-2)
9
5
Atlanta Falcons
There were some excellent offensive displays in Week 5, but the Falcons' still stands out. The offense showcased its firepower, and the defense has a knack for timely plays. I like it!
(3-2)
10
9
Denver Broncos
Patrick Surtain had two interceptions, including a 100-yard pick-six, on Sunday. He leads one of the league's most underrated defensive units for a team people need to start taking seriously.
(3-2)
11
6
Dallas Cowboys
Sunday night's win featured a Jekyll-and-Hyde performance from Dak Prescott, and it feels like the Cowboys are destined to go where he leads.
(3-2)
12
6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Even in a losing effort, the Buccaneers showed they are a good team that will likely be in the mix late in the year.
(2-2)
13
2
Philadelphia Eagles
Reports indicate that A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith could return to the Eagles' lineup coming out of the bye week. That would be a huge boost.
(3-2)
14
6
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks looked sloppy for much of their loss to the New York Giants. They'll need to regroup quickly for a game against the 49ers on Thursday.
(3-2)
15
4
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh's offensive momentum slowed against the Cowboys, and the Steelers rank No. 23 in points scored this season.
(2-3)
16
7
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco is going through a rough injury stretch to start the season, but it was still hard watching a 13-point lead slip away in the second half.
(3-2)
17
3
Chicago Bears
The Bears offense has showed signs of real progress in two straight weeks. With a game against Jacksonville up next, Chicago could go into their bye on a three-game win streak.
(2-3)
18
2
New Orleans Saints
The Saints put up a real fight in each of their previous three losses, but there are no such things as moral victories in the NFL, and the losses are beginning to pile up. Oh, and Derek Carr got hurt Monday night.
(2-3)
19
5
Arizona Cardinals
On the other hand, that was an impressive comeback by the Cardinals against the 49ers. I can't figure out what to make of Arizona, but I think this is a good team.
(2-2)
20
2
Los Angeles Chargers
The bye week came at the perfect time for the Chargers, who need all the time they can get for Justin Herbert's ankle to heal.
(2-3)
21
8
New York Jets
I don't know if Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball 54 times is the best path to success for the Jets' offense. I don't know if he'll listen to anyone who tells him that.
(1-4)
22
1
Cincinnati Bengals
Each of the Bengals' four lossess have been by six points or fewer, including that gut-wrenching loss to the Ravens. Cincinnati might be snakebitten this year.
(2-3)
23
5
Indianapolis Colts
The Joe Flacco storyline is so much fun that it's almost easy to forget that the Colts lost to the Jaguars.
(2-3)
24
3
New York Giants
New York dominated time of possession in its road win against Seattle and put up over 400 yards of offense without Malik Nabers. This is a frisky group.
(2-3)
25
1
Miami Dolphins
It feels like the Dolphins are just trying to tread water until Tua Tagovialoa can return. A 15-10 win accomplishes that mission, if nothing else.
(2-3)
26
1
Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers looks awesome, but this team brings a John Madden quote to mind: "If you have two quarterbacks, you actually have none."
(1-4)
27
4
Los Angeles Rams
This is the worst five-game start the Rams have had in any season under Sean McVay. Injuries are partially to blame, but this group is also beating itself.
(1-4)
28
4
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags and Colts played one of the most entertaining games in a weekend filled with them. Brian Thomas could be the answer to Trevor Lawrence's prayers.
(1-4)
29
1
Cleveland Browns
The best thing the Browns have going for them right now is that they played decently against Washington's offense in a 34-13 loss.
(1-3)
30
Tennessee Titans
I feel like we missed out on something by not having the Titans involved in a wild Week 5.
(1-4)
31
2
Carolina Panthers
Carolina's big win against Las Vegas feels like a distant memory now. Andy Dalton is a clear upgrad at quarterback, but there's still some work to do.
(1-4)
32
1
New England Patriots
There's really no part about this Patriots team that inspires optimism, which is perhaps why its best to leave Drake Maye on the sidelines for now.
