NFL Power Rankings (Week 5): Denver Broncos Make Big Move While Top 10 Stabilizes

The NFL Power Rankings for Week 5 have hit the internet and it looks as if the New York Giants have remained the dominant team, although the ESPN Power Rankings lists them as the second place team behind the Indianapolis Colts. Not much movement in the Top 10 besides jockeying this week as the undefeated stayed undefeated (except for the Ravens and the Jets) and one new team broke into the group -- the Denver Broncos.

The big story came out of Denver with Dallas losing to the Broncos in a thriller. Tony Romo just couldn't get his offense to click until the last couple minutes, and then they ran out of gas in the red zone with seconds to go. The Denver Broncos jumped into ESPN's Top 10 at No. 8. They jumped 10 spots in CBS' rankings to No. 5. They moved up five notches in the Fox Sports NFL Power Rankings to No. 12.

Another big game in Week 5 pitted two undefeated teams against each other: the New Orleans Saints and the New York Jets. The Saints have dominated everybody they've played this year and the Jets proved no match for them, losing 24-10. The Saints remained stable in all three polls: ESPN -- # 4, CBS -- #3, Fox Sports -- #2.

Tom Brady is back with the Patriots and it shows. New England took out undefeated Baltimore (with arguably the best defense in the NFL) and might make a run for another Super Bowl.

Minnesota didn't slow down, winning their fourth game in a row over a tough Green Bay squad. Brett Favre is beginning to look as if he should retire and un-retire every year.

As stated, there was plenty of stability in the Top 10 in all the NFL Power Rankings this week. Fox Sports saw no movement at all until #8 and #9, with last week's #9 Vikings moving up one while the #8 Steelers fell a notch.

The Top 3 remained the same in CBS' rankings, but the Denver Broncos were the only new team to bust into their Top 10 (just like in ESPN's). The rest of the pack just moved around a bit (just like with ESPN's).

The big mover in all the NFL Power Rankings for Week 5 was the Denver Broncos. The big loser? In ESPN's poll, it was the Baltimore Ravens, who fell six notches from #1 to #7. Dallas and the Chargers both fell five spaces in CBS' rankings (to No. 15 and No. 16, respectively).

Next week will see at least one interesting match-up. New England takes on the heretofore undefeated Broncos as well, giving NFL fans a chance to see if the Denver Broncos are for real. New Orleans will remain undefeated because of a bye week, but, if the New York Giants can stay undefeated against a weak Oakland Raiders team, one of those undefeated teams will ultimately go down on October 18.

NFL Power Rankings for Week 5:

CBS NFL Power Rankings (Week 5):

1. (1) New York Giants
2. (2) Indianapolis Colts
3. (3) New Orleans Saints
4. (6) Minnesota Vikings
5. (15) Denver Broncos
6. (5) New York Jets
7. (7) New England Patriots
8. (4) Baltimore Ravens
9. (8) Atlanta Falcons
10. (9) Philadelphia Eagles

Fox Sports NFL Power Rankings (Week 5):

1. (1) New York Giants
2. (2) New Orleans Saints
3. (3) Indianapolis Colts
4. (4) Philadelphia Eagles
5. (5) New York Jets
6. (6) New England Patriots
7. (7) Baltimore Ravens
8. (9) Minnesota Vikings
9. (8) Pittsburgh Steelers
10. (10) Atlanta Falcons

ESPN NFL Power Rankings (Week 5):

1. (2) Indianapolis Colts
2. (3) New York Giants
3. (5) Minnesota Vikings
4. (4) New Orleans Saints
5. (6) New York Jets
6. (7) New England Patriots
7. (1) Baltimore Ravens
8. (13) Denver Broncos
9. (8) Atlanta Falcons
10. (9) Philadelphia Eagles

( ) Denotes NFL Power Rankings last week.

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Last week's (Week 4) NFL Power Rankings.

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Sources:

CBSSports.com
ESPN.go.com
FoxSports.com