NFL: Week 5 Power Rankings

It's Thursday and it's time once more we look at the weekly NFL power rankings. What has gone wrong with the Chargers, the Bengals, the Bears, and the Saints?

The Bears, well, they're just plain hurting. The Saints O line is just not playing well. If your O line isn't bringing it, then it's going to be a long day at the office. The Chargers, well, they hired Norv (laughter ensues...). It's like when a comic says the words 'Dick Cheney'. That's all you need to say to get people to laugh.

The Bengals are the real mystery. They looked like a challenger for the AFC North title before they decided they couldn't stop anybody. What exactly is going on in Bengal-land?

That being said, here we go for week 5...

[1] 1. Colts - Everyone's gunning for the Colts. They are a little banged up on the D side of the ball. They get Tampa this week which may turn out to be a closer game than you might think.

[2] 2. Patriots - Yes they are unbeaten, yes they have just about Mossed (Hobbs said it I didn't...) everyone they've played. But, who have they played. Nobody even near to their level yet.

[3] 3. Packers - It was great seeing Brett Favre get the record in a stadium he historically hasn't played well. He's being patient in the pocket and that's why this team is 4-0. Oh, and their D is pretty good too.

[4] 4. Cowboys - Tony Romo sure looks like an MVP candidate. This week, how many TD passes you think he's gonna throw against the Bills? Or, will they sit back and practice their running game on them. That to me is a weakness of this team.

[12] 5. Titans - This team looks much improved over a year ago. They nearly beat the Colts. The addition of Nick Harper has helped their D improve to #2 against the run. Madden Curse? What Madden curse?

[18] 6. Lions - I saw a question written somewhere 'Does God want Jon Kitna to win?' Through the season's first quarter, it is looking more and more likely.

[5] 7. Steelers - What a game by the Arizona D. This week, it doesn't get any easier as the Seahawks come to town.

[11] 8. Jaguars - They were off, but everyone else lost. They need to find a running game. Maybe they did over the bye. I need 'em to as I have Maurice Drew on my squad and I can't cut him.

[17] 9. Seahawks - They let everyone know who the best is (so far) in the NFC East by beating up (literally) the 49ers last week. This week they get the Steelers which is one of my weekly picks for tomorrow.

[19] 10. Buccaneers - And to think Minnesota passed on Jeff Garcia. Think they regret that move now? This team will play Indy tough this week. Another of tomorrow's weekly picks.

[6] 11. Ravens - They are moving the football, but are committing too many penalties, and are turning the ball over way too much. Good teams don't do that.

[7] 12. Broncos - They lost to the best team in the land and their QB is hurting. Can they rebound? They get San Diego this week in another weekly pick game.

[9] 13. Texans - They lost to the Falcons? I even started their D this week in my league. Ugh! Should be a little easier this week as Miami comes to town.

[10] 14. Panthers - The Panthers are hurting, but get New Orleans this week who has just been playing awful.

[15] 15. Redskins - They can't be straight with anyone regarding injuries. They're banged up and the very much improved Lions come to town. The good news? The Lions have NEVER won in Washington. This is another weekly pick game (see tomorrow's post for more...)

[8] 16. Chargers - This ship has got to be righted and soon. They, like the Bengals, can't tackle anybody. They can't be this bad can they?

[13] 17. Bears - They were doing good against the Lions till the 4th quarter when all hell broke loose. They are banged up and get a very improved Green Bay squad in Lambeau. Doesn't look good.

[22] 18. Giants - The suddenly resurgent G-men look totally different from the team that started the season. This week they get the Jets who look lost so far this year. I see the G-men beating the Jets BIG.

[14] 19. 49ers - Alex Smith is out and they get B-more this week. But hey, the Browns beat them last week. They won't be able to run the ball well against this group, so they'll have to figure out how to get Vernon Davis open.

[21] 20. Chiefs - Is Dwayne Bowe hands down THE steal of the draft or what? This week, they get a tough Jacksonville squad at home. This is another weekly pick game.

[24] 21. Raiders - The Broncos O line lives! But, alas its in Oakland. Tom Crable (did I get his name right?) is working wonders for Lane Kiffin.

[16] 22. Eagles - As goes Brian Westbrook, so go the Eagles. And Donovan McNabb thought he had it bad? Thankfully, they get a bye this week so everyone can hopefully get rested and ready for the following week against the Jets.

[26] 23. Cardinals - Great win and great game planning by the coaches in Arizona. Let's see if they can keep it going against the Rams.

[29] 24. Browns - An impressive win against the Ravens at home. They need to improve their rush defense to have a chance in the AFC North. Their celebration will be short lived as they get the Patriots this week in Spy town.

[20] 25. Bengals - Once considered one of the elite teams now cannot stop anyone. Thankfully, they get a buy this week to try to fix the problems.

[31] 26. Bills - Great win LW for this team. It's about time some good karma goes their way. Too bad they get the Cowboys this week.

[25] 27. Vikings - Should have signed Jeff Garcia.

[32] 28. Falcons - Think Byron Leftwich signing lit a fire under Joey Harrington's a**? I've liked him since his days at Oregon. This week, looks like the good karma they got from beating the Texans last week will be short lived as they face the Titans who are quietly becoming one of the best teams in the league.

[23] 29. Saints - They need to get it together soon or the Saints won't come marching home at least not with the Lombardi. The O line needs to get it together.

[27] 30. Jets - I thought this team was better than this. I really did. They get the G-men this week.

[28] 31. Rams - They don't look close anymore. They look lost. Is this still the greatest show on turf? They get Arizona this week. But, they benched Bulger in place of Gus Frerotte? Make sure they put extra padding around the stadium walls in case the Gus-meister scores.

[30] 32. Dolphins - Could they go 0-16?

Have your own opinions? Please discuss below...