1. New England Patriots (4-0; Last Week- No. 1)
The Patriots returned from their Bye Week to pummel the Cowboys 30-6 in Dallas. They have scored more points (149) than anyone else in the AFC, while playing one less game than all but three AFC teams.
The New England defense is also holding up plenty well enough to win given their offense, allowing just 23 points total over the last two games, and only 76 points on the season (19.0 points allowed per game).
2. Green Bay Packers (5-0; Last Week- No. 2)
Aaron Rodgers actually threw, not one, but two interceptions at Lambeau Field. Which means he likely won’t throw another interception there for like five more years.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (5-0; Last Week- No. 4)
Down 24-7 to the Seahawks at halftime, the Bengals rallied back for a 27-24 overtime victory over the defending NFC champs. That is a huge, huge win, and keeps Cincinnati undefeated.
4. Denver Broncos (5-0; Last Week- No. 3)
We talk about it every week- The 2015 Broncos are a team that will have to usually grind out victories, relying on their defense. They’re 5-0, but truthfully it’s in spite of their offense. Saying that in the last few years would’ve been crazy talk, but that’s where we’re at right now.
Peyton Manning has thrown six touchdowns, seven interceptions, and has just a 77.3 QB rating (30th in the NFL… that’s worse than Jameis Winston). They’re 30th in the NFL in total yardage, and their rushing “attack” is 31st in the NFL in yards per carry, with just a 3.3 average.
It’s a good thing their defense is No.1 in the NFL in yards allowed (just 278.0 yards per game), and that they lead the NFL in takeaways with 14.
5. Arizona Cardinals (4-1; Last Week- No. 5)
The Cardinals humiliated the Lions in Detroit. They lead the NFL in points per game (38.0) and point differential (+100). Carson Palmer is Pro Football Focus’ top-graded quarterback through five weeks.
6. Atlanta Falcons (5-0; Last Week- No. 6)
It wasn’t pretty vs Washington in Week 5, but they came out of it with a win and remain undefeated. No one saw this coming.
One more win and the Falcons will match their win total of 2014. Dan Quinn has made a remarkable difference in his first year as Atlanta’s head coach.
7. Carolina Panthers (4-0; Last Week- No. 8)
Like the Falcons, the Panthers represent a very surprising undefeated team from the NFC South. But it will tough for the Panthers to keep it that way through Week 6, as they travel to Seattle to face a 2-3 Seahawks team feeling desperate for a win.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2; Last Week- No. 11)
Nothing like a walkoff touchdown, on the road, on Monday Night Football. The Steelers also could be getting Ben Roethlisberger back soon, and when they do, there may not be a more fun offense in the NFL to watch.
9. New York Jets (3-1; Last Week- No. 9)
The Jets have an excellent chance to get to 4-1 this week at home against the Redskins, before going on the road to face the Patriots in Week 7 for what would be an enormous statement game (and just a very important game for AFC East purposes). They enter Week 6 allowing an NFL-best 13.8 points per game.
10. Seattle Seahawks (2-3; Last Week- No. 7)
Deep down, do we really think there are nine teams better than the Seattle Seahawks? No. But they’re 2-3, and blew a 17-point halftime lead in Week 5.
This team is just off right now (getting Marshawn Lynch back would certainly help), but it would still be surprising to not see them in the thick of things come late December/January.
11. Minnesota Vikings (2-2; Last Week- No. 10)
A great chance to get to 3-2 at home against a 1-4 Chiefs team that just lost Jamaal Charles for the season.
The Vikings may actually be favored in all of their next five games: vs Chiefs, at Lions, at Bears, vs Rams, at Raiders. They need to take advantage of it, and will be an NFC Wild Card favorite if they do (they’re not catching the Packers unless something happens to Aaron Rodgers).
12. Buffalo Bills (3-2; Last Week- No. 13)
The roller coaster Bills season continues, as they narrowly got by the Titans 14-13 to get back over .500.
Tyrod Taylor (knee) sounds very questionable for Week 6, in what will be an extremely difficult game against the undefeated Bengals.
13. New York Giants (3-2; Last Week- No. 12)
Three straight wins after starting 0-2. That would’ve been a really bad loss at home in primetime to an awful 49ers team, but they found a way to get the win.
The Giants now sit alone in first place atop the NFC East, and have a chance to increase that lead with their next two games coming against the Eagles and Cowboys.
14. Indianapolis Colts (3-2; Last Week- No. 17)
How about Matt Hasselbeck? He’s playing extremely efficient football (3 TD/0 INT/95.0 QB Rating), leading the Colts to two straight wins. The 40-year-old was actually Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded quarterback of Week 5.
15. St. Louis Rams (2-3; Last Week- No. 14)
That was an admirable, albeit losing effort against the Packers at Lambeau Field. And Todd Gurley is an absolute monster.
But, their ultimate ceiling will be limited unless they can get more out off Nick Foles (6 TD/5 INT/77.6 QB Rating).
16. San Diego Chargers (2-3; Last Week- No. 16)
Heartbreaking home loss as time expired to the Steelers. It’s going to be tough to get over that game, but they need to quickly or else they are going to get destroyed by the Packers at Lambeau in Week 6.
17. Philadelphia Eagles (2-3; Last Week- No. 24; Biggest Riser)
The Eagles finally got DeMarco Murray the ball in their Week 5 win over the Saints, and need to keep doing that.
18. Dallas Cowboys (2-3; Last Week- No. 15)
Brandon Weeden or Matt Cassel… does it even matter? Jerry Jones must be asking the Cowboys’ trainer for Tony Romo updates by the hour.
19. Chicago Bears (2-3; Last Week- No. 25)
Ranked dead last on here two weeks ago, the Bears have reeled off two straight impressive wins. And both games included game-winning drives in the last minute, led by Jay Cutler.
This team’s effort and execution are night and day from last year’s group. John Fox and company are doing a great job to get the most out of a below average roster (a roster that has also had many injuries).
20. Washington Redskins (2-3; Last Week- No. 21)
Washington blew a chance to knock off the undefeated Falcons on the road, and it’s hard to see Kirk Cousins and that offense doing much on the road against the Jets defense this week.
21. Oakland Raiders (2-3; Last Week- No. 20)
They competed well against Denver, but you’re seeing a young team struggle to finish games. They’re close, but not quite there. The Bye Week comes at a good time for this promising group to regain their focus and adjust.
22. Cleveland Browns (2-3; Last Week- No. 27)
457 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions… from Josh McCown? Okay then. Great overtime win for the Browns at Baltimore.
23. Baltimore Ravens (1-4; Last Week- No. 18)
What is there to really feel good about with this team?
24. Kansas City Chiefs (1-4; Last Week- No. 19)
The Chiefs blew a 17-6 fourth-quarter lead at home to the Bears for a fourth consecutive loss, and lost Jamaal Charles for the season to a torn ACL. What a disappointing season so far that is unlikely to get much better given the loss of Charles.
25. Tennessee Titans (1-3; Last Week- No. 22)
That would’ve been a really nice win against the Bills, and the Titans have to be frustrated about losing their last two games by a combined three points. But let’s keep in mind this is a rebuilding year, and there is a lot to like about the direction of this group, particularly at the quarterback position.
26. New Orleans Saints (1-4; Last Week- No. 23)
Allowing an NFL-worst 409.0 yards per game.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3: Last Week- No. 32)
There have been times this year where you’d wonder how the Bucs could win two games over a full season, but here they are with two wins through just five games.
Doug Martin is back to being good again. The veteran running back has 405 yards on the ground, which has him tied for second in the NFL.
28. San Francisco 49ers (1-4; Last Week- No. 28)
They had a better chance to win on the road against the Giants than anyone expected they would, but in the end it’s chalked up as their fourth straight loss.
29. Miami Dolphins (1-3; Last Week- No. 28)
Let’s see how things look under new head coach Dan Campbell for what has been a dumpster fire of a team so far in 2015.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4; Last Week- No. 30)
They aren’t winning games, but Blake Bortles is making strides, and that’s a start. Trying to figure out if Bortles can be the long term solution for them is really more important than wins and losses in 2015 anyway; we know they’re bad.
31. Houston Texans (1-4; Last Week- No. 29)
So they don’t have a quarterback, and it seems they forgot about how to play defense too. That is not a good combo for success.
32. Detroit Lions (0-5; Last Week- No. 26; Biggest Faller)
There is no reason the Lions should be this bad. This is just embarrassing.
If they lose at home to the Bears in Week 6, you have to wonder if Jim Caldwell is still the head coach a week from now.
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