We're through five weeks of the 2023 NFL season, and the league is beginning to come into shape with the contenders and the pretenders. The good and great teams are beginning to reveal themselves, and the bad an awful teams are doing the exact same. Week 5 was filled with more exciting games, and because of that, there's been more movement in the power rankings.
Teams like the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers seem to have bottomed out. Teams like the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles are continuing to cement themselves as the cream of the crop. The current NFL hierarchy does feel like it'll stay about the same that it is when we get into the latter parts of the 2023 NFL season.
Let's dive into the Week 5 power rankings!
Note: These power rankings were typed during Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers game
NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: The league is coming into shape after Week 5 games
32. Carolina Panthers (0-5)
The Carolina Panthers are stuck with Bryce Young; they do not have a first round pick in 2024, and that pick that they traded to acquire Young is the #1 overall selection. It's looking pretty gloomy for the Panthers, who need to pull out all the stops to make sure their QB develops.
31. Chicago Bears (1-4)
Justin Fields has looked pretty good over the last two weeks, but let's not get it twisted; the Chicago Bears are still a pretty bad football team, and they are very much in the Caleb Williams sweepstakes.
30. New England Patriots (1-4)
The New England Patriots are in need of a reboot. They've scored three points over the last two weeks and have been outscored by 69 total points over that same span. It's time for a new era in New England. Bill Belichick has overstayed his welcome at this point.
29. Denver Broncos (1-4)
My Denver Broncos are no good. Russell Wilson is still on pace for over 4,000 yards and 37 touchdown passes, but they are an undisciplined team with a really, really bad defense. Russell Wilson is not the primary issue at all. Sean Payton has a ton to fix on the defensive side of the ball, though.
NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: The league is coming into shape after Week 5 games
28. New York Giants (1-4)
I think the New York Giants have buyers' remorse with Daniel Jones. This team is quite bad. They bright side is, though, is that they will be picking high in April, so getting Jones' replacement likely won't take a ton of work if they keep this up.
27. Minnesota Vikings (1-4)
The Minnesota Vikings need to now be open to trading some of their veteran players. Kirk Cousins to the Jets makes so much sense if the Jets can figure out the financial side of it. The Vikings don't benefit from keeping this current roster in tact; it's time to blow it up a little bit and punt to 2024 and beyond.
26. Arizona Cardinals (1-4)
The Arizona Cardinals are a tough football team and are more exciting than a lot of us thought they would be. I think this team can make some noise with Kyler Murray back under center in 2024; they don't feel like a team that finishes with the #1 overall pick at all, and I don't think they want it.
25. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3)
Jimmy Garoppolo replacing Derek Carr was never going to work. Las Vegas is another team that needs to blow their operation up and get a young QB prospect in the building. The Raiders might be one of the most top-heavy teams in the NFL. Outside of Davante Adams, Maxx Crosby, and Josh Jacobs, they don't have much else.
NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: The league is coming into shape after Week 5 games
24. Washington Commanders (2-3)
I am not sold on this team with Ron Rivera as head coach. He hasn't had a winning record in ages and the defense should not be as bad as it is. Sam Howell might end up being something worthwhile, but the head coach and defense need some fixing.
23. New York Jets (2-3)
Congratulations to the New York Jets for getting to 2-3 against arguably the worst team in football. The Jets can enjoy this win, but they are not going anywhere with Zach Wilson under center. They can only play good defense and run the ball so many times before teams figure it out.
22. Tennessee Titans (2-3)
Perhaps the most average and irrelevant team in the NFL. What is there to like about this team besides Mike Vrabel?
21. Los Angeles Rams (2-3)
Perhaps the most average and irrelevant team in the NFL. What is there to like about this team besides Puka Nacua and Cooer Kupp? The Rams need to restart this operation a bit; move on from Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, and other aging veterans.
NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: The league is coming into shape after Week 5 games
20. Green Bay Packers (2-2)
I think Jordan Love has shown them a bit more than they thought he would in 2023, which should make them very encouraged for 2024 and beyond. I don't think the Packers get into the playoffs, but this is going to be a solid post-Aaron Rodgers year for them.
19. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)
An early bye week is never fun. The Los Angeles Chargers recently accepted defeat on their JC Jackson free agency signing, sending him to the New England Patriots, his former team. Other than that, this team isn't notable or special in any aspect. I think they need a new head coach.
18. New Orleans Saints (3-2)
Yeah, the Saints are 3-2, but they also have one of the easiest schedules in football this year, so they aren't exactly beating the best of opponents. They shutout a very bad New England Patriots team in Week 5, which is impressive no matter the circumstances.
17. Houston Texans (2-3)
I like the Houston Texans more than most people. CJ Stroud has yet to throw an interception and I think this defense is excellent. This is definitely a team to watch out for in 2024 and I even think they could hang around in 2023 and compete for the AFC South division title.
NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: The league is coming into shape after Week 5 games
16. Cleveland Browns (2-2)
The Cleveland Browns feel like a pretty average football team. Even though they have a bruising defense, the offense has yet to turn it on with Deshaun Watson under center, and I think that is their downfall, ultimately.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
I do not trust this team with Kenny Pickett under center. In fact, I am truly baffled that they are 3-2 at this point. This is the Mike Tomlin Head Coaching Special. The Steelers do not at all feel like a playoff team, but 9-8 is in the picture once again.
14. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)
Finally, we see a bit of the Cincinnati Bengals' offense. It only took one-quarter of the season. Perhaps this is the week that changes things for them. Perhaps it's not. We'll see soon enough.
13. Atlanta Falcons (3-2)
My crazy proposal for this team is that they should consider trying to swing a trade for Russell Wilson. The Denver Broncos are 1-4 and are a bad football team. I bet the Falcons would consider making some sort of QB upgrade at the deadline, since Desmond Ridder is certainly not helping things over there.
NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: The league is coming into shape after Week 5 games
12. Indianapolis Colts (3-2)
The Indianapolis Colts are... good? When did this happen? This team legitimately may win the AFC South with a rookie quarterback. This is insane. Good for the Colts, man. Hopefully they can continue this solid season.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)
Baker Mayfield leading the Buccaneers to a 3-1 start was certainly something that I did not see coming. We'll see if the current NFC South leaders can hold onto this lead as we progress through the 2023 NFL season. This is a wide open division.
10. Baltimore Ravens (3-2)
The Baltimore Ravens had a very winnable game in Week 5 versus a pretty bad Steelers' team, and they could not get it done. The Ravens seem to get in their own way sometimes. It's hard to explain why this team is not better than they are. They just always seem to be missing something.
9. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
I feel a similar way about the Seattle Seahawks. They most definitely are not a Super Bowl team, but they are good enough to win a bunch of games and perhaps make the Wild Card round interesting for a bit, but that's it. Defensively, they still need some work.
NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: The league is coming into shape after Week 5 games
8. Buffalo Bills (3-2)
The Buffalo Bills are probably going to have at least one more stinker game this year. I was truly not surprised to see them play like they did in Week 5. Be prepared for them to clean in up and blow out their Week 6 opponent.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2)
The Jaguars should just move to London, honestly. They flew to London 1-2 and left 3-2. They look like they're about to rip off about four more wins in a row. I expect Trevor Lawrence to get some MVP votes this year.
6. Dallas Cowboys (3-1)
The Dallas Cowboys are again going to win a ton of games in the 2023 NFL season, but again might fall and crumble in the playoffs, which would just be more of the same for them. This team is elite on both sides of the ball, and I don't think they realize that when playoff time comes.
5. Detroit Lions (4-1)
The Detroit Lions might end up playing well into January if they can keep this up. Everything is working for them, but I just don't think they are yet in the tier with the 49ers and Eagles.
NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: The league is coming into shape after Week 5 games
4. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)
The Kansas City Chiefs have won four games in a row after starting 0-1. They really haven't looked like their true selves yet, but having Patrick Mahomes and an underrated defense has helped them rip off four wins in a row.
3. Miami Dolphins (4-1)
Another day, another offensive explosion from the Miami Dolphins. Something that might be a bit interesting to watch out for: Tua Tagovailoa has already thrown five interceptions this year, putting him on pace to thrown for 17 in 2023.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (5-0)
Well, it has not been nearly as pretty last year, but nonetheless, the Eagles are 5-0 for a second-straight season. I think we keep waiting for this team to hit their stride. Perhaps losing both coordinators from last year to head coaching vacancies is having a bit of an impact. However, their roster talent is good enough to make up for those losses.
1. San Francisco 49ers (4-0)
This team should be the favorites to win the Super Bowl this year. I'm not sure they truly have a weakness yet, and Brock Purdy has not lost a regular season start. This team is a well-oiled machine on both sides of the football, and even their special teams unit is great.