2014 NFL Power Rankings Week 5

It may only be the first week of October but the 1972 Miami Dolphins can crack the champagne. Arizona and Cincinnati both lost this weekend leaving the NFL without an undefeated team so the 72' Dolphins are safe. No more undefeated teams has to mean some movement near the top of the rankings, right? So let's get down to it.

1. Seattle Seahawks (3-1) ~ The end result was a Seattle victory last night in a game I deemed a trap. While the result was a W did anyone think it would be that close? (Last Week's Ranking 1)

2. Denver Broncos (3-1) ~ Peyton Manning joined Brett Favre as the only quarterbacks in league history to amass 500 career touchdown passes. He is five away from tying the record and faces the woeful New York Jets this week. Will history be made? (LWR 2)

3. San Diego Chargers (4-1) ~ Donald Brown became the latest casualty in the Chargers' backfield. Rookie Branden Oliver was handed the reigns and, well, ran with them for 114 yards and a score. (LWR 5)

4. Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) ~ For the second week in a row the Eagles scored a touchdown on a blocked punt and a defensive return. They are the first team in NFL history to do that. (LWR 7)

5. Indianapolis Colts (3-2) ~ Andrew Luck is slipping. He only managed two touchdowns in a victory over the Baltimore Ravens thus ending his three-touchdown streak at four games to start the season. Regardless, the two losses the Colts have are by teams in the top four of my rankings: Denver and Philadelphia. (LWR 8)

6. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) ~ Entering the game the Bengals had allowed 33 points in three games. They allowed 43 Sunday night. (LWR 3)

7. Arizona Cardinals (3-1) ~ If Logan Thomas is behind center the Cardinals are in trouble. If Carson Palmer is back Sunday they should be fine. It all rests on the quarterback now that Drew Stanton may be concussed. (LWR 4)

8. San Francisco 49ers (3-2) ~ There are reports that this may be Jim Harbaugh's last season by the bay. I'll believe it when I see it. He is in a good position to win in San Fran and it doesn't make much sense to leave. (LWR 10)

9. Green Bay Packers (3-2) ~ The game got out of hand quickly as Green Bay raced to a 42-0 lead after three. Matt Flynn took over for Aaron Rodgers to salt this one away. Just another Thursday night blowout. Sigh. (LWR 11)

10. Dallas Cowboys (4-1) ~ Well, I've officially given the Cowboys the kiss of death as I have added Tony Romo to my fantasy team. Not sure what's scarier. That or having to face Seattle's defense next week. (LWR 12)

11. Baltimore Ravens (3-2) ~ Here's something I didn't know until today. The Ravens are 0-5 all-time in Indianapolis. (LWR 6)

12. New England Patriots (3-2) ~ Two weeks ago they squeaked by Oakland at home. Then they were blown out by Kansas City. What do they do for an encore? Kick the crap out of the previously unbeaten Bengals. Enigma? Thy name is New England. (LWR 16)

13. Detroit Lions (3-2) ~ Dun. Dun. Dun. Another one bites the dust. And another one goes and another one goes. Another kicker bites the dust. The Lions cut ties with placekicker Alex Henery missed all three of his field goal attempts in a three-point home loss to the Buffalo Bills and was given his pink slip. (LWR 9)

14. New York Giants (3-2) ~ Three wins in a row for the G-Men is good. Losing top rusher Rashad Jennings to an MCL sprain for a few weeks is bad. Rookie Andre Williams will be the lead back in New York for now. (LWR 18)

15. Carolina Panthers (3-2) ~ Something about the Panthers doesn't seem right this season. Maybe it's that defense giving up 24 points per game? Maybe it's just weird not seeing Steve Smith out there. Who knows, but something isn't right here. (LWR 19)

16. Houston Texans (3-2) ~ In his last three games Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown six interceptions against just two touchdowns. Could we see Ryan Mallett or rookie Tom Sage soon? Houston is in the mix in the weak AFC South. (LWR 14)

17. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) ~ In his return to San Francisco Alex Smith lost a nailbiter. With Denver and San Diego off to hot starts the Chiefs will need to regroup during their bye if they are going to challenge in the AFC West. (LWR 15)

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) ~ A late pick six preserved the win in Jacksonville but it shouldn't instill much confidence in this bunch after last week's loss to Tampa and this scare in Jacksonville. At least they don't play another team from Florida this season. (LWR 20)

19. Atlanta Falcons (2-3) ~ The Falcons may be the third highest scoring team in the NFL with 151 points in five games but they have also given up the third most points in the NFL having allowed 143 points. The only teams that have given up more? Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. (LWR 13)

20. New Orleans Saints (2-3) ~ Jimmy Graham was forced to leave Sunday's game with a shoulder injury. The bye week couldn't have come at a better time. (LWR 21)

21. Chicago Bears (2-3) ~ It's normal to see a Bears' receiver with a dozen catches for 100+ yards and a score. What's not normal is to see that the receiver was actually Matt Forte. While he is a terrific pass catcher he cannot be getting that many targets with Marshall, Jeffrey and Bennett running routes. (LWR 17)

22. Buffalo Bills (3-2) ~ I'm of the opinion that the Lions lost this game more than the Bills won it, however, I give props to Dan Carpenter on booting the 58-yard game-winner. Not bad on an otherwise tough day for kickers. (LWR 23)

23. Cleveland Browns (2-2) ~ Down 25 points the Browns offense woke up and set the NFL record for largest regular season comeback win on the road. It might be a mouthful but these Browns have bite. (LWR 24)

24. Miami Dolphins (2-2) ~ Knowshon Moreno participated in team drills this week leading the team to believe he may be able to return quicker than initially thought from a dislocated elbow. (LWR 22)

25. Minnesota Vikings (2-3) ~ Teddy Bridgewater did not practice today leaving his status for this weekend's tilt against the Lions up in the air. If Christian Ponder has to start again things could get real ugly real fast. (LWR 25)

26. Washington Redskins (1-4) ~ Where was the run game Monday night? Alfred Morris had just 13 carries in a close game against the champs. One has to wonder what might have been had they established the run. (LWR 28)

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4) ~ There are rumblings that Josh McCown may be back under center for Tampa Bay. That would be unwise as Mike Glennon truly looks to be the man after nearly upending the Saints in the SuperDome. (LWR 29)

28. St. Louis Rams (1-3) ~ I mentioned the Browns pulling off the biggest comeback road victory earlier. They almost had to settle for second biggest because the Rams nearly erased a 27-point deficit on Sunday in Philly thus giving this Eagles fan numerous heart attacks on his birthday. Thanks Rams. (LWR 30)

29. Tennessee Titans (1-4) ~ Has anyone seen the Titans team that thoroughly outplayed the Chiefs in Arrowhead in Week One? Seriously. Anyone? Bueller? (LWR 27)

30. New York Jets (1-4) ~ Michael Vick took over for Geno Smith after halftime and the results were the same. It's official. The Jets stink. (LWR 26)

31. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5) ~ *Sniff sniff* Smell that? It's the smell of a possible first win this week as the Jags visit the pitiful Titans on Sunday. (LWR 31)

32. Oakland Raiders (0-4) ~ Nothing to see or smell here. (LWR 32)