Five weeks into the season and we are now seeing things shake up as we get closer to the mid-way point of the season. In the latest edition of our power rankings we look at each team’s strength.
As the teams are ranked, some of the strengths are general and some are much more specific.
Without any more talking, let’s see who takes the cake in this week’s power rankings.
Rank Seattle Seahawks (5-0)
1 Prev. (2 ↑1)
Biggest Strength: The Pass Offense
The defense for the Seahawks, specifically the pass defense, has been abysmal this season and if not for Russell Wilson and the offense they would not be undefeated. Wilson is on pace to win MVP this season and there is absolutely nothing that he cannot do. It certainly helps when one of your receivers elevates his game and turns into one of the best in the game like Metcalf has, but Lockett, Olsen, Moore, and Carson have all been great helping Wilson out. The pass defense certainly needs to sort things out, but right now this pass offense will keep them in every game they play in.
Rank Green Bay Packers (4-0)
2 Prev. (3 ↑1)
Biggest Strength: The Offense
Sure, we could just say that Aaron Rodgers is great and can make anyone around him better than what they would have been without him, but that is unfair to Aaron Jones. Aaron Jones is a threat both on the ground and through the air, so it only adds another to this already dangerous offense. What the offense is able to bring to the field is amazing and it has been without Davante Adams for the past two games. Once the offense gets him back then they will be even better, and the offense will be good enough to match any team in the league.
Rank Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)
3 Prev. (1 ↓2)
Biggest Strength: Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes has had his ups and downs so far this season, but it would be silly to think that is not the most important part of the team. Mahomes is able to do things that most quarterbacks cannot, and he already looks as though he will be a sure-fire hall of famer. The only thing that we need to see is more consistency, if he can do that then no team should ever beat the Chiefs. It is hard to contain him for an entire game as he will always turn it on, but with the weapons he has it makes him even more dangerous and one that could lead them to another Super Bowl.
Rank Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
4 Prev. (4 ⏤)
Biggest Strength: Run Game
The four-headed monster in the backfield of Ingram, Dobbins, Edwards, and Jackson have led the Ravens to having the third best rushing attack of the season and they will only get better. The run game has not looked as dominant as it did last season and that is partly due to losing a hall of fame linemen, but the bug runs are what makes the run game still look great. The more time they get under their belt though the run should be just as good as it was last season and it will lead to the Ravens potentially having one of the best records in the league.
Rank Pittsburgh Steelers (4-0)
5 Prev. (6 ↑1)
Biggest Strength: Run Defense
The Steelers run defense has been historically good so far and though they have only played four games they are holding teams to an average 63 yards a game. In two of the games they held their opponents to under 30 yards and that is just ridiculous. The defense overall has been good enough to carry them to an undefeated record, but it has not been the defense we expected. That is of course not counting the run D which has been great and should continue to be, as long as they have this front seven then they can match with any team in the league.
Rank Tennessee Titans (4-0)
6 Prev. (7 ↑1)
Biggest Strength: Minimizing Points
The Titans defense ranks as one of the worst when it comes to allowing yards (29th), luckily yards do not win games, points do. While they rank as one of the worst in yards, they are one of the best when it comes to points (9th). They are utilizing the bend not break defense and they are doing a good job at it since it has helped carry them to a 4-0 record. They are still dealing with some positive COVID-19 cases, but once this team is back to full health, they should get even better and if they can limit the scoring like they have been then no team wants to play them.
Rank Buffalo Bills (4-1)
7 Prev. (5 ↓2)
Biggest Strength: Josh Allen
Allen did not play great last night, but he has taken a huge leap from last season and is the biggest reason why this team is 4-1 right now. Allen has nearly 1,600 yards to go along with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. He is playing as well as any quarterback in the league right now and he will continue to lead the team to wins. Last night may not have been what they were hoping for, but Allen is still a front runner for MVP right now and should only continue to get better.
Rank Los Angeles Rams (4-1)
8 Prev. (8 ⏤)
Biggest Strength: Run Game
Getting rid of Todd Gurley was a bold choice, but so far it has worked out for the Rams. The duo of Brown and Henderson has combined for almost 500 yards, then add in Akers and they have nearly 600 yards. The run opens up the pass game and that is what the Rams offense is built around. Add to that the defensive power and the Rams team is as good as they were when they went to the Super Bowl and it all starts with the run game on the offense. Only one game this season have they been held under 100 yards and if they continue to play like this then they will be scary.
Rank Cleveland Browns (4-1)
9 Prev. (13 ↑4)
Biggest Strength: Pass Rush
This is kind of a cop out considering that the pass rush in general isn’t that great, but Myles Garrett has been. Garrett is currently one of the leaders in sacks this season with six and he immediately elevates the status of any line he is on. The Browns pass defense is not that great, but with the threat of pressure at any point in the game means that passes will be quick and most likely rushed if not forced which could lead to turnovers and so far the team has six interceptions which is in large part thanks to their rush. Keep this up, with the offensive talent and this team could see the playoffs.
Rank New Orleans Saints (3-2)
10 Prev. (12 ↑2)
Biggest Strength: Alvin Kamara
Currently in the league, there is no running back more versatile then Alvin Kamara. Kamara is the leading rusher on the team and the leading receiver, and he has led them to all of their victories. Drew Brees is starting to show his age and he needs a do it all player such as Kamara. There are still issues that need to be addressed on this team, but ever since Michael Thomas has been out, they needed a player to step up and Kamara has been that player. While he is a do it all player the offense needs more than just Kamara, but as of right now Kamara is keeping this team together.
Rank New England Patriots (2-2)
11 Prev. (11 ⏤)
Biggest Strength: Bill Belichick
The question we were going to find out during the season was whether or not it was Belichick or Brady, well, the Pats are 2-2 and one of those losses came without Cam Newton which helps strengthen the argument that it was Belichick. It is obvious that Belichick is going to go down as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, but the Patriots have defied odds so far this season and are in second place in the AFC East. It is still very early in the season so who knows whether they will make the playoffs, but Belichick is a mastermind, and no one knows what he is going to bring over the remainder of the season.
Rank Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)
12 Prev. (16 ↑4)
Biggest Strength: Converting Third Downs
Currently the Raiders rank second in the league in converting third down opportunities at 52.4%, now imagine their defense was equally as good and they could be undefeated. The defense is the reason they are barely over .500 right now, but the offense has been extremely good in third down situations. The offense of Carr, Jacobs, Waller, Renfrow, and Ruggs has been good enough to keep this offense on the field and give them every chance to score. When you keep the offense on the field it does two things, tire out the other defense and give your team a better chance to win. The offense has been good enough to win every game and they should take that with them for the remainder of the schedule.
Rank Chicago Bears (4-1)
13 Prev. (15 ↑2)
Biggest Strength: Minimizing Points
The Bears may not be great at any one thing whether it be the offensive end or the defensive end, but they have only allowed eight touchdowns through five games. Having a bend not break defense is huge when you don’t have a great offense and that is exactly what the Bears have done. This offense ranks as one of the worst in the league when it comes to scoring points, but still have a 4-1 record, that means that they minimize opponents points with the best of them. Eventually the offense will need to score more points as they can’t rely on the defense the entire season, but as of now the defense has led them to a positive record and should continue leading them to wins.
Rank Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)
14 Prev. (9 ↓5)
Biggest Strength: Defensive Front Seven
There is a reason that the Buccaneers have one of the best run defenses in the league and that is thanks to the front seven. In all five games this season they have allowed less than 100 yards and in the past three they have allowed less than 50, talk about dominant. The previous three teams they played are not known for their run game, but not even getting 50 yards is sad. When you play the Bucs you have to abuse the pass in order to score points because getting yards on the run is not going to be easy. If the secondary can get better, then it will be tough for them to lose because no team will be able to move the ball against the Bucs.
Rank Indianapolis Colts (3-2)
15 Prev. (10 ↓5)
Biggest Strength: The Defense in General
The Colts have had two rough games on the defensive side this season and both of those games they ended up losing, so consistency is a bit of an issue. In the other three games, they allowed 29 points, that will win you the game almost every time. They rank in the top five in both the pass and the run D and rank as the number two overall defense. There is no weak point in this defense and when completely healthy they are as good as any defense in the league. The problem occurs when the defense is not playing great, when that happens the offense needs to be good and so far that’s not happening so the defense needs to be great in order to win.
Rank Arizona Cardinals (3-2)
16 Prev. (17 ↑1)
Biggest Strength: Secondary
The secondary for the Cardinals has kept the team in games this season. While they may not force a lot of turnovers, this defense has been good at minimizing the yards through the air and that has been what has led to wins. This is a passing league and slowing down the pass is huge, but not only is the secondary the reason for the good pass defense, the pass rush is also a very big reason. The secondary for the most part is young too with Budda Baker, Deionte Thompson, and Byron Murphy so they have a lot to build on for the near future.
Rank San Francisco 49ers (2-3)
17 Prev. (14 ↓3)
Biggest Strength: Pass Defense
The Dolphins game was an anomaly for the 49ers as the allowed 342 yards through the air, in all of their other games they held opponents to under 225 yards in the air. When Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas went down early in the season it was a question of whether they would still have the rush to be an effective pass defense. Well, they have been and with the injuries this team has faced on the offensive end then they need to be. Facing the Titans next week will be a big test to see if they can bounce back from the beatdown to the Dolphins, but if this defense is still as good as they are expected to be then they should bounce back.
Rank Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
18 Prev. (18 ⏤)
Biggest Strength: Offense
Things may change now that Dak Prescott is out for the remainder of the season, but the offense still has every chance to be a top offense in the league. The offensive line is great, the running game is great, and the receivers are great. The question now becomes whether or not Dalton will be able to lead this offense to being great as it was with Prescott. Obviously, the pass game will not be as good, but Dalton is still a good quarterback and with the weapons on this offense then this offense can still roll, now the defense has to be better, but that’s a different conversation.
Rank Carolina Panthers (3-2)
19 Prev. (23 ↑4)
Biggest Strength: Pass Defense
The defense has gotten better each week for the Panthers, but by far the most impressive performance was this past week where they held the Falcons to only 203 pass yards. The Falcons have one of the best pass games in the league and the fact that they only got barely over 200 yards says something about the Panthers pass D. Their offense has been doing well too ever since McCaffrey got injured, but the pass d has helped lead this team to three straight wins. If they can hold the Falcons down, then they can hold any team down and we could see a potential playoff team if it can hold up.
Rank Minnesota Vikings (1-4)
20 Prev. (20 ⏤)
Biggest Strength: Run Game
Kirk Cousins has not played like the normal Cousins this season, luckily, the Vikings have the leading rusher in the league in Dalvin Cook and a very good backup in Alexander Mattison. Cook nearly has 500 yards with seven touchdowns and Mattison has 219 yards with one touchdown. The run game is the only thing that has kept the offense in games this season, if the pass game can match the fire power of the run game then they should be up there as one of the best offenses in the league.
Rank Philadelphia Eagles (1-3-1)
21 Prev. (19 ↓2)
Biggest Strength: Miles Sanders
The Eagles have dealt with a good amount of injuries this season and these injuries have left the offense a little stagnant at times. However, what keeps this offense churning is Sanders in the run game. When Sanders is getting involved then the offense usually does well, it is when the offense stops involving him then they turn one dimensional and the offense stops living up to their potential. Carson Wentz has not played the best this season, but when the offense involves Sanders then Wentz usually has time to make the throws that we know he can. The previous game should be a lesson to the team, involve Sanders early and often and watch the offense roll.
Rank Houston Texans (1-4)
22 Prev. (22 ⏤)
Biggest Strength: Schedule
The Texans had the toughest first four weeks in the entire NFL thanks to their schedule. Even though the Vikings were 0-3 at the time, they played the Chiefs, Ravens, Steelers, and Vikings; that is the toughest possible start to a season for a team. While the next two weeks may not be any easier as they face the undefeated Titans and Packers, if they can muster up one or two more wins before their bye week in week 8 then they are in a good position to make the playoffs. Getting rid of Bill O’Brien was a good first step as the team got their first victory, but they still have a good roster which can win any game on the schedule.
Rank Miami Dolphins (2-3)
23 Prev. (24 ↑1)
Biggest Strength: Kicking
It would be easy to give the biggest weakness of the team, inconsistency, but naming the biggest strength is much tougher due to their inconsistency. One player that has not been inconsistent though is kicker Jason Sanders. Sanders is 14-14 on FG this season including 8-8 on 40+ attempts. Having a reliable kicker is great, but when he is the biggest strength then things need to change. If the team can become more consistent that both the offense and the defense would be up there, but they are inconsistent and that has led them to a 2-3 record so far.
Rank Detroit Lions (1-3)
24 Prev. (25 ⏤)
Biggest Strength: Nothing
This does not mean that this team is bad, but there is no one area that the Lions are great in. Adrian Peterson has been a nice addition to the team and Matthew Stafford has been good but neither have been great. While there is no area of this team that is great, there is a clear weakness on the team and that is the defense. The defense has blown multiple leads that would have led to victories. Until they sort out their problems on the defensive end then they could continue to struggle. The offense has potential to be great, but right now they are average, who is going to breakout and turn into the greatest strength?
Rank Los Angeles Chargers (1-4)
25 Prev. (21 ↓4)
Biggest Strength: Rookie Quarterback
Justin Herbert still has a long way to go if he wants to be seen as one of the top quarterbacks in the league, but so far, he has had a great start to his career. Ever since he stepped in for an injured Tyrod Taylor, Herbert has showed that he is right where he belongs as a starter in the NFL. There are still issues with this team, but Herbert has given the Chargers every opportunity to win since he has been playing and if he continues to progress at the rate, he has then this offense could be dangerous towards the end of the season.
Rank Denver Broncos (1-3)
26 Prev. (27 ↑1)
Biggest Strength: Flexibility
Like every team, the Broncos have dealt with numerous injuries this season, but the injuries they have faced seem a little more than others. They lost their best defensive player, their star wide receiver, and their top corner to injury reserve, and they lost their starting QB for a couple of weeks. Even with all of that the Broncos still have a win on the season and were one possession away in two of their three losses to getting victories. Things will not get any easier for the team, but they have shown that they can handle what they have been dealt, things could get a whole lot better after the starters return.
Rank Cincinnati Bengals (1-3-1)
27 Prev. (26 ↓1)
Biggest Strength: Pass Defense
The Bengals are a young offense who have been in almost every game but one, part of the reason they have been in the games is because they are holding teams in the passing game. In five games only one team has above 220 passing yards (340). The passing defense is what is what makes this defense not awful because in the run game, only one team has not had more than 150 yards (89). With the run defense being the way it is, the pass defense needs to be there and that is exactly what is happening, now if they can cause more turnovers than they can turn the losses into wins.
Rank Washington Football Team (1-4)
28 Prev. (28 ⏤)
Biggest Strength: Pass Rush
The offense on this team is a joke, because of that it may turn back into Alex Smith’s team as he did take over in the later stages of the game Sunday. While the offense may not be good, the pass rush certainly is. In fact, it is so good that they could trade one of their linemen for a good return and still have a great pass rush. Not only do they have a great rush, but many of them are young players who are locked up for the near future, so they should only get better. This is already a scary rush, imagine what it will be in a year or two.
Rank Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4)
29 Prev. (29 ⏤)
Biggest Strength: Youth
After having a fire sale in the offseason, it is kind of amazing the Jaguars even have a win on the season. While this season may not be the best season they have ever had, things should only continue to get better. It may not be this season, but with the youth on this team, assuming they develop as they are expected to, then the Jags could be a threat in the near future. They have the youngest team in the league and outside of their kickers, most of their players seeing the field are under 30 years old. This season may be over, but it will be fun to see what they will do over the remainder of the season since players should all develop.
Rank Atlanta Falcons (0-5)
30 Prev. (30 ⏤)
Biggest Strength: Wide Receivers
Although they have found a way to lose every game they have played, the only reason they have been in the games to begin with is the pass game and that starts with the receivers. Matt Ryan has not looked like his former MVP self, but when you have the receivers, they do then it is hard to look bad. With Julio Jones being injured and only playing in three games so far (not 100%), Calvin Ridley has been called upon to be the man and he has not disappointed. Ridley currently ranks fifth in the league in receiving yards and ranks tied for seventh with four touchdowns. While Ridley has been great, so has Russell Gage and then once Jones becomes fully healthy, they have three great options out wide to help Ryan out, now if only the defense can step up.
Rank New York Giants (0-5)
31 Prev. (31 ⏤)
Biggest Strength: Secondary
The Giants may not have too much going for them at this point in the season, but they can at least say that one part of the team is not near the worst in the league. So far this season, only one team has passed for over 300 yards on the defense and two teams have been held to under 200 yards. If only they had an offense that could score as they did against the Cowboys then they could have a victory or two, until then they will have to rely on the secondary to keep them in games.
Rank New York Jets (0-5)
32 Prev. (32 ⏤)
Biggest Strength: Record
A 0-5 start is never a good thing, but for a team like the Jets it could be the best thing that could happen to them. While it sounds odd that it would be their biggest strength, look at it from the point that they are in the best position to take the number one pick in the upcoming draft. While they would most likely not take Trevor Lawrence, the number one pick gives them freedom to hopefully upgrade at any position and they could actually add some picks before the draft even gets started. Taking it one step further, releasing Le’Veon Bell is making it even more likely they will grab that first overall pick.