2014 NFL Power Rankings Week 5
by Tyler Lurkins
1. Seattle-Sure they’ve lost a game, but still have the most talented team in the NFL
2. Denver-Should overtime rules be changed? Could Denver have beaten Seattle? They Broncos had 60 minutes to win, and couldn’t do it. Hands down they are the 2nd best team in the league.
3. Cincinnati-The Bengals display great balance on both sides of the ball. Though weak in spots, until they’ve been beaten, they will be at the top of the rankings.
4. Detroit-Detroit has their holes, but run a wide open, almost unstoppable offense. The D has just enough talent to keep them competitive at all times.
5. Arizona-Arizona has looked well to start the season. They need to establish a running game, and keep Palmer healthy, before they shoot up the rankings.
6. San Diego-San Diego is tough team. Rivers is firing on all cylinders, but they can be beat.
7. Baltimore-Baltimore continues to plug along. They remain very stout in a weaker division.
8. Atlanta-The offense runs full throttle, even after injuries to the O line. The D needs to buckle down.
9. Green Bay-Are the Packers about to fire up the offense? A great display against Chicago needs to carry in to the next few weeks.
10. Philadelphia-The Eagles offense can be very hit or miss at times during the game. They’ll easily win the division, but if they can’t learn to stop the run, they won’t make it far in the playoffs.
11. Indianapolis-Luck is a true leader, but needs a running game behind him. The D gets the job done at times, but needs to show more reliability.
12. San Francisco-Until more consistency is shown, the Niners can only be ranked in the middle of the pack.
13. Dallas-One good week doesn’t make an elite team. The line seems to be one of the top in the NFL, but Romo needs to propel the offense forward.
14. Kansas City-This ranking comes with bias. Smith simply isn’t going to be an elite QB, and the secondary is playing poorly. No sense in over ranking the Chiefs with San Diego and Denver in the division
15. Chicago-The offense has shown it can be the most explosive in the NFL. However, it doesn’t seem that Chicago has the depth to overcome injuries, and have absolutely no pass rush.
16. Houston-Fitzpatrick is managing the game, the D is playing well, but this isn’t a team that will set the world on fire.
17. Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh needs consistency. The offense is stepping up, but the lack of depth, and injuries, on the defense are anchoring the team in mediocrity.
18. New Orleans-Is New Orleans simply stumbling out of the gate? The vaulted Rob Ryan’s defense isn’t stopping anyone in the league. Brees will have to put the team on his shoulders.
19. New England-In a weak division, one can only assume that New England will eventually float to the top. The team looks lost and out of sync.
20. Carolina-This line needs to keep Newton upright, which they probably won’t. The front seven of the D is very solid, but they secondary is continually being burnt.
21. Buffalo-The team isn’t playing horribly, but just can’t seem to put it all together. Now the ancient backup, Orton takes the reigns.
22. Minnesota-Will Bridgewater and McKinnon’s youth and athleticism push the Vikings into a .500 team?
23. Cleveland-Cleveland could be a sleeper team. The team plays for Hoyer, and this could elevate the offense as the season goes on.
24. New York Jets-If Ivory can fire up the run game, and the offense keeps 3rd and short situations for Geno, the Jets could be a very solid team.
25. Miami-Miami rebuilt a line, but has little talent offensively to use it. The D fair, but won’t scare anyone.
26. St. Louis-St. Louis is almost ranked on talent alone. How can a team blow a three touchdown lead?
27. Tennessee-Whitehead will not lead the team anywhere.
28. New York Giants-The playbook is being tweaked to suit Manning. Though showing a great performance against the Skins, the D isn’t that spectacular.
29. Washington-Can Cousins rebound and put the team on his shoulders? The defense remains very porous and inept.
30. Tampa Bay-Glennon may grow more comfortable and waken the offense, but something remains missing in Tampa.
31. Jacksonville-Jacksonville plays better with Bortles, but the secondary is what will keep the Jags from winning.
32. Oakland-Carr looks very capable if the line keeps him upright. The lack of talent and depth on the Raiders will get them the first overall pick.
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