NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Consistency at the Top

 

The best got better during Week 4.

While the Power Rankings haven’t shifted week over week, the contenders in the AFC and NFC have started to reveal themselves as the season moves past the quarter mark.

Can the Chiefs keep their momentum going through the rest of the year or will Buffalo, Baltimore, Tennessee and Pittsburgh contend atop the conference?

Here are the official Power Rankings for Week 5 of the 2020-21 NFL season.

WEEK 5 POWER RANKINGS

1. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (4-0)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 1

WEEK 5: VS. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-2)

For the fourth consecutive season, the Kansas City Chiefs are 4-0.

While the Chiefs’ offense will be what propels the team toward another Super Bowl bid, it was the defense that stole the show in Kansas City’s 26-10 win over the New England Patriots on Monday night.

Kansas City didn’t have to face Cam Newton, who missed Monday’s game following a positive COVID-19 test, and the defense wreaked havoc against backups Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham. The Chiefs forced four turnovers, including Tyrann Mathieu’s 25-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

While Patrick Mahomes didn’t put up meteoric numbers, his steady 19-for-29 passing with no turnovers was enough to push the Chiefs past one of their perennial foes.

2. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4-0)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 2

WEEK 5: VS. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-3)

Following a somewhat pedestrian game, Russell Wilson is still on pace to make NFL history.

After throwing for two touchdowns in Seattle’s 31-23 win at Miami, Wilson has totaled 16 passing touchdowns through four games — tied for most all-time with Peyton Manning’s mark from 2013.

The victory gives Seattle its first 4-0 start since the 2013 season, which ended in a 2014 Super Bowl victory.

3. GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-0)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 3

WEEK 5: BYE WEEK

No Davante Adams, no problem for Aaron Rodgers and company.

With his star receiver on the sidelines for a “Monday Night Football” clash with the Falcons, Rodgers found a new favorite target in tight end Robert Tonyan.

Rodgers connected with Tonyan for three of his four passing touchdowns in Green Bay’s 30-16 win. The longtime Packers quarterback put together another career-defining performance, throwing for 327 yards and four touchdowns on 27-for-33 passing to keep Green Bay’s record perfect.

Green Bay leads the league in scoring through four games (38.0 ppg) and has scored at least 30 points in their first four games, a first in franchise history.

4. BALTIMORE RAVENS (3-1)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 4

WEEK 5: VS. CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-2-1)

After a small Week 3 blip against the Chiefs, the Ravens are back in full force.

Lamar Jackson returned to his MVP form in Baltimore’s 31-17 win over Washington on Sunday, throwing for 192 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 53 yards and one score (most coming on a 50-yard touchdown dash in the second quarter).

Baltimore’s defense continues to be one of the stoutest units in the league, holding opponents to 18.3 points per game, which ranks fourth in the NFL.

After receiving a five-year, $98.8 million contract extension earlier in the week, cornerback Marlon Humphrey started to make the investment worthwhile by forcing a fumble in the first quarter. The turnover led to the Ravens’ first score.

5. BUFFALO BILLS (4-0)

LAST WEEK RANKING: 5

WEEK 5: AT TENNESSEE TITANS (3-0)

The New England Patriots have won the AFC East 11 seasons in a row coming into this year.

Through four weeks, it’s Buffalo holding a two-game lead atop the division.

The Bills proved themselves once again in Week 4 to be the team to beat in the AFC East, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders, 30-23, on the road.

Josh Allen continued his early season MVP campaign, throwing for 288 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs has shown no problem adjusting to his new surroundings after his offseason move from Minnesota, collecting another 115 receiving yards against Las Vegas.

There is still a lot of football left to play, but the Bills have put their flag down as a believable contender in the AFC.