NFL Power Rankings - Week 5: Chargers climb; Patriots, Saints fall from top 10

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including David P. Woods, Michael Amato, Caitlyn Holroyd and Gino Bottero.

1. Seattle Seahawks

Previous Rank: 1st

The Seahawks will be well-rested coming off a Week 4 bye, and appear  to have a favorable matchup against Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins. - Caitlyn Holroyd

2. Denver Broncos

Previous Rank: 2nd

The Broncos have had two weeks to stew over losing their Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks, which mean bad things for the Arizona Cardinals. Getting Montee Ball and Demaryius Thomas going has to be a priority this week. - Gino Bottero

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Previous Rank: 3rd

The Bengals return from their bye only to be thrown right back into the fire with a road date in New England in prime time, followed by three consecutive games against opponents expected to make the playoffs. The Patriots will be extra motivated Sunday night after looking like a hot mess on Monday Night Football. - Gino Bottero

4. San Diego Chargers

Previous Rank: 6th

The only thing between the Chargers and a 4-0 record is a one-point loss versus the Arizona Cardinals in the season opener. Philip Rivers has played well enough to not only overcome the team's deficiencies in the running game, but to earn himself some early MVP chatter as well. - Gino Bottero

5. Arizona Cardinals

Previous Rank: 7th

Carson Palmer looks ready to return after a two-game absence, though the Cardinals have proven they can win with or without him. A Week 5 matchup against the Broncos should be a good indicator of just how good this team is. - Caitlyn Holroyd

6. Philadelphia Eagles

Previous Rank: 4th

LeSean McCoy struggled and the offense didn't manage a touchdown, but the Eagles were still almost able to pull out a win against the 49ers in San Francisco last week. If this team ever puts it all together, they're going to be scary good. - Michael Amato

7. Green Bay Packers

Previous Rank: 8th

A trip to Chicago looked to be all the Packers needed to get their offense back on track. Even with a questionable defense, Aaron Rodgers is enough to make them the team to beat in the NFC North. -  Michael Amato

8. San Francisco 49ers

Previous Rank: 13th

The 49ers earned a much-needed win against the Eagles in Week 4, holding Philadelphia's offense to 213 yards and zero points. Penalties continue to be a problem for San Francisco, though, and could prove costly if they aren't corrected. - Caitlyn Holroyd

9. Baltimore Ravens

Previous Rank: 15th

It appeared that big things were in store for Torrey Smith this season as he appeared set to occupy the X, or split end position, in new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak's offense. Instead, Steve Smith has thrived in that role. For now, that's covered up the team's inability to run the ball with any level of consistency. - Gino Bottero

10. Indianapolis Colts

Previous Rank: 11th

Andrew Luck tore the Jaguars and Titans to shreds, just like a player of his caliber should. If he does the same to the Ravens and Texans, it's time to start talking about whether he's already the best quarterback in football. - David P. Woods

11. New England Patriots

Previous Rank: 5th

The Patriots remain favorites to win the AFC East, but they might do it with an 8-8 record. There's no way to put a positive spin on what this team has shown so far. This could be the end for the Patriots' dynasty of Super Bowl contention. - David P. Woods

12. Detroit Lions

Previous Rank: 17th

As shocking as it sounds, the Lions defense could be the strength of their team this season. That said, a healthy Calvin Johnson is paramount if they hope to be playoff bound. - Michael Amato

13. Chicago Bears

Previous Rank: 10th

The Bears defense still needs a lot of work, and getting Jared Allen back from his bout with pneumonia will be crucial. It doesn't matter how many points Jay Cutler and the offense put up if they can't stop anybody. - Michael Amato 

14. Dallas Cowboys

Previous Rank: 18th

Rumors of the Cowboys demise have been greatly exaggarated. Jason Garrett is finally leaning on the run and it has Dallas poised to challenge the Eagles in the NFC East. - Michael Amato

15. New Orleans Saints

Previous Rank: 9th

With Sean Payton and Drew Brees leading the charge, the possibility still exists that the Saints will finish the season atop the NFC South. However, they can't rely on Payton and Brees alone, and will need to get much better on defense for that to happen. - Caitlyn Holroyd

16. Carolina Panthers

Previous Rank: 7th

The Panthers sit in a tie for first place in the NFC South, but that has more to do with the division's play as a whole than their own. Carolina enters Week 5 with a backfield decimated by injuries and a defense that has allowed 75 points over the past two games. - Caitlyn Holroyd

17. Kansas City Chiefs

Previous Rank: 20th

The knock on the Chiefs a year ago was that they couldn't take care of business against good teams, but they did just that in emphatic fashion on Monday night. The defensive secondary was supposed to be a weakness for the team but has instead held together nicely. Jamaal Charles's ankle is still a concern. - Gino Bottero

18. Atlanta Falcons

Previous Rank: 14th

The Falcons looked like a much different team in Week 4 than they did against the Bucs, dropping a 41-28 contest to the Vikings. The Falcons' biggest concern continues to be their defense, which ranks in the bottom five in both yards and points allowed. To make matters worse, the team is also dealing with a slew of injuries. - Caitlyn Holroyd

19. Pittsburgh Steelers

Previous Rank: 16th

The Steelers' defense is a major problem right now, and bringing back an aging James Harrison isn't a fix. If the team continues its trend of showing up every other weekend, the Jaguars will be in some trouble on Sunday. - Gino Bottero

20. Houston Texans

Previous Rank: 23rd

J.J Watt deserves to be called MVP at the quarter mark. He had nine quarterback hits in Week 4 - that's more than entire teams had. He's single-handedly making the Texans a defensive powerhouse. Imagine the damage this team can do when Jadeveon Clowney returns. - David P. Woods

21. New York Giants

Previous Rank: 26th

We all knew Eli Manning and Larry Donnell would be shredding defenses this season, right? The Giant offense seems to be coming together, and at the right time. If they have real playoff aspirations they'll need to prove it in October when they take on the Eagles and Cowboys. - Michael Amato

22. Miami Dolphins

Previous Rank: 24th

Incredibly, the Dolphins are the AFC East's most stable team only a week after Joe Philbin hinted at benching Ryan Tannehill, to which the third-year quarterback responded with the best game of his career. The AFC East is there for the taking if the Dolphins can build on their momentum. - David P. Woods

23. Buffalo Bills

Previous Rank: 19th

Benching quarterback EJ Manuel reeks of desperation. Doug Marrone knows he's coaching for his job, especially with new ownership in charge. If the Bills can't avoid giving the Browns a top-five draft pick (part of the Sammy Watkins trade), Marrone won't be the only one looking for work. - David P. Woods

24. Cleveland Browns

Previous Rank: 22nd

This year's cardiac kids have seen their first three games decided by a combined seven points. The team returns from its bye to a stretch of five very winnable games - three of which will be played in Cleveland - and that will decide what the rest of their season is going to look like. - Gino Bottero

25. Minnesota Vikings

Previous Rank: 27th

Teddy Bridgewater brought some much needed positive energy to Minnesota this week. His efforts probably won't bring them more than a handful of wins this year, but Bridgewater should make the Vikings fun to watch. - Michael Amato

26. New York Jets

Previous Rank: 21st

Rex Ryan is standing by his quarterback, even as Geno Smith's play regresses, suggesting he has no faith in backup Michael Vick. If Ryan and Geno don't dig themselves out of this hole, it's hard to imagine either will be back with the team next season. - David P. Woods

27. Washington Redskins

Previous Rank: 25th

Kirk Cousins had a nightmare performance against the Giants. A few more of those and Robert Griffin III will have little trouble getting his starting job back when he returns from injury. - Michael Amato

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Previous Rank: 31st

Mike Glennon proved he is the better quarterback in Week 4, leading the Bucs to their first win of the season. They still have some catching up to do in the NFC South, though, and will be without wide receiver Mike Evans for the time being as he nurses a groin injury. - Caitlyn Holroyd

29. St. Louis Rams

Previous Rank: 28th

The Rams need all the healthy bodies they can get right now, as they are entering a difficult eight-game stretch that includes matchups against the Eagles, Seahawks, Cardinals, and Broncos. October could be the month that makes or breaks their season. - Caitlyn Holroyd

30. Tennessee Titans

Previous Rank: 29th

Ken Whisenhunt says he may have overestimated the talent on his team. Is it possible the Titans overestimated his coaching ability when they hired him? Everything about the Titans screams top-three draft pick. - David P. Woods

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

Previous Rank: 30th

The good news is that it looks like the Jaguars nailed the Blake Bortles pick. He's absolutely the real deal. The bad news? Everything else about this team is a complete mess. This rebuild is still in the early stages. - David P. Woods

32. Oakland Raiders

Previous Rank: 32nd

The play of quarterback Derek Carr was the closest thing to a bright spot the Raiders had going for them. Now he's out, and so is head coach Dennis Allen. The 2015 draft can't come soon enough. - Gino Bottero