3 teams that can prove they're for real with Week 5 wins
One month into the 2017 season, we're still trying to figure out which teams will vie for a postseason berth and which will need to keep an eye on the 2018 draft class.
Three teams can provide convincing arguments they're in the former category with a victory over a tough opponent this week:
Los Angeles Rams
Record: 3-1 | Week 5 game: vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Rams have given fans plenty of reasons to doubt their development, but their 3-1 record already stands one win shy of their entire 2016 output.
Los Angeles' Week 1 decimation of the Colts was taken with a grain of salt, as Andrew Luck wasn't healthy enough to keep Indianapolis upright. In Week 2, Sean McVay faced the Redskins, his former team, and while the Rams took a close loss, the game was more about coaching than the players.
The last two weeks have seen the Rams in shootouts with the 49ers and Cowboys, winning both contests and showing off impressive offensive firepower from Jared Goff and Todd Gurley.
The Seahawks haven't put forth the defense fans have been used to seeing the last half-decade, but Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, and Bobby Wagner remain on the roster.
If the Rams can top 30 points for the fourth time this season against Seattle's star-powered defense and get a win, it will be impossible for Los Angeles and the rest of the NFL to ignore them.
Houston Texans
Record: 2-2 | Week 5 game: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
That first loss shouldn't really count for Houston. Those were Tom Savage's Texans - this is Deshaun Watson's team now.
The Texans are coming off their highest point total in franchise history after tearing apart the Marcus Mariota-less Titans by a score of 57-14. Had it not been for some overly conservative coaching by Bill O'Brien in Week 3, Watson could have already scored a victory over Tom Brady and the Patriots, too.
Houston had the best overall defense in the league last year, and has continued that trend in 2017. Through four games, the Texans have allowed an average of 291.5 yards per contest - fifth-least in the league - while dealing with injuries and suspensions among their starters.
Facing the only undefeated team Sunday night in the Chiefs, Watson and the Texans will have a prime-time opportunity to show they're a legitimate playoff contender, and not just the benefactor of fortunate early-season scheduling.
Carolina Panthers
Record: 3-1 | Week 5 game: at Detroit Lions
After starting the season with two unconvincing wins over the 49ers and Bills, a Week 3 shutout loss to the Saints and their league-worst defense seemed to signal the Panthers were in a rut. Their most recent win, however, has vaulted them back into contention.
While the Patriots' defense has given up at least 300 yards passing to every quarterback it has faced this season, they're still the Patriots, Bill Belichick is still their coach, and every time they lose, it's a big deal. The Panthers' Week 4 win could have been the result of them having the ball last in a 33-30 shootout, or a sign that this is a competitive team that stumbled out of the gate.
Like last season, the Lions aren't beating the brakes off teams in 2017, but they've adapted well to each opponent and could have been undefeated had it not been for a botched call at the buzzer in Week 3. The Panthers will need to battle from whistle to whistle to take down Detroit in what could be their most substantial win this campaign.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)