Weekly NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Brock Purdy and the Niners Rise to No. 1

The NFL truly is a week-to-week league, which makes this article so interesting to write each and every Wednesday.

Time to make some more fan bases mad. Here are the Week 5 NFL power rankings.

NFL Power Rankings Week 5

1. San Francisco 49ers (4-0)

• Change: +1

There’s a new head of the table.

Four up, four down for San Francisco, who have yet to allow a sack this season. Brock Purdy continues to play at an MVP level, while the defense continues to get the job done as long as Fred Warner is on the field. This team is only going to get healthier going forward, too.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)

• Change: +1

This time last year, a Week 4 win over the Raiders wouldn’t have been worth much. But in 2026, it’s notable, especially on the road when the Chiefs had to make key plays in the fourth quarter. We’ve already talked plenty about the impact of Kenneth Walker, who has the most rushing yards through the first four weeks of a season in 15 years. But Patrick Mahomes looking like himself only makes things more terrifying for opposing defenses.

3. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

* Change: +1

It was good to see Seattle bounce back following a disappointing road showing in Washington in Week 3. And it was also refreshing to see some signs of life from the rushing attack, despite missing first-round running back Jadarian Price. Emanuel Wilson drew the start, totaling 120 scrimmage yards and a score, while Rasheed Shaheed broke free for a 20-yard touchdown run out of the backfield.

4. Buffalo Bills (3-1)

• Change: -3

Division games can be weird, but Buffalo feels like they should have won this game. And while the pass defense is a serious concern right now, they win that game if Josh Allen plays better. He took bad sacks, missed throws and forced an unnecessary deep ball into double coverage to essentially seal the deal. Defensively, if Greg Rousseau and Deone Walker don't get home, offenses are simply ripping off chunk plays in the passing game.

This is still a top-five team in football, but they aren’t without issues.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)

• Change: +2

Through four weeks, Jacksonville has been one of the best defenses in football and the clear top unit in the AFC. Only the Vikings are allowing fewer points per drive (1.43), while they continue to take the ball away. While the conversation surrounding this team usually revolves around Liam Coen and Trevor Lawrence, it’s actually Bhayshul Tuten, the rushing attack and the defense that have told the story. Tuten has quietly been one of the top rushers in all of football, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, while ranking second in avoided tackle rate (31.7%) and 10th in explosive rush rate (13.3%).

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6. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

• Change: -1

The Ravens are coming off their third win of the season, but their short-term prognosis may not be the greatest. Lamar Jackson missed the entire second half of Week 4 with a sprained ankle, and appears to be on the wrong side of questionable to play this week. They could absolutely still beat the red-hot Atlanta Falcons with Tyler Huntley at quarterback, but the ceiling of this offense takes a hit.

7. Los Angeles Rams (2-2)

• Change: +2

Look, I haven’t been overly impressed with the 2-2 Rams to this point. But I also don’t think there are many elite teams in the league right now. They had to battle back to defeat a depleted Eagles team last week, while Matthew Stafford isn’t playing anywhere close to his best ball.

But that’s exactly why I have them seventh.

Stafford hasn’t been great, Puka Nacua missed two games, Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett have missed time, etc. When this team hits their stride, I’m not sure how many are better.

8. Chicago Bears (3-1)

• Change: +3

Earlier in this year, I was skeptical of the Bears. And while the competition hasn’t been the strongest, the Bears have dominated the last two weeks, all while missing Caleb Williams. This offense really hasn’t crumbled, despite starting second- and third-string signal callers. It’s a credit to Ben Johnson and the run game, which set the tone against the Jets on Sunday. And again, while they haven’t faced the most elite offenses in football, Dennis Allen’s defense has looked much better.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)

• Change: -1

The Bengals lost a sloppy game against Jacksonville on Sunday, one they could have won. Losing Ja’Marr Chase doesn’t help, and Joe Burrow tossed a pair of interceptions in this game. The offense hasn’t quite reached its ceiling just yet.

10. Denver Broncos (2-2)

• Change: -4

Simply put, this offense isn’t good enough. And a lot of it falls on Bo Nix. He’s not making throws over the middle of the field that are there, rather insisting on checking the ball down at one of the highest rates in the league. This offense constantly struggles until late in games, relying on their elite defense. But that isn’t sustainable, especially with All-World corner Pat Surtain set to miss some time.

11. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)

• Change: +2

It was a rough first half for the Cowboys on Sunday, but Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb went crazy in the second half to come back and beat the Texans in Houston. Given the construction of this team (elite offense, awful defense), it won’t surprise me to see the Cowboys move all over the power rankings over the course of the season. But there’s obvious upside here.

12. Las Vegas Raiders (3-1)

• Change: +2

At first I was amused. And then I was intrigued. And now?

I’m kind of bought in.

The Raiders went toe-to-toe with the Chiefs on Sunday, nearly upsetting their division rival and moving to 4-0. Kirk Cousins is somehow playing the quarterback position at a top-10 level through four weeks, while the defense has been one of the most underrated units in football so far. Klint Kubiak is the obvious coach of the year.

13. Minnesota Vikings (4-0)

• Change: -3

The word “fraudulent” might come to mind when talking about the Vikings’ 4-0 start. And I can’t really argue it. Brian Flores remains the best defensive mind in the game, but his unit can only carry this offense for so long. The Vikings haven’t scored a touchdown in two of four games (yes, I know T.J. Hockenson slid at the 1-yard line), and the marriage of Kyler Murray and Kevin O’Connell hasn’t worked out so far.

14. Carolina Panthers (2-2)

• Change: +9

I still think it’s possible that Carolina is a boom/bust, inconsistent team each week. But Bryce Young is playing the best football of his career, the run game with Chuba Hubbard is improved, and the duo of Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker creates mismatches all over the field. This team is fun.

15. Detroit Lions (2-2)

• No change

I’ve had the Lions ranked at 15th overall each of the past three weeks. The main reason? They really haven't shown me anything new. Offense is great, defense is horrific. They are the NFC North’s version of the Dallas Cowboys.

16. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)

• Change: +9

Weeks 1-2 feel like a lifetime ago for the Falcons.

Michael Penix has given this offense so much more stability, while the Robinsons lead the league’s most dominant rushing attack. Thirty-five and 45 points over the last two weeks is no joke, but they’ll face their first true test in primetime again this Sunday, hosting the Baltimore Ravens.

17. New England Patriots (2-2)

• Change: +9

There was a ton of concern surrounding the Patriots ahead of a Week 4 matchup against the Bills, but this team impressed with the upset. Though still far from perfect, Drake Maye looked much better on Sunday. Let’s see if they can use the division victory to build some momentum.

18. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)

• Change: -6

What the hell is going on in Philadelphia?

Even while missing so many key starters, the Eagles gave away a game they should have won against the Rams last week. And now? Lane Johnson retired, Cam Jurgens has been traded and seemingly everyone not named Jalen Hurts is banged up. With the Jaguars, Panthers and Cowboys up next, the Eagles could be staring at 2-5 before you know it.

19. New York Giants (3-1)

• Change: +1

While I don’t believe the Giants are a true contender in the NFC, 3-1 is 3-1. The defense made a ton of key plays against the Cardinals, while John Harbaugh gives this team a higher floor than in years past. The ceiling without Jaxson Dart isn’t quite there, however.

20. Indianapolis Colts (2-2)

• Change: -1

Outside of Jonathan Taylor, the Colts were mostly unimpressive in their 30-13 win over the Commanders in London. The Colts were gifted the luxury of facing a third-string quarterback, and yet, Daniel Jones still wasn’t the best quarterback in that game. That’s a problem.

21. Cleveland Browns (3-1)

• Change: -3

Cleveland moves down in the rankings, mainly because other teams moved up. It’s been fun to see Cleveland win tight games down the stretch, and head coach Todd Monken has instilled confidence and belief in this team. Deshaun Watson is playing better, while the young skill position players are wasting no time contributing.

22. New Orleans Saints (1-3)

• Change: -6

I’ve been high on the Saints this season, but the last few weeks have been disappointing. The pass protection has suddenly become an issue after losing LT Kelvin Banks. And the defense showed zero ability to stop anyone on the Falcons this past Monday.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)

• Change: -6

Through four weeks, I really have no idea who the Steelers are. One week the offense is aggressive and making explosive plays down the field. And the next? Aaron Rodgers is attempting 40% of passes behind the line of scrimmage.

24. Green Bay Packers (2-2)

• Change: +5

The Packers won on the road in Tampa Bay. Cool. This is still a below-average team with so many concerns, which only increased after losing Edgerrin Cooper for the rest of the season. It was a little encouraging to see some signs of life from the rushing attack, but this offense will still likely rely on Jordan Love’s right arm.

25. Houston Texans (0-4)

• Change: -1

Last year, the Texans had the league’s best defense, but it was wasted by underwhelming quarterback play. This year, however, C.J. Stroud has been fine, but the defense hasn’t upheld its end of the bargain.

26. Arizona Cardinals (1-3)

• Change: +1

Costly turnovers told the story of Arizona’s loss to the Giants last week. Overall, I’m mostly pleased with what Mike LaFleur has done with this offense, but self-inflicted wounds are difficult to overcome, especially when you’re already one of the worst teams in the NFL.

27. New York Jets (1-3)

• Change: -5

Last week’s loss against the Bears was so bad that it was almost an anomaly. The Jets ran 32 offensive plays this past weekend, the fourth-fewest in a game in NFL history. If you watch this team, you can tell they are vastly better than last year’s unit, but they clearly still have a long way to go.

28. Washington Commanders (1-3)

• Change: -7

Honestly, I think Washington wins on Sunday if Marcus Mariota stays healthy. Unfortunately, quarterback injuries have been too familiar a storyline for Washington. It looks like Jayden Daniels will return this week, and as long as he can stay on the field, this team should move up in the power rankings going forward.

29. Los Angeles Chargers (0-4)

• Change: -1

Tough schedule or not, it just doesn’t look like it’s going to happen for this offense. Mike McDaniel is calling a very predictable run game, Justin Herbert is struggling and once again, the offensive line is struggling with injuries. I’m not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4)

• No change

Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels showed some flashes in his NFL debut, but this offense is obviously a concern right now. And honestly, it was a serious concern when Baker Mayfield was under center, too.

31. Miami Dolphins (0-4)

• No change

The Dolphins are 0-4, but they have been playing hard each week, especially on the defensive end. But at the end of the day, there is just a massive gap in talent.

32. Tennessee Titans (0-4)

• No change

The Titans absolutely have more talent than the Dolphins, and you can honestly flip them in the rankings if you really wanted to. Cam Ward continues to take one step forward and two steps back, but it was great to see him connect with rookie receiver Carnell Tate this past weekend, who caught nine passes for 145 yards.