NFL Overreaction Power Rankings: Week 5

Week 4 gave us more questions than answers. The Chiefs, Falcons, and Broncos clawed their way back into the win column, while teams like the Bengals, Ravens, and Vikings continue to stumble. Injuries, new coaches, and quarterback chaos are defining this season. And now that the first round of byes is here, the league is starting to sort itself out. Here’s where things stand heading into Week 5 — overreaction style.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)

They keep finding ways to win. Not flashy, not dominant — but undefeated. This team just refuses to break.

2. Buffalo Bills (4-0)

Josh Allen is cooking, and this defense looks fast and scary. They’ve surpassed Kansas City as the AFC team to beat through four weeks.

3. San Francisco 49ers (4-1)

One blemish doesn’t knock them down too far. Brock Purdy still looks steady, McCaffrey is a cheat code, and this defense is relentless.

4. Detroit Lions (3-1)

Dan Campbell has this team playing like street fighters. It’s ugly, it’s tough, and it’s working.

5. Indianapolis Colts (3-1)

Yes, you read that right — the Daniel Jones Colts. He’s been better than expected, and Shane Steichen has this team playing balanced, disciplined football.

6. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

New-look Seahawks, new-look vibes. Sam Darnold hasn’t missed a beat running this offense. Pete Carroll may be gone, but Seattle hasn’t skipped a step.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)

Baker Mayfield’s revenge tour rolls on. This team is way more dangerous than we thought.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)

Liam Coen is finding his rhythm in his first year as head coach. Trevor Lawrence hasn’t gone nuclear yet, but this team is quietly stacking wins.

9. Los Angeles Chargers (3-1)

Jim Harbaugh has brought grit to the Chargers. Justin Herbert still makes plays, but it finally feels like the coaching is helping, not hurting.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)

Mike Tomlin went international and his team thrived. DK Metcalf’s 80-yard strike in Dublin was a signature moment. Classic Tomlin team: never flashy, always tough.

The Messy Middle

11. Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) – A big win over the Ravens steadies the ship, but Mahomes doesn’t have the same margin for error without Tyreek-era weapons.

12. Los Angeles Rams (3-2) – They don’t have Kupp anymore, but the system still works. Sean McVay deserves credit for keeping this group competitive.

13. Denver Broncos (2-2) – Sean Payton finally gets this team pointed in the right direction. They’re not pretty, but they’re alive.

14. Baltimore Ravens (1-3) – A talented team that can’t get out of its own way. Injuries to Lamar and others have them spiraling.

15. Green Bay Packers (2-1-1) – Jordan Love is steady, but a tie keeps them stuck in neutral.

16. Atlanta Falcons (2-2) – Michael Penix Jr. is showing promise, and Bijan Robinson is still electric. This team might be sneaky better than their record.

17. Arizona Cardinals (2-2) - A team that seems stuck in the middle forever. They need to figure things out as they have splashes of greatness followed by a good amount of averageness.

18. Washington Commanders (2-2) – With Jayden Daniels injured, Marcus Mariota is keeping them afloat, but the ceiling is capped until Daniels returns.

19. Chicago Bears (2-2) – Caleb Williams got tested by Maxx Crosby and lived to tell the tale. The defense forced four turnovers, and Cairo Santos is automatic. An early bye might actually be perfect timing.

.20. New England Patriots (2-2) – Mike Vrabel has them fighting hard, and Drake Maye is playing well this system will just take time to set in place.

Bottom Feeders

21. Minnesota Vikings (2-2) – Their flaws keep showing up, especially in the trenches. Justin Jefferson deserves better.

.22. Dallas Cowboys (1-2-1) – They feel stuck, and a tie doesn’t help. Dak isn’t elevating this roster

23. New York Giants (1-3) – Jaxson Dart is getting valuable reps, but this is a growing pains season.

24. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) – Pete Carroll can’t chew enough gum to fix this roster. Maxx Crosby is a star, but he can’t carry them alone.

25. Houston Texans (1-3) – C.J. Stroud flashes, but the rebuild is real.

26. Cleveland Browns (1-3) – Joe Flacco gave way to rookie Dillon Gabriel, and the kid is learning on the fly. The defense is solid, but the offense is shaky.

27. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) – Joe Burrow’s health is the story, and without him at full strength, this team looks broken.

28. Miami Dolphins (1-3) – From fireworks in 2024 to complete disarray now. They feel like they’ve lost their spark.

29. Carolina Panthers (1-3) – Bryce Young has heart, but the rebuild is ugly.

30. New York Jets (0-4) – Justin Fields is giving effort, but without much around him, this is a long season.

31. New Orleans Saints (0-4) – Spencer Rattler is learning the hard way. This offense is tough to watch.

32 Tennessee Titans (0-4) – They look done. Overreaction? Maybe. But this feels like a full teardown in progress.

Final Thoughts

The NFL through four weeks feels like a season of Survivor: every week another contender falls apart. The Eagles and Bills look like the class of the league, the Chiefs and 49ers are steadying, and surprise teams like the Colts and Bucs are forcing us to rewrite expectations.

For Bears fans, the bye might actually be a blessing. Caleb Williams keeps progressing, the defense is opportunistic, and if they can patch up the run defense, maybe — just maybe — they’ll climb out of “messy middle” status soon.

Article written by Ryan Burhite