NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Where does every NFC team stand?

NFL Power Rankings change weekly as performances and results in each game can move any team up or down the list.

Through Week 4, it is starting to become more apparent who the top and bottom teams are. Here are the NFC Power Rankings heading into Week 5.

NFC Power Rankings Week 5: Teams that need a change in fortunes

#16 - Detroit Lions (0-4)

Next week: vs. Minnesota Vikings

The only team in the NFC Power Rankings without a win is the Detroit Lions. That makes them an easy choice for last place. They have played competitively for a winless team. They will go on the road for a divisional matchup in Week 5 against the Vikings.

The Lions are in a rebuilding phase right now, so the struggles are understandable. They traded away longtime starting quarterback Matthew Stafford this offseason and hired a new head coach in Dan Campbell. They will continue to build for the future.

#15 - Atlanta Falcons (1-3)

Next week: vs. New York Jets

Another team in the rebuilding phase right now is the Atlanta Falcons. They hired a young head coach, Arthur Smith, who will look to be more innovative with the offense moving forward. Matt Ryan's days as the starting quarterback are likely to run out soon, possibly after this season. They have already traded away Julio Jones.

The Falcons have the worst points differential in the NFC with -58. They have scored the second least amount of points while also allowing the most.

#14 - Philadelphia Eagles (1-3)

Next week: vs. Carolina Panthers

The Philadelphia Eagles started their season with a win in Week 1. Since then, they have lost three games and dropped to 14th in the NFC Power Rankings. Their defense has struggled, and their rushing attack has been almost nonexistent. Quarterback Jalen Hurts played well, but not well enough to end the losing streak.

The Eagles have a difficult road matchup in Week 5 against the Panthers, who are one of the more surprising NFC teams this year. Their offense was expected to be productive, as it has been, but their defense has greatly improved since last year.

#13 - New York Giants (1-3)

Next week: vs. Dallas Cowboys

The New York Giants earned themselves a massive victory in Week 4 to end their winless start to the season. They went on the road and upset the New Orleans Saints in overtime. They will look to continue to rise in the NFC Power Rankings with a win in Week 5 against the Cowboys.

Daniel Jones is in a crucial year of his young career. He needs to play well in his third season to secure his future with the team. He has been inconsistent but has shown flashes of promise.

---

Also Check Out: How many NFL Bye weeks in 2021?

NFC Power Rankings: Teams that need to up their game

#12 - Minnesota Vikings (1-3)

Next week: vs. Detroit Lions

The only team with three losses and a positive points differential in the NFC is the Minnesota Vikings. They have an excellent opportunity in Week 5 to get their second win of the season when they host the winless Lions.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins was excellent in his first three games but struggled in his fourth. He will need to play well for the rest of this season if he wants to keep his job as a starter next season. Head Coach Mike Zimmer is in the hot seat as well.

#11 - Chicago Bears (2-2)

Next week: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Like in the last few seasons under head coach Matt Nagy, the Chicago Bears offense has been disappointing. They have scored the least amount of points in the NFC and that is why they are the lowest 2-2 team on the Power Rankings.

They are hoping to get an offensive spark now that rookie Justin Fields has taken over as the starting quarterback. He is an electrifying athlete and a highly rated prospect.

#10 - Washington Football Team (2-2)

Next week: vs. New Orleans Saints

Unfortunately, the Washington Football Team lost their starting quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, in the first week of the season due to injury. Taylor Heinicke replaced him and played pretty well. Their offense is ranked in the top half of the NFC in points scored.

Their defense was supposed to be one of the best in the league but has underperformed so far. Only the Atlanta Falcons have allowed more points than Washington in the NFC. Their defense is the reason they are in the bottom half of the NFC Power Rankings.

#9 - New Orleans Saints (2-2)

Next week: at Washington Football Team

Rounding out the bottom half of the NFC Power Rankings is the New Orleans Saints. They dominated the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 but have looked mediocre since then and have declined in the NFC Power Rankings. They were upset last week at home by the New York Giants.

The Saints and head coach Sean Payton are still trying to figure things out in their first season since the retirement of legendary quarterback Drew Brees. His replacement, Jameis Winston, has been somewhat uninspiring through his first four games.

NFC Power Rankings: Teams that could trend either way

#8 - San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

Next week: at Arizona Cardinals

The San Francisco 49ers are on the cusp of the top half of the NFC Power Rankings. Interestingly, they have won both of their road games while losing two at home. Their defense has not been as reliable as it has been for the past few years, but their running game is still one of the best.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered an injury in the first half of their Week 4 game. Trey Lance will now be their starting quarterback. He is an upgrade athletically from Garoppolo and has infinite potential. He will try to help the 49ers climb the NFC Power Rankings.

#7 - Seattle Seahawks (2-2)

Next week: vs. Los Angeles Rams

The Seattle Seahawks are a difficult team to judge. Some weeks they look like legitimate Super Bowl contenders, while in others they barely look like a playoff team. If they can find a way to be more consistent, they can climb higher in the NFC Power Rankings.

One player they have been able to rely on is their superstar quarterback, Russell Wilson. He has been incredible so far and is an early candidate for the NFL MVP award. He can take them to the very top of the NFC Power Rankings when he is rolling.

#6 - Carolina Panthers (3-1)

Next week: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The lowest of the 3-1 teams in the NFC Power Rankings is the Carolina Panthers. They started the season by winning their first three games against three of the worst teams in the NFL. Their first real test was in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, and they suffered their first loss of the season.

There is reason to be skeptical about the Panthers because of what their schedule has looked like so far. They are without their superstar, Christian McCaffrey, so newly acquired quarterback Sam Darnold will try to lead them to a higher place in the NFC Power Rankings.

#5 - Green Bay Packers (3-1)

Next week: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

After being comfortably beaten by the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, the Green Bay Packers have won three games on the trot. They are the only 3-1 team in the NFC Power Rankings with a negative points differential. This can be credited to the Week 1 disaster.

The Packers have looked impressive in their past three games. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks like himself again, joining wide receiver Davante Adams and running back Aaron Jones to form one of the best trios in the NFL.

NFC Power Rankings: The cream of the crop

#4 Dallas Cowboys (3-1)

Next week: vs. New York Giants

The Dallas Cowboys crack the top four of the NFC Power Rankings. The Cowboys have now won three consecutive games after losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. They have looked solid in all of their games this season and look like a real threat in the NFC.

Quarterback Dak Prescott is playing with renewed confidence this season and looks better than he ever has. The Cowboys have one of the top offenses in the NFL and their defense has dramatically improved from a season ago. Trevon Diggs leads the league in interceptions and is an early DPOY candidate.

#3 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)

Next week: vs. Miami Dolphins

The defending Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, round out the top three in the NFC Power Rankings. They suffered their first loss in Week 3 to the Los Angeles Rams but bounced back with a victory in Week 4 over the New England Patriots.

Quarterback Tom Brady will look to bring the Buccaneers back to the very top of the NFC Power Rankings, which is where they were before the season began. They have all of the necessary weapons on offense and one of the best rushing defenses in the league.

#2 - Los Angeles Rams (3-1)

Next week: vs. Seattle Seahawks

After defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, the Los Angeles Rams were at the top of the NFC Power Rankings. After suffering a loss in Week 4 to the Arizona Cardinals, they fell to second place. They have an important divisional matchup with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5.

The Rams are one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL. They are just as good on offense as they are on defense. Cooper Kupp was the offensive player of the month for September, while Aaron Donald is always one of the leading candidates to win Defensive Player of the Year. Donald may very well be the overall best player in the NFL.

#1 Arizona Cardinals (4-0)

Next week: vs. San Francisco 49ers

The only remaining undefeated team, the Arizona Cardinals, are on top of the NFC Power Rankings. They lead the NFC in points differential by a wide margin with an impressive +55. Their offense is the best in the NFL right now and their defense is better than expected.

Quarterback Kyler Murray is the early favorite to win the NFL MVP award. He is in the top five in the NFL in every major category for a quarterback, both passing and rushing. If he keeps playing the way he is now, the Arizona Cardinals will remain on top of the NFC Power Rankings.