2023 NFL Power Rankings – Week 05

1. Philadelphia Eagles (4-0): The Eagles continue to find a way to win each week. They beat the Commanders on Sunday in overtime on a 54-yard field goal by Jake Elliott. Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 319 yards and A.J. Brown had 175 yards in receiving. Next: -4.5 at Los Angeles Rams – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 50.5 (ATS: 2-1-1 – O/U: 3-1)

2. San Francisco 49ers (4-0): Running back Christian McCaffrey broke Jerry Rice's record of 12 consecutive games with at least one touchdown in the victory over the Cardinals. McCaffrey scored four touchdowns to extend his streak to 13 games. He is closing in on the all-time record of 18, which was set 58 years ago. Next: -3.5 vs Dallas Cowboys – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 44 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 2-2)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (3-1): The Chiefs got a win on the road, beating the Jets, 23-20. An unimpressive win but a win that keeps them all alone in first place in the AFC West. Patrick Mahomes became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to record 200 career touchdown passes, setting the new standard in a mere 84 games. Next: -5.5 at Minnesota Vikings - Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 53.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 2-2)

4. Buffalo Bills (3-1): The Bills had their third straight blowout win, crushing the Dolphins, 48-20. Quarterback Josh Allen was unstoppable, completing 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and four touchdowns. Allen also rushed for 17 yards and one touchdown. The Bills have won three straight games by a combined 123-33 total. Next: -5.5 vs Jacksonville Jaguars - Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 48.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 2-2)

5. Dallas Cowboys (3-1): The Cowboys embarrassed the Patriots, 38-3. The Cowboys got two defensive touchdowns in the first half to build a 28-3 halftime lead and put the rest of the game on cruise control. This week will be much more challenging. Next: +3.5 at San Francisco 49ers - Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 45 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 2-2)

6. Detroit Lions (3-1): The Lions manhandled the Packers in Green Bay. The Lions led 27-3 at halftime and cruised in the second half for the victory. A statement win for the Lions in the NFC North. Next: -8.5 vs Carolina Panthers – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 45 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 2-2)

7. Miami Dolphins (3-1): One week after the Dolphins embarrassed the Broncos by 50 points, they got rolled in Buffalo by 28 points, 48-20. The Dolphins are ranked 25th in defense and have allowed over 400 yards in offense to both the Bills and the Chargers. They have a weakness on the defensive side of the ball. Next: -10.5 vs New York Giants - Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 49.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 3-1)

8. Baltimore Ravens (3-1): The Ravens used three interceptions and held the Browns offense to 166 yards in total offense in an easy 28-3 win in Cleveland. With the win, the Ravens moved into first place in the AFC North and are 2-0 within the division, with both wins on the road. Next: -4.5 at Pittsburgh Steelers – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U 38.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 1-3)

9. Seattle Seahawks (3-1): The Seahawks easily defeated the Giants on the road, 24-3. Rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon had seven tackles, 2 sacks, and a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown. Linebacker Bobby Wagner had 17 tackles and 2 sacks, while former Charger Uchenna Nwosu added 2 sacks. The Seahawks had 11 sacks for the game and three turnovers. A defensive clinic. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 2-2)

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1): The Bucs improved to 3-1 after defeating the Saints in New Orleans. The Bucs are 3-1 in the NFC South and all alone in first place. Quarterback Baker Mayfield had three touchdown passes in the game and the Bucs defense held the Saints to 9 points and 197 yards in total offense. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A vs Detroit Lions - Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 1-3)

11. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2): Linebacker Khalil Mack had zero sacks in the first three games but on Sunday he came alive with season's worth six sacks in one game in leading the Chargers to a 24-17 win over the Raiders. Mack had 8 sacks in 17 games in the 2022 season. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A vs Dallas Cowboys - Mon, Oct. 16 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 2-2)

12. Washington Commanders (2-2): The Commanders loss in overtime to the Eagles, 34-31, in Philadelphia. Quarterback Sam Howell's ten-yard touchdown pass cut the Eagles lead to 31-30 with no time on the clock. The Commanders should have chosen to go for a two-point conversion to give them a chance to win the game and avoid OT on the road. No guts, no glory. Next: -6.5 vs Chicago Bears – Thu, Oct. 5 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 2-2)

13. Los Angeles Rams (2-2): Wide receiver Puka Nacua got the winning touchdown in overtime to lead the Rams to a thrilling 29-23 overtime victory over the Colts in Indianapolis. Nacua leads the NFL in receptions with 39. If the Rams can acquire Colt running back Johnathan Taylor before the trade deadline and wide receiver Cooper Kupp returns, this Ram squad could make the playoffs. Next: +4.5 vs Philadelphia Eagles – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 50.5 (ATS: 3-0-1 – O/U: 2-2)

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2): Quarterback Kenny Pickett was knocked out of Sunday's loss to the Texans with a knee injury and the Steelers offensive attack was anemic in their 30-6 loss to the Texans. If Pickett is unable to start next week, backup Mitch Trubisky would get the start. Next: +4.5 vs Baltimore Ravens – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 38.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 1-3)

15. Cleveland Browns (2-2): Quarterback DeShaun Watson missed the game against the Ravens with an injured right shoulder, and apparently the Browns missed him as well, falling to the Ravens, 28-3. Rookie backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson from UCLA got his first NFL start and struggled, throwing for just 121 yards and three interceptions. Bye – Following week: N/A vs San Francisco 49ers – Sun, Oct. 15 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 1-3)

16. Indianapolis Colts (2-2): The Colts fell to 2-2 after their overtime loss to the Rams. Running back Johnathan Taylor could return this week and combined with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, the Colts will be entertaining to watch. Next: -1.5 vs Tennessee Titans – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 42.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 3-1)

17. Tennessee Titans (2-2): Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw for 240 yards and Derrick Henry rushed for 122 yards as the Titans totaled 400 yards in offense in a rout of the fading Bengals in Nashville. Next: +1.5 at Indianapolis Colts – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 42.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 1-3)

18. Green Bay Packers (2-2): For the second consecutive game, the Packers fell behind by three scores at home. After overcoming a 17-point fourth quarter deficit against the Saints, the Packers trailed 27-3 at halftime to the Lions, and the Lions outgained the Packers 284-21 in total yardage. The Lions won 34-20. Next: -1.5 at Las Vegas Raiders - Mon, Oct. 9 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 3-1)

19. Houston Texans (2-2): It is time to take the Texans seriously. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns and does not look like a rookie. Stroud is the first rookie since the merger to throw for at least 250 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in three straight games. Next: +1.5 at Atlanta Falcons – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U 41.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 2-2)

20. New Orleans Saints (2-2): Saints quarterback Derek Carr had an awful game at home against the Bucs, throwing for just 127 yards in a 26-9 loss to the Bucs. Wide receiver Chris Olave caught one pass for just 4 yards, career lows in both receptions and yards. An awful performance by the Saints at home. Next: +1.5 at New England Patriots – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 0-3-1 – O/U: 0-4

21. Atlanta Falcons (2-2): The Falcons anemic passing offense is ranked last in the NFL and barely put up a fight in the 23-7 loss to the Jaguars in London. Quarterback Desmond Ritter will not be the starter in 2024. Next: -1.5 vs Houston Texans – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 41.5 (ATS: 1-3 – O/U: 1-3)

22. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2): The Jaguars can feel good for about a week after defeating the Falcons, ending a two-game losing streak with a 23-7 victory. But next Sunday they will take on the hottest team in the NFL over the past three weeks. Good luck, Jaguars. You are going to need it. Next: +5.5 at Buffalo Bills - Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 48.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 2-2)

23. Minnesota Vikings (1-3): The Vikings scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to come-from-behind and beat the Carolina Panthers, 21-13 on the road. The Vikings lost their first three games by six points or less. They needed a win. The Vikings can argue that they are the best 1-3 team in the NFL, for whatever that is worth. Next: +5.5 vs Kansas City Chiefs – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 53.5 (ATS: 1-2-1 – O/U: 1-3)

24. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3): The Raiders are 1-3 after a loss to the Chargers and they need to get more production from players other than Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs, and Maxx Crosby. They can begin with first round pick Tyree Wilson and second round pick Michael Mayer. Wilson is a defensive end with 1 solo tackle and 3 assisted tackles in four games, while Mayer is a tight end with one reception for two yards in four games. Next: +1.5 vs Green Bay Packers - Mon, Oct. 9 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 1-3 – O/U: 1-3)

25. New York Giants (1-3): The Giants are 1-3 after a Monday Night loss to the Seahawks. Playing without injured running back Saquon Barkley is tough, but 22 sacks of Daniel Jones through four games is another huge issue. Jones leads the Giants in rushing yardage with 173. He needs help. The Giants have been outscored at home this season, 64-3. Next: +10.5 at Miami Dolphins – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 46.5 (ATS: 0-4 – O/U: 1-3)

26. Arizona Cardinals (1-3): As expected, the Cardinals lost to the 49ers, 35-16. Rookie wide receiver Michael Wilson, a third round pick out of Stanford, continues to shine. Wilson caught 7 passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the 49ers. Next: +3 vs Cincinnati Bengals - Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 3-1 – O/U: 3-1)

27. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3): The Bengals are circling the drain early in the season after a blowout loss to the Titans in Nashville, 27-3. The Bengals are last in total offense in the NFL with an average of 236 yards per game. They are 31st in scoring at 12.3 points per game. They 31st in rushing yardage and 29th in passing yardage. They might have a problem on the offensive line. Next: -3 at Arizona Cardinals – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U 44.5 (ATS: 0-3-1 – O/U: 1-3)

28. New England Patriots (1-3): The Patriots got worked over by the Cowboys, 38-3. Quarterback Mac Jones is regressing, and head coach Bill Belichick is no longer a genius. Other than that, things are just terrific in New England. Next: -1.5 vs New Orleans Saints – Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 1-3 – O/U: 1-3)

29. New York Jets (1-3): The Jets were competitive with the Chiefs on Sunday Night, and quarterback Zach Wilson had a good game, completing 28 of 39 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns. It was a positive sign for the Jets, but they still lost the game. Next: +2.5 at Denver Broncos - Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 2-2 – O/U: 2-2)

30. Denver Broncos (1-3): The Broncos escaped with a 31-28 win over the Bears to move to 1-3 for the season. Trailing 28-7 late in the third quarter, the Broncos rallied behind quarterback Russell Wilson to finally get into the win column under Head Coach Sean Payton. Next: -2.5 vs New York Jets - Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 0-3-1 – O/U: 3-1)

31. Carolina Panthers (0-4): The Panthers are off to an 0-4 start and rookie quarterback Bryce Young is struggling. The latest loss was a 21-13 loss at home to the Vikings. It will not get any easier for Young and the Panthers, as they go on the road to face to of the better offensive teams in the NFL. Next: +8.5 at Detroit Lions - Sun, Oct. 8 – O/U: 45.5 (ATS: 0-3-1 – O/U: 1-3)

32. Chicago Bears (0-4): The Bears lost their 14th consecutive game, blowing a 21-point lead to the Denver Broncos at home, losing 31-28. The Bears led 28-7 with less than thirty seconds left in the third quarter and somehow managed to lose the game. A fumble returned for a touchdown, an interception, a decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 instead of kicking a short field goal to take the lead all contributed to the late collapse. There is a reason the Bears have lost 14 straight games. Next: +6.5 at Washington Commanders - Thu, Oct. 5 – O/U: 44.5 (ATS: 0-3-1 – O/U: 4-0)