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NFL Power Rankings: Biggest Questions For Every Team Heading Into Week 6

From Kirk Cousins on the juice to the Giants coming alive, here are the biggest questions for every team in these NFL Power Rankings

nfl power rankings

Welcome to the first official Deadseriousness NFL Power Rankings of the year. Unless of course I don’t finish this article before the Week 6 games begin and this sits in the drafts for the rest of my life.

But hopefully, you’re reading this and I found something interesting to say about the Rams.

This week, let’s ask some tough questions about all 32 teams.

Here are your NFL Power Rankings and the biggest questions facing each team heading into Week 6:

32. Cleveland Browns (1-4)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 result:  Lost at Washington 34-13

Biggest question: Why is Deshaun Watson still the starting quarterback?

Deshaun Watson fucking stinks.

In 5 games, he’s averaging fewer yards a game than Bo Nix—who went into halftime of a game this season with negative passing yards.

Watson has the same yards per attempt as Bryce Young—who was benched several weeks ago.

His 21.0 QBR is the worst in the NFL. Worse than Will Levis—who is throwing a pick-six as you read this.

No one has been sacked more than Watson.

Cleveland’s offensive line is bad but Watson is making them look way worse than they actually are. As soon as the ball is snapped, Deshaun nervously panics, running directly into the pass rush or worse, ignoring the pass rush as he waits for a play to develop downfield even though he knows his O-Line sucks.

He rarely makes a good decision—which is a problem for the guy whose job it is to make all of the decisions.

And after a brutal 13-34 loss to the Washington Commanders, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear they won’t be changing quarterbacks.

Two things are happening at the same time here.

The front office gave up everything to acquire Watson so they’re pressuring Stefanski to keep him as the QB1.

At the same time, I’m convinced Kevin Stefanski doesn’t want to work for this organization. He knows he’ll eventually get another head coaching opportunity so he’s gladly giving the team what it wants and letting Deshaun go out there to lose.

31. New York Jets (2-3)

nfl week 4

Week 5 result: Lost vs. Minnesota 23-17 (London)

Biggest question: Should I just delete everything I wrote because Robert Saleh just got fired?

The move to go all in on the elderly man with an addiction to hallucinogenics hasn’t quite worked out for the Jets who week after week look worse and worse and worse.

But I can’t even get mad at Aaron Rodgers.

In Green Bay, he matched the level of excellence established by Bart Star and Brett Favre. So naturally, he went to New Jersey and turned into Zach Wilson with a bum Achilles.

And it’s not only Rodgers.

The whole team is firing at maximum Jets efficiency. They are dead last running the ball 80 yards a game as Breece Hall has gone from a superstar to invisible on the field. Allen Lazard leads the NFL in drops.

It’s truly a team effort.

(Disclaimer: Robert Saleh was fired as I writing this. I will not be commenting at this time. Good riddance, though).

30. New England Patriots (1-4)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 result: Lost vs. Miami 15-10

Biggest question: Does this season even matter?

Christian Gonzalez may be the only talented player on this roster. He also happens to be one of the Top 10 most talented players in the whole league so as long as he’s on this team, I can’t shit on the Patriots as much as I’d like to.

Especially considering this team doesn’t seem interested in winning. Nor should they be. I know their offensive line is abysmal but if they land at the top of the draft and they want the opportunity to put together Christian Gonzalez and Travis Hunter from Colorado, they should keep losing.

Drake Maye will be there. They’ll be fine either way.

29. New Orleans Saints (2-3)

derek carr

Week 5 result: Lost at Kansas City 26-13

Biggest question: Do we have to keep caring about this team?

The Saints scored 91 combined points in their first two games. They looked like they had revolutionized the sport, advancing NFL offense into a new frontier. Offensive Coordinator, Klint Kubiak, seemed destined for a head coaching gig where he would lead the next historic football dynasty.

Then they lost 3 straight games, looking pedestrian, mediocre and well, like the New Orleans Saints.

Here’s how their first drive against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football ended:

Under pressure, Derek Carr closed his eyes and chucked a beach ball across the field directly into the waiting arms of the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Saints are done. Please feel free to disregard them.

28. Miami Dolphins (2-3)

nfl week 1

Week 5 Result: Lost vs. Miami 15-10

Biggest question: who are these guys?

After just one healthy season ever, Tua Tagovailoa politely accepted the bag from the Dolphins only to suffer his one-millionth concussion, turning the 2024 Miami Dolphins into a squad that could barely beat a New England Patriots team that is intentionally losing.

And now star running back, De’Von Achane, suffered a concussion as the head trauma piles up in Miami.

An offense that was supposed to be Tua and Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and Devon Achane and Raheem Mostert and maybe a little Odell Beckham has become Tyler Huntley, Jaylen Wright and Alec Ingold.

Shout out Alec Ingold, I guess.

27. Las Vegas Raiders (2-3)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Lost at Denver 34-18

Biggest question: Is it tank time?

The Raiders now have back-to-back losses of 14+ points, including this embarrassing beat down by Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Gardner Minshew threw 2 interceptions before being benched for Aidan O’Connell and Davante Adams is posting pictures of his favorite 19th century poets.

Antonio Pierce said a QB competition would take place this week after saying there was a QB competition in training camp. If your favorite team has multiple QB competitions over the course of the same season, you might as well bench all your starters and tank for a franchise guy.

Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell are like, the 33rd and 41st best quarterbacks in the league.

When will the Raiders get Brock Bowers some help???

26. Cincinnati Bengals (1-4)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Lost vs. Baltimore 41-38 (OT)

Biggest question: When are the Bengals going to win games?

Joe Burrow just had his best game in a long time. Completing 30 of his 39 passes for 392 yards and 5 touchdowns, Burrow looks healthy and like the guy who led the Bengals to the Super Bowl. JaMarr Chase came alive after a weird contract situation earlier this season.

And it doesn’t matter. The Bengals lose. Again.

Any time I see any conversation about the best teams in the league, the Bengals sneak in despite having one win over the Carolina Panthers.

This team stinks and no one can tell me otherwise.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-4

trevor lawrence

Week 5 Result: Won vs. Indianapolis 37-34

Biggest question: Is Trevor Lawrence fixed?

Entering Sunday’s contest as the sole winless squad with everyone approaching this team with diamond testers, the Jags came alive against the Colts. Trevor Lawrence, the Prince Who Was Promised, finally had a game that a former no. 1 pick should have.

Completing 28 of his 34 passes for 371 yards and 2 touchdowns.

It helps that Tank Bigsby came alive for 100 yards on the ground but Trevor Lawrence needed this game. He was being compared to Daniel Jones. You never want to be compared to Daniel Jones.

24. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)

Week 5 Result: Bye Week

Biggest question: Did I make these power rankings and forget the Eagles?

So yea, I wrote about 31 teams and could not figure out who I left off. It’s the Eagles. Whatever. Sorry to the 3 Eagles fans reading this. I completely forgot your team existed and 5,000 words later, I don’t have shit to say about Philly.

Congrats. Or I’m sorry that happened to you.

23. Carolina Panthers (1-4)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Lost vs. Chicago 36-10

Biggest question: Can we get Andy Dalton some help?

From the second the Panthers benched Bryce Young, this team instantly transformed into a functional football operation. Turns out, everyone plays with a little more juice when the QB1 isn’t the size of their elementary school sons.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that in the game where Bryce Young played again, Carolina once again looked like a last-place XFL team going up against the 2007 New England Patriots.

22. Denver Broncos (3-2)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Won vs. Las Vegas 34-18

Biggest Question: Was Sean Payton right?

After drafting Bo Nix, Sean Payton went on a victory tour, bragging about his genius maneuvering. He claims he manipulated the draft board so Bo Nix fell into their lap even though most draft experts believed Nix would be available in the 2nd round and was going to be there whether Payton was pretending to be a puppet master or not.

Bo Nix has obvious limitations, including any throw further than the line of scrimmage. However, 5 games into his NFL career and he genuinely looks like he belongs out there. I never would’ve predicted this.

Sean Payton has turned Bo Nix into handicapped Drew Brees.

21. Atlanta Falcons (3-2)

2024 atlanta falcons

Week 5 Result: Won vs. Tampa Bay 36-30 (OT)

Biggest question: Is Kirk Cousins on that shit?

Let’s just get right into the night Kirk Cousins had against the Bucs:

  • 42-for-58 (72%)
  • 509 yards
  • 4 touchdowns
  • 114.8 passer rating

This 36-year-old coming off a torn Achilles is somehow magically playing the best football of his career. Nah. I need urine tests. Blood tests. Kirk Cousins is on something, man. He has NEVER been as good as he was on Thursday night and he’s the oldest and most injured he’s ever been.

Either Kirk is HGHing or my boy got to Atlanta and found his true self. Perhaps it’s not magic but more so, Magic City.

20. Dallas Cowboys (3-2)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Won at Pittsburgh 20-17

Biggest question: Can the Cowboys run the ball?

The Cowboys came into this season replacing 5-time All-Pro left tackle, Tyron Smith, with a rookie. Ezekiel Elliot was their RB1. Jayden Daniels and the Commanders are running the ball up and down the field. The Eagles got Saquon Barkley to hit random home runs for them at any point in a game.

Andddd the Dallas Cowboys are averaging 82 rush yards a game. 31st in the NFL.

But new life was breathed into Dallas’s putrid running game in the Cowboys midnight win over the Steelers.

(I know that’s a clip of a receiving touchdown shut up).

Rico Dowdle rushed for 87 yards on 20 attempts. He recorded 114 total yards and a touchdown. If Dowdle turns into a real guy going forward, this Dallas offense suddenly gets real dangerous.

19. Indianapolis Colts (2-3)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Lost at Jacksonville 37-34

18. San Francisco 49ers (2-3)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Lost vs. Arizona 24-23

Biggest question: Have the 49ers finally suffered a Super Bowl hangover

Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers have been in 2 of the last 5 Super Bowls. They were one Brock Purdy elbow injury away from 3 Super Bowl appearances.

And it feels like all of that effort and pain and sacrifice has caught up with this team that used to dominate their division and just lost to the Arizona Cardinals.

Brandon Aiyuk was a dick all preseason, showing up to avoid getting fined but made life hell until they paid him. The wheels fell off Christian McCaffrey as he now deals with pain in both of his achilles tendons. Brock Purdy is Brock Purdying around.

We may have finally rid ourselves of the San Francisco 49ers. RIP Bozo.

17. Los Angeles Rams (1-4)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Lost vs. Green Bay 24-19

Biggest question: Can they find 53 healthy players?

5 offensive linemen are currently on injured reserve. Their two star receivers, Puka Nukua and Cooper Kupp, are injured. Matthew Stafford has a bad back. Aaron Donald retired. The Los Angeles Rams are one twisted ankle away from Sean McVay strapping the pads on and joining the punt team.

16. Tennesee Titans (1-3)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Bye Week

Biggest Question: Can Will Levis keep his job?

I’ll be honest with you guys. My only interest in this team is Will Levis’s ability to turn tough plays into embarrassing, once-in-a-generation, Looney Tunes-style lowlights.

The second Tennesee decides to focus on winning games and they bench Will Levis, I’m out.

15. Seattle Seahawks (3-2)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Lost vs. New York Giants 29-20

Biggest question: Did the Seahawks just blow their season?

Starting 3-0, Seattle has lost back-to-back games against the Lions and Giants. The Lions are one of the best teams in the NFL. That’s fine.

But going into Week 5, Seattle had the chance to separate themselves from the rest of the NFC West. The Rams don’t have enough healthy bodies to suit up. The 49ers are still in preseason form. And the Cardinals are the Cardinals.

Andddd then the Seahawks allowed Daniel Jones to have one of the best starts of his entire career while the offensive line let Geno Smith get sacked 7 times.

With the opportunity to declare themselves as a true threat in the NFC, Seattle is officially on fraud watch.

14. Chicago Bears (3-2)

Week 5 Result: Won at Carolina 36-10

Biggest question: Has Caleb Williams figured it out?

At USC, Caleb Williams was doing whatever the hell he wanted to do, running around the backfield and whizzing footballs off his backfoot directly past the helmets of future gym teachers and used car salesmen.

The NFL is full of NFL players. Receivers aren’t open. Whether it’s a cornerback or a safety, every defender is a track athlete.

But against the Panthers, Caleb Williams looked like a vet, completing 20 of his 29 pass attempts for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Flicked his wrist and threw a perfect ball to DJ Moore. If Caleb is just comfortable now, how long until he’s a Top 10 or even Top 5 QB? Yesterday?

13. Buffalo Bills (3-2)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Lost at Houston 23-20

Biggest question: Do the Bills secretly suck?

Buffalo started the season 3-0, beating Arizona, Miami and Jacksonville. Not the biggest juggernauts in the league. And now they’ve lost 2 straight games against the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.

It didn’t help that Buffalo handed Houston the W. With 32 seconds left in the game and the ball on their own 3 yard line, the Bills chucked 3 deep balls that were all incomplete and helped stop the clock so that the Texans would get the ball already in field goal range with all 3 of their timeouts.

This may be the highest the Bills ever end up on these Deadseriousness Power Rankings. They suck.

12. Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Won at San Francisco 24-23

Biggest question: Will Call of Duty end the Cardinals season?

Down 2 with about 6 minutes left in the 4th, Kyler Murray marched the Cardinals down the field for a 14-play drive, hitting the game-winning field goal over a 49ers team that had Arizona in their back pocket the last few years.

Kyler Murray vs. everyone.

Problem is, later that day, Kyler announced a partnership with Call of Duty, just a couple years after he signed a contract requiring him to watch more film because he spent too much time gaming.

The Cardinals had a good season but if you need Kyler, he’s 1-v-1-ing on Shipment.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Lost vs. Dallas 20-17

Biggest Question: Is it Russell Wilson time?

After starting 3-0, the Steelers have lost 2 games in a row. All while Russell Wilson was quietly getting healthy, preparing for the moment to steal this team away from Justin Fields and unfortunately for Fields, he’s giving Mike Tomlin an easy decision.

Against the Cowboys, Justin Fields completed only 15 of his 27 pass attempts for 131 yards. George Pickens is one of the best receivers in the league and he’s been a total nonfactor.

You never want to have your worst game when there’s a sociopath behind you, smooth-talking his way into your job like The Penguin tricking the Falcone family.

We are so close to seeing a Russ dogshit game. Comedy is returning.

10. Green Bay Packers (3-2)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Won at Los Angeles Rams 24-19

Biggest question: Is Xavier McKinney the best defender in the NFL?

Xavier McKinney recorded an interception and scooped up a loose fumble, making him the first player since the AFL-NFL merger to have an interception in his first five games with a team.

I imagine McKinney looks unstoppable in practice with this new 2024 version of Jordan Love who made the playoffs in his first full year as QB1, got paid and decided to exclusively spent his offseason watching Brett Favre highlights. McKinney has played on teams with Daniel Jones and Jordan Love. I know teams don’t write down practice stats but I’d have to imagine Xavier has the most practice takeaways in NFL history.

9. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Bye Week

Biggest question: Uh…is Justin Herbert okay?

Justin Herbert came into the season wearing a walking boot and would you look at that, he’s been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain as he limps in and out of the huddle. Herbert is one of the most gifted passers in the world but the Chargers ranked 31st in passing offense.

But it might not matter. Jim Harbaugh is maxizing the defense that allowed the 5th most yards last season before he arrived that now ranks 7th in total defense. With pretty much all of the same personal.

If Herbert can get healthy and maybe take this passing attack to, like, the 30th best in the NFL, the Chargers are a Top 10 team.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Lost at Atlanta 36-30 (OT)

Biggest question: Will Hurricane Milton derail their season?

The Buccaneers are in New Orleans to practice all week as one of the biggest hurricanes of the decade starts to hit Florida. Every offseason I think to myself “why don’t more free agents sign in Florida? It’s better weather and there’s no income tax” and then hurricane season starts and I’m like “why does any human live in this land that Posiden clearly wants to eliminate?”.

If I know Baker “there’s a chip on my shoulder” Mayfield, he’ll have this team ready to play while their condos get flooded.

7. Detroit Lions (3-1)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Bye Week

Biggest Question: Can the Lions separate themselves in a crowded NFC North?

The Lions have the 3rd best offense in the NFL. Last week against the Seahawks, Jared Goff was 18-for-18 passing. A perfect game. He even caught a touchdown pass from Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Textbook reception by Goff. Right into his body.

The NFC North is about to become a bloodbath, especially if Caleb Williams continues to figure out which throws he’s capable of making of which throws only work at the college level and Sam Darnold turning into prime Steve Young.

6. Baltimore Ravens (3-2)

Week 5 Result: Won at Cincinnati 41-38 (OT)

Biggest Question: Is Lamar Jackson about to win his 3rd MVP?

Two years ago, Lamar wanted a new contract and 31 NFL teams rushed to send out press releases regardlign their lack of interest in the 2019 MVP. A remarkable combination of racism and owners joining forces to make sure no one gets a massive guaranteed contract ever again.

Then Lamar won the 2023 MVP.

And he’s about to win his 3rd trophy. Especially after throwing for 346 yards and 4 touchdowns in a huge comeback victory against the Bengals.

The best QB in the NFL not named Sam Darnold.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Won vs. New Orleans 26-13

Biggest question: Are you ready for even MORE Chiefs content??

If you loved seeing a Monday Night Football game starring Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, hosted by his brother, Jason Kelce, then you are going to LOVE the new Bravo reality series about the wives of the Kansas City Chiefs players.

Sisyphus pushing a boulder up a hill but the boulder is Brittany Mahomes content.

4. Houston Texans (4-1)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 Result: Won vs. Buffalo 23-20

Biggest question: Did Stefon Diggs sleep with Cardi B when she was 8 months pregnant?

HUGE week for Stefon Diggs. With 6 catches for 82 yards, Diggs led the Texans in receiving against the team that traded him away for nothing. I’m still not totally sure what happened between Diggs and Josh Allen. Maybe one of them went into cafeteria and saw the other eating out of their lunch box but there’s real beef there.

But the REAL beef is between Stefon Diggs and Offset. Apparently, Cardi B had an affair with Diggs while she was 8 months pregnant. Not the ideal threesome scenario but go off, Stefon.

3. Washington Commanders (4-1)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 result: Won vs. Cleveland 34-13

Biggest question: Will defenses figure out Jayden Daniels?

Jayden Daniels just had his worse passing performance against the Browns, completing only 14 of his 245 pass attempts for 238 with a touchdown and an interception. But he also ran for 82 yards to make up for the lack of consistent air success.

And even in his worst game, he still finds a 66-yard bomb to Terry McLaurin.

As long as Jayden can still move the chains by scooting for first downs, I don’t see this Washington offensive machine slowing down anytime soon.

2. New York Giants (2-3)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 result: Won at Seattle 29-20

Biggest question: Are we actually doing this?

WE ARE SOOOOO BACK, BAYBEEEEEEEE

The Giants just beat the Seattle Seahawks without their starting running back, Devin Singletary, and the best wide receiver on the planet, Malik Nabers.

So let’s actually comb through this. The Eagles and Cowboys had disappointing 2023 seasons but their cowardice brought back two head coaches who are hanging on by a thread. Brian Daboll is objectively better than Nick Sirianni and Mike McCarthy.

Defensively, Dexter Lawrence is finishing in the Top 5 of Defensive Player of the Year voting. This Giants pass rush leads the NFL in sacks. Between Sexy Dexy, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Rakeem Nunez-Roches, opposing offensive lines are in hell. Bobby Okerle and Micah McFadden get their helmets on every single ball carrier all game long.

And Deonte Banks was just the best corner of the week.

Offensively, the Giants offense line just had their best performance since the Obama Adminstration. And with time, Daniel Jones isn’t thaaaaaaaaaaaaaat bad.

If Tyrone Tracy, who just ran for 129 yards on 18 carries, can continue producing like this weekly, he and Malik Nabers will share the Offensive Rookie of the Year award as the Giants march to the Super Bowl.

We. Are. So. Back.

1. Minnesota Vikings (5-0)

nfl power rankings

Week 5 result: Won vs. New York Jets 23-17 (London)

Biggest question: Who should be the 2024 MVP: Sam Darnold or Andrew Van Ginkel?

Sam Darnold got his revenge on the New York Jets this Sunday and although he only threw for 179 yards and had 1 interception to 0 touchdowns, he still outplayed the 4-time MVP whose arrival to New York was supposed to erase the Darnold years.

Darnold is 2nd in the NFL with 11 passing touchdowns as he has the undefeated Minnesota Vikings huming on offense.

On the other side of the ball, Andrew Van Ginkel casualed scored his 2nd pick-six of the season.

The NFL may have to make 53 individual MVP trophies to award every single player on the Vikings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading. Go ahead and sign up for the D, the daily Deadseriousness newsletter sent directly to your inbox every AM.

How do you rank all these teams heading into Week 6?  Leave a comment below. Respond on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Or shoot me an email at Deadseriousmailbag@gmail.com. Let’s chat, bay-beeeee. 

 

Written by thelesterlee

Creator of Deadseriousness. Diehard Knicks, Yankees and Giants fan who wants to create a sports and pop culture space that isn't the same copy and pasted AI content you see everywhere else.

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