RADIO
Ryan Kirksey ranks all 32 NFL teams after five weeks of the 2023 season based on how well they have played through their first five games.
As we head into the second month of the NFL season, we are starting to get a better sense of who these 32 teams are. Injuries, inefficiencies, and mega-popstar distractions have impacted NFL teams in different ways through the league's first five weeks. On the other hand, there have been some major positive surprises and stellar play from unexpected sources.
Teams like the New York Jets, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have all moved drastically since our Preseason Power Rankings from early August. It's just further proof that the landscape of the NFL can change on a dime after any given Sunday. Just ask Minnesota and their star wide receiver.
So what do the NFL power rankings look like six weeks into the regular season? Here is our ranking of all 32 NFL teams.
Holiday Special! Save 50% on any Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS
Super Bowl In Their Sights
1. San Francisco 49ers (5-0)
Not only did the San Francisco 49ers beat another Super Bowl "contender" in the Cowboys last week, they straight mopped the floor with them. The 49ers are so dominant that if you exclude Buffalo's point differential this season, San Francisco's +99 in 2023 is better than any TWO other teams combined.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (5-0)
The passing defense needs some work before the playoffs, but the rush defense for the Eagles is exactly where they want to be. You simply can't play running backs in fantasy against them right now. They allowed 54 rushing yards in their last game against the Rams and only allowed 61.2 on the season.
3. Miami Dolphins (4-1)
De'Von Achane and his 11.2 yards per touch go down with an injury? No worries, the Dolphins will just activate Jeff Wilson Jr., who was number nine in the NFL in breakaway run rate in 2022 (7.4%).
4. Detroit Lions (4-1)
The Lions get the fourth spot over the Chiefs thanks to their win over them on Opening Night, but Detroit's offense is also besting Kansas City in yards per pass attempt, yards per completion, and completion percentage. Already two games ahead of the Packers in the division, it's a question of "when" and not "if" they take the NFC North crown.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)
Full marks for a defense that held Denver to eight points and forced Russell Wilson into three turnovers on Thursday. But to only score 19 points against this historically bad Denver defense? Someone make a call and get Patrick Mahomes a real wide receiver at the trade deadline.
6. Buffalo Bills (3-2)
I won't ding them too much for losing by one score to a Jacksonville team that made London their home nine days before the game (Buffalo flew out less than 48 hours before the game). The offense is as explosive as it comes now and they are first in the NFL with offensive plays over 40 yards with five through five games.
7. Dallas Cowboys (3-2)
I'm trying not to let the knockout punch Dallas got in San Francisco bias my thinking here, but are we sure Dak Prescott is the best professional quarterback in Texas?
Playoff Bound Or Their Fans Revolt
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2)
Even at 3-2, there is much more room for this offense to improve. Travis Etienne showed what kind of weapon he can be while in London, their top three wide receivers might be the best trio in the NFL, and Trevor Lawrence is second in the NFL in expected completion percentage (68.5%). Some positive regression on that side of the ball could be coming.
9. Baltimore Ravens (3-2)
Their poor wide receiver play really hurt them on Sunday against the Steelers when they couldn't make plays down the stretch when Pittsburgh focused in on Mark Andrews. Baltimore's five receivers have combined for 151 total yards after the catch through five weeks and only Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. have more than eight catches this year.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)
If this were the Power Rankings for NFL uniforms in Week 6, Tampa Bay would be number one with a bullet:
11. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
One of the things I'm hoping to see out of Seattle's bye week is how they can get rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba more involved. JSN has a lowly 16% target share, 62 receiving yards, and only 8% of the team's air yards.
12. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)
The Chargers come out of their bye having lost Mike Williams for the season, but gaining Austin Ekeler back into an explosive offense. They really couldn't survive much longer with Joshua Kelley in the backfield full-time. LA is averaging only 82 rushing yards as a team over the last three weeks, and that's with 155 in Week 5. Think about that math.
13. New Orleans Saints (3-2)
If you're 3-2 in the mediocre NFC South, does that mean you are good, bad, or something in between? Right now, the best way to describe the average-across-the-board Saints is:
14. Indianapolis Colts (3-2)
Colts fans are not going to accept just treading water while Anthony Richardson mends from a shoulder injury that placed him on IR for at least four weeks. With Minshew Mania waiting in the wings, Indianapolis should be able to maintain -- if not enhance -- the recent surges from wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. Oh yes, and some guy named Jonathan Taylor is about ready to be unleashed.
Stuck In The Middle With You
15. Atlanta Falcons (3-2)
I was really impressed with both Atlanta and Houston in Week 5, putting up competing late-game drives that both resulted in scores that would win the game. For young teams with inexperienced quarterbacks, that experience is invaluable. With a win over Houston, Atlanta stays right in the thick of their division race.
16. Houston Texans (2-3)
Andrew Luck has the record for most passing yards by a rookie with 4,374. C.J. Stroud is on pace for 4,967 yards and zero interceptions.
17. Green Bay Packers (2-3)
In quarterback power rankings, Jordan Love is falling faster than the Green Bay temperature in December. But the defense looks good this year and Aaron Jones should be getting back to full health soon.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
Good to see George Pickens have a breakout game and lead the league in air yards in Week 5. But they still have Kenny Pickett and his 32nd-ranked true completion percentage (62.1%) under center every game. Pickett is a bottom-five quarterback in passer rating, red zone completion percentage, and catchable pass rate.
19. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)
My prediction is this team will be in the top 12 before too long, but it all depends on that little muscle toward the bottom of Joe Burrow's right leg. The Bengals will go as far as Burrow's calf can take them, as shown by his ability to get Ja'Marr Chase 19 targets and three touchdowns last week.
20. Los Angeles Rams (2-3)
With Cooper Kupp back in the fold, the Rams had two wide receivers on Sunday who both reached all of the following: 11 targets, seven receptions, 70 receiving yards, 11.4 aDOT, 37% of air yards, and 32% target share. This team that everyone left for dead to start the season might mess around and find themselves in the playoffs with those kinds of playmakers.
21. Tennessee Titans (2-3)
If Ryan Tannehill can't throw anymore and Derrick Henry can't play more than 60% of snaps (just once over 61% all season), how does this team expect to stay competitive in games? Tyjae Spears and DeAndre Hopkins can only do so much.
"How Could We Have Known The QB Would Be A Problem?"
22. Cleveland Browns (2-2)
Problems already with Deshaun Watson and his commitment and availability to the team? Who could have ever known that paying the GDP of Belgium for someone with Watson's past could turn out poorly?
23. New York Jets (2-3)
Congratulations to Zach Wilson for looking competent against the Chiefs in Week 4. Now only Daniel Jones has a worse passer rating among all starting quarterbacks this season.
Already Starting to Check January Vacation Spots
24. Washington Commanders (2-3)
The last time the Commanders played, they were blown out at home by the lowly Chicago Bears. Let's check in to see how that's affected the Commanders as they prepare for Week 6.
25. Las Vegas Raiders (2-3)
The reason the Raiders aren't higher after a win against the Green Bay Packers is that Jordan Love gift-wrapped it to them with multiple turnovers and wildly over- and under-throwing his receivers all game. Besides Maxx Crosby, Josh Jacobs, and Davante Adams, this is a team in some big trouble for the rest of the season.
26. Chicago Bears (1-4)
If I'm a Bears fan, I'm thrilled with how this season is unfolding so far. You have Carolina's top pick (no. 1 overall right now) plus your own pick, which would be the second pick in the draft. That's likely to be Marvin Harrison Jr., so in 2024, you are looking at either Justin Fields, D.J. Moore, and Harrison Jr. or Caleb Williams, D.J. Moore, and Harrison Jr. Either way, you can trade Fields or the number one pick for a haul and gain more assets as well.
27. Arizona Cardinals (1-4)
Let's check in on how the season is going for the 1-4 Arizona Cardinals:
28. Denver Broncos (1-5)
Even holding Kansas City to just 19 points on Thursday night, the Broncos remain on pace to allow the most points of any team in NFL history. The 1981 Baltimore Colts allowed 533 points, and the Broncos are now on pace to give up 567.
We Fall Asleep To Tape Of Caleb Williams
29. Minnesota Vikings (1-4)
Oxford Dictionary: re·build, /rēˈbild/, verb, build (something) again after it has been damaged or destroyed.
I think we can all agree that the Minnesota Vikings are now damaged and destroyed.
30. New England Patriots (1-4)
To paraphrase a famous Boston Celtics quote, "The problem is, Tom Brady ain't walking through that door."
31. New York Giants (1-4)
The problem is that Daniel Jones IS walking through that door.
32. Carolina Panthers (0-5)
The Panthers are the only winless team in the league with a draft upcoming that is supposed to have the next iteration of the "generational" quarterback in Caleb Williams. What's that, you say? They don't have their first-round pick? Well, at least they have Bryce Young.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
