Zak Drapeau's NFL Power Rankings Post-Week 5

Zak Drapeau
Oct 7
7 min read

by Zak Drapeau 10/7/2025 Sportz Nation

1. Detroit Lions /\2

4-1

Last Week: 37-24 Win at CIN

After a horrendous Week 1, the Lions move all the way to my top spot after dominating every team they've come across including a depleted Bengals team in Cincinnati just last week.

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2. Buffalo Bills \/1

4-1

Last Week: 23-20 Loss vs NE

The Bills might have lost an embarrassing game in their home stadium last week but they are still the Bills and Josh Allen is still superman. Turnovers cost them that game and when they get cleaned up the Bills will be back to their normal selves probably next week.

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3. Philadelphia Eagles \/1

4-1

Last Week: 21-17 Loss vs DEN

Another top team losing at home, the Eagles lost to a great Broncos' defense but their biggest problems may be internal. The AJ Brown drama looks like it could be affecting this team but at least they are still full healthy.

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4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers /\2

4-1

Last Week: 38-35 Win at SEA

Baker Mayfield and Emeka Egbuka may very well be on their way to earning awards this season and this game was the proof. In Seattle against that secondary, Mayfield carved them up like Thanksgiving dinner and proved they are still among the elite in their conference.

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5. Green Bay Packers --

2-1-1

Last Week: BYE Week

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6. Indianapolis Colts /\3

4-1

Last Week: 40-6 Win vs LV

The Colts may only have wins against lowly teams this season but they way they're beating them deserves respect. Averaging 32.6 points per game this season with the highest point differential and this team is turning from "Lucky to be here" to more "Might actually be legit" every week.

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7. Denver Broncos /\6

3-2

Last Week: 21-17 Win vs PHI

Now on a 2-game streak, the Broncos have proved in the past 2 weeks that their defense was deserving of their high praise in the preseason. Broncos have allowed 20 points in 2 weeks and after beating the Eagles in Philly, look to be ready to continue their winning ways.

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8. Washington Commanders /\7

3-2

Last Week: 27-10 Win at LAC

The Commanders were still alright with Marcus Mariota but it's night and day with Jaydon Daniels back. The Chargers may have been injury-riddled but the Commanders rattled off 27-unanswered points and were dominant on both sides in a West Coast road trip and that's impressive no matter what the circumstances are.

___________________________________ 9. Jacksonville Jaguars /\3

4-1

Last Week: 31-28 Win vs KC

I can't quite place my finger on what makes the Jaguars impressive this year other than the fact that they just keep finding ways to win. Trevor Lawrence hasn't been super impressive but he's been good enough while their defense keeps making plays in key moments.

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Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/ Associated Press

10. San Francisco 49ers /\7

4-1

Last Week: 26-23 Win vs LAR

Brock Purdy will continue to get chances to start when healthy but if I'm being honest, this #10 ranking is for the Mac Jones-49ers. When Purdy has been playing, this team is closer to the middle of the pack.

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11. Kansas City Chiefs \/7

2-3

Last Week: 31-28 Loss vs JAX

Patrick Mahomes has never lost 3 games in the first 5 of a season in his life. That game was very winnable but the defense let him down after an incredibly efficient showing on MNF. It's the Chiefs though and they'll be back to Top-10 in no time.

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12. Los Angeles Rams \/5

3-2

Last Week: 26-23 Loss at SF

The Rams couldn't get past their NFC West foes last week even though the injuries for the 49ers were massive. The Rams will still be a playoff team and have a great year but they need to find other ways to score points than throw the ball to Puka 15 times a game.

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13. New England Patriots /\6

3-2

Last Week: 23-20 Win at BUF

The Patriots looked like a legitimate playoff team on Sunday Night in Buffalo. Drake Maye is controlling the ball and making big plays while the defense has been good enough to win big games. Leadership from Mike Vrabel and now Stefon Diggs is making a huge difference now and with their upcoming schedule this team could really make some noise in the next few weeks.

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14. Atlanta Falcons --

3-1

Last Week: BYE Week

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15. Seattle Seahawks \/4

3-2

Last Week: 38-35 Loss vs TB

Sam Darnold had one of his best games of his career this week but threw a late, game-sealing interception that wasn't even totally his fault. Whether the defense had a terrible day against the Buccs or Baker Mayfield really is that dude, this team needs to find some consistency to live up to the Top-10 potential their roster has.

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16. Los Angeles Chargers \/8

3-2

Last Week: 27-10 Loss vs WAS

Injuries man... Justin Herbert has been the most pressured Quarterback for the last 4 weeks BY A LOT and it showed against the Commanders' D-line. Adding to the trouble is Omarion Hampton's move to IR and Joe Alt still not practicing and it's such a shame for a team that was Top-3 in my rankings just 2 weeks ago.

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17. Pittsburgh Steelers \/1

3-1

Last Week: BYE Week

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18. Houston Texans /\2

2-3

Last Week: 44-10 Win at BAL

Here's another team that had a great showing but also came at the expense of one of the most injured teams in the league. The Texans gave the Ravens their worst defeat at home in a decade but besides Lamar Jackson, 8 other starters were out so... I don't know how to judge them just yet.

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19. Baltimore Ravens \/9

1-4

Last Week: 44-10 Loss vs HOU

Speaking of the Ravens, this team could go even further down this list but I believe Harbaugh will figure out how to win a game or two without some starters. Once Lamar comes back this team will be better and if they get their linebackers and cornerbacks back by midseason, don't be surprised to see the Ravens in Wild Card contention.

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20. Minnesota Vikings \/2

3-2

Last Week: 21-17 Win vs CLE

The Vikings dropping 2 spots after a win is regrettable but honestly there are so many teams that impress me more. Minnesota and Kevin O'Connell know how to win and their defense is good, but regardless of being in London or not they should have put this game out of reach not win by a last-second touchdown.

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21. Chicago Bears --

2-2

Last Week: BYE Week

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22. Dallas Cowboys /\1

2-2-1

Last Week: 37-22 Win at NYJ

I'll say this about the Cowboys, their offense is really coming together and when Ceedee Lamb comes back, watch out. Sadly they still have one of the worst defenses in the league and have only beaten the Giants and Jets so far this season.

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23. Carolina Panthers /\5

2-3

Last Week: 27-24 Win vs MIA

The Panthers are the most inconsistent team in the league this year so thank god they had Rico Dowdle on Sunday. 200 yards from the former-Cowboy was barely enough to beat the lowly-Dolphins in their home stadium as their defense let Tua look like 87-Marino.

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Photo by Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

24. Arizona Cardinals \/2

2-3

Last Week: 22-21 Win vs TEN

That may have been the biggest fumble of a game I've ever seen, pun intended. The Cardinals have now lost 3 in a row including a home game against one of the worst rosters in the league. Things need to change FAST for this team and it may have to start with the coach...

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25. Cleveland Browns --

1-4

Last Week: 21-17 Loss vs MIN

The Browns have a legit Top-10 defense but a Bottom-10 everything else. Quinshon Judkins is the only bright spot on this team's offense and even though they only lost to the Vikings by a last-minute score, the Browns are still the Browns.

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26. Miami Dolphins --

1-4

Last Week: 27-24 Loss at CAR

Boy, are the Mike McDaniel-firing rumors back? This loss was not on Tua who has one of his best games in years on Sunday but the team just can't win games in the 4th quarter and that's a BIG problem. 3 losses from 4th quarter comebacks have them at 1-4 and in real danger mode.

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27. New Orleans Saints /\4

1-4

Last Week: 26-16 Win vs NYG

I've been saying for weeks that the Saints were not as bad as people thought and they proved it this week. Ok, against the Giants no less but still, their defense is mediocre at worst and Spencer Rattler doesn't turn the ball over. Still a LONG way to go from being respectable but definitely not in the basement anymore.

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28. New York Giants \/4

1-4

Last Week: 26-14 Loss at NO

Aaaaaaaand Jaxson Dart-mania is over. Not his fault this team has poor coaching and their best offensive player is out for the season. Still, this defense should be doing so much better than what they have been. You can't bank your season on a late-1st round QB and expect to win.

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29. Las Vegas Raiders \/2

1-4

Last Week: 40-6 Loss at IND

The Raiders are on a 4-game losing streak and haven't looked competitive since their Week 1 win. I'm not sure Pete Carroll is the man for this job because they're roster is perfectly serviceable but they get molly-whopped every game.

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30. Cincinnati Bengals --

2-3

Last Week: 37-24 Loss vs DET

Jake Browning continues to do the best he can but I'm convinced this is hands-down the worst roster in the league. Saved by Ja'Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals seem to have no chance to beat anyone besides the Jets who come to town in 3 weeks time for the rest of the season... or until burrow returns... scratch that, IF Burrow returns.

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Photo by Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images

31. New York Jets \/2

0-5

Last Week: 37-22 Loss vs DAL

The 2025 New York Jets are the first team in NFL history to start 0-5 without a single takeaway. For a team built for their defense and a Head Coach who was supposedly a defensive guru.. this is getting out of hand quickly. Justin Fields is doing all he can but the Jets may need to look at new coaching options already.

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32. Tennessee Titans --

1-4

Last Week: 22-21 Win at ARI

This may be controversial but I'm keeping the Titans at my #32 spot even after their away win in Arizona. The fact is the Titans needed A LOT OF HELP to win that game and Arizona seemed adamant to do so. A bottom-2 roster with a terrible head coach and a rookie QB who's not bad but definitely not great... the Titans will need help to win any more games this season and I still believe they will get another #1 pick come April.

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