AFC Power Rankings Week 5: New England Patriots drop
Julian Edelman and the Patriots fell in the AFC power rankings. Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Since Musket Fire is a New England Patriots-focused site, we focus on the most relevant form of power rankings to the Patriots: AFC power rankings.
Here they are, your Week 5 AFC power rankings:
Cleveland Browns
(0-4)
Last week: (0-3)Last rank: 16th
The Browns’ season thus far can be summed up perfectly by Cody Parkey’s false start on a field goal on Sunday. That’s right: a week after missing three field goals, Parkey managed to commit a false start on his own kick. But that’s the Browns. On the bright side, Isaiah Crowell pleased fantasy football owners with 112 yards and a touchdown on the ground. If Crowell does that again next week against the Pats, the Browns just might make it a game.15
Tennessee Titans
(1-3)
Last week: (1-2)Last rank: 14th
By letting Will Fuller bust out for a 67-yard punt return touchdown to break the tie, the Titans fell to divisional rival Houston in Week 4. The defense did their part with Parrish Cox and Jason McCourty each corralling interceptions, and DeMarco Murray continued his strong season with another 95 yards and two scores on the ground, but the Titans still couldn’t get over the hump. A winnable road game in Miami awaits this inconsistent team next week.Next: 14. Miami Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill (17) and the Dolphins fell in this week’s AFC power rankings. Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins
(1-3)
Last week: (1-2)Last rank: 12th
Another week, another frustrating result for a Dolphins team that has tanked significantly in these AFC power rankings since they nearly roared back from a 31-3 deficit against the Patriots in Week 2. The Miami Herald noted how the Dolphins’ rankings have been tanking with each passing game, paralleling the team’s plummet into the cellar of the conference. A Week 5 date at home against the Titans gives the Dolphins a chance to right ship before it gets much worse.13
New York Jets
(1-3)
Last week: (1-2)Last rank: 10th
The Jets’ defense accounted for the team’s only points in the second half en route to a substantial defeat in the Pacific Northwest. Certainly, another three Ryan Fitzpatrick interceptions didn’t help the cause; that’s nine picks over the past two games for Fitzy. Yikes. Things don’t get any easier next week against the Steelers on the road… these Jets are in trouble.Next: 12. San Diego Chargers
Melvin Gordon, Travis Benjamin and the Chargers fumbled their way down these AFC power rankings in Week 4. Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego Chargers
(1-3)
Last week: (1-2)Last rank: 13th
Those Melvin Gordon and Travis Benjamin fumbles opened the door for the Saints to come back in Week 4, and the Chargers will be kicking themselves about it all week. Their inability to close out a double-digit lead at home is what bumps the Chargers behind the Colts in these AFC power rankings, but they rise one spot above their Week 4 ranking at least. It will be tough sledding on the road in Oakland next week against the Chargers’ hot divisional rivals.
11
Indianapolis Colts
(1-3)
Last week: (1-2)Last rank: 11th
The Colts resemble a procrastinating college student in the way they put off scoring points until the fourth quarter. It is truly a risky game to wait until the bitter end to turn on the switch, but that’s what the Colts keep doing. If this keeps up, the Chuck Pagano/Andrew Luck regime may receive a thorough evaluation from the Colts’ brass next offseason. Up next is a Bears team that won under Brian Hoyer in Week 4.Next: 10. Kansas City Chiefs
Jaguars fans saw their team rise in this week’s AFC power rankings. Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs
(2-2)
Last week: (2-1)Last rank: 3rd
It took the Chiefs until the fourth quarter to finally reach the end zone; you could even go so far as to say that the Patriots’ shutout loss wasn’t as bad as the Chiefs’ 29-point deficit in Week 4. Certainly, that’s not how you want to enter a bye week. With both the Broncos and Raiders winning on Sunday, the Chiefs are now in the backseat of the AFC West. Even the 1-3 Jags get slotted above the Chiefs in this week’s AFC power rankings.9
Jacksonville Jaguars
(1-3)
Last week: (0-3)Last rank: 15th
Despite scratching and clawing in the first three weeks, the Jaguars flew to London winless. However, they earned a much-deserved win across the pond on Sunday, and it was a result of T.J. Yeldon finally out-rushing his quarterback (that’s right: Blake Bortles was the team’s leading rusher in the past two games). Now, the Jaguars get to rest up on their bye week before finishing off the month of October against the Bears, Raiders and Titans.Next: 8. Cincinnati Bengals
Carlos Dunlap (96) and the Bengals come in at No. 8 this week. Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals
(2-2)
Last week: (1-2)Last rank: 8th
We’re used to seeing the Bengals come flying out of the gate in the first quarter of the regular season and then falling off as the year wears on, so a 2-2 start is a bit uncharacteristic for Andy Dalton’s unit. However, that could be a blessing in disguise; maybe an uneven start will spark some sustaining life into one of the league’s longest-hurting franchises. On a separate note, the Bengals’ color rush jerseys were by far the best out of the 32 teams.
7
Buffalo Bills
(2-2)
Last week: (1-2)Last rank: 9th
If you’re a Bills fan, this is probably the best Monday morning you’ve had in quite some time. LeSean McCoy’s 108 total yards and touchdown orchestrated this thorough undressing of a favored Patriots side, and Tyrod Taylor’s slippery running and accurate throwing pushed the Bills to victory. Of course, the defense deserves credit for holding the Patriots’ offense to nil on the scoreboard. Next week, the Bills take a trip out west to face the streaking Rams, a fascinating interconference matchup for sure.Next: 6. Houston Texans
Will Fuller (15) led the Texans to victory in Week 4. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Texans
(3-1)
Last week: (2-1)Last rank: 6th
Will Fuller is making his mark in the NFL already, that’s for sure. The Notre Dame product was instrumental in the Texans’ Week 4 win, snagging seven balls for 81 yards and a touchdown in addition to his game-breaking 67-yard punt return touchdown. The Texans did exactly what they needed to on Sunday after their Week 3 embarrassment in New England by rebounding against a divisional rival; next up is a road game against the upstart Vikings. That one will be interesting.5
Baltimore Ravens
(3-1)
Last week: (3-0)Last rank: 4th
Terrance West’s first 100-yard game since his NFL debut as a rookie in 2014 and Steve Smith’s stat line of 111 yards and a touchdown wasn’t enough for the Ravens to remain undefeated in Week 4. Maybe if the defense had sacked Derek Carr even once this team would still have a zero in the loss column, but a 3-1 start is still nothing to sneeze at. The Ravens stay at home in Week 5 with a hosting of the 2-2 Washington Redskins.Next: 4. Oakland Raiders
Michael Crabtree (15) and the Raiders come in at No. 4 in this week’s AFC power rankings. Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland Raiders
(3-1)
Last week: (2-1)Last rank: 5th
This writer has Amari Cooper on his fantasy football team, but it was Michael Crabtree who hauled in three touchdown catches on seven receptions in Week 4, which ended up being the difference for a Raiders team that is rocketing up these AFC power rankings right now. With Reggie Nelson’s thwack on Kamar Aiken to knock the ball loose and end the Ravens’ undefeated spell, the Raiders asserted themselves on the AFC power ladder, and that is reflected in their top-tier ranking.3
New England Patriots
(3-1)
Last week: (3-0)Last rank: 1st
Well, that was ugly. For the first time since the 2006 Dolphins, an NFL team was shut-out after pitching a shut-out the previous week. From the moment Cyrus Jones nearly kneeled on the one-yard line, this game was virtually lost. This team made it three games without their franchise quarterback; going a fourth was evidently a tall order. But a Week 5 encounter with the NFL’s last remaining winless team, the Browns, ought to mean another tally in the win column (let’s hope).
Next: 2. Pittsburgh Steelers
Le’Veon Bell (26) provided a spark for the Steelers in his return. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers
(3-1)
Last week: (2-1)Last rank: 7th
The Steelers hop up to the No. 2 spot in these AFC power rankings after blowing the Chiefs out of the water on Sunday Night Football. Le’Veon Bell didn’t have much in the way of rust whatsoever, racking up 178 yards on 23 touches. With Bell back in the fold, this Steelers offense has a scary amount of weapons. Consider them the team to beat in the AFC North.1
Denver Broncos
(4-0)
Last week: (3-0)Last rank: 2nd
Check back here on Musket Fire every Monday morning for an updated AFC power rankings.
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