NFL Power Rankings Week 5 – October 11 2005

I am disgusted with the NFC. No one wants to step into the driver’s seat. The three top teams in the NFC all lost and only Atlanta had a “quality” loss. The fact that we’re talking about quality losses saddens me more than Katie Holmes selling her soul for better movie roles.

Meanwhile, Indy and Pitt continue to roll along, and New England makes a statement that you can never count them out. Here are your power rankings for week 5.

Rank (Pv)	Team	Record	Comment
1 (1)		5-0	The last undefeated team deserves the top spot. I realize SF and Alex Smith wasn’t much of a challenge but the Colts bandwagon hardly even felt that speed bump.
2 (3)		3-1	On MNF, John Madden said Hines Ward smiles more and has more fun than anyone else in the league. Brett Favre’s jock immediately got 300 lbs lighter.
3 (7)		4-1	Broncos are playing good ball but Jake Plummer is averaging 176 yards a game, with only 92 yards against the Redskins. You could use the icy rain as an excuse last week but Brunnel went for 300+.
4 (2)		4-1	It doesn’t bode well for the Bengals that in their first test against a team without a losing record, they fall short. Game against Pittsburgh in 2 weeks will set the tone for the season.
5 (4)		4-1	Against the Jets, they only averaged 4.0 yards per play, compared to an average of 5.1 ypp the previous 4 weeks. If this is life without Williams, what happens in December when the Cadillac hits the rookie wall?
6 (5)		3-2	Matt Schaub had more than twice as many passing yards as Michael Vick averaged in 4 games. Was it only the depleted the NE secondary?
7 (6)		3-2	The Eagles are notoriously bad before a bye week. Was the pounding by Dallas just part of the trend or are there deeper problems in Philly?
8 (9)		3-2	You really can never count New England out. I’m not sure how they did it with that thrown together defense. Oh yes I do. Brady and Vinatieri.
9 (10)		3-1	Good news for Dallas fans, since 2001, the Giants are 0-4 coming out of a bye week. Will this team buck the trend?
10 (12)		3-2	Fred Taylor finally busts through the 100 yard mark against the Bengals. Is this the year Taylor shakes the “Fraud” label?
11 (16)		3-2	Another loss to the Rams and they would have been completely in their heads. Meanwhile, Shaun Alexander leads the league in rushing. I wonder where he’ll end up next year. Philly perhaps?
12 (21)		3-2	They dominated the Eagles so thoroughly last Sunday that the ugly sideline incident between Keyshawn and Bledsoe got quickly swept under the rug. I think Bledsoe told him that a flashlight wouldn’t have coughed up the football.
13 (13)		3-2	They needed a 4th quarter comeback to beat the best team in Mexico. Monday night hangover or just a bad (26th ranked) offense?
14 (8)		2-3	Yes, I know they have a losing record but this team should rise back to top playoff contender with LT in the mix. Either that or bye bye Marty.
15 (11)		3-1	They came within an Ian Gold paw from tying up that game. Impressive effort in Mile High. They’re tops in the NFC in 3rd down conversion %.
16 (22)		2-3	They won that game on the strength of improved defensive play. That doesn’t mean that the quarterback controversy isn’t alive and well, though. My vote is for Holcomb.
17 (14)		2-2	The Raiders were on a bye right? because I think they put on Miami uniforms this week. The Dolphins committed 18 penalties for 108 yards.
18 (15)		2-2	The Chiefs get Eric Warfield back from a 4 game suspension for felony DUI. Great, just what they need. Another defensive player playing like a drunk.
19 (17)		1-3	The Raiders are the second of 4 opponents that the Chargers are playing coming out of a bye week. Someone in the league office hates the Chargers.
20 (20)		2-2	The ground games gets it done for them after an early injury to Roy Williams. That three headed WR threat isn’t looking so smart after all.
21 (25)		2-3	I know you play the games to win but if you expect anything out of Vinny in the long haul, you’re better off in the Matt Leinert sweepstakes.
22 (27)		2-3	Jeff Fisher got his 100th victory against the Texans. Since Houston is in their division, he’s assured of at least 101 wins after this year.
23 (18)		2-3	We hope for a speedy recovery for Mike Martz. But you gotta know your reputation is in the toilet when people start questioning whether his leave of absence will make the Rams a better team.
24 (29)		2-2	We were wondering how the curse of being the Brown’s top draft pick would get to Edwards. Elbow infection wasn’t even on the radar.
25 (31)		1-4	The mad crapper leads the Packers to 2 TDs before breaking his ankle. Could things get any worse in Green Bay?
26 (26)		1-3	Just having to follow a division where 1-3 is worth second place offends me. At least Minnesota used to wait until it got cold to fade away.
27 (19)		2-3	Deuce McAllister down for the season. I guess the good news for him is that he no longer has to be part of another 50 point drubbing. Call me a cup is half full kind of guy.
28 (24)		1-3	Jamal Lewis and Ed Reed are worried about their contracts. Kemoeatu is making obscene gestures at the crowd. They lose to the Lions? It’s hard to believe anyone picked them for the Super Bowl.
29 (28)		1-4	In the past two weeks, McCown has gone for almost 400 yards twice. Against the Niners is no big deal but Carolina actually plays defense. Kurt Warner in Chicago next year?
30 (26)		1-3	The good news for Chicago fans is that the White Sox are in the ALCS. The bad news is that Kyle Orton is still your quarterback.
31 (32)		1-4	How many times do you think someone has said to Alex Smith, “hey look, Troy Aikman went 1-15 his first year”?
32 (30)		0-4	Andre Johnson is injured. David Carr is terrible. Dom Capers is about to get fired. Houston, you are now on the clock.