Week 5 AP NFL Power Rankings: Browns overtake Cowboys, Texans plummet

Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun? Can you believe we’re already at the quarter-pole of the season?

Week 4 didn’t deliver as much on-field drama as previous weeks — but it certainly did off the field. We’ve had postponements, injuries, fights and our first general manager-and-head coach firing of the season. There’s never a dull moment in the NFL.

This week’s voters were Matt Stagner, Pete Sweeney, Ron Kopp and myself.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (1st)

The talking heads will undoubtedly talk about the off night Patrick Mahomes had, but let’s not take credit away from the Chiefs defense. During their 13-game winning streak, it has allowed 26 points or more just once.

2. Seattle Seahawks (2nd)

Traveling across the country against an unpredictable Dolphins team was never going to be a walk in the park. Wins are all that matters.

3. Baltimore Ravens (3rd)

After being humbled against the Chiefs, the Ravens went back to doing what they do best — beating up on the little guys.

4. Green Bay Packers (4th)

The Packers and the Chiefs are two of the best teams in the league. What year is it?

5. Buffalo Bills (6th)

Josh Allen is on fire — and your defense is terrified.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (7th)

An unexpected bye week for Pittsburgh.

7. New England Patriots (5th)

They will be annoyed about letting the Chiefs off the hook, but they will also be optimistic because they had the Chiefs there for the taking.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9th)

Tom Brady threw a really bad pick-six but then proceeded to tear up the Chargers defense. They’re looking stronger.

9. Tennessee Titans (8th)

No new positive COVID tests in a couple of days. Things are looking up.

10. New Orleans Saints (12th)

After going down 14-0 early, you feared for the Saints. In the end, it was all a bit easy for New Orleans.

11. Los Angeles Rams (11th)

A really uninspiring win against a hapless Giants side. More NFC East fodder to beat up on next week.

12. Indianapolis Colts (15th)

The defense is looking really good. The offense — well, not so much.

13. Cleveland Browns (16th)

The Browns are 3-1 for the first time since before Clyde Edwards-Helaire started school.

14. Dallas Cowboys (10th)

Somehow, I think we’ve found a team more unbalanced than the 2018 Chiefs.

15. Arizona Cardinals (12th)

Remember two weeks ago when everyone was drinking that Arizona Kool-Aid?

16. San Francisco 49ers (14th)

With the season looking lost, do the 49ers turn the clock back to 2018 and just force-feed George Kittle targets so he can break the tight end receiving record again?

17. Las Vegas Raiders (18th)

Derek Carr is sick of losing. Good job he’s got a game coming up in a stadium in which historically he has played really well in.

18. Chicago Bears (17th)

How they must wish they went after Cam Newton...

19. Los Angeles Chargers (19th)

The bomb from Justin Herbert was a thing of beauty. He looks like he is the real deal.

20. Philadelphia Eagles (23rd)

The Eagles are leading the East with 1-2-1 record. Six wins might just be enough for them to host a playoff game.

21. Carolina Panthers (28th) | This week’s high riser

They’ve been better since Christian McCaffrey has been out injured. Maybe you shouldn’t pay running backs?

22. Minnesota Vikings (21st)

They won the battle of the 0-3 teams but didn’t look good doing it.

23. Detroit Lions (22nd)

Matt Patricia is now 10-25-1 as the head coach of the Detroit Lions.

24. Denver Broncos (24th)

The Broncos probably found their level on Thursday night against the Jets.

25. Cincinnati Bengals (29th)

Joe Mixon went wild in the battle of the big cats. Joe Burrow got his first win.

26. Houston Texans (20th) | This week’s big faller

The real winners of Week 4. Please wait until after the season before approaching Eric Bieniemy.

27. Miami Dolphins (25th)

Two interceptions for Ryan Fitzpatrick. When’s Tua coming in?

28. Washington Football Team (27th)

It wasn’t Haskins finest performance on Sunday. He will be looking to bounce back against the Rams.

29. Atlanta Falcons (26th)

On the plus side, they didn’t lose in dramatic fashion. Is Dan Quinn the next coach to get the boot?

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (30th)

The roar of the Jaguars is now more like a meow.

31. New York Giants (31st)

No punishment for Golden Tate after his fight with Jalen Ramsey. If only the Giants could put up more of a fight on the field.

32. New York Jets (32nd)

Sam Darnold is looking better, that is for sure — but the J-E-T-S are still a mess.