NFL Week 5 Power Rankings: Eagles fly to the top spot, plus every team’s MVP through 4 games

32. Houston Texans

Record: 0-3-1

Week 4 result: Lost to the Chargers, 34-24

Week 5 opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars

MVP of the season so far: Rookie running back Dameon Pierce has been a bright spot for the Houston Texans to start the season, and has hit 100+ total yards and a touchdown in two straight games. When the Texans eventually win a game this season, chances are Pierce will have a hand in it.

31. Carolina Panthers

Record: 1-3

Week 4 result: Lost to the Cardinals, 26-16

Week 5 opponent: vs. San Francisco 49ers

MVP of the season so far: There isn’t much to love about the Panthers as things stand. Their quarterback is getting booed by the home crowd, their head coach is likely getting fired at some point in the near future, and their star running back has not lived up to expectations to start the year. But hey, kicker Eddy Pineiro is perfect so far, going 8-for-8 on field goals and 6-for-6 on extra point attempts through four weeks of action.

30. Washington Commanders

Record: 1-3

Week 4 result: Lost to the Cowboys, 25-10

Week 5 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans

MVP of the season so far: Washington is getting the full Carson Wentz experience in his first season at quarterback. One exciting development in the Commanders offense is the emergence of rookie wideout Jahan Dotson, who leads the team with four touchdowns in four games. Alongside Curtis Samuel and Terry McLaurin, Washington could have a three-headed monster at receiver at some point this year if Wentz can start getting them the ball consistently.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 1-3

Week 4 result: Lost to the Jets, 24-20

Week 5 opponent: at Buffalo Bills

MVP of the season so far: Minkah Fitzpatrick is a game-changing defender, and he’s shown it from the very start of the season, scoring the Steelers’ first touchdown of the year with a pick-six off of Joe Burrow back in Week 1. He already has three interceptions on the year, good for second in the NFL.

28. Detroit Lions

Record: 1-3

Week 4 result: Lost to the Seahawks, 48-45

Week 5 opponent: at New England Patriots

MVP of the season so far: The Detroit Lions have scored more points than any team in the NFL. Much of that production has come from Jamaal Williams, who leads the league with six trips to the end zone so far this season. Even if he didn’t start the year as the top man on the Lions depth chart at running back, he could certainly finish the season there.

27. Chicago Bears

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Lost to the Giants, 20-12

Week 5 opponent: at Minnesota Vikings

MVP of the season so far: The Chicago Bears have a lot to figure out on offense, but with an anchor like Roquan Smith leading their defense, they’ve been able to start off the year a passable 2-2. Smith leads the NFL with 46 tackles on the season so far.

26. Indianapolis Colts

Record: 1-2-1

Week 4 result: Lost to the Titans, 24-17

Week 5 opponent: at Denver Broncos

MVP of the season so far: After a dominant season from running back Jonathan Taylor last year, the Colts rushing attack looks like it has taken a bit of a step back to start the season. Through four weeks, the biggest game-changer Indianapolis has on offense is wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who has looked like a potential superstar when he’s playing at his best.

25. New Orleans Saints

Record: 1-3

Week 4 result: Lost to the Vikings, 28-25

Week 5 opponent: vs. Seattle Seahawks

MVP of the season so far: Rookie receiver Chris Olave is just the type of player that the Saints need him to be — a fast, vertical threat that can stretch defenses that were built to bend but not break. Olave’s impact can be seen across the offense, even when he’s not the one catching the ball.

24. Seattle Seahawks

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Beat the Lions, 48-45

Week 5 opponent: at New Orleans Saints

MVP of the season so far: Hopes weren’t high for the Seahawks this year after the off-season departure of star quarterback Russell Wilson. But in his stead, Geno Smith has stepped up admirably and is having one of the best seasons of any quarterback in the league. Smith is completing 77.3% of his passes right now, a mark that is a full 7% higher than any other QB in the NFL with at least 100 attempts on the year. In terms of QB rating, Smith currently sits one spot below Patrick Mahomes and one spot above Lamar Jackson. That’s great company to be in.

23. Atlanta Falcons

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Beat the Browns, 23-20

Week 5 opponent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

MVP of the season so far: Cordarrelle Patterson got off to a great start for the Falcons, averaging 5.9 yards per carry with 340 yards on the ground through four weeks, good for fourth in the NFL. Unfortunately, he was placed on the IR this week, leaving Atlanta without their best offensive weapon for the foreseeable future.

22. New England Patriots

Record: 1-3

Week 4 result: Lost to the Packers, 27-24

Week 5 opponent: vs. Detroit Lions

MVP of the season so far: The Patriots defense is its strong point, and so far this season Matthew Judon has been one of their anchors. Judon set a career high with 12.5 sacks last year, and with four sacks through four games to start 2022, he is on pace to break that mark once again.

21. Tennessee Titans

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Beat the Colts, 24-17

Week 5 opponent: at Washington Commanders

MVP of the season so far: The Titans offense goes as Derrick Henry goes. In their two wins, Henry has combined for 290 total yards and two touchdowns. In their two losses, Henry has had just 107 total yards and one touchdown. There might not be a more important non-quarterback offensive player in the league.

20. New York Jets

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Beat the Steelers, 24-20

Week 5 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins

MVP of the season so far: Rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson is off to an exciting start with the Jets, including a two-touchdown performance in New York’s wild comeback win against the Cleveland Browns. If he and quarterback Zach Wilson can find a rhythm, they could be an exciting pair for years to come.

19. Denver Broncos

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Lost to the Raiders, 32-23

Week 5 opponent: vs. Indianapolis Colts

MVP of the season so far: You don’t get many chances to shout out punters when listing team MVPs, but Corliss Waitman merits a mention here. Waitman’s boot proved one of the most important weapons the Broncos had at their disposal in an offensively challenged 11-10 win over the 49ers in Week 3, during which he punted 10 times, pinning six of them inside the 20. If there is another punter in the league more responsible for one of their team’s wins so far this season, I haven’t seen him.

18. Las Vegas Raiders

Record: 1-3

Week 4 result: Beat the Broncos, 32-23

Week 5 opponent: at Kansas City Chiefs

MVP of the season so far: The Raiders move for Davante Adams was one of the biggest splashes of the off-season, and in Week 1, Las Vegas got right to work making the most of its new toy, with Adams going off for 10 catches, 141 yards, and a touchdown. Adams had two suspiciously quiet games after that but bounced back in Week 4 with another standout performance. If the Raiders are going to turn things around after their 0-3 start, Adams will be a key part in moving the offense.

17. Arizona Cardinals

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Beat the Panthers, 26-16

Week 5 opponent: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

MVP of the season so far: Despite inconsistent play across the roster, the Cardinals are 2-2 and tied for the lead in the NFC West. Their two wins came thanks to the stellar play of quarterback Kyler Murray, who at his best, is unlike any other player in the NFL. Even with some obvious tensions between him and head coach Kliff Kingsbury, Murray is pulling his team in the right direction.

16. Cleveland Browns

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Lost to the Falcons, 23-20

Week 5 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

MVP of the season so far: Through four weeks, Nick Chubb is second in the NFL in rushing yards, trailing just four yards behind Saquon Barkley, and more than 100 yards ahead of the next closest player.

15. New York Giants

Record: 3-1

Week 4 result: Beat the Bears, 20-12

Week 5 opponent: vs. Green Bay Packers

MVP of the season so far: There’s not a lot that works in the Giants offense right now, but Saquon Barkley is picking up the slack. Even though opposing defenses know he’s the only weapon New York has that can really hurt them, Barkley leads the NFL with more than 115 yards per game on the ground, helping the Giants to their best start in a decade.

14. Jacksonville Jaguars

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Lost to the Eagles, 29-21

Week 5 opponent: vs. Houston Texans

MVP of the season so far: The Jaguars turnaround this season has been a true team effort. One MVP candidate could be head coach Doug Pederson, who by fact of not being Urban Meyer was already a vast improvement, but has put together a game plan that seems ready to compete with the best in the league. But the biggest surprise among the team’s roster is rookie linebacker Devin Lloyd, who is leading the team in tackles and interceptions to start the year. He’s the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, and with good reason.

13. Los Angeles Chargers

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Beat the Texans, 34-24

Week 5 opponent: at Cleveland Browns

MVP of the season so far: Once again, Khalil Mack has made an instant impact for the team that acquired him. In his first four games in Los Angeles, Mack already has five sacks to his name, good for third in the NFL.

12. Cincinnati Bengals

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Beat the Dolphins, 27-15

Week 5 opponent: at Baltimore Ravens

MVP of the season so far: After a tough start to the season, the Bengals appear to have found a bit of footing, thanks in part to the sure hands of Tee Higgins. While Ja’Marr Chase is still undeniably the top man in the Cincinnati receiving corps, Higgins has been the glue to start the year, leading the team with 315 yards and two touchdowns, despite getting just 28 targets compared to 41 for Chase.

11. Los Angeles Rams

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Lost to the 49ers, 24-9

Week 5 opponent: vs. Dallas Cowboys

MVP of the season so far: Every team that plays the Rams knows that Cooper Kupp is ready to burn them. And still, no one can seem to stop him from getting his. Through four games, Kupp already has 11 more receptions than any other player in the league and is averaging more than 100 yards per outing.

10. San Francisco 49ers

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Beat the Rams, 24-9

Week 5 opponent: at Carolina Panthers

MVP of the season so far: As the 49ers quarterback situation turned into something of a mess, Deebo Samuel remained the team’s best offensive weapon regardless of who was under center. Samuel is a threat whether lined up wide or out of the backfield. Few players in the NFL are more difficult to game plan against.

9. Dallas Cowboys

Record: 3-1

Week 4 result: Beat the Commanders, 25-10

Week 5 opponent: at Los Angeles Rams

MVP of the season so far: This spot could belong to Micah Parsons, who looks well on his way to a Defensive Player of the Year trophy, but backup quarterback Cooper Rush may have saved the Cowboys’ season. Coming in to relieve Dak Prescott after an injury, expectations for Rush weren’t exactly high, especially given how poorly the Dallas offense played in Week 1 with Prescott under center. Since then, Rush has helped the Cowboys to three straight wins, and has Dallas positioned for major success when Prescott is eventually able to retake the field.

8. Minnesota Vikings

Record: 3-1

Week 4 result: Beat the Saints, 28-25

Week 5 opponent: vs. Chicago Bears

MVP of the season so far: When Justin Jefferson shows up, he’s near impossible to stop. In two of his four games this season, Jefferson has cleared 145 receiving yards. To no one’s surprise, the Vikings are 2-0 in those games.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Lost to the Chiefs, 41-31

Week 5 opponent: vs. Atlanta Falcons

MVP of the season so far: While the Buccaneers offense spent the first four weeks of the season trying to get their sea legs back under them, their defense was busy winning football games. Linebacker Devin White leads the team in both tackles and sacks, and has played conductor to one of the toughest groups in the NFL.

6. Baltimore Ravens

Record: 2-2

Week 4 result: Lost to the Bills, 23-20

Week 5 opponent: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

MVP of the season so far: Lamar Jackson already has one MVP trophy and is eyeing up another. Just eight players in the NFL have rushed for more yards than Jackson to start the year, and they’re all running backs. He also happens to lead the league in passing touchdowns, with 11.

5. Green Bay Packers

Record: 3-1

Week 4 result: Beat the Patriots, 27-24

Week 5 opponent: vs. New York Giants

MVP of the season so far: Similar to the Buccaneers, the Packers have been making more noise with their defense than with their offense to start the year, and Rashan Gary is a big reason why. Gary has five sacks through four weeks to go along with a fumble recovery, and should only become more formidable as the winter weather turns Lambeau Field into the tundra.

4. Miami Dolphins

Record: 3-1

Week 4 result: Lost to the Bengals, 27-15

Week 5 opponent: at New York Jets

MVP of the season so far: The Dolphins got what they paid for in superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill. In four weeks, Hill has put up more receiving yards than any other player in the NFL, averaging nearly 120 yards per game, and a solid 70 yards clear of the next closest player behind him. Hill has also forced defenses into making some tough choices, thus leaving teammate Jaylen Waddle (6th in the league in receiving yards) more open than he has ever been.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

Record: 3-1

Week 4 result: Beat the Buccaneers, 41-31

Week 5 opponent: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

MVP of the season so far: Every game, Patrick Mahomes makes a play that doesn’t feel possible. Most recently, it was this one.

—The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 5, 2022

He’s one of one.

2. Buffalo Bills

Record: 3-1

Week 4 result: Beat the Ravens, 23-20

Week 5 opponent: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

MVP of the season so far: Josh Allen in second in the league in passing yards, fourth in passing touchdowns, and sixth in completion percentage. He’s also rushing for nearly 50 yards per game and has found the end zone twice on the ground. The Bills look ready to be Super Bowl contenders this year, and Allen is a big reason why.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Record: 4-0

Week 4 result: Beat the Jaguars, 29-21

Week 5 opponent: at Arizona Cardinals

MVP of the season so far: The Philadelphia Eagles are the last undefeated team in the NFL. On Sunday, they stormed back from a 14-0 deficit against the Jaguars to win in convincing fashion. Heading the charge is quarterback Jalen Hurts, who has developed as a passer, rusher, and leader both on and off the field for the Eagles. He’s the team’s MVP, for sure, and could very well contend for the league-wide trophy come the end of the year.