Power Rankings - Week 5
Oct 14, 2020 12:56:04 GMT -5
Colts GM (Darryl), Rams GM (Frank), and 4 more like this
Post by Panthers GM (Jesse) on Oct 14, 2020 12:56:04 GMT -5
Although surely not the last weird week of this 2020 season, plenty of surprises and scheduling confusion was present in week 5. All told, the only game that was rescheduled from the week 5 slate was Patriots and Broncos. This week’s point to consider: Currently, ZERO division leading team in Legacy has more than one win more than their 2nd place challenger, with 3 divisions currently showing ties for 1st. Nothing is decided here in Legacy yet and onward we push!
32. (-2) Cleveland Browns (0-5)
This team annoys me. Worst scoring team in week 5 and possibly the worst roster in general. Maybe they can flip Brees and/or Dalton for….something.
31. (+1) Indianapolis Colts (0-5)
Combined offensive skill position stats for the Colts this week: 2 carried for -1 yds, 2 catches for 19 yards. And a tackle. At least the Colts are making moves towards the future, they wont be down here forever.
30. (+1) Cincinnati Bengals (0-5)
Bengals bounce back to score over twice what they did last week in a loss to New York. It was good to see rookie WR Collin Johnson get involved this week and a big game from LB Duke Riley.
29. (-1) Minnesota Vikings (0-4)
Shorthanded even compared to usual, the Vikings fall to 0-5.
28. (-2) Houston Texans (1-4)
Minshew, Gaskins and Jacobs put up over half the Texans week 5 points. With Jacobs and K Lutz on bye this week, they may just have what it takes to lose to the Colts this week and move up on the draft board.
27. (-5) Arizona Cardinals (1-4)
Cardinals saw some breakout performances on their bench this week that could come in handy down the road if they were trying to win this year. Unfortunately, the insane lack of defensive depth, (Really any at all) is going to reduce the Cardinals to the status of “unofficial bye week” soon.
26. (+1) San Francisco 49ers (1-3)
Chase Claypool plays for this team. Next year this offense will feature Tua Tagovailoa, Saquon Barkley, Deandre Swift, and Chase Claypool as a base. Do with this info what you will. I’d be buying stock in San Francisco.
25. (+4) Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)
Will Fuller. Jerry Jeudy. CeeDee Lamb. I comment on the progress of this trio every week. This week we may have seen a breakout performance from Eagles WR Travis Fulgham. The Chiefs actually rise to 2-3 this week after knocking off the Texans. They still have no QB and they kept Derrick Henry on the bench for some reason.
24. (-4) Buffalo Bills (2-3)
Buffalo rises to 2-3 with a 183 point performance led by Allen, Robinson and Sanders (The Lawfirm). Carlton Davis and Patrick Queen also flashed brilliance this week. The Bills are a diligent offseason away from relevance.
23. (-3) Chicago Bears (3-2)
The Bears are cooked despite playing in one of the weakest divisions in the league. 29th in week 5 scoring, the Bears take on a Packers team that just dropped over twice what they scored this week.
22. (-8) Detroit Lions (3-2)
Caveat the Lions 132 point performance with the knowledge that QB Stafford was on bye this week, but the offense is still very unimpressive. Higgins is a stud and they have a few Golden Tate types that can fetch a few points on a good week, but they need someone to emerge if they want to be anything but a first round knockout.
21. (+4) San Diego Chargers (2-3)
Wow. The Chargers got their big games from their big names this week and turned it into 205 points with some help from the defense. This isn’t a team void of talent and they should improve to .500 this week against the Chiefs.
20. (-6) Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
The Steelers got destroyed this week by the Patriots, and only scored 17 bench points (0 offensive). They are wrecked by injuries and bye weeks. Better days are ahead, but they could very well lose their division lead to Baltimore this week
19. (-2) New York Jets (3-2)
The Jets got the week 5 win to bring their record to 3-2. They did this despite 12(!!!) bye weeks on their roster including a few starters. If the Ravens ever realize JK Dobbins is good, he must be averaging 20 yards a carry, the Jets will be a lot scarier. As it stands they’re in the midst of a successful rebuilt with the potential to knock out anybody any given Sunday.
18. (+1) Denver Broncos (3-2)
With no Tonyan and TEN starters securing less than 2 points this week for the Broncos, they took out the Titans. Kevin is making some real lemonade with his rebuilding roster here. Amazingly, the Broncos are only one game back from the Raiders for the division lead. It’s Broncos/Raiders time in week 6, and the winner of that game will be leading the division.
17. (-2) Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
Despite winning this week and averaging 189pts a week, the Cowboys are 3 games out of the division lead currently. It’s hard to find an AFC East championship for them in the cards. Most of their good players are young and getting better.
16. (=) Baltimore Ravens (2-3)
It's never a fair comment, but one has to think if Aaron Rodgers wasn’t on bye this week he could have made the 12 points necessary for the Ravens to upset the Dolphins happen. That all comes out in the wash when you realize the Ravens are a week 6 win over a Steelers team that put up 122 points from the 1st place slot in the AFC North.
15. (+8) Green Bay Packers (2-3)
Resurrection. The Packers looked like their old selves again despite no Ekeler as they scored 230 points this week, 3rd in Legacy. Someone has to win the NFC North. Perhaps the Packers have been overlooked as that Super Bowl hangover begins to subside.
14. (+7) New Orleans Saints (3-2)
Are we witnessing the beginning of a breakout? The Saints turned all those bench points into real palpable production this week as they scored 200 for the first time this season in a blowout over Arizona. Justin Herbert/Mike Williams have the look of a dynamic duo if Monday night is any indication. They have the chance to put a jawdropping win on paper this week versus a Falcons team with Alvin Kamara on bye. If the Saints win vs Falcons and the Buccaneers win over Carolina, the Saints will be in 1st place in the NFC South. Incredible.
13. (+5) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
Woooo! The Jaguars followed up their horrific week 4 result with a WIN over my 2nd ranked team coming into the week, the Raiders. The Jaguars proved they still have a rolex wearin, diamond ring wearin’, kiss stealin’, wheelin’ dealin’ limousine ridin’ jet flyin’, son of a gun of an offense when Goff, Henderson, Anderson, Ridley and the gang play like they ought to.
12. (-1) Philadelphia Eagles (3-2)
Jimmy G returned for Philly and laid a massive egg, scoring -2.15 points this week. The lack of depth is exposing the Eagles. A date with division rival Giants is next as the Eagles look to avoid further backslide.
11. (-4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)
Another one bites the dust in Frank’s warpath as the Buccaneers fall to a shocking 2-3. Unlike last week, they had a few too many goose eggs in the lineup and a lack of big games, including QB Matt Ryan who only put up 7 points as his real life Falcons fell to 0-5. Could Le’Veon Bell’s release be a huge blessing in disguise for the Bucs? A near must-win game looms with the Panthers.
10. (=) New England Patriots (4-1)
The main concern for the Patriots? Dak Prescott’s ankle injury leaves them with no QB right now. Three who combined for over 60 points this week are the engine for this team, but they must make a move if they want to keep rolling like they have been. With Miami on deck, that move has to come now.
9. (-4) Tennessee Titans (3-2)
This result stings to look at as the Titans fall to 3-2 in a close 3-point loss to the Denver Broncos. Any time you lose that close of a game you glare at your bench and cover your face to see about 5 different decisions that would have won you the week. A MASSIVE week 6 matchup looms for the Titans as they face their 3-2 division co-leaders, Jacksonville.
8. (+4) New York Giants (4-1)
The Giants made a bunch of moves last week because they think they can compete for a title this year. That revamped roster went on to lead Legacy in week 5 scoring at 268 points. Still not an exceptionally deep team, they have some genuine cannons on offense and a hyper consistent defense.
7. (-1) Atlanta Falcons (3-2)
The Falcons survived a lackluster 49ers team this weekend thanks to a surprise 7 yard/4rec 1 TD day from Isaiah McKenzie on Tuesday night. Now not every game can be a big win, but the Falcons were one of the teams who started TWO players this week who were on bye weeks. They better set that lineup next week as they take on a surging 3-2 Saints team that dropped 200 this weekend, you need every win you can muster in this division.
6. (+3) Washington Football Team (5-0)
So they’ve done it again. There are only TWO undefeated teams left in Legacy. The Rams, and America’s Team, the Football Team. Luckily for them but sadly for the rest of us, Washington actually will not meet the insurgent 4-1 Giants this week as they will instead face a perfectly dangerous Cowboys team instead. Washington still struggles for offensive depth with only 4.3 bench points, all coming from one (very nice) Byron Pringle catch for 23 yards.
5. (-2) Carolina Panthers (3-2)
With no starting QB and no Aaron Jones, the Panthers took a hard fought loss to the Seahawks this week. The Panthers roster as a whole struggled this week with plenty of 2, 3, 4 point games to go around. With a three way tie atop the NFC South and no clarity in sight, the dogfight for this division rolls on. Up next, the 2-3 Buccaneers.
4. (+4) Miami Dolphins (4-1)
Dolphins will wipe the sweat from their brow after surviving a week 5 date with the Ravens by 12 points. This team’s offensive potential was slashed even more than it has been this week with Michael Thomas, CMC, and Edleman all out on offense. With Thomas presumably set to return this week and Edleman coming off the surprise bye, the Dolphins have a date with a Patriots team that means to show they have what it takes to lead this division.
3. (+1) Seattle Seahawks (4-1)
Depth and RB continue to be issues for the Seahawks, but they were able to slap the Panthers down the list this week with a win. Like most of the top 10 teams in Legacy, the Seahawks must focus on one thing if they want a chance at a ring in 2020: Can they beat the Rams? My guess, currently, they can not. Fournette and Anthony McFarland are talented enough to get the job done, but they have not done it thus far this season and managed to chip in 1 combined point with Fournette only technically active for the Bucs. A trade for some depth would go a long way to getting the Seahawks prepared for upcoming bye weeks. Up next they take their turn at the 5-0 Rams.
2. (=) Las Vegas Raiders (4-1)
Two weeks ago the Raiders lost their undefeated streak to the Titans but regained that status when stat corrections fell their way after I had posted my rankings. Once again the Raiders are showing a loss, this time to the Jaguars by less than a point. The shameful part? Raiders left Broncos Covid bye week Denver LB Josey Jewell in the lineup while their two backup linebackers rode the bench with 15 and 6 points this week. Set your lineups, fellas. That’s laziness.
1.(=) Los Angeles Rams (5-0)
Never to be found with their foot off the gas, the Rams once again levied the 2nd highest league score in week 5 at 241. Aaron Donald’s manbeast run that gave Frank 4 sacks and 35 points from the DT slot is going a long way to putting an already good roster into elite territory every week. Rams get their dangerous division rival Seahawks (4-1) this week.
32. (-2) Cleveland Browns (0-5)
This team annoys me. Worst scoring team in week 5 and possibly the worst roster in general. Maybe they can flip Brees and/or Dalton for….something.
31. (+1) Indianapolis Colts (0-5)
Combined offensive skill position stats for the Colts this week: 2 carried for -1 yds, 2 catches for 19 yards. And a tackle. At least the Colts are making moves towards the future, they wont be down here forever.
30. (+1) Cincinnati Bengals (0-5)
Bengals bounce back to score over twice what they did last week in a loss to New York. It was good to see rookie WR Collin Johnson get involved this week and a big game from LB Duke Riley.
29. (-1) Minnesota Vikings (0-4)
Shorthanded even compared to usual, the Vikings fall to 0-5.
28. (-2) Houston Texans (1-4)
Minshew, Gaskins and Jacobs put up over half the Texans week 5 points. With Jacobs and K Lutz on bye this week, they may just have what it takes to lose to the Colts this week and move up on the draft board.
27. (-5) Arizona Cardinals (1-4)
Cardinals saw some breakout performances on their bench this week that could come in handy down the road if they were trying to win this year. Unfortunately, the insane lack of defensive depth, (Really any at all) is going to reduce the Cardinals to the status of “unofficial bye week” soon.
26. (+1) San Francisco 49ers (1-3)
Chase Claypool plays for this team. Next year this offense will feature Tua Tagovailoa, Saquon Barkley, Deandre Swift, and Chase Claypool as a base. Do with this info what you will. I’d be buying stock in San Francisco.
25. (+4) Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)
Will Fuller. Jerry Jeudy. CeeDee Lamb. I comment on the progress of this trio every week. This week we may have seen a breakout performance from Eagles WR Travis Fulgham. The Chiefs actually rise to 2-3 this week after knocking off the Texans. They still have no QB and they kept Derrick Henry on the bench for some reason.
24. (-4) Buffalo Bills (2-3)
Buffalo rises to 2-3 with a 183 point performance led by Allen, Robinson and Sanders (The Lawfirm). Carlton Davis and Patrick Queen also flashed brilliance this week. The Bills are a diligent offseason away from relevance.
23. (-3) Chicago Bears (3-2)
The Bears are cooked despite playing in one of the weakest divisions in the league. 29th in week 5 scoring, the Bears take on a Packers team that just dropped over twice what they scored this week.
22. (-8) Detroit Lions (3-2)
Caveat the Lions 132 point performance with the knowledge that QB Stafford was on bye this week, but the offense is still very unimpressive. Higgins is a stud and they have a few Golden Tate types that can fetch a few points on a good week, but they need someone to emerge if they want to be anything but a first round knockout.
21. (+4) San Diego Chargers (2-3)
Wow. The Chargers got their big games from their big names this week and turned it into 205 points with some help from the defense. This isn’t a team void of talent and they should improve to .500 this week against the Chiefs.
20. (-6) Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
The Steelers got destroyed this week by the Patriots, and only scored 17 bench points (0 offensive). They are wrecked by injuries and bye weeks. Better days are ahead, but they could very well lose their division lead to Baltimore this week
19. (-2) New York Jets (3-2)
The Jets got the week 5 win to bring their record to 3-2. They did this despite 12(!!!) bye weeks on their roster including a few starters. If the Ravens ever realize JK Dobbins is good, he must be averaging 20 yards a carry, the Jets will be a lot scarier. As it stands they’re in the midst of a successful rebuilt with the potential to knock out anybody any given Sunday.
18. (+1) Denver Broncos (3-2)
With no Tonyan and TEN starters securing less than 2 points this week for the Broncos, they took out the Titans. Kevin is making some real lemonade with his rebuilding roster here. Amazingly, the Broncos are only one game back from the Raiders for the division lead. It’s Broncos/Raiders time in week 6, and the winner of that game will be leading the division.
17. (-2) Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
Despite winning this week and averaging 189pts a week, the Cowboys are 3 games out of the division lead currently. It’s hard to find an AFC East championship for them in the cards. Most of their good players are young and getting better.
16. (=) Baltimore Ravens (2-3)
It's never a fair comment, but one has to think if Aaron Rodgers wasn’t on bye this week he could have made the 12 points necessary for the Ravens to upset the Dolphins happen. That all comes out in the wash when you realize the Ravens are a week 6 win over a Steelers team that put up 122 points from the 1st place slot in the AFC North.
15. (+8) Green Bay Packers (2-3)
Resurrection. The Packers looked like their old selves again despite no Ekeler as they scored 230 points this week, 3rd in Legacy. Someone has to win the NFC North. Perhaps the Packers have been overlooked as that Super Bowl hangover begins to subside.
14. (+7) New Orleans Saints (3-2)
Are we witnessing the beginning of a breakout? The Saints turned all those bench points into real palpable production this week as they scored 200 for the first time this season in a blowout over Arizona. Justin Herbert/Mike Williams have the look of a dynamic duo if Monday night is any indication. They have the chance to put a jawdropping win on paper this week versus a Falcons team with Alvin Kamara on bye. If the Saints win vs Falcons and the Buccaneers win over Carolina, the Saints will be in 1st place in the NFC South. Incredible.
13. (+5) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
Woooo! The Jaguars followed up their horrific week 4 result with a WIN over my 2nd ranked team coming into the week, the Raiders. The Jaguars proved they still have a rolex wearin, diamond ring wearin’, kiss stealin’, wheelin’ dealin’ limousine ridin’ jet flyin’, son of a gun of an offense when Goff, Henderson, Anderson, Ridley and the gang play like they ought to.
12. (-1) Philadelphia Eagles (3-2)
Jimmy G returned for Philly and laid a massive egg, scoring -2.15 points this week. The lack of depth is exposing the Eagles. A date with division rival Giants is next as the Eagles look to avoid further backslide.
11. (-4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3)
Another one bites the dust in Frank’s warpath as the Buccaneers fall to a shocking 2-3. Unlike last week, they had a few too many goose eggs in the lineup and a lack of big games, including QB Matt Ryan who only put up 7 points as his real life Falcons fell to 0-5. Could Le’Veon Bell’s release be a huge blessing in disguise for the Bucs? A near must-win game looms with the Panthers.
10. (=) New England Patriots (4-1)
The main concern for the Patriots? Dak Prescott’s ankle injury leaves them with no QB right now. Three who combined for over 60 points this week are the engine for this team, but they must make a move if they want to keep rolling like they have been. With Miami on deck, that move has to come now.
9. (-4) Tennessee Titans (3-2)
This result stings to look at as the Titans fall to 3-2 in a close 3-point loss to the Denver Broncos. Any time you lose that close of a game you glare at your bench and cover your face to see about 5 different decisions that would have won you the week. A MASSIVE week 6 matchup looms for the Titans as they face their 3-2 division co-leaders, Jacksonville.
8. (+4) New York Giants (4-1)
The Giants made a bunch of moves last week because they think they can compete for a title this year. That revamped roster went on to lead Legacy in week 5 scoring at 268 points. Still not an exceptionally deep team, they have some genuine cannons on offense and a hyper consistent defense.
7. (-1) Atlanta Falcons (3-2)
The Falcons survived a lackluster 49ers team this weekend thanks to a surprise 7 yard/4rec 1 TD day from Isaiah McKenzie on Tuesday night. Now not every game can be a big win, but the Falcons were one of the teams who started TWO players this week who were on bye weeks. They better set that lineup next week as they take on a surging 3-2 Saints team that dropped 200 this weekend, you need every win you can muster in this division.
6. (+3) Washington Football Team (5-0)
So they’ve done it again. There are only TWO undefeated teams left in Legacy. The Rams, and America’s Team, the Football Team. Luckily for them but sadly for the rest of us, Washington actually will not meet the insurgent 4-1 Giants this week as they will instead face a perfectly dangerous Cowboys team instead. Washington still struggles for offensive depth with only 4.3 bench points, all coming from one (very nice) Byron Pringle catch for 23 yards.
5. (-2) Carolina Panthers (3-2)
With no starting QB and no Aaron Jones, the Panthers took a hard fought loss to the Seahawks this week. The Panthers roster as a whole struggled this week with plenty of 2, 3, 4 point games to go around. With a three way tie atop the NFC South and no clarity in sight, the dogfight for this division rolls on. Up next, the 2-3 Buccaneers.
4. (+4) Miami Dolphins (4-1)
Dolphins will wipe the sweat from their brow after surviving a week 5 date with the Ravens by 12 points. This team’s offensive potential was slashed even more than it has been this week with Michael Thomas, CMC, and Edleman all out on offense. With Thomas presumably set to return this week and Edleman coming off the surprise bye, the Dolphins have a date with a Patriots team that means to show they have what it takes to lead this division.
3. (+1) Seattle Seahawks (4-1)
Depth and RB continue to be issues for the Seahawks, but they were able to slap the Panthers down the list this week with a win. Like most of the top 10 teams in Legacy, the Seahawks must focus on one thing if they want a chance at a ring in 2020: Can they beat the Rams? My guess, currently, they can not. Fournette and Anthony McFarland are talented enough to get the job done, but they have not done it thus far this season and managed to chip in 1 combined point with Fournette only technically active for the Bucs. A trade for some depth would go a long way to getting the Seahawks prepared for upcoming bye weeks. Up next they take their turn at the 5-0 Rams.
2. (=) Las Vegas Raiders (4-1)
Two weeks ago the Raiders lost their undefeated streak to the Titans but regained that status when stat corrections fell their way after I had posted my rankings. Once again the Raiders are showing a loss, this time to the Jaguars by less than a point. The shameful part? Raiders left Broncos Covid bye week Denver LB Josey Jewell in the lineup while their two backup linebackers rode the bench with 15 and 6 points this week. Set your lineups, fellas. That’s laziness.
1.(=) Los Angeles Rams (5-0)
Never to be found with their foot off the gas, the Rams once again levied the 2nd highest league score in week 5 at 241. Aaron Donald’s manbeast run that gave Frank 4 sacks and 35 points from the DT slot is going a long way to putting an already good roster into elite territory every week. Rams get their dangerous division rival Seahawks (4-1) this week.