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This is going to be an interesting power ranking for a number of reasons. There will be a number of teams that are ranked above what I perceive as ‘weaker' teams with better records or teams with easier schedules thus far. And for the first time, there are teams that were on their bye week that moved upward. I know that teams do not pick their schedules and no one really knows before the season starts who is a weak or strong team, except for a few exceptions. I will give my feedback as to why each team is ranked where they are, and you can either accept it or reject it. But do not blame me, blame the kickers (Jason Elam, Ryan Longwell and Josh Brown) and suspect end of game defensive teams (i.e., Bears and Dolphins).

1. Tennessee Titans- record: 5-0 (rank last week (4): bye)

This is one of the teams on their bye that was rewarded for the Giants' and Redskins' loss. I was close to putting the Steelers at this spot, but besides being undefeated, their wins are more impressive.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers- record: 4-1 (rank last week (3): bye)

This is another of the teams on their bye that was rewarded for the Giants and Redskins loss. This team is behind the Titans in total defense and scoring offense, and thus should be behind them in the rankings.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- record: 4-2 (rank last week (10): defeated Panthers, 27-3)

I cannot believe that I am putting these frauds this high, but their body of work (so far) speaks for itself.

4. Buffalo Bills- record: 4-1 (rank last week (9): bye)

The Bills have arrived in the top 5. This weekend's game against the Chargers will be a test as to whether they deserve this elite status.

5. Indianapolis Colts- record: 3-2 (rank last week (11): defeated Ravens, 31-3)

This is one team that is ranked higher than their record would indicate, but if you saw their game against the Ravens (and I did), it should not be a shock. The Colts are BACK!!!

6. New York Giants- record: 4-1 (rank last week (1): loss to Browns, 14-35)

I wanted to drop this team out of the top ten for the pathetic effort they showed against the Browns. This team is much better than what was displayed on Monday night. It was like they were not ready to play. They better be ready against the 49ers.

7. Philadelphia Eagles- record: 3-3 (rank last week (12): defeated 49ers, 40-23)

Even though the game against the 49ers was not as close as the score would  indicted, when coaches preach finishing, the Eagles' fourth quarter performance is what they meant.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars- record: 3-3 (rank last week (13): defeated Broncos, 24-17)

A solid win versus a solid team. And in the division they're in, they will almost need to run the table to think about the playoffs

9. San Diego Chargers- record: 3-3 (rank last week (16): defeated Patriots, 30-10)

Well, at least we know they can beat the Patriots WITHOUT Tom Brady.

10. New Orleans Saints- record: 3-3 (rank last week (15): defeated Raiders, 34-3)

320 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, THAT'S what I'm talking about Drew Brees!!! (If you read last week's blog, you know what I'm talking about).

11. Washington Redskins- record: 4-2 (rank last week (2): lost to Rams, 17-19)

Bad loss. There is no way you can give a team like the Rams their first win and expect to remain in the top ten. This isn't the BCS!!!

12. Dallas Cowboys- record: 4-2 (rank last week (5): loss to Cardinals, 24-30)

This team is in creeping towards dangerous territory, as in the ‘over-rated' category. And Tony Romo being out will not help matters.

13. Denver Broncos- record: 4-2 (rank last week (7): lost to Jaguars, 17-24)

On paper, this team has a good record. In reality, they are lucky to be at this point. And with the Chargers starting to find their way, the Bronco's chance to win this division is becoming less and less each week. 

14. Carolina Panthers- record: 4-2 (rank last week (6): lost to Bucs, 3-27)

I'm STILL trying to figure this team out. This is another good record team only on paper. Only time will tell.

15. Arizona Cardinals- record: 3-3 (rank last week (18): defeated Cowboys, 30-24)

Calm down all 20 of you Cardinals' fans out there, I realize who they just beat. But even you know that you are not better than any of the teams immediately ahead of you. Beat the Panthers next week, and then you will reap the rewards!

16. New York Jets- record: 3-2 (rank last week (16): defeated Bengals, 26-14)

Sort of like an extra bye week for this team. And next week's opponent (Raiders) is even more pathetic. Maybe this team DID make up their own schedule.

17. Atlanta Falcons- record 4-2 (rank last week (20): defeated Bears, 22-20)

I know I haven't showed much love from this year's Cinderella team. It's definitely not personal, as we all love a good underdog (no pun attended) story. And you have one, Atlanta! This team showed no quit (again, no pun intended. Ok, maybe a little) against the Bears. And I think that they can match up against the Eagles next week (hint: my upset special).

18. Cleveland Browns- record: 2-3 (rank last week (23): defeated Giants, 35-14)

Excellent game on primetime! It's not often a home game against an undefeated team turns into a homecoming of sorts. Is this team finally starting to click, similar to the Colts (not of the same caliber, of course)?

19. New England Patriots- record: 3-2 (rank last week (8): lost to Chargers, 10-30)

Let's face it (and this especially goes to you true Patriots fan), this team is not going anywhere without Brady. Cassel is average at best and their defense is already showing their age. It's time to prepare for next season.

20. Green Bay Packers- record: 3-3 (rank last week (22): defeated Seattle, 27-17)

Nothing like a game versus the Seahawks to stop the bleeding. And just in time, because the resurgent Colts' are coming into town!!!

21. Minnesota Vikings- record: 3-3 (rank last week (21): defeated Lions, 12-10)

When you cannot put up more than 12 points on the Lions, you know your offense has PROBLEMS!!!

22. Chicago Bears- record: 3-3 (rank last week (14): lost to Falcons, 20-22)

Dropping them this many spots is probably harsh. Not playing 60 minutes will do that to you.

23. Miami Dolphins- record 2-3 (rank last week (19): lost to Texans, 28-29)

When you have the thrashing of the Patriots in your 2008 resume, you do not tumble as far after a last second loss.

24. Baltimore Ravens- record: 2-3 (rank last week (24): lost to Colts, 3-31)

I expected rookie Joe Flacco to be in over his head with the defensive speed of the Colts, but you would have thought the Raven's defense had never played the Colts' before, not to mention being thrashed again!!!

25. San Francisco 49ers- record 2-4 (rank last week (25): lost to Eagles, 23-40)

For the second week in a row, they put up a decent fight against a better team. Unfortunately, this time they stopped trying after three quarters.

26. St. Louis Rams- record 1-4 (rank last week (31): defeated Redskins, 19-17)

Congratulations on their first win! And against a respectable team, no less.

27. Houston Texans- record 1-4 (rank last week (30): defeated Dolphins, 29-28)

Matt Schaub's game winning scramble up the middle was a classic example of when a quarterback SHOULD take the game into his hands.

28. Kansas City Chiefs- record 1-4 (rank last week (26): bye)

I would explain why I dropped them two spots during a bye week, but I doubt anyone really cares.

29. Seattle Seahawks- record: 1-4 (rank last week (28): lost to Packers, 17-27)

Hoo-Hum.

30. Cincinnati Bengals- record 0-6 (rank last week (30): lost to Jets, 14-26)

In case you haven't noticed, the three bottom teams also has (or had) the worst front offices.

31. Oakland Raiders- record: 1-4 (rank last week (29): lost to Saints, 3-34)

What do you suppose Lane Kiffin told JaMarcus Russell during the week, leading up to the game? "You know you're going to lose, right JaMarcus?"

32. Detroit Lions- record 0-5 (rank last week (32): lost to Vikings, 10-12)

The movable force (Lions defense) against the unmovable object (Vikings offense). Not the best analogy, but I think you get the point, right?    

Five notes from week five:

1. Two teams, the Texans and the Rams, earned their first victories this weekend. That makes the Bengals and Lions the only winless team, even though the Lions nearly pulled one out also.

2. The Giants were embarrassed Monday night, making the Titans the only undefeated team left. Odds are they have only one more week to enjoy their undefeated status before Indy comes to town.

3. When the Colts' offense is clicking, not even the normally formidable Ravens' defense can stop them. And so much for Marvin Harrison slowing down. Or maybe Chris McAlister is slowing down also?

4. A few weeks ago I left off Matt Ryan when I declared the next quarterbacks of the future. After Sunday's finish and their 4-2 record, Matt Ryan has officially joined the list with Joe Flacco, Jason Campbell and Trent Edwards. Congratulations!

5. There have been a lot of tic-tac penalties of late. And too many of these penalties have caused the direct result of the outcome of games. I hope the NFL committee addresses this issue before the integrity of the game comes under questioning.