2024 NFL Week 5 Power Rankings

There is an epidemic of top QB draft picks who were cast aside by their original team and are now playing well elsewhere. And there’s a lesson some young teams should learn from it.

Unfortunately for the Jets, they sent away more than one. Geno Smith was pick 39 in 2013 and now leads the 3-1 Seahawks. Then they tried to replace Geno with the 3rd overall pick in 2018, Sam Darnold, who now leads the undefeated Vikings behind a 118.7 passer rating.

Former top overall picks include Baker Mayfield, now starting for the 3-1 Bucs, and Jared Goff, who leads the 3-1 Lions and who last week put together what might be the closest thing the NFL has to a perfect game no-hitter.

The list of castaway QBs goes on. Andy Dalton, pick 35 in 2011, keeps popping up in new places and keeps being good everywhere he goes until he’s inexplicably released. Justin Fields, pick 11 in 2021, now leads the 3-1 Steelers as his replacement in Chicago struggles through his rookie season. You could even make a case for Derek Carr, who was picked 36th in 2014 by the Raiders until he was unceremoniously dumped by the team so they could avoid paying him a roster bonus and go sign Jimmy Garappolo. GMs are weird.

My point, as if I haven’t made it a bajillion times, is that I don’t understand why teams are always so desperate to shove a rookie QB into playing immediately. In far more cases than not, it shatters their confidence and they never have a chance to regain it before they’re sent away.

This is why I respect Dave Canales for benching Bryce Young and Jerod Mayo for holding back Drake Maye. It was the right move if Bryce will ever be the future QB of the Panthers or if Maye wants to hit the league with confidence when he gets his first start.

As always, may all your teams win or your QBs be cut and signed years later by a real coach.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) 🥇

I’m kind of afraid to say too much. Like if I write too loudly in the direction of Kansas City, another offensive skill player will be lost for the season. Both Isiah Pacheco (fibula) and now Rashee Rice (knee) are in some limbo regarding whether they’ll be able to play again this season.

The team actually went and signed Kareem Hunt, a jarring acquisition after the way Hunt was cut by the same GM Brett Veach and HC Andy Reid just under 6 years ago after a video emerged of him beating up and kicking a woman. There’s so much to unpack there, but that’s for someone else’s blog, though I’ll be happy to link to anyone who wishes to break this all down.

On the plus side for KC, they’re 4-0 and there’s a possibility they’ll get both Pacheco and Rice back right at the end of the season and into the playoffs. Do not underestimate the strength of a player who was rehabbing all fall instead of going through 17 games of wear and tear. To say Pacheco could hit the ground running is true and also kinda funny when you watch how he runs.

2. Detroit Lions (3-1) ⇧2

There are plenty of great things I could say about the Lions. Deserved praise. Jared Goff is really, really good. Like, really good. He didn’t start the season all that great, but he’s clearly locked in right now.

But, look, I ranked them 2nd so I’m gonna double down on the single criticism I have because it annoys me. When you’re ranked this high, I reserve the right to get picky.

With the game all but in hand and an important play close to their own end zone, a simple screen or draw or short crossing route would have sufficed. Instead, Jared Goff was looking for a big play downfield, held the ball too long, and got sacked for a safety that gave the Seahawks a chance they shouldn’t have had.

The reason this frustrates me so much is because I can hear the conversation between Dan Campbell and OC Ben Johnson. At least the one I think occurred, and it’s entirely possible I’m wrong. But I’ve had those conversations in my own career as both Dan Campbell (the leader) and Ben Johnson (not the momma).

When you’re not the ultimate decision-maker, you wanna hit home runs every time. Ben Johnson saw an opportunity to go for an ill-advised KO, a luxury he has because when critiqued later, he likely won’t be the one held responsible. Nor should he be.

But when that responsibility falls into your own personal lap, you should realize you can’t keep swinging for the fences without consequences. Dan Campbell should have chuckled and smiled, and then calmly said no. Instead, he either agreed with the silliness (or perhaps it was all his idea from the start). Either way, a head coach needs to have at least some restraint, and Campbell continues to show a complete lack of restraint.

I only bring this up because the Lions are and should be in the Super Bowl conversation. And in that conversation, these decisions matter.

3. Minnesota Vikings (4-0) ⇧2

Sunday was a tale of 2 Vikings teams. The undefeated one that went up 28-0 in the 1st half against the Packers, and then the one that muffed a punt with 39 seconds left in the half and let the Packers make it 28-7 before the break. And then 28-14. And then 28-22.

After making it 31-22 and feeling the safety of a 2-score lead, they found themselves at the 13-yard line and ready to blow the lead open again. They ran it with Aaron Jones, who, of course, badly wanted a TD at Lambeau. He ran it to the 8. On 2nd & 5, they ran it with Jones, who ran it to the 4. On 3rd & 1, you guessed it, they ran it with Jones, who got nothing.

It’s now 4th & 1, and the previous 3 plays already made it clear the team wanted Jones to score. We’re quickly approaching a potential Madden Mistake… the kind of thing you only do on a video game because there are no actual consequences. Obviously, you should kick the FG here and go up 12. Yeah, it’s still just 2 scores, but it’s 2 TDs instead of a TD and FG, and that’s a significant difference.

Kevin O’Connell didn’t think so, and after way too much deliberation, went for it. Now, I get using some trickery on a play like this if it puts your best players in unique situations that might actually still suit them. But if Aaron Jones was meant to be a decoy on that 4th & 1 play, it wasn’t very smart to not even fake it to him and to instead use him as a lead blocker. He is not a lead blocker, and he proved that by literally not blocking anyone as he led the way for backup WR Jalen Nailor, who is also not a RB, to get stuffed and fall short of the 1st down.

Again, this isn’t about nitpicking something super important. As with the Lions, it’s about nitpicking questionable late-game coaching decisions that will make a difference if the Vikings remain at the top of the league. There’s a point where aggressive crosses into stupid, and this was that point, and it could have cost them the game.

4. Baltimore Ravens (2-2) ⇧2

Everyone deserves a break from my Ravens love. Go get a drink, then come right back so we can talk about the team they just pummeled.

5. Buffalo Bills (3-1) ⇩3-1/2

Okay, I’ll be nice and give the Bills another week before commenting much. They got beat by a really good team, but they got beaten badly. How they respond on the road against the Texans this week will be critical to how they roll into more midseason road games against the Jets and Seahawks.

6. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) ⇩3

Just when Philly seemed to be getting things sorted out, they ran into the Bucs again. After losing to Tampa 31-15 in last year’s Wildcard round, they dropped this one 33-16 and lost any momentum they might have been gathering.

I don’t like this argument because it’s not based on anything analytical, but there’s something poetic about how those scores lined up. Almost as if the Eagles right now are playing at the level of a team that makes the playoffs and loses in the 1st round.

7. San Francisco 49ers (2-2) ⇔

Sometimes you just have to leave a team where they are until there’s more information.

8. Houston Texans (3-1) ⇔

Sometimes you just have to… well, you get the picture.

9. Seattle Seahawks (3-1) ⇧2

I know, this is a weird bump after a loss. Again, not college rankings. Seattle’s defense has a lot lot lot to work on, but the talent is there, and talent-minus-experience is one of those things that tends to get worked out over a 17 game season.

What caused this bump was seeing Geno get back to carving up secondaries. He can do it, and he can do it well, but sometimes you see the shaky confidence from early in his career push its way through.

When he gets going, it doesn’t just open up the passing game. Geno through it 56 times on Monday night, so you’d think that means the running game was ignored, right? What it really meant was that the running game, despite a lack of carries, was great when it needed to be. Kenneth Walker III had just 12 carries, but went for 80 yards and 3 TDs, including this one.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) ⇩1

Losing to the Colts should be a bigger deal, but starting 3-0 buys some latitude. Also, I rarely come down hard on a team that has to completely adjust their defense due to a QB injury. When all-world athlete Anthony Richardson got replaced 39-year-old Joe Flacco, you can’t tell me it was business as usual.

Speaking of all-world athletes, Justin Fields threw for 312 yards and 1 TD while rushing for 55 yards and 2 TDs. Russell Wilson is almost healthy and looking to be a full practice participant by the end of this week, but it’s not looking like that will matter unless Fields starts to slip.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) ⇧1

Baker Mayfield is out here running for TDs now, too? My man.

12. Washington Commanders (3-1) ⇧9

I’m sure I’ll regret this 9-spot jump, but this is their current energy level. I don’t think they end the season higher than the upper teens, but I wouldn’t wanna play them right now.

13. Green Bay Packers (2-2) ⇩3

After falling behind 28-0 in the 1st half, the Packers got a gift of a pre-halftime muffed punt with time running out. After the rare Head Coach Unsportsmanlike Conduct from Matt LaFleur, Jordan Love finally found a groove with a pretty TD pass to Jayden Reed.

Unfortunately for the Pack, the deficit was too big and time was too short. Being in Wisconsin, of course I saw my social feeds start going off about how Malik Willis should take over. To which I say, shut up, Packers fans. You’re embarrassing me.

Now the talk about bringing Mason Crosby back… okay, let’s talk.

14. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) ⇩1

15. Atlanta Falcons (2-2) ⇧4

16. New Orleans Saints (2-2) ⇩1

This is the perfect example of why I think I have more fun than most NFL writers. Sure, I love being right about things, as most analysts do. Some even enjoy being wrong sometimes… that humble moment of admitting a mistake on camera is something that engages viewers.

But what I love the absolute most is when a team or player is basically always trolling me. For Week 1, I had the Saints at 25th, an important placement from me because it typically denotes a QB-specific issue. After blowing out the Panthers in Week 1, they moved up to 22nd for Week 2. Then they beat up the Cowboys and looked to be the real deal. They were 2-0 with a massive +62 point differential. I could only assume most of us were wrong about the Saints and something special was happening, so for Week 3, they moved all the way up 15th.

And the moment they started getting respect, they put up a measly 12 points against the Eagles in a loss. I was hesitant, but teams have bad weeks sometimes, so I left them at 15th for Week 4. And how did they reward my patience? By losing to the Falcons. Derek Carr is back to his mediocre-ness and the defense looks tired already, so I’m leaving them in this general area until they pick a lane.

If they tie the Chiefs on Monday night, I will salute the scriptwriters.

17. Dallas Cowboys (2-2) ⇩3

I’m not sold. That was a bad win against a bad team.

18. Indianapolis Colts (2-2) ⇔

Joe Flacco will go down in history. I don’t know exactly what for, but he’ll have his own wing of something somewhere. I’m far from done talking about him in just this article, but suffice it to say, the Colts could move up this list in the coming weeks if Flacco keeps playing like this.

19. New York Jets (2-2) ⇩3

I’m sorry Jets fans, but I already brought up Geno (pick 39) and Darnold (pick 3), so I have to do this.

Since 2000, the Jets have drafted 6 QBs between picks 2 (Zach Wilson) and 49 (Kellen Clemens). Only the first one, Chad Pennington (pick 28 in 2000), was on the roster for more than 5 seasons.

Clemens was essentially a backup his entire time with them, starting just 8 games in 2007 due to injuries to Pennington. That only leaves Butt Fumble Mark Sanchez (pick 5 in 2009).

So if you’re scoring at home, their QB history since 2000 looks like this:

• 2000–2006-1/2: Chad Pennington (pick 18)
• 2006-1/2: Kellen Clemens (pick 49)
• 2009–2012: Butt Fumble (pick 5)
• 2013–2016: Geno Smith (pick 39)
• 2017: Josh McCown and Bryce Petty (let’s just forget about this one, though Petty was the team’s 4th round pick in 2015)
• 2018–2020: Sam Darnold (pick 3)
• 2021–2023: Zach Wilson (pick 2)

Stop playing QBs before they’re ready, stop cutting them before giving them a chance, stop listening to your fans and local talkshows when they demand you put in the young guy, and have a little patience. This is why the Packers can keep sending you their HOF QBs when they’re done with them… because they already gave the next one several years to develop.

20. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) ⇧2

See? Bengals are just fine. All they needed was to play a team that would rather play pattycake than tackle.

Chase was asked by a reporter after the game if he was wearing baby oil. I’m not kidding. 👀

21. Vegas Raiders (2-2) ⇧4

22. Chicago Bears (2-2) ⇧4

Caleb Williams threw for 157 yards and a TD and you’d swear from the headlines that he’d arrived and fulfilled all promise attributed to him. Settle down.

23. Denver Broncos (2-2) ⇧4

A 4-spot jump is a lot for a team that won what might have been the ugliest game all season. This says more about the teams below them because at least the Broncos have a defense. Sean Payton should be thankful for that as he tries to scrape his way into another year.

24. Arizona Cardinals (1-3) ⇩7

I fell into a burning ring of fire. I went down…

25. Los Angeles Rams (1-3) ⇩5

down…

26. Carolina Panthers (1-3) ⇩3

down… and the flames went higher. And it burns burns burns… Red Rifle fire.

Yeah, that’s an Andy Dalton joke. I’m allowed cause I’ve said nice things about him for years while most of you goobers have been talking trash.

27. New York Giants (1-3) ⇧3

If Daniel Jones keeps staying healthy, they could hover in this area for a while. It’s at least better than being the NFL version of the White Sox like I thought they’d be.

28. New England Patriots (1-3) ⇔

I have a ton of respect for Coach Mayo calmly telling people that Jacoby Brissett is the starter amidst calls for Drake Maye to be unleashed. I hope for Maye’s sake that Mayo sticks with his plan.

The Patriots are not very good, no matter who’s at QB. Putting Maye in behind a shaky offensive line and a weak group of skill players is how you ruin a young QB’s career. We’ll see how long the team can hold off before Boston fans start dumping Samuel Adams into the Neponset.

29. Tennessee Titans (1-3) ⇧4

Don’t act like you’ve never seen Mason Rudolph‘s name on this blog before. He’s a good QB and quality backup. I was happy to see him help the Titans find a bit of offense. Hopefully, he also showed Will Levis how to manage a game of football instead of trying to play heroball.

30. Miami Dolphins (1-3) ⇩6

This is harsh, but I’m not sure what else to do until they figure out their QB situation. Someone has to be able to connect with the gobs of skill player talent on what is easily the fastest offense in the NFL.

I feel like Tyler Huntley could get to that point, but he needs time, and they may not have time. Frankly, they needed to have Flacco or Marcus Mariota or Tyrod Taylor on their roster when the season began. Hell, they could’ve had Huntley from the start. Instead, those players went to other teams that knew it would be important to have a good backup in place due to their starting QB situation.

My hope is they stick with Snoop and let him find his way in the offense. He’s got a lot of fire in him and looked to be putting things together late in Monday’s game. Much will depend on how secure Mike McDaniel feels in his job.

31. Cleveland Browns (1-3) ⇔

Speaking of Flacco, after everything Joe did en route to winning Comeback Player of the Year and leading an inexplicable playoff run with the Browns, they didn’t even make him an offer for 2024. It’s hard for anyone to speculate why… wait, no it’s not. It’s because Flacco was too good and either Deshaun Watson or the team or both didn’t want him around as Watson continues to suck his way through the first quarter of the season.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4) ⇩3

There is no universe in which I thought the Jags would be the last team without a win. It’s hard to sift through the mess to find the problem, though traditionally you could just say it starts at the top. The problem is that dumping Doug Pederson does nothing to help Trevor Lawrence, whose new contract has some easy-ish outs, but not right away. They may stick with Pederson and Lawrence at least through the season.

Unless the chants get too loud. Then you may see Lawrence released and leading a playoff run for someone else in 5 years.