We’re a quarter of the way through the season and everything is taking shape. That doesn’t mean there aren’t surprises ahead, but we have a good idea who’ll be standing come January (Rams and Chiefs) and who will be battling for the top draft choice (Bills and Cardinals). Here are your Against the Spread NFL Power Rankings for Week 5:
1. Los Angeles Rams (4-0, ATS: 4-0): That Nov. 19 game against the Chiefs is looming large on the schedule, so all that means is some other team is going to slide in there and screw it up. Last week: 1
2. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0, ATS 3-1): Stats aside, what Patrick Mahomes showed against an elite Denver defense in the fourth quarter should reshuffle the entire AFC for years to come. Last week: 3
3. Cincinnati Bengals (3-1, ATS: 3-1): The Bengals crafted a horrendous bad beat for the Falcons last week. Now they need to keep it rolling against a reeling Dolphins team. Last week: 6
Related: NFL Betting Guide | NFL Parlay Betting
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1,ATS: 3-1): It’s too early to start flexing games to prime time and the afternoon, but you know network execs are kicking themselves not getting Sunday’s Jags-Chiefs game under the lights. Last week: 5
5 Washington Redskins (2-1, ATS: 2-1): Not only did the Redskins just come off their bye week, they don’t play until Monday night. With a good coach, that’s a guaranteed win. Since Jay Gruden is the head man in D.C., we can’t be sure. Last week: 7
6. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2 ATS: 1-3): In the grand scheme of things, losing a road game against an AFC opponent won’t kill your season, but dropping an overtime contest against the overmatched Titans can’t make anyone in Philly feel good. Last week: 4
7. New England Patriots (2-2, ATS: 2-2): The opportunity was there to fold up and die, losing three straight and dropping a division game to an improved Miami Dolphins team. Unfortunately for the rest of us, Bill Belichick’s deal with the devil is ironclad. Last week: 11
8. New Orleans Saints (3-1, ATS: 2-2): This team could easily be 1-3 right now and probably should be. If you’re thinking they’ll post an easy win over the Redskins on Monday night, you better think again. Last week: 12
9. Baltimore Ravens (3-1, ATS: 3-1): I think I’ve figured out this Ravens team. Against the rest of the league, they’re a dangerous opponent. Against the Bengals, they’re the complete opposite. Last week: 17
10. Chicago Bears (3-1, ATS: 3-1): Matt Nagy turned Mitchell Trubisky loose and six touchdowns later he’s the future of all humanity. Last week: 18
11. Tennessee Titans (3-1, ATS: 3-1): Back-to-back season altering wins for the Titans. Don’t blow it against the Bills. Last week: 19
12. Green Bay Packers (2-1-1 ATS: 2-2): Aaron Rodgers called out the playcalling and play design this week after a beat down of the Buffalo Bills. It’s like he’s tired of wasting the final years of his precious career with Mike McCarthy or something. Last week: 13
13. Carolina Panthers (2-1, ATS: 2-1): That’s a precipitous drop for the Panthers during an off week, but they can fix it with a victory over the Giants on Sunday. Last week: 8
14. Miami Dolphins (3-1, ATS: 3-1): The Dolphins just played a “Contenders vs Pretenders Bowl” — and lost it by 31 points. Last week: 3
15. Minnesota Vikings (1-2-1,ATS: 1-3): Beating the Eagles on the road can fix all these problems very quick. Last week: 9
16. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2, ATS: 1-3): There’s no room for a stumble against the Raiders. If the Chargers are a potential playoff team (and I don’t think they are), this is a must win. Last week: 21
17. Dallas Cowboys (2-2, ATS: 1-3): Jason Garrett gets another gift with a Texans team on the Sunday night schedule. It’s one of the few coaching staffs he’ll face this season that are worse than his. Last week: 22
18. Denver Broncos (2-2, ATS: 0-4): What you saw from Case Keenum in the fourth quarter against the Chiefs on Monday night were all the reasons he’s just not a franchise quarterback. Last week: 10
19. Atlanta Falcons (1-3, ATS: 1-3): Remember when the offensive playcalling was the problem in Atlanta? After scoring 1,000 points over the last couple of weeks, that’s off the table. The issue now is that they’ve given up 2,000 points in the process. No, I have not double checked these stats. Last week: 14
20. Seattle Seahawks (2-2, ATS: 2-2): Seattle has won two games in a row, just in time to be crushed by the Rams. They better protect Russell Wilson or this season could wrap up fast. Last week: 24
21. Indianapolis Colts (1-3, ATS: 2-2): The Colts are a fumble and missed fourth down conversion away from being 3-1. Do not sleep on them. Last week: 16
22. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2-1, ATS: 1-3): Le’Veon Bell has let it be known he’ll return for the Steelers Week 7 game against the Browns. At that point, no one will care. Last week: 20
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2, ATS: 2-2): Oh, the Fitzmanity! Thus ends the Ryan Fitzpatrick era in Tampa Bay the same way it ended everywhere else, with back-to-back interceptions and a loss that was never in doubt. Last week: 15
24. Oakland Raiders (1-3, ATS: 2-2): Congratulations to Jon Gruden for picking up his first victory in a couple of presidential administrations. Last week: 28
25. Cleveland Browns (1-2-1, ATS: 3-1): Tough way to lose on a reversed call, but never forget you’re the Cleveland Browns. Finding tough ways to lose is your oeuvre. Last week: 25
26. New York Giants (1-3, ATS: 1-3): New York is the best team that might not win five games in the league. Last week: 23
27. Detroit Lions (1-3, ATS: 2-2): If there was ever a time to steal another big time victory, it’s this Sunday when you host the bickering Packers. Last week: 27
28. San Francisco 49ers (1-2, ATS: 1-3): I think it must be said: C.J. Beathard, you are no Ryan Fitzpatrick. Last week: 30
29. Houston Texans (1-3, ATS: 1-3): With a little more luck like last week, the Texans might win all of three games this season. Last week: 31
30. New York Jets (1-3, ATS: 1-3): I do believe the Sam Darnold excitement has waned a bit. Last week: 26
31. Buffalo Bills (1-3, ATS: 1-3): And, as it always does, reality shows back up at the door. Last week: 29
32. Arizona Cardinals (0-4, ATS: 2-2): New quarterback. Same result. Hey, at least David Johnson got some of you a few fantasy points. Last week: 32
