The NFL has reached the quarter mark of the 2026 season, and the Week 5 Power Rankings reflect a league in flux. The Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots are rising fast, while the previously unbeaten Minnesota Vikings have fallen out of the top 10 after a Week 5 loss. The Cleveland Browns upset the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 in a pivotal AFC North showdown, and the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Washington Commanders 30-13 in the NFL London Game.
Week 5 NFL Power Rankings
### Top 10: The Contenders
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buffalo Bills | 4-1 | — | Dominant performance continues |
| 2 | Kansas City Chiefs | 4-1 | — | Patrick Mahomes late-game magic |
| 3 | Dallas Cowboys | 3-2 | Up 4 | Rising after Joey Porter Jr. acquisition |
| 4 | Philadelphia Eagles | 3-2 | Up 2 | Defensive identity forming |
| 5 | New England Patriots | 3-2 | Up 5 | Biggest risers of the week |
| 6 | Baltimore Ravens | 3-2 | — | Lamar Jackson still elite |
| 7 | San Francisco 49ers | 3-2 | Down 2 | Brock Purdy still efficient but offense stalling |
| 8 | Detroit Lions | 3-2 | — | Competitive in every game |
| 9 | Denver Broncos | 3-2 | Up 1 | Bo Nix development continuing |
| 10 | Green Bay Packers | 3-2 | Up 1 | Jordan Love healthy and productive |
### 11-20: The Middle Class
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Minnesota Vikings | 4-1 | Down 6 | Unbeaten no more, fall out of top 10 |
| 12 | Cleveland Browns | 3-1 | Up 6 | Browns upset Steelers to go 3-1 |
| 13 | Houston Texans | 3-2 | Down 3 | Lost to Cowboys in Week 5 |
| 14 | Cincinnati Bengals | 2-3 | Up 1 | Showing signs of life |
| 15 | Seattle Seahawks | 2-3 | — | Competitive but inconsistent |
| 16 | Atlanta Falcons | 2-3 | Up 2 | Penix era providing spark |
| 17 | Los Angeles Rams | 2-3 | — | Hovering around .500 |
| 18 | Washington Commanders | 2-3 | Down 4 | Lost to Colts 30-13 in London |
| 19 | Chicago Bears | 2-3 | Up 1 | Caleb Williams showing growth |
| 20 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 2-3 | Down 5 | Lost to Browns, traded Porter Jr. |
### 21-32: The Bottom Tier
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Indianapolis Colts | 2-3 | Won London Game 30-13 over Commanders |
| 22 | New York Jets | 2-3 | Seeking consistency |
| 23 | New Orleans Saints | 1-4 | Quarterback questions continue |
| 24 | Carolina Panthers | 1-4 | Young core developing |
| 25 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 1-4 | Trevor Lawrence facing pressure |
| 26 | Tennessee Titans | 1-4 | Rebuilding mode |
| 27 | Arizona Cardinals | 1-4 | Kyler Murray trade rumors |
| 28 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1-4 | Veteran core aging |
| 29 | Las Vegas Raiders | 0-5 | Winless and searching for answers |
| 30 | Miami Dolphins | 0-5 | Tua situation creating uncertainty |
| 31 | New York Giants | 0-5 | Quarterback questions continue |
| 32 | Los Angeles Chargers | 0-5 | Jim Harbaugh era off to rough start |
Biggest Risers: Cowboys and Patriots
### Cowboys Rising After Porter Jr. Trade
The Cowboys rose four spots to No. 3 in the Power Rankings, and their Week 5 victory over the Texans further validated the trade. With the Eagles at No. 4, the NFC East has two top-5 teams.
The New England Patriots have been the biggest surprise of the 2026 NFL season. At 3-2 and rising to No. 5 in the Power Rankings, the Patriots are ahead of schedule in their rebuild. The defense is playing with discipline and intensity, and the offense has been good enough to win games.
Biggest Fallers: Vikings and Steelers
### Minnesota Vikings Fall Out of Top 10
### Pittsburgh Steelers: Trade Signals Rebuild
NFL London Game: Colts 30, Commanders 13
The Indianapolis Colts delivered a dominant performance in the NFL London Game, defeating the Washington Commanders 30-13. The Colts improved to 2-3 with the victory, and the win gives Indianapolis momentum heading into Week 6.
MVP Race Update
The Week 5 results have sharpened the MVP race. Bijan Robinson continues to build his case as the top non-quarterback candidate, while Brock Purdy remains the frontrunner. For the latest NFL awards coverage, check the NFL awards page.
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brock Purdy | 49ers | QB | Efficient but offense stalled |
| Bijan Robinson | Falcons | RB | Continued explosive production |
| Josh Allen | Bills | QB | Statement win in Week 5 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Chiefs | QB | Late-game magic continues |
What to Watch in Week 6
The Week 6 schedule features several marquee matchups that will further reshape the Power Rankings:
- Bills vs Chiefs — Potential AFC Championship preview
- Ravens vs Packers — Interconference matchup with playoff implications
The quarter mark tells us a lot, but it does not tell us everything. The teams that rise in October are the teams that play in January. The Cowboys and Patriots are rising. The Vikings and Steelers are falling. And the Bills and Chiefs remain the class of the AFC.
The 2026 NFL season is just getting started, and the best football is still to come. For the full Week 5 scoreboard, visit NFL.com.
