2018 NFL Power Rankings – Week 5
Week 5 of the 2018 NFL season is in the books. Typically, this the part of the season where the contenders start to separate themselves from the pretenders and I think you will find the same thing happening this season. So, without further ado, let’s get on with it.
❶ Los Angeles Rams 5-0-0 (Defeated the Seahawks 33-31)
After beginning the season against two teams with losing records (Oakland and Arizona) the Rams have now won their last three straight against teams with better records and still maintained an average winning margin of more than two touchdowns per game.
❷ Kansas City Chiefs 5-0-0 (Defeated the Jaguars 30-14)
The statistical differences between the Chiefs and the Rams is so slim, I could probably go with ranking them 1A and 1B. But, if these two teams played each other on a neutral field, I believe the Rams would win. Thus, I kept the Chiefs at number 2.
❸ Chicago Bears 3-1-0 (Bye Week)
I had the Bears at number 4 last week with only the Ravens ahead of them at number 3. No one else behind them did enough to warrant moving up ahead of the Bears. I still believe the Bears are a force to be dealt with in the tough NFC North.
❹ New Orleans Saints 4-1-0 (Defeated the Redskins 43-19)
The Saints moved up three spots from last week. The Saints have now scored more points this season than any other team including the Rams or the Chiefs. Through week 5, their scoring differential has improved from 7th ranked to 5th. One still has to wonder about just how good are the Saints as their Opponents winning percentage is a measly 0.417.
❺ Cincinnati Bengals 4-1-0 (Defeated the Dolphins 27-17)
The Bengals keep winning and I keep doubting. But the data says they belong here at number 5.
❻ Carolina Panthers 3-1-0 (Defeated the Giants 33-31)
The lowest of the one loss teams. Turnover differential is +5 (Rank = 4) and Scoring differential is +3.3 (Rank = 9). If not for their Opponent’s win percentage of only 0.438 (Rank = 25), they would be higher.
❼ New England Patriots 3-2-0 (Defeated the Colts 38-24)
It was just a matter of time for the Patriots to crack the top 10. Their Scoring differential is +5.0 (Rank = 6) and their Turnover differential is +1 (Rank = tied for 10th). But, their Opponents winning percentage is only 0.450 (Rank = 24).
❽ Baltimore Ravens 3-2-0 (Lost to the Browns 12-9)
Last week the Ravens had a Scoring differential of +14.5 (Rank = 2). This week they could muster only 3 field goals in their loss to the Browns. That cost them 5 spots as they fell from 3 to 8.
❾ Los Angeles Chargers 3-2-0 (Defeated the Raiders 26-10)
❿ Jacksonville Jaguars 3-2-0 (Lost to the Chiefs 30-14)
The Chargers share the 3rd highest Opponents winning percentage in the league at 0.600 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The biggest difference is that the Chargers’ Turnover differential is +3 (Rank = 6) whereas the Jaguars is -7 (Rank = 31).
